With longing and excitement, the moment people concerned about the wellbeing of giant panda Ya Ya has nearly arrived - she will soon land back home in China after 20 years life at the Memphis Zoo, in the U.S. state of Tennessee.

The life of Ya Ya, now nearly 23 years old, is full of stories.

The early age

Born at Beijing Zoo on August 3, 2000, Ya Ya was a little female baby who had no idea where her life would lead.

In April 2003, Ya Ya traveled with male panda Le Le to the Memphis Zoo as envoys of friendship. To welcome the two national treasures, the zoo spent $16 million to build an exhibit where the buildings, plants and even the sounds are a Chinese style.

When Ya Ya turned 6, she was artificially inseminated in January 2007 after she failed to mate with Le Le. 

However, Ya Ya miscarried, an ultrasound test discovered in June 2007. According to the zoo, the miscarriage was caused by Ya Ya's low level of the hormone progesterone, and she was not hurt during the pregnancy.

Unlike wild giant pandas who are completely driven by natural instincts, captive pandas can gradually become lazy and lose interest in mating. Artificial insemination is an important method to breed cubs. Ya Ya had three unsuccessful attempts to impregnate her after her first miscarriage at the age 6.

Ya Ya has begun lightly losing fur in 2006, and the situation had significantly worsened by 2014, which drew public concern about her health. Both Chinese and American experts have tried numerous treatments, but none have been successful.

Eventful time

The initial agreement for Ya Ya's stay in the U.S. was for 10 years, and when the 10-year loan agreement expired in 2013. The Memphis Zoo sought a 10-year extension, which was granted.

In the end of 2022, the loan agreement with the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens came to an end, and giant pandas Ya Ya and Le Le were supposed to make their journey back to China. 

But in early February 2023, Le Le died in his sleep. According to an autopsy by Chinese and American experts, the death was caused by heart disease.

Ya Ya's health has been under the spotlight for a while, and Le Le's death triggered people's worry and anxiety. 

Experts from China, including from Beijing Zoo where Ya Ya was born, were sent to Memphis Zoo. They've worked with other staff and experts in the U.S. to learn about the habits and health of Ya Ya, and to prepare for her return to China.

On April 8, the Memphis Zoo held a farewell event for Ya Ya, with hundreds of people coming to send her off.

In the morning of April 26, local time, Ya Ya left the Memphis Zoo and boarded a homeward-bound plane heading to Shanghai, China. 

Read more:

From 8 to 600: A long journey of breeding giant pandas

How to help captive giant pandas return into the wild?

What are the greatest challenges Ya Ya faces in returning to China?

Vlog: Visiting the Beijing Zoo, giant panda Ya Ya's future home

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