Beloved panda Fu Bao left South Korea for China on Wednesday as crowds of sobbing admirers gathered to catch one last glimpse of the gentle giant before his journey.
Emotional images from the event show thousands of panda lovers gathering at Everland, the country’s largest theme park in Yongin, to say goodbye to Fu Bao, the first giant panda born in South Korea.
According to local reports, the crowd of around 6,000 braved heavy rain while standing under a colorful sea of ​​umbrellas, with some even holding signs and balloons dedicated to the animal celebrity.
Although the fans were numerous, they stopped to remain silent as a specially designed green vehicle carrying the panda passed by, in an effort not to scare her with the noise.
The convoy, printed with a green jungle-like background and images of Fu Bao’s head, drove slowly through the bustling streets as onlookers cried, waved and sadly watched the bear’s departure.
Thousands of people gathered on the streets of South Korea this morning to say goodbye to the panda Fu Bao as he heads to China.
Upset fans were seen holding banners and posters dedicated to the animal celebrity.
A woman was seen leaning over a barrier, sobbing as she took a photo of the convoy carrying the panda.
Two police vehicles escorted the truck through the busy streets towards the airport.
Fu Bao was popular among South Koreans as he was the first giant panda born in the country.
Fans were seen sobbing as the panda left the area, having not been seen since March 3.
A message painted on the side of the vehicle also read: “It’s a miracle to meet you.” Thank you, Fu Bao’.
As the truck made its way down the roads, it was seen escorted by two police cars while fans followed.
The path was decorated with floral designs and messages from fans, and Everland played photos and videos of Fu Bao on a large LED screen.
Crowds of panda lovers held banners, flowers and homemade signs as they leaned over railings and poured into the streets to take photos.
Some fans had been waiting since 4 a.m. to see the gentle giant, he reported. Korean times.
A heartbreaking image shows a woman sobbing in the rain as she took a picture of Fu Bao for the last time.
On the back of his phone is a panda plug, a seemingly touching tribute to the beloved Fu Bao.
Another image shows a group of frowning people holding yellow balloons with the panda’s face printed on the side.
Another shows a young woman holding a blurry bright pink sign, standing on the corner of the sidewalk waiting for the convoy.
Zookeepers hosted a farewell event for fans inside the theme park after she left the area.
Fu Bao was born in July 2020 to Le Bao and Ai Bao, a pair of giant pandas sent to South Korea by Chinese President Xi Jinping in March 2016.
People held balloons and waved signs with Fu Bao’s face printed on them.
The truck was decorated with pictures of Fu Bao and a message that read, “It’s a miracle to meet you.” Thank you, Fu Bao’.
Fans braved the cold, wet weather as they bid a final farewell to the panda.
South Korean zookeeper Kang Cheol-won spoke during a farewell ceremony for Fu Bao at Everland amusement park in Yongin. He said, “You are our baby panda forever, even if 10 years or 100 years pass.”
“You are our baby panda forever, even if 10 or 100 years pass,” zookeeper Kang Cheol-won said in a speech during the ceremony.
‘Dear everyone, Fu Bao is leaving. Please remember Fu Bao for a long, long time. And please don’t cry too much!’
The amusement park was unable to show Fu Bao to the public on Wednesday as he spent a month in quarantine to prepare for his return to China.
Fu Bao will be transferred to the China Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center in Sichuan province.
Kang and a panda expert from China helped Fu Bao on his two-hour flight.
Fu Bao, who became the first giant panda born in South Korea, was born in July 2020 to Le Bao and Ai Bao through natural reproduction.
The giant panda pair was sent by Chinese President Xi Jinping in March 2016 on a 15-year loan as a symbol of friendship between Korea and China, reported The Korean Herald.
Pandas sent by China to overseas countries are returned to China before their fourth birthday, in accordance with the endangered species conservation agreement.
South Koreans have loved Fu Bao for his adorable appearance and unique charm.
Around 5.5 million people have visited Panda World in Yongin Park to meet the panda family since Fu Bao opened to the public in January 2021.
Le Bao and Ai Bao also gave birth to twin cubs, Rui Bao and Hui Bao, in Everland in July 2023.