Taiwan announces death of giant panda gifted by China in 2008

Taiwan's Taipei Zoo on Saturday announced the death of an ill giant panda male that was gifted by China in 2008 to mark warming relations. In August, the zoo reported that Tuan Tuan was suffering seizures. On Friday, the zoo said the panda's illness was worsening and that it was impossible to maintain an adequate quality of life for the animal, even with medication. Tuan Tuan was one of two giant pandas China gave to Taiwan as part of a cross-strait animal exchange programme in 2008, just months after the Beijing-friendly president at the time, Ma Ying-jeou, was inaugurated. The pair produced two cubs in Taipei in 2013 and 2020, respectively. China cut off all communication with Taiwan's leadership in June 2016, one month after Tsai Ing-wen of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party took office. The tension across the Taiwan Strait further escalated in August, shortly after a visit to Taiwan by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Taiwan has had an independent government since 1949, but China considers the democratic island part of its territory and opposes any form of official contacts between Taiwan and other countries.

Taiwan announces death of giant panda gifted by China in 2008

Taiwan's Taipei Zoo on Saturday announced the death of an ill giant panda male that was gifted by China in 2008 to mark warming relations. The zoo said that Tuan Tuan, 18, died at 1.48 pm (0548 GMT) on Saturday.