The cub likely died from failure to thrive, Red River Zoo Executive Director Sally Jacobson said. Written By: C.S. Hagen | × Cub 3, who died over the weekend at the Red River Zoo, was one of two born to Pepper on July 11. Red River Zoo / Special to The Forum FARGO — One of the baby Chinese red pandas at the Red River Zoo has died, but two remain and are doing well. The cub, born to first-time mother Pepper, a red panda usually on exhibit at the zoo, died over the weekend. Pepper has one remaining cub, and both were born on July 11.