GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A pair of red pandas are set to leave John Ball Zoo.
Siblings Dawa and Nima are set to move to their new homes on Monday, John Ball Zoo curator Tim Sampson said. The last day to see them will be Sunday.
The zoo is moving the red pandas as part of the Species Survival Plan. The zoo works with other zoos and organizations through the SSP to move animals around to breed in order to help the population grow.
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“This was part of our plan for Nima and Dawa since their birth,” Sampson said in an email to News 8.
The pair were b orn in July of 2023 to Wasabi and Wyatt, the second litter for the parents. Wasabi and Wyatt are remaining at the zoo.
Nima and Dawa will not stay together, instead going to two different institutions.
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“The red panda siblings’ destinations cannot be announced yet until all of John Ball Zoo’s partners are ready to make the announcement,” Sampson said.