Beijing –
A giant panda goes viral on Chinese social media. This panda was emaciated when he was loaned to the United States.
Ya Ya, a 25-year-old female panda, had lived at the Memphis Zoo in Tennessee since 2003 before returning to China in April 2023, according to reports Global Times.
Before going home, photos of a thin Ya Ya spread on social media. He is said to be malnourished, netizens are worried about his welfare there.
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According to the Beijing Zoo as quoted from the Shin Min Daily News report, Ya Ya only weighed 75 kg when he returned to China. Apart from looking thin, he also suffers from skin problems.
However, after more than two years, Ya Ya now weighs 95 kg. The fur on his body grew thick and shiny. In a video shared on the Beijing Zoo’s social media page on Friday (Jan. 30), Ya Ya looked healthier and well adapted to its habitat.
The footage also shows him enjoying the sunshine and his food. In the comments section, netizens expressed their joy over Ya Ya’s improving physical condition.
“Ya Ya has changed a lot since returning to China. She has gained weight and has become much healthier,” said one netizen.
“Thanks to all the staff at Beijing Zoo for letting us see Ya Ya, who is so healthy and fat.”
Meanwhile, US zoos have claimed that panda size is linked to family genetics. Ya Ya’s physical appearance in 2023 has sparked accusations of mistreatment against the Memphis Zoo, amid tense US-China relations.
As part of China’s “panda diplomacy”, giant pandas are sent to host countries as a symbol of friendship and goodwill.
Ya Ya and her partner, Le Le, were originally scheduled to return to China in late 2023 after their 20-year loan ended, but Le Le suddenly died of heart disease in early February 2023, further strengthening suspicions of ill-treatment, as reported CNN.
Now Ya Ya is happy. Hopefully the pandas in other countries don’t get the same treatment as Ya Ya.
(bnl/ddn)
date:2026-02-07 15:00:00
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