One newborn added in red panda family

FROM SIKKIM REPORTER

BY SHIVADEEP RAI

Gangtok: Red Panda, one of the rare and endangered animal species, is the State Animal of Sikkim and is being preserved at Himalayan Zoological Park (HZP) in Bulbulay. Presently, there are six red pandas in the zoo, three male and two female, and also one newborn whose gender is yet to be identified. [Inset: A Red Panda at Darjeeling Zoo. Photo Archives]

The baby red panda was born on June 13, 2008. Its gender would be examined after four months from now. The gender identification of a newly born panda would be conducted only after six months from its birth. “Gender identification has to be later because if we touch the newborn now, its mother may abandon it”, said Mr. Guth Lepcha, Additional Director of Parks and Zoos Division, Wildlife, State Forest Department. He said zoo keeper is assigned the task to look after the baby and mother. At present, visitors are not allowed at the red panda breeding centre, Mr. Lepcha informed.

He also informed that since 2007 HZP has been undertaking red panda breeding programmes as per the directives of Central Zoo Authority. The breeding centre of red panda at HZP is a separate enclosure measuring 1,200 sq mtrs.

Sikkim red pandas have been donated to Darjeeling Zoo and others in Himalayan region in exchange programme, Mr. Lepcha informed. To familiarize people with red panda for its protection and conservation, the department is planning to make soft toys, posters and badges with red panda picture”, he said.