Japan zoo makes workers mimic pandas after returning all 4 to China, launches club for fans
‘Bizarre’ caged activity compared to ‘avant-garde theatre’ as animal park tries to cement passion for pandas amid Sino-Japanese tension
A zoo in Japan has allowed its staff to mimic pandas in memory of its last four bears which have been returned to China.
The unusual caged activity has been seen as an attempt to continue engaging panda lovers.
In June last year, four pandas, the 24-year-old Rauhin and her offspring, Yuihin, Saihin and Fuhin, were returned to China from the Adventure World amusement park in Japan’s Wakayama prefecture.
It marks the end of the park’s 31-year history of keeping pandas. Rauhin was also the first panda born and successfully raised in Japan.
While it is still unclear if the park will welcome new pandas due to heightened tensions between China and Japan, the park has kept its facilities for the bears in place and still holds panda-related events.
One became trendy on mainland social media after Japanese media outlets reported it in December.
It is a panda keeper experience tour held at the park’s panda facilities every week.
