Red panda cubs make Edmonton debut at Valley Zoo

A four-month-old red panda cub checks out it's new surroundings at the zoo in Edmonton on Friday November 15, 2024. Red pandas are an endangered species with only 2,500 remaining in Asian countries, such as India, Nepal and China. (Jason Franson)

Two red panda cubs named after twin wizards in the "Harry Potter" series have made their debut at the Edmonton Valley Zoo.

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Fred and George waddled out of their nest and entered their new home behind a glass display for the first time on Friday afternoon.

They were seen sniffing with their black snouts, licking and climbing a tree at the centre of the display, chewing on bamboo and approaching photographers near the glass.

Laura Castor, an animal care supervisor with the zoo, said first-time mom Kiki gave birth about four months ago and the cubs have already proven to be quite similar to their namesakes: the red-headed Weasley twins in the novels by J.K. Rowling.

They're "quite adventurous and mischievous," Castor said in an interview.

They are also named after the twins because of the red fur covering their body. The tips of their ears are white and they have black legs.

Castor said red pandas are an endangered species, with fewer than 2,500 remaining in the wild, including near the foothills of the Himalaya mountain range in India, Nepal and China.

"So zoos play a really important role in helping to preserve and encourage the genetic diversity of the species through managed breeding programs," Castor said.

She added Fred and George are "very important individuals who will help contribute to the survival of their species."

An endangered four-month-old red panda cub climbs a limb as it's mom eats bamboo in their new surroundings at the zoo in Edmonton, on Friday November 15, 2024. (Jason Franson)

She said the cubs' introduction to their new environment was timely on Friday, as Edmonton saw its first significant snowfall of the season -- similar weather to what they would encounter in the wild.

She said red pandas were discovered in 1825, years before black-and-white pandas.

"They have such a unique collection of physical attributes and evolutionary history."

For example, she said, they have the hips of a bear, physical markings of a raccoon and can retract their claws like a feline.

She said Fred and George can grow up to 10 kilograms. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 15, 2024