It was a tearful goodbye for Madrid Zoo's panda handlers. Hua Zui Ba and Bing Xing became part of the family after arriving at Madrid Zoo in 2007, a gift of friendship from China to Spain….and they will be missed.
In their 17 years at the zoo they have brought six baby panda cubs into the world and a lot of happiness to visitors. But now mum and dad are ready for the quiet life in China. The majority of the family will stay together too, with five members traveling together to China.
Madrid's Chinese giant panda King Bing Xing and his farewell cake. /Ken Browne/CGTN
CGTN spoke to China's ambassador to Spain, Yao Jing, who talked of the pandas creating a shared bond between the two countries:
"You can see that the attendance of so many friends, so many visitors, that this is a representation of the love and the care from Spain for this couple of giant pandas," Yao said. "Through this joint research, through this joint protection, through these joint efforts we are increasing our mutual understanding."
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He added: "I think that through this kind of cooperation, this kind of bond, our mutual understanding, friendship and also mutual care about the world have been enhanced and promoted."
Hua Zui Ba and Bing Xing are parents of the zoo's current star attractions - twin giant panda cubs You You and Jiu Jiu - but now it's time for themselves to return to Chengdu Panda Research Centre.
Chinese giant panda twins You You and Jiu Jiu living their best life in Madrid Zoo. /Ken Browne/CGTN
"I will miss them a lot"
Eva Martinez Nevado, one of Madrid Zoo's veterinarians, has formed a close bond with the pandas. "I will miss them a lot," she told CGTN.
"I was here in 2007 when they arrived, so it's a long relationship between us and they are my best patients at the zoo. I've spent at least two hours a day with them everyday checking them and they have always been great patients."
Spain's panda lovers need not be too disappointed though, as China has promised to send a younger couple in their place. The news was announced by Foreign Minister Wang Yi, earlier in the week, to the delight of everyone in Madrid.
Martinez Nevado hopes to begin a new cycle of breeding that will boost panda numbers even further. "The best would be that we are able to breed again with the young couple," she explained.
"Maybe we try natural mating instead of artificial insemination that was needed with the previous pair, but we hope that we breed successfully too."
The pandas will be sadly missed by zoo staff. /Ken Browne/CGTN
Panda numbers rising
The Spain-China panda program has been a big success in collaboration with the China Wildlife Conservation Association bringing six pandas into the world.
Chinese giant panda numbers in the wild have also risen from 1,100 in the 1980s to almost 2,000 in 2023 (Chinese gov official numbers), while 728 pandas are in zoos and protection centers around the world like the one in Madrid. The species has gone from 'endangered' to 'vulnerable' status.
On Thursday (February 22) it was time to say goodbye to Madrid's most famous families and no farewell party would be complete without a slice of specially prepared bamboo cake. The perfect sendoff for such popular guests.
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