Giant Panda Ya Ya Returns to China

From the Memphis Zoo Press Release: On Wednesday, April 26th, giant panda Ya Ya began her journey back to China. Ya Ya is accompanied by Memphis Zoo's senior veterinarian and Chief Zoological Officer – together they possess over 25 years of giant panda experience. Our veterinarian will manage any medical concerns or needs, while our Chief Zoological Officer will manage all husbandry needs while en route. Memphis Zoo's panda loan agreement ended this spring and Ya Ya is returning to China to live out her golden years. After 20 years, Ya Ya has become like family, and she will be sorely missed by the Memphis Zoo staff and the local community. We wish her the best of luck in her new home. ~ The Memphis Zoo

I dug through my archive to rekindle some of the memories from when my colleague, Wayne Risher and I went along to China to document the zoo officials bringing back the Giant Pandas, Ya Ya and Le Le to the Memphis Zoo.

It was a big deal for Memphis!

Below is a photo gallery from China in 2003. See where they lived and how officials prepared the pandas to fly on a FedEx plane to Memphis.

Here is another photo gallery of daily life around Beijing and Shanghai.

Here is a gallery with more current photos of the pandas and also YaYa’s recent going away party at the Memphis Zoo and the panda exhibit.

Giant Pandas Leaving Memphis Zoo

It is hard to believe it’s been 20 years since the pandas came to Memphis from China.

 Today, the Memphis Zoo announced that the aging pandas, Ya Ya and Le Le were both going to live out their days back home in China.

 “After two decades, Memphis Zoo's current giant panda loan agreement with the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens will end and Ya Ya and Le Le will make the journey back to China within the next few months. Ya Ya and Le Le have been integral parts of the Memphis community for the past 20 years and we are grateful for the time we were able to spend with them. During their time at Memphis Zoo, Ya Ya and Le Le helped pioneer research and conservation projects to teach others about the importance of their species. It has been a privilege to host these incredible bears at Memphis Zoo for the past two decades and the impact their culture has had on the City of Memphis will forever be remembered” the zoo said in a statement on Facebook.

 I was fortunate enough to go to China in 2003 on assignment for The Commercial Appeal, when the Memphis Zoo went to pick up the pandas. I feel very connected to them. I have photographed and filmed them very many times over the years.

“China requires foreign zoos that host pandas on loan to allow older animals to spend their final days on Chinese soil. At 24 and 22, respectively, Le Le and Ya Ya have exceeded the giant panda life expectancy in the wild by almost 10 years, according to the spokesperson.” (Reuters, link below)

 I have put together some of the highlights from their stay, which included a Time Magazine cover celebrating their arrival.

All Images Subject to Copyright ©Karen Pulfer Focht

The Giant Pandas in China before coming to Memphis. Matt Thompson, who is now President and CEO of the Memphis Zoo was among zoo officials in 2003 and is seen here with the Pandas, Ya Ya and Le Le in China.

My photo was used as Time Magazine touts the arrival of the Pandas at the Memphis Zoo.

Zoo officials worked closely with China while doing their panda breeding research.

VIDEO BELOW

My photo was featured in the China Daily story which speaks to how well the Memphis Zoo cared for these pandas-

http://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202301/05/WS63b5a51ea31057c47eba7b4e.html




One of the other places you can see Giant Pandas in the US is at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington D.C. Their new baby is shown here playing below.

VIDEO BELOW

XIAO QI JI, born to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo on Aug. 21, 2020 plays in his habitat on June 23, 2021. The male panda cub was born to mother Mei Xiang and father Tian Tian. The Smithsonian’s National Zoo reopened to the public for the first time since late November at the end of May, 2021.