In accordance with relevant agreements reached between China and Japan, the female giant panda "Xiang Xiang" who has lived at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo for more than five years will soon embark on a journey back to China on February 21. The 19th was the last day that "Xiang Xiang" met tourists at Ueno Zoo. Many Japanese people came to the zoo to say goodbye to "Xiang Xiang" and send her best wishes.
Only some tourists got the opportunity to say goodbye to "Xiangxiang" on the 19th through a lottery in advance. In the giant panda house, people took the time to take photos, waved from time to time, and reluctantly said goodbye to "Xiang Xiang".
According to the park, as "Xiangxiang" entered the quarantine period, the upper limit of the number of visitors per day in the past month was 2,600. Due to the large number of applicants for the visit on the 19th, the probability of winning the lottery was only about one in seventy. Despite this, many Japanese people who did not win the lottery still came to the zoo that day. They said that even if they could not see "Xiangxiang", they still hoped to express their love and blessing for "Xiangxiang".
Japanese tourists: I couldn’t see “Xiangxiang” today and I didn’t win the lottery. Even so, I wanted to come here to feel the atmosphere. "Xiang Xiang" is a very cute giant panda. I hope our Chinese friends can also love it. We will definitely go to China to see it.
"Xiangxiang" was born at Ueno Zoo in June 2017. From the day she was born, "Xiangxiang" became the star of Ueno Zoo. Many tourists said that they have watched "Xiangxiang" grow up little by little. They are very grateful for its companionship over the years and are very reluctant to see it leave.
Japanese tourist: "Xiangxiang" is just like my granddaughter, there is nothing cuter than her, so I really want to thank my Chinese friends. I hope it can spend every day healthily and happily in China. In this case, we will also be very happy.
In recent days, Ueno Zoo has also launched a collection of blessings for "Xiangxiang" from tourists and zoo staff. While many people are reluctant to part with "Xiangxiang", they also express the hope that "Xiangxiang" can grow up healthily in the new living environment.
Japanese tourists: The biggest hope is that "Xiangxiang" will be healthy and energetic, and will always be loved by everyone. I also hope that it can meet new companions and become a good mother like its mother "Fairy". I wish "Xiangxiang" a safe journey, good health and happiness.
According to plan, "Xiangxiang" will leave for home on the 21st. "Xiang Xiang"'s parents, giant pandas "Bili" and "Xiannv" traveling in Japan, and their twins "Xiao Xiao" and "Leilei" will continue to stay at Ueno Zoo.