Zoo Boise welcomed into the world a pair of baby red pandas this summer. The cubs are healthy, and growing as they should, according to Zoo Boise.
But they’re more than just cute. They are also part of a conservation effort called the Species Survival Plan, a project between zoos and aquariums across the United States to increase populations and genetic diversity of the world’s endangered species.
“It’s almost like a special zoo animal dating service, if you will,” Jeff Agosta with Zoo Boise says. He explains that the plan matches members of a threatened species for breeding.
And the results are significant. Harry Peachey is the General Curator at Zoo Boise, and says that the birth of these red pandas is helping numbers.
“Having cubs is significant,” Peachey says. “We’re excited about it, and it will definitely be a benefit to the population here in the United States.”
The two little ones don’t have names yet – that’ll be left up to the winners of an auction at the annual Zoobilee Gala in September.
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