One Of Utica Zoo’s Beloved Red Pandas Has Passed Away

The Utica Zoo is mourning the unexpected loss of one of its beloved red pandas, Ming Yue.

Ming's death happened on Monday, October 11th. At the time, the female red panda showed no signs of illness or distress leading up to her death. We are told that Zoo officials do not yet have a cause of death and that a necropsy is being performed at Cornell University.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the very sudden news of Ming Yue’s passing,” said Utica Zoo Executive Director Andria Heath. “The Cornell veterinary team is examining the cause, and it is customary for us to not receive the results immediately.”

“This is an unexpected tragedy for all of us, and we recognize the impact this has on our visitors and the community at large,” adds Heath.

Ming Yue was one of two red pandas on exhibit at the Zoo. She was born in 2013 at Prospect Park Zoo, Brooklyn and came to the Utica Zoo in 2014. She and her mate, Muse, have had two groups of cubs including Xiaobo and Mei Lin back in 2019. Muse was born in 2011 and came the Utica Zoo from Red River Valley Zoo in 2012. Muse remains on exhibit.

“Please keep our staff in your thoughts. Every team member loves the animals we care for, and any loss is a difficult one.”

Red pandas are currently classified as an endangered species, and the Utica Zoo works closely with the Red Panda Species Survival Plan to reverse this perilous trend.

We'll miss seeing that furry face when we go to the Zoo. Rest in Peace, little one.

Utica Zoo Says Good Bye To Popular Sea Lions ‘Porter’ And ‘Munchkin’

One of the most popular exhibits at the Utica Zoo has gone away, with the zoo's two sea lions now moved to other zoos. The sea lion pool was built in 1986 and does not meet Association of Zoos and Aquariums standards, and the cost of $8 to $10 million (in 2018) to renovate and maintain the exhibit is not feasible.