World's oldest panda raised in cage critically ill

Meimei, a giant panda that has lived in the Guilin Zoo of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region for 20 years, is seriously ill due to its old age. The illness has getting increasingly serious in the past month.

In the last few days, Meimei almost stopped eating and even lost the strength to stand up. According to the principal of the Guilin Zoo, Meimei is a survivor in the disaster at the Wolong Nature Reserve in 1985, when blossom of large numbers of bamboos caused many giant pandas to die. In September 1985, Meimei was sent to the Guilin Zoo under special approval of the Ministry of Forestry. Meimei, 36 now, is the oldest giant panda being raised in cages. The average life expectancy of giant panda is 25 years. Thus, Meimei is equivalent to a centenarian.

By People's Daily Online

A local resident looks at Meimei.

Two children donate money for Meimei.

Meimei walks in the yard after treatment.