New Arrivals Born June 7 to Zoo’s Breeding Pair, Dufa and Sisu

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) — Zoo Knoxville is celebrating the birth of two red panda cubs, the newest additions to the zoo’s growing family.

The cubs were born on June 7 to red panda parents Dufa and Sisu, according to Zoo Knoxville Wild Ambassador Keeper Laurea Smyth. The births mark the second litter for the breeding pair.

Smyth said the cubs are approaching one month old and are developing well.

“They’re almost 30 days. They are growing quite quickly,” Smyth said.

The zoo is also praising Sisu’s parenting skills as she cares for the newborn cubs.

“Sisu is a great mom. She’s doing a really good job grooming them, keeping them clean, keeping them fed,” Smyth said.

While guests may be eager to catch a glimpse of the newest residents, zoo officials say the cubs are still too young to venture outside their nesting area. At this stage, the babies are only beginning to move around on their own.

“They still aren’t really mobile. They can kind of crawl around a little bit. But they’re basically just kind of big fluffy lumps at the moment,” Smyth said.

Smyth said visitors will likely have to wait until the cubs are around three months old before they begin appearing in their exhibit, though the timeline ultimately depends on Sisu and the cubs’ development.

Red pandas commonly give birth to litters ranging from one to four cubs. Zoo staff say they were prepared to provide additional assistance if needed, but Sisu has exceeded expectations.

“She’s being even a better mom this year. She’s a lot more relaxed,” Smyth said.

For animal care staff, successful births and healthy young animals are among the most rewarding parts of their work.

“Especially when you have a mom that does everything right. She raises them on her own,” Smyth said.

Visitors may notice Sisu spending more time away from public view while caring for her cubs, but zoo officials expect her to gradually return to normal exhibit appearances as the youngsters continue to grow.

The birth of the cubs represents another milestone in Zoo Knoxville’s conservation and breeding efforts for the vulnerable red panda species.