Oldest panda in captivity dies at 37

The oldest captive panda in the world has died.

At 37, Basi was over 100 in human years when she died naturally on Thursday. “With a heavy heart, we solemnly announce today that giant panda star Basi died at 8:50am,” read a statement from the Straits Giant Panda Research and Exchange Centre in Fuzhou.

Basi has lived at the panda facility since she was rescued as a four year old. She was named after the valley she was found in, and has outlived all of her fellow pandas.

A public memorial was held in Basi’s honour. “She was an angel of friendship both at home and abroad,” the Straits Giant Panda Research and Exchange Centre statement ended.