The morning of October 28th, 2024, "Li Li", a panda living at Hangzhou Wildlife World in China, began experiencing symptoms like drowsiness and loss of appetite. China Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center experts immediately flew to Hangzhou in China to conduct a thorough examination and provide targeted treatment. Li Li was diagnosed with intestinal obstruction and underwent surgery. Her intestinal obstruction cleared up postoperatively. Unfortunately, pandas with high obstruction developed pneumonia, esophagitis and gastritis. Severe pneumonia led to severe hypoxemia. Li Li, despite receiving all the care and treatment she needed, left for her Panda Planet at 19h26 on 14th November 2024.On the evening of November 14, 2024, the panda "Li Li" living in Hangzhou Wildlife World, China, died of intestinal obstruction despite rescue efforts, with a lifespan of 19 years.
Li Li is a female panda who was born in Wolong, China, on 16 August 2005, at the Hetaoping Base, the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center. She is the daughter "Princess Panda" and "Ling Ling Panda". She was transferred on June 26, 2008 to Chimelong Wildlife World, Guangzhou. She has lived in Hangzhou Wildlife Park since September 25, 2012. Li Li and the other four giant pandas were moved to Guangzhou after the Wenchuan Earthquake in 2008. This was due to the significant geological hazards and security risks at the Walnut Ping Base, the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas, in Wolong in Sichuan. The tourists and keepers describe the panda Li Li as a beautiful and stubborn girl, who is quiet and likes to be still. Li Li lost her temper whenever there was a loud sound from outside. She liked to stare at tourists in the pavilion with wet eyes.
Why does panda Lili suffer from intestinal obstruction?
Research shows that gastrointestinal disease is one of the most deadly and common illnesses among giant pandas. Statistics show that up to 64% giant panda death are caused by gastrointestinal issues. Common gastrointestinal disorders include acute gastroenteritis and chronic gastroenteritis. They also include intestinal obstruction, torsion of the intestine, pancreatitis etc. The factors that cause intestinal obstruction in pandas are usually indigestion, changes in food composition, and the intestinal structure.
The feeding habits of giant pandas have changed in the captive environment. Comparing captive pandas to wild pandas they consume less bamboo and more concentrated feed. The giant panda digestive system is unable to adapt to this change. Although they consume large amounts of bamboo each day, it's difficult for them to digest the fiber-rich food. Their intestines often are under high strain. It is also possible that intestinal obstruction can occur if pandas are unable to drink water for a long time, have irregular hunger or fullness, and suffer from indigestion. The anatomical shape of the giant pandas' intestinal tracts makes them susceptible to intestinal obstruction. Pandas have a long, wide mesentery, so their intestines can sag when they consume too much bamboo. This is especially true when they exercise vigorously or roll. The normal function of intestines will be severely compromised, and the food digested cannot pass normally through, resulting in intestinal obstruction. Pandas can also suffer from other inflammations caused by intestinal obstruction.
Pandas can develop digestive disorders due to the high fiber content of bamboo and intense exercise. These factors also caused intestinal obstruction disease in the panda "Qing Ci" and Panda "Tong Tong" (who died this year) , as well as Li Li. This is why pandas always suffer from intestinal obstruction, and it's difficult to breed them and to grow them.