World's Oldest Panda Dies: Ming Ming Dead In Chinese Zoo

BEIJING -- Chinese state media say the world's oldest panda has died at the age of 34.

The Global Times reported that Ming Ming had kidney failure. She had been living at a zoo or preserve in Guangdong province.

The China Panda Protection Center in Sichuan province said in a statement she died May 7, but it was reported only Tuesday in local media. More details about her were not available.

The newspaper said wild pandas live 15 years on average and captive ones 22 years.

Giant pandas are among the world's most endangered species, with about 1,600 in the wild. More than 300 are in captivity in China, most in a breeding program aimed at boosting the population.

The country also loans pandas to zoos worldwide.

Comments

[steve6183]

07:32 PM on 05/31/2011

i heard he died from nuclear contamination. http://globalnuclearcontaminationwatch.com/

[Kim0330]

11:24 AM on 05/20/2011

Now I'm not going to be able to watch Wonder Pets with my kid without thinking about Ming Ming, and be kinda sad(there's a charater named Ming Ming on it).

RIP Ming Ming!!

[Bette Herick]

10:54 AM on 05/20/2011

ooo…I love pandas. Here I bought a cuddly panda bag (L) that I can hardly put it down! I believe it is a GREAT find for every panda fanatic! http://hkpanda.freetzi.com/

[SkippyJiffy]

05:29 AM on 05/20/2011

What a beauty

[Judith Jaehn]

02:22 AM on 05/20/2011

Rest in Peace Dear Heart.....

[shutterbabe]

01:55 AM on 05/20/2011

Ming Ming gave the world 34 years of joy and beauty. Precious One, rest now.

[hotbarb2614]

12:44 AM on 05/21/2011

F&F

[SukiTheCat]

10:45 PM on 05/19/2011

RIP pretty lady..

[Richelle Cameron]

04:36 PM on 05/19/2011

Rest in peace Ming Ming.

[haljil]

11:29 AM on 05/19/2011

R.I.P. Sweet Panda Princess!!!

[rockworld967]

08:36 AM on 05/19/2011

she look like a very sweet girl and l love pandas rip

[ProudMilVet]

06:08 AM on 05/19/2011

Goodnight Sweet Girl.

[mtcolleen]

07:46 PM on 05/18/2011

I love Pandas- they are so cute. But has it occured to anyone else that even without climate change, poaching, etc. they would have become endangered because they just don't seem to be able to adapt very well? I do still hope that they can be brought back.

[Venus Louviere]

04:07 PM on 05/18/2011

Awe--Rest in peace honey.

[shonuff1914]

03:17 PM on 05/18/2011

Just the other day I lent India three pandas and now they're ducking me!

[Kellybelle22]

01:20 PM on 05/18/2011

Aww, that smiling face is the cutest thing ever. Wish I could have met Ming Ming and hope giant pandas will thrive and multiply. May she rest in peace..