Note: The Australian Adventure closes at 12:00 noon and the entire zoo closes at 4:00 PM on Friday, June 15 as we prepare for our Zoobilee gala fundraiser.
First-ever Red Panda Cub
Born at Zoo
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Though the cub appears healthy, it faces steep odds to survival. About half of all red panda cubs die within 30 days of birth. Only a few dozen cubs are born in United States zoos each year. This is the first red panda birth since the zoo began exhibiting red pandas in 1997.
"We are very excited about this birth, and we're cautiously optimistic about the cub's future," said zoo keeper Helena Lacey, who is the red pandas' primary caretaker. "But we know that these next few weeks are critical to the cub's survival."
Contact with Xiao and her cub is extremely limited to minimize stress on the mother. For now, the pathway in front of the red panda exhibit is closed to zoo guests.
Red panda cubs are born blind and deaf. The mother spends nearly all her time nursing and grooming her cubs during the first week. The cubs remain in the nest until they are about three months old.
"If the cub survives, zoo guests are not likely to see the cub out in the exhibit for several weeks or months," says Lacey.
The breeding of red pandas is overseen by the Species Survival Plan (SSP), a program of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). The goal of the SSP is to maximize genetic diversity in captive populations of endangered animals.
Red pandas are native to the forested foothills of the Himalaya
Mountains in China and Nepal, where they feed primarily on bamboo.
Though they share a name with the famed black-and-white giant pandas,
the two are not closely related. The name "panda" comes from the
Nepalese word ponya, which means "bamboo-eater."
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Kroger and Scott's Zoo Day contribution tops $68,000
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"We are thrilled with the long tradition of support from Kroger and Scott's," said Anderson. "They are an outstanding community partner."
Since Zoo Week began in 1993, Kroger and Scott's have donated $1,462,571 to the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo. Thanks to Kroger and Scott's, and to you for participating in Zoo Week!
Bowling for Rhinos June 22
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Download a registration form and pledge your support! Register by Friday June 15 and receive a free gift.
Claws Paws & Jaws Event June 22
Explore the world of predators on land and sea at our special zoo event Claws, Paws, and Jaws on Friday, June 22. Enjoy kid-friendly activities from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Pick up a schedule at the zoo gate for details. Activities are FREE with zoo admission.
Coming Up
| June 15 | Zoobilee |
| June 22 | Claws, Paws, and Jaws |
| June 28 | Backstage Pass |
| July 20 | Are You Smarter Than a Zoo Keeper? |
Zoo Hours
Open 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM every day through
October 14.
Admission Prices
$13.50 for adults
$8.50 for children age 2-14
$10.50 for seniors age 60 and over
Babies age one and under and Zoo
Society Members are admitted free.
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