The Milwaukee County Zoo's 4-month-old red panda cub has made her debut in her outdoor habitat
The Milwaukee County Zoo's newest red panda cub, Cinder, has made her debut in her outdoor habitat.
Cinder, who is almost 4 months old, was born June 12 at the zoo to mom Dr. Erin and dad Dash. She is the red panda parents' third cub.
The zoo's animal care staff have been working with the red panda for the past few weeks to get her used to her outdoor surroundings. The process has been somewhat slow as Cinder is more cautious than her siblings were.
Cinder likes climbing the trees in her outdoor space and is still learning how to use her tail to balance; that means visitors will sometimes see her with her tail wrapped around herself.
For now, Cinder will be hanging out with her mom in the outdoor habitat for part of each day, gradually increasing her outside time as she grows more comfortable.
Red pandas are on the list of endangered animals, and the Milwaukee County Zoo participates in the animal's Species Survival Plan, in which zoos cooperate to support breeding plans that will help achieve the goal of long-term genetic diversity.
More: A baby giraffe was born outside in front of visitors at the Milwaukee County Zoo
Contact Amy Schwabe at (262) 875-9488 or amy.schwabe@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @WisFamilyJS, Instagram at @wisfamilyjs or Facebook at WisconsinFamily.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee County Zoo red panda cub Cinder debuts in outdoor habitat