After spending 13 cherished years at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo, beloved giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin have returned to the Chinese mainland. The duo departed in the early hours of Sunday, embarking on their journey back home due to age-related health concerns.
The pre-dawn departure did not deter the large number of panda enthusiasts who gathered outside the zoo to bid them farewell. Emotions ran high as fans expressed their love and sadness, with many shedding tears at the heartfelt send-off.
Ri Ri and Shin Shin have been adored by visitors from around the world, symbolizing the strong cultural and environmental ties between Japan and China. Their return marks the end of an era for Ueno Zoo and the beginning of a new chapter in their lives back in their native habitat.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
