On April 3rd, giant panda Fubao, who was born and spent his life in Korea, left for China 1,354 days after living in Korea. What made Fubao, who was loved so much in Korea, leaves Korea.

  Fubao was born on July 20th, 2020, to Le Bao and Ai Bao at Everland Panda World in Korea, the first natural breeding panda in Korea. Fubao was loved by many people for his soft look and active and curious personality compared to other giant pandas. After receiving so much attention and love, Fubao returned to China, where he was originally owned, on the 3rd.

▲ Fu Bao Photo taken while living in Korea

(the source is from namuwiki)

  The reason why Fubao returned to China was because of ‘China's panda ownership policy’. The panda ownership policy was initiated due to the rapidly decreasing panda population along with China's industrialization. The policy is intended to study and protect pandas, which must be returned to China before the age of 4, a period during which sexual maturity begins for pandas born abroad, not in China.

  Fans of Fubao expressed their regret that Fubao would be loved for the rest of his life in Korea, but Kang Cheol-won, who spent his life with Fubao, expressed his opinion that he should think about a better way from an animal's point of view, not a human's point of view. The 'panda ownership policy' is a necessary policy and process in order to think about the weather, food, etc. that are inherently more comfortable for pandas and to continue to see endangered animals. Some people are proposing to congratulate Fubao for returning to a place he is naturally familiar with.

For this reason, Fubao left Korea with the last goodbye of the sea of tears on the 3rd. Contrary to what was initially worried, Fubao delivered good news that he had adapted well to China. Since we have gained a lot of happiness and healing thanks to Fubao, why don't we wish Fubao happiness now.