Hong Kong giant panda Jia Jia breaks world record to become oldest ever to live in captivity
One of Hong Kong's most famous residents has set two Guinness world records. Jia Jia, at 37, is the oldest panda ever kept in captivity and the oldest now living in captivity.
One of Hong Kong's most famous residents has set two Guinness world records.
Jia Jia, at 37, is the oldest panda ever kept in captivity and the oldest now living in captivity.
Guinness World Records adjudicator Blythe Fitzwilliam announced the news in a ceremony at Ocean Park yesterday.
"Under Ocean Park's attentive care over the past 16 years, I can announce Jia Jia has today achieved two Guinness world records," he said.
Jia Jia's 37 years make her more than 100 in human terms.
"There are only eight pandas 30 years and older, out of 395 who are still alive and under human care, so she's doing very well," said Suzanne Gendron, Ocean Park's executive director of zoological operations and education.
Watch: Hong Kong panda Jia Jia sets world record
"That's why we think it's a very good idea to celebrate and particularly today, when she turns 37."
Jia Jia was born in Sichuan province and was given to Hong Kong in 1999 on the second anniversary of the handover.
Gendron said she attributed Jia Jia's longevity to genetics and special training at Ocean Park.
"When Jia Jia and An An first came to us we took a different approach than most - we decided to train them to help us take better care of them," she said.
An An is another Sichuan panda sent to the park in 1999.
"We taught her first to stick her arm out so we could take blood. We could do that four times a year to monitor her, and one of the things our vets noticed was her blood pressure, compared to An An, was high. So they started to treat her."
The records were previously held by giant panda Du Du, who lived to 36 years and 11 months and spent most of her life in Wuhan Zoo on the mainland before dying in 1999.
Ocean Park's director for veterinary services, Dr Paolo Martelli, said Jia Jia was on a range of medications and suffered from health complaints including cataracts and high blood pressure. However, he wasn't writing her off just yet.
"My predecessor's predecessor was worrying about the time when Jia Jia would pass, then my predecessor's greatest worry was that," he said.
"Then when I started this job 10 years ago I was thinking, it's a big worry, let's get ready, but every time she has bounced back and carried on for a little bit longer."
The average lifespan of giant pandas is 18 to 20 years in the wild and 25 years in captivity.
