The National Zoo’s panda crew is about to get a whole lot cuter.
Two litters of red panda cubs were born at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute last month, the National Zoo announced Friday.
Experienced mom Nutmeg gave birth to two cubs on June 14, while first-time mom Moonlight gave birth to another two cubs on June 17. One of Moonlight’s cubs died shortly after birth.
Red pandas are not closely related to giant pandas like Bei Bei and Mei Xiang, two of the zoo’s most famous cuddly creatures. They are endangered, according to the zoo’s website, and can become dormant in cold climates to save their energy.
SCBI is the zoo’s conservation wing, headquartered in Front Royal, Virginia. Its goal is to protect wildlife species from extinction.
