A touching farewell ceremony took place at a rain-soaked amusement park in South Korea as a crowd gathered to bid adieu to Fu Bao, a beloved giant panda, before her departure to China. Fu Bao, born in 2020 at the Everland theme park near Seoul to pandas Ai Bao and Le Bao, has been a cherished attraction. Her parents arrived in South Korea in 2016 as part of a lease program from China.
China's practice of sending pandas abroad as a gesture of goodwill while retaining ownership has contributed significantly to the conservation of the species. Through conservation efforts in the wild and captive breeding programs, the panda population has grown from fewer than 1,000 to over 1,800 individuals.
Despite the rainy weather, many panda enthusiasts in South Korea attended the emotional farewell ceremony for Fu Bao at Everland park. As Fu Bao's transport truck made its way through the park, visitors, some in raincoats and holding umbrellas, waved flags, shouted messages of farewell, and captured the moment on their mobile phones. Tears were shed, and heartfelt goodbyes were expressed.
The truck carrying Fu Bao was adorned with a large image of the panda and a message expressing gratitude for the memorable encounters. Although Fu Bao was not visible to the public during the ceremony, the zookeeper Kang Cheol-won delivered a poignant speech, assuring that Fu Bao would always hold a special place in their hearts.
Notably, Fu Bao's mother, Ai Bao, made headlines last year by giving birth to female twin cubs, marking a significant milestone as the first panda twins born in South Korea. The departure of Fu Bao marks the end of an era at Everland park, leaving behind cherished memories and a legacy that will be remembered for years to come.
