Parasite caused panda’s sudden death: Zhengzhou Zoo  

郑州动物园大熊猫“锦意”死因公布:感染弓形虫病

Photo shows a new house is being buit for the other panda.

Zhengzhou (ECNS) -- One month after announcing the sudden death of panda "Jinyi," Zhengzhou Zoo named the cause of death on Wednesday, Chinanews.com reported.

An acute attack of bacteria and a toxoplasma gondii infection caused acute hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, resulting in heavy bleeding, the zoo said. The panda died during the rescue process because of lung and heart failure.

Li Tongyi, leading veterinarian of the zoo, said toxoplasma gondii is rarely seen in pandas. "Jinyi had an overall health check before coming here and was checked every two years after," he said. "None of them found any sign of illness."

Li added that they had improved management of the other panda at the zoo and increased sterilizing times.

The zoo said experts performed an autopsy on Jinyi and sent samples to the Changchun-based Academy of Military Medical Science, which later arranged five experts for epidemiological research.

Toxoplasma gondii is a type of parasite that causes the disease toxoplasmosis, and is capable of infecting virtually all warm-blooded animals.

The zoo announced on Feb 13 that the adolescent panda "Jinyi" was dead, days after zoo officials claimed it had been sent away for mating. Questions were raised about whether an unsanitary housing environment played a role in its sudden illness.

Panda 'Jinyi' dies in 'stinky' Zhengzhou Zoo

The Zhengzhou Zoo in Henan province has confirmed that a panda referred to as "missing" by local media was in fact dead, and has come under fire for housing the animal in an unsanitary environment.