First red panda born at Chattanooga Zoo in 8 years

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WATE) — While Zoo Knoxville may be considered the “red panda capital of the world,” the Chattanooga Zoo is celebrating a red panda milestone of its own.

Officials announced that a red panda successfully gave birth last month, the first cub to be born at the Chattanooga Zoo since 2016. The male cub is the first offspring of both Saffron and her mate Avi who was the last red panda born in Chattanooga.

Red panda cubs are born deaf, blind, and unable to walk. Since cubs spend their first few months nursing and staying close to their mothers, zoogoers can expect to see it begin to explore his habitat this fall.

Chattanooga TV and radio host James Howard, who is also a pilot, was given the honor of naming the newborn cub after he safely flew Saffron from her previous home at Idaho Falls Zoo last year.

The cub was named “Pilatus” after the model of aircraft used to transport Saffron to Chattanooga.

The Chattanooga Zoo and Zoo Knoxville are among the participants of the Red Panda Species Survival Plan to boost the population of the endangered species. Moving Saffron to Chattanooga was a strategic move as part of the conservation efforts.

With an estimated 2,500-10,000 red pandas left in the wild, repopulation and habitat protection are a major focus of organizations like the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Red Panda Network.

With more than 110 births, more red pandas have been born at Zoo Knoxville than at any other zoo in the world.

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