Panda Pengpeng dies after illness

Pengpeng sits with keeper Tangtang. [Photo/CCRCGP's official Weibo account]

Giant panda Pengpeng died last Sunday night, the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda announced Thursday. He had been fighting illness for 11 days before he died, Chinanews.com reported.

Pengpeng was diagnosed with encephalitis, which later developed to epilepsy, at Dujiangyan Panda Base in Qingchengshan Town at the end of November. Several symptoms appeared since then and Pengpeng did not wake up again after 11 days' treatment.

Pengpeng, a male, was born on Sept 5, 1999. He started to suffer from cataracts in November 2011. His sight recovery was not successful after operation, so he had to live in a relatively quiet animal dormitory.

Pengpeng was popular on the Internet because his keeper Tang Cheng (nicknamed Tangtang) posted many photos when he was alive. Many "fans" were sad and sent well-wishes after hearing about the panda's death.

"I still remember him slowly eating a steamed corn bun with Tangtang sitting beside him. That was such a quiet and beautiful picture. Wish him happy with no pain on 'Planet Panda'," said netizen zbmomo.

Tang called him "the Brave" in an article mourning Pengpeng, and hoped his smile can continue to cheer people up, even though he cannot see them again.

The China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda invited relevant specialists to jointly participate in pathological study of Pengpeng.