A furry bundle of joy came times three to the Lincoln Children’s Zoo in August with the birth of three red panda cubs. On Thursday, the zoo announced two male and one female red panda cubs were born on Aug. 10 to third-time mom Tián and second-time dad Rowan. Names for the cubs have not yet been decided. In June 2023, the zoo welcomed
two male red panda cubs , born to Tián and Rowan. And in 2022, Tián gave birth to Bety, who was the first red panda cub at the zoo in eight years.
Three red panda cubs were born in August at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo to third-time mom Tián and second-time dad Rowan. “Birthing triplet red panda cubs does happen, but a mom being able to raise triplets successfully is rare. Tián is an experienced and attentive mom, and keepers are able to check in and weigh the cubs as needed with minimal stress, a testament to the trust built and exceptional care our team provides,” Ruth Marcec-Greaves, the zoo’s general curator, said in a news release.
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In the wild, female red pandas often use tree hollows or rock crevices lined with plant material for nests. At the zoo, zookeepers have replicated the nest with six boxes lined with bamboo and wood wool for nesting material.
“Birthing triplet red panda cubs does happen, but a mom being able to raise triplets successfully is rare. Tián is an experienced and attentive mom, and keepers are able to check in and weigh the cubs as needed with minimal stress, a testament to the trust built and exceptional care our team provides,” Ruth Marcec-Greaves, the zoo’s general curator, said in a news release. Red panda moms typically spend all of their time with the cubs in the nest box for a few months and move them around in the wild to keep them away from predators or environmental stressors. The multiple nests will allow Tián to choose which box she wants to use for her cubs. Currently, Tián is spending time behind the scenes with the cubs as they grow and develop. At 3 months old, the cubs are learning how to climb and venture out of their nest box for short periods of time.
Three red panda cubs were born in August at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo to third-time mom Tián and second-time dad Rowan. The zoo estimates the pandas will be visible to the public in December. Updates will be posted on the zoo’s social media sites for when visitors can expect to catch a glimpse of the cubs. Red pandas face a very high risk of extinction in the wild as they are listed as endangered on the International Union Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species. “Red pandas are an endangered species whose population has declined by 50% over the last 20 years. The birth of these triplets is important for animal conservation efforts, and the red pandas at the zoo help to raise awareness of the threats their counterparts face in the wild such as habitat loss,” Evan Killeen, CEO of the zoo, said in a news release.
Three red panda cubs were born in August at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo to third-time mom Tián and second-time dad Rowan. The breeding recommendation for Tián and Rowan was approved by coordinators of the Breeding and Transfer Plan from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan Program. The program identifies population goals and recommendations to manage a genetically diverse, demographically varied and biologically sound population.
Here are a few facts about the red panda, which can be seen at Omaha's zoo. Photos: 50 years of the Lincoln Children's Zoo
Lincoln Children's Zoo 50th Anniversary -old pic
Two-year-old Thomas Gaster makes friends with a pygmy goat during the zoo's opening day May 5, 1985. Also pictured is older brother James Gaster, 3. Lincoln Children's Zoo 50th Anniversary
Matt Trout, 4, makes friends with an ostrich at the Lincoln Children's Zoo in this 1978 photograph. Lincoln Children's Zoo 50th Anniversary
