After an incredible 20 years as an envoy of friendship in the United States, Ya Ya the feminine giant panda will soon return to her homeland of China. The National Forestry and Grassland Administration has confirmed that she’ll be hopping on a aircraft sure for Shanghai in the next few days.
Ya Ya, born on August 3, 2000, on the Beijing Zoo, arrived on the Memphis Zoo again in April 2003 alongside fellow big panda Le Le. These two cuddly creatures marked a new era of friendship between China and the US, and they got an incredibly warm welcome upon arrival.
The Memphis Zoo revealed in December 2022 their plans to return Ya Ya to China, concluding two decades of cooperative analysis. The furry fan favorite has attracted hundreds of visitors, who got the chance to say their goodbyes on April eight at her particular farewell occasion on the zoo.
Initially, the agreement for Ya Ya to remain in the US was for a 10-year interval, but cordial negotiations led to the extension of her stay for another decade back in 2013.
In February, Chinese consultants travelled to Memphis Zoo to conduct a radical health check of Ya Ya. Results showed some mild hair loss due to a skin condition, however otherwise, her urge for food, excrement, and weight were all completely normal.
To ensure a easy transition for Ya Ya, a veterinarian and a keeper from the Beijing Zoo visited Memphis final month, collaborating with consultants from the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens to familiarise themselves along with her residing habits and caretaking processes. They assisted with Ya Ya’s breeding, nursing, and well being assessments as final preparations for her return, guaranteeing a secure and comfy journey residence.
Learning the Ropes
Memphis Zoo offered exceptional take care of Ya Ya, boasting a sound administration system and working procedures. The Chinese veterinarians and keepers were granted regular updates on Ya Ya’s food consumption, excrement, and well being examination results.
Preparing for her return to China, the Chinese staff meticulously noticed how Ya Ya was fed and cared for in Memphis and even engaged in some interactions along with her. To help her rapidly regulate to her new surroundings, they began feeding her biscuits from China and initiated coaching sessions to assist familiarise her with the delivery crate used for her cross-ocean flight.
Lauren Caskey, Associate Curator at Memphis Zoo, defined that Ya Ya’s food plan consisted of varied kinds of bamboo with the quantities adjusted based mostly on seasonal availability. Additional treats included sugar canes, grapes, and the aforementioned biscuits. As Ya Ya has aged, extra attention has been given to her unique requirements, with keepers diligently monitoring her food regimen, in addition to her mouth, again, and hands day by day.
Ya Ya has become an affectionate figure amongst her caretakers, typically displaying a welcoming, relaxed demeanour. Caskey said…
“When Ya Ya sees you, she all the time comes over to say hello and also you truly do see a smile on her face.”
Pay zero was happy with the current exchanges between the Memphis Zoo and Chinese colleagues, emphasising their shared dedication to Ya Ya’s wellbeing.
She expressed her confidence in Ya Ya’s capability to adjust to her new surroundings.
“Ya Ya is so smart and adaptable, and I know she is gonna do nice when she goes back to China.”