Japan bids farewell to beloved Chinese panda Xiang Xiang

Giant panda Xiang Xiang in its habitat at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan on Feb. 19, 2023.

Thousands of Japanese people, some wiping away tears, said goodbye Sunday to a Japanese-born giant panda who made his last public appearance before flying off to his family’s home country of China.

Xiang Xiang’s farewell to Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo was limited to 2,600 tickets for the raffle. But many others who didn’t win came to kick the gang out anyway.

“Xiang Xiang is not only cute, but charming and funny. I don’t think there’s a panda like her in the universe,” said a visitor who only gave her first name, Yukie.

Although he was born – in June 2017 – and grew up in the Tokyo Zoo, the panda must be handed over to China because his parents – Ri Ri and Shin Shin – were loaned by this country.

China sends pandas abroad as a sign of goodwill, but retains ownership of the animals and cubs born to them. They are the unofficial Chinese national mascot.

Divided into groups of around 10, visitors had just a few minutes to quietly say goodbye to Xiang Xiang as she nonchalantly nibbled on bamboo sticks. Onlookers lifted their cellphones and cameras to capture their every move.

“I wish pandas born in Japan could stay in Japan,” said Takamichi Masui, an auto parts maker who traveled from Mie in central Japan. “When I saw her, I started crying. I wish Xiang Xiang could stay, although I understand it is difficult.

Xiang Xiang will fly to China on Tuesday accompanied by two staff from Ueno Zoo. He will join other pandas at a facility in Sichuan province, near the pandas’ original habitat.

Pandas, which rarely breed in the wild and feed on bamboo, are one of the most endangered species in the world. An estimated 1,800 pandas live in the wild, while another 500 live in zoos or reserves, mostly in Sichuan.