Hundreds of people on Sunday (3/3) visited South Korean amusement park Everland to say goodbye to the first giant panda born in South Korea before he began quarantine procedures ahead of his return to China
Fu Bao has captured the hearts of South Koreans and sparked a giant panda craze on social media, attracting thousands of visitors every day to the theme park where he lives.
Fu Bao will return to China in early April as part of an international agreement that giant panda cubs born abroad must move to China to be bred before they are four years old.
Starting Monday (4/3), Fu Bao will enter a quarantine period for 30 days.
“We came to see Fu Bao for the last time, because we didn't know when we would see her again,” said 24-year-old Jo Ah-hyeon, who said she had been there since 6.30am.
Meanwhile Kim Min-ji, who is 31 years old, said Fu Bao had given her great comfort when she was going through difficult times three years ago.
“I'm sad because today is the last day to see him, but I have to say goodbye to the panda's life,” he said while trying to hold back tears.
Fu Bao was born in July 2020 to Ai Bao and Le Bao, a giant panda sent from Chia in 2016 on a 15-year lease as a symbol of China – South Korea friendship. (em/hour)