"Raised with Care, Then Sent Away"... Controversy Over Poor Treatment of 'Pubao' Sent to China

Korean Beloved Pubao Moves to China on the 3rd
Local Officials Seem to Harass Him Caught on Camera
Netizens Angry... "Healthy and Safe" Clarification

There are concerns that Fubao, who was lovingly raised in Korea, is not receiving proper protection in China. On the 3rd, Chinese state-run Xinhua News Agency and others broadcasted Fubao's return to China live, during which some officials were seen seemingly mistreating Fubao. At around 10:40 a.m. that day, Fubao departed Everland, was transported to Incheon International Airport in a vibration-free truck typically used for semiconductor transport, and then flew to China on a chartered plane.

Photo of a reporter without a mask posing with Fubao in front of the cage (left), and a staff member poking Fubao with their hand upon arrival at the airport (right). [Image source=Weibo, Xinhua News Agency YouTube capture]

Fubao arrived at Shuangliu International Airport in Chengdu, China, at around 7:37 p.m. Showing signs of fatigue from the first flight and unfamiliar environment, Fubao briefly rested in the cage. However, a man lifted the cage cover and woke Fubao. Camera flashes from local reporters went off repeatedly, causing Fubao to move around in surprise. One man even inserted his finger through the ventilation hole in the cage to touch Fubao. On the Chinese social networking service (SNS) Weibo, a photo of reporters without masks posing in front of the cage with Fubao was posted but later deleted amid criticism. Some have also claimed that Fubao was transported in a regular truck in China, raising safety concerns.

In response, voices expressing concern for Fubao's health emerged locally in China. On Weibo, comments such as "I hope the finger in the cage gets cut off," "Fubao seems scared," and "Officials should wear masks and gloves" appeared. Since pandas are animals with very sensitive hearing and can be startled by even small sounds, many pointed out the need to consider Fubao's well-being. Criticism is also pouring in from Korea, where Fubao was dearly loved. Comments like "What’s the point of raising it so carefully," "This was a concern from the moment it was said Fubao would return to China," and "Why bother with quarantine and isolation if this is how it’s going to be" were common.

However, the China Panda Protection Research Center stated on SNS that "the personnel involved are professional veterinarians from the center, and the finger touch was an essential check to assess Fubao’s condition," adding that "Fubao is safe and healthy." Regarding the criticism about handling the quarantined animal with bare hands, they clarified that "hand disinfection was completed in advance."

On the morning of the 3rd, citizens at Everland in Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, are seeing off Puba, who is leaving for China, by watching a vibration-free special vehicle carrying him. Photo by Joint Press Corps

Fubao is a giant panda born in July 2020 through the first natural breeding in Korea, and was loved by the entire nation during the pandemic. According to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), pandas born outside China must be sent to China before the age of four. Accordingly, Fubao left Korea on the 3rd. Despite the rain around Everland that day, more than 6,000 citizens gathered to see Fubao off in person. Fubao is scheduled to undergo a month-long quarantine at the Giant Panda Conservation Research Center in Sichuan Province, China, before settling into a new home.