Netizens Shocked by Taxidermied Puba's Maternal Grandmother

The panda 'Fubao,' who has been greatly loved in Korea, has entered a private state ahead of her repatriation to China in April, drawing attention as news about Fubao's maternal grandmother panda 'Xinniao' has been revealed.

Grandmother of Fubao, 'Shin Niyul,' displayed after taxidermy
[Photo source=Online community archive]

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On the 6th (local time), numerous social networking services (SNS) and online communities posted that Xinniao, known as Fubao's maternal grandmother, is exhibited in a taxidermied state after her death. Xinniao was the panda who gave birth to Fubao's mother, Aibao, and was considered the "most beautiful" panda until Aibao was born.

Xinniao died in 2016 from intestinal obstruction while undergoing wild training together during the process of sending her son 'Xinbao' to the wild. The average lifespan of a giant panda is about 15 to 20 years in the wild and up to 30 years when raised by humans in zoos. Born in 2007, Xinniao was only 8 years old at the time of her death, making her an early death case.

It is reported that Xinniao is currently exhibited in a taxidermied state at the Museum of the Mystery of Life in Chengdu. According to local media such as Sichuan Online, China is displaying Xinniao not only in her external form but also with specimens of her muscles, internal organs, and bones, exhibited in four different forms.

Netizens who received the news are engaged in heated debates. Some expressed opinions like, "She was taxidermied after death, and if it is for educational purposes, what is the problem?" but others responded with comments such as "It's so sad," "It's bitter that she is used as a means to make money even after death," and "She suffers because of humans both in life and after death."

Meanwhile, Fubao had her last meeting with domestic fans on the 3rd at Everland Panda World’s outdoor enclosure and has entered a private life to prepare for her return to China. For about a month, she will receive health care and quarantine management in private before returning to China on April 3rd by chartered flight. Fubao was born in July 2020 between Aibao and Lebao, pandas sent by Chinese President Xi Jinping as a symbol of Korea-China friendship. She was the first panda to be naturally bred in Korea and was greatly loved, but according to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), she must return to China before turning four years old.

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