Beijing-born giant panda Ya Ya returned to China as scheduled on Thursday after a 20-year stay at the Memphis Zoo in the U.S. state of Tennessee, according to Chinese media, after public concern mounted over her health conditions due to possible neglect.
The 22-year-old female giant panda arrived at Shanghai Pudong Airport after a nearly 16-hour flight on a cargo plane. Ya Ya will be quarantined in the city before being transported to Beijing Zoo, the media reported.
In many images and videos that have gone viral, Ya Ya appeared to be underweight and with a skin condition, sparking speculation of mistreatment.
In February, male 24-year-old giant panda Le Le, who had been living with Ya Ya at the Tennessee zoo, suddenly died of heart disease ahead of his scheduled return to China, leading to accusations of mistreatment by animal welfare groups.
The remains of Le Le, which was originally from Shanghai Zoo, were transported back to China together with Ya Ya. Some Chinese internet users had referenced the deteriorating relations between China and the United States when discussing the treatment of Ya Ya and Le Le.
In a statement released in February, the Memphis Zoo denied any abuse and said Ya Ya's skin condition does not affect her quality of life.
The Memphis Zoo tweeted Wednesday that Ya Ya "will be sorely missed" by its staff and the local community. "We wish her the best of luck in her new home," it said.
On Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a press conference the two pandas "received good care" from the Memphis Zoo and "great affection from the American people."
Mao said the collaborative research on giant panda conservation has made positive contributions to cultural and people-to-people exchanges. "China stands ready to continue to work with cooperation partners including the United States to play our part in protecting endangered species," she added.
In 2003, Ya Ya and Le Le were loaned to the Memphis Zoo for a 10-year period as part of a joint conservation and research project with the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens. The zoo was granted a 10-year extension after the contract expired in 2013.
Last December, the Memphis Zoo announced that Le Le and Ya Ya would be returned to China following the end of the 20-year loan contract in 2023.
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