Giant panda in Japan before returning to China

TOKYO, Japan, Sept. 28 Kyodo - Video taken Sept. 28, 2024, shows male giant panda Ri Ri at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens on the final day for public viewing of the panda and his female mate Shin Shin. The couple, both aged 19 and on loan to Japan since 2011, will be returned to China the following day for treatment due to health concerns. (Pool photo) (Kyodo)

Giant panda in Japan returns to China

Giant panda in Japan returns to China

A truck carrying male giant panda Ri Ri and his female mate Shin Shin leaves Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens in the small hours of Sept. 29, 2024. The couple, both aged 19 and on loan to Japan since 2011, were returned to China due to health concerns.

Giant panda in Japan before returning to China

Giant panda in Japan before returning to China

Photo taken Sept. 28, 2024, shows female giant panda Shin Shin at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens on the final day for public viewing of the panda and her male mate Ri Ri. The couple, both aged 19 and on loan to Japan since 2011, will be returned to China the following day for treatment due to health concerns. (Pool photo)

Giant panda in Japan before returning to China

Giant panda in Japan before returning to China

Photo taken Sept. 28, 2024, shows male giant panda Ri Ri at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens on the final day for public viewing of the panda and his female mate Shin Shin. The couple, both aged 19 and on loan to Japan since 2011, will be returned to China the following day for treatment due to health concerns. (Pool photo)

Giant panda in Japan before returning to China

Giant panda in Japan before returning to China

People look at male giant panda Ri Ri (L) and his female mate Shin Shin at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens on Sept. 28, 2024, the final day for public viewing of the couple. Both aged 19 and on loan to Japan since 2011, they will be returned to China the following day for treatment due to health concerns.

Giant panda in Japan before returning to China

Giant panda in Japan before returning to China

Photo taken Sept. 28, 2024, shows female giant panda Shin Shin at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens on the final day for public viewing of the panda and her male mate Ri Ri. The couple, both aged 19 and on loan to Japan since 2011, will be returned to China the following day for treatment due to health concerns.

Giant panda in Japan before returning to China

Giant panda in Japan before returning to China

People take photos of female giant panda Shin Shin (R) and her male mate Ri Ri at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens on Sept. 28, 2024, the final day for public viewing of the couple. Both aged 19 and on loan to Japan since 2011, they will be returned to China the following day for treatment due to health concerns.

Giant panda in Japan before returning to China

Giant panda in Japan before returning to China

People take photos of female giant panda Shin Shin at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens on Sept. 28, 2024, the final day for public viewing of the panda and her male mate Ri Ri. The couple, both aged 19 and on loan to Japan since 2011, will be returned to China the following day for treatment due to health concerns.

Giant panda in Japan before returning to China

Giant panda in Japan before returning to China

Photo taken Sept. 28, 2024, shows male giant panda Ri Ri at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens on the final day for public viewing of the panda and his female mate Shin Shin. The couple, both aged 19 and on loan to Japan since 2011, will be returned to China the following day for treatment due to health concerns.

Giant panda in Japan before returning to China

Giant panda in Japan before returning to China

People take photos of female giant panda Shin Shin (R) and her male mate Ri Ri at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens on Sept. 28, 2024, the final day for public viewing of the couple. Both aged 19 and on loan to Japan since 2011, they will be returned to China the following day for treatment due to health concerns.

Giant panda in Japan before returning to China

Giant panda in Japan before returning to China

People take photos of female giant panda Shin Shin at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens on Sept. 28, 2024, the final day for public viewing of the panda and her male mate Ri Ri. The couple, both aged 19 and on loan to Japan since 2011, will be returned to China the following day for treatment due to health concerns.

Pair of giant pandas in Japan to return to China for treatment

Pair of giant pandas in Japan to return to China for treatment

Photo taken on Aug. 31, 2024, shows female giant panda Shin Shin at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens. Shin Shin and her male mate Ri Ri, both aged 19 and on loan to Japan since 2011, will return to China on Sept. 29 for treatment for high blood pressure and other health concerns.

