Following a last meal that included a blueberry muffin, some boiled yams, and a bit of bamboo, veterinarians at the National Zoo administered a lethal injection to Hsing-Hsing on Sunday, ending the life of the giant panda who symbolized the beginning of a reconciliation between China and the United States. Doctors decided to end Hsing-Hsing's life when it became apparent that he was in constant pain and his quality of life was gone. Hsing-Hsing, along with his longtime female denmate Ling-Ling, was presented to the United States in 1972, following President Nixon's trip to China. Ling-Ling died in 1992.
Passage: Hsing-Hsing, 28
Following a last meal that included a blueberry muffin, some boiled yams, and a bit of bamboo, veterinarians at the National Zoo administered a lethal injection to Hsing-Hsing on Sunday, ending the life of the giant panda who symbolized the beginning of a reconciliation between China and the United States. Doctors decided to end Hsing-Hsing's life when it became apparent that he was in constant pain and his quality of life was gone. Hsing-Hsing, along with his longtime female denmate Ling-Ling, was presented to the United States in 1972, following President Nixon's trip to China. Ling-Ling died in 1992.
