Ardent Japanese fans bid farewell to four lovable giant pandas as they return to China

The Star

2 days ago

TOKYO, June 28 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- Fans bid farewell to all four giant pandas at a zoo in the western Japanese prefecture of Wakayama as they left Saturday morning for their new home in China, Xinhua reported.
Early morning at Adventure World amusement park in the coastal town of Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, park staff waved flags to bid farewell to the giant pandas, while many fans, wearing T-shirts with pictures of the pandas on them, waited at the intersection outside the park to wave goodbye when the pandas' transport trucks passed by.
The giant pandas, 24-year-old Rauhin and her three daughters, 8-year-old Yuihin, 6-year-old Saihin and 4-year-old Fuhin, left for the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China's Sichuan Province as the contract for a bilateral joint conservation project is set to expire shortly.
On Friday morning, some 1,400 people lined up in front of Adventure World before it opened for the pandas' final public display, many of whom were veteran "panda fans". Some carried tote bags covered with panda badges, some wore T-shirts featuring photos of the "Hin Family", and some wore panda-shaped hats.
The queue to see the four pandas prompted the amusement park to open at 9 am local time, an hour earlier than usual. As soon as the gate opened, the first group of visitors rushed straight to the panda exhibit zone.
Due to the need for quarantine ahead of the pandas' travel, the public had been able to see them only in isolated rooms instead of outdoor enclosures, but even so, the place was crowded with a large number of panda enthusiasts.
In the exhibit zone, Rauhin slowly paced, and after a few laps, she returned to the wooden frame and sat down with her back facing the visitors.
However, when she noticed small children standing in front of the glass, she would get up and walk over, as if it were a natural expression of maternal love.
Next door, one of the daughters, Saihin, was as lively as ever. As soon as she appeared, she started to munch on bamboo with big mouthfuls, her expression focused and her movements playful.
Kirie Sakai, who travelled from Kanagawa Prefecture carrying professional photography equipment, told Xinhua, "Since Saihin was born, I have driven seven or eight hours almost every month to watch her grow. She has grown from such a small cub to where she is today, and I am truly happy."
Rauhin gave birth to so many cubs, bringing so much joy to people, she added, "Although it is sad to see them off, I wish for them to stay healthy in China."
The park also set up a memory exhibition to display the messages that the keepers wrote for the giant pandas. A board dedicated to Saihin reads: "You are one who acts what she pleases yet loves to be spoiled. Although you are willful, I really enjoy every moment spent with you. Keep living freely in the future!"
In a message addressed to Fuhin, the keeper recalled the scene when he touched the newly born Fuhin: "That warmth will remain unforgettable for my entire life!"
The park's Director Koji Imazu said that since Adventure World began the joint breeding programme with the Chinese panda research base in 1994, more than 70 Chinese experts have come to the zoo to offer guidance, and over 50 Japanese keepers have participated in bilateral exchanges.
Later at 4 pm local time, some 3,500 people attended a farewell ceremony jointly organised by the amusement park and the Chinese Consulate-General in Osaka.
Chinese Consul General in Osaka Xue Jian said in his speech: "We believe that no matter in Japan or in China, people's love for the giant pandas will not change due to distance, nor will it diminish over time."
"We hope that this special bond born out of pandas will become the nourishment that nurtures the mutual understanding and affection between the two peoples and foster everlasting friendship for generations," he added. - Bernama-Xinhua