South Korean-born panda Fu Bao farewelled as she leaves for China

South Koreans have bid an emotional farewell to Fu Bao, the first giant panda born in the country, as she set off for her new home in China.

Fu Bao, which means “lucky treasure”, was born at South Korea’s Everland Zoo in 2020 after her parents, 10-year-old female Ai Bao and 11-year-old male Le Bao, were moved there from China in 2016 as part of the country’s “panda diplomacy.”

China’s panda diplomacy is a program where the Chinese government gifts or lends giant pandas to other countries as a symbol of goodwill or friendship.

A large crowd of fans braved steady rain to say goodbye to the loveable panda.

Zookeepers thanked the panda cub for bringing joy and they also thanked her loyal fans for the love they had shown Fu Bao in the four years she spent growing up at the zoo. She was then put on a climate-controlled truck to take her to the airport.

Fu Bao had been in quarantine for one month before the trip and did not appear before the public.

Thousands of visitors had queued to see her at her last public appearance one month ago, with many saying they would miss her once she was gone.

“It was a miracle to meet you. Thank you, Fu Bao,” read a message attached to photographs of the panda that covered the vehicle.

“This day has really come … the day you are beginning a long journey for the next part of your life,” said zookeeper and carer Kang Cher-won. “Thank you and we’re proud of you.”

The panda is leaving for China’s Sichuan province, the home of the giant pandas, which is where her parents had originally come from.

Last July, at the zoo, her mother Ai Bao gave birth again to giant panda twins.

Female pandas can only conceive once a year for a short period, and cubs have very low chances of survival as they are often born early, weighing less than 200 grams.

POLL

GLOSSARY

• diplomacy: the way countries interact with each other to keep their relationship peaceful and productive
• climate-controlled: an environment where the temperature and air quality are kept at just the right levels
• quarantine: kept anyway from others to prevent against infection or illness
• conceive: make babies

EXTRA READING
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Mogo Wildlife Park welcomes twin lion cubs
Giant panda delivers tiny cub

QUICK QUIZ
1. What does the name “Fu Bao” mean?
2. How old is Fu Bao?
3. Where is Fu Bao moving to?
4. When did Fu Bao’s parents move from China to South Korea?
5. Why did they move there?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Panda facts and opinions
Access your prior knowledge by recording what you already know and think about pandas. Set a timer for seven minutes and write down all of the facts you know and opinions you have about pandas.

Then, set a new timer for 10 minutes and consult a book, website or online encyclopaedia to find additional facts or correct any misunderstandings you had.

Time: allow 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English; Science

2. Extension
The news story indicates that Fu Bao is loved by the South Korean public. Write a paragraph to explain why you think she is so adored. Draw on your facts and opinions from the previous activity to explain your thoughts.

Time: allow 10 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English

VCOP ACTIVITY
Read this!
A headline on an article – or a title on your text – should capture the attention of the audience, telling them to read this now. So choosing the perfect words for a headline or title is very important.

Create three new headlines for the events that took place in this article. Remember, what you write and how you write it will set the pace for the whole text, so make sure it matches.

Read out your headlines to a partner and discuss what the article will be about based on the headline you created. Discuss the tone and mood you set in just your few, short words. Does it do the article justice? Will it capture the audience’s attention the way you hoped? Would you want to read more?

Consider how a headline or title is similar to using short, sharp sentences throughout your text. They can be just as important as complex ones. Go through the last text you wrote and highlight any short, sharp sentences that capture the audience.