CHIANG MAI, Sept 19 (TNA) – Chinese veterinarians and
their Thai counterparts at Chiang Mai Zoo are ready to perform an autopsy on Panda
Chuang Chuang to determine the cause of the giant panda’s death.
The cause of unexpected and shocking death of the
19-year-old male panda on Monday has not been known since an autopsy must be
jointly performed by Thai and Chinese authorities under an agreement.
On Thursday, the team of Chinese veterinarians arrived at
Chiang Mai Zoo and held discussion with their Thai counterparts.
Eleven Thai and Chinese veterinarians and officials will
perform the autopsy on Chuang Chuang whose body has been kept at an animal
hospital inside the zoo, according to officials.
The preliminary result of the post-mortem examination is
expected soon after the operation. Organ
tissues of the panda will be collected for laboratory tests, which will be
completed in one week.
Thailand just celebrated Chuang Chuang’s 19th birthday on
August 6. Zoo officials have said they
had given regular monthly health examination and blood tests to Chuang Chuang
and his mate.
The pair of giant pandas arrived in Thailand on loan from
China in October 2003. (TNA)
