Two red panda sisters born on the Isle of Wight have been sent to France as part of a breeding programme for the endangered species.
Xiao Mei and Xiao Bao, known as Mei and Bao, were born at Amazon World Zoo Park on June 17, 2025, to mother Xiao Xing and father Flint, according to On The Wight.
The cubs have now moved to Parc de l’Auxois in France through the EAZA Ex-situ Programme, which matches endangered animals for breeding using factors including genetics, age and health.
Their birth marked an important moment for the park, where successful red panda breeding is seen as a contribution to the species’ future.
At their first veterinary check, both cubs were found to be underweight. Senior keepers gave them puppy-milk feeds during the day while their mother cared for them at night to help them gain strength.
Their mother later died from age-related illnesses, and staff continued to monitor the cubs with regular weigh-ins, nest box camera checks and ongoing observation.
The pair later recovered and grew into healthy young adults ready to join the wider European breeding network.
Red pandas are classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Fewer than 10,000 are believed to remain in the wild, and the Red Panda Network estimates the population has declined by 50 percent over the past 20 years.
Managed breeding programmes such as the EEP aim to preserve genetic diversity among captive animals by reducing inbreeding as wild red pandas face habitat loss, climate change and poaching.
Amazon World has taken part in EAZA conservation work for more than two decades and plans to stay involved. Another female red panda is expected to arrive in the next few months and will be paired with Flint.
Head Keeper Rachel Patrick said: “Watching these two incredible female red pandas grow from tiny cubs into independent young adults has been an absolute highlight for our entire keeping team.”
She added: “While we will miss their playful energy daily, sending them to France is a vital step forward for the international breeding programme.”
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