World's oldest panda Jia Jia dies in Hong Kong read more at here www.spinonews.com/index.php/item/1299-world-s-oldest-panda-jia-jia-dies-in-hong-kong

The world's oldest panda in captivity died Sunday in Hong Kong's Ocean Park.

Jia Jia, whose name means "good", had been gifted to Hong Kong in 1999 along with another panda, to mark the second anniversary of the city's handover from former colonial ruler Britain.

In a statement, Ocean Park said the panda had been "rapidly deteriorating" in recent weeks, with greatly reduced food consumption and a marked decrease in weight. She had shown no interest in food or fluids during her final days and her condition worsened this morning, when she was unable to walk and spent the day lying down.

The average lifespan for a panda in the wild is 18 to 20 years, while in captivity it is 30 years, according to Guinness. 

HK 37-year-old panda Jia Jia set Guinness record of "oldest panda ever in captivity" (Lui Siu Wai) pic.twitter.com/kyXNuOEg6H

— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) July 28, 2015

In recent weeks Jia Jia's food consumption had sharply declined from over 10kg (22 pounds) to less than three kg (six pounds) per day and her average weight dropped from 71kg (156 pounds) to around 67kg (147 pounds).

"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," Ocean Park said in a statement posted on its website.