China is mourning the death of the world's oldest giant panda, Basi, who died at the age of 37.

Basi was kept at the Fuzhou Giant Panda Research Centre in Fuzhou, in south-eastern China's Fujian province. 

Keepers said she was suffering from a number of ailments, including liver and kidney problems, when she died on Wednesday.

Her body is to be preserved and placed in a museum dedicated to her life.

Pandas are generally considered old after reaching 20 but can live for many more years in captivity, where they can be treated for diseases and shielded from accidents.

About 1864 live in the wild, where they are threatened chiefly with habitat loss.

About 420 others live in captivity in zoos and reserves, most in China.

AP