Members of Lincoln Elks Lodge 80 serve fresh buttered popcorn during the zoo's second season in 1966. Pictures (from left) are Lori Shelton, 5; Vince Collura, Elks past exalted ruler; David Wolatz, 5; Spahnle Freeman and Andrea Freeman, 4. Lincoln Children's Zoo 50th Anniversary
In this 1990 photo, zoo educator Kathy French introduces Jamie Burner, 9; Holly Ehrlich, 10; and Ryan Ehrlich, 8, to Booger, a blue and gold macaw. Lincoln Children's Zoo 50th Anniversary
Young visitors Holly Yost, Laura Scheweitzer and Mary McMurtry enjoy a human's eye-view of Simon the owl. This photo appeared June 2, 1974, in the Journal Star. Lincoln Children's Zoo 50th Anniversary
A pygmy goat gets a little friendly with Kathy Porto during opening day of the zoo in 1986. Lincoln Children's Zoo 50th Anniversary
In 1977, two pygmy hippos arrived at the Lincoln Children's Zoo. The hippos moved into the pool that formerly housed a pair of sea lions. In this photo, one of the hippos enjoys a marshmallow. Lincoln Children's Zoo 50th Anniversary
Alan Bietz served as the zoo's director from 1973 to 1986. In this 1975 photo, he and Melinda Silber of Raytown, Mo., call part of the Bambi herd to chow. Lincoln Children's Zoo 50th Anniversary
Serval kittens greeted zoo-goers in 1979. Although only one kitten can be seen in the photo, a second is hiding behind mom Patches. Lincoln Children's Zoo 50th Anniversary
In 1991, zoo director John Chapo (right) and zoo board chair Nadine McHenry were presented with two stuffed spectacled bears, symbolic of the two new bears the Downtown Optimists helped purchase for the zoo. Cuddling the stuffed bears are Optimists Suzanne Reeves-Lintz and Jim Johnson. Lincoln Children's Zoo 50th Anniversary
Janet Folsom, wife of zoo founder Arnott Folsom, was called the "guardian angel" of the zoo. Here she is shown with Bo the boa constrictor, one of the first animals at the zoo. Bo often accompanied the Folsoms on fundraising ventures. This 1984 photo was taken at the Folsom home, where Bo and Sandy, a bandit sand snake, resided while their zoo home was built. Lincoln Children's Zoo 50th Anniversary
In 1976 the Lincoln Children's Zoo introduced Halloween Hullabaloo complete with costumed characters and treats. The annual trick-or-treat event continues today under the name Boo at the Zoo. This photo taken in 1994 shows (from left): Ryan Carlson, 7; scarecrow Gene Brownson; lobster, Brownson's wife Terrie; and Kyyle Carlson, 2. Lincoln Children's Zoo 50th Anniversary
Zoo workers wash and feed baby elephant Ellie Mae at the zoo in this 1969 photo. Ellie Mae was actually a boy. Lincoln Children's Zoo 50th Anniversary
Randy Scheer came to the Lincoln Children's Zoo nearly three decades ago as a keeper. Today he is the zoo's curator of animals. This 1995 photo shows him feeding an unidentified camel. Lincoln Children's Zoo 50th Anniversary
Actors from the zoo's Bird Cage Theatre often interacted with zoo-goers. This photo was taken in 1970. Lincoln Children's Zoo 50th Anniversary
Tibet, the beloved camel, arrived at the Lincoln Children's Zoo in 1987. She gave birth to three calves camels over the years. Here she is pictured with her 12-day-old son OD in March 1997. Tibet retired from the zoo in 2009. Lincoln Children's Zoo 50th Anniversary
In the early years, the Lincoln Children's Zoo had its own post office and its own postmark. This 1982 photo features retired postal worker Vernon Hermann manning the zoo's post office window. Lincoln Children's Zoo 50th Anniversary
From the very beginning, the Lincoln Children's Zoo was created to give children first-hand experiences with nature and her creatures. In this 1972 photo, Linda Dare puckers up to a baby coypu. Lincoln Children's Zoo 50th Anniversary
Robert Spencer was the very first director at the Lincoln Children's Zoo. In this October 1968 photo, he is shown with Angela the anteater. Lincoln Children's Zoo 50th Anniversary
Everyone knew the Kodiak bear as Ben. And the story was he was "the Ben" of the popular late 1960s television show "Gentle Ben." But the bear's name was really Zach, and he was not the star of the show. However, he once played a bit part in the series. Here Zach, aka Ben, devours a birthday cake in honor of the zoo's 15th anniversary in 1980. Lincoln Children's Zoo 50th Anniversary
