Staff at the animal attraction do not believe the death of the red panda, named Ruby, is connected to those of her babies
Credit: Santa Barbara Zoo
NEED TO KNOW
- Ruby, a 2-year-old red panda, has died at the Santa Barbara Zoo
- Her death comes just weeks after she lost her two newborn cubs in July
- Staff at the animal attraction do not believe Ruby’s death and those of her babies are connected
A California zoo is mourning the loss of a beloved red panda, just weeks after the deaths of her two newborn cubs.
Santa Barbara Zoo officials announced the death of their 2-year-old female red panda, Ruby, on Wednesday, Aug. 5.
The zoo’s director of animal care, Kristen Wieners, said in a video shared on Facebook that zoo staff transferred Ruby to an animal care hospital after noticing that she was unwell.
“Despite our best effort, we couldn’t pull her through that,” Wieners said. “As we learn more, we will share more, but we really appreciate and thank you for all your support during this difficult time.”
Credit: Santa Barbara Zoo
In the video’s caption, the zoo said that Ruby experienced a “sudden, unexpected medical crisis.”
According to the animal establishment, preliminary diagnostics showed that Ruby had Addison’s disease — a rare endocrine disorder in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones such as cortisol and aldosterone, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The Santa Barbara Zoo said that while the condition has previously been documented in red pandas, it can be difficult to diagnose, as animals show few or no signs during the early stages of the disorder.
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“Ruby was likely in the very early, undetectable stages of the disease, and the extreme physiological stress of pregnancy, birth and lactation likely triggered an acute Addisonian crisis,” zoo officials said.
Before she died, Ruby received “round-the-clock ICU care, oxygen support, extensive diagnostics, specialist consultations” and veterinary care, per the zoo.
Credit: Santa Barbara Zoo
Ruby’s death came after the Santa Barbara Zoo announced in July that both of her newborn cubs had died. Ruby and mate Raj — the first pandas born at the zoo since 1993 — welcomed their babies on July 2.
The Santa Barbara Zoo said one cub stopped nursing, and the following day, it was found deceased next to its mom during a routine check. The other died soon after.
Although the cubs’ causes of death were not immediately known, the zoo explained that red pandas have an infant mortality rate of about 40%.
“Coming so soon after the loss of her newborn cubs, this is a devastating blow to our entire Zoo family,” officials wrote in the statement announcing Ruby’s death.
Red pandas are an endangered species with a population of about 10,000, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). They are herbivores native to Asia’s high forests and often weigh around eight to 17 lbs. and measure 22 to 24.6 inches long.
According to the Santa Barbara Zoo, tests are underway to better understand Ruby’s illness and sudden death.
Staff at the animal attraction do not believe “her condition was connected” to the loss of her newborn babies.
“Ruby touched the hearts of everyone who knew her, and she will be deeply missed,” the zoo said.
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