Giant panda Fubao. [Everland]
Giant panda Fubao. [Everland]

Citizens calling for the return of giant panda Fubao, who was sent back to China, raised their voices in central Seoul on Thursday.

The civic group "Fubao Repatriation Solidarity" held a rally in front of Cheong Wa Dae Sarangchae on Thursday morning, appealing to the government to "find a way, until the very end, for Fubao to live healthily — and if possible, to return to her home country, South Korea." The group said Fubao is "family."

The group said the government should consult with Chinese authorities to explore the possibility of Fubao's return.

Participants expressed concern over changes in Fubao's appearance and behavior observed in videos and photos released since she left for China, and demanded that information about her current health, medical care, living conditions and care practices be disclosed transparently.

In addition, they said the government must provide a responsible account of whether it is pursuing Fubao's return and what progress, if any, has been made.

Fubao was born at Everland on July 20, 2020, and was returned to China on April 3, 2024 — about three months before she would have turned four. Under an international agreement, giant pandas born abroad must be returned to China before the age of four, the age at which they become capable of breeding.

Since then, allegations have repeatedly surfaced in South Korea that Fubao was being mistreated at the Shenshuping Panda Base in Sichuan Province's Wolong area. The panda base later dismissed the abuse allegations, saying Fubao "is adapting well and in good health in her new environment."


betterj@heraldcorp.com