Red Panda Dies Mysteriously At Elmood Park Zoo

One of the Elmwood Park Zoo’s most beloved animals has died under mysterious circumstances, the zoo announced Friday morning.

Clinger, a beloved red panda, was only 18 months old.

She passed away in the early morning hours of Sunday, November 29.

Clinger is one of three red panda brothers that recently arrived in Norristown in June of 2015. He was born in June of 2014.

The zoo posted the following message of mourning on their Facebook page Friday:

A full necropsy (animal autopsy) was performed by the Zoo’s veterinary staff; they did not find any conclusive evidence that pointed toward a cause of death. We are awaiting the results of further tissue analysis that is currently being conducted by a zoological pathologist. Our hope is that we will be able to share further details on what caused Clinger’s passing when and if it is determined.

The zoo said that Clinger had shown no obvious signs of illness leading up to his passing. His brothers were re-evaluated and were found to be in perfect health.

“He will be deeply missed,” zoo officials said.

Red pandas are native to the cool bamboo forests of China and the foothills of the Himalayas, the zoo said.