The Utica Zoo is deeply saddened to share the recent loss of their beloved female Red Panda, MeiLin. This remarkable animal touched the hearts of countless souls within her time at Utica Zoo and formed some of the most special and intimate bonds with staff members the zoo has ever seen. Her death is a painful reminder of how fragile life is, however, one’s impact and legacy can forever stay alive in memory.
February 5th, 2026, was an intensely difficult day for zoo staff, as members of the animal care team discovered in the early morning that she had passed overnight. MeiLin had been under recent veterinary care, and the Utica Zoo team does not currently know the cause of her death. Animals are instinctually motivated to mask illnesses to avoid appearing weak to predators, and mostly present with vague, non- specific symptoms that could fit many ailments.
MeiLin has been sent to the Animal Health Diagnostic Center at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine for necropsy and histopathology. These thorough tests help provide the zoo with insight into her passing and where it may have originated in the body. This can be a laborious process and does take time, making it sometimes several weeks before concrete results can be shared. Because of this, the zoo does not currently have any definitive diagnoses or causes of death they are able to share with the public, but plan to do so promptly when they hear back from Cornell University themselves. This
information is not only used to help inform the zoo but will become valuable scientific research about red panda health that can be used across all conservation organizations.
Born at Utica Zoo on July 6th, 2019, MeiLin leaves behind a legacy of meaningful conservation education, as she was an important ambassador animal for this endangered species. She played an integral role in the zoo’s animal experiences, where guests could meet her behind the scenes while being educated by keeper staff about the Red Panda conservation status. Her ability to spark empathy with guests through these experiences furthers the significance of her legacy, as individuals are more inclined to support an animal species if they have met one personally.
Utica Zoo also received a recommendation from the Species Survival Plan (SSP) to breed MeiLin, and last year she successfully birthed a litter of two precious, healthy male cubs with the help of male red panda at Utica Zoo, Khairo. SSP programs are designed to ensure populations of specific endangered or threatened species through proper breeding and monitoring. Her keeper and veterinary staff who knew her best describe her as having a “sweet and gentle nature” and certainly was a “terrific mother”. MeiLin is survived by her two male cubs at Utica Zoo, Bao and Momo. Both cubs are fully weaned and have been eating independently for months now. Bao and Momo have been closely monitored by the
zoo’s animal care and veterinary teams since MeiLin’s passing but have continued to be playful and are eating very well.
MeiLin’s name originates from Chinese culture and can mean ‘beautiful forest’. She will be dearly missed by all those that cared for her or had the pleasure of meeting her.
Rest in peace, MeiLin.
The Utica Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is the Best of Mohawk Valley Community Choice Award Winner for 2025. It is a regional destination that inspires and promotes the appreciation of wildlife through education, conservation, and recreation. Situated in the heart of Central New York, the zoo features a diverse collection of animals from around the world and offers various educational programs and events for visitors of all ages. It is home to approximately 200 exotic and domestic animals, welcoming nearly 100,000 visitors annually and is open daily from 10 am to 4:30 pm
363 days a year, with only the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. For more information on this, and all things Utica Zoo, visit UticaZoo.org or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and
