Two endangered red panda cubs born at Fota Wildlife Park in Cork have begun venturing outside at dusk, offering visitors a rare glimpse of the latest additions to the park’s conservation programme. The male and female twins were born on June 14th to experienced parents Laxmi and Grga, and the public is being invited to suggest names for them ahead of International Red Panda Day.
Key facts about the Fota red panda cubs
- The twins were born at Fota Wildlife Park on June 14th.
- There is one male cub and one female cub.
- Their parents are Laxmi and Grga, both eight years old.
- The cubs are beginning to explore outside at dusk.
- Visitors can submit name suggestions until October 11th.
- International Red Panda Day takes place on Saturday, September 19th.
Red panda cubs at Fota Wildlife Park join conservation programme
The birth is part of Fota Wildlife Park’s participation in an endangered species breeding programme. The young red pandas spent their first months sleeping, feeding and resting under the care of their mother, with limited visibility for visitors during the day.
As the cubs pass the three-month mark, staff expect them to become increasingly active. Their early evening excursions currently take place after the park has closed, but their behaviour is expected to change as they grow stronger and more confident.
The twins are being raised by Laxmi, who arrived at Fota from Longleat Safari in England in 2019, and Grga, who came from Zagreb Zoo in Croatia during the same year. Both animals have previously contributed to the park’s breeding efforts.
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Why red pandas are endangered
Red pandas are native to the temperate forests of the Himalayas and parts of China and Southeast Asia. Their natural range includes western Nepal, Bhutan, northern Myanmar, and southern and central China.
Despite sharing a name with the giant panda, red pandas are not closely related to that species. They are more closely associated with animals such as raccoons and coatimundis. The species is listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, reflecting the serious threats facing wild populations.
Habitat loss and wider pressures on forest ecosystems have made captive breeding, public education and international cooperation important parts of red panda conservation. Fota’s breeding programme supports those wider efforts by helping maintain healthy populations under professional care.
A specialised diet
Red pandas are primarily herbivorous, with bamboo forming the main part of their diet. Fota Wildlife Park supplies its animals with fresh bamboo grown and harvested locally on the grounds, where Cork’s mild climate allows the plant to thrive.
How the public can name the cubs
Visitors will have the opportunity to suggest names for the twins as part of Fota’s International Red Panda Day activities. Name suggestions can be placed in a box at the Serengeti Shop inside the park.
The competition is intended to reflect the red panda’s native range and cultural heritage. Entries close on October 11th, and participants can also be entered into a draw to win one of two Conservation annual passes.
International Red Panda Day will be marked on Saturday, September 19th. The occasion provides an opportunity to learn more about the species and the conservation work taking place in zoos and wildlife parks around the world.
A busy year for births at Fota
The red panda twins are the latest in a series of animal births at the Cork attraction. Recent arrivals have included Asian lion cubs, Sumatran tiger cubs, a Nubian giraffe calf, an Indian rhinoceros calf, two European bison, two Kafue lechwe calves and a white-tailed sea eagle chick.
Such births can support conservation breeding plans while also helping visitors understand the challenges faced by threatened species. For families visiting Fota, the young animals provide a direct connection to broader discussions about biodiversity, habitat protection and responsible wildlife management.
What happens next for the red panda cubs?
The cubs are expected to spend more time exploring as they mature. Staff will continue monitoring their development, behaviour and relationship with their parents while allowing the family to follow its natural routine.
Visitors may not always see the twins immediately, particularly while they remain most active around dusk. Their appearances are likely to become more frequent during daylight hours in the coming weeks, provided their development continues normally.
Frequently asked questions
When were the Fota red panda cubs born?
The twin cubs were born on June 14th, 2026.
How many cubs were born?
There are two cubs: one male and one female.
Can visitors see the cubs?
The cubs have been venturing outside at dusk. As they grow older, Fota Wildlife Park expects them to become more active during the day.
How can visitors suggest names?
Name suggestions can be submitted at the box in Fota Wildlife Park’s Serengeti Shop. The competition closes on October 11th.
Why this matters for Ireland’s wildlife conservation efforts
The arrival of the red panda twins is more than a popular attraction for visitors. It demonstrates how Irish wildlife parks can contribute to international conservation programmes while giving the public a practical way to engage with endangered species.
For now, the cubs remain under close observation as they move from early care to exploration. Their first cautious trips outside mark an important stage in their development—and give Cork visitors a reason to keep watching for two small red pandas at Fota.
The latest red panda news from Fota Wildlife Park is a positive conservation story: two healthy cubs are growing, exploring and helping raise awareness of a species that urgently needs protection.
