NORTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. - The Lehigh Valley Zoo announced the arrival of two red pandas.
Cosmo and Meeko will debut at the public Grand Opening of Rothrock Red Panda Peak, a brand-new red panda habitat, on Friday, June 7 at the Lehigh Valley Zoo!
Cosmo and Meeko arrived from The Birmingham Zoo as part of a recommendation through The Association of Zoos and Aquariums' (AZA) Red Panda Species Survival Plan (SSP), according to the announcement.
Photo courtesy Lehigh Valley Zoo
SSP Programs are led by expert advisors who work cooperatively with AZA zoos and aquariums to manage animal populations to safeguard the survival of many of the planet’s threatened and endangered species.
The nearly one-year-old red panda brothers will celebrate their first birthday on May 31.
The zoo said that the pair is currently behind the scenes until the Grand Opening.
Their animal care team has noted that Cosmo is very outgoing and curious while Meeko is a bit shyer and more reserved, but both are adjusting well!
The zoo said they are proud to play a key role in a new five-year program designed for red panda conservation.
Lehigh Valley Zoo said that the AZA, the zoo’s accrediting body, recently added red pandas to its Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program – which uses the collective expertise within AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums and leverages their massive audiences to save endangered species in their natural habitat. With the importance of local communities to red panda conservation, inclusion in this SAFE program can positively impact red pandas around the world.
Meet Cosmo and Meeko:
The zoo is offering early access exclusively to its members before their new exhibit opens to the public!
Members can come for Member Morning at 9 am on June 7 to enjoy an exclusive sneak peek at our adorable red pandas in their new habitat!
If you would like to purchase a membership today please visit lvzoo.org/get-involved/zoo-membership/
Completion of the new habitat was made possible by the support of David, Patrina and Kian Rothrock.
Support the red pandas:
The community can still support our red pandas by visiting lvzoo.org/redpanda.
They are less than $13,000 away from reaching their $350,000 goal.