Le Le, Singapore's beloved giant panda, safely arrives in Chengdu for next phase of conservation journey
After an emotional farewell in Singapore, three-year-old Le Le enters second round of quarantine in China
SINGAPORE — The Singapore-born giant panda cub Le Le has safely reached Chengdu, China, where he is currently undergoing his second round of mandatory quarantine, a joint media release by Mandai Wildlife Group and Singapore Airlines (SIA) said on Wednesday (17 January).
The three-year-old cub, set to turn three in August, completed an initial four-and-a-half weeks of quarantine at River Wonders in the Mandai Wildlife Reserve in Singapore before embarking on his journey.
During the second phase of quarantine in Huaying, Guang'an city, Sichuan province, the Singapore-born panda cub is under close observation by the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda to determine his next home.
According to Xinhua news agency, Le Le will undergo a 30-day quarantine in China. In adherence to the terms of Chinese panda loan agreements, cubs born abroad are typically returned to China upon reaching the age of two.
Le Le made his final appearance at the Pavilion Capital Giant Panda Forest at River Wonders on 13 December, after which he entered quarantine in his den on 14 December.
Heartfelt farewells and a new chapter in giant panda conservation
The departure day was described as "emotional", with the panda care team bidding farewell to Le Le as they prepared him for the flight.
A handcrafted heart-shaped card with good wishes for the giant panda was attached to his crate by the care team for the journey.
Minister of State for Trade and Industry Alvin Tan, Zhu Jing (Charge d'Affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Singapore), and Qin Wen (Cultural Counsellor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Singapore) were present on the airport tarmac to bid farewell to Le Le.
Accompanying him on the flight was his keeper, Trisha Tay, a veterinarian from Mandai Wildlife Group and a keeper from China, who tended to Le Le during the journey.
The statement reported that Le Le adapted well to the flight, maintaining a healthy appetite by consuming bamboo and bamboo shoots.
His arrival in China marks a new chapter as he officially becomes part of China's giant panda conservation programme for the protection of his species.
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