Three Endangered Red Panda Cubs Born at Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute

Two litters of red panda cubs were born at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute last month within days of each other. Nutmeg, an experienced mom, gave birth to two cubs June 14. Moonlight, a first-time mom, gave birth to two cubs June 17, but one of the cubs died shortly after birth. Both litters of cubs opened their eyes July 9 and appear to be doing well. Nutmeg’s cubs weighed 367 grams and 234 grams at their last weigh-in. Moonlight’s cub topped the scales at 330 grams.

SCBI plays a leading role in the Smithsonian’s global efforts to save wildlife species from extinction and train future generations of conservationists. SCBI spearheads research programs at its headquarters in Front Royal, Virginia, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C., and at field research stations and training sites worldwide. SCBI scientists tackle some of today’s most complex conservation challenges by applying and sharing what they learn about animal behavior and reproduction, ecology, genetics, migration and conservation sustainability.

# # #

Related Species:

Image Gallery

Continue Exploring

May 17, 2024

Endangered Ferret Kits Now on Cam

Carnivore keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia, welcomed a litter of endangered black-footed ferrets this week.

March 26, 2024

Focus on the Future: Sean Lyons

For graduate fellow Sean Lyons, "getting to the root of it all" was always his focus. So, it comes as no surprise that he wound up working with the root of all life: DNA.

February 21, 2024

Restoring Scimitar-horned Oryx

Twenty-three years after being declared “extinct in the wild”, the scimitar-horned oryx has made a remarkable comeback. Smithsonian ecologist Katherine Mertes shares how the species reached the turning point.