Utica Zoo’s second purple panda dies 2 months just after his mate

UTICA, N.Y. – The Utica Zoo’s only remaining crimson panda has died just two months following his mate handed away unexpectedly.

The zoo claims the 10-year-outdated panda, Muse, died from a sudden and serious gastrointestinal impaction. In Oct, the zoo’s other pink panda, Ming Yue, died of a lung infection.

“The reduction of any animal impacts the zoo team at all amounts the truth that this tragic decline transpired so unexpectedly while we’re nevertheless beneath the cloak of grief from losing Ming Yu has been just horrible. We’re grateful for the ease and comfort getting shared amongst the group, from our board and volunteers and from our community” suggests Utica Zoo Government Director Andria Heath.

The preliminary effects from Cornell University Faculty of Veterinary Medication did not show any foreign objects in Muse’s procedure but did display evidence of an intestinal infection. The cause of the infection and ultimate effects are nevertheless pending.

“We know there was a mass of partly-digested ordinary food stuff things and plant product located in Muse’ process, alongside with some inflammation that will be even more examined,” said Jay Pratte, Utica Zoo’s deputy director of lifestyle sciences and facilities. “For these of us with dogs in our properties, we know how severe impaction can be. The fatalities of our beloved purple pandas is a critical blow to the group and to the neighborhood that enjoys them. When they did arise in a relatively quick time period of time, the two incidents appear fully unrelated.”
Muse came to the Utica Zoo from the Purple River Zoo in North Dakota in 2012.

Muse and Ming Yue had two groups of cubs in 2019.

Crimson pandas are endangered species, and the Utica Zoo functions with the Pink Panda Species Survival Prepare on conservation initiatives.

The zoo is working on developing an up-to-date crimson panda habitat and strategies to get a lot more of the animals after that is comprehensive.