Ya Ya is surrounded by bamboo leaves and shoots at the Beijing Zoo, May 29, 2023. /CNSPHOTO
On early Monday morning, Ya Ya, the female giant panda who has spent 20 years of her life overseas at the Memphis Zoo in the United States, arrived in her birthplace of Beijing. Ya Ya was just released from a month-long quarantine in Shanghai and is now back at the Beijing Zoo, where this nearly 23-year-old first came into the world on August 3, 2000.
The plane carrying Ya Ya back to Beijing takes off from the Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport on May 28, 2023. /CNSPHOTO
As this long-awaited journey took place, a crowd gathered in front of the Beijing Zoo in the early morning hours, waiting in hopes of offering their beloved panda a warm welcome home.
A crowd of people welcome Ya Ya in front of the Beijing Zoo, May 29, 2023. /CFP
According to the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Ya Ya will be receiving customized medical and nutrition support in the special feeding place prepared for her at the Beijing Zoo.
A crowd of people welcome Ya Ya in front of the Beijing Zoo, May 29, 2023. /CFP
Considered an elderly panda, Ya Ya will not be on public display for the time being, but will instead take her time to get rest and adapt to the new environment, with the social media channels of the Beijing Zoo expected to release her latest updates on a regular basis.
After getting off the homeward-bound plane and setting foot in Shanghai on April 27, Ya Ya was placed under a local quarantine, during which experts from the Beijing Zoo have been closely taking care of her. Now back at the Beijing Zoo, this experienced team will reportedly continue to look after Ya Ya.