Two Red Pandas Die at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute

Two red pandas died at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute on consecutive days, July 24 and 25. The initial necropsy results and investigation do not reveal an obvious cause of death nor do the results link the deaths. The two male red pandas, along with the rest of the collection, were in separate habitats which are equipped with cooling units. When the first red panda died, keepers moved all the red pandas into a building because of the heat wave in the region. Staff could better control the overall temperature for the red pandas within the building. The second red panda died the following day despite being relocated. No other red pandas are showing any symptoms of illness and will be returned to their regular homes shortly.

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