Thousands of Japanese people moved to see off 4 giant pandas to China

gấu trúc - Ảnh 1. — Giant panda Saihin is photographed before the opening of Adventure World park - Photo: Kyodo

According to The Japan Times, the pandas, including Rauhin (24 years old) and her three daughters, Yuihin (8 years old), Saihin (6 years old) and Fuhin (4 years old), were all born at Adventure World and will be brought to the Giant Panda Breeding and Research Center in Chengdu, Sichuan province, before the cooperation contract between the park and China expires in August.

After this group of bears left, Japan only had two giant pandas left, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, living at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, and were also expected to be returned to China in February 2026.

3,000 Japanese people come to say goodbye to 4 pandas

On the final farewell day, about 1,400 people lined up from early morning in front of Adventure World's gate, forcing the park to open an hour earlier than usual, at 9am.

A total of about 3,000 people flocked to the amusement park to catch a last glimpse of the pandas. Many ran straight to the enclosure, calling out the names of their favorite bears.

gấu trúc - Ảnh 2. — People wave flags to see off four giant pandas at Adventure World amusement park - Photo: Xinhua

They showed up in panda costumes or hats, and some even camped out overnight. Many were moved to tears when they saw pictures of the pandas as babies.

"I received a lot of joy and comfort from them. I thought I would see them again many times in the future. It was sad to be apart. I just hope they live happily" - Ms. Ayako Takenaka (53 years old, from Honjo, Saitama province) shared with tears in her eyes.

Saihin's birth was the inspiration for Yukiko Matsuoka, 47, from Neyagawa, Osaka Prefecture, to start a journey to visit many places to see animals. "It all started here and I can only say thank you. I want to send them off with a happy heart," she said with a smile.

Crowds of people came to say goodbye to 4 giant pandas - Video : The Japan News

Yoshihiko Fukuzumi recalls with emotion the day the first two pandas arrived at the park 30 years ago, and has watched the family grow. Since retiring three years ago, he and his wife have visited them every week. "They are like grandchildren to us," he said.

According to regulations, all pandas in Japan, including those born here, are pandas lent by China for breeding research purposes.

The park said the move to return the pandas to China in June was to reduce the stress of the weather on their health. Rauhin is old and will receive better medical care, while the cubs will continue to breed to help preserve the rare species.

gấu trúc - Ảnh 3. — The four giant pandas last appeared in public in their outdoor enclosures in May. In June, visitors could only observe them in separate isolation rooms as they prepared for the long journey back home - Photo: The Japan Times

In Chengdu, the center has arranged a quarantine area, suitable food sources and a specialized care team to help the four pandas quickly adapt to the new environment and complete the quarantine period in the best conditions.

According to China Daily, the cooperation in panda conservation between China and Japan began in 1994, when the Adventure World amusement park in Shirahama town, Wakayama prefecture, received the first pair of pandas from China.

gấu trúc - Ảnh 4. — Giant panda Yuihin - Photo: Kyodo

Over the past 30 years, the two countries have successfully bred 17 individuals, creating the largest artificial panda population outside of China - affectionately known as the "Hin family".

The cooperation between the two sides is not limited to breeding and conservation, but also extends to areas such as bear cub care, medical treatment, scientific research and community education , thereby contributing to building a sustainable and effective relationship between China and Japan in the protection of this rare animal species.