Everland has announced that its twin giant pandas, Ruibao and Huibao, will be leaving for China in the third week of December. The exact date and their destination will be determined based on their health, temperature, and local conditions.
This was an anticipated article. Giant pandas born outside of China must return to the country before they turn four years old to be eligible for breeding. Their older sister, Pubao, left under similar circumstances, so it was expected that the twins would follow suit this winter.
On July 7, 2023, Aibao gave birth to the twins, with the first weighing 180 grams and the second 140 grams. They were the first twin pandas born in South Korea through natural breeding. Initially unnamed, they were referred to as 'twin panda sisters' in news articles.
About a month later, their pink bodies developed black markings. The first twin bore a V-shaped mark resembling their father, Lubao, while the second had a U-shaped mark like their mother, Aibao. Just days before their 100th day, they received their names: 'Wise Treasure' Ruibao and 'Shining Treasure' Huibao, with nearly 500,000 people participating in the final voting.
Articles were written for their first and third birthdays. In July, when a tourism campaign was launched featuring the twins traveling across the country before their departure to China, the title included 'Before Going to China...' It was a title that acknowledged the impending departure, which at the time felt distant. However, just over two months later, that day is fast approaching. In less than three months, it will be time to say goodbye to the twins.
The farewell for Pubao was similarly emotional. On April 3, 2024, a rainy weekday morning, over 6,000 fans gathered at Everland for her final day in South Korea, which lasted 1,354 days. Some had been waiting since 4 a.m. Tears flowed as the vehicle carrying Pubao passed in front of the Rose Garden.
The last time visitors saw Pubao was a month earlier, on March 3. She entered quarantine the following day and left Korea exactly a month later.
In the summer of the following year, I visited the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base in Chengdu, China. However, Pubao was not there; she was at the Wolong Shenshuping base. Watching the pandas climb trees and roll on the ground, I recalled how thousands braved the rain in Korea to bid farewell to just one panda.
For a time, there were criticisms regarding the excessive attention on Pubao. Some questioned why so many people were interested in the actions of a single panda. Even after her departure, news about Pubao continued, and fans in Korea sought out photos and videos shared from China.
However, as I observed Ruibao and Huibao growing up, I realized that the interest in them cannot be solely attributed to their cuteness. The time spent watching them from birth, naming them, and witnessing their growth has created a bond. Even those who have not visited Everland know their names and can distinguish their personalities. Each moment has contributed to personal memories.
Panda articles often emphasize 'firsts' and 'lasts.' As I document their birth date, naming day, and first appearance before visitors, I now prepare to note their departure date. Having experienced this with Pubao, I thought it would be easier this time, but the emotions remain the same.
Ruibao and Huibao have always been inseparable. They would snuggle together in their mother's embrace, play in the trees, and compete for food. Fans often shared tips on how to tell them apart.
There is not much time left to see the twins at Everland. The pandas will undergo health and quarantine checks for about a month before their departure. The schedule for public viewings during this period has not yet been determined. If, like Pubao, they do not allow visitors a month before leaving, there will be just over a month and a half left to see them in person.
The exact departure date and last public viewing date have not yet been announced. Therefore, farewells can wait until then.
Until that time, I plan to continue observing them, just as I have since the day they were born.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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