Thousands of fans gathered to say the final goodbye to Fu Bao, a giant panda born in Everland, before she headed off to China on Wednesday under an international agreement, nearly four years after she was born.Everland, the nation’s largest amusement park located in Yongin, 42 kilometers southeast of Seoul, held a farewell ceremony where the female giant panda slowly passed fans while riding a vibration-free special vehicle used to transport semiconductors.Some 6,000 fans have gathered around to catch the last glimpse of the giant panda, with some of them waiting from as early as 4 a.m., despite the rainy and cold weather. Zookeepers Kang Cheol-won, widely recognized as the “panda grandfather” by fans, and Song Young-gwan each read out a letter to Fu Bao and to the fans.”The day has come for you to leave,” said Kang, who has taken care of Fu Bao since she was born. “Fu Bao, you gave hope and bliss to many people since the moment you were born. It’s now time for you to go on a long trip to begin your new life,” he said.
Some fans were seen weeping out loud when Kang read the letter.The road was decorated with flower designs with messages from fans, and Everland played photos and videos of Fu Bao on a large LED screen.The giant panda will head off to China on a Chinese-chartered plane from Incheon International Airport.She is expected to arrive in China late in the afternoon and stay at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Sichuan Province.Fu Bao was born on July 20, 2020, to Ai Bao and Le Bao, the giant pandas sent by Chinese President Xi Jinping in March 2016 as a symbol of the Korea-China friendship.Pandas sent by China to overseas countries are returned to China before they turn four in accordance with the endangered species conservation agreement.Everland said it plans to continue to share the life of Fu Bao in China through an agreement it reached with 카지노사이트킹 Chinese state media CCTV last year.