Rare endangered red panda twins born at zoo

The cubs arrived on June 3, marking the first time red panda twins have been born at Hertfordshire Zoo in 12 years.

The youngsters are the first offspring for parents Nila and Ash, who were paired late last year as part of an international breeding initiative.

Dedicated mom Nila has kept the newborns safely tucked away in nest boxes and thick bushes within their specially designed habitat while they spend their first vulnerable weeks out of sight.

The arrival is even more remarkable because it came just weeks before Britain was hit by one of the hottest periods in recorded history.

Red pandas are native to the cool forests of the Eastern Himalayas, meaning zoo staff have been closely monitoring Nila and her habitat to make sure they stay cool and shaded during the scorching temperatures.

Tyler Whitnall, the zoo’s Managing Director, said: "We are absolutely over the moon to welcome these twin cubs.

“It has been four years since our last red panda cub, Tashi, was born here, so to see Nila and Ash successfully breed in their very first season together is an incredible achievement.

“Nila is proving to be a natural, attentive mother, and the cubs are hitting all their developmental milestones despite facing the immense challenge of record-breaking summer temperatures right after birth."

The red panda, Ailurus fulgens, is listed as Endangered by the IUCN, with fewer than 10,000 in the wild.

Their numbers have dwindled due to habitat loss, poaching and the illegal pet trade.