Fu Bao (Image courtesy of Everland)
SEOUL, Mar. 28 (Korea Bizwire) – With preparations underway for Everland’s giant panda Fu Bao to be sent back to China next month, there are worries circulating online that the bear is being kept in inadequate conditions before its quarantine and repatriation.
Citizens have pointed out that Fu Bao has remained confined to its indoor enclosure without access to enrichment activities, in contrast to pandas at zoos in the United States, Japan and France that were allowed outdoor exhibits until shortly before their returns to China.
Fu Bao has remained confined to its indoor enclosure without access to enrichment activities. (Image courtesy of Everland)
Complaints center on Everland’s perceived lack of preparation, including a failure to expand quarantine facilities.
Online communities and forums have had numerous posts claiming Fu Bao spends its days idly in the indoor area without behavioral enrichment tools as promised by zookeepers.
Criticism has focused on Everland’s alleged broken promise to provide enrichment and its inability to ready an outdoor quarantine enclosure in advance.
When pandas like Yuan Meng from France went back in July, they spent time in outdoor exhibits until departing.
When pandas like Memphis, Tian Tian and Xiao Qi Ji returned to China from the U.S. last November, and Yuan Meng from France went back in July, they spent time in outdoor exhibits until departing.
Japan’s Xiang Xiang did the same in February. Notably, the U.S. had indoor facilities, food processing areas and an indoor exercise yard within the quarantine zone readied ahead of the repatriation.
Fu Bao, however, was last seen in its outdoor exhibit on March 3 before being confined inside for quarantine preparations. (Image courtesy of Everland)
Fu Bao, however, was last seen in its outdoor exhibit on March 3 before being confined inside for quarantine preparations, according to Everland. Some citizens revealed zookeepers had told them enrichment like video and toys could not be provided due to Fu Bao’s “breeding behavior and physiological changes.”
While acknowledging the need to quarantine Fu Bao separately from other animals, Everland cited space constraints, saying the indoor area is Fu Bao’s original enclosure.
It noted the U.S. and Spanish cases involved entire families returning together, while Japan had newly constructed surplus space. Singapore’s Kai Kai underwent a similar quarantine process.
Everland cited space constraints, saying the indoor area is Fu Bao’s original enclosure. (Image courtesy of Everland)
On enrichment, Everland stated, “New tools could interfere with quarantine, so we have not provided them.”
However, wildlife veterinarian Choi Tae-Gyu pointed out that if a separate outdoor quarantine area had existed as Fu Bao’s repatriation was already planned, the panda need not have been restricted indoors.
He stressed that if Everland intends to breed pandas, it should add quarantine exhibits and upgrade indoor facilities.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
