the world’s oldest captive giant panda dies at the age of 37 in China, the oldest panda’s death was announced by her keepers in China’s south-eastern Fuzhou province. Basi who has outlived most of her peers, reached the equivalent of more than one hundred in human years. She was named after a valley she was rescued from. She lived at the panda facility since she was a little cub. Pandas are considered symbolic in China, and are highly protected. But following decades of conservation work they are no more in the list of endangered animals. Her handlers in China stated that they gave “Basi” an emotional send-off.
her memorial service was held at Straits Giant Panda Research and Exchange Center, located in Southeastern China, with a heartfelt farewell the bear was given a memorial service where Basi’s body was surrounded by yellow flowers with the tip of her tongue sticking playfully out.
“With a heavy heart, we solemnly announce today that the original model of Pan Pan , the mascot for the first Asian Games (in China, 1990), and an angel of friendship both at home and abroad, giant panda star Basi died at 8:50am on September 13, 2017 at the age of 37,” the center said.
She died of old age, liver cirrhosis and kidney failure, said the center, which also serves as a zoo known as Fuzhou Panda World.
In 1987 Basi was taken to San Diego Zoo for a six month loan with her charms wowed the American crowds.
“Basi has left, but her beautiful image and Basi spirit will forever be in our hearts,” the panda centre s director Chen Yucun said in a eulogy sent to AFP, describing her as “legendary”.
