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Japan: Tokyo’s Beloved Panda Twins Depart for China Amid Fan Farewell

Twin giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, born and raised at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo, departed for their return to China on Tuesday, January 27. As the two pandas left Ueno Zoo by truck in the afternoon, heading to Narita Airport, hundreds of fans gathered along the sidewalk near the zoo to see them off.

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China return for Ueno zoo pandas

People watch a truck carrying male giant panda Xiao Xiao and his twin sister Lei Lei leave Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 27, 2026, before the animals are sent to China, marking the first time that Japan will be without pandas since the first ones arrived in the country in 1972.

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China return for Ueno zoo pandas

A truck carrying male giant panda Xiao Xiao and his twin sister Lei Lei leaves Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 27, 2026, before the animals are sent to China, marking the first time that Japan will be without pandas since the first ones arrived in the country in 1972.

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China return for Ueno zoo pandas

People watch a truck carrying male giant panda Xiao Xiao and his twin sister Lei Lei leave Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 27, 2026, before the animals are sent to China, marking the first time that Japan will be without pandas since the first ones arrived in the country in 1972.

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China return for Ueno zoo pandas

A truck carrying male giant panda Xiao Xiao and his twin sister Lei Lei leaves Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 27, 2026, before the animals are sent to China, marking the first time that Japan will be without pandas since the first ones arrived in the country in 1972.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

TOKYO, Japan, Jan. 25 Kyodo - Video shows Xiao Xiao, a male giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of his public viewing. He and his twin sister Lei Lei will be returned to China later January. (Kyodo)

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Giant Panda Returns to China - Tokyo

A visitor chooses souvenirs of giant panda Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 25, 2025. Giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, currently residing at a zoo in Tokyo, will depart for China on Jan. 27, marking the first time in about half a century that Japan will be without any pandas, local media reported. Photo by Jia Haocheng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Giant Panda Returns to China - Tokyo

Visitors take photos of giant panda Xiao Xiao at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 25, 2025. Giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, currently residing at a zoo in Tokyo, will depart for China on Jan. 27, marking the first time in about half a century that Japan will be without any pandas, local media reported. Photo by Jia Haocheng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Giant Panda Returns to China - Tokyo

Giant panda Xiao Xiao is seen at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 25, 2025. Giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, currently residing at a zoo in Tokyo, will depart for China on Jan. 27, marking the first time in about half a century that Japan will be without any pandas, local media reported. Photo by Jia Haocheng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Giant Panda Returns to China - Tokyo

Giant panda Xiao Xiao is seen at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 25, 2025. Giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, currently residing at a zoo in Tokyo, will depart for China on Jan. 27, marking the first time in about half a century that Japan will be without any pandas, local media reported. Photo by Jia Haocheng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Giant Panda Returns to China - Tokyo

Giant panda Lei Lei is seen at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 25, 2025. Giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, currently residing at a zoo in Tokyo, will depart for China on Jan. 27, marking the first time in about half a century that Japan will be without any pandas, local media reported. Photo by Jia Haocheng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Giant Panda Returns to China - Tokyo

Visitors take photos of giant panda Lei Lei at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 25, 2025. Giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, currently residing at a zoo in Tokyo, will depart for China on Jan. 27, marking the first time in about half a century that Japan will be without any pandas, local media reported. Photo by Jia Haocheng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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[Breaking News]Wolf escapes at western Tokyo zoo

TOKYO, Japan, Dec. 29 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows an aerial view of the Tama Zoological Park in Hino, western Tokyo, shortly after noon on Dec. 28, 2025, where a wolf escaped from its enclosure. The European wolf was recaptured at around 2:20 p.m. after being spotted on a public pathway inside the zoo. (Kyodo)

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Pandas at Tokyo's Ueno zoo set to return to China

TOKYO, Japan, Dec. 16 Kyodo - Xiao Xiao, a male giant panda, is pictured at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Dec. 16, 2025, a day after the announcement that he and his twin sister Lei Lei will be returned to China the following month. (Kyodo)

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Parade of penguins at Hokkaido zoo

King penguins walk along a snow-covered 500-meter path on Dec. 17, 2025, at Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, during a rehearsal for the popular parades starting the following day.

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Parade of penguins at Hokkaido zoo

King penguins walk along a snow-covered 500-meter path on Dec. 17, 2025, at Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, during a rehearsal for the popular parades starting the following day.

