Move follows international agreement requiring transfer before age 4

Twins to undergo month-long health and quarantine management before departure

Farewell program planned for visitors

Twin giant pandas Rui Bao (right) and Hui Bao [Everland]
Twin giant pandas Rui Bao (right) and Hui Bao [Everland]

The departure date for twin giant pandas Rui Bao and Hui Bao, currently staying at Everland's Panda Second House, has been set for late this year. Everland said it will carry out quarantine and preparatory procedures while also organizing a farewell program for visitors.

Samsung C&T's resort division announced Wednesday that Rui Bao and Hui Bao will travel to China in the third week of December to begin a new chapter.

Under an international agreement for the conservation of endangered species, all giant pandas born outside China must be returned before they turn 4 — before reaching breeding age.

Everland has been in ongoing discussions with the China Wildlife Conservation Association and the Panda Conservation Research Center to ensure the twins, born in July 2023, can make the move at the appropriate time.

The exact date and destination will be determined after taking into account the twins' health condition, temperatures and local circumstances, among other factors.

Giant pandas Rui Bao (top) and Hui Bao [Everland]
Giant pandas Rui Bao (top) and Hui Bao [Everland]

As was the case with their older sister Fu Bao, Rui Bao and Hui Bao will enter a roughly one-month period of health monitoring and quarantine management before the transfer. Details on public access during the quarantine period will be announced as they are confirmed.

Everland said it is making preparations to ensure the twins travel safely and plans to hold a farewell program where visitors can celebrate and show their support for Rui Bao and Hui Bao.

"We will take meticulous care of Rui Bao and Hui Bao right up until the day they leave, so they can stay healthy and happy in their new environment," an Everland official said. "We ask for your warm support as the twin pandas embark on this new journey."

Giant pandas are listed as a CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) Appendix I species and are subject to long-term loan arrangements, meaning China retains ownership even of individuals born abroad. Because pandas are solitary by nature and require territorial separation from their mothers before the age of 4, relocating them in line with zoo capacity constraints and optimal breeding age is standard practice.


terry@heraldcorp.com