Red Panda Amber Secretly Gives Birth to Twins at Belgian Zoo

Red panda Amber has become the mother of twins at ZOO Planckendael in Muizen, near Mechelen, Belgium — and the birth came as a complete surprise to keepers. The cubs, believed to have been born in late July, were only discovered when Amber was caught on camera carrying them one by one to a different nest chamber, according to Het Laatste Nieuws.

A Surprise Discovery

Keepers at the zoo knew Amber was pregnant — her weight gain was a clear indicator — and several nest chambers had been prepared for the birth. But as the days passed without any sign of newborns, anticipation turned to doubt.

“We were slowly starting to think it might not happen after all,” keeper Dieter told ZOO Planckendael in the zoo’s official press release. “And then you suddenly see her on the camera footage with her young one by one on the move. That’s a truly fantastic feeling.”

The camera footage revealed Amber carefully carrying each cub by the scruff of the neck to a different nest chamber — natural maternal behaviour that helps spread scent trails and reduces the risk of predators finding the young.

“That makes every successful birth special again,” Dieter added. “This year we were also lucky that we could see the young nicely on camera when Amber moved them. She carefully takes them one by one by the scruff of the neck and chooses herself where she finds her young safest.”

Why Timing Is Tricky

Predicting the birth of red panda cubs is notoriously difficult. As keeper Imke explained to VRT NWS, “After fertilization, the red panda can delay the implantation of the egg for up to 3 months.” This delayed implantation means the time between mating and birth can vary significantly, allowing the birth to occur when conditions are most favourable.

Female red pandas are only receptive to mating for 18 to 24 hours during the annual breeding season, making successful breeding particularly challenging. When conditions align, gestation lasts approximately 4.5 months, typically resulting in one or two cubs.

The twins are the second litter for Amber, who also gave birth to twins in the summer of 2025. This year’s cubs, however, have been notably quieter than their predecessors — a natural survival instinct, as less noise means less chance of revealing their presence to predators.

Conservation Significance

This birth carries particular weight because red pandas are an endangered species. With approximately 10,000 individuals remaining in the wild, they inhabit the vulnerable bamboo forests of the Himalayas across Nepal, Bhutan, and China, where they face threats from deforestation and illegal hunting for their soft fur.

ZOO Planckendael participates in the European conservation breeding programme (EEP) for red pandas, which coordinates breeding internationally to maintain genetic diversity. As The Brussels Times reported, the zoo population serves as an important backup for the species and can contribute to future reintroductions in the wild.

The zoo also supports the Red Panda Forest Guardians Project, which trains local forest rangers to protect red pandas and their habitat, monitor populations, and combat poaching. The project involves local communities in forest protection and provides support for sustainable alternative income sources, such as beekeeping.

What’s Next for the Cubs

The cubs, born blind and deaf, remain fully dependent on their mother during their first weeks of life. Around nine weeks of age, they will undergo their first medical check-up and be microchipped. Their names, following the zoo’s naming convention, will begin with the letter B.

For now, visitors may catch a glimpse of the twins when Amber moves them between nest chambers. As the cubs grow and become more independent, they will gradually emerge more frequently, offering zoo-goers a rare opportunity to observe these remarkable endangered animals up close.

This successful birth marks another important step in the ongoing effort to preserve a species that faces an uncertain future in the wild — and a heartwarming reminder of the vital role zoos play in conservation.