TWO adorable red panda cubs have been born at the Welsh Mountain Zoo.

The species is considered vulnerable and the birth of the twins, still to be named, some 12 weeks ago to parents Nuri and Ming Ming, marks the second set of cubs born at the Colwyn Bay attraction.

At 14 inches long with a tail of about 10 inches and weighing in at around 1.5kg, the pair are slowly gaining in confidence and have been seen scurrying around the enclosures under the watchful eyes of mum and dad. 

Keepers have been monitoring the family around the clock and are pleased with the development of the cubs and the interaction with their parents.

Keepers recently carried out a first health check on the cubs and weighed them. 

Red panda keeper Tom Lawrence said: “The two cubs are in great condition.

“We’ve only had a handful of sightings of the cubs, particularly in the mornings and evenings, but they are growing in confidence and will begin to forage and explore more in the coming weeks and months. 

“The red pandas are undoubtedly one of the most popular animals we have here and are incredibly cute. 

“As red pandas are so threatened in the wild we are all delighted to have another pair of cubs, and it’s a very special event for us all at the National Zoo of Wales.”

Those keen to spot a red panda cub at home are able to log on to the webcam on the zoo’s website www.welshmountainzoo.org

Red pandas are classed as a vulnerable species on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List, with a population in the wild of 10,000.