Base side "Construction in progress, closed for safety reasons"
Some suggest "Isn't it related to Pubao's health?"
Recently, abnormal signs were detected in the giant panda 'Fubao,' and it was belatedly revealed that the Wolong Giant Panda Base in Sichuan Province decided to close the base until the end of the year.
According to a report by Money Today on the 26th, the base announced on Weibo on the 4th that it would close the base from the 7th to the 31st. The closure was due to construction work on the base roads and other areas for safety reasons. Repair work inside and outside the base had already been ongoing for several months due to heavy rains last summer and autumn. However, fans have raised suspicions that the base closure might be related to Fubao's health issues.
The giant panda 'Fubao,' returned to China last April, was unveiled to the public on June 12 at the Sichuan Panda Base after about two months. Yonhap News
Earlier this month, the base announced on Weibo that "abnormal conditions were found in Fubao." They added, "We are closely monitoring Fubao's condition and plan to conduct comprehensive tests to identify the cause of the abnormalities." However, the base did not disclose the specific nature of the abnormal signs observed in Fubao.
In connection with this, many videos showing Fubao trembling while eating bamboo shoots were uploaded on Weibo. A hashtag "Fubao trembled" (福寶發?) was even created, and fans prayed for Fubao's well-being. Later, the base announced that no abnormalities were found in Fubao's tests. The base stated, "Preliminary examinations by caretakers and veterinarians showed no abnormalities in Fubao's body or appearance, and his mental state and appetite were normal," adding, "Veterinarians have already conducted related tests."
Meanwhile, Fubao was born on July 20, 2020, to Lubao and Aibao, pandas sent by Chinese President Xi Jinping in March 2016 as a symbol of China-Korea friendship. Fubao lived at Everland in Yongin and was affectionately called 'Yongin Pussi,' 'Princess Pu,' or 'Putuntun,' receiving much love. However, according to an agreement that giant pandas born overseas must return to China before turning four years old, Fubao was returned to China on April 3, 1354 days after birth.
Since the return, allegations of poor treatment and abuse of Fubao in China have been repeatedly raised by Korean and Chinese netizens. In response, Chinese authorities have made direct rebuttals and released videos of Fubao to try to quell the controversy.
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