Red Panda and Dama Gazelle Die at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute

An adult female red panda and an adult female dama gazelle died at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute during the past week. Both deaths were the result of natural causes.

Regan, the 9-year-old red panda, died early morning July 1. She had not shown any signs of illness or irregular behavior immediately before her death, but she had a history of chronic intermittent gastrointestinal disease for which she had been treated and monitored closely. A gross necropsy (animal autopsy) did not reveal an immediate cause of death. A full pathology report, complete with histopathology, will be completed in the coming weeks and may provide more information.

Regan participated in the red panda Species Survival Plan (SSP) and was one of the most genetically valuable red pandas living in North America in human care. She gave birth to three surviving cubs while living at SCBI, two of which still live there and are now participating in the SSP.

Sara, a 2-year-old dama gazelle, was humanely euthanized July 4, after she suffered a severe prolapsed uterus following a difficult labor and delivery of her first calf. Veterinarians attempted to correct the prolapse, but it was too severe to be replaced. Due to Sara’s poor prognosis and rapidly declining condition, SCBI’s animal care team made the decision to euthanize her. Her calf was transferred to SCBI’s veterinary hospital and is being hand-reared. He is bottle-feeding and is stable.

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