(AP) — Lincoln zookeepers are working around the clock to hand-raise a newborn red panda whose mother became unable to care for him.
Three zookeepers at Lincoln Children’s Zoo are feeding the 6-week-old cub — aptly named Lincoln — with a doll-sized bottle. A sock bunny and stuffed animal are serving as surrogate siblings in his incubated space.
The cub developed a wound after his mother began excessively carrying him and cleaning him a few weeks after his July 26 birth. Zookeepers separated them out of concern that the constant licking could lead to an infection.
Lincoln currently weighs less than two pounds and will need to be hand-fed for about six more weeks. His feedings will soon be accessible via a panda cam.