Ocean Park has announced that the red panda Rou Rou has passed away today (March 17) at the age of 17.
The park's animal care and veterinary team provided comprehensive health care for Rou Rou and closely monitored her senior condition since 2021. Recently, age-related discomfort symptoms, including degenerative joint issues, became increasingly evident, and palliative care could not alleviate her discomfort. After careful assessment, the team decided to conduct humane euthanasia for Rou Rou, prioritizing her quality of life and well-being. Rou Rou passed away peacefully, accompanied by her dedicated caretakers.
Rou Rou joined the Ocean Park family in 2009 from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. She was known for her gentle and lively personality, quickly becoming a beloved animal ambassador.
The red panda is listed as "endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in the Red List, with an average lifespan of about 8 to 12 years in the wild. It is estimated that fewer than 10,000 wild red pandas currently exist. Besides Rou Rou, other red pandas, Tai Shan and Cong Cong, have also reached the age of 17, and while they exhibit some signs of aging, they are otherwise in good health and stable, making them among the senior members of their species.
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