Hong Kong Ocean Park’s ‘World’s Oldest’ Giant Panda Jia Jia Passes Away

▲Hong Kong Ocean Park’s panda Jia Jia passed away today. (Photo / Provided by Hong Kong Ocean Park)

Reported by Reporter Yu Yun / Compiled report

Hong Kong Ocean Park announced on October 16,that the world’s oldest ever captive giant panda Jia Jia passed away today at the age of 38.

Over the past two weeks, Jia Jia’s health had deteriorated sharply, with her food intake and average body weight falling to record lows—from over 10 kilograms plummeting to below 3 kilograms, and her weight dropping from 71 kilograms to around 67 kilograms. In recent days, she had been awake for increasingly shorter periods, showed no appetite at all, and her condition worsened drastically this morning. Given her extremely frail state, veterinarians from the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and Ocean Park unanimously agreed to euthanize her on humane grounds to prevent further suffering.

▲Jia Jia held significant importance for the ocean park’s conservation efforts. (Photo / Provided by Hong Kong Ocean Park)

Ocean Park Chairman Lawrence Kadoorie said: “Although we were mentally prepared for this day, it is still very sad.” Jia Jia arrived at Ocean Park in 1999 along with An An to promote knowledge about nature and conservation. The park also launched a series of panda-related activities and workshops to allow visitors to learn firsthand how the park cares for these adorable animals.

For many years, Jia Jia has been promoting nature and conservation knowledge for the park and was deeply loved by the public. Judy Chen, Executive Director of Animal and Education at Ocean Park, said the park will upload a video about Jia Jia to its official YouTube channel to express our remembrance, and a memorial board will be set up outside the 【Hong Kong Jockey Club Sichuan Treasure House】 starting October 22, allowing visitors to pay tribute to this beloved animal ambassador.