The world’s oldest giant panda in captivity has died in a Chinese zoo.
Basi died at the age of 37, the equivalent of 100 in human years, keepers at her home in China’s south-eastern Fuzhou province have said.
The panda was rescued from the Basi valley and taken to the Straits Giant Panda Research and Exchange aged four or five, the BBC reported.
Basi inspired the mascot for the first Asian games in 1990 and was described by a spokesman from the zoo as “an angel of friendship”.
A public memorial, held in the bear’s honour, was broadcast live on state television from the centre on Thursday.
The spokesman added: “With a heavy heart, we solemnly announce today that giant panda star Basi died at 8.50am at the age of 37."
Giant pandas are often seen as symbols of China and are highly protected.
Following decades of conservation work, the bears, which have a life span of 20 years in the wild, are no longer endangered.
