Before extradition to China, Fubao is 'startled' by an elderly man in protective clothing

Stable Daily Life

South Korea's first panda, Fubao, has entered indoor life ahead of her repatriation to China early next month. Song Young-gwan, the caretaker nicknamed 'Fubao's Little Grandpa' and 'Songbao,' shared an update on Fubao's current condition.

'PubaO's Little Grandpa' zookeeper Song Young-kwan (left) and PubaO (right), the 'first baby panda in Korea,' who has entered indoor life due to the special quarantine period. [Image source=Everland Cafe Zootopia capture]

On the 5th, Song posted an article titled "Fubao's Trip to China (Day 2 of Rest)" on the Zootopia Cafe operated by Everland. He said, "Recently, we reached the climax of the happy stories we shared with Fubao at Panda World," adding, "Since all the days you spent with Fubao were sincere, the sense of regret must be even greater." He continued, "I would like to briefly share Fubao's indoor life, which you might miss and be curious about," and revealed details of her indoor life.

Song explained, "After her last outing, Fubao entered the indoor area as usual and naturally spent the night there," adding, "This morning, on the second day, when it was time to go out, she showed signs of physical and emotional agitation out of habit but soon accepted the situation well and is showing a commendable focus on eating and sleeping."

Fubao is said to be living in a quarantine room created in the space that was previously the delivery room for her mother, panda Aibao. Song said, "Only designated caretakers are allowed to enter the quarantine room. Also, thorough quarantine management is conducted for Fubao's health."

Fubao was reportedly unfamiliar with the caretakers wearing gray quarantine suits for infection control. Song shared, "Until now, Fubao had only seen caretakers in teal uniforms indoors, so when she first saw me transformed into a gray human, she seemed quite startled," adding, "It was as if she was shouting, 'Ah! A gray human has appeared~!!'" He continued, "To soothe her, I quickly gave her a delicious slice of apple, but she still reacted loudly as if saying, 'Ah~!! The gray human gave me a tasty apple!!!'" and joked, "Well, she accepted the sweet apple after all."

'PubaO the Little Grandpa' zookeeper Song Young-kwan (left) and PubaO (right), the 'first baby panda in Korea,' who has entered indoor life during the special quarantine period. [Image source=Everland Cafe Zootopia capture]

Song said, "So I had to show the transformation process from the beginning and, while taking off the upper part of my suit for a long time, give her an apple to let her know it was me," adding, "Then she gradually understood the situation. Thankfully, she's smart." He continued, "Our clever and cheerful Fubao is calmly accepting the situation and doing well," and said, "As her caretaker, I will continue to do my best for the brilliant finale of the story with Fubao." He also promised, "As always, I will return with news of Fubao at the appropriate time."

Fubao was born on July 20, 2020, between the giant pandas 'Lubao' and 'Aibao,' who were sent by Chinese President Xi Jinping in March 2016 as a symbol of friendship with South Korea. She is the first panda born through natural breeding in Korea. However, under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), pandas born overseas must be returned to China before turning four years old for mating purposes. To this end, after a month of private special care in the indoor area of Everland's Panda World, she will return to China on April 3 by chartered flight. She is expected to fly approximately 2,400 km from Incheon Airport to Chengdu Shuangliu Airport, accompanied by her caretaker, 'Fubao's Grandpa' Kang Cheol-won. Everland is reportedly preparing an event for fans to share Fubao's final moments together.

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