YaYa has been a star attraction for the last 20 years at the Memphis Zoo. On Wednesday, the great panda began her journey back to China and is being accompanied by the Memphis Zoo’s senior veterinarian and Chief Zoological Officer. In addition, a Chinese expert and two employees for the Beijing Zoo have been working with the Memphis Zoo to coordinate her return home.
Memphis Zoo’s panda loan agreement ended this spring, and YaYa will return to her original home to live out her retirement years.
YaYa’s stay and departure has not however, been without drama. The zoo has been accused of mistreating the panda, and her return home has garnered a social media flurry of animal activists and Chinese people welcoming the female panda home.
The zoo has denied all allegations of neglect and mistreatment and has repeatedly issued statements about YaYa’s health issues. Those explanations often fell on deaf ears as some people blamed YaYa’s condition as political, while other people have posted video clips opining signs of alleged abuse.
According to the New York Times, China has participated in “panda diplomacy” since 1972 at which time, during President Nixon’s term, China promised to send two pandas to the United States. China is the only country where pandas can be found in the wild. It wasn’t until 1984 that pandas were scheduled to arrive in the United States zoos for a 10 year period. Eighteen other countries also have pandas on loan from China; the pandas arrive in pairs. The entire aura of China’s good will has been a predominant factor in sending over the pandas, and when China takes back their pandas, that could be a sign of political displeasure.
YaYa is now 23-years-old and had arrived in 2003 with her mate LeLe. Sadly LeLe, 24, passed away in February, and some social media “sleuths” have blamed the zoo for his death. In the wild, pandas have a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years, however in captivity the animals can live for 30 years.
The overall condition of the giant panda is relatively stable except for the fur condition caused by skin disease. The chinese side has already made preparations to welcome YaYa home.
Wang Wenbin -China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
YaYa has a genetic condition that has affected her immune system and has made her fur look patchy, and as a female weighing 190 pounds, she does seem smaller in her enclosure. The zoo also said YaYa had experienced a false pregnancy and had lost weight. Still she is considered healthy enough to make the long trip home, and we will miss her.
After 20 years, Ya Ya has become like family, and she will be sorely missed by the Memphis Zoo staff and the local community. We wish her the best of luck in her new home.
Facebook The Memphis Zoo
Follow the National Pet Rescue on Facebook for the latest animal related news.
