Pufao Returning to China Next Year... "May Move to New Panda Base in Beijing"

'Pugongju' Pubao, heading to China next year
Interest focused on Chinese panda base

Known as 'Pugongju' and 'Yongin Pussi,' the panda Pubao, who has gained popularity in South Korea, is expected to be sent to a new panda base being established in the capital city of Beijing after returning to China.

On the 17th (local time), news circulated on Chinese social networking services (SNS) that Pubao would be sent not to the Bifengxia panda base in Ya'an, Sichuan Province, but to the new panda base under construction in Beijing. The Beijing base is not yet completed, with the expected completion date set for 2024.

Panda Fu Bao. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Initially, foreign media reported that Pubao would settle at the Bifengxia panda base after returning to China. The Chinese state-run media Global Times reported in July that "Pubao is expected to settle at the Bifengxia panda base in Ya'an, Sichuan Province, southwestern China, becoming a neighbor to the female panda Xiangxiang, who returned from Ueno Zoo in Japan last February."

However, controversy arose recently due to allegations of animal abuse at the Bifengxia base. Last month, the Chinese panda-specialized YouTube channel 'Heibai Xiaotuanzi (黑白小團子)' reported that Linbing (14), a panda born in Thailand currently living at the Bifengxia base, was left in an emaciated state. Videos uploaded on YouTube show Linbing sitting outdoors, even being hit on the head by bamboo flying over the fence.

In response to concerns from domestic fans, Everland reportedly stated that "the place where Pubao will go has not yet been decided."

Meanwhile, in 2016, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent the female panda Aibao and the male panda Lebao to South Korea to promote Korea-China friendship. Pubao, born from these pandas, has been loved under various nicknames such as 'Putuntun' and 'Purungji.'

However, Pubao must return to China in 2024, his fourth year of life, for species breeding. This is because China maintains its so-called 'panda diplomacy,' sending endangered pandas overseas only on a loan basis.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.