Video of Fubao Adapting in China Released... Choosing to Eat 'Red Apple'

A video showing the giant panda 'Pubao,' who left Korea, gradually adapting after arriving in China has been released.

Pudao, who went to China, chose a red apple as his first food.
[Photo by Xinhua News Agency Weibo capture]

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Yonhap News reported that China's state-run Xinhua News Agency released a video on April 4 via its official Weibo (China's version of X) account showing Pubao arriving at the quarantine and inspection area of the Wolong China Giant Panda Protection Research Center in Sichuan Province. The 44-second video captures Pubao searching for and eating food.

In the video, Pubao enters an inner room through a small door between iron bars and looks around as if pondering for a moment. Then, among the prepared food items such as bamboo, bamboo shoots, carrots, and apples, Pubao chooses a red apple. The video ends with Pubao holding the apple in its mouth, taking a few steps, squatting down in front of a corridor, and eating the apple.

The news agency stated, "Pubao's current condition is good," and added, "The center has prepared plenty of bamboo, bamboo shoots, carrots, and supplementary foods for Pubao."

Zeng Wen (曾文), an expert at the Wolong base featured in the video, said, "We will first follow the breeding methods used in Korea," and "The food Pubao eats will also be prepared according to the Korean combination." He also mentioned, "After a transitional period to observe Pubao's adaptation, we will gradually switch to the breeding methods of the Chinese panda protection center."

Chinese netizens who saw the video expressed hopes that Pubao quickly adapts to the new life in China. Some left messages of gratitude, saying they were deeply moved by the handwritten letter left by Kang Cheol-won, the caretaker who accompanied Pubao to China, when he left China.

Previously, caretaker Kang left a letter saying, "Grandpa is leaving you. I will definitely come to see you. Adapt well, eat well, and play well." Later, Chinese media and Weibo shared this letter along with its Chinese translation on social media, becoming a hot topic among local netizens.

Domestic netizens who learned of the news also commented, "Seeing that Pubao's appetite is alive, it seems he will adapt well," and "Receiving lots of love from Kangbao, Princess Pubao will endure well."

Meanwhile, Pubao was born in Korea on July 20, 2020, and left Korea for China on the 3rd, 1,354 days after birth. Pubao will undergo quarantine and inspection procedures for one month at the Wolong base in Sichuan Province, after which his final residence will be decided.

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