Ya Ya - giant panda
Born on August 3, 2000 in Beijing, YaYa is a female giant panda that was on loan for 20 years from the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens to Memphis Zoo, USA. China has sent pandas overseas as a diplomatic tool to strengthen international ties since 1972 after US president Richard Nixon met Chinese leader Mao Zedong. After this meeting China gave pandas Ling Ling and Xing Xing to the United States.
A second giant panda, named LeLe, was also under the same loan agreement with Memphis Zoo but LeLe died suddenly on February 1 2023. The loan expiry was in April 2023 and YaYa was returned to China on April 27, 2023.[1]
Whilst YaYa was at Memphis Zoo Panda Voices and In Defense of Animals, who were campaigning for the release of LeLe and YaYa, raised concerns over the wellbeing of both pandas including:
- Insufficient bamboo
- Malnourishment
- Excessive Caging Time (10+hours)
- Stereotypical Behavior
- Distressed Mental Health
- Skin Mite Disease
- Dental Problems
See also
External links
- Panda Voices
- Panda Voices with Tom & Sarah All About Animals Radio Podcast
- Fate of ‘sick’ Chinese panda in US zoo exposes political tensions
- Chinese Anger Rises over 'Malnourished' Pandas in U.S. Zoo Newsweek
References
- ↑ YaYa The Giant Panda Flies Home To China After Suffering 20 Years In Captivity At The Memphis Zoo World Animal News Retrieved Apr 27, 2023