Le Le - giant panda

Sex: Male

Date of birth: 18 July 1998

Mother: XinXing

Location of birth: China

Date of death: 1 February 2023

Location of death / captivity: Memphis Zoo, USA

Age at death: 24

History

LeLe at Memphis Zoo.

LeLe was a male giant panda who was on loan for 20 years from the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens to Memphis Zoo, USA. LeLe was captive at the zoo for 20 years and, under the load agreement, was due to be returned to China on the 7th April 2023. YaYa, who is also captive at Memphis Zoo, is due to be returned to China under the same load agreement as China requires foreign zoos that host pandas on loan to allow older animals to spend their final days on Chinese soil. Panda Voices and In Defense of Animals, who campaign for the release of LeLe and YaYa, raised concerns over the wellbeing of both pandas including:

• Insufficient bamboo

• Malnourishment
• Excessive Caging Time (10+hours)
• Stereotypical Behavior
• Distressed Mental Health
• Skin Mite Disease
• Dental Problems

Panda Voices and In Defense of Animals made several recommendations to improve conditions for the LeLe and YaYa but these were reportedly not considered by Memphis Zoo.

On February 1 Panda Voices tweeted after watching the Memphis Zoo Panda Cam (offline as of February 2023).

The zoo was closed to the public on Jan 31 8AM after sitting still for a long time #LeLe looked around him n find nothing palatable. He fell to the floor, slept for 2h 2PM keeper got off the work. Le's drowsiness continued Now it's 10AM Feb 1 @MemphisZoo where’s Le? Is he fine?

On February 3 Memphis Zoo announced LeLe had died on February 1.

On February 3, Memphis Zoo announced that LeLe had passed away on February 1. We were aghast with their statements during the press conference that took place. When asked about LeLe’s recent health, they shockingly said, “We saw no indication that would lead us to believe there is anything wrong with LeLe.” Only the most unobservant or untruthful could make this claim with a straight face. When journalists asked about the concerns raised by In Defense of Animals and Panda Voices about LeLe’s recent lack of appetite, weakness, and his filmed collapse, they had the nerve to claim that LeLe “was just being silly,” “he acts dramatically,” and “he was simply lying down on that video” A few days later, according to them, LeLe “suddenly” died (as if his frightening collapse didn’t indicate anything wrong!).

See also

• YaYa - giant panda
• List of living captive giant pandas

External links

• Panda Voices
• In Defense of Animals
• Panda Voices with Tom & Sarah All About Animals Radio Podcast
• UPDATE: LeLe the Giant Panda Dies of Neglect After Collapse at Memphis Zoo Shortly Before Return to China IDAUSA
• Petition: End Pandas YaYa & LeLe’s suffering and send them back home now! change.org
• Heartbreaking News As Beloved Panda LeLe Has Passed Away After Collapsing On The Panda Live Cam At The Memphis Zoo World Animal News
• Chinese Anger Rises over 'Malnourished' Pandas in U.S. Zoo Newsweek
• Animal Advocates Seek Justice for Giant Panda LeLe Who Died in Memphis Zoo One Green Planet
• Memphis Zoo giant panda ‘Le Le’ cause of death revealed