Red Panda That Escaped From The National Zoo Is Now a Dad

The Smithsonian National Zoo announced Wednesday that its red pandas Rusty and Shama have given birth to three cubs — and they have already weaseled their way into our hearts. The video above shows Shama cuddling with her babies after giving birth on June 26.

“All four red panda pairs at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Va., successfully bred and had cubs this year,” according to the National Zoo’s website. “Of the 10 cubs, more born at SCBI than any other year, seven have survived.”

You may remember Rusty as the little dude that literally had zoo officials seeing red when he escaped from his enclosure in the Asia Trail section last summer. Rusty was later found in Adams Morgan, a D.C. neighborhood known for its nightlife. Time will only tell whether the cubs will inherit their father’s penchant for party animal antics.

(h/t DCist)