Zoo Knoxville remains the top zoo in the world for the breeding of endangered red pandas with the birth of their 110th cub.  

The female cub and a twin sibling were born on June 14, 2019 at Boyd Family Panda Village.  Both cubs had low birth weights and were closely monitored by zoo staff.  When it became apparent the cubs were not gaining sufficient weight despite supplemental feedings, the decision was made to move them to the zoo’s animal clinic where controlled feedings could be done around-the-clock.  One cub failed to thrive and did not survive, but the dedicated team of caretakers rallied around the other tiny cub.  Now almost 7-weeks-old, she appears healthy and on schedule with developmental milestones.  Another male cub will be coming to Knoxville to be raised with her in the next few weeks.

Beginning Thursday, August 1, zoo guests can see the cub at daily bottle feedings, which take place at noon inside the Pilot Flying J Wee Play Adventure building.  

Zoo Knoxville is internationally recognized for their expertise in red panda husbandry, and is part of the Red Panda Species Survival Plan.  The Red Panda Species Survival Plan is a collaborative of North American zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) working to save red pandas from extinction.  Zoo Knoxville curator Sarah Glass is the coordinator of the Red Panda Species Survival Plan for all of North America.

Native to Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar and Nepal, red pandas are classified as endangered. Their populations are decreasing due to loss of habitat related to residential and commercial development, agricultural expansion, energy production and hunting and poaching.