Update: National Zoo Confirms. A Red Panda named Rusty has died at the Pueblo Zoo. Legendary Rusty the Red Panda escaped the zoo and stole our hearts in 2013

RIP Rusty, photo by Bethany Morlind

Update from Megan Cloherty:

“.@NationalZoo confirms the red panda who passed is ‘our’ legendary escape artist, Rusty.”

Thanks to Elaine for sharing the super sad news: “It appears Rusty, the infamous red panda who escaped the National Zoo in 2013, has passed. A true DC legend.”

Ed. Note: Our Rusty’s mate, Shama, passed away in 2014.

From the Pueblo Zoo on October 18th:

“We are sad to report the unexpected passing of Rusty, the red panda.

Born in 2012 at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo, he then spent time at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute before coming to the Pueblo Zoo. While at our Zoo, to twins, Mogwai and Momo. He was a curious but independent panda, often found stretched out over a log under the misters or munching on bamboo.”