Panda Dies of Old Age... China Says "Compensation of 600 Million Won Remains Unchanged"

Giant Panda in Thailand Dies
Zoo Negligence Suspected in Sudden Death
China-Thailand Joint Autopsy Concludes 'Old Age'

Last month, a giant panda from China that suddenly died at a zoo in Thailand was confirmed to have died of natural causes due to old age, according to a joint autopsy conducted by both countries. However, the Thai side still plans to deliver compensation to China for the panda's death.

The local Thai media outlet Bangkok Post reported on the 25th (local time) that experts from Thailand and China jointly performed an autopsy on the giant panda "Lin Hui" and confirmed that the death was due to natural causes related to old age. The autopsy revealed that Lin Hui had weakened blood vessels and blood clots in multiple organs before death.

It was reported that Lin Hui had been in poor condition since the morning of the 18th. A nosebleed was observed while she was lying down after eating. The zoo then sent a veterinary team to treat Lin Hui, but she ultimately passed away the next day.

Panda Lin Hui [Image source=Yonhap News]

The attending veterinarian stated at a press conference, "We checked Lin Hui's health daily due to her old age, but there were no special signs of illness." Despite no apparent health issues, Lin Hui's sudden death sparked suspicions in some parts of China that the Thai zoo might not have properly cared for her.

Although the joint autopsy resolved doubts about Lin Hui's death, the Thai side still has to pay compensation of 15 million baht (approximately 570 million KRW) to China.

Lin Hui came from China to Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2003. She was a female giant panda who had just turned 21 this year. Giant pandas are known to live about 15 to 20 years in the wild, but in zoos, they can live up to 30 years.

The Chinese government had loaned Lin Hui and another giant panda, "Chuang Chuang," to Thailand for a long-term stay in 2003. Chuang Chuang also suddenly died of a heart attack at age 19 in 2019. Lin Hui was scheduled to return to China this October after completing a 20-year loan period.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.