Du Du

Basic Profile

Du Du (Chinese: 都都), studbook number 56, was a female giant panda born in the wild of Nanping County (now Jiuzhaigou), Sichuan around 1962. She was discovered in June 1963 at approximately one year old and sent to Chengdu Zoo.

Life Journey

Du Du moved to Wuhan Zhongshan Park in 1972 and was transferred to Wuhan Zoo in 1985.

A Life Without Sight (1980–1999)

In 1980, at age 18, Du Du lost her eyesight to cataracts. She adapted remarkably, navigating her enclosure using hearing and smell alone for the remaining 19 years of her life.

In 1989, she developed epilepsy — a common risk for elderly pandas. She experienced seizures characterized by agitation, pacing, falling, convulsions, and foaming at the mouth.

The Longevity Record

On April 24, 1999, Wuhan Zoo celebrated Du Du’s 37th birthday. She was officially awarded the Guinness World Record (Shanghai Grand World Guinness) for “Longest-living Giant Panda” — equivalent to approximately 110 human years.

Death

On July 22, 1999, Du Du suffered a fatal epileptic seizure. Despite emergency treatment, she died at 37 years old.

Legacy

Du Du’s body was preserved as a taxidermy specimen. Her keeper, Chen Jun, has maintained a tradition of cleaning her specimen every year at Qingming Festival and on the anniversary of her death. Even years later, visitors continued to leave flowers at her specimen in the Wuhan Zoo panda pavilion.