On the evening of August 6th, Guangzhou Zoo announced the passing of "Baolong," the elephant that has accompanied generations of the city's residents, in the early hours of July 25th.

For nearly half a century, the Asian elephant "Baolong" has witnessed countless significant moments in the history of Guangzhou Zoo, as it grew up alongside many citizens of Guangzhou. It is reported that the Zoo plans to create a scientific specimen of "Baolong" to continue its company for the community.

Witness to the 48 years of change in Guangzhou

"Baolong," born in 1976, was the longest-serving "model worker" at Guangzhou Zoo. Not only was it the first elephant many children in Guangzhou have ever seen, but it has also played a role as a witness in the Zoo's animal diplomacy over 48 years of time.

The parents of "Baolong" and its brother "Yuelong" were the Asian elephants "Babao" and "Yilong." Babao, the first elephant raised by Guangzhou Zoo, was gifted by thenIndian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1956, and later presented to the Zoo by Premier Zhou Enlai. Their mother Yilong was donated by Ho Chi Minh, then President of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, and was arranged to be paired with Babao under the direction of Premier Zhou Enlai, marking the beginning of a new chapter of breeding Asian elephants in the Zoo.

In May 1966, Guangzhou Zoo successfully bred Asian elephants for the first time in China, followed by the births of four baby elephants in October 1969, April 1976, and November 1980. Except for the first two offspring that were sent to other zoos, the youngest two, Baolong and Yuelong, have been living in the Guangzhou Zoo. The Zoo's iconic logo is modeled afterthe elephant to commemorate its history of animal diplomacy.

Over the 48 years, Baolong has gradually become a cherished figure for many citizens. In the 2023 film "Love Never Ends", Baolong made an on-screen appearance alongside stars Ni Dahong and Hui Yinghong. This brief moment of its appearancein the film also became a lasting memory for the public.

May Baolong find joy and peace on the 'Elephant Planet'

At 19:45, August 6th, Guangzhou Zoo released a video obituary titled"Goodbye, Baolong." According to the video, on July 24th, 2024, while playing, Baolong fell down and could not stand up again on its own. The Zoo quickly organized its caretakers and veterinarians for emergency treatment and invited domestic experts for remote consultation. Sadly, at 00:24, July 25th, Baolong passed away from its injuries despite all these efforts to save it. An autopsy revealed that Baolong died of heart failure due to a broken rib that affected its left lung lobe.

Zoo staff expressed, "Although Baolong's life is forever frozen in time, its spirit will live on: the Zoo plans to create a scientific specimen of Baolong,enabling it to continue accompanying us."

Following the announcement, many citizens and visitors wrote heartfelt messages filled with nostalgia and sorrow. One person remarked, "Baolong seems to have witnessed every significant moment in my life. It was always there. The elephant my parents saw when they were young at the zoo, the one I saw as a child, and the one I've seen as an adult after graduation and starting work, all have Baolong's presence." In the hearts of many locals, regardless of how time changes, their old buddy Baolong will always be there for them.

陪伴三代人的大象“宝龙”去世，将制为标本

8月6日晚，广州动物园发布消息，陪伴了几代广州街坊成长的大象“宝龙”，于7月25日凌晨离世。

在近半个世纪的岁月里，亚洲象“宝龙”见证了广州动物园一个个重要时刻，也陪伴了一代代广州市民成长。据悉，广州动物园计划制作“宝龙”的科普标本，继续陪伴市民。

见证广州48载岁月变迁

“宝龙”出生于1976年，是广州动物园里工龄最长的“劳模”。它不仅是很多广州孩子第一次亲眼见到的大象，更是48载光阴流转间，广州动物园动物外交的参与者、见证者。

“宝龙”和弟弟“跃龙”的父母分别为亚洲象“八宝”和“伊龙”。作为广州动物园饲养的第一只大象，“八宝”由时任印度总理尼赫鲁于1956年赠送，后由周恩来总理送给广州动物园。而母亲“伊龙”则是时任越南民主共和国主席胡志明赠送，后经周恩来总理指示被安排到广州动物园和“八宝”喜结连理。自此广州动物园开启了饲养和繁殖亚洲象的新篇章。

1966年5月，广州动物园首次在国内成功繁殖亚洲象，随后又在1969年10月、1976年4月、1980年11月先后繁殖四只小象。除了前两胎输出到其他动物园外，最小的两只亚洲象宝龙和跃龙，一直生活在园里。广州动物园的醒目标志便是以象为设计原型，以此纪念动物外交历史。

48年来，“宝龙”渐渐成为不少市民心中最牵挂的存在。在2023年上映的电影《我爱你！》中，“宝龙”曾与主演倪大红、惠英红同框。这段“友情客串”的影像，也成为了市民难以割舍的记忆。

愿宝龙在“象星”快乐无忧

8月6日19:45，广州动物园发布视频讣告《再见，宝龙》。视频中称，2024年7月24日19:45，宝龙在玩耍时摔倒，无法自行站立，动物园迅速组织饲养、兽医等人员全力抢救，并邀请国内专家同行远程会诊。7月25日 00:24，“宝龙”不幸因伤情严重，抢救无效死亡。经剖检，宝龙由于肋骨骨折伤及左肺肺叶，死于心肺功能衰竭。

广州动物园的工作人员表示，“虽然宝龙的生命永远定格，但它所代表的精神将得以传承：动物园计划制作宝龙的科普标本，继续陪伴大家。”

消息发布后，不少市民游客写下了一条条充满怀念与不舍的留言。有人说，宝龙见证了她的每一个重要时刻：“爸妈年轻时候去动物园看到的大象，我小时候去动物园看到的大象，我毕业后工作了看到的大象，都有宝龙的身影。”而在不少街坊心中，无论是过去、现在、未来，老伙计“宝龙”总会在。

文｜记者 孙牧 实习生 曾曦语
图｜广州动物园提供
翻译｜洪婷
英文审校｜赵凡