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Red panda mommy and baby have moved in at the National Zoo

WASHINGTON — The National Zoo is welcoming its newest residents: a mother-and-son pair of red pandas. Visitors can now marvel at the exploits (see below) of Nutmeg and her cub Jackie, who made their debut Thursday at the zoo’s Asia Trail area. Jackie was born this past summer at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia. Red pandas are an endangered species, and according to SCBI, their population is believed to have declined by half over the last two decades. The zoo and SCBI have long worked toward the red panda’s conservation, with more than 100 surviving cubs born since 1962.

Helping a pet that frets over Fourth of July fireworks

On America's 250th birthday, fireworks displays are likely going to be spectacular — but for many pets, the booms of the pyrotechnics are a miserable experience. Dr. Janine Calabro, medical director at VEG ER for Pets, said many animals may find the noises from our celebrations stressful. "Dogs are probably the most common pets in which we see some of these problems," she said.
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