Zoo says goodbye to beloved red panda a year after being diagnosed with severe heart disease

PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV/Gray News) - A zoo in Oregon says its team is mourning the loss of one of their beloved animals.

According to the Oregon Zoo, it had to say goodbye to red panda Moshu.

The animal care team said that Moshu died Wednesday morning after being diagnosed with severe heart disease last year.

Moshu became known as “Sir Snacks-A-Lot” during his time at the zoo and was a fan favorite on social media with his “snack quests” searching for bamboo, apple slices and other favorites.

“He was an incredible ambassador for his species,” Rachel Ritchason, the zoo’s deputy director for animal care, said. “He inspired millions of people and brightened so many lives.”

At almost 14, he was considered elderly for red pandas. His care team made adjustments in recent years to help him as he aged; softening his biscuits, brushing his tail and adding ramps for easier climbing.

Cold laser therapy also helped him stay limber and active, according to the zoo.

“Moshu lived longer than any of us expected, and he had an amazing quality of life until the end,” Ritchason said. “It’s a great testament to his care team that he was able to manage a serious condition like that for such a long time. We just focused on making every day as comfortable as possible for him.”

Moshu was born on June 20, 2011, in North Dakota and arrived at the Oregon Zoo in 2019. He fathered four cubs.

Red pandas are considered endangered, with populations declining by about 50% over the past 25 years. Estimates indicate that only about 2,500 may be left in the wild. They face habitat loss, fragmentation, poaching and illegal wildlife trade threats.

The Oregon Zoo is known for its specialized geriatric care and has housed some of the oldest living animals in the world.

Sadly, the zoo has had to say goodbye to some of its best-known seniors this spring.

“It has been a rough time for us,” Ritchason said. “Tilly the river otter ed at the end of April, and last week we lost Strike the cheetah. It’s not surprising when you have so many older animals in your population, but that doesn’t make the losses any easier.”

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