I just don't know where to even begin with one of the saddest messages I have ever written - and know this news will come as a terrible shock to you, as it has to everyone in Chengdu. Naji died suddenly on Wednesday and, whilst no-one was there to see it happen, the lack of any associated noise and the wound itself looked to Cath and the vet team to be tragically "play gone wrong". Naji was found just seconds after lunch with a wound in his lower abdomen which had caused him to bleed to death. He had been captured on video just minutes before playing with best friend Peanut in the enclosure outside.

This brave little bear had integrated so well into the natural enclosure of House 6 with disabled bears like Freedom, Prince, Douglas, the cubs, and all the other bears who welcomed this ball of naughtiness into the fold. After weeks of joyous play, Peanut is apparently wandering around listlessly looking for his friend and no-one on site can believe that he's gone.

I wasn't there as am in the UK in the middle of our Roadshow but, over the past few hours since he died, the emails have been flooding in from our Chinese and Western staff just stunned and broken that something so unforeseen and premature has happened to our beloved Naji.

One thought from Angela has comforted a lot of people - that Uncle Andrew is caring for him now - but I think it's going to be a long, long time before anyone in Chengdu can come to terms with his death and, again, I am so, so sorry to be passing on this news.

I'd like to leave you with Cath's conclusion after a harrowing Post Mortem by our brave vet team who never in their wildest dreams expected to see him on the table, together with her beautiful poem, just for Naji, which was translated and read out at his funeral by a heartbroken team.

On the afternoon of Wednesday 27th June Naji's life was cut tragically short. An accident during play resulted in a deep wound to a main artery causing fatal blood loss. There was no sign that there was a deliberate attack. Needless to say, the loss of our lively, mischievous baby has left us all deeply shocked. There is some comfort in the fact that his passing would have been quick. Thank you for all you gave in your short time with us Naji. RIP.

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Dear Naji,

During your life you knew love from the start

And when you arrived captured everyone’s heart.

So bold, full of mischief, naughty and fun,

You loved to play in the warmth of the sun.

You had good friends, both human and bear,

Who cherished your joy in a life free of care.

You brought us all laughter, you made us all smile

As you embraced your new life in your own Naji style.

Yet today we find ourselves saying goodbye.

Hearts heavy with grief, we can only ask why.

Your spirit too free to remain with us here,

Your soul so precious, forever held dear.

Your life was a happy one; you knew not the pain

Or the suffering of so many bears that remain

In their tortuous world. Tell them they’re not alone.

Hope will come again, one day they will come home.

So as you must go, then go with our love.

You live on in our hearts as we look up above.

Evermore in our thoughts, you left us too soon,

But your spirit shines on by the light of the moon.

Cath xxx

RIP little Naji - we all loved you, Jill x

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