Giant panda years ago) from the main ursine stock; since it is the most basal member of the group, it is equidistant from all other extant ursids. The giant panda has been referred to as a living fossil. Despite the shared name, habitat type, and diet, as well as a unique enlarged bone called the "pseudo thumb" (which helps them grip the bamboo shoots they eat) the giant panda and red panda are only distantly related. The word "panda" was borrowed into English from French, but no conclusive explanation of the origin of the French word "panda" has been found. The closest
Taotao (giant panda) the title of "ambassador of harmonious zoology" on Taotao. Taotao died from brain thrombus and a cerebral hemorrhage on April 2, 2008, at the Jinan Zoo. She had been in declining health since the brain thrombus disease was discovered in February 2008. Taotao lived far beyond the average life expectancy of a giant panda, who usually live to the age of 25 years. Taotao's remains will reportedly be returned to Gansu province. As of 2008, over 200 of the giant pandas that are native to China live in captivity around the world. Taotao (giant panda) Taotao ( c. 1972 –