Giant panda Tuan Tuan given palliative care in Taiwan

A giant panda suffering from a suspected malignant brain tumor has been given palliative care in Taiwan region, according to the Taipei Zoo on Wednesday.

Panda experts from the Chinese mainland arrived in Taiwan on Tuesday and visited the giant panda Tuan Tuan. Experts from across the Taiwan Strait have agreed that no upgraded treatment will be given to the giant panda in the short term, the zoo said.

Tuan Tuan's physical condition and activity level have remained stable over the past two days, said the zoo, adding that since the panda's condition is not suitable for surgery, experts will focus their efforts on improving its quality of life.

"Tuan Tuan is in good condition today. It is getting better, and has started eating," said Yu Zhenfang, a researcher at Taipei Zoo, "I think mainland experts may feel a little relieved to see this."

Wang I-min, head of the animal division at Taipei Zoo said at a press conference: "In fact, the amounts of food and feces of Tuantuan have been the same. Its movement sometimes seemed better and smoother. We think its overall situation has remained stable, but it has not fully recovered."

The mainland experts will stay in Taiwan for the next few days to communicate with the zoo and provide suggestions on the panda's medical and daily care.

Tuan Tuan and the female panda Yuan Yuan arrived in Taipei as a goodwill gift from the mainland in late2008 and have been deeply beloved by Taiwan compatriots.