On June 6, Oklahoma City Zoo staffers quietly witnessed the
eleventh Red Panda birth in the zoo’s history – a female. This is the first baby for Mom
Jaya, who came to the zoo at the end of 2011, but the ninth cub for Yoda, the
father. The newborn was named
KayDee in honor of Oklahoma City Thunder player Kevin Durant — known to fans
as K.D. — whose team won it’s first Western Conference championship on that
very same night.

“We’ve been eager to introduce KayDee to the public since
June,” said Newton “but she needed time to bond with her mother and grow a
little before we did.”

After a four-and-a-half month gestation period, KayDee was born weighing less than a pound (.45 kg). First-time mom Jaya cared for her well, and now, at three months old, she weighs approximately 4 pounds (1.8 kg). KayDee is transitioning from
nursing to eating solid foods; she's begun chewing bamboo just like her parents and shortly she’ll be able to eat high-fiber, nutritional biscuits, apples, pears, grapes
and various enrichment foods. And she is rambunctious – bouncing around and snorting as baby pandas are wont to do! 

Photo Credits: Oklahoma City Zoo

Read more about this little Red Panda after the fold:

“We never had to intervene,“ said Keeper Chrislyn Newton. "We
developed trust with Jaya and though very watchful, she allows us to help with
her cub if needed. We check KayDee’s weight and body condition regularly and
ensure her mother is producing enough milk.”

Guests can now see KayDee with her parents in their habitat. KayDee usually leaves her nest early in the morning and
later in the evening to play.