Introduction to Panda Shuangshuang: Panda Dandan (September 1995- March 31, 2024), formerly known as Shuangshuang, is a female giant panda with lineage number 434. Born on September 16, 1995 at the China Panda Conservation and Research Center, her parents are Panda Zhenzhen and Dongdong. Dandan is a famous short legged bear. On July 16, 2000, I stayed at the Kobe Municipal Prince Zoo in Japan.
In July 2020, the panda cooperation agreement signed between China and the Kobe City Government in Japan expired. Affected by the epidemic, both sides have twice postponed the date of "Shuangshuang" returning to China until the end of 2021. On March 3, 2021, "Shuangshuang" was diagnosed with age-related heart disease during routine examinations. Both China and Japan quickly organized a team of experts for joint diagnosis and meticulous care, and the "refreshing" condition was alleviated to a certain extent. In order to help stabilize the condition of "Shuangshuang" and promote physical recovery, and to be affected by the global epidemic, both China and Japan have developed a rigorous treatment plan. Both sides have repeatedly postponed the deadline for "Shuangshuang" to be transported back to China to avoid the deterioration of the condition caused by long-distance transportation.
Since May 2022, China has dispatched 5 batches of panda experts to continue stationed in Japan for on-site guidance, consultation and treatment. As soon as the COVID-19 lockdown in China was lifted in 2023, the Chinese side dispatched a special working group to Japan in May to exchange and evaluate the "refreshing" condition, further optimize the diagnosis and treatment nursing plan, and study and develop an emergency response plan.
Since March 13, 2024, the "refreshing" condition has continued to worsen, starting to refuse to eat, and even refusing to drink water and experiencing symptoms such as convulsions. Experts from both China and Japan have continued to take all necessary rescue measures, but unfortunately, Shuangshuang passed away on March 31, 2024 despite unsuccessful rescue efforts. Experts explain that a 29 year old panda is equivalent to a nearly centenarian human.
"Shuangshuang" was transported to the Kobe Municipal Prince Zoo in Japan on July 16, 2000, with the aim of jointly conducting international panda conservation research between China and Japan. Its arrival brought hope and joy to the Japanese people who suffered from the Hanshin earthquake in 1995, and also made positive contributions to research on giant panda conservation, technological exchange, public education, and friendship between the two peoples.
Next, both China and Japan will strictly follow the provisions of the cooperation agreement, properly store the "Shuangshuang" corpse, and after professional processing, timely transport the "Shuangshuang" specimen back to the country.
Here, we express our sincerest gratitude to the Chinese and Japanese people who have long cared for and loved pandas for their refreshing taste!