Conneticut’s Beardsley Zoo Farewell Red Panda, Rochan

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: February 27, 2022 9:59 pm

Rochan the red panda is pictured prior to his passing at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo

Photo Credit: Jack Bradley/ Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo

The Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo family have farewelled one of their red pandas, Rochan. The seven year old red panda passed away on February 17th 2022.

In recent times animal care staff at the zoo had been monitoring and treating Rochan for a health condition which was causing difficulty with walking. An MRI was performed to investigate this difficulty. They identified lesions on his spine which were compromising his mobility.

Following this discovery it was concluded that the most humane option would be to euthanize him.

Rochan had originally come to Connecticut from the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston while his habitat underwent renovations. In October 2015 he became a permanent member of their family.

His name comes from the Hindi word for “light,” “brilliant” or “red lotus.” He was beloved by staff and guests alike.

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“Ro will be deeply missed by all of us here at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo,” said Zoo Director Gregg Dancho. “He had a unique personality and related well both to his companion, Berry, and to his animal care staff. It has been our privilege to have known him for six years.”

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo remain home to a female red panda, Berry. She came to the zoo in 2020 in hopes she could mate with Rochan.

The pair were part of the Species Survival Program (SSP) for their species. This program is managed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to ensure the long-term sustainability of captive populations.

The pair of pandas lived in the Natt Family Red Panda Habitat which opened in October 2018 as a gift from Bob and Helen Natt of Easton. It offers an indoor and outdoor viewing area for the red pandas with air conditioning inside and a yard with plenty of spots to sunbake.

Learn more about Red Pandas here – Red Panda Fact File | The Animal Facts

Learn more about Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo on their website – Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo