Endangered species is at risk of habitat loss and poaching.
An endangered red panda kit has been named after receiving her first health check at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo.
'Ruby' was born in July 2021 to mum Ginger and dad Bruce.
Staff at the wildlife conservation charity voted for her name from a shortlist drawn up by keepers as a thank you for their hard work during the pandemic.
Ruby is currently living in her off-show cubbing den and will start to venture outdoors when she reaches four months old.
Jo Elliott, animal collection manager and carnivore keeper at Edinburgh Zoo said: “We wanted to give our kit a name which pays homage to red pandas and would also fit nicely with our previous kit’s name, Ruaridh. The carnivore team came up with a shortlist of names and put it out to our colleagues as a vote.
“Everyone at RZSS has worked so hard this last year, providing expert care for all of the animals at Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park throughout the pandemic and working to connect the public with nature during lockdown. This was a small thing we could do to say thank you.
“Red pandas are a visitor favourite here at the zoo, and Ruby’s birth is significant for this endangered species, which is at risk due to habitat loss and poaching.”
Image (C) RZSS Edinburgh Zoo.
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