Pandas Ban Ban (Hangzhou Safari Park) and Xiang Guo (Hangzhou Zoo) died on February 9 and 10, 2026, after falling ill despite treatment. A joint statement from local authorities confirmed this. Autopsies determined that Ban Ban died. For intestinal obstruction. Xiang Guo, meanwhile, suffered from mesenteric volvulus. In both cases, the outcome was multiorgan failure.
Giant pandas Ban Ban and Xiang Guo die in Hangzhou: What happened (timeline and confirmed facts)
The deaths of two pandas, Ban Ban and Xiang Guo, were announced in an official statement, which reported two deaths in close succession. Ban Ban died on February 9th and Xiang Guo on February 10th. The statement was jointly signed by the Hangzhou Forestry and Water Resources Bureau, the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, and the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.According to the same statement, both animals died "as a result of illness" despite medical intervention. The key issue, however, is the autopsy results: intestinal obstruction for Ban Ban and mesenteric volvulus for Xiang Guo.
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Causes of death: obstruction and volvulus (clearly explained)
Intestinal obstruction is a condition in which intestinal contents fail to pass through the intestinal tract, and in pandas, it can quickly become a medical emergency. Mesenteric volvulus (twisting of the mesentery, compromising blood supply and intestine) is an even more serious condition, as it can quickly lead to shock and systemic damage.The statement calls these two conditions "acute abdominal diseases" and classifies them as "major diseases" in the captive panda population. The statement also indicates mortality rates of "up to 60%" and "up to 100%" (respectively) for these conditions in giant pandas.
Investigation, closures and immediate measures
Authorities have announced an urgent investigation into both zoos involved. Effective immediately, the panda exhibit areas at both Hangzhou Safari Park and Hangzhou Zoo have been temporarily closed while the investigations are underway.To protect the remaining pandas in Hangzhou, the statement also specifies two relocations: Yiyi will be returned to the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, and Chunsheng to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.