Jia Jia, the world’s oldest captive giant panda, passed away on Sunday at the age of 38 at Ocean Park in Hong Kong, the zoo said in a statement.
Jia Jia lived just about two times so long as the common captive panda, the report said, although in latest weeks her health dropped rapidly. She was no more feeding on or resting, the report said, and she could no extended move on her own.
“Her state became so debilitated that based on ethical reasons and in order to prevent suffering,” park and government veterinarians euthanized her, the statement said.
While in Jia Jia’s 17 years at Ocean Park she had turn out to be one of its well-known attractions, “successfully [raising] awareness of the importance of protecting this precious species and their natural habitat.”
The statement added: “Jia Jia, thank you for being with us throughout the years! RIP!”
