The world's oldest panda, a giant panda named Jia Jia, has celebrated her 37th birthday yesterday, July 28. While many humans might not enjoy the idea of turning 37, for giant pandas, the age is a feat considering 37 panda years means 111 human years, according to Guinness World Records organization officials.
Since becoming 37, the world's oldest panda has set two Guinness World Records. Jia Jia, who celebrated her birthday in Hong Kong, now holds the title for "oldest panda ever in captivity" as well as "oldest panda living in captivity."
According to Ocean Park zoo, an animal and amusement park in Hong Kong, they do not hold Jia Jia's exact records but staff believe her birthday to be in August, reported The International Business Times.
The world's oldest panda was reportedly born in 1978. She was offered to Hong Kong in 1999 in celebration of the second anniversary of Britain giving control of the city to China.
Jia Jia jas had six cubs, only four of whom remain alive, according to TIME.
The world's oldest panda is currently residing in the Ocean Park with An An, who is about to turn 29. Jia Jia, An An and two other giant pandas named Ying Ying and Le Le celebrated the Guinness accomplishment with bamboo, vegetable ice cake and a party with 200 local senior citizens and caregivers.
Wild pandas are sadly one of the world's most endangered animals, but before, they used to roam all over southern and eastern China. They even used to venture out into Myanmar and Vietnam, according to Live Science.
As the conservation of giant pandas have been prevalent, in the past decade, their population in the wild has reportedly increased by 17 percent, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). In 2014, of which the latest has a count of, there are reportedly 1,864 giant wild pandas on record.
At 37 years old, Jia Jia, the world's oldest panda, is notable since the average lifespan of giant pandas is only 30 years in captivity and 14 to 20 years in the wild, according to WWF.
"Given their advanced years, An An and Jia Jia are both in satisfactory health," said Suzanne Gendron, executive director of zoological operations and education at Ocean Park.
Currently, Jia Jia, the world's oldest panda, is taking medication for high blood pressure and arthritis.
"Jia Jia takes regular medication for various conditions such as high blood pressure and arthritic pain, whereas An An has high blood pressure, which is common for giant pandas around his age," said Gendron.
In 2014, a Chinese government survey estimated the count of pandas in the wild to be 1,864, a 1% rise from 2003.
