4-Year-Old Red Panda Named Henry Dies At National Zoo Facility

WASHINGTON, DC — A 4-year-old red panda named Henry has unexpectedly died at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Va. The National Zoo said it is investigating the cause of the Dec. 5 death.

According to zoo officials, Henry seemed to be in good health before he died. His post-mortem radiographs also showed no signs of injury or trauma, they added.

In a statement Wednesday, officials said a final pathology report will offer more information about Henry's death in the coming weeks.

Henry was born at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in June 2014. Keepers hand-reared him when his mother, Regan, could not raise cubs in the past. Henry went on to have three cubs.

Red pandas are native to bamboo forests in China, Nepal, and India and are considered endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In human care, red pandas usually live to be 16 years or older, the National Zoo said.

Photo Credit: Jessica Kordell, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute