Fans in Taiwan and Japan are mourning James the English Bulldog, one half of a popular animal duo often featured on a Japanese television show.
James and his partner Pankun the chimpanzee starred in a regular segment on NTV’s “Genius! Shimura Zoo” program, with the animal buddies often challenged to complete human tasks, such as shopping for groceries, or picking chestnuts.
The pair’s owners, the Cuddly Dominion Zoo, announced that James passed away on March 8th, at the age of 12.
Representatives say James enjoyed his last few years in comfortable retirement at the zoo in Kumamoto Prefecture, where Pankun continues to perform in daily shows.
“The Adventure of Pan and James” was broadcasted in Taiwan for the first time on JETTV in early 2006, setting a record for the channel’s highest viewership numbers that year, at 184,000.
After the announcement of James’ passing on Monday, Taiwan fans expressed their sadness online, thanking the star for the happiness he brought into their lives.
photo source: Cuddly Dominion Zoo Facebook
