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PETALING JAYA: Malaysians will soon have to say “zai jian” (farewell) to the second giant panda cub born in the country.
Yi Yi’s return to the Middle Kingdom is pending confirmation by the Chinese authorities.
The director of the Conservation Center for Zoology, Veterinary Hospital and Giant Panda, Dr. Mat Naim Ramli, said in his last discussion with the Chinese authorities, the Malaysian side was told to wait until November or December to finalize the date of the Yi Yi’s return.
“Once the date is confirmed, the government will make the announcement,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Mat Naim added that due to Covid-19 concerns, preliminary discussions had focused on sending Yi Yi to China without a partner.
“We also suggest that Yi Yi be accompanied on the flight there and upon landing in China, he would be received by the Chinese authorities.
“This way, the companions do not need to disembark from the plane and can return to Malaysia immediately,” he said.
However, he added that this would depend on whether the cargo handling company would allow such a procedure.
“The procedure will not be finalized until the Chinese authorities confirm the date of Yi Yi’s return,” he said.
Born in January 2018, Yi Yi, whose name means friendship, currently weighs 88 kg.
Bamboo, panda cake, and fruit are the favorite treats of the female, the second calf of Xing Xing and Liang Liang.
The panda couple, who have a 10-year loan from China, arrived in Malaysia in 2014 to mark 40 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
The first baby, Nuan Nuan, returned to China in November 2017 after turning two years old.
Mat Naim had accompanied Nuan Nuan on his journey home.
The cub was then sent to the Dujiangyan Giant Panda Breeding Research Base in Sichuan Province.
According to the International Malaysia-China Giant Panda Conservation Agreement, any panda cubs born in Malaysia must be returned to China at the age of two.
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