Panda Le Le dies at zoo in Memphis

After 20 years at Memphis Zoo in Tennessee, the giant panda Le Le died unexpectedly on Wednesday morning, the zoo has announced.

Le Le was born on July 18, 1998, at Shanghai Zoo and was sent to Tennessee in 2003, and was due to return to China this year after the end of the loan agreement with the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens.

"Le Le's name translates to 'happy happy', and his name perfectly reflected his personality," the zoo said in a statement.

"Le Le was a happy bear that enjoyed apples, engaging with enrichment and relaxing while covering himself with freshly shredded bamboo. He had an easygoing personality and was a favorite of all who met and worked with him over the years."

Over those years Le Le delighted millions of guests, served as an exemplary ambassador for his species and remains a shining symbol of the conservation partnership with China, the zoo said. A cause of death has yet to be determined as a medical investigation is pending.

A wreath of white roses, along with a black and white photo of Le Le, bamboo leaves and one of his blankets, were placed in his playroom in a photo posted to the zoo's Twitter account.

A spokesperson of the Chinese embassy in the US said: "We are saddened by the passing of giant panda Le Le", and an expert group will be sent to work with US counterparts to determine the cause of death.

Bringing joy

Le Le brought a lot of joy to people of the US and played a unique role in promoting China-US collaboration in giant panda conservation and friendly exchanges, the spokesperson said.

Le Le's surviving partner Ya Ya, which is still at the zoo, is due to be returned to China soon. Ya Ya, born at Beijing Zoo, came to Memphis with Le Le the same year as part of a Sino-US giant panda protection and research program.

In recent years Memphis Zoo has drawn criticism from animal activists who said the pandas were being mistreated and neglected.

Detailed statements from the zoo said Ya Ya and Le Le were in great health, especially for their age.

The Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens organized experts from zoos and research centers to check on Ya Ya's well-being, and an official with the organization said last month that no signs of neglect had been found.

Memphis Zoo is one of three zoos in the US to have pandas, courtesy of the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens. The other two are Atlanta Zoo and the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington.

The life expectancy of a giant panda in the wild is about 15 years, but in captivity they have lived to be as old as 38. Decades of conservation efforts in the wild and study in captivity saved the giant panda from extinction.

Agencies contributed to this story.