BEIJING, April 3 -- Taotao, China's oldest captive panda and the enduring
favorite of millions of visitors to Shandong' Province's Jinan Zoo, died
Wednesday following a battle against old age and illness, China News Service
reported.
Taotao died from brain thrombus disease and cerebral hemorrhaging at the
age of 36, far beyond the normal life expectancy of 25 years for a panda in
captivity. She had been in declining health since the disease was discovered in
February of this year.
Taotao was born in the wilderness of northwestern China's Gansu Province,
and was brought to Jinan Zoo in October 1994. Despite her prolonged stay in the
zoo, she never gave birth in captivity.
Jinan Zoo has reportedly accorded Taotao the title of "ambassador of
harmonious zoology." Her remains, after made into specimen, will be sent back to
Gansu Province so she can rest in peace there.
About 200 pandas currently live in captivity around the world, but the
animals are native only to China.
(Source: CRIENGLISH.com)
