Parasite Claims “Ambassador” Himalayan Red Panda
Incident Date:
07/12/2025
Location:
San Francisco, CA - USA
Facility Name:
San Francisco Zoo
Facility Type:
Accredited AZA Facility (AZA)
Incident Category:
Animal Death (AD)
Species:
Other
Animal:
Red Panda
Animal disposition:
Dead
Summary:
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Tenzing, a 12-year-old male red panda known for his playful antics, has died at the San Francisco Zoo and Gardens after a rapid decline in health caused by a parasitic infection, zoo officials said.
The Himalayan red panda had recently shown intermittent neurological symptoms, including balance issues. Despite extensive diagnostics and intensive treatment, zoo veterinarians determined sarcocystosis, a rare parasitic disease known to affect red pandas, was the likely cause. Tenzing passed away under veterinary care.
Action take by Born Free USA:
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