Fu Bao enters the inner room where she will live after arriving in China from South Korea on April 3. Many fans in South Korea are worried that Fu Bao will be surprised by the sudden change of environment, but they are also eagerly anticipating that the Chinese will take good care of her. (Screenshot image of Weibo)
SEOUL, Apr. 4 (Korea Bizwire) –Fu Bao, the beloved giant panda who spent the first few years of her life at the Everland theme park in South Korea before departing for China on April 3, was visibly tense in the unfamiliar environment, with footage showing the animal’s startled reaction when handlers poked their fingers through the crate’s air holes.
Despite these concerning moments during the quarantine process, Chinese authorities have stated that Fu Bao smoothly entered the isolation procedures upon arrival.
State broadcaster CCTV reported on Wednesday evening, “Under the joint protection of China and South Korea, the giant panda Fu Bao, who had been in South Korea, arrived safely in Chengdu, Sichuan Province.”
The report added, “Fu Bao is scheduled to enter the isolation and quarantine area at the Shenshuping base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, which has made sufficient preparations to receive her.”
A Chinese quarantine official pokes his finger inside the cage of Fu Bao, upon its arrival in Sichuan province on April 3. Fu Bao’s many fans in South Korea, who watched her freak out, are hoping that she will be able to stabilize soon. (Screenshot image of an online community)
Videos shared on the Chinese social media platform Weibo showed Fu Bao’s journey from the plane to the airport, with the panda huddling in her crate, seemingly overwhelmed by the unfamiliar surroundings and crowds.
In contrast to South Korea, where the farewell ceremony kept Fu Bao away from public view, Chinese authorities allowed media access to the crated panda immediately upon arrival.
One disturbing scene captured a man poking his bare fingers through the air holes, causing the startled panda to recoil. Fu Bao also appeared distressed by the barrage of camera flashes.
A member of the Chinese media faced backlash after posting a photo of himself posing without a mask in front of Fu Bao’s crate, prompting him to delete the post.
South Korean netizens expressed dismay, with comments such as “Is this the poor treatment they brought her for?”, “What’s the point of quarantine if they touch her with bare hands?”, and “She’s being treated like a product on display.”
In response to the “poor treatment” controversy, the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda took to its official Weibo account to clarify the situation. The center stated, “The individuals involved were professional veterinarians from our center, and touching with fingers is an essential examination to check Fu Bao’s condition.
A member of the press posted a photo with Fu Bao on his social media account on April 3 as she arrived in China from South Korea. (Screenshot image of Weibo)
” They added, “Fu Bao is in a safe and healthy state,” and explained that the staff had sanitized their hands beforehand, addressing concerns about the lack of gloves.
The center also shared footage of Fu Bao entering the isolation quarters at the Shenshuping base, stating, “Her current condition is good,” and expressing hope that “she will quickly adapt to the new environment and remain healthy and happy.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
