Guess who's red, furry, super cute and a new addition to The Utica Zoo?

Khairo the Red Panda! That's who!

Turns out Khairo's acquisition into the Utica Zoo is sort of an arranged "marriage". My sources say that he was introduced to his new "boo" Mei Lin, this past weekend. Mei Lin was born at The Utica Zoo in 2019 to Mei Yun and Muse.

 Mei Lin's mother (Mei Yun) died suddenly at the zoo in 2021.

READ MORE: Utica Zoo Mourns the Loss of Red Panda – Utica Zoo

Utica-Observer Dispatch is reporting that "Khairo, a 7-year-old male from the Red River Zoo, arrived as part of the Species Survival Plan (SSP) recommendation for breeding.

"Red pandas are currently classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, with population numbers currently unknown due to severe fracturing of their natural habitats." The Rome Sentinel has reported.

READ MORE: Meet Khairo: Utica Zoo's newest red panda | News | romesentinel.com

Director of Communications and Engagement at the Zoo, Allison Snyder told the Dispatch,

“Red Panda's have a short breeding period that typically takes place in January or February.”

READ MORE: How Often Do Red Pandas Have Babies? (Explained) (bestofpanda.com)

"Red Pandas are usually found in the northern to west provinces of China, Nepal, India and Tibet. They can easily be distinguished by their unique rusty, red coat color. Their coat helps them blend into the canopies of Fir trees where the branches are covered in reddish-brown moss and lichens. Throughout the day, red pandas spend their time eating bamboo."

READ MORE: Red Panda – Utica Zoo