AssetID: 54919144
Headline: RAW VIDEO: Red Panda Spotted Carrying New Twin Cubs In Her Mouth Announcing Their Birth
Caption: A red panda has been seen carrying two cubs in her mouth, revealing the exciting birth at a UK safari park. Keepers at West Midlands Safari Park had suspected that Mei Lin might be expecting twins after observing how 'round' she appeared during her pregnancy. On the morning of 16 June 2025, they heard faint squeaks coming from one of the nest boxes, confirming their guess. A few days later, Mei Lin was spotted moving one cub to a different nest box before going back to collect the second. These twin cubs are particularly special for the Park, as they mark a historic moment in its breeding program. Mei Lin, now five years old, gave birth exactly two years after her first cub was born in 2023. Head Keeper Amy Sewell expressed her excitement, stating, “We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome two red panda cubs to West Midlands Safari Park. These births are incredibly special, not just for our team, who have been eagerly anticipating their arrival, but also for the wider conservation effort of this endangered species. It is thought that the wild population is less than 10,000 individuals. Every successful birth helps to secure a future for red pandas, whose numbers in the wild continue to decline.” For the next several weeks, Mei Lin will care for the cubs in the nest boxes with minimal disturbance from the keepers. The Park's team is dedicated to monitoring their progress from a safe distance as Mei Lin adjusts to caring for two cubs. The birth, though secretive, has already been glimpsed by some guests staying at the Park’s Red Panda Cottages. One lucky guest, Mari Mascarenhas, caught a glimpse of the cubs during a visit with her family, sharing that it was a magical moment that made their trip unforgettable. Mei Lin arrived at the Park in August 2021, and her mate, Sanka, joined her in March 2022 as part of the Eaza Ex-Situ Programme, aimed at conserving endangered species across European zoos. Red pandas are listed as 'endangered' by the IUCN due to habitat loss, poaching, and illegal wildlife trade. To support the conservation of wild red pandas, the Park sponsors a forest guardian who helps protect their habitats. Keepers won’t know the sex of the cubs until they are around 16 weeks old, at which point they will start venturing out of the nest boxes. The cubs will be named starting with the letter ‘N,’ following the Park’s tradition of naming animals born in 2025 with this letter. The twin cubs are part of a broader baby boom at the Park this year, which includes tiger triplets, an Indian rhino calf, lion triplets, and more. However, guests will likely have to wait until the cubs are about four months old before they begin to venture out regularly from their den.
Keywords: feature,photo feature,photo story
PersonInImage: Mei Lin