Singapore bids farewell to giant panda Le Le

Beloved giant panda Le Le bid farewell to the residents of Singapore on December 13, ahead of preparations for his move to China.

The farewell ceremony, hosted at the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, unfolded as a grand affair joined by thousands of people who came to say goodbye to Le Le.

Le Le's parents from southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Kai Kai and Jia Jia, arrived in Singapore in 2012. Born on August 14, 2021, Le Le holds the distinction of being the first giant panda born in Singapore. Having celebrated his second birthday the past August, in alignment with the agreement between China and Singapore, Le Le is scheduled to embark on his journey back to China on January 16, 2024.

Started from December 14, Le Le will undergo a period of isolation. On the evening of January 16 next year, accompanied by veterinarians and caretakers from the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, as well as veterinarians from China, Le Le will board a flight to Chengdu.

The cargo holds of the plane transporting Le Le will be meticulously maintained at 15 to 16 degrees Celsius, mirroring the conditions of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, where Le Le resided.

The cargo plane boasts multifunctional features, including slides, rollers, and locking mechanisms, ensuring the secure transportation of Le Le's specially designed travel crate. This crate will carry approximately 50 kilograms of bamboo shoots, bamboo, fruits, and other essentials, all loaded through the front of the aircraft.

Over the past two years, the panda living at the Mandai Wildlife Reserve has received over 1.8 million visits. From birth to naming, and from Le Le's first to his second birthday celebrations, the Singaporean public has witnessed Le Le's growth, and Le Le has brought endless joy to visitors.