The Chattanooga Zoo announces the passing of Maina, the three year old red panda and mother of our three month old cubs. Chattanooga Zoo employees on Saturday found Maina unresponsive in the outdoor red panda exhibit showing no signs of a heart beat or respiration. As Maina exhibited no unusual behavior that morning, Zoo employees were completely shocked to find her in this condition.
Zoo employees immediately attempted CPR and rushed her to RIVER in hopes of revitalization. Since then, Maina has been transported to the UT Veterinary College for a full necropsy examination. Results can take up to 10 weeks.
At this time, the Chattanooga Zoo’s main concern is the health and happiness of Maina’s two male cubs, not yet named. At just three months old, the cubs would still have another two full months before being fully weaned from their mother. In the past couple of weeks, they have shown interest in bamboo but still have a long way to go before they will be able to eat on their own. After consulting with the Red Panda SSP program leader, Sarah Glass from Zoo Knoxville, it was recommended that the Zoo start the panda cubs on formula along with a mashed biscuit diet, which they are currently hand feeding three times a day. The cubs are eating well and we are confident they will continue to grow into healthy adults, said officials.
“Most days working at the Zoo are the most awesome experiences in the world, but then there are other days that can be very tough," said Chattanooga Zoo CEO and President Dardenelle Long. "Saturday was one of those tough days. Losing animals that we have devoted our lives to care for is devastating for everyone who has been touched by these animals. Our staff is doing a remarkable job focusing on our cubs, and perhaps being so involved with the cubs is helping
to ease the grief and shock of this loss.”
Maina, the red panda, was a beautiful and energetic three year old who loved meeting guests and snacking on grapes. She was a terrific first time mother and a loving companion to Wyatt, said Zoo officials.
Maina came to the Chattanooga Zoo in 2014 from the Oklahoma City Zoo as part of the Species Survival Plan. She was placed by the SSP as a breeding recommendation for the Zoo’s resident male red panda, Wyatt. Maina is survived by Wyatt and Ruth, the Zoo’s two adult red pandas, and her two male cubs.