Pair of giant pandas in Japan to return to China for treatment

Pair of giant pandas in Japan to return to China for treatment

Photo taken on Aug. 31, 2024, shows male giant panda Ri Ri at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens. Ri Ri and his female mate Shin Shin, both aged 19 and on loan to Japan since 2011, will return to China on Sept. 29 for treatment for high blood pressure and other health concerns.

Pair of giant pandas in Japan to return to China for treatment

Pair of giant pandas in Japan to return to China for treatment

Photo taken on Aug. 31, 2024, shows male giant panda Ri Ri at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens. Ri Ri and his female mate Shin Shin, both aged 19 and on loan to Japan since 2011, will return to China on Sept. 29 for treatment for high blood pressure and other health concerns.

Pair of giant pandas in Japan to return to China for treatment

Pair of giant pandas in Japan to return to China for treatment

Photo taken on Aug. 31, 2024, shows male giant panda Ri Ri at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens. Ri Ri and his female mate Shin Shin, both aged 19 and on loan to Japan since 2011, will return to China on Sept. 29 for treatment for high blood pressure and other health concerns.

Pair of giant pandas in Japan to return to China for treatment

Pair of giant pandas in Japan to return to China for treatment

Photo taken on Aug. 31, 2024, shows male giant panda Ri Ri at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens. Ri Ri and his female mate Shin Shin, both aged 19 and on loan to Japan since 2011, will return to China on Sept. 29 for treatment for high blood pressure and other health concerns.

Pair of giant pandas in Japan to return to China for treatment

Pair of giant pandas in Japan to return to China for treatment

Photo taken on Aug. 31, 2024, shows female giant panda Shin Shin at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens. Shin Shin and her male mate Ri Ri, both aged 19 and on loan to Japan since 2011, will return to China on Sept. 29 for treatment for high blood pressure and other health concerns.

Pair of giant pandas in Japan to return to China for treatment

Pair of giant pandas in Japan to return to China for treatment

Photo taken on Aug. 31, 2024, shows male giant panda Ri Ri at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens. Ri Ri and his female mate Shin Shin, both aged 19 and on loan to Japan since 2011, will return to China on Sept. 29 for treatment for high blood pressure and other health concerns.

Giant panda Shin Shin at Tokyo zoo

Giant panda Shin Shin at Tokyo zoo

Photo taken on Aug. 31, 2024, shows female giant panda Shin Shin at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens. The 19-year-old panda and her male mate Ri Ri have been on loan to Japan and will be returned to China on Sept. 29, for treatment due to health concerns.

Giant panda Ri Ri at Tokyo zoo

Giant panda Ri Ri at Tokyo zoo

Photo taken on Aug. 31, 2024, shows male giant panda Ri Ri at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens. The 19-year-old panda and his female mate Shin Shin have been on loan to Japan and will be returned to China on Sept. 29, 2024, for treatment due to health concerns.

Tokyo-born panda Xiang Xiang in China

Tokyo-born giant panda Xiang Xiang is pictured at a giant panda research center in Yaan in China's Sichuan Province on June 12, 2024, her seventh birthday. The panda was born at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens in 2017 from a pair of pandas on loan from China and was sent to her parents' home country in 2023.

Tokyo-born panda Xiang Xiang in China

Tokyo-born panda Xiang Xiang in China

Tokyo-born giant panda Xiang Xiang is pictured at a giant panda research center in Yaan in China's Sichuan Province on June 12, 2024, her seventh birthday. The panda was born at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens in 2017 from a pair of pandas on loan from China and was sent to her parents' home country in 2023.

Tokyo-born panda Xiang Xiang in China

Tokyo-born panda Xiang Xiang in China

Tokyo-born giant panda Xiang Xiang is pictured at a giant panda research center in Yaan in China's Sichuan Province on June 12, 2024, her seventh birthday. The panda was born at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens in 2017 from a pair of pandas on loan from China and was sent to her parents' home country in 2023.

