Hamilton Zoo red panda cubs

Chlidonias · 4 Feb 2012

the first red panda cub to be bred at Hamilton Zoo is due for its public appearance:
Hamilton Zoo awaits red panda cub's first public appearance | Scoop News

2 February 2012

Hamilton Zoo is awaiting the first public appearance of a red panda cub born at the facility in December.

The red panda, whose gender is not yet known, is one of two cubs born at Hamilton Zoo on 9 December to first-time parents, mother Tayla (4) and father Chito (9). The second cub, which was the smaller of the two, failed to thrive after birth and consequently died.

Hamilton Zoo Director Stephen Standley said the red panda cubs are the first of the species to be born at the Zoo, and staff are keen to see the surviving cub emerge from its nest.

“Because we have never had red panda cubs born at Hamilton Zoo before, we were all very excited to learn of the cubs’ birth prior to Christmas,” said Mr Standley.

“Since then Tayla has been caring for her young babies in the privacy of their nest and we have been waiting patiently to see them venture outside. We were all saddened by news that one of the cubs had died, however the surviving cub is doing well and we looking forward to it making its first public appearance in a few weeks time.”

Last week the cub weighed in at 686 grams, up nearly 300 grams from its previous weigh-in on 17 January.

Mr Standley said red pandas are one of the few species with a global captive breeding programme, which Hamilton Zoo is part of. The programme has resulted in some animals being released into the wild.

“We are pleased to be able to contribute to the survival of the species with this breeding opportunity,” he said.

Prior to the cubs’ birth Chito and Tayla were the only red panda to reside at Hamilton Zoo, with Chito being based at the facility since August 2006 and Tayla since October 2010.
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Jalur_Tiger_Cub · 4 Feb 2012

That is very exciting news! Congrats Hamilton!! Heres hoping Auckland's pair follow the lead soon.

jay · 4 Feb 2012

Where did the parents come from?

Chlidonias · 4 Feb 2012

the female Tayla came from the National Zoo in Canberra, the male Chito came from Auckland Zoo. Neither of them have produced cubs before, apparently.

Chlidonias · 27 Jun 2012

the cub turned out to be a male, and was named Ketu
Hamilton zoo's red panda cub named | Waikato News | Local News in Waikato

25 April 2012

Hamilton Zoo's red panda cub now has a name, after the public were invited to submit their suggestions to TV One's Saturday Breakfast show recently.

Hundreds of names were suggested for the male cub, which was born at Hamilton Zoo in December.

Zoo staff selected the winning name, Ketu, which is Tibetan for "comet" and was submitted by Auckland resident Tara Sutherland.
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Hamilton Zoo red panda cubs

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Hamilton Zoo red panda cubs

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