Giant panda cub enjoys first snow day of the season at Smithsonian Zoo
Cameras at the Smithsonian National Zoo caught 1-year-old giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji rolling around in the snow.
The world’s oldest male panda in captivity has died at the age of 35.
An An – whose name can be translated to peace – was transferred to the Ocean Park theme park in Aberdeen, Hong Kong, from China, in 1999.
His age would’ve been around 12 at the time.
NATIONAL ZOO CELEBRATES PANDA EXCHANGE PROGRAM'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY WITH TREAT
An An was paired with a female panda named Jia Jia, who lived to be the world’s oldest female panda in captivity. She died in 2016 at the age of 38, according to the Associated Press.
An An the panda lived until the age of 35 at Ocean Park – a theme park in Aberdeen, Hong Kong. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Though An An’s exact birthday isn’t clear, records show he was born in 1986 in Sichuan, China.
He originally lived at the Wolong National Nature Reserve in Sichuan’s Wenchuan County until his transfer to Ocean Park.
An An was named the world’s oldest male panda in captivity in 2017 when he reached the age of 31.
MEXICO CITY'S OLDEST PANDA HAS DIED AT THE AGE OF 35
Ocean Park Hong Kong issued two statements about An An’s death on Facebook.
An An the panda celebrated his 29th birthday at Ocean Park in July 2015 with fruit. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
In both posts, the theme park said An An’s age was equivalent to that of a 105-year-old human.
"We are deeply saddened to announce the loss of centenarian panda An An, the world’s longest-living male giant panda under human care, today," Ocean Park Hong Kong wrote.
The conservation-focused theme park said An An had a "full life that ended at the respectable age."
NATIONAL ZOO'S GIANT PANDA GIVES BIRTH TO 'PRECIOUS' CUB
His health "deteriorated slowly but progressively in the past few weeks," the park shared.
An An’s physical activity and food intake reportedly declined over time.
An An's health deteriorated in recent weeks, according to Ocean Park Hong Kong. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
The park said their team of veterinarians and Hong Kong’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department consulted the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda.
It was determined that euthanasia would be a "humane endpoint" for An An. The procedure was carried out in An An’s residence – The Hong Kong Jockey Club Sichuan Treasures – on July 21, 2022, at 8:40 a.m.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
"An An is an indispensable member of our family and has grown together with the Park. He has also built a strong bond of friendship with locals and tourists alike," Ocean Park Hong Kong wrote. "We want to express our gratitude to An An for all of the wonderful things he brought the people of Hong Kong and our visitors from around the world, as he was a true ambassador of conservation and educational messaging."
Visitors write notes to mourn the death of An An the panda at Ocean Park. Condolence books are set up at the park's Hong Kong Jockey Club Sichuan Treasures exhibit. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Ocean Park Hong Kong is welcoming visitors to sign condolence books at An An’s former residence.
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS
For people who aren’t able to visit, the park also made a tribute space under a pinned post on the Ocean Park Hong Kong Facebook page.
Fox News Lifestyle
A look at the top-trending stories in food, relationships, great outdoors and more.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.
