A giant panda, which was loaned to Thailand, died on Wednesday (18/4/2023). China is also grieving.
Panda named Lin Hui should be returned to China in six months. However, at the age of 21, the panda who lived at the zoo in Chiang Mai died.
The cause of Lin Hui’s death was due to illness. Wutthichai Muangmun, director of the zoo in Chiang Mai, said Lin Hui had a nosebleed when he lay down after eating. Lin Hui immediately received treatment from a joint Thai-Chinese veterinary team but his condition deteriorated and died early Wednesday morning.
Tewarat Vejmanat, a veterinarian who spoke at a press conference streamed live on the zoo’s Facebook page, said the panda was elderly. From daily checks, the panda showed no signs of illness or any difference in behavior prior to falling ill.
“China is saddened by the death of giant panda Lin Hui,” said Wang Wenbin, spokesman for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Beijing.
Wang said that after China found out the panda was sick, the authorities immediately organized experts to guide Thailand to rescue via video link, but unfortunately the panda’s life was not saved.
He added that the Chinese authorities would soon form a team of experts to carry out a joint investigation into the cause of Lin Hui’s death.
Lin Hui’s male partner, Chuang Chuang, who was kept with her at the zoo in Chiang Mai, died there in 2019 at the age of 19. The couple arrived in Chiang Mai in 2003 through a 10 year loan program which was later extended for another 10 years.
Lin Hui and Chuang Chuang had a daughter, Lin Ping, in 2009 through artificial insemination. Lin Ping was sent to China in 2013 to find a partner. However, until now, Lin Ping has not returned to Thailand.
The giant panda’s life expectancy in the wild is about 15 years, but in captivity they can live to be 38 years old. Decades of conservation efforts in the wild and captive studies have saved the giant panda from extinction.
The giant panda population was once less than 1,000, but is now estimated to be over 1,800 in the wild and in captivity.
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