Endangered red panda born at Sunset Zoo in Manhattan

MANHATTAN ( KSNT ) – Staff at a zoo in Manhattan are welcoming the arrival of a rare baby red panda this week following her birth in July.

Melissa Kirkwood with the City of Manhattan shared the news of the birth on Wednesday, Aug. 14 in a press release that local red panda parents, Loofah and Simone, brought a cub into the world on July 14. However, the decision was made for staff to hand-rear the infany after Simone did not display proper maternal care. The cub remains under the close watch of zoo staff.

“The first 30 days of a red panda cub’s life are critical, and our staff are tending to the cub’s needs around the clock to ensure the best care possible,” said Head Keeper, Caitlin Kenney. “The good news is, this little girl is a fighter. She has already overcome several obstacles and she continues to grow and flourish.”

Red pandas, which are found in the wilds of the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China, are listed as an endangered species with the IUCN Red List . This means they are at significant risk for extinction in their native territories.

“A huge thank you to our zookeeper staff and veterinary team for their exceptional dedication to nurturing our red panda cub, which we have named Sunisa, Suni for short,” said Zoo Director Scott Shoemaker. “Suni reminds us of the important role Sunset Zoo plays in conservation. Protecting endangered species like the red panda is essential for maintaining biodiversity and educating our community about the importance of wildlife preservation.”

Red pandas are a little bigger than a domestic cat with a bear-like body and thick russet fur, according to the World Wildlife Fund ( WWF ). They use their large, bushy tails for warmth and balance and are known for being skillful acrobats.

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