Giant panda Fu Bao enjoys winter time at Everland in this undated file photo provided by the theme park. (Yonhap)
YONGIN/SEOUL, Jan. 23 (Korea Bizwire) – Fu Bao, Everland’s Beloved Giant Panda, Set to Return to China in Early April
Fu Bao, the giant panda born and raised at Everland in South Korea, is set to return to China in early April, as she turns four years old this year.
Everland announced on January 23 through its website and official social media channels that the date for Fu Bao’s return to China has been determined. In early April, she will be relocated to the Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center in Sichuan Province, China.
As per international regulations on wild animals, Everland plans to manage Fu Bao in a separate area within Panda World for a month before her move.
Consequently, Fu Bao will be on public display only until early March. Furthermore, as part of her preparation for the move, Everland will limit viewing hours to the afternoon, starting this weekend.
An Everland spokesperson stated, “Once the flight details for Fu Bao are finalized, we will announce the detailed schedule for her return to China. We are also preparing special programs to commemorate and support Fu Bao with our visitors.”
Fu Bao was born on July 20, 2020, to pandas Le Bao and Ai Bao, who were sent to South Korea by Chinese President Xi Jinping in March 2016 as a symbol of friendship between the two countries. During her time at Everland, she has been affectionately called “Yongin Fu,” “Princess Fu,” and “Fu Ttung Ttung,” receiving immense love and adoration.
Under the Convention on the Conservation of Endangered Species, pandas sent abroad by China are required to return before they turn four years old.
Everland has been in discussions about Fu Bao’s return with the China Wildlife Conservation Association and the panda conservation center since July of last year, when Fu Bao celebrated her third birthday.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
