Beloved giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin left Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo in the early hours of Sunday to return to their home country of China due to age-related health problems.
Despite the early hours, panda enthusiasts gathered outside the zoo to say goodbye to them, with many crying. The two pandas were scheduled to fly from Narita Airport to China, where they will be housed at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda.
In the days leading up to his departure, Ueno Zoo saw an increased influx of visitors. On Saturday, the last day of the panda couple’s public viewing, more than 2,000 fans lined up before the opening to say goodbye.
Giant panda Ri Ri, a male, and giant panda Shin Shin, both from southwest China’s Sichuan province, arrived at Ueno Zoo in 2011 under a lease. They gave birth to the famous giant panda Xiang Xiang in 2017, who was returned to China last year, as well as twin cubs Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei in 2021.
According to Ueno Zoo, both pandas, now 19 years old, have developed health problems, such as high blood pressure, because of their old age. Japanese and Chinese experts maintained close communication and conducted joint consultations to provide appropriate medical treatments. After discussions between the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the China Wildlife Conservation Association, it was decided that they should be sent back to China for better care and treatment.
Source: https://www.chinahoje.net/adorado-casal-de-pandas-retorna-a-china-apos-13-anos-em-toquio/
