Chattanooga Zoo welcomes newborn red panda Pilatus

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Chattanooga Zoo has announced that one of their red pandas has given birth.

Saffron the red panda, gave the Chattanooga Zoo it’s first baby red panda in 8 years.

The zoo named the male cub Pilatus.

He’s happy, healthy, and getting wonderful care from his mother.

Saffron has been spending time with her newborn off of the exhibit, but has been recently spotted carrying Pilatus into the indoor enclosure.

The zoo says that they believe Pilatus will be exploring his enclosure on his own this fall.

Pilatus is an important addition to the Red Panda Species Survival Plan.

This program is dedicated to increasing endangered species populations.

There are currently 200 red pandas in AZA-accredited zoos and between 2,500 and 10,000 left in the wild.