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First pictures of baby red panda twins at Whipsnade Zoo

The first pictures have been released of twin red pandas, born at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.

The baby red pandas, named by keepers Bert and Ernie after the Sesame Street characters, have been hiding away in their nesting boxes until this week, when their mum, six year-old Tashi began carrying them outside for short intervals.

Bert and Ernie were born to mum Tashi and dad Blue at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo on 30 June 2015.

Senior Keeper at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, Stephen Perry said: “It’s been magical to see the baby red pandas out and about for the first time.

“Red pandas can be difficult to observe due to their shy and secretive nature, their nocturnal habits and the fact that they spend most of their time up trees. We never see much of their babies for the first couple of months of their lives but it’s worth the wait. They’re incredible and beautiful creatures, and a real visitor favourite.

“Tashi is a brilliant mum, and when the weather gets warmer you sometimes catch her carrying the babies between nesting boxes to find the coolest one for them.”