Staff at the Adelaide Zoo in Australia were pleasantly surprised to find two red panda cubs during a routine cleanup of the red panda enclosure late January.
Zookeeper Constance Girardi told media Wednesday that the red panda birthing season had come and gone without any indication of pregnancy in female panda Imandari.
“While we had noticed a few behaviours that could indicate pregnancy early on, these behaviours soon subsided and when the birthing season passed, we assumed she was not pregnant,” said Girardi.
“You can imagine our surprise when we noticed some extra bedding in the nesting box, and upon discovery, uncovered two very tiny, very cute red fluff balls!” she said.
The nine-week-old twin boys had their first veterinarian checkup this week, which doubled as their first photo-op and introduction to the world.
The unnamed pair will continue to grow in a private enclosure until they are developed enough for the public to enjoy.
Red pandas are a vulnerable species with only around 10,000 remaining in the world.
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