CHIANG MAI, Sept 23 (TNA) – Thai mourners join a merit
making ceremony marking one week after Chuang Chuang, the male giant panda on
loan from China, died at Chiang Mai Zoo.
Zookeepers, officials and panda lovers gave alms to 19
Buddhist monks and attended a ritual based on local Lanna customs to mourn the
death of the beloved panda which had been at the zoo for 16
years.
Thai and Chinese officials had jointly conducted post-mortem
examination on Chuang Chuang last week but they had not announced the cause of
the death.
Chiang Mai Zoo director Wutthichai Muangman said the cause
of unexpected death could not be revealed.
Thorough examinations were needed in accordance with the
bilateral agreement between Thailand and China, Wutthichai said.
The Zoo awaited official notice from China, he added.
A team of 11 Thai and Chinese officials
conducted the post-mortem examination on Thursday. Officials said earlier that organ tissues of
the panda would be collected for laboratory tests. (TNA)
