Grace the Red Panda has passed away. Grace celebrated her 16th Birthday just a couple weeks before.
Such heartbreaking news. I will miss this beautiful lady. The girls aren't often as active on exhibit, but when they are Grace was easily identifiable by her light face and fluffy ears!
Grace was born at the Knoxville Zoo July 15, 2004. She moved to the Boise Zoo in 2006 and was paired with a male named Tiki. Together they had offspring. In 2014, Grace moved to SFZoo. At ten years old, her name was disrespectfully changed to Hilary.
The reintroduction of Red Panda's in San Francisco, first saw ten month old Kodari (renamed Tenzing), with Grace joining him two weeks later. A second lady, ten year old Pele' (renamed Hunter) joined eight months later. They enjoy their wonderful home, which includes a custom made Tree House. It wasn't that often, but I always loved seeing the three of them napping at the same time in different spots on the wrap around balcony.
Hearing of Grace's passing saddened me further, as I heard she passed the same day as Sam the Giraffe. Much media attention was given to Sam/Floyd, yet Grace didn't even get a mention on any of the Zoo's Social Media platforms. It's so disrespectful, and I don't understand it at all. There are many, myself included who loved her and who her life meant something too. Her life should have been recognized and her passing acknowledged. When will the Zoo get that each Resident deserves this?
RIP Grace, Bless Your Soul Sweet Lady.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
There was an article out of Knoxville last year about their efforts raising orphaned Red Panda Cubs. Their work is amazing and I wanted to include it here as Grace was born there and two of the Cubs mentioned were Grace's Great-GrandBabies! Sadly their Mama Xue Li, Grace's GrandDaughter passed away suddenly and left them needing to be hand raised.
Related blog post
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2020/07/rip-acknowledgements-big-signage-fail.html
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Blogger's Statement
"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."
For Full Statement see this post:
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
RIP sweet Grace. You were loved and should have been acknowledged. What a beauty you were. You will be missed sweet Lady.
ReplyDelete