Red Panda Cubs Nuba And Numa Bring New Hope To Himalayan Zoological Park In Sikkim

Two red panda cubs at the Himalayan Zoological Park (HZP) in Sikkim are thriving more than a year after their birth during the monsoon season.

Nuba and Numa, a brother and sister, were born on June 15, 2025, to Lucky (II) and Mirak. They now weigh between 3 and 3.5 kg each and have shown a good appetite and steady growth.

The cubs began climbing trees at around five months of age and are now well socialised with the rest of the red panda group. Their parents are also doing well.

Raised By Their Parents

The cubs are being raised without direct human intervention as part of HZP’s Red Panda Conservation Breeding Programme.

Dr Menla Zangmu Lachungpa, zoo conservation biologist, said the approach allows the cubs to develop natural behaviours under the care of their parents.

“All cubs in the Breeding Program are parent-reared without human intervention so they can learn natural behaviors like foraging and climbing directly from their parents,” Dr Lachungpa said.

The timing of Nuba and Numa’s birth presented an additional challenge.

They were born during the peak monsoon season, when mothers may move their cubs in search of drier nesting sites. This can expose young cubs to wet conditions and increase the risk of illness.

According to Dr Lachungpa, the litter was managed successfully because of low visitor disturbance and the availability of dry nesting areas.

Supporting The Animals

HZP’s staff play a supporting role in the cubs’ development rather than interfering with the natural rearing process.

“Our staff’s role — from keepers to vets — is simply to observe the animals, maintain hygiene, and provide optimal nutrition and care facilities to let the animals thrive,” Dr Lachungpa added.

The birth of Nuba and Numa is also significant for HZP’s participation in the Red Panda Conservation Breeding Programme under the Central Zoo Authority’s endangered species breeding initiatives.

The programme aims to maintain a genetically viable captive population that can support the long-term conservation of the species.

HZP is currently focused on maintaining a healthy founder stock for future breeding. A dedicated Red Panda Conservation Breeding Centre has also been proposed outside the main HZP complex, with plans to combine breeding with research and support for in-situ conservation.

The red panda has a special place in Sikkim, where it is the official state animal. The continued breeding of the species at HZP therefore has significance beyond the arrival of two healthy cubs.

For now, Nuba and Numa are continuing to grow, climb and adapt to their surroundings — offering a positive sign for red panda conservation at the park.

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