Beloved Red Panda dies at San Francisco Zoo ...Middle East

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — The San Francisco Zoo’s popular Himalayan red panda Tenzing has died, the zoo announced Wednesday.

“It is with deep sadness that San Francisco Zoo & Gardens announces the passing of Tenzing,” the SF Zoo said in a statement. “Tenzing was an extraordinary animal who touched the hearts of guests, volunteers, and staff alike and served as an unforgettable ambassador of his species.”

Tenzing had suffered from neurological issues and balancing troubles in recent months, the zoo said. Medical tests showed that the 12-year-old red panda likely died from complications related to a parasitic infection.

“As the episodes became more frequent and prolonged, the zoo’s veterinary team conducted an extensive diagnostic work-up in collaboration with the San Francisco Animal Medical Center,” the SF Zoo said. “This included advanced imaging and testing, which indicated that sarcocystosis — a parasitic infection known to affect red pandas — was the likely cause. Despite receiving intensive medical care, Tenzing’s condition deteriorated rapidly, and he passed peacefully under the care of his dedicated animal health team.”

Tenzing arrived at the SF Zoo in 2014 as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan for red pandas. He was known for his playful summersaults and connection with people.

“Tenzing quickly became a fan favorite, even going viral in videos widely shared by viewers who fell in love with his creative antics,” the zoo said. “His keepers recall his remarkable participation in his own healthcare, including voluntary behaviors like stepping onto a scale, entering a crate, and even holding a brush to create his signature watercolor paintings.”

Red pandas usually live eight to 10 years in the wild and up to 15 years in captivity. Red pandas are native to the Eastern Himalayas and southwestern China. They are considered an endangered species due to habitat loss, poaching, and fragmentation, the zoo said. Fewer than 10,000 red pandas are thought to exist in the wild.

Video at the top of this story shows the zoo's surviving female red panda Mebo, who arrived at the zoo in 2024.

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