The Himalayan Zoological Park near Gangtok has welcomed the birth of two healthy red panda cubs after a gap of seven years, marking a significant achievement in its endangered species conservation efforts.
New Hope for Red Panda Conservation
The birth of the cubs brings renewed optimism to the zoo’s red panda breeding program, which had suffered serious setbacks due to two outbreaks of canine distemper—a highly contagious and often fatal viral disease that nearly wiped out the captive population.
Proud Parents: Lucky-II and Mirak
The cubs are the first offspring of the pair, Lucky-II and Mirak, representing a key milestone in the zoo’s efforts to revive the red panda population in captivity.
Conservation Milestone Announced
Zoo authorities announced this important development as a crucial step towards securing the future of this vulnerable species and advancing conservation initiatives in the region.