World’s oldest captive panda dies

SHANGHAI: The world's oldest captive giant panda has died at the ripe old age of 37 -- more than 100 in human years -- her handlers in China said on Thursday as they gave "Basi" an emotional send-off, reports AFP.

The Straits Giant Panda Research and Exchange Center in southeastern China, where she has lived for 33 years, bid a heartfelt farewell to the bear, with a memorial service that featured Basi's body 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 centre said.

White roses, arranged in the shape of a heart, also were laid in front of Basi's favourite tree.

"She once brought us joy here, and we wish to leave the fragrance here for her," Xiu Yunfang, deputy director of the facility in the city of Fuzhou, told state television.

Basi outlived most of her peers by nearly two decades -- pandas in the wild have an average lifespan of about 20 years, but those in captivity generally live longer.

Worlds oldest captive panda dies

SHANGHAI: The worlds oldest captive giant panda has died at the ripe old age of 37 -- more than 100 in human years -- her handlers in China said on Thursday as they gave Basi an emotional send-off, reports AFP. The Straits Giant Panda Research and Exchange Center in southeastern China, where she has lived for 33 years, bid a heartfelt farewell to the bear, with a memorial service that featured Basis body 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 centre said. White roses, arranged in the shape of a heart, also were laid in front of Basis favourite tree. She once brought us joy here, and we wish to leave the fragrance here for her, Xiu Yunfang, deputy director of the facility in the city of Fuzhou, told state television. Basi outlived most of her peers by nearly two decades -- pandas in the wild have an average lifespan of about 20 years, but those in captivity generally live longer.