Giant Panda Xin Xin, the female star at Macao Giant Panda Pavilion, at 8.18 pm last tonight after an illness, despite all attempts to save her.

Xin Xin had suffered from kidney function disorder, particularly during oestrus, which affected her appetite and sleep, resulting in a sharp decline in her kidney function.

The Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM) expressed its deep sorrow for Xin Xin’s death, and will co-operate with an expert team from Chengdu to conduct a detailed investigation into the actual cause of death.

According to a joint press conference held by the IACM and the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding last night, an IACM veterinarian found that a test of Xin Xin’s blood revealed abnormal renal function. The test was performed at the end of May during a routine physical examination of the two giant pandas housed in the Seac Pai Van Country Park, Coloane.

At the time, Xin Xin showed no clinical symptoms except unco-operative behaviour during training sessions. The IACM’s giant panda nursing team immediately invited experts from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to visit Macao to conduct a series of examinations on Xin Xin.

Tests revealed that Xin Xin’s kidneys were not functioning properly, and after thorough discussions, the team developed a course of treatment for her.

Xin Xin’s condition improved one week into the treatment. But as she entered her oestrus reproductive cycle two weeks ago, which affected her appetite and increased her physical activity, she became restless and irritable.

This resulted in a further reduction in food and water consumption, which caused a significant drop in renal function: Xin Xin developed symptoms such as shock and renal failure.

Though all possible rescue measures were taken, Xin Xin was declared dead at 8:18pm last night. The preliminary diagnosis was acute renal failure with complications of hemorrhagic enteritis. However, the IACM’s giant panda nursing team will co-operate with the expert team from Chengdu to investigate in detail the actual cause of Xin Xin’s death.

Currently, Kai Kai, the male companion of Xin Xin, is in normal health. The IACM’s giant panda nursing team and the expert team from Chengdu will continue to monitor his physical condition.

Following the death of Xin Xin, the Macao Giant Panda Pavilion is temporarily closed until further notice.