This year, the first red panda cub was born in the Ljubljana ZOO.

The birth of the cub in June was a pleasant surprise for Ljubljana ZOO employees but also a challenge. Hot summers with record temperatures are not very kind to cubs and can also be fatal for adult animals.

Ljubljana ZOO research contribution to the conservation of red pandas

Ljubljana ZOO is the initiator and coordinator of the Red Panda Amdoparvovirus project, where, in cooperation with the Veterinary Faculty in Ljubljana and UC Davis in California, they determine the presence and impact of the virus on the red panda population in zoos across Europe. The virus was only described for the first time in 2018, the same year when Shana, a red panda, died suddenly in the ZOO Ljubljana. As this was the first diagnosed case in Europe, Ljubljana ZOO decided to investigate the virus and launched a survey in all European zoos. Through international networking and research, we intend to make a significant contribution to a healthy population of these animals in the future, both in zoos and in the wild. The project is implemented within the European breeding program for red pandas within the framework of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria.

Together for the conservation of red pandas

Although red pandas have only been known for less than 200 years, they are highly endangered now. There are only about 10,000 of them preserved in nature, but even these have recently turned out to belong to two rather than one species.
Members of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria participate in projects to preserve red pandas in their natural environment through the nature conservation organization Red Panda Network, which also Ljubljana ZOO has financially supported since 2016. This year, they have contributed funds for the guardian of red pandas in the natural park where they live and the afforestation of one hectare of forest with bamboo.