The two red pandas (Ailurus fulgens) born at Hertfordshire Zoo in the United Kingdom on 3 June 2026 have been confirmed as a male and a female following their first veterinary health check.
The examination provided an opportunity to assess the twins’ health and development, with veterinary staff confirming that both are healthy and meeting their expected developmental milestones.
Now five months old, the siblings are the first offspring of Nila and Ash, who became parents for the first time earlier this year.
Their birth was a significant event for the British zoo, marking its first red panda twins in twelve years.
First veterinary examination confirms both twins are healthy
During the examination, the veterinary team assessed the twins’ general condition and development.
The check-up also allowed staff to determine their sex, confirming that the pair consists of one male and one female.
According to the zoo, both young pandas displayed lively personalities during the weighing procedure.
“Finding out we have one boy and one girl is the absolute icing on the cake,” said Tyler Whitnall, Managing Director at Hertfordshire Zoo.
“When they arrived in June, it was our first set of red panda twins in twelve years, and watching them grow from tiny newborns into bold, adventurous climbers has been extraordinary.”
Whitnall also highlighted the care provided by their mother.
“Nila has done an incredible job raising them, and seeing them both healthy, thriving, and full of character gives our entire team a massive boost.”
From sheltered nest boxes to climbing tall trees
During their first weeks, the twins remained largely inside sheltered nest boxes, protected from the exceptionally high temperatures recorded over the summer.
This early period allowed the young animals to develop in a protected environment under their mother’s care.
As they have grown, the twins have begun spending increasing amounts of time exploring their outdoor habitat.
They can now regularly be seen climbing the trees in their enclosure, sometimes reaching the highest branches alongside their mother.
Climbing is a characteristic behaviour of red pandas, which are primarily arboreal and use trees for movement, resting and shelter.
Visitors to Hertfordshire Zoo therefore have increasing opportunities to observe the twins as they explore their surroundings and develop their climbing abilities.
Red pandas are classified as Endangered
The red panda (Ailurus fulgens) is classified as Endangered (EN) on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
According to figures cited by Hertfordshire Zoo, fewer than 10,000 individuals remain in the wild.
Red pandas inhabit mountainous regions of Asia, particularly the Eastern Himalayas, where they live in forest environments containing bamboo, an essential component of their diet.
The main threats to the species include deforestation, habitat fragmentation and poaching.
The loss and fragmentation of forest habitats can isolate populations, making movement and genetic exchange between individuals more difficult.
Protecting the species therefore requires measures to conserve its natural habitats, alongside coordinated management of populations under human care.
The role of the European conservation breeding programme
Hertfordshire Zoo participates in the EAZA Ex-situ Programme (EEP) for the red panda, part of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria’s coordinated conservation breeding framework.
These programmes aim to manage populations across participating zoological institutions through coordinated breeding recommendations, with particular attention to genetic diversity and long-term demographic sustainability.
The birth of a male and a female contributes to the population of red pandas maintained under human care.
Whether either animal will participate in future breeding programmes will depend on the assessments and recommendations of the EEP coordination team.
“As a wildlife conservation charity, Hertfordshire Zoo is committed to helping protect endangered species and raising awareness of the challenges they face in the wild,” Whitnall added.
“The birth and healthy development of these twins is not only an exciting milestone for our zoo, but an important reminder of why protecting these incredible animals and their natural habitats is so vital.”
Twins increasingly active as autumn progresses
With autumn underway, the two young pandas have become increasingly active and are spending more time outside their nest boxes.
Their explorations and climbing activities provide opportunities to observe the development of their motor skills and species-typical behaviours.
The confirmation of their sex and good health during the first veterinary examination marks another milestone in their development.
For Hertfordshire Zoo, which had not welcomed red panda twins for twelve years, the successful birth and continued development of the siblings represent an important achievement in the management of an endangered species.
