GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — John Ball Zoo's nearly 4-year-old female red panda Wasabi is pregnant and could give birth later this month or early July.
This comes after the zoo paired Wasabi up with Wyatt the red panda and the two mated.
The zoo says this is Wasabi's first pregnancy which usually takes about 4-5 months.
This is not Wyatt's first time; he has fathered two cubs back in 2016 during his time at Chattanooga Zoo.
“We are thrilled at how Wyatt and Wasabi’s cub will be an important part of their conservation as a species,” said Peter D’Arienzo, CEO of John Ball Zoo.
“Red pandas are endangered and it is believed there are less than 2,500 adult red pandas left in the wild," he said.
“Wasabi’s pregnancy and anticipated birth is significant for John Ball Zoo and crucial for the red panda species."
