The Assiniboine Park Zoo is mourning the loss of one of its red pandas. Sachi, a beloved red panda, arrived at the zoo in July 2014 after being born in Nagano, Japan in 2012. “Sachi has been receiving veterinary care for a number of years to address gastrointestinal disturbances,” said the Assiniboine Park Zoo in a Facebook post Monday. “While treatment was typically effective to help resolve her symptoms, over recent months these disturbances increased in frequency and intensity.” The zoo said her health recently took a turn for the worse and after a thorough examination, the veterinary team determined “humane euthanasia was the best course of action.” Post-mortem examinations and testing also revealed that Sachi was experiencing changes in heart health as she aged, having surpassed the ten-year median life expectancy for red pandas in care. The zoo said Sachi was an “excellent ambassador for her species” during her time at the zoo, helping to educate visitors on the challenges facing endangered species in the wild. A spokesperson for the zoo said they currently have four red pandas—two of which are surviving offspring from Sachi and her partner, Tango. “Sachi touched many lives and was cared for by several animal care professionals here at the zoo who will all greatly miss her and her cute curly tail,” said the zoo. Red pandas are found in the mountain forests of Nepal, Bhutan, India, China, and Myanmar, according to the zoo.
