Zoo celebrates female giant panda's last Mother's Day in Japan
A theme park in Shirahama Town, Wakayama Prefecture in western Japan has celebrated Mother's Day with its star animal mom.
Adventure World gave a gift of gratitude to Rauhin, a female giant panda who has raised 10 cubs. Rauhin herself was born and has spent her days at the theme park.
Visitors flocked to the zoo to express their thanks on Rauhin's last Mother's Day in Japan, since she will be sent to China with three of her cubs in June.
Rauhin was presented with pieces of bamboo laid out to spell "Thank you" in Japanese and a carrot carved to look like a bunch of carnations.
A 19-year-old university student said she traveled from Osaka to see the giant panda. She said, "It must have been hard to raise her cubs but she was always adorable."
Zookeeper Shinagawa Yuka said Rauhin evoked emotion and happiness, eventually getting used to motherhood. She said she wants Rauhin to live a long and healthy life after moving to China.
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