37-year-old Hong Kong giant panda becomes world's oldest

A female giant panda in Hong Kong has celebrated her 37th birthday - reaching the equivalent of 111 human years - making her the world's oldest panda ever in captivity, Guinness World Records has said.
Jia Jia, who resides at Ocean Park in Hong Kong turned 37 yesterday and now holds the titles for Oldest panda ever in captivity and the Oldest panda living in captivity.
Jia Jia was born in 1978 and arrived at the park in March 1999, and has lived there ever since.
Previously, the oldest panda in captivity was Dudu, who was born in 1962 and lived for the majority of her life in Wuhan Zoo, Chengdu, also in China, until her death in 1999 aged 36 years.

Jia Jia's long life is particularly impressive as the average lifespan of giant pandas is only 18-20 years, and 30 in captivity, Guinness World Records said.
"Given [her] advanced years, Jia Jia [is] in satisfactory health. Jia Jia takes regular medication for various conditions such as high blood pressure and arthritic pain," said Suzanne Gendron, Executive Director of Zoological Operations and Education of Ocean Park.
"Despite her poor eye sight, Jia Jia can recognise the familiar voices of her carers, some of whom have been with her for as many as 15 years. This gives her a strong sense of security," she said.

Wild pandas were once found all over southern and eastern China and well into Myanmar and Vietnam, but they are now considered one of the world's most endangered animals.