Rare red pandas brought together

Two red pandas in danger of becoming extinct have been introduced to each other at an Argentinean zoo.

It's hoped that in time the boy and girl will produce babies to boost the number of the endangered animals.

Red pandas are originally from the Himalayan mountains but these were donated to the Buenos Aires Zoo by two Japanese zoos.

Children who visit the pair in the next two weeks will have the chance to name the cute animals.

Red pandas They spend most of the day sleeping They are about 50-63cm tall and weigh between 4-6kg Cubs must eat for about 13 hours a day They live for about 12 to 14 years

Zoo official Luis Jacome said the rare pandas are in danger of becoming extinct because their natural habitat is being destroyed.

The male is two years-old and the female is one.

If you're mad about animals, visit our message board

Like their cousin the giant panda, the red pandas mainly eat bamboo shoots.