Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Our adorable red panda cub now has a name: Kuna!
At 6 months old, Kuna --who was born at our conservation facility in Front Royal, Virginia-- has started basic husbandry training. She is learning to step on a scale on cue and practicing entering a crate but still has more to learn when it comes to voluntarily participating in her care. Still, according to keepers, she is hitting all her milestones, especially in terms of eating nutritional biscuits and fruit.
Keepers say the best part of watching Kuna grow up has been seeing her personality change over time. Initially, her mom Keahi was very protective and as a result, Kuna was somewhat timid. But Kuna has become braver and more independent. Personality-wise, keepers say Kuna is similar to her father, Rocket, who loves to play with enrichment, like balls and treat-dispensing toys. But in other ways, she is like Keahi --neither favored fruit at a young age, although keepers say both now love fruit.
Even though red panda cubs can stay with their mothers for over a year, Keahi seems ready for more alone time. Kuna and her mom still cuddle at night, but for the most part, they prefer to explore alone. Keahi will tolerate Kuna's playing and pouncing on her a little bit but is starting to enforce more boundaries. Keepers say when the two are reunited after a period of separation, Keahi seems eager to get back to Kuna, only to run straight for any food Kuna might not have eaten! As adults, red pandas are typically solitary, so this isn't unusual behavior given Kuna's age.
There are no plans for Kuna to come to the National Zoo, but you can see our two adult female red pandas, Asa and Chris-Anne, on Asia Trail! Red pandas tend to be more active around dawn and dusk, and tend to prefer cooler weather, making them a perfect reason to plan a winter visit to the Zoo.
Our adorable red panda cub now has a name: Kuna!
At 6 months old, Kuna --who was born at our conservation facility in Front Royal, Virginia-- has started basic husbandry training. She is learning to step on a scale on cue and practicing entering a crate but still has more to learn when it comes to voluntarily participating in her care. Still, according to keepers, she is hitting all her milestones, especially in terms of eating nutritional biscuits and fruit.
Keepers say the best part of watching Kuna grow up has been seeing her personality change over time. Initially, her mom Keahi was very protective and as a result, Kuna was somewhat timid. But Kuna has become braver and more independent. Personality-wise, keepers say Kuna is similar to her father, Rocket, who loves to play with enrichment, like balls and treat-dispensing toys. But in other ways, she is like Keahi --neither favored fruit at a young age, although keepers say both now love fruit.
Even though red panda cubs can stay with their mothers for over a year, Keahi seems ready for more alone time. Kuna and her mom still cuddle at night, but for the most part, they prefer to explore alone. Keahi will tolerate Kuna's playing and pouncing on her a little bit but is starting to enforce more boundaries. Keepers say when the two are reunited after a period of separation, Keahi seems eager to get back to Kuna, only to run straight for any food Kuna might not have eaten! As adults, red pandas are typically solitary, so this isn't unusual behavior given Kuna's age.
There are no plans for Kuna to come to the National Zoo, but you can see our two adult female red pandas, Asa and Chris-Anne, on Asia Trail! Red pandas tend to be more active around dawn and dusk, and tend to prefer cooler weather, making them a perfect reason to plan a winter visit to the Zoo.
