Seneca Park Zoo announces birth of 2 red panda cubs
Seneca Park Zoo announces birth of 2 red panda cubs[Monroe County Executive Adam Bello ]
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — The Seneca Park Zoo is celebrating the births of two red panda cubs!
The exciting news was announced on Saturday by Monroe County Executive Adam Bello.
The Seneca Park Zoo says Starlight, the Zoo’s four-year-old female red panda, gave birth to two male cubs on Sunday, June 20, 2021.
According to Monroe County, this is the first red panda birthing in the zoo’s 128-year history.
The cubs are doing well and currently weighing 350g and 380g. Mom is also doing great and adjusting well to the new arrivals.
“Even as a first-time mom, Starlight has taken perfect care of her two cubs. We are confident they are in good hands as they grow.” The cubs will remain in their nest box – out of public viewing – until they are two or three months old. At the current trajectory, the red panda cubs will not be available for public viewing for at least another month," Heidi Beifus, the lead Red Panda Keeper said.
Starlight came to the Seneca Park Zoo back in 2018 from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute. Her mate, Willie, 6, arrived in 2020 from Knoxville Zoo.