The cub of an endangered red panda has been described as a “symbol of hope”.
Red panda Tilly, from Paradise Wildlife Park in Hertfordshire, gave birth to a cub affectionally referred to as Little Red on July 16, and the “incredible” moment was captured by CCTV cameras at the zoo.
The zoo called it a “miraculous, beautiful and healthy cub” as it was welcomed in the build up to the UK’s record breaking 40C heat.
However, the moment was tinged with sadness as Tilly’s partner Nam Pang died in June from Addison’s disease about a month before Little Red was brought into the world.
Tilly and Nam Pang met as part of the European Ex-Situ Breeding Programme, which aims to create a safety net for endangered species in the wild.
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The couple tried to conceive unsuccessfully for the past four years, but keepers noticed that Tilly began to nest two weeks after Nam Pang’s death.
They then noticed a small furry addition lying next to her in the nest box during their routine morning checks.
Aaron Whitnall, the operations co-ordinator at the zoo and star of CBBC show One Zoo Three, said: “This cub has become a symbol of hope, after the tragic passing of Nam Pang, for his memory and legacy to live on, is more than we ever expected.
“The birth of Little Red creates a beautiful ending for a tragic, heartbreaking story that shocked the community in the month of June.”
Keepers are not yet able to establish the sex of Little Red but hope to do so at around the six-month mark.
The animals have won over fans from across the globe, who sent messages of support and love for Tilly.
Red pandas have been classed as an endangered species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, with less than 2,500 remaining in the wild.
They are highly threatened due to factors including deforestation and the illegal pet trade.
Paradise Wildlife Park says that it will continue to share updates on Tilly and Little Red across their social media channels and website.
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