Japan's oldest panda 'Tan Tan' has died
It has been reported that Japan's oldest panda, named "Tan Tan," has died at the age of 28.
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State broadcaster NHK announced that the panda named Tan Tan died due to cardiac arrest.
Officials at the Oji Zoo in Kobe reported that the panda, born in China's Sichuan province in 1995, was between 80 and 100 years old in human terms at the time of its death.
"Tan Tan" was brought to the city in 2000 under a lease agreement following the Great Hanshin Earthquake in January 1995, known publicly as the "Kobe Earthquake." It was reported that the aim was to provide comfort to the residents of the city, which had been devastated by the disaster.
In a video released by NHK, visitors to the zoo are seen having a fun time with the panda.
"TAN TAN WAS A SUN FOR THE LOCAL PEOPLE"
Oji Zoo Director Kako Yujiro stated following the panda's death, "Tan Tan was a sun for the local people; she made people smile."
The panda was planned to be sent back to China in 2020 when its lease agreement was set to expire, but the process was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following a diagnosis of heart disease in 2021, the panda's appetite and daily exercise levels decreased, and its physical condition had significantly declined.
"Tan Tan," who was reported to have suffered cardiac arrest over the weekend, could not be resuscitated despite the efforts of the zoo staff.