Zoo welcomes three endangered red panda cubs

The three red panda cubs are six weeks old

Three endangered red panda cubs have been welcomed at a zoo in south-west Wales.

The species is listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, and red panda numbers continue to decline due to deforestation, hunting and diseases spread from domestic dogs and cats, said Kim Wilkins, head keeper at the zoo.

The three cubs were born to Betty and Barney at Manor House Wildlife Park, who had been paired up as part of the European endangered species program.

Ms Wilkins said these cubs were "crucial" to the continuation of the species.

Red panda numbers continue to decline due to deforestation, hunting and diseases spread from domestic dogs and cats

According to the WWF, red pandas are not closely related to giant pandas - often considered the real panda.

The red panda falls under a unique taxonomic group called ailuridae, sharing common traits with mustelids, which includes racoons, weasels and skunks.

Giant pandas are classified under a separate, distant taxonomic family of bears called ursidae.

Ms Wilkins said staff were "keeping a watchful eye over mum and cubs, and all are doing very well".

The cubs are just over six weeks old and are starting to develop the more striking markings of their parents, she said.

"They are still too young for the staff to risk disturbing them so it's not known if the cubs are male or female yet.

"They are still being fed milk from mum and will do for the next few weeks and then Betty will reduce the amount of trip to the cubs, encouraging them to come out of the nest and start eating solid food."

She said that the cubs will go to other accredited facilities to continue the ongoing captive breeding effort for red pandas when they are old enough.