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Aibao, a female giant panda in South Korea, has just given birth to twin cubs – but she is not the only panda living outside China. Photo: courtesy of Samsung C&T

Lifestyle

Where to see China’s giant pandas around the world, from the US and Spain to South Korea, Singapore and more

You do not have to travel to China to see a giant panda – the black-and-white animals are often loaned out to other countries as signs of goodwill
Aibao has just given birth to twin cubs in South Korea, while the US is down to seven pandas after Ya Ya was returned following concerns over her treatment

Pandas

Nicole Tan

Published: 12:44pm, 12 Jul 2023

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China has a long tradition of loaning giant pandas to other countries as signs of goodwill. There are at least 65 of them overseas in 18 countries.

With giant panda Aibao giving birth to twin cubs in South Korea on July 7, we take a look at how some of these Chinese national emblems are faring across the world.

1. South Korea – Aibao, Lebao, Fubao and new twins

Aibao, a nine-year-old giant panda who arrived in South Korea in 2016, gave birth to twin female cubs on July 7 at Everland Resort, the country’s largest theme park.

They are the first panda twins to be born in South Korea and the first cub pair born overseas this year. Born two hours apart, they are yet to be named.

Aibao and her partner, 11-year-old Lebao, had another female cub, Fubao – the first panda born in South Korea – in 2020. The couple are set to return to China in 2031.

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South Korea welcomes its first locally born panda twins

2. United States – seven pandas

Twenty-two-year-old Ya Ya, previously housed at Memphis Zoo in the US state of Tennessee, was returned to Beijing Zoo on July 8 following months of heated debate over how she was being treated in the American facility.

Her male companion, Le Le, died from heart disease in February. His body was also brought back to China.

Ya Ya at the Memphis Zoo in Memphis, Tennessee in October 2020. She was returned to Beijing Zoo on July 8. Photo: Reuters

This leaves seven giant pandas in the United States.

Mei Xiang and Tian Tian are currently housed at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Their fourth cub, Xiao Qi Ji, is also with them at the zoo; his older siblings have already returned to China. Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and Xiao Qi Ji will join them in China at the end of the year.

Twins Ya Lun and Xi Lun are on loan at Zoo Atlanta and are expected to return to China in early 2024. Their parents, Lun Lun and Yang Yang, are set to return in late 2024.

Mei Xiang (left) and Tian Tian at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington. Photo: AFP

3. Japan – Shin Shin, Ri Ri and seven others

Four pandas were returned to China in February, leaving nine in Japan. Shin Shin and Ri Ri first arrived at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo in 2011. They remain in Japan along with their twin cubs Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, born in 2021.

Xiang Xiang, born to the couple in 2017, was meant to return home in 2019 but only left Japan in February because of pandemic travel restrictions.

Shin Shin at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo in 2017. Photo: AFP

Three other pandas – 30-year-old Eimei and his eight-year-old twins Ouhin and Touhin, who were in Wakayama, in the Kansai region – were returned at the same time.

Female pandas Rauhin, Yuihin, Saihin and Fuhin remain at Wakayama’s Adventure World.

4. Russia – Ru Yi and Ding Ding

Chinese President Xi Jinping gifted two pandas to Moscow in 2019 following a meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Ru Yi and Ding Ding, who are currently at Moscow Zoo, will return to China in 2034.

5. Singapore – Jia Jia, Kai Kai and Le Le

Fourteen-year-old Jia Jia and 15-year-old Kai Kai, who arrived in Singapore in 2012 on a 10-year-loan, gave birth to Le Le in August 2021.

While the older pandas’ stay at wildlife park River Wonders – part of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve – was extended until 2027, Le Le will return to China this year.

6. Scotland – Yang Guang and Tian Tian

Edinburgh Zoo, home to Britain’s only giant pandas, received Yang Guang and Tian Tian in 2011 as part of a 10-year arrangement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association.

Their stay was extended by two years, and the pair will now return to China at the end of 2023.

7. Qatar – Suhail and Soraya

Ahead of the 2022 World Cup football tournament, China gifted female Si Hai (renamed Soraya) and male Jing Jing (now Suhail) to Qatar. They will stay in the country for the foreseeable future.

8. Spain – Hua Zui Ba, Bing Xing, You You and Jiu Jiu

Hua Zui Ba and Bing Xing were gifted to Madrid Zoo in 2007.

Mother Hua Zui Ba gave birth to twins You You and Jiu Jiu at Madrid Zoo in 2021; the cubs may return to China next year.

9. France – Huan Huan, Yuan Zi, Huan Lili and Yuan Dudu

Huan Huan and Yuan Zi were gifted to France in 2012. In 2021, Huan Huan gave birth to twin cubs in Beauval Zoo, named Huan Lili and Yuan Dudu. Their godparents are Chinese diver Zhang Jiaqi and French football star Kylian Mbappé.

Huan Huan and Yuan Zi’s stay was extended to 2027. The couple’s other cub, Yuan Meng, made the news in 2017 as the first giant panda to be born in France. Yuan Meng returned to China in July.

10. Australia – Wang Wang and Fu Ni

In 2009, Wang Wang and Fu Ni were gifted to the Adelaide Zoo. They will remain in Australia until 2024.

Australia’s then-Governor General Quentin Bryce with giant panda Wang Wang at the Adelaide Zoo, Australia, in 2009. Photo: AFP

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