Sadly, the second of two red panda cubs born at the Santa Barbara Zoo in California this summer has died, the zoo reported on Monday. This follows the earlier death of another cub born to a red panda named Ruby, which was discovered by staff on July 21.
Statistics from the zoo indicate that approximately 40% of red panda cubs do not survive. Despite dedicated efforts from veterinary and animal care teams, both cubs born on July 2 were Ruby’s first offspring.
“While the cause of death remains under investigation, this loss is heartbreaking for everyone who cared for these cubs and for all who have followed their journey,” the zoo stated.
The second cub had been under intensive care after staff observed that it was not nursing correctly. It was removed from Ruby on July 19 for special attention, including time in a temperature-controlled incubator, tube and bottle feedings, antibiotic treatments, and continuous veterinary monitoring.
Ruby and Raj, the cubs’ parents, are a breeding pair at the zoo, though the next opportunity for breeding will not arise until next year due to the seasonal nature of red panda breeding cycles.
Red pandas, native to the eastern Himalayas, are larger than a house cat and are listed as endangered by the World Wildlife Fund. The primary factors contributing to their endangered status include habitat loss and incidental capture in traps intended for other wildlife. It is estimated that fewer than 10,000 mature red pandas remain in the wild.
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