Pets

CT's Beardsley Zoo In Bridgeport Welcomes Its 1st-Ever Red Panda Cub

The male was born in June to Ponya and Pilot, and marks a milestone for the zoo and an endangered species breeding program.

By Alfred Branch, Patch Staff

Sep 18, 2026 11:39 AM EDT

A red panda, similar to the one pictured above, was recently born at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, the Bridgeport-based facility's first. (Olivia Booth/Patch file photo)

BRIDGEPORT, CT — Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport has welcomed its first red panda cub, a male born June 24 to first-time parents Ponya and Pilot.

The birth is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Red Panda Species Survival Plan, a collaborative program aimed at maintaining a healthy and genetically diverse population of red pandas in accredited zoos. Ponya and Pilot were paired through the program as part of an effort to support the endangered species.

Research into red panda reproductive biology and behavior can also provide information that may benefit wild populations facing threats in their home ranges.

"There are milestones that every zoo hopes to celebrate, and this is certainly one of them," said Dr. Jim Wharton, CEO of Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo. "The birth of our first red panda cub is exciting not only for our staff, but for everyone who follows Ponya and Pilot's journey. We look forward to watching this young family grow and sharing that story with our guests. We're also grateful for the support behind the Natt Family Red Panda Habitat, which plays an important role in caring for these remarkable animals."

The zoo's animal care and veterinary teams monitored Ponya's pregnancy for months, conducting frequent neonatal ultrasounds to track the cub's growth and development. Ponya gave birth after a gestation period of approximately 132 days.

Because first-time red panda mothers sometimes struggle with caring for their young, zoo staff observed Ponya and the cub for several weeks. The cub was later removed from the habitat and is being raised by the zoo's animal care and veterinary staff.

The cub is feeding and gaining weight while being cared for in the zoo's animal hospital. His care will continue behind the scenes before he rejoins Ponya and Pilot at the Natt Family Red Panda Habitat this fall.

The zoo will mark International Red Panda Day on Saturday, Sept. 19. Visitors can see Ponya and Pilot and learn about red panda conservation. Animal adoption boxes will also be available for purchase.