A Bewdley-based safari park is 'overjoyed' after the birth of an endangered red panda cub.
The cub was born at West Midlands Safari Park in June and became the fourth to be welcomed at the park in as many years.
It is the offspring of six-year-old red panda Mei Lin and eight-year-old Sanka, who are both part of an endangered species breeding programme.
Vicky McFarlane, head keeper of the Discovery Trail at West Midlands Safari Park, described the moment they realised the cub had arrived after being first alerted to the arrival by 'tiny squeaks' coming from one of the nest boxes.
She said: "Following last year’s red panda cubs, Nadiya and Nikisha, leaving for their new homes just a few short weeks ago, we are overjoyed to announce that Mei Lin has given birth to another beautiful red panda cub."
"Guests in the Red Panda Cottages were the first to get a sneak peek at the new arrival, as Mei-Lin moved the cub early in the morning of 21 June, following its birth a few days before."
Red panda cubs typically remain in their nest for the first few months of life, cared for exclusively by their mother.
They rarely venture outside before reaching around four months old.
Ms McFarlane said: "Mei Lin is an experienced mum, having had three cubs previously, and she knows exactly what to do, so keepers leave her undisturbed to do what she does best."
The newborn is part of the EAZA Ex-Situ Programme, a European scheme aimed at conserving endangered species through coordinated breeding efforts.
Red pandas are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with fewer than 10,000 individuals believed to remain in the wild.
The park supports the Red Panda Network, which works to conserve wild red panda populations through community education and habitat protection.
As part of this partnership, the park funds a 'forest guardian' to help monitor and protect red pandas in their natural environment.
The new cub is not yet on public display, but visitors can see its father, Sanka, at the Red Panda Retreat in the Safari Walk area of the park.
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