Visitors to Wingham Wildlife Park will have the chance to greet its latest two unexpected arrivals – these incredibly cute baby red pandas.

Keepers making routine checks were shocked to discover their new furry friends, which marked the first time the species had given birth at the centre.

The babies of Mai Xlang, which is pronounced may-shan, were born on Friday, June 19 and are said to be making good progress.

Unlike their mother, their fur is greyer than the striking red of adult pandas, which are native to the Himalayas.

According to the park, its new mum had displayed no obvious behaviour of being pregnant in the weeks up to giving birth.

Tony Binskin, owner of Wingham Wildlife Park, said: “This was a great surprise for us and they have caused a huge stir of excitement amongst our keepers – and management as well for that matter,”

“This is the first time we have had red panda babies here and whilst it is still early days they both look really healthy.”

“The red pandas at Wingham Wildlife Park are part of a European studbook for the species known as an EEP which is run by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA).”

He added that breeding of the species is quite closely controlled to ensure that there are enough homes available for all of the babies produced.

The pandas’ arrival was particularly surprising, as he said Mai Xlang and her partner Jasper had shown no signs of being interested in breeding.

The park owner said Jasper had now been moved to Banham Zoo as part of a breeding exchange programme, with another male red panda called Raymundo coming to East Kent who seems to have taken to the park’s new arrivals.

Mr Binskin added: “We had not planned on breeding this species this year it goes to show that in the natural world timing is not always as you expect.

"Even though these two cuties were unplanned they are certainly not going to be unwanted and are already becoming firm favourites amongst their keepers.”

The babies will remain at Wingham Wildlife Park until they are old enough to be removed from their parents at which point it will be the job of the studbook keeper to decide whether they are needed at another zoo to help further strengthen the gene pool for red pandas in European zoos.