The red panda's forest home in the Himalayas is increasingly being broken up by human populations, who also count on the same habitat for their own survival.

Logging and other forms of forest destruction have upset the natural balance causing wild red pandas to be placed on the list of the world's vulnerable species.

But thanks to an exciting project by the Red Panda Network, local communities in Nepal are getting involved in conservation work and education of the red panda's plight.

Villagers are being hired as forest guardians to help protect the red panda in its natural habitat and to monitor community forests, which have no state protection. This brings much needed employment to remote villages and makes people feel proud of their natural heritage. The forest guardians raise awareness and educate their communities, as well as provide the Red Panda Network with up to date information on the status of the species.

The two female cubs will eventually leave Colchester Zoo's collection following a recommendation by the European Endangered Species Breeding Programme.

To celebrate the births, Colchester Zoo's Action for the Wild Charity will donate €250 to the Red Panda Network to help train, clothe and pay for a forest guardian to help look after the future of the red panda in the wild.

Article written by Sarah Jones Beer