Overview

• Tenzing, a 12-year-old Himalayan red panda, passed away on July 10 after suffering months of neurological issues at the San Francisco Zoo.
• Veterinary scans and tests confirmed sarcocystosis as the likely cause of his rapid decline despite intensive medical care.
• He arrived at the zoo in 2014 through the AZA Species Survival Plan and lived to an age consistent with captive red panda lifespans.
• Tenzing became a fan favorite and viral ambassador for his species, delighting visitors with playful somersaults and voluntarily participating in health routines.
• The zoo continues to care for its remaining red panda, Little Mebo, and reaffirms its commitment to global conservation efforts.