Farewell date for Korea's first giant panda to be decided later this month

Fu Bao plays in the outdoor yard at Everland's Panda World in Yongin, Gyeonggi, on Dec. 20 last year. [YONHAP]

The departure date for Fu Bao, Korea’s first giant panda, will likely be decided later this month.

The 3-year-old female cub is expected to bid farewell to Koreans and return to China before she turns four in July.

“Everland and the China Wildlife Conservation Association have been discussing Fu Bao’s return date and relevant procedures,” a Chinese diplomatic source said on Monday. “It appears that Fu Bao will be leaving Korea before her birthday on July 20.”

Fu Bao plays on a tree in the outdoor yard at Everland's Panda World in Yongin, Gyeonggi, on Dec. 20 last year. [YONHAP]

Fu Bao was born on July 20, 2020, in Panda World at Everland, a theme park operated by Samsung C&T in Yongin, Gyeonggi.

Fu Bao is the daughter of Ai Bao and Le Bao, two pandas lent to Korea on a 15-year contract between Korea and China. The pair arrived in Korea in 2016.

Korean fans love Fu Bao for her cute appearance and playful behavior.

Based on the contract between Samsung C&T and the Chinese authorities, Fu Bao must return to her parent's home country before turning four.

Both parties have been discussing details of Fu Bao’s repatriation since Fu Bao turned three last year.

Fu Bao plays in the outdoor yard at Everland's Panda World in Yongin, Gyeonggi, on Dec. 20 last year. [YONHAP]

China brings back overseas-born pandas before they reach the age of four. The measure is related to their mating behavior. Giant pandas seek and meet their partners around that age.

However, there are no other pandas in Panda World that Fu Bao can meet. Fu Bao’s family — her parents and siblings — are the only giant occupants in her current habitat.

The panda pair - Ai Bao and Le Bao - arrive in Korea in March 2016. [JOONGANG PHOTO]

Fu Bao’s parents — Ai Bao and Le Bao — will likely stay in Korea longer. The pair is on a 15-year loan to remain in Korea until March 2031.

Their stay can be extended per negotiation between the two countries. By 2031, Le Bao will be 19, and Ai Bao will be 18.

Considering the species’ average life span, which is between 20 and 25 years, the pair could spend the rest of their lives in Korea.

Ai Bao and twin panda cubs have their time in the indoor yard at Everland's Panda World in Yongin, Gyeonggi, on Thursday. [YONHAP, SAMSUNG C&T]

Fu Bao’s younger sisters — twin cubs born on July 7, 2023 — will be sent back to China when they grow. The twin pandas — Rui Bao and Hui Bao — will turn four in 2027.

BY IM SOUNG-BIN, LEE SOO-JUNG [lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr]