Bye-bye Ya Ya and Le Le: Memphis pandas to be returned to China

  • The announcement came after months of criticism by advocacy groups that have accused Memphis Zoo of providing inadequate care to the pandas
  • The zoo said the decision to return the pandas had nothing to do with pressure from animal advocates. China requires older animals to return for their final days

Two-year-old female panda Ya Ya arrives in Memphis, Tennessee on loan from Beijing, China in 2003. Ya Ya and another panda, Le Le, are being returned to China. Photo: Reuters

A zoo in Memphis, Tennessee, is returning two giant pandas that had been on loan from China for 20 years, prompting celebrations by animal advocates who said the health of the animals had deteriorated due to neglect.

The announcement on Wednesday came after months of criticism by In Defence of Animals and other advocacy groups that have accused the zoo of providing inadequate care to the pandas, Ya Ya and Le Le. Critics called on the zoo to provide them with better food, more uncaged time and ultimately a transfer to a panda refuge.

Print option is available for subscribers only.
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Copyright © 2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.