Red panda dies after surviving two failed theft attempts at Central Zoo

 A rare red panda has died at Nepal’s only national zoo after surviving two attempted thefts, raising serious concerns about staff negligence and possible links to illegal wildlife trafficking.

The red panda, one of only around 500 left in the wild in Nepal, died last Saturday at the Central Zoo in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur. It had been under medical care due to stress and health issues believed to be caused by the recent theft attempts.

“It died while being treated at the zoo’s hospital,” said an official from Lalitpur District Police. “We’re waiting for the postmortem report, and the investigation is ongoing.”

Originally rescued in 2015 from illegal captivity in Rolpa district by the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), the red panda had lived at the zoo since. But recent threats to its safety exposed major weaknesses in the zoo’s security system.

Stressed After Theft Attempts

Satyanarayan Shah, the zoo's director, said the animal had been traumatized since the second attempted theft on May 13. “It became extremely anxious, stopped eating, and developed kidney issues. We tried everything we could to save it,” he said.

The back-to-back incidents have raised serious questions about how a protected and endangered animal could be targeted twice in a government-run zoo.

NTNC had already formed a three-member team to look into possible staff negligence after the second theft attempt. The team found several security lapses, including broken CCTV cameras in key areas. The red panda’s death happened just as the investigation report was being finalized.

Suspected Wildlife Crime Ring

The case has drawn attention to Nepal’s growing role in illegal wildlife trafficking. Police say the suspects had planned the theft carefully. They had scoped out the zoo in advance, knew which cameras were broken, and snuck in under the cover of darkness with plans to smuggle the red panda in a backpack.

Two suspects have been arrested: 26-year-old Mohammad Tafik from India and 21-year-old Krishna Gurung from Dhading, Nepal. They were caught in the Swayambhu area of Kathmandu. Police also found the bag allegedly used in the theft and a sample of the red panda’s fur.

“Tafik already had a buyer lined up,” said a police officer. He visited the zoo several times pretending to be a tourist and returned later with a detailed escape plan.

On the night of the second attempt, the suspects bought tickets, hid near the zoo’s canteen, and waited for the guards to leave. They managed to grab the panda, but its cries alerted staff. It was later found hiding in a bamboo patch.

Police say the buyer is still on the run but has been identified. The red panda was reportedly being sold for about 500,000 Indian rupees.

A Bigger Problem

Red pandas are native to the eastern Himalayas and are legally protected in Nepal. They're listed as endangered globally due to habitat loss, climate change, and poaching.

With just around 500 left in Nepal’s forests, these animals are prime targets for illegal pet traders and exotic animal collectors.

“This isn’t just about one animal,” said an NTNC official. “It shows how our institutions are failing, how weak our enforcement is, and how the demand for rare animals keeps driving these crimes.”

NTNC is working with the police and conducting its own investigation into whether zoo staff were involved or failed to act.

Zoo director Shah, who was in China when the second theft happened, said he never expected organized criminals could breach their facility. “We never thought something like this could happen here,” he said.

Conservationists are now urging stronger protection for endangered animals, better security in zoos, and more accountability for government-run institutions.

“This should be a wake-up call,” said an NTNC expert. “If endangered animals aren’t safe even in a zoo, then where are they safe?”