Taotao (Chinese: 涛涛 c. 1972 – April 2, 2008) was a Chinese giant panda. Taotao was China's oldest living giant panda at the time of her death at the age of 36.[1]
Taotao was born in the wild in Gansu province,[1] and in October 1994 was brought to the zoo in Jinan in the Shandong province.[1] Taotao never gave birth in captivity, despite the efforts of researchers and zoo keepers.[1]
Taotao was considered to be one of the Jinan Zoo's star attractions and was seen by millions of visitors from 1994 to 2008.[1] The Jinan Zoo reportedly bestowed the title of "ambassador of harmonious zoology" on Taotao.[1]
Taotao died from brain thrombus and a cerebral hemorrhage on April 2, 2008, at the Jinan Zoo.[1] She had been in declining health since the brain thrombus disease was discovered in February 2008.[1] Taotao lived far beyond the life expectancy of a giant panda, who usually live to the age of 25 years.[1] Taotao's remains will reportedly be returned to Gansu province.[1]
As of 2008, over 200 of the giant pandas that are native to China live in captivity around the world.[1]
