China News Network, April 4 According to US media reports, on the 9th local time, the Memphis Zoo in Tennessee, the United States, held a farewell party for the giant panda "Yaya" who will return to China, wishing "Yaya" a safe journey and celebrating 8 years of cooperation with the China Zoo Association.
The Memphis Zoo announced on its social media account that it will hold a farewell party for "Yaya" on April 4, local time. Image source: Screenshot of Memphis Zoo's social media account
According to reports, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time on the 2th, the Memphis Zoo held a send-off event for "Yaya".
The zoo specially prepared a large colorful cake for "Yaya", which was decorated with grapes, sugar cane and small cookies.
The farewell activities also included cultural performances and signing farewell letters, and the zoo invited local Chinese children to perform Chinese martial arts to showcase Chinese culture to the participants.
About 500 people attended the farewell event, and many Americans went to say goodbye and express their attachment to "Yaya".
There are also many "Yaya" fans who cannot go to the scene, leaving messages under the Memphis Zoo social media account and saying goodbye to "Yaya" with warm words.
Some netizens said: "I will miss Yaya very much, and I know that she will also miss her home for many years." I wish Yaya a safe journey. ”
Another netizen said, "This makes me sad. Yaya is a member of our family. Safe journey, dear girl. ”
Some netizens said, "Goodbye, we will miss you." I wish a safe return to China. You bring us a lot of joy. ”
Memphis Zoo spokeswoman Rebecca Winchester said Yaya would likely stay at the zoo until the end of the month before returning to China.
As part of the Sino-US joint conservation and research program for giant pandas, Yaya and Lele arrived at Memphis Zoo in April 2003 to begin their travel careers in the United States, bringing countless joys to visitors.
The term of the agreement is 10 years, which expires in 2013 and is extended for another 10 years, and the lease period expires on April 4 this year. On December 7, 2022, Memphis Zoo announced that it would return Yaya and Lele to China, ending the 12-year lease.
Unexpectedly, on February 2023, 2, "Lele" unfortunately passed away at the age of 2. While people mourn and grieve for "Lele", they are more eager to hope that "Yaya" can return home as soon as possible.
China and the United States have been actively discussing ways and means to speed up the procedures for the return of giant pandas to China, and strive to bring Yaya back to China at an early date. At present, China has completed all examination and approval matters.
It is understood that after returning to China, "Yaya" must first go to Shanghai for quarantine. Beijing Zoo has made various preparations to welcome Yaya home in terms of breeding grounds, breeding plans, medical security, and feed supply.