Scheduled to Meet Visitors on the Afternoon of the 12th
Panda Center Also Unveils Fubao's New Outdoor Enclosure
As Fu Bao prepares for his first public appearance since moving to China, the panda base caretaker revealed that Fu Bao is currently adapting well to the Chinese environment and is in good health. At a press conference held on the afternoon of the 11th at the Wolong China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center’s Xueshanping Base in Sichuan Province, dedicated caretaker Xu Xiang expressed confidence in Fu Bao’s adaptation status.
On the 12th at 10:30 AM, Fubao will meet the public at the "Fortune Has Come! Fortune Has Come! Meeting with Fubao" event held at the Wolong Training Base in Sichuan Province. The event will be broadcast live on China's Hunan Satellite TV and Mango TV. [Photo by Weibo]
Regarding the hair loss concerns shown in the released photos, Xu Xiang stated, "During the quarantine period, localized hair loss was observed, but there were no signs of increased dandruff, psoriasis, or other abnormal symptoms, and no pathogens causing hair loss were found." He also explained, "Hair loss is a common phenomenon in pandas and is influenced by seasonal and environmental changes as well as fluctuations in hormone levels. Overall, Fu Bao is very healthy."
Earlier last month, photos showing Fu Bao’s daily life were leaked on Chinese social networking services (SNS). The photos showed someone touching Fu Bao with bare hands or seemingly feeding him. There were also marks and patches of missing fur on Fu Bao’s neck, which appeared to be caused by wearing a collar. This sparked suspicions among Chinese netizens, including concerns that "Fu Bao, who is in a non-exhibition area, might have been used for guest interactions" and "there is a possibility of abuse."
Xu Xiang referred to a spot on Fu Bao’s head as a "beauty mark," saying, "Since Fu Bao is a female panda, the term ‘beauty mark’ fits very well." He added, "I think it is very unique (special) that Fu Bao has a beauty mark on her head." He explained, "This beauty mark appeared because Fu Bao, during cage adaptation training, would sit and lean against the cage handles and corners while sleeping. We have continuously recorded Fu Bao’s condition with videos during the quarantine period." He also mentioned that after discovering the beauty mark, veterinarians examined it and said that the fur in that area was slightly broken."
Earlier, on the 11th, a day before Fu Bao’s public unveiling, the center also showed the media the new outdoor enclosure where Fu Bao will live. The outdoor enclosure, located in the middle of the Xueshanping Base at the Wolong China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center in Sichuan Province, covers about 300 square meters (91 pyeong) and consists of trees, bushes, and a small pond. The door connecting the indoor and outdoor enclosures will be kept open, allowing Fu Bao to freely move between the two areas.
On the 11th, one day before the public viewing of Giant Panda Pubao, who left Korea for China last April, Xu Xiang, the dedicated caretaker of Pubao, is answering questions from the press at the outdoor enclosure of the Wolong China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center in Sichuan Province, China. [Photo by Yonhap News]
On the 12th at 10:30 a.m., Fu Bao will meet the public at the "Fortune Has Come! Fortune Has Come! Meeting with Fu Bao" event held at the Wolong Xueshanping Base in Sichuan Province. The event will be broadcast live on China’s Hunan Satellite TV and Mango TV. From the afternoon of the same day, 999 people who made prior reservations will visit the base to see Fu Bao in person, and starting from the 13th, up to 12,000 visitors per day will be allowed. With expectations of a steady stream of Korean tourists, the local travel industry is reportedly preparing accordingly.
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