The city of Yongin, South Korea, on November 6, designated the giant panda twins Ruibao and Huibao, born at Everland, as honorary citizens. The city also awarded a 'baby resident registration card' to their younger sibling, Shubao, born this year.
Mayor Lee Sang-il visited Everland's Panda World to present the honorary citizenship certificates for Ruibao and Huibao, along with Shubao's baby registration card, to zookeepers Kang Cheol-won and Song Young-gwan.
The city recognized the pandas for bringing joy to many people before their upcoming move to China. The certificates were made from bamboo sourced from Damyang, South Jeolla Province. Shubao received the baby registration card to commemorate being born in Yongin.
The city previously awarded honorary citizenship certificates to panda Fu Bao on February 8, 2024, and baby registration cards to Ruibao and Huibao. Mayor Lee stated that he would provide citizenship certificates to the now three-year-old pandas while also issuing a baby registration card for Shubao.
Mayor Lee remarked, "Thanks to the diligent care from the two zookeepers, the pandas are growing up at Everland and touching the hearts of the public and citizens. I hope the pandas remain healthy and happy during their time at Everland, continuing to inspire the people of South Korea and Yongin."
Ruibao and Huibao were born on July 7, 2023, marking the first panda births at Everland three years after Fu Bao's arrival in July 2020. Shubao was born on June 3 of this year and was first revealed to the public on October 30.
The two pandas are scheduled to meet visitors for the last time on December 11 before entering quarantine on December 13 ahead of their departure to China.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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