Red Panda Cub To Make Public Debut

MEDIA RELEASE
July 13, 2022

CONTACT INFORMATION
Bekah Robinson
336-288-3769 x1305
rrobinson@greensboroscience.org

GREENSBORO, NC — Ravi, the red panda cub born at the Greensboro Science Center (GSC) on June 20, will be moved to the Shearer Animal Hospital on Thursday, July 14, 2022, where he will be visible to GSC guests through a window.

Members of the media working on assignment are invited to interview members of Ravi’s care team and take photos and video of the cub from 8:45 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. on Thursday. The opening of the Shearer Animal Hospital to the public will be delayed until 9:15 a.m.

Ravi, 22 days old

Kelly Rauch, Red Panda String Lead, says, “Ravi will be located in an incubator until he is larger and mobile enough to be housed in a modified pack-n-play.”

In addition to viewing the cub through the window, guests are invited to watch feedings. Although feeding times are subject to change with little to no notice, they are currently scheduled for 11:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Rauch says, “He is a very fast eater so feedings will not be very long but we will have an educator answering questions at that time. As he ages and is awake longer, there will be more opportunities for visitors to see the panda team interacting with him.”

Ravi is the first successful red panda cub birth at the GSC. He was born to Usha (female) and Tai (male), a pair recommended for breeding by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) Program. He is currently being hand-reared by the GSC’s animal care team.

“The decision to hand-rear was made in conjunction with the SSP coordinators due to Usha’s history,” said Jessica Hoffman, the GSC’s VP of Animal Care and Welfare. “Pandas in both the wild and in human care unfortunately occasionally kill their cubs – something Usha has done in the past. This was a risk we did not want to take.”

Shark Week Resurfaces July 25 – 30, 2022

Shark Week, sponsored by Fins Car Wash, is resurfacing at the Greensboro Science Center (GSC) from July 25 – 30, 2022. Crafts, games and activities will take place daily from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. during the celebration. Shark Week activities are free with GSC general admission or membership.

“Humans are innately fascinated by sharks, and they occupy many facets of our lives – from popular songs to new scientific discoveries,” said Alison Manka, School and Aquarium Programs Manager. “Shark Week is a way to get to know the facts about sharks and dispel many of the fears we have about them while having a bit of fun at the same time. This event is also a way to celebrate the importance and diversity of life in our amazing oceans. By dispelling myths and making sharks a bit more lovable, we hope to encourage everyone to contribute to shark conservation.” 

Each day of Shark Week will feature a different theme and craft. This year’s daily themes will be:

• Munch, Munch Monday: Sharks are jaw-some predators, but most are also picky eaters. Find out what items are and are not on their menu. 
• Toothful Tuesday: Shark myths and “tooths”. Test your shark smarts with a round of “Myth or Tooth” trivia.
• Wonders Wednesday: Shark Week continues with Wonders Wednesday, where we’ll explore sharks’ amazing superpowers! 
• Thoughtful Thursday: Take a moment to consider shark conservation on this Thoughtful Thursday. Discover why we need sharks and what we can do to help them.
• Freaky Friday: Today is Freaky Friday! Learn about some of the strangest sharks in the sea and make your own unusual shark mask to keep!
• Supreme Saturday: Find out which shark is the biggest, which is the fastest, which is the oldest, and much more!

On Thursday, July 28, GSC guests are invited to bring plastic film to recycle in support of the Trex® Recycling Film Challenge. The GSC is participating in the challenge to reduce the amount of plastic film that ends up in landfills. Examples of plastic film that will be accepted on this day are: grocery bags, bubble wrap, newspaper sleeves, plastic shipping envelopes, and produce bags. Help us take a bite out of plastic!

Greensboro Science Center Welcomes Red Panda Cub

MEDIA RELEASE
June 30, 2022

CONTACT INFORMATION
Bekah Robinson
336-288-3769 x1305
rrobinson@greensboroscience.org

GREENSBORO, NC –The Greensboro Science Center (GSC) is pleased to announce the birth of an endangered red panda cub. The cub was born overnight, June 19 – 20, to Usha (female) and Tai (male), a pair recommended for breeding by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) Program. This is the first successful red panda cub birth at the GSC.

Red panda cub, Ravi, aged 3 days old

The cub has been named Ravi (Sanskrit for Sun) and is being hand-reared behind the scenes by the GSC’s animal care team in order to provide the best chance for survival.

“The decision to hand-rear was made in conjunction with the SSP coordinators due to Usha’s history,” said Jessica Hoffman, the GSC’s VP of Animal Care and Welfare. “Pandas in both the wild and in human care unfortunately occasionally kill their cubs – something Usha has done in the past. This was a risk we did not want to take.”

Animal care staff report that parents Tai and Usha are doing well. The pair may be visible during the GSC’s operational hours, but zookeepers note that they will have access to their behind-the-scenes den boxes for several weeks.

The GSC’s CEO, Glenn Dobrogosz, says the new red panda habitat in Revolution Ridge was designed and built with an exclusive focus on endangered species breeding programs. The new panda habitat is approximately ten times the size of their former exhibit and includes two outdoor areas connected by overhead mesh tunnels, a muraled indoor habitat, indoor holding spaces and a side yard providing space for a large panda family group.

Dobrogosz said, “Revolution Ridge has only been open a year and we are already starting to see intended results. The birth of our new red panda sparks the beginning of what we hope will become breeding success with cassowaries, pygmy hippos, fishing cats, sand cats, servals, black-footed cats and more. Breeding success for rare and endangered species is a core mission goal of the GSC and AZA.”

PHOTOS: Newborn cub | Cub bottle feeding | Keeper Kelly feeding cub

Due to the delicate nature of this situation, the GSC cannot allow members of the media access to the Ravi for photos or videos. The GSC team will keep the public apprised of his progress via social media.

Ravi is not currently visible to GSC guests. As he grows, feedings and exams will take place in the Shearer Animal Hospital, where guests will be able to watch. Times and locations will be shared on the GSC’s social media channels as this information becomes available.