On August 26, the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center announced that giant panda “Dai Li” passed away on August 12.
“Dai Li,” a male panda, was rescued in the wild in Baoxing County, Ya’an City, Sichuan Province, on February 26, 2001, and it is estimated he was born in 1999. At the time of rescue, “Dai Li” had severe injuries on his left hind limb, which had become infected. After being diagnosed and treated at Sichuan Agricultural University, his left hind limb was amputated. Following rehabilitation, he lived at the Ya’an base of the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center and was later transferred to the Dujiangyan base, where he maintained good health.
As “Dai Li” entered old age, his health gradually declined. Starting from July 13, 2024, he began to lose his appetite, and his intake of bamboo and special feed decreased significantly, eventually leading to almost no food intake. Veterinarians conducted comprehensive diagnoses and treatments, while caregivers provided nutrition through liquid feed. Under the careful care of the caregivers and veterinarians, “Dai Li” began to eat small amounts. However, on August 9, his appetite and activity worsened again. Despite the active treatment and care from the veterinarians and caregivers, unfortunately, “Dai Li” could not pull through and passed away on August 12. Preliminary assessments suggest that his death was caused by old age accompanied by heart disease and multiple organ failure.
One veterinarian noted that “Dai Li” was a very alert panda, always perked up at the slightest sound. He was also caring toward his fellow pandas. Whenever there was a commotion in the nearby enclosure with younger pandas, he would approach to check, showing great concern, giving off a vibe of enjoying “liveliness.”
On the afternoon of August 26, Fei Xiang, a famous actor and singer, posted: “My adopted giant panda ‘Dai Li’ (also known as ‘Xiang Xiang’) has gone to heaven. I would like to thank the veterinarians and caregivers of the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center for their dedicated care over the past 20 years.” In January 2004, Fei Xiang signed an adoption agreement with the Bifengxia Panda Base to adopt the injured giant panda Dai Li.
