Santa Barbara Zoo Announces its Second Red Panda Cub Has Died

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – In a tragic turn of events, the Santa Barbara Zoo has bid farewell to its second red panda cub born just earlier this month.

On July 2nd, the Zoo welcomed twin cubs born to first time parents Ruby and Raj. It was a great accomplishment towards conservation efforts of the endangered species, and it was the first time red panda cubs has born at the Zoo since 1993.

The cubs were carefully monitored over the latest couple of weeks, but what started off as a happy milestone, has suddenly turned into tragic loss.

At just two-weeks-old, the Zoo lost one of the cubs on the morning of July 21st, and its sibling was quickly transported to receive specialized care in an incubator.

The Santa Barbara Zoo shared an unfortunate update on the second cub on social media Monday morning:

"It is with heavy hearts that we share the sad news that our second red panda cub, born to Ruby on July 2, passed away over the weekend despite receiving around-the-clock care from our veterinary and animal care teams."

The zoo says it worked closely with fellow wildlife organizations to give the cub the best fighting chance of survival before it died over the weekend.

The cause of death for both cubs remains under investigation, but the Zoo says a necropsy showed significant fluid around the heart and some congestion of lungs." Their mother Ruby has been doing well and has been reunited with her partner Raj. As red pandas breed seasonally, the Zoo says they do not expect another breeding opportunity until next year.

"We are deeply grateful for the compassion and support our Zoo community has shown during this difficult time. Red pandas remain endangered, with fewer than 10,000 estimated to remain in the wild, making every opportunity to contribute to the conservation of this remarkable species incredibly important."

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