Adelion and her "boyfriend" Bottomlion (top) opened the zoo's 16th season in 1981. Lincoln Children's Zoo 50th Anniversary
The Iron Horse Railroad began running two years before the Lincoln Children's Zoo opened in 1965. For a small fee, families could ride the train and watch the zoo be built from the ground up. Lincoln Children's Zoo 50th Anniversary
In this 1996 photo, Senator Ernie Chambers (right) brings zoo curator Randy Scheer a Burmese python that had been surrendered by its owner after the snake bit him and wrapped around his arm. The children's zoo tested the snake for health issues and found it a home at another zoo. Lincoln Children's Zoo 50th Anniversary
Former zookeeper Tracie Benton takes Courtney the pig out on a zoo stroll in this 1986 photo. Two years later, Benton married zoo executive director John Chapo. The couple recently celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary. Lincoln Children's Zoo 50th Anniversary
The Christmas Mouse leads Pat Piper (left) and Stephen Froscheiser (right) through Plum Pudding Square in a precursor to the zoo's annual Christmas celebration. Lincoln Children's Zoo 50th Anniversary
While the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra presented its Zoo's-A-Pop-In concert at the zoo on June 17, 1977, 3-year-old Stephanie Beir shares her popcorn with a friendly rooster. Lincoln Children's Zoo 50th Anniversary
The only thing Arnott Folsom loved more than animals was people, according to Robert Spencer, the first director of the Lincoln Children's Zoo. Folsom decided Lincoln needed a children's zoo in 1959; six years later, it opened. Lincoln Children's Zoo 50th Anniversary
Leo the Paper-Eating Lion was at the zoo on opening day July 21, 1965. Fifty years later, Leo is still delighting trash tossing children. This photo taken in 1996 shows then 5-year-old Kelsey Reifert "feeding" Leo. Penguins
Humboldt Penguins gather for feeding at the Lincoln Children's Zoo Tuesday. Crocodile Country
“Swamp Pa,” 31 years old, poses for pictures at Lincoln Children’s Zoo, where he and his mate, “Swamp Ma,” age 38, hold the distinction of being the Zoo’s oldest residents, according to Zoo President and CEO John Chapo. “That’s current company excluded, of course,” mused the affable Chapo, the Lincoln zoo’s administrator since 1986. The zoo residents are Dwarf African Crocodiles, the world’s smallest of the crocodilian group. “They love the hot Nebraska summers but must move inside for our Nebraska winters and fall,” said Chapo. “They store fat in their tails and have successfully bred here, producing healthy offspring that have moved on to other zoos.” Zoo guests can visit them every day in their water exhibit near the Bald eagles and River otters at the zoo, 27th and B streets. The zoo is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and until 8 p.m. on Wednesdays in August. “Zoobilee,” the zoo’s 50th anniversary celebration, is a free family event coming to Pinnacle Bank Arena from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. next Saturday, Aug. 8, and will feature Larry the Cable Guy, and children’s music bands The Okee Dokee Brothers and Recess Monkey. Zoo Camp Feature
John Chapo visits with guests, band plays in background
John Chapo, Lincoln Children’s Zoo president and CEO, visits with guests while the band entertains in the background at a previous Brews at the Zoo event. Children's Zoo Turn 50
Earth Wellness Festival
Lincoln Children's Zoo President John Chapo shows a Galápagos tortoise to a group of fifth-graders during the 21st annual Earth Wellness Festival on Wednesday at Southeast Community College. The tortoise was the heaviest animal brought by the zoo and required a hand cart to travel. The goal of the annual festival, which attracts more than 3,000 fifth-graders from 44 Lancaster County schools, is to provide fun, hands-on activities to educate the students about the environment and nature. zoo timeline butterfly pavilion
