Giant Panda at Ueno Zoo in Japan Returned to China
Health Declined Due to Hypertension, Returning Home After 13 Years
Crowds Gather Like When 'Fubao' Left, Some Weep
Giant pandas 'Lili' and 'Xingxing' from Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, returned to China on the 29th, with citizens dressed in black clothing to see them off. Some expressed their sorrow with tears, reminiscent of when the beloved panda 'Fubao' left Korea for China. Japan's NHK reported, "Male panda Lili and female panda Xingxing departed Ueno Zoo around 4 a.m. this morning, heading to China."
Citizens gathered to bid farewell to the giant pandas 'Lili' and 'Xingxing' at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]
Lili and Xingxing are the father and mother of Xiang Xiang, a panda returned to China last February. All of them were born in China in 2005 and are 19 years old this year, which corresponds to about 60 years in human age. They were borrowed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government from China in February 2011 for breeding and academic research purposes, and ownership of both pandas remains with China. Due to their advanced age, they suffered from conditions such as high blood pressure, and it was decided that they needed treatment, leading to their return to China. The two pandas are scheduled to enter the Giant Panda Conservation Research Center in China later that day.
Many citizens gathered to see their last moments in Japan. NHK reported, "Despite the early hour when Lili and Xingxing left the zoo, dozens of fans gathered to take photos and wave goodbye, expressing their sadness at the farewell," and added, "About 2,000 citizens visited Ueno Zoo the day before, the last public viewing before their return to China, to see them one last time."
Earlier in April, 'Fubao,' the first giant panda born through natural breeding in Korea, left Everland Panda World and headed to China. Despite it being a rainy weekday morning, thousands of fans gathered at the farewell site. They waved Fubao flags, expressed their regrets, and cheered for Fubao's future. At that time, there was even a proposal to lease Fubao using tax money due to concerns about Fubao's future.
Currently living at the Chengdu Shenshuping Base in China, Fubao has entered a fertile state. On the 31st of last month, the China Panda Conservation Research Center announced, "According to the 2024 breeding management records, hormonal changes and atypical estrus behaviors began to appear in Fubao between March and April," and added, "After mid to late August, clear signs appeared such as decreased appetite, reduced consumption of bamboo and weaning food, decreased fecal output, reduced activity, increased resting time, and increased water play behavior."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
