A furry bundle of joy came times three to Nebraska's Lincoln Children's Zoo in August with the birth of three red panda cubs.
On Thursday, the zoo announced two male and one female red panda cubs were born on Aug. 10 to third-time mom Tián and second-time dad Rowan. Names for the cubs have not yet been decided.
In June 2023, the zoo welcomed two male red panda cubs, born to Tián and Rowan. And in 2022, Tián gave birth to Bety, who was the first red panda cub at the zoo in eight years.
"Birthing triplet red panda cubs does happen, but a mom being able to raise triplets successfully is rare. Tián is an experienced and attentive mom, and keepers are able to check in and weigh the cubs as needed with minimal stress, a testament to the trust built and exceptional care our team provides," Ruth Marcec-Greaves, the zoo's general curator, said in a news release.
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In the wild, female red pandas often use tree hollows or rock crevices lined with plant material for nests. At the zoo, zookeepers have replicated the nest with six boxes lined with bamboo and wood wool for nesting material.
Red panda moms typically spend all of their time with the cubs in the nest box for a few months and move them around in the wild to keep them away from predators or environmental stressors. The multiple nests will allow Tián to choose which box she wants to use for her cubs.
Currently, Tián is spending time behind the scenes with the cubs as they grow and develop. At 3 months old, the cubs are learning how to climb and venture out of their nest box for short periods of time.
The zoo estimates the pandas will be visible to the public in December. Updates will be posted on the zoo's social media sites for when visitors can expect to catch a glimpse of the cubs.
Red pandas face a very high risk of extinction in the wild as they are listed as endangered on the International Union Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species.
"Red pandas are an endangered species whose population has declined by 50% over the last 20 years. The birth of these triplets is important for animal conservation efforts, and the red pandas at the zoo help to raise awareness of the threats their counterparts face in the wild such as habitat loss," Evan Killeen, CEO of the zoo, said in a news release.
The breeding recommendation for Tián and Rowan was approved by coordinators of the Breeding and Transfer Plan from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan Program. The program identifies population goals and recommendations to manage a genetically diverse, demographically varied and biologically sound population.
Earlier this year, the zoo welcomed a spider monkey in May and a Humboldt penguin chick in April.
Reach the writer at 402-473-7241 or ajohnson2@journalstar.com. On Twitter @ajohnson6170
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