Hundreds of Japanese followers, some wiping away tears, bid farewell to a beloved Japanese-born large panda that made her ultimate public look Sunday earlier than flying to her residence nation, China.
The panda followers gathered at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo for one final take a look at Xiang Xiang, the park’s idol since her delivery in June 2017.
Sunday’s viewing was restricted to 2,600 fortunate ones who gained their tickets in an especially aggressive lottery. However many others who didn’t win got here anyway to say their goodbyes from exterior of the panda home.
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“Xiang Xiang is just not solely cute however charming and humorous. She’s so engaging that when you see her as soon as, you need to see her extra. I don’t assume there may be any panda like her within the universe,” mentioned a customer who solely gave her first identify, Yukie. “I’ve made mates right here by sharing it, and that’s additionally her attraction.”
Although she was born and grew up on the Tokyo zoo, Xiang Xiang, whose mother and father Ri Ri and Shin Shin are on mortgage from China, should return to that nation.
China sends pandas overseas as an indication of goodwill however maintains possession over the animals and any cubs they produce. The animals are native to southwestern China and are an unofficial nationwide mascot.
Divided into teams of about 10, the guests got just a few minutes to quietly say goodbye to Xiang Xiang as she nonchalantly nibbled on bamboo sticks. Viewers held up their cell phones and cameras to seize her each transfer.
“I want Japanese-born pandas may keep in Japan,” mentioned Takamichi Masui, an auto elements maker who traveled from Mie, in central Japan. “So many individuals who got here as we speak and followers are unhappy to see her go. Once I noticed (Xiang Xiang), I bought teary. I want Xiang Xiang may keep, although I perceive it’s tough.”
He mentioned he worries if Xiang Xiang can easily adapt to her new life in China.
Natsuki Mizuguchi, a graphic designer, wore a parka, socks and footwear adorned with Xiang Xiang’s head photograph that she had taken.
Mizuguchi mentioned she first noticed Xiang Xiang when she was recovering from well being points however has since gotten higher. “I wished to precise my appreciation to Xiang Xiang,” Mizuguchi mentioned. “I’m sure she can be an idol in China too and I hope she serves the friendship between our two nations.”
Her pal, Akane Hiramoto, a nurse, mentioned she couldn’t win a slot Sunday and her go to Saturday grew to become her final.
“I’d like to go see her in China,” Hiramoto mentioned. “I hope Japan and China can deepen friendship by pandas like Xiang Xiang and likewise environmental points, for example.”
Regardless of strained political ties between Japan and China, pandas have related individuals in each nations and contributed to the friendship, Japanese followers say.
Xiang Xiang, accompanied by two Ueno Zoo workers, can be flown to China on Tuesday. She’ll be part of different pandas at a facility in Sichuan province, near the unique panda habitat.
“I grew to become emotional after I noticed could individuals shedding tears saying goodbye to her,” mentioned Ueno Zoo spokesperson Naoya Ohashi.
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However there may be another day earlier than her departure, and, “as zoo keepers, we’ll fulfill our duty and do utmost to securely ship her to China,” he mentioned.
“I hope she’s going to get used to a brand new atmosphere rapidly, discover a good accomplice and have kids,” Ohashi mentioned.
Three different pandas at one other park, the Journey World, in central Japan — aged male Eimei, despatched from China in 1994, and his Japanese-born twin daughters Ouhin and Touhin — will head to China on Wednesday primarily to seek out appropriate companions for the reproductive-age twin pandas. 4 feminine pandas will stay after the handover and the park is searching for a male panda to be despatched from China.
Pandas, which reproduce not often within the wild and depend on a food regimen of bamboo, stay among the many world’s most threatened species. An estimated 1,800 pandas reside within the wild, whereas one other 500 are in zoos or reserves, largely in Sichuan.
© 2023 The Canadian Press
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