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| Photo courtesy of M.J. Grippin Photography and Binghamton Zoo |
With heavy hearts, we regretfully announce the passing of our adult male red panda, Xiao-Li. Please read the full media release below.
"Red Panda Xiao-Li Passes Unexpectedly at Binghamton Zoo
The Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park is deeply saddened to announce the sudden loss of our adult red panda, Xiao-Li. He was born in June 2008 at the Nashville Zoo and came to Binghamton in December 2011 to pair up with our female, Mei-Li. The cause of death is unknown at this time, and a necropsy is being performed at Cornell University where the animal was transported yesterday. Xiao-Li had displayed symptoms of lymphoma in 2012 and appeared to have made a full recovery. Xiao’s passing is not related to the recent temperature drop, as our red panda facility is temperature controlled.
The Red Panda exhibit is one of the most popular stops at the Binghamton Zoo, and we appreciate the thoughts and support of the community. Our keepers are a dedicated group who have committed their time and effort into giving exceptional care to all the animals at the Binghamton Zoo.
Xiao-Li was a popular individual among the community, staff, and visitors to the zoo. He was even quite the painter. At our table at the Oakdale Mall in December, Xiao-Li’s paintings were one of the most popular. His easy to work with attitude and exuberating adorableness will surely be missed.
Today’s announcement regarding our red pandas was originally planned to be one of a much lighter note. Xiao-Li’s son, born this summer, was expected to be leaving us this week for the Erie Zoo. Due to this unfortunate circumstance, the transportation of Zhin-Li will be put on hold for the time being.
Zhin-Li was born on June 18, 2013 as part of the Species Survival Plan set up by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). His birth was a huge success for the zoo and gave the community a little “treasure” of our own.
The cub, now six and a half months old and a solid 4 kilograms, is almost full grown and is ready to leave his mother. In Erie, Zhin-Li will be matched with another red panda to enhance the gene pool in the Species Survival Plan.
The Species Survival Plan was created by the AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) to ensure the long-term survival of captive species. Since Zhin-Li is a part of this program, he will be paired with a mate that is also recommended to breed. There are roughly 175 red pandas located in zoos throughout the United States and Canada, but only about 60 individuals fall under the subspecies Ailurus fulgens refulgens (styani). These red pandas are distributed among 23 institutions, including the Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park.
The plan is still to move Zhin-Li to Erie, but possibly at a later date in time. We will continue to update the public on future recommendations from SSP regarding our red panda population here at the Binghamton Zoo. Thank you to the community for your support during this difficult time."
"Red Panda Xiao-Li Passes Unexpectedly at Binghamton Zoo
The Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park is deeply saddened to announce the sudden loss of our adult red panda, Xiao-Li. He was born in June 2008 at the Nashville Zoo and came to Binghamton in December 2011 to pair up with our female, Mei-Li. The cause of death is unknown at this time, and a necropsy is being performed at Cornell University where the animal was transported yesterday. Xiao-Li had displayed symptoms of lymphoma in 2012 and appeared to have made a full recovery. Xiao’s passing is not related to the recent temperature drop, as our red panda facility is temperature controlled.
The Red Panda exhibit is one of the most popular stops at the Binghamton Zoo, and we appreciate the thoughts and support of the community. Our keepers are a dedicated group who have committed their time and effort into giving exceptional care to all the animals at the Binghamton Zoo.
Xiao-Li was a popular individual among the community, staff, and visitors to the zoo. He was even quite the painter. At our table at the Oakdale Mall in December, Xiao-Li’s paintings were one of the most popular. His easy to work with attitude and exuberating adorableness will surely be missed.
Today’s announcement regarding our red pandas was originally planned to be one of a much lighter note. Xiao-Li’s son, born this summer, was expected to be leaving us this week for the Erie Zoo. Due to this unfortunate circumstance, the transportation of Zhin-Li will be put on hold for the time being.
Zhin-Li was born on June 18, 2013 as part of the Species Survival Plan set up by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). His birth was a huge success for the zoo and gave the community a little “treasure” of our own.
The cub, now six and a half months old and a solid 4 kilograms, is almost full grown and is ready to leave his mother. In Erie, Zhin-Li will be matched with another red panda to enhance the gene pool in the Species Survival Plan.
The Species Survival Plan was created by the AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) to ensure the long-term survival of captive species. Since Zhin-Li is a part of this program, he will be paired with a mate that is also recommended to breed. There are roughly 175 red pandas located in zoos throughout the United States and Canada, but only about 60 individuals fall under the subspecies Ailurus fulgens refulgens (styani). These red pandas are distributed among 23 institutions, including the Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park.
The plan is still to move Zhin-Li to Erie, but possibly at a later date in time. We will continue to update the public on future recommendations from SSP regarding our red panda population here at the Binghamton Zoo. Thank you to the community for your support during this difficult time."
On a personal note: I was Xiao's trainer for the past two years, so this loss was especially hard on me. Xiao would do just about anything for a grape, and we bonded as I taught him target, station, touch, and crate behaviors. He always ran to the door to greet me when he saw me coming down the hill, and was an enthusiastic student.
According to the preliminary necropsy results from Cornell University, Xiao-Li suffered heart failure as a result of a thickened right ventricle. We are unsure why the right ventricle thickened and hope to get more results from the ongoing histopathology tests. We are currently unsure if the heart condition is genetic or if his son, Zhin-Li, is at risk.
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