The Tokyo Zoo transfers aged panda pair to China for necessary healthcare.
The pandas residing at Ueno Zoo since 2011, specifically Ri Ri and Shin Shin, were initially scheduled to stay until February 2026. However, a decision has been made between Japan and China to send the now 19-year-old pandas back to their native land ahead of schedule.
At a recent press conference, Governor Koike revealed that the pandas have been suffering from high blood pressure issues over the past two years. They're being administered medication and undergo regular check-ups, but unfortunately, there's been no significant improvement so far. Koike acknowledged the sadness this decision might bring to some, but emphasized that the well-being of our cherished pandas takes precedence, making an early farewell the better option.
The pandas will be publicly displayed for the last time at Ueno Zoo on September 28. Reports of long queues at the panda enclosure have been surfacing as early as this past Saturday.
Upon their arrival in Tokyo in 2011, Ri Ri and Shin Shin soon became prominent figures. In 2017, they gave birth to Xiang Xiang, the first panda baby born at Ueno Zoo since 1988, attracting numerous visitors. Two more pandas followed in 2021. The return of Xiang Xiang to China last year resulted in widespread emotional distress among Japanese panda enthusiasts, whose farewell was broadcast live on Japanese television.
Pandas have been utilized in China's "panda diplomacy" strategy to boost international influence for many years. Pandas are often lent to zoos and parks internationally for several years. According to the World Wildlife Fund, approximately 1,860 giant pandas continue to survive in their natural habitat, primarily in the bamboo forests of southwest China. Around 600 more pandas reside in captivity, in breeding centers, zoos, and wildlife parks globally.
The governer's decision to send Ri Ri and Shin Shin back early is due to their ongoing health issues, specifically high blood pressure, which hasn't responded well to treatment and regular check-ups. After their final public appearance on September 28, the pandas will begin their journey back to China for continuation of their treatment.
