Giant panda Tuan Tuan dies in Taiwan after seizures
- The panda was one of a breeding pair given to the island by Beijing 14 years ago
- The gift was a symbol of warmer cross-strait ties during the Ma Ying-jeou presidency
Earlier on Saturday, a separate statement said the panda’s condition was “irreversible” and that he could no longer “live a quality life”.
Vets first noticed Tuan Tuan, 18, was ill in August, when he began suffering seizures and appeared increasingly unsteady and lethargic.
Medical scans showed he had a brain lesion and he was placed on anti-seizure medication.
The zoo suspected Tuan Tuan had a brain tumour and he was moved into palliative care last month.
Tuan Tuan and his breeding mate Yuan Yuan were given to Taiwan by Beijing in late 2008, at a time when relations between the two were more cordial.
In a nod to that goal, the pandas’ names combined mean “reunion” or “unity”.
The couple became huge stars in Taiwan and Yuan Yuan has since given birth to two female cubs.