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- calendar_today October 15, 2026
National Zoo Invites Public to Name Baby Red Panda
The Smithsonian's National Zoo is calling on the public to help choose a name for a baby red panda born at its Front Royal, Virginia campus. The female cub, just four months old, is described by zoo staff as feisty and sweet, and is ready to get a name that suits her lively personality.
Meet the Red Panda Cub and Her Family
This baby red panda is one of three cubs born at the National Zoo last summer. Her mother, Keahi, gave birth to her on June 11, 2026. Another red panda at the facility, Sequoia, had two cubs—one male and one female—just a few weeks earlier, on May 29. All red panda cubs are currently being cared for at the National Zoo’s conservation campus in Front Royal.
Red Panda Naming Choices and Their Meaning
The zoo has proposed three potential names for the new arrival, each holding special significance:
- Dolly – Named in honor of country music icon Dolly Parton.
- Pyra – Derived from the Greek word for heat.
- Dolpa – Named after a region in Nepal where red pandas are native.
Visitors and red panda enthusiasts can cast their vote online to help select the cub’s new name.
The Personality Behind the Cub
The National Zoo has described this baby red panda as "bold and feisty," with a particularly sweet face. These traits have contributed to interest in finding a name that truly fits her playful disposition. Each name option reflects either a cultural connection, a nod to her habitat, or a tribute to a public figure.
Conservation and Care at Front Royal
Red pandas are classified as an endangered species and are known to have low survival rates in the wild and captivity. Because of this, keepers at the National Zoo have taken extra precautions to ensure the wellbeing of Keahi, Sequoia, and their babies. This summer, keepers relocated the families indoors to provide air-conditioning and keep the animals comfortable during the hot months. The cubs are expected to remain with their mothers for about a year as part of their regular care and red panda conservation efforts.
Visiting the Red Pandas
At this time, the new red panda mothers and their cubs are residing at the zoo's Front Royal facility, which is closed to the public. Those interested in seeing a red panda in person can visit Asa, an adult female, who lives on the zoo’s Asia Trail at the National Zoo’s main location.
Supporting Red Panda Conservation
The zoo’s red panda birth announcements help raise awareness about endangered species and highlight ongoing red panda conservation. Participation in the red panda naming poll gives the public a unique way to contribute to these efforts, underscoring the importance of protecting the red panda habitat and ensuring the species’ future survival.
Source: wtop.com.
