Rare red panda cubs born at two British zoos in 'massive success'

Four rare red panda cubs born at two British zoos are thriving, say zookeepers.

In a huge success for the European Endangered Species Programme two pairs have been bred in recent months at Whipsnade Zoo and Longleat Safari Park.A male and female cub, named Alex and Priya, were born at Bedfordshire's Whipsnade Zoo, run by the Zoological Society of London in June.

"It is quite rare to have red panda cubs both out in the wild and in captivity - certainly a zoo setting, it's a massive success for us," said Patrick Lally, the zookeeper at Whipsnade who has been caring for the cubs since birth.

The cubs were briefly hauled out of their sanctuary, protesting loudly, for specialist zoo vets to give them vital vaccinations and a health check, confirming both babies are thriving, weighing around 1.5kg each.