Congrats Wasabi! John Ball Zoo’s Red Panda is Pregnant

In the coming weeks, John Ball Zoo will be welcoming a new baby red panda!

The Grand Rapids zoo shared on Facebook that almost 4-year-old female red panda, Wasabi, is pregnant for the first time.They are anticipating Wasabi will give birth in late June or early July.

Wasabi arrived in Grand Rapids in April of 2019.

John Ball Zoo paired Wasabi up with Wyatt, who has fathered two other cubs, Fox 17 reports.

The zoo says the new arrival is important part of their conservation as a species:

While having an adorable red panda cub will be amazing, we are also excited at how the cub will help in the conservation of red pandas. John Ball Zoo participates in the Species Survival Plan for the red panda. Red pandas are endangered and it is believed there are less than 2,500 adult red pandas left in the wild.

Stay tuned to John Ball Zoo's social media for updates on Wasabi, Wyatt, and the new little one.

The zoo officially reopened to the public Monday, June 8. They've instituted new health and safety protocols and are operating at limited capacity. It's recommended that all guest reserve an online timed-entry ticket to secure their visit time. Tickets can also be secured over the phone.

John Ball Zoo also recently welcomed a baby Canada Lynx.