LANSING (WWJ) - Potter Park Zoo in Lansing has welcomed a new edition in late July: an adorable red panda cub.
This is the third litter at the zoo for 8-year-old mother Maliha and her second in two years, carnivore and primate lead keeper Annie Marcum told WWJ's Beth Fisher.
And it's a big deal because the species is endangered.
"This is a significant birth for us because every red panda counts," Marcum said. "This is a population that in jeopardy in the wild and we are apart of the AVA, the American Zoological Association, and a species survival plan for these red panda to make sure we can maintain a genetically diverse population in captivity."
Marcum said the new addition was born July 21st, weighing in at just over 100 grams. In a few short weeks, she said the cub -- which they believe is male -- has "grown like a weed" and now weighs 370 grams.
Red pandas are born deaf, blind and small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, the zoo said. It takes over two weeks for cubs to open their eyes and at two months, the cubs begin to venture outside the nest.
"He stays in a nest box for a long time with mom," Marcum said. "Baby red pandas are slow to develop and mom spends a lot of time taking care of them."
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Maliha and the cub will be off exhibit for now.
Marcum said it won't be until at least September before the cub starts to leave the nest box, but even then "it'll be for just a few moments and then mom will take him back."
The zoo currently has four red pandas -- the cub's mom, dad and big sister.
Enthusiasts and guests can get the latest updates about the cub through the Potter Park Zoo's Facebook page and website.