Twin Red Panda cubs make first official public appearance

5/6/03
World Environment Day took on special significance at Perth Zoo this morning when two endangered Red Panda cubs were introduced to the public.
The twin cubs, born at the zoo five months ago, have just started to venture out of the safety of their nest box to explore their Asian rainforest exhibit.
Environment and Heritage Minister Judy Edwards joined zoo veterinary staff this morning as they gave the cubs a quick check over and weigh-in. The cubs, a male (named Mali) and a female (Aru) weighed in at just under 2kg each.
Dr Edwards said the births highlighted Perth Zoo's important role in international efforts to try to secure a long-term future for this endangered species.
"Our zoo is making a major contribution to the regional Australasian captive breeding program for the Nepalese Red Panda, successfully breeding eight pandas since 1997," she said.
Weaning of the cubs, which takes place at around five months of age, is a difficult and risky period for Red Pandas.
Some youngsters don't make the transition to solid food, which in the case of Red Pandas is primarily bamboo, but zoo staff will be closely monitoring the cubs' progress and health.
Dr Edwards said the zoo was well known for its successful captive breeding programs for threatened exotic species like the Red Panda but was also supporting conservation projects outside of its gates, by helping to restore highly threatened species in their natural habitat.
"The zoo's support of biodiversity in the wild and species restoration includes its nationally acclaimed Native Species Breeding Program," she said.
"Working with CALM and other groups, more than 1,100 threatened native animals bred at the zoo have been released into protected habitat in Western Australia as part of recovery plans for threatened native species."
Minister's office: 9220 5050