Everland Zoo Officials Confirm Departure of Beloved Panda

Courtesy of Everland

Fu Bao, a giant panda born in 2020 in South Korea, returned to China on Wednesday, according to officials at Everland zoo.

Fu Bao was born to a panda pair loaned to Korea by China in 2016, making her the first cub born in Korea through natural breeding.

The departure of Fu Bao from Panda World, her home for the past 1,354 days at Everland zoo, was marked by a special 20-minute farewell event on Wednesday morning.

A farewell parade featuring Fu Bao in a special vehicle took place within the park, followed by heartfelt thank-you letters read by two veteran zookeepers known as Fu Bao's "grandpas."

In the afternoon, Fu Bao departed Korea via Incheon International Airport on a chartered flight provided by China. The flight schedule was not disclosed at China's request.

Accompanying Fu Bao on the flight were Kang Cheol-won, one of her caretakers, and a panda expert from China.

▲ Giant panda Fu Bao at Everland on Mar. 3. / Courtesy of EverlandFu Bao will be relocated to the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Sichuan Province, in accordance with an agreement between the authorities of both countries.

As per international regulations, pandas loaned by China to other countries remain property of China, and their offspring must be returned before turning four years old.

Fu Bao's preparations for the transfer began a month ago, and her last public viewing at Everland was on March 3.

Fu Bao is the offspring of Ai Bao and Le Bao, the panda pair sent by Chinese President Xi Jinping to South Korea in 2016 as a symbol of friendship between the two countries. Their twin cubs, Hui Bao and Lui Bao, born in 2023, remain at Everland zoo along with their parents.

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Blue YIM, yimyoungseo1010@naver.com