Red Panda Jinjin embarks on his journey
Jinjin, the beloved red panda at the Green Zoo Wuppertal, is set to embark on a new journey. The 14-month-old red panda, who is now independent, will be moving to another zoo soon, as part of the EAZA Ex-situ Program (EEP) for red pandas.
This move is not a surprise, as it mirrors the transfer process that Jinjin herself underwent in the past. The program aims to build a genetically diverse reserve population of red pandas under human care, and Jinjin's relocation is a crucial step towards achieving this goal.
While Jinjin prepares for her new home, her mother Uma has given birth to a new red panda offspring. Uma's new baby is not related to Jinjin, but the hope is that Jinjin will take care of her own offspring in the future at the new zoo.
The young red panda offspring, yet to be named, is currently in its den and not visible to zoo visitors. It is too young to be separated from its mother, but as it grows older, it will follow the same natural behaviour as red pandas in the wild, leaving its mother's den at 14 months old to start searching for its own territory.
The birth of Uma's second baby is a significant contribution to the genetically diverse reserve population of red pandas under human care. The EAZA Ex-situ Program (EEP) carefully manages the care and potential offspring care of each red panda offspring it transfers through various zoos, ensuring the long-term survival and health of the species.
As for Uma and her new offspring, they will remain at the Green Zoo Wuppertal for the time being. Jinjin, on the other hand, will visit another zoo in the future, where she will presumably care for her own offspring. The specific zoo destination for Jinjin has not been named yet, but it is part of the EAZA Ex-situ Program (EEP) to build a genetically diverse reserve population.
The red panda named Jinjin has been an integral part of the Green Zoo Wuppertal for some time, and her upcoming move is a testament to the success of the EAZA Ex-situ Program (EEP) in ensuring the survival of endangered species like the red panda. We look forward to following Jinjin's journey and the growth of the new red panda offspring.
