Roger Williams Park Zoo announces death of endangered red panda

One of Roger Williams Park Zoo's endangered red pandas has died, the zoo announced Saturday.

At nearly 18 years old, Rusty was the oldest red panda at any of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' 235 facilities in the United States and overseas, the zoo said.

The zoo "family is deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved male red panda, Rusty," the zoo said in a Saturday Facebook post.

Rusty was suffering from inoperable gastrointestinal disease. On Friday, the veterinary and animal care staff "made the decision to humanely euthanize Rusty," the zoo said.

"His long life and health are a testament to his care team and their unwavering devotion to his care, health, and welfare," the zoo said.

"Our red pandas have always been some of the most popular animals who called the Zoo home," the zoo said. "Rusty stole the hearts of countless visitors and will forever leave his mark on the hearts of those that cared for him."

Fewer than 10,000 red pandas live in the wild, according to estimates.

More:A look back at the mothers and offspring at Roger Williams Park Zoo

"Red pandas live in high-altitude, temperate forests with bamboo understories in the Himalayas and other high mountains," the Smithsonian says. "They range from northern Myanmar (Burma) to the west Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces of China. They are also found in suitable habitat in Nepal, India and Tibet."

Adults typically weight 8 to 17 pounds and are 22 to 24. 6 inches long, plus a long tail, according to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Bamboo makes up 95% of their diet.

In May, the zoo announced that Zan, a 3-year-old red panda, had been moved to the Providence zoo from Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle.

Zan "continues to receive the very best care and attention from her animal care team," the zoo said. Construction will begin later this month on a new red panda habitat, which is expected to open next year, the zoo said.