A keeper from a zoo in Tokyo who witnessed the return of a pair of giant pandas to China last month has told NHK about their trip home.
Male panda Ri Ri and female Shin Shin, who lived for more than 13 years at Ueno Zoological Gardens, better known as Ueno Zoo, were sent back to China on September 29 on account of their age.
Suzuki Hitoshi, who looked after the two, says it was raining at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Sichuan Province when the pandas arrived, but they were welcomed by people holding handmade banners and photos of them in front of the gate.
Suzuki says that immediately after arriving at their new residence, Ri Ri and Shin Shin sat with their front paws in the air, looking around nervously. But he adds that they were calm and didn’t act up.
Footage provided by the facility shows the two coming out of their cages, looking around and sniffing.
Suzuki was not allowed to come into direct contact with the animals as they had to avoid any contact with outside sources for about a month so their health could be confirmed. But staff at the center told him the pandas are in good health.
Suzuki said he was relieved the two returned to China safe and sound. He said that according to the staff there, Shin Shin was more at ease at first, eating well from the day after her arrival in China. She is apparently fine.
He said Ri Ri reportedly seemed a little nervous initially, but apparently he is gradually getting used to his new environment and is eating more.
Suzuki expressed hopes the two will spend their days peacefully in an environment resembling pandas’ original habitat.