Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago recently introduced their two newest family members—two red pandas at the Kovler Lion House.
3-year-old male Phoenix and 5-year-old female Leafa now share an exhibit on the building’s south side. They made their debut last Friday and have been quick to explore their new habitat, climbing the rockwork and scooping up plenty of bamboo to fuel the species’ unique diet.
The red pandas came to to Lincoln Park from the Houston Zoo as part of a breeding recommendation from the Red Panda Species Survival Plan (SSP), a shared conservation effort by zoos throughout North America. Their match hasn’t produced any offspring yet, but the zoo’s caregivers report that Phoenix is already showing interest in his mate as they head into a new breeding season. They are keeping their fingers crossed for the possibility of some endangered—and adorable—cubs.
Read more and see more photos here.
