A crowd gathered at Everland theme park in South Korea to bid farewell to the beloved giant panda Fu Bao before her departure to China. Fu Bao has been a major attraction since she was born in 2020 to pandas Ai Bao and Le Bao. China sends pandas abroad as a sign of goodwill while maintaining ownership over the animals. Conservation efforts have saved the panda species from extinction, increasing their population from fewer than 1,000 to over 1,800 in the wild and in captivity.
Despite the rain, many panda fans attended the farewell ceremony for Fu Bao. Visitors waved flags, shouted messages, and took photos as Fu Bao’s truck moved to a plaza decorated with a picture and message of thanks to Fu Bao. Tearful farewells were made as the truck passed by, although Fu Bao was not shown to the public during the ceremony. The park had last shown her to the public on March 3. A zookeeper gave a speech during the ceremony, reminding attendees that Fu Bao will always be their baby panda.
Fu Bao’s mother, Ai Bao, gave birth to female twin cubs last year, making them the first panda twins born in South Korea. The departure of Fu Bao highlighted the close bond that the panda had formed with the people of South Korea during her time at Everland theme park. Despite the sadness of saying goodbye, those in attendance were reminded to remember Fu Bao for a long time without crying excessively.
China’s lease program for pandas allows the country to send them abroad while maintaining ownership over the animals and their offspring. Although the departure of Fu Bao may be emotional for many, it is part of China’s efforts to share pandas with other countries as a symbol of goodwill. The conservation efforts that have saved the panda species from extinction have increased their population significantly, both in the wild and in captivity.
The farewell ceremony at Everland theme park was a testament to the impact that Fu Bao had on the people of South Korea during her time there. The outpouring of emotion from visitors showed the strong connection that had been formed between Fu Bao and her fans. Despite the rain and tears, the ceremony was a tribute to the beloved panda as she prepared to depart for China. The departure of Fu Bao serves as a reminder of the importance of conservation efforts to protect endangered species like the giant panda. The close bond between Fu Bao and the people of South Korea will be remembered long after her departure.
