Japan says goodbye to beloved pandas as it returns to China – National | 24CA News

Thousands of Japanese followers, some wiping away tears, bid farewell to a beloved Japanese-born big panda that made her last public look Sunday earlier than flying to her residence nation, China.

The panda followers gathered at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo for one final have a look at Xiang Xiang, the park’s idol since her start in June 2017.

Sunday’s viewing was restricted to 2,600 fortunate ones who gained their tickets in a particularly aggressive lottery. But many others who didn’t win got here anyway to say their goodbyes from outdoors of the panda home.

“Xiang Xiang is not only cute but charming and funny. She’s so attractive that if you see her once, you want to see her more. I don’t think there is any panda like her in the universe,” mentioned a customer who solely gave her first identify, Yukie. “I’ve made friends here by sharing it, and that is also her attraction.”

Though 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 cellphones and cameras to seize her each transfer.

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“I wish Japanese-born pandas could stay in Japan,” mentioned Takamichi Masui, an auto components maker who traveled from Mie, in central Japan. “So many people who came today and fans are sad to see her go. When I saw (Xiang Xiang), I got teary. I wish Xiang Xiang could stay, though I understand it’s difficult.”

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 sneakers adorned with Xiang Xiang’s head picture 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 wanted to express my appreciation to Xiang Xiang,” Mizuguchi mentioned. “I’m certain she will be an idol in China too and I hope she serves the friendship between our two countries.”

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Her buddy, Akane Hiramoto, a nurse, mentioned she couldn’t win a slot Sunday and her go to Saturday grew to become her final.

“I would love to go see her in China,” Hiramoto mentioned. “I hope Japan and China can deepen friendship through pandas like Xiang Xiang and also environmental issues, for instance.”

Despite strained political ties between Japan and China, pandas have linked individuals in each international locations and contributed to the friendship, Japanese followers say.

Xiang Xiang, accompanied by two Ueno Zoo workers, shall 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 became emotional when I saw may people shedding tears saying goodbye to her,” mentioned Ueno Zoo spokesperson Naoya Ohashi.

But there may be another day earlier than her departure, and, “as zoo keepers, we will fulfill our responsibility and do utmost to safely send her to China,” he mentioned.

“I hope she will get used to a new environment quickly, find a good partner and have children,” Ohashi mentioned.

Three different pandas at one other park, the Adventure 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 search out appropriate companions for the reproductive-age twin pandas. Four feminine pandas will stay after the handover and the park is looking for a male panda to be despatched from China.

Pandas, which reproduce not often within the wild and depend on a weight loss program 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, principally in Sichuan.

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