Tokyo-born panda Xiang Xiang in China

Tokyo-born panda Xiang Xiang in China

Tokyo-born giant panda Xiang Xiang is pictured at a giant panda research center in Yaan in China's Sichuan Province on June 12, 2024, her seventh birthday. The panda was born at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens in 2017 from a pair of pandas on loan from China and was sent to her parents' home country in 2023.

Tokyo-born panda Xiang Xiang in China

Tokyo-born panda Xiang Xiang in China

Tokyo-born giant panda Xiang Xiang is pictured at a giant panda research center in Yaan in China's Sichuan Province on June 12, 2024, her seventh birthday. The panda was born at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens in 2017 from a pair of pandas on loan from China and was sent to her parents' home country in 2023.

Twin giant pandas at Ueno zoo

Twin giant pandas at Ueno zoo

Visitors watch giant panda Lei Lei at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens on April 16, 2024. Lei Lei, born in June 2021, has been moved to a separate enclosure away from its twin Xiao Xiao to prevent possible injury.

Twin giant pandas at Ueno zoo

Twin giant pandas at Ueno zoo

Visitors watch giant panda Xiao Xiao at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens on April 16, 2024. Xiao Xiao, born in June 2021, has been moved to a separate enclosure away from its twin Lei Lei to prevent possible injury.

Twin giant pandas at Ueno zoo

TOKYO, Japan, April 12 Kyodo -Video taken on April 12, 2024, shows twin giant pandas Xiao Xiao (L) and Lei Lei at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens. They will live separately from each other from April 16 to prevent possible injury.(Kyodo)

Twin giant pandas at Ueno zoo

Twin giant pandas at Ueno zoo

Photo taken on April 12, 2024, shows twin giant pandas Xiao Xiao (L) and Lei Lei at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens. They will live separately from each other from April 16 to prevent possible injury.

Twin giant pandas at Ueno zoo

Twin giant pandas at Ueno zoo

Photo taken on April 12, 2024, shows twin giant pandas Xiao Xiao (R) and Lei Lei at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens. They will live separately from each other from April 16 to prevent possible injury.

Twin giant pandas at Ueno zoo

Twin giant pandas at Ueno zoo

Photo taken on April 12, 2024, shows twin giant pandas Xiao Xiao (L) and Lei Lei at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens. They will live separately from each other from April 16 to prevent possible injury.

Japan-born panda in China

Japan-born panda in China

Photo taken Nov. 7, 2023, shows Japan-born giant panda Xiang Xiang at a giant panda research center in Yaan in China's Sichuan Province. It was born from a pair of pandas on loan from China in 2017 and spent years at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens.

Tokyo-born panda in China

Tokyo-born panda in China

Photo taken on Oct. 10, 2023, shows Tokyo-born giant panda Xiang Xiang at a giant panda research center in China's Sichuan Province after she recently went on public view for the first time since arriving in China from Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens in February.

Tokyo-born panda in China

Tokyo-born panda in China

Photo taken on Oct. 10, 2023, shows Tokyo-born giant panda Xiang Xiang at a giant panda research center in China's Sichuan Province after she recently went on public view for the first time since arriving in China from Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens in February.

Tokyo-born panda in China

Tokyo-born panda in China

Photo taken on Oct. 10, 2023, shows Tokyo-born giant panda Xiang Xiang at a giant panda research center in China's Sichuan Province after she recently went on public view for the first time since arriving in China from Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens in February.

Tokyo-born panda in China

Tokyo-born panda in China

Photo taken on Oct. 10, 2023, shows Tokyo-born giant panda Xiang Xiang at a giant panda research center in China's Sichuan Province after she recently went on public view for the first time since arriving in China from Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens in February.

Tokyo-born panda in China

Tokyo-born panda in China

Photo taken on Oct. 10, 2023, shows Tokyo-born giant panda Xiang Xiang at a giant panda research center in China's Sichuan Province after she recently went on public view for the first time since arriving in China from Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens in February.

Twin giant pandas at Ueno zoo

Twin giant pandas at Ueno zoo

Visitors snap photos of twin giant panda cubs Xiao Xiao (L) and Lei Lei, who are learning to live separately from their mother Shin Shin, at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens on March 22, 2023.

