Japanese theme park returns China-bred pandas for breeding

Panda twins Youhin(left) and Kaihin in Japan's Wakayama Adventure World.[Photo: Xinhua]

Three pandas in Japan's Wakayama Adventure World will return to China on Monday and arrive at the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding the next day in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, reports The Paper.

The three are six-year-old panda twins Kaihin and Youhin, along with four-year-old female panda Yuhin. All three have reached the age of sexual maturity and are returned to China for mating.

Hundreds of well-wishers participated in a farewell party held on June 4th in Japan for the three pandas. The director of the zoo sent best wishes for the pandas. Zoo staff even made three ice cream cakes for them as farewell gifts.

Panda Yuhin enjoy an ice cream cake in Japan's Wakayama Adventure World.[Photo: Xinhua]

"Giant panda is a symbol of cuteness in Japanese people's hearts. They are extremely welcomed in Japan. Pandas from China gave birth to panda cubs in Japan, and the cubs return to China after being raised up. This reflects the bond of the friendship between our two countries," said Noriko Endo, a caretaker of the pandas.

Since 1994, the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding has been working with Wakayama Adventure World on the research of giant panda breeding. A total of 15 pandas have been successfully bred, with eight of them returned to China, according to Yang Yi, who works at the breeding base.

After being returned to the base in Chengdu, the three pandas will be quarantined for a month, during which professional keepers will provide medical care and training for them.