The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has announced the first-ever C-section birth of a North American porcupine, Maizey, in an effort to save the life of the mother and her baby. The procedure emphasizes the importance of expert veterinary medical care in zoological facilities and contributes to broader conservation efforts aimed at securing the future of the North American porcupine in the wild.

Panda Ridge at the San Diego Zoo opened to the public, allowing access to the two newest furriest friends from China, Xin Bao and Yun Chuan. This is the first pair of pandas to be sent in 21 years, and these adorable bears represent the hope of improving relations between China and the U.