Twin giant pandas at Ueno zoo

Twin giant pandas at Ueno zoo

Twin giant panda cubs Xiao Xiao (R) and Lei Lei, who are learning to live separately from their mother Shin Shin, are pictured together at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens on March 22, 2023.

Twin giant pandas at Ueno zoo

Twin giant pandas at Ueno zoo

Twin giant panda cubs Xiao Xiao (R) and Lei Lei, who are learning to live separately from their mother Shin Shin, are pictured at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens on March 22, 2023.

Twin giant pandas at Ueno zoo

Twin giant pandas at Ueno zoo

Twin giant pandas -- male Xiao Xiao (front) and his sister Lei Lei -- are pictured at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on March 10, 2023, after being separated from their mother Shin Shin as they begin transition to independence. The twins were born on June 23, 2021.

Twin giant pandas at Ueno zoo

Twin giant pandas at Ueno zoo

Twin giant pandas -- male Xiao Xiao (bottom) and his sister Lei Lei -- are pictured at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on March 10, 2023, after being separated from their mother Shin Shin as they begin transition to independence. The twins were born on June 23, 2021.

Twin giant pandas at Ueno zoo

Twin giant pandas at Ueno zoo

Twin giant pandas -- male Xiao Xiao (R) and his sister Lei Lei -- are pictured at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on March 10, 2023, after being separated from their mother Shin Shin as they begin transition to independence. The twins were born on June 23, 2021.

Twin giant pandas at Ueno zoo

Twin giant pandas at Ueno zoo

Twin giant pandas -- male Xiao Xiao (L) and his sister Lei Lei -- are pictured at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on March 10, 2023, after being separated from their mother Shin Shin as they begin transition to independence. The twins were born on June 23, 2021.

Twin giant pandas at Ueno zoo

Twin giant pandas at Ueno zoo

Twin giant pandas -- male Xiao Xiao (front) and his sister Lei Lei -- are pictured at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on March 10, 2023, after being separated from their mother Shin Shin as they begin transition to independence. The twins were born on June 23, 2021.

Welcoming mood for giant panda Xiang Xiang

Welcoming mood for giant panda Xiang Xiang

Sliced sushi rolls featuring the face of a panda are sold at an Ito-Yokado supermarket store in Chengdu in Sichuan Province on Feb. 22, 2023, marking the arrival of Japanese-born giant panda Xiang Xiang in the Chinese province from Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens.

Welcoming mood for giant panda Xiang Xiang

Welcoming mood for giant panda Xiang Xiang

Panda-shaped steamed buns are sold at an Ito-Yokado supermarket store in Chengdu in Sichuan Province on Feb. 22, 2023, marking the arrival of Japanese-born giant panda Xiang Xiang in the Chinese province from Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens.

Welcoming mood for giant panda Xiang Xiang

Welcoming mood for giant panda Xiang Xiang

Sliced sushi rolls featuring the face of a panda are sold at an Ito-Yokado supermarket store in Chengdu in Sichuan Province on Feb. 22, 2023, marking the arrival of Japanese-born giant panda Xiang Xiang in the Chinese province from Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens.

Giant panda Xiang Xiang

Giant panda Xiang Xiang

Yutaka Fukuda, head of Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens, speaks to reporters after seeing off Xiang Xiang the giant panda on Feb. 21, 2023, her day of departure to China.

Fans flock to Tokyo zoo for panda's last day before China return

Visitors flocked to Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Sunday to bid goodbye to a hugely popular female giant panda on her last day with the public before her return to China. Xiang Xiang's final appearance before she leaves Japan on Tuesday was subject to enormous demand, with many taking photos of her on the landmark day and some reduced to tears as their one-to-two minute time with the panda came to an end. Admission to see the giant panda was limited to a pre-selected lottery of 2,600 entries a day. The final time slot on Sunday was so popular that there were around 70 times as many applicants as there were available entries. While her time in Japan was originally set to conclude once she had turned 2, the loan saw five extensions due to the coronavirus pandemic.