Zoo Atlanta welcoming Ruby and Rose, new red panda sisters

ATLANTA — Zoo Atlanta is welcoming some new additions! Sisters Ruby and Rose, 2-year-old red pandas, arrived in Atlanta earlier this week.

The two female red pandas came to Zoo Atlanta from Zoo Knoxville in Tennessee.

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Jackie, a 5-year-old male red panda who has been living at Zoo Atlanta since 2020, has moved to Zoo Knoxville.

The moves are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Red Panda Species Survival Plan.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ruby and Rose to Zoo Atlanta, and are excited for Jackie’s new opportunity at Zoo Knoxville. This is an outstanding example of cooperation between AZA zoos for the benefit of all of the animals involved,” said Jennifer Mickelberg, PhD, Vice President of Collections and Conservation. “We look forward to introducing Ruby and Rose, and the conservation messages for which they are ambassadors, to our Members and guests.”

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Ruby and Rose are part of the Himalayan subspecies, which is native to Nepal, Bhutan and parts of India.

The World Wildlife Fund lists red pandas as an endangered species.

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