July 26th, 2024
Spanish Language Version (PDF)
It’s a boy! Monroe County Executive Adam Bello and the Seneca Park Zoo announced today that the endangered red panda cub, born at the Zoo on June 27th, is male. The cub was abandoned by his mother Raji, Seneca Park Zoo’s female red panda, and is being hand-raised to ensure he thrives.
Zoo Veterinarian Dr. Chris McKinney says, “He is definitely a boy. Both eyes are now open, and he is growing fast.” McKinney continues, “The cub weighs 346 grams or about 3⁄4 of a pound.”
“A huge thank you to our amazing zoo staff for their exceptional care and dedication nurturing our red panda cub, which we’ve named Teddy Graham. Their tireless efforts in hand-raising this precious little one ensure he has the best start in life,” says County Executive Adam Bello. “Teddy reminds us of the important role Seneca Park Zoo plays in conservation. Protecting endangered species like the red panda is essential for maintaining biodiversity and educating our community about the importance of wildlife preservation. I invite everyone to come visit the zoo and see Teddy.”
Staff began referring to the cub as Graham, as a lighthearted reference to McKinney’s son, whose birthday McKinney missed entirely due to his need to provide around-the-clock care to the cub. The cub was abandoned by its mother on Graham McKinney’s birthday. The name seemed to stick, particularly when “Teddy” was added to it. Graham is incredibly proud that his dad missed his birthday to save the red panda cub.
Guests still have a rare chance to view the cub in the Animal Hospital on Zoo grounds and can see the cub through the viewing glass in the procedure room. The cub will remain here for the next 1-2 weeks before he is moved into the larger animal housing area. The Animal Hospital is accessible to guests during regular Zoo hours, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Red pandas are classified as “endangered” by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), meaning they are at significant risk for extinction in their native ranges in the near future. Red pandas, native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China, are threatened by deforestation, loss of habitat, and climate change. Fundraising efforts at the Zoo have provided more than $30,000 in grants to Red Panda Network to support the protection of crucial forest habitat for red pandas in their natural range.
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Internationally, and in our own backyard, Seneca Park Zoo plays a key role in species survival. Chartered as an educational institution in 1957 by New York State, the Seneca Park Zoo Society plays an integral role in supporting Monroe County, the owners and operators of the Zoo. Together, we are working to bring animals back from the brink of extinction.
