Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
TOKYO, June 28 (Xinhua) — Japan’s Adventure World amusement park in Shirahama Township, Wakayama Prefecture, sent four giant pandas to China on Saturday.
The 24-year-old female, Raukhin, and her three daughters, 8-year-old Yuyin, 6-year-old Saihin and 4-year-old Fuxin, will be taken to the Chengdu Base of Giant Panda Research and Breeding in China’s Sichuan Province.
Park staff waved flags as the animals left early in the morning, and scores of fans in panda T-shirts waited at a nearby intersection to wave goodbye to the truckload of animals.
Zoo director Koji Imazu told media that despite the pandas’ departure, the park hopes to maintain elements related to the animals to attract visitors. “I hope the pandas will continue to live healthy and long lives after returning to China, and will be presented in good condition to the Chinese people and those who visit them from Japan in the future,” he added.
According to Adventure World staff, all four pandas are healthy. The Chinese specialists who will care for them have been fully consulted about the characteristics and habits of each female.
A joint panda breeding program between Adventure World and the Chinese research base was launched in 1994.
The zoo operator said that since the joint panda protection agreement expires in August this year, the two sides agreed to carry out the transport in June, when temperatures are relatively mild, to reduce the stress on the animals.
Elderly Raukhin will enjoy her old age in a better medical environment in China, and her daughters will be able to take part in a breeding program. –0–