First peek outside for rare red panda twins
Tuesday 2 October 2012
Rare red panda twins born at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo have taken their very first peek outside!
© Richard Claypole
The girls, named Yin and Yang, were born in June but have stayed tucked up close to first-time mum, Tashi, for the last few months, and are only now beginning to take tentative steps to explore their surroundings.
Keepers have spotted the cute cubs peeping their heads out of their nesting box – and say the duo are already starting to live up to their names.
Senior keeper Tessa Knox said: “Yin is more sedate while Yang seems to be quite feisty, mirroring the philosophies behind their names – opposites yet complementary forces.
“Both are doing really well and are beginning to get more adventurous and confident, though they will continue to stick close to mum for a little while longer yet.”
Copyright Richard Claypole
The twins were born white before starting to develop their distinctive red colouring and facial markings at around eight weeks. They live with Tashi and dad, Peter, in a tree in the middle of the Zoo. The family eat a special high fibre, leaf eater diet - their favourite food is bamboo but they also enjoy bananas and grapes.
The Red Panda is listed on the IUCN Red List as "Vulnerable" and is thought to be under threat because of habitat loss in their native Nepal, with an estimated population of less than 10,000.
Copyright Richard Claypole
Yin and Yang snapped by keepers
