Zhengzhou Zoo has been forbidden to introduce rare animals by the local forestry bureau after Jinyi, one of its leased pandas, died earlier this month, Henan Business Daily reported on Tuesday.

According to Shang Guangzhu, chief of the wildlife protection department in the city's forestry bureau, the ban is temporary and will be withdrawn if the autopsy report on the deceased panda shows the zoo was not at fault.

"We issued the ban in consideration of caring for the animals and the zoo," Shang said.

The forestry authority of Sichuan province, from where the pandas were rented, told media that if Zhengzhou Zoo is found guilty in the death, the Sichuan Forestry Department will take back the other panda from the zoo.

Jinyi had lived in Zhengzhou Zoo since 2011 and was found dead on the morning of Feb 9. After her death was reported, the zoo has been criticized for the bad living conditions of its animals.

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