Environment

On Tuesday December 10, a new chapter began for the Pairi Daiza animal park in central Belgium. Tian Bao, Bao Di and Bao Mei, three of the park's five giant pandas, began their journey to China, the land of their ancestors.

An emotional departure

At dawn, a crowd of 1,500 visitors, all wearing masks, gathered on the outskirts of the park to bid farewell to the three young ursidae. The atmosphere was full of emotion as the pandas left the “Middle Kingdom”, their re-created habitat within the park, after a period of quarantine.

Meticulous preparations

The departure was orchestrated with precision. Fabian Muylle, in charge of loading, revealed that a rehearsal had taken place the previous week to ensure that the operation would run smoothly.

Destination: Sichuan

The three pandas were transported in two trucks to Brussels airport. From there, they will fly to China, more precisely to the Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center in Sichuan province.

Conservation program

The transfer is part of a global effort to preserve the species. Although the number of giant pandas in the wild has increased from 1100 in the 1980s to around 1900 today, the species remains vulnerable.

Pairi Daiza's heritage

Tian Bao, born on June 2, 2016, and twins Bao Di and Bao Mei, born on August 8, 2019, leave behind a park that has invested heavily in their well-being. Their departure marks the end of an era for Pairi Daiza, but the parents of the 3 young pandas, Hao Hao and Xing Hui, will remain at the park until 2029.

Panda diplomacy

"Panda diplomacy” plays a significant role in relations between China and other countries, serving as a soft power tool for Beijing for several decades.

The practice of lending pandas to other nations has become an important diplomatic tool for China. These loans generally symbolize good relations between countries, and are often associated with major diplomatic events.

Initially based on donations, panda diplomacy has evolved into a long-term leasing system, reflecting China's changing status on the international stage.

Although primarily focused on diplomacy, the practice has also contributed to conservation efforts for the endangered giant panda.

(MH with LpR - Source : Le journal des enfants/Picture : picture alliance / Photoshot)