Zookeepers have expressed their heartache following the death of a baby red panda.

Wingham Wildlife Park, based near Canterbury, shared the “incredibly sad” update via its Facebook page on Monday.

Bosses at the site said the baby red panda, named Tai, had been “doing so well” but had some hidden health issues.

She died on Sunday evening from liver failure.

“We have some very sad news to share this morning. Sadly Tai the baby red panda has passed away,” the team at the animal park wrote online.

“She recently had her veterinary check-up and was doing so well. She had been growing steadily and there was no sign of anything being wrong.

“Sadly it appears that underneath this healthy exterior, she had some hidden health issues, possibly ever since birth and passed away late yesterday from liver failure.”

The post continued: “This is incredibly sad for us with such an important animal for the population and an animal that we have all watched grow and fall in love with.

“We wanted to leave you with the way we first introduced this beautiful baby and the proud mum.”

Earlier this summer at the park, a parrot escaped sparking a huge appeal on social media.

The bird took off after a couple of gulls “swooped in and startled her” earlier this afternoon. Luckily, it returned a couple of days later.

She reportedly received a warm welcome from her fellow parrots when she returned.