Leafa the Red Panda (2009-2025)

Leafa, a red panda, died on January 13 at the Western North Carolina (WNC) Nature Center after several months of declining health. She was 25 years old.

Leafa was born in captivity in 2009 at the Red River Zoo in Fargo, ND. She was transferred to the WNC Nature Center in 2018 from the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, along with a male red panda named Phoenix. Leafa and Phoenix were the first ever red pandas exhibited at the WNC Nature Center.

Leafa gave birth to eight cubs over her lifetime as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s (AZA) Species Survival Plan program for red pandas. Red pandas are classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). They face numerous threats including climate change, habitat loss, and hunting.

But red pandas bred in captivity in the US will never be released to the wild in their home continent of Asia. Captive breeding programs are often framed under a guise of conservation but serve to keep zoos stocked with baby animals for visitor appeal.

Red pandas do not belong in captivity and deserve to live in the wild protected from human intervention. If you are interested in protecting animals while traveling and supporting animal-friendly attractions, we encourage you to avoid zoos and aquariums. Instead, visit and support accredited wild animal sanctuaries or Wildlife Heritage Areas to explore options for animal-friendly activities that do not perpetuate captivity.