New documentary about the giant panda Fu Bao? It seems that a world premiere dedicated to the very famous teddy bear will take place. The new film should hit the screens this year, drawing international attention not only to its story. But also to the recent and painful passing of “Lu Lu”. The latter is one of the most beloved specimens hosted by the China Center for Giant Panda Conservation and Research .
On April 15, 2025, the center officially announced the death of Lu Lu. Lu Lu was a male panda rescued from the wild in 1999 in Lushan County, Lushan City. Ya'an , Sichuan Province. After his rescue, Lu Lu was entrusted to the care of the Panda Center, where for over twenty years he led conservation and research programs for the giant panda, China's iconic species and an icon of global biodiversity.
New documentary about giant panda Fu Bao and the story of Lu Lu
In recent years, the research center has developed a customized health plan for Lu Lu, including a controlled diet, trace element and vitamin supplements, and monitored physical activity. These interventions also include specific treatments to combat depigmentation of the nose and eyes, typical conditions associated with aging in pandas.
However, starting in early 2025, Lu Lu began showing signs of fatigue, such as increasing lethargy and a poor appetite. The center, working with renowned wildlife veterinarians, attempted multiple advanced treatment protocols, but none were able to reverse the animal's decline.
The disease and the diagnosis
At 11:15 a.m. on April 4, 2025, Lu Lu died of multiple organ failure—involving kidneys and lungs—due to a severe abdominal infection caused by intestinal perforation with massive ascites and extensive necrosis. According to the Center, intestinal perforation is an acute condition: by tearing the intestinal wall, the contents spill into the abdominal cavity, causing peritonitis and, in severe cases, septic shock. Possible causes include prolonged consumption of tough-fiber bamboo, chronic inflammation, obstruction, and trauma.
These interactions are more likely to affect older pandas or those with chronic diseases, and early diagnosis is challenging. The giant panda's high pain threshold makes early detection of symptoms difficult. The disease is often detected only when it is already advanced, leaving little scope for effective surgery.
Lu Lu's legacy and conservation mission
The new documentary about Fu Bao should also pay tribute to Lu Lu. His passing has left a profound void among the center's staff and the scientific community. His life, from the freedom of the Lushan forests to the protection of the Ya'an Panda Center, remains a symbol of the species' struggle for survival.
The launch of the new documentary on Fu Bao —another giant panda in the news—will be an opportunity to tell the world not only about the beauty of these animals, but also about the daily public challenges related to their conservation, repopulation programs, and research into the health risks affecting the species.