Giant panda YaYa at Memphis Zoo in Memphis, Tennessee, U.S., October 18, 2020, credit: Reuters/Karen Pulfer Focht
Excitement filled the air as onlookers burst into applause when the cargo plane carrying giant panda YaYa flew overhead, landing at Shanghai Pudong International Airport on Thursday. YaYa’s return marks the end of her 20-year stay at the Memphis Zoo in the United States.
Departing from Tennessee on Wednesday, YaYa arrived in Shanghai on Thursday after a 16-hour flight. Upon landing, the giant panda was taken to a closed quarantine area, where she will be monitored and cared for by veterinarians and staff.
Before relocating to Beijing Zoo, YaYa will spend approximately a month in quarantine at the Shanghai Zoo. Eager visitors had already arrived at the zoo in anticipation of her arrival.
In 2003, at age three, YaYa arrived at the Memphis Zoo along with LeLe, a male giant panda. The pair were part of a 20-year lease arrangement between the zoo and China. LeLe died at Memphis Zoo in February at the age of 24.
Animal welfare organizations have widely criticized the giant pandas’ living conditions at the zoo, as the animals experienced malnutrition and insufficient stimulation in their enclosure.
Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said during a press briefing a few days ago that China will stay committed to sending giant pandas to other countries, including the US, as part of their “panda diplomacy,” even though more and more citizens have expressed concerns about the practice.
A giant panda who has lived at a US zoo for 20 years has embarked on her journey back home to China today, with millions of Chinese eagerly awaiting her return.
In a statement, Memphis Zoo confirmed Ya Ya “began her journey back to China” today, leaving the zoo to take a flight expected at noon bound for Shanghai.
The zoo said she’s being accompanied by the zoo’s senior veterinarian and Chief Zoological Officer – who have a combined total of more than 25 years of giant panda experience.
The statement said: “Memphis Zoo’s panda loan agreement ended this spring and Ya Ya is returning to China to live our her golden years.
“After 20 years, Ya Ya has become like family, and she will be sorely missed by the Memphis Zoo staff and the local community. We wish her all the best of luck in her new home.”
Many people took to social media to wish the panda “safe travels”, saying she will “be missed”.
Other posted messages saying they were “honoured to have grown up” with the panda, and expressed gratitude at having been to see her before she left.
However, there have been some more aggressive messages left by social media users. One said: “Stop faking your affection, you make me sick” in Chinese.
Another said: “Ya Ya [has] suffered such a hard time. Come back home – we’re all waiting for you.”