A giant panda named Lin Hui, who was on loan from China to Thailand, died Wednesday at the age of 21 at the Chiang Mai Zoo, where she had lived in captivity since 2003. Lin Hui was the last of three pandas owned by Thailand and was due to be returned to China in October. The animal started bleeding from the nose on Tuesday night, and her health condition rapidly deteriorated until her death. Chinese and Thai experts will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
For years, every effort was made for Lin Hui’s mating with Chuang Chuang, who passed away from a heart attack in 2019. After artificial insemination, Lin Hui gave birth to Lin Ping in 2009, which sparked a veritable furor for pandas in the kingdom. The family’s life captivated the whole country in live broadcasts of the animals’ chores on the “Panda Channel,” which ran 24 hours a day from 2009 to 2012.
In another zoo-related incident, a man was arrested at a zoo in Auckland, New Zealand, for breaking into the African wildlife enclosure and bathing in the pond under the curious gaze of rhinos and antelopes. Images of the incident posted on social media show the man floating calmly in the pond, then washing his face and hair.
The rhinos and antelopes were frightened by the intruder. The man remained in the water for several minutes before obeying the zoo keepers’ orders and returning to the visitors’ space. He was subsequently handed over to police. Zoo director Kevin Buley said they hope the man will receive the help and support he needs.