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Red pand-awww cub spotted at Whipsnade Zoo

A red panda cub stares at the camera with a grin, sat on a tree branch.Image source, Chloe Hui

An adorable red panda cub has been spotted for the first time at Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire.

Hattie is just four months old and hadn't explored outside of her cosy nest box until recently.

Hattie is part of the important conservation breeding programme for her endangered species.

Check out her first adventure with her mum, Ruby.

A red panda cub hangs from a branch, whilst it's mum brushes her head against her neck. They are surrounded by autumnal foliage.Image source, Chloe Hui

Wild red pandas are threatened by habitat loss, poaching and a decline in their favourite food source - bamboo.

A red panda stares into the distance surrounded by green and red leaves.Image source, Chloe Hui

In the wild, red pandas prefer a solitary and nocturnal lifestyle and are mainly active during twilight until the early hours of the morning.

During daylight hours, they can be found resting or snoozing above the ground, lying dangled or curled up on tree branches depending on the weather.

A red panda cub clings to a branch and looks over it.Image source, Chloe Hui

Hattie was spotted by an eagle-eyed visitor with a camera - Chloe Hui.

A red panda cub is being hugged by her mum and sticking her tongue outImage source, Chloe Hui

Chloe managed to be in the right place, at the right time, to capture a series of pictures of the mother-daughter duo climbing and clambering around their treetop home.

A red panda cub hangs from a branch, with her mum watching over her. They are surrounded by autumnal foliage.Image source, Chloe Hui

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