A NEW red panda cup has been born at West Midlands Safari Park, near Bewdley, writes Seren Mathews.
Bosses announced the new arrival which becomes the fourth cub to be born at the park in as many years.
Although a name for the cub has not yet been chosen, it will start with the letter ‘O’. All animals born in 2026 have names beginning with this letter.
Keepers first became aware of the little cub after hearing ‘tiny squeaks’ coming from one of the nest boxes.
Lucky glimpse of cub
On the same day, a guest staying in the red panda cottages was lucky enough to catch a first glimpse of the cub. It came as mum Mei Lin had moved the cub from one nest box to another.
The sex of this cub, born on June 21 to the six-year-old experienced mum and dad, eight-year-old Sanka, remains unknown.
Mei Lin arrived in the park in August 2021 and then was joined by Sanka in March 2022.
This was part of a EEP (EAZA Ex-Situ Programme), a collaboration of European zoos to conserve endangered species.
The birth acts as a significant and special moment as in May, the park said goodbye to the cub’s big sisters. They moved to another zoo to carry out the endangered species programme.
Unfortunately, red pandas are listed as endangered animals by the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature).
The endangerment is due to threats of the loss, degradation and fragmentation of their habitat, caused by human activities.
Reports of poaching and hunting are also on the rise, along with smuggling live red pandas for the illegal wildlife trade.
Picture by Matthew Lissimore for West Midlands Safari Park. s
‘Experienced mum doing well’
Head keeper of the Discovery Trail, Vicky McFarlane said: “Following last years’ red panda cubs, Nadiya and Nikisha, leaving for their new homes just a few short weeks ago, we are overjoyed to announce Mei Lin has given birth to another beautiful red panda cub.
“Mei Lin is an experienced mum – having had three cubs previously she knows exactly what to do, so keepers leave her undisturbed to do what she does best.
“With a wild population of less than 10,000 individuals, every red panda birth is special and aids conservation efforts for this endangered species.”
Keepers will continue to monitor but from a safe distance not to interfere.
Red pandas spend the first few months of their lives growing in dens with their mum, so cubs are unlikely to be seen by visitors until they are around four months old.
Guests though will be able to see dad (Sanka) in the Red Panda Retreat.
The park supports the Red Panda Network (RPN) which strives to conserve wild red pandas. The RPN also protects their habitat through the educating and empowering local communities.
As part of this commitment, the park sponsors a forest guardian, who helps monitor and protect wild red pandas and their habitats.
Visit: wmsp.co.uk for more on West Midlands Safari Park and its forthcoming events.
