Next Year PuBao Going to China, Shyness Worsens... Can't Even Get Blood Drawn Without Grandpa

Interest in Residence in China Ahead of 'Pugongju' Return

Giant panda 'Pubao,' who is scheduled to be sent to China next year, has recently become increasingly shy and is even refusing blood draws, causing concern.

In a video released on Everland's YouTube channel 'Talking Zoo PuppaTV' on the 29th of last month, zookeeper Kang Cheol-won, known as 'Grandpa Pubao,' checked on Pubao's condition on the regular blood draw day, saying, "Grandpa, your training posture has changed a lot since you haven't come, right?"

[Photo by withEverland YouTube channel screenshot]

Zookeeper Kang began coaxing and comforting the anxious Pubao, saying, "We need to do the blood draw now, so why have you been ignoring us lately?"

Only after Kang brought the food did Pubao stretch out his arm as if familiar and prepared for the blood draw. Throughout the procedure, Pubao tightly held Kang's hand. The zookeeper praised him, saying, "You're doing well, our Pubao."

Kang repeatedly worried about Pubao, who becomes uneasy when he is not around. He said, "Why do you keep ignoring others? You should listen to someone. That's how you become a good kid." He comforted him by adding, "Pubao, life is like that. It won't always be good. Sometimes it stings."

Kang explained, "Pubao was reluctant to have the blood drawn, so I calmed him down and then did it," adding, "Pandas often get shy around strangers. Now, I'm telling him not to be shy and to do well."

According to the Washington Convention, Pubao will be returned to China next year when he turns four years old for species breeding purposes. China owns all pandas worldwide and exports them by lending them overseas.

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

[Photo by YouTube channel 'Malhaneun Dongmulwon Ppupa TV' screen capture]

As many domestic fans feel regretful about Pubao's return to China, the Bifengxia Panda Base, which will be Pubao's future residence, has recently been embroiled in animal abuse allegations, causing some fans to express anxiety. In response, there have been speculations on Chinese social networking services (SNS) that Pubao will be sent to a new panda base being established in the capital, Beijing. The Beijing base is not yet completed, and its expected completion date is 2024.

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