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Red Panda Cubs Clark And Addison To Make Debut At Lincoln Park Zoo Thursday

CHICAGO (CBS) -- After months of bonding with their mother, two red panda cubs were getting ready to make their public debut at Lincoln Park Zoo later this month.

They won't be wearing cubbie blue, but they do have a connection to Chicago's most famous Cubs; their names: Clark and Addison.

The zoo will put the two red panda cubs on display at the Kovler Lion House on Thursday, the first time they will be seen by the public since they were born in late June. Clark, a boy, and Addison, a girl, have spent nearly four months bonding with their mother.

Mammal curator Mark Kamhout said a donor came up with the names.

"We like the idea, and we like the choice she made, and with the Cubs in the playoffs and hopefully doing well, we hope it bodes well for the future," he said.

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Kamhout said the zoo kept tabs on the red panda cubs without bothering their protective mother by using wireless cameras in their nest box.

"The mom needed to bond with Clark and Addison, so we didn't want to have to keep on opening the next box to see how the babies were doing," he said.

It's unclear how Clark and Addison will act when they see large crowds of people for the first time.

"It depends on the species. Sometimes they can be a little more shy, but other times they come out and they're like, 'Hey, this is new. It's really fun," Kamhout said.

Up until now, the cubs have been very playful and curious, according to Kamhout.

To see more photos of the red panda cubs, click here.

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