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Korean public has two more weeks to see Fu Bao before she returns to China

Published: 19 Feb. 2024, 19:16 Updated: 20 Feb. 2024, 09:42

KIM JI-YE
[email protected]

Giant panda Fu Bao will meet the public until March 3 at Everland in Yongin, Gyeonggi. [SAMSUNG C&T]

The last day that the public can meet its beloved firstborn giant panda, Fu Bao, in Korea will be March 3.

Everland, the amusement park in Yongin, Gyeonggi where Fu Bao currently lives, announced that people have just two more weeks to see Fu Bao before she undergoes a preparation process at a secured location within the Panda World area before departing for China in April.

Said process will include a physical checkup, training sessions to help her adapt to a transfer cage and a quarantine process, which is required for her transfer back to China.

Fu Bao was born on July 20, 2020, at Everland, between Le Bao and Ai Bao, who were leased by the Chinese government in 2016.

Giant panda Fu Bao will meet the public until March 3 at Everland in Yongin, Gyeonggi. [SAMSUNG C&T]

The park announced last month that Fu Bao would be rehomed in early April following China's mandate that all giant pandas, regardless of birthplace, must be returned to the country upon reaching sexual maturity at the age of four.

She currently meets the public only in the afternoon.

Between March 1 to 3, however, she is scheduled to appear in front of the public full-time during operation hours.

The park is also considering hosting a real-time YouTube livestream on March 3, which is the last day the public can see Fu Bao.

Banners in Everland, Yongin, Gyeonggi, commemorate Fu Bao. [SAMSUNG C&T]

All is not lost, however: The park is set to arrange a special video screening of Fu Bao at Everland’s indoor theater. The panda will be screened twice a day beginning on March 4.

Fu Bao has two twin siblings, Rui Bao and Hui Bao, who were born at Everland in July 2023.

BY KIM JI-YE [[email protected]]