Edinburgh Zoo’s red panda Bruce recovers after getting tooth removed

Bruce was put under general anaesthetic as vets worked to remove his problem tooth | RZSS

Edinburgh Zoo’s 11-year-old red panda has returned to good health after veterinary teams addressed concerns over his wellbeing.

Keepers at the zoo observed a change in Bruce’s behaviour when he began eating less than usual, prompting a thorough medical examination.

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Veterinarians at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland carried out an assessment under general anaesthetic, where they discovered Bruce was suffering from a problematic tooth. A photograph released by the zoo depicted the surgical team removing the affected tooth, with Bruce resting on the operating table.

Following the successful procedure, Bruce has resumed his usual routines: sleeping in pine trees and seeking out bamboo. Bruce, who arrived at Edinburgh Zoo in 2016, is also noted as the grandfather of Priya, a red panda who relocated to Highland Wildlife Park earlier this year.

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Red pandas, native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China, remain classified as endangered in the wild, with populations estimated at around 2,500 individuals.