ROYAL OAK (WWJ) — The Detroit Zoo has welcomed a pair of twin red pandas.
Zoo officials on Monday announced Ravi, a 7-year-old male red panda, and Ginger, a 3-year-old first-time mom, gave birth to twin cubs on June 17.
The twin cubs appear to be “healthy, hydrated and vigorous,” while Ginger has been a “very attentive and caring mother,” zoo officials said.
Officials did not provide the names of the new cubs.
The zoo notes the first few months are critical for red panda cubs, as they remain “fragile and heavily dependent on their mother,” but officials are “cautiously optimistic” that these cubs will thrive.
Ginger will care for the cubs in a nest box that is secluded and quiet for the next two to three months until animal care staff feels they have had enough time to “grow and thrive.”
The pedestrian rope bridge over the red panda habitat will remain closed until that time, but visitors will be able to see Ravi on the east side of the Holtzman Wildlife Foundation Red Panda Forest.
“We hope Ginger and Ravi’s cubs will grow to be strong, healthy ambassadors for their wild counterparts, helping raise awareness of red panda conservation needs,” zoo officials said in a Facebook post.
The zoo will share updates on the cubs’ progress in the coming months on their social media channels.