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Free Malaysia Today
18-05-2025
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Malaysia bids farewell to giant pandas Fu Wa, Feng Yi
The van carrying giant pandas Fu Wa and Feng Yi leaving Zoo Negara where a large crowd gathered this morning to bid farewell after their 11-year stay here. SEPANG : Giant pandas Fu Wa and Feng Yi were officially sent home to China today, concluding their stay in Malaysia after 11 years. The pandas arrived here on May 21, 2014, under the terms of the International Giant Panda Conservation Cooperation Project. The momentous send-off held at the Animal Hotel, KLIA was attended by natural resources and environmental sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, ministry secretary-general Ching Too Kim and representatives from the Chinese embassy. In a statement, the ministry said the collaboration stands as a symbol of the close friendship between Malaysia and China, and reflects their shared commitment to sustainability. 'Therefore, Malaysia will continue to be committed to working with China in the conservation of the giant panda species and this collaboration is hoped to further strengthen the relationship between Malaysia and China, both diplomatically and economically,' the ministry said. It added that Malaysia has recorded extraordinary success in its ex-situ conservation efforts, including the birth of three panda cubs from the pair during their time here. All three panda cubs – Nuan Nuan, Yi Yi, and Sheng Yi – have since been returned to China in accordance with the agreement. Nuan Nuan was repatriated on Nov 14, 2017, while Yi Yi and Sheng Yi followed on Aug 29, 2023. According to the ministry, the conservation partnership is set to continue through a new agreement signed on April 16, during Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent official visit to Malaysia. 'This renewed agreement allows Malaysia to receive another pair of giant pandas for a period of 10 years, from 2025 to 2035. Their arrival is expected later this year,' the ministry said.
The Star
09-05-2025
- The Star
Quiet farewell for beloved duo
PETALING JAYA: After 11 unforgettable years in Malaysia, beloved giant pandas Fu Wa and Feng Yi will bid us farewell on May 18 when they return to China. According to an itinerary from the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry, the pair will leave Zoo Negara at 6.30am and head to the Animal Hotel at KL International Airport. The ministry's secretary-general, Datuk Dr Ching Thoo Kim, and Wildlife and National Parks Department director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim will be attending the send-off ceremony. The ceremony is expected to conclude at around 11am, after which Fu Wa and Feng Yi will depart for their homeland, marking the end of their Malaysian chapter and the start of a peaceful retirement in China. Their departure has left many local giant panda enthusiasts heartbroken. Zoo Negara has confirmed that there will be no public farewell event. Currently, visitors can only see the pandas through a glass viewing area in their indoor enclosure and say their quiet goodbyes. On April 19, the ministry officially announced that Fu Wa and Feng Yi had been placed in isolation for a month in preparation for their return. The abrupt move, without prior notice, left many fans frustrated, as they were unable to properly bid farewell to the beloved duo. Fu Wa and Feng Yi first arrived in Malaysia on May 21, 2014, under China's giant panda loan programme, a diplomatic gesture celebrating the 40th anniversary of Malaysia-China relations. Upon their arrival, they were given new names: Fu Wa became Xing Xing (prosperity) and Feng Yi became Liang Liang (pretty). Not many predicted that the pair of giant pandas would become so popular with visitors, both local and foreign. In their first year alone, Zoo Negara's visitor numbers surged by 60%, with over 1.2 million people coming to watch the gentle giants munch bamboo shoots or playfully tumble in their enclosure. They quickly became social media sensations, winning hearts both locally and abroad. 'The pandas have drawn visitors from all over, especially from China, India, Indonesia and the Middle East,' Zoo Negara deputy president Datuk Rosly @ Rahmat Ahmat Lana said previously. During their stay, the pair made history by producing three cubs: Nuan Nuan (born Aug 18, 2015), Yi Yi (Jan 14, 2018) and Sheng Yi (May 31, 2021). Remarkably, Sheng Yi's birthday coincides with the anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations. As Malaysia bids farewell to Xing Xing and Liang Liang, the country is preparing to welcome a new panda pair under a renewed 10-year conservation agreement. Signed on April 16 during Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit, the agreement will see Malaysia host another pair of giant pandas from 2025 to 2035, continuing its collaboration with China on panda conservation efforts.
The Star
09-05-2025
- The Star
Farewell Xing Xing and Liang Liang: Pandas set to leave Malaysia on May 18 after 11 years
Filepic- Second Giant Panda YI YI (left) with mother Liang Liang after the Naming Ceremony at Zoo Negara. PETALING JAYA: After 11 unforgettable years in Malaysia, beloved giant pandas Fu Wa and Feng Yi will bid farewell on May 18 as they return to China. According to official notices, the pair will leave Zoo Negara at 6.30am and head to the Animal Hotel at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES) secretary-general Dr Ching Thoo A/L Kim, and Wildlife and National Parks Department director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim, will be attending a send-off ceremony. The ceremony is expected to conclude at around 11 am, after which Fu Wa and Feng Yi will depart for their homeland, marking the end of their Malaysian chapter and the start of a peaceful retirement in China. Their departure has left many local panda enthusiasts heartbroken. Zoo Negara confirmed that there will be no public farewell event. Currently, visitors can only see the pandas through a glass viewing area in their indoor enclosure and say their quiet goodbyes. On April 19, the ministry officially announced that Fu Wa and Feng Yi had been placed in isolation for a month in preparation for their return. The abrupt move, without prior notice, left many fans frustrated, as they were unable to properly bid farewell to the beloved duo. Fu Wa and Feng Yi first arrived in Malaysia on May 21 2014, under China's giant panda loan programme, a diplomatic gesture celebrating the 40th anniversary of Malaysia-China relations. Upon their arrival, they were given new names: Fu Wa became Xing Xing ("prosperity") and Feng Yi became Liang Liang ("pretty"). Few could have predicted just how adored they would become. In their first year alone, Zoo Negara's visitor numbers surged by 60%, with over 1.2 million people coming to watch the gentle giants munch bamboo or playfully tumble in their enclosure. They quickly became social media sensations, winning hearts both locally and abroad. 'The pandas have drawn visitors from all over, especially from China, India, Indonesia, and the Middle East,' said Zoo Negara deputy president Datuk Rosly @ Rahmat Ahmat Lana. During their stay, the pair made history by producing three cubs: Nuan Nuan (born Aug 18, 2015), Yi Yi (Jan 14, 2018) and Sheng Yi (May 31, 2021). Remarkably, Sheng Yi's birthday coincides with the anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations. As Malaysia bids farewell to Xing Xing and Liang Liang, the country is preparing to welcome a new panda pair under a renewed 10-year conservation agreement. Signed on April 16 during the Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit, the agreement will see Malaysia host another pair of giant pandas from 2025 to 2035, continuing its collaboration with China on panda conservation efforts.
