Shi Shi dies in retirement in China

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Sad news from the San Diego Zoo: Shi Shi, the male panda who lived at the zoo from 1996 to 2003, has died in his native China.

Shi Shi fathered a cub by artificial insemination during his stay at the zoo. But he was returned to China when he proved unwilling to mate the natural way. He retained a following among zoo patrons.

Shi Shi, thought to be in his 30s, died July 5 at Ghuanzhou Zoo where he had been receiving care for several years to thwart the ravages of age. He had been born in the wild and injured in a rutting fight with another male.

There is no immediate indication that his death is linked to the recent earthquake that devastated much of China, officials said.

-- Tony Perry, in San Diego