Cubs Of Red Pandas Born In The Sikkim Zoo

On June 15, parents Lucky-II and Mirak welcomed two cubs, but the park officials shared the exciting news about this “significant milestone” on Friday, August 1, 2025. This is the first litter for the pair.

The arrival of red panda cubs after 7 year hiatus has revitalized a conservation program at the Himalayan Zoological Park close to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim.

“This birth is particularly uplifting since it follows a tough seven year stretch for the Red Panda Conservation Programme, which started in 1997. During these seven years, there were no successful births because of issues like two outbreaks of canine distemper that almost wiped out the captive red panda population”, said the park’s Director, Sangay Gyatso.

Mr. Gyatso mentioned that the breeding program for the park’s red pandas (Ailurus fulgens) started with Preeti, a female from Rotterdam Zoo in the Netherlands, and Jugal from the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park in Darjeeling.

“Their successful breeding established a strong genetic lineage. In 2005, the program was enhanced by adding a pair from the wild, Lucky and Ram, which helped to broaden and diversify the genetic pool”, he stated.

Rare Male Activity

Red pandas usually mate during the winter months from November to January. After a gestation period of roughly five months, females give birth between June and August in cozy, concealed nests.

The park officials mentioned that Mirak was seen helping with nest building alongside Lucky-II, which is a rare case of a male taking part in such an activity. Typically, male red pandas do not participate in raising cubs.

The cubs will be kept out of the public eye until they’re old enough to be seen.

Situated in Bulbuley, just 3 km away from Gangtok, the Himalayan Zoological Park spans 205 hectares and sits at an average height of 1,780 metres. Besides the red panda, you’ll find the snow leopard, Himalayan palm civet, monal (a type of pheasant), Himalayan black bear, and the crimson-horned pheasant in the park.

“These new cubs will remain with their mother for more than a year, growing to full size by 12 months and becoming sexually mature by 18 months. Their health and compatibility will be evaluated as part of future breeding plans”, Mr. Gyatso mentioned.

“The arrival of these cubs is a symbol of hope for the conservation of the endangered species in Sikkim and showcases the resilience of the program and its committed team”, he added.

Rare Male Activity

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