The Red River Zoo in North Dakota has welcomed a rare new set of red panda triplets.

The new babies are two females and one male. They were born June 11 at the zoo in Fargo.

Zoo executive director Paula Grimestad said triplets are rare for red pandas and are especially welcome because the animals are considered endangered.

The zoo's panda keeper, Marcy Thompson, says it's been 10 years since the last Chinese red panda triplets were born in the Western Hemisphere.

Unlike the bear-like giant pandas, red pandas resemble raccoons with long bushy tails.

(China Daily via Agencies June 23, 2009)