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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah's Hogle Zoo is transitioning its red panda care for its newest resident — William, a Chinese red panda.
For years, the Hogle Zoo has been home to Himalayan red pandas. In June 2023, panda cub Dorji was born to parents MowMow and Priya.
Priya fell ill and died in December 2023, resulting in father MowMow taking on an uncommon red panda behavior of caring for the young cub.
"MowMow's gentle nature shone as he groomed, cuddled and played for hours with Dorji, teaching him how to 'panda,'" the zoo said.
Based on species survival plans, Dorji was recently moved to Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, and MowMow moved to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia. These moves are part of breeding recommendations to help the red panda populations grow.
Red pandas have experienced a 40% decline in population in the last decade and are considered endangered, zoo officials said. Red pandas are threatened by habitat loss, degradation and poaching.
Although the Utah Hogle's Zoo will no longer have any Himalayan red pandas, the arrival of William marks a transition to Chinese red panda care, the zoo announced Wednesday. Both species of red pandas are native to mountainous forests in China, India, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar.
William is a 1-year-old red panda who was transferred to Utah from the Lincoln Children's Zoo.
"Described as cautiously curious, William has been eager to explore his new habitat in Asian Highlands. William's care team has shared that he enjoys training and learning new behaviors and especially loves fruit and bamboo," the zoo said.
