Sad news for the morning.
我們深切沉痛地宣布，全球歷來最長壽圈養大熊貓佳佳於今天與世長辭，終年38歲。我們為失去大熊貓佳佳而感到難過。
在過去兩個星期，佳佳的健康狀況急劇轉差；牠的進食量及平均體重均下跌至有紀錄以來最低 － 其進食量由逾10公斤急降至3公斤以下，體重亦由71公斤跌至67公斤左右。近幾天，佳佳清醒的時間越來越短，而且完全沒有食慾。今早佳佳的情況急劇轉壞，牠不能走動，只是倒臥在地上，可以做的治療方案僅限於減低其痛苦及緊張。由於她的身體狀況變得十分虛弱，漁農自然護理署及海洋公園的獸醫基於人道理由，一致同意為佳佳進行安樂死，以避免她繼續受苦。此決定亦切合動物園和水族館協會就安樂死設立的準則。海洋公園獸醫總監馬伯樂於下午6時許在位於香港賽馬會四川奇珍館，佳佳的居所內為其進行安樂死程序。
佳佳不僅是海洋公園的一份子，更陪伴香港人共渡了17載美好時光。佳佳是全球歷來最長壽圈養大熊貓，一般而言，野生大熊貓平均壽命少於20歲，而人工圈養的大熊貓平均壽命則為20歲左右。對我們來說，特別是對多年來照顧牠的員工，今天這日子的來臨縱使是早有心理準備，但仍然令人非常難過。
佳佳自來港後，一直擔任海洋公園動物保育大使的角色。其中以大熊貓為主題的教育課程深受遊人與學生的歡迎，並成功向大眾宣揚保育瀕危大熊貓及其自然生態環境的重要性，我們為牠在保育方面作出的貢獻引以為榮。
我們將於官方YouTube頻道上載一段有關佳佳的影片，表達我們對牠的懷念之情，亦會由10月22日起在「香港賽馬會四川奇珍館」外設立一個悼念板，讓遊人可向這位深受愛戴的動物大使致意。
佳佳，多謝您的陪伴,RIP!
#熊貓佳佳 #PandaJiaJia
With deep sadness and sorrow, we announce the passing of a celebrated life of 38-year-old Jia Jia, the world’s oldest giant panda to have lived under human care. All of us at Ocean Park are saddened by the loss of our giant panda, Jia Jia.
Jia Jia was observed to be rapidly deteriorating in recent two weeks, with her food consumption sharply declining from over 10kg to less than 3kg per day, and her average weight dropping from 71kg to around 67kg. Over the past few days, she has been spending less time awake and showing no interest in food or fluids. Her condition became worse this morning, Jia Jia was not able to walk about without difficulties and spent the day laying down. The medical management was limited to avoiding pain and distress. Her state became so debilitated that based on ethical reasons and in order to prevent suffering, veterinarians from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and Ocean Park agreed to a humane euthanasia for Jia Jia. This decision is also consistent with the approved euthanasia policy of the Park and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Dr. Paolo Martelli, Director for Veterinary Service, Ocean Park Hong Kong, performed the procedure at about 6pm today at Jia Jia’s den in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Sichuan Treasures.
Jia Jia has been with Ocean Park for 17 years. She was a member of our family and she will be deeply missed, especially by the Park’s keepers who took care of her over the years. Jia Jia was the world’s oldest giant panda ever under human care at the ripe old age of 38. The average life expectancy of the species is below 20 years in the wild, and around 20 years under human care. This is a day we knew would eventually come, but it is nevertheless a sad day for everyone at the Park.
Since the arrival of Jia Jia to Hong Kong, she has served as an important animal ambassador for her species. Ocean Park’s panda-related educational programmes have remained the most popular among guests and students, and have successfully raised public awareness on the importance of protecting this precious species and their natural habitat. We are proud of her contribution to conservation.
We will share a video made in memory of Jia Jia on our official YouTube channel and establish a memorial corner outside the HKJCST starting from Saturday, 22 October 2016 for guests to pay tribute to their beloved animal ambassador.
Jia Jia, thank you for being with us throughout the years! RIP!