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Parade of penguins at Hokkaido zoo

King penguins walk along a snow-covered 500-meter path on Dec. 17, 2025, at Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, during a rehearsal for the popular parades starting the following day.

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Parade of penguins at Hokkaido zoo

King penguins walk along a snow-covered 500-meter path on Dec. 17, 2025, at Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, during a rehearsal for the popular parades starting the following day.

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Baby emperor penguin at western Japan zoo

A baby emperor penguin is fed by a staff member dressed as a penguin using a syringe at Adventure World in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture on Oct. 6, 2025. The chick made its first public appearance the same day following its birth at the western Japan zoo and amusement park on Sept. 30.

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Baby emperor penguin at western Japan zoo

A baby emperor penguin is pictured at Adventure World in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, on Oct. 6, 2025. The chick made its first public appearance the same day following its birth at the western Japan zoo and amusement park on Sept. 30.

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Polar bear at Hokkaido zoo

A polar bear licks an ice block at Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on July 22, 2025

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Polar bear at Hokkaido zoo

A polar bear licks an ice block at Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on July 22, 2025.

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Eurasian eagle-owl at Hokkaido zoo

Photo taken on June 4, 2025, shows a Eurasian eagle-owl at Kushiro city zoo in Kushiro in Hokkaido, northern Japan.

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Eurasian eagle-owl at Hokkaido zoo

Photo taken on June 4, 2025, shows a Eurasian eagle-owl at Kushiro city zoo in Kushiro in Hokkaido, northern Japan.

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Ural owl at Hokkaido zoo

Photo taken on June 5, 2025, shows a Ural owl at Kushiro city zoo in Kushiro in Hokkaido, northern Japan.

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Ural owl at Hokkaido zoo

Photo taken on June 4, 2025, shows a Ural owl at Kushiro city zoo in Kushiro in Hokkaido, northern Japan.

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Four giant pandas at western Japan zoo to return to China

SHIRAHAMA, Japan, June 27 Kyodo - Visitors take photos of giant panda Saihin on June 27, 2025, on the final day of her public display at Adventure World in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture. All four giant pandas, including Saihin, are set to leave the western Japan zoo on June 28 to return to China. (Kyodo)

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All 4 pandas at west Japan zoo returned to China

CHENGDU, China, June 29 Kyodo - A chartered plane carrying all four giant pandas loaned to the Adventure World amusement park in Japan's Wakayama Prefecture arrives at an airport in Chengdu in China's Sichuan Province. The four were headed for a giant panda breeding center in Chengdu, with their lease agreement set to expire in August. (Kyodo)

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[Breaking News]Four giant pandas at western Japan zoo to return to China

SHIRAHAMA, Japan, June 27 Kyodo - Giant panda Rauhin is pictured on June 27, 2025, on the final day of her public display at Adventure World in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture. All four giant pandas, including Rauhin, are set to leave the western Japan zoo on June 28 to return to China. (Kyodo)

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All 4 pandas at west Japan zoo depart for China

A chartered plane carrying all four giant pandas loaned to the Adventure World amusement park in Wakayama Prefecture prepares to take off at Kansai International Airport in Osaka Prefecture on June 28, 2025. The four were headed for a giant panda breeding center in Chengdu in China's Sichuan Province, with their lease agreement set to expire in August.

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All 4 pandas at west Japan zoo depart for China

A chartered plane carrying all four giant pandas loaned to the Adventure World amusement park in Wakayama Prefecture prepares to take off at Kansai International Airport in Osaka Prefecture on June 28, 2025. The four were headed for a giant panda breeding center in Chengdu in China's Sichuan Province, with their lease agreement set to expire in August.

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All 4 pandas at west Japan zoo returned to China

A chartered plane carrying all four giant pandas loaned to the Adventure World amusement park in Japan's Wakayama Prefecture arrives at an airport in Chengdu in China's Sichuan Province. The four were headed for a giant panda breeding center in Chengdu, with their lease agreement set to expire in August.

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All 4 pandas at west Japan zoo returned to China

A chartered plane carrying all four giant pandas loaned to the Adventure World amusement park in Japan's Wakayama Prefecture arrives at an airport in Chengdu in China's Sichuan Province. The four were headed for a giant panda breeding center in Chengdu, with their lease agreement set to expire in August.

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All 4 pandas at west Japan zoo depart for China

A truck carrying some of the four giant pandas loaned to Adventure World departs the zoo in Shirahama in the western Japan prefecture of Wakayama on June 28, 2025. The four were headed for a giant panda breeding center in Chengdu in China's Sichuan Province, with their lease agreement set to expire in August.

