One of the Wildlife Park’s most infamous residents, Kush the red panda, has become a dad.

Kush has developed a reputation as the Park’s resident Houdini having twice escaped - most recently at the turn of the year.

Along with mum Sara though, Kush welcomed two new additions to the family six weeks ago.

The cubs are currently covered in thick grey fur, which is starting to change to the recognisable red shade. They will stay with their mum for three months before emerging from their nesting box in the coming weeks.

Their keeper, Emma Dudgeon, said: ’We have one boy and one girl and we are now thinking about names. It is very exciting.’

In the wild red pandas are found in mountain forests of Asia and are classed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Kathleen Graham, general manager, said: ’During their first days they have received their mother’s undivided attention. We all know Kush has an adventurous spirit but we are all thrilled that he is now a father.

’In the wild the red panda population has seen a decline of around 40% in the last 50 years - so breeding programmes in zoos are more important than ever.’

Recent estimates suggest there are only 10,000 left in the wild, but that figure could be as low as 2,500 some experts believe.

Geoffrey Boot MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, said: ’The births are great news for the species and the team at the Wildlife Park. I’m sure the public will enjoy seeing them as they start to explore their surroundings.’

Around 50 red pandas are born each year in European zoos where they can live up to 14 years.