Shannon Sullivan tries to hold still as a monarch butterfly lands on her nose in Laura's Butterfly Pavilion shortly after it opened in 2008 at the Lincoln Children's Zoo. Leo the paper-eating lion
Children feed Leo the paper-eating lion in this 1960s postcard photo. Leo has become a fixture that remains part of the Lincoln Children’s Zoo. Critter Keepers
Pokey, the lesser hedgehog tenrec, snuggles into the palms of Logan Ostergard, 6, during the Critter Keepers winter zoo camp on Monday at the Lincoln Children's Zoo. Red Panda
Zookeeper Sarah Jurgens plays with Lincoln, a red panda cub, on Jan. 21, 2014, at the Lincoln Children's Zoo. Boo at the Zoo
Robert Ybarra, Jonette Ybarra and Michael Ybarra, 4, take off from the train depot after filling up on candy during Boo at the Zoo at the Lincoln Children's Zoo on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014. Red Panda Cubs, 09/04/2014
Breakfast with the Penguins
The first Breakfast with the Penguins at the Lincoln Children's Zoo sold out in about 30 minutes last year. Participants were fed a pancake breakfast and given the opportunity to feed small fish to the penguins. Wallaby joey
Liv, a 7-month-old wallaby, nurses on formula from a bottle provided by zookeeper Taylor Daniels in the animal care center at Lincoln Children's Zoo Tuesday. 140505_Herps_Tiger_Beetle_107232
Volunteers work to remove Salt Creek tiger beetle larvae from rearing tubes at the Lincoln Children's Zoo. Rock with the Crocs, 06/30/2013
David Krier, 5 (from left), Lorelei Jobst, 3, and Josie Jobst, 5, dance to the music of The Okee Dokee Brothers as they perform during Rock with the Crocs Sunday, June 30, 2013, at the Lincoln Children's Zoo. What's new at the zoo -- new murals in Animal Kingdom Building
Mike Nelson works inside one of the animal enclosures as Mural Mural Graphics gives the Animal Kingdom building a facelift for the new season. Zoofari with Larry the Cable Guy
Larry the Cable Guy holds a red-tailed boa constrictor in a frame grab from a "Zoofari with Larry the Cable Guy" video. The educational videos, produced in cooperation with Larry the Cable Guy, the Git-R-Done Foundation and Lincoln Children's Zoo, feature Larry the Cable Guy and zoo CEO John Chapo interacting with animals. The videos will be given to children's hospitals and rehabilitation centers across the country. Folsom Children's Zoo Lions in Winter
ROBERT BECKER/Lincoln Journal Star
Prepared for his annual physical, Gideon, a 16-year-old white-handed gibbon, is lifted to the examining table by animal curator Randy Scheer at the Lincoln Children's Zoo on Thursday, May 27, 2010. Camel rides at Lincoln Children's Zoo
Lincoln Children's Zoo
Zookeeper Anita Olson cleans a saddle on April 11, 2012, at the Lincoln Children's Zoo. The Wrangler Round-Up has rain gardens in the center to capture run-off to be used to water plantings. When the trees are grown, they will provide horses and riders some extra shade. Lincoln Children's Zoo
Preparing for opening day, Lincoln Children's Zoo facilities manager Bill Van Dyke calculates the number of bolts needed to secure the new sign next to the camels on Tuesday, April 10, 2012. Reindeer
This reindeer doesn't seem to mind the snow Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011, during the Zoobilee, an annual holiday celebration at the Lincoln Children's Zoo. Chapo Boo at the Zoo 2
Marmoset
Zoo goat
Children's Zoo Turn 50
Zoogoers enjoy the sunny 81-degree weather on Wednesday, May 27, 2015, near the recognizable sign at the Lincoln Children's Zoo. The zoo is celebrating 50 years of entertaining the Lincoln community. The zoo is 100 percent funded by the public, from memberships, entry fees, train rides and even the money people pay to feed the animals. Penguins (copy)
Humboldt Penguins gather for feeding at the Lincoln Children's Zoo. The zoo closes for the season on Sunday. Boo at the Zoo
Children will be able to ride the rails, fill up on candy and more at this year's Boo at the Zoo, running from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 26-30 at the Lincoln Children's Zoo. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
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