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All 4 pandas at west Japan zoo depart for China

A truck carrying some of the four giant pandas loaned to Adventure World departs the zoo in Shirahama in the western Japan prefecture of Wakayama on June 28, 2025. The four were headed for a giant panda breeding center in Chengdu in China's Sichuan Province, with their lease agreement set to expire in August.

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All 4 pandas at west Japan zoo depart for China

A truck carrying some of the four giant pandas loaned to Adventure World departs the zoo in Shirahama in the western Japan prefecture of Wakayama on June 28, 2025. The four were headed for a giant panda breeding center in Chengdu in China's Sichuan Province, with their lease agreement set to expire in August.

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Four giant pandas at western Japan zoo to return to China

Giant panda Fuhin is pictured before the opening of Adventure World in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, on June 27, 2025, the final day of her public display. All four giant pandas at the western Japan zoo, including Fuhin, are set to leave on June 28 to return to China.

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Four giant pandas at western Japan zoo to return to China

Giant panda Yuihin is pictured on June 27, 2025, on the final day of her public display at Adventure World in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture. All four giant pandas, including Yuihin, are set to leave the western Japan zoo on June 28 to return to China.

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Four giant pandas at western Japan zoo to return to China

Giant panda Rauhin is pictured on June 27, 2025, on the final day of her public display at Adventure World in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture. All four giant pandas, including Rauhin, are set to leave the western Japan zoo on June 28 to return to China.

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Four giant pandas at western Japan zoo to return to China

Giant panda Rauhin is pictured on June 27, 2025, on the final day of her public display at Adventure World in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture. All four giant pandas, including Rauhin, are set to leave the western Japan zoo on June 28 to return to China.

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Four giant pandas at western Japan zoo to return to China

Giant panda Rauhin is pictured on June 27, 2025, on the final day of her public display at Adventure World in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture. All four giant pandas, including Rauhin, are set to leave the western Japan zoo on June 28 to return to China.

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Four giant pandas at western Japan zoo

Giant pandas, (from top L, clockwise) Rauhin, Yuihin, Fuhin and Saihin, are pictured at Adventure World in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, on May 11, 2025, Sept. 18, 2022, Dec. 24, 2024 and Aug. 14, 2024, respectively. All four giant pandas on loan to the western Japan zoo are set to leave on June 28, 2025, to return to China.

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Four giant pandas at western Japan zoo to return to China

Giant panda Fuhin is pictured before the opening of Adventure World in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, on June 27, 2025, the final day of her public display. All four giant pandas at the western Japan zoo, including Fuhin, are set to leave on June 28 to return to China.

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Four giant pandas at western Japan zoo to return to China

Giant panda Saihin is pictured before the opening of Adventure World in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, on June 27, 2025, the final day of her public display. All four giant pandas at the western Japan zoo, including Saihin, are set to leave on June 28 to return to China.

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Four giant pandas at western Japan zoo to return to China

Giant panda Saihin is pictured before the opening of Adventure World in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, on June 27, 2025, the final day of her public display. All four giant pandas at the western Japan zoo, including Saihin, are set to leave on June 28 to return to China.

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Four giant pandas at western Japan zoo to return to China

Visitors take photos of giant panda Saihin on June 27, 2025, on the final day of her public display at Adventure World in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture. All four giant pandas, including Saihin, are set to leave the western Japan zoo on June 28 to return to China.

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Four giant pandas at western Japan zoo to return to China

Visitors take photos of giant panda Saihin on June 27, 2025, on the final day of her public display at Adventure World in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture. All four giant pandas, including Saihin, are set to leave the western Japan zoo on June 28 to return to China.

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Four giant pandas at western Japan zoo to return to China

Visitors take photos of giant panda Saihin (back) on June 27, 2025, on the final day of her public display at Adventure World in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture. All four giant pandas, including Saihin, are set to leave the western Japan zoo on June 28 to return to China.

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Four giant pandas at western Japan zoo to return to China

Giant panda Yuihin is pictured on June 27, 2025, on the final day of her public display at Adventure World in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture. All four giant pandas, including Yuihin, are set to leave the western Japan zoo on June 28 to return to China.

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Four giant pandas at western Japan zoo to return to China

Visitors take photos of giant panda Saihin on June 27, 2025, on the final day of her public display at Adventure World in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture. All four giant pandas, including Saihin, are set to leave the western Japan zoo on June 28 to return to China.