Four beloved giant pandas at Japan’s Adventure World are set to return to the Chinese mainland in late June, marking the end of a remarkable chapter in international wildlife conservation.
The theme park, located in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, announced on Thursday that 24-year-old Rauhin and her three daughters—Yuihin (8), Saihin (6), and Fuhin (4)—will depart for their new home at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Sichuan Province.
Adventure World began its breeding cooperation program with the Chinese panda research base in 1994. Over nearly three decades, the joint project has seen the birth of 17 giant pandas at the park, fostering stronger ties between Japan and China through shared conservation efforts.
Although the partnership was scheduled to conclude in August, the four pandas will make their journey in June when the weather is cooler, ensuring their comfort during travel. “We hope these four giant pandas can live a healthy and happy life in China, and we also hope that the young ones can take on the mission of breeding new lives,” the park expressed in a heartfelt statement.
With their departure, only two giant pandas—Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo—will remain in Japan. The return of Rauhin and her cubs signifies not only the success of international collaboration but also the ongoing commitment to the preservation of this cherished species.
