Chuang Chuang collapsed in his enclosure shortly after standing up following a meal of bamboo leaves.
Zoo staff in northern Thailand donned black and white clothing and observed a minute of silence Tuesday to mourn the sudden death of their popular male giant panda, who was on a long-term loan from China.
Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, zoo staff said they found no sign of illness or injury on the 19-year-old panda's body, and that he had recently passed a health checkup. Chuang Chuang and his female mate, Lin Hui, arrived in Chiang Mai in 2003 on a 10-year loan that was later extended for another 10 years. While the loan was ostensibly for research and conservation purposes, it was generally regarded as an act of friendship by China, which has sent pandas to many countries.
A scheme to encourage Chuang Chuang to mate by showing him videos of pandas getting intimate made headlines in 2007. The couple did produce a baby, Lin Ping, in 2009, though this was done through artificial insemination.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Popular panda on loan from China dies in Thai zooBANGKOK (AP) — Zoo staff in northern Thailand have donned black and white clothing and observed a minute of silence to mourn the sudden death of their popular male giant panda, who was on a...
Read more »
Apple's cheaper iPhone 11 appears to be the most popular model pre-ordered in ChinaApple's own website shows delivery times for certain iPhone 11 models as late as October 15, several weeks after the September 20 launch date.
Read more »
China Mengniu makes move for infant formula co Bellamy's AustraliaChina Mengniu Dairy Co Ltd plans to buy infant formula maker Bellamy&...
Read more »
China aluminum output slips in August amid smelter outagesChina's primary aluminum output in August fell 0.5% from the previous month...
Read more »
Trump's trade war with China is 'mutually assured destruction': Samantha PowerIn a new interview, former U.N. Ambassador Samantha Power recently argued that the dispute is hurting both China’s economy and everyday working Americans.
Read more »
Elaine La Roche Headed Crucial China Venture for Morgan StanleyAfter a roundabout path to finance, Elaine La Roche became one of the top-ranking women on Wall Street and headed a crucial joint venture in China for Morgan Stanley. She died Aug. 25.
Read more »