Shuang Shuang, a giant panda known by the Japanese name “Tantan” who lived at the Kobe Oji Zoo since 2000, died of heart disease on Sunday, the China Wildlife Conservation Association said.

Born in September 1995, Shuang Shuang suffered from severe heart failure.

“Despite several days of rescue efforts by Chinese and Japanese experts, his condition did not improve and he passed away at 11:56 pm on Sunday,” the statement said.

Mr. Shuang Shuang was diagnosed with age-related heart disease during a routine health check three years ago.

She arrived at Kobe City Oji Zoo on July 16, 2000 as part of a joint Japan-China conservation research effort.

According to the cooperation agreement, Shuang Shuang was scheduled to return to China in July 2020, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, his return was postponed to the end of 2021.

The association said, “After being diagnosed with heart disease, experts from both China and Japan quickly formed a joint team for diagnosis and treatment, and provided careful nursing care, which alleviated Shuangxuan’s condition to some extent.” “It was done,” he said. In order to stabilize her condition and aid her recovery, and in view of the global pandemic, China and Japan have developed a strict treatment plan to avoid worsening her condition due to long-distance transport, and As a result, Shuang Shuang’s return to China was postponed multiple times. ”

Since May 2022, China has dispatched five expert groups to provide ongoing local guidance, consultation, and treatment in Japan.

“Her arrival brought hope and joy to the Japanese people affected by the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995. Additionally, she was active in giant panda conservation research, technical exchanges, public education, and friendly relations between the two countries. ”, the paper said. The association revealed.

China and Japan will properly preserve Mr. Shuang Shuang’s remains.

“After professional processing, Shuang Shuang’s remains will be returned to China at the appropriate time,” the ministry said.

According to experts at the China Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center, the average lifespan of giant pandas in captivity is about 25 to 30 years, while the average lifespan of giant pandas in the wild is 15 to 20 years. A 29-year-old giant panda is equivalent to a nearly 100-year-old human.

“Typically, giant pandas are considered elderly after the age of 20. Just like in humans, age-related diseases such as cataracts and high blood pressure are prevalent in older giant pandas, including a type of cardiovascular disease. “heart disease is also very common,” the expert said.

The giant panda is an endemic species native to China, designated as a first-class protected wildlife, and loved by people all over the world as a national natural monument. Since the 1990s, China has cooperated with 26 institutions in 20 countries to protect giant pandas.

According to the latest announcement from the National Forestry and Grassland Administration in January, the number of captive giant pandas in the world is 728, while the number of wild giant pandas in China has increased to nearly 1,900.