Society

World's oldest panda dies in Chinese zoo at age 34

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-05-19 10:59

BEIJING - Chinese media say the world's oldest panda has died at the age of 34.

The Global Times reported Ming Ming died from old age and had kidney failure. She had been living at a zoo or preserve in Guangdong province.

Ming Ming chews bamboo shoots at the zoo in London, in this file photo taken October 20, 1994. The world's oldest panda, has died of old age, Chinese media reported Tuesday. She was 34. [Photo/Agencies]

The China Panda Protection Center in Sichuan province said in a statement she died May 7. More details on her were not available.

The newspaper said wild pandas live 15 years on average and captive ones 22 years.

Giant pandas are among the world's most endangered species, with about 1,600 in the wild. More than 300 are in captivity in China, most in a breeding program aimed at boosting the population.