It is difficult to confuse the red panda (Ailurus fulgens) with any other species, as its appearance is so unusual! As its name suggests, the red panda has red fur on its back and sides. Its belly and legs are black, while its muzzle, eyebrows, cheeks and ears are white. It also has a long, bushy tail that acts as a counterweight, which is useful for moving around in the forests of the Himalayas, its natural habitat. Powerful, semi-retractable claws complete its arsenal, enabling it to climb trees efficiently. 

On June 26, 2026, a male red panda was born at the Ménagerie, le zoo du Jardin des Plantes.  

This adds to the birth of two red pandas at the Ménagerie last year, on June 12, 2025. Three days later, two red pandas at la Réserve zoologique de la Haute-Touche gave birth to two cubs. These rare events illustrate the commitment of the National Museum of Natural History to the conservation of this endangered species.

The Museum's zoos participate in the European breeding programme for the conservation of red pandas and in the financing of organisations working in the field to preserve habitats, replant forests with the help of villagers, study the species and train guards to reduce poaching. Raising public awareness of respect for nature and alternative farming methods also contributes to the protection of its habitat.

This birth is a victory for biodiversity. European zoos are home to more than 400 red pandas, representing more than 5% of the global population. And we can say that in the future, if red pandas become even more endangered in the wild [...], and if we need to reinforce the population, we will have a reserve population.
Aude Bourgeois, head of the Ménagerie, zoo du Jardin des Plantes.