$FUBAO
Fu Bao—whose name translates to "lucky treasure"—was born on July 20, 2020, at the Everland theme park in Yongin, South Korea. Her birth was a monumental milestone: she was the first giant panda ever born in South Korea through natural breeding. Born to parents Ai Bao and Le Bao (who were loaned to South Korea by China in 2016 as part of "panda diplomacy"), Fu Bao arrived at a tiny 197 grams. Thanks to the meticulous care of her devoted zookeepers, whom fans affectionately call her "Panda Grandfathers," she grew into a playful, bamboo-munching healthy bear. According to international conservation agreements, any panda cub born outside of China must return to the country before reaching breeding age (around four years old) to join the global breeding program. On April 3, 2024, the time came for Fu Bao to say goodbye. Despite a massive downpour, over 6,000 emotional fans gathered at Everland to bid her a tearful farewell as she was transported to Incheon International Airport. She now resides happily at the Wolong Shenshuping Giant Panda Base in Sichuan Province, China, where she continues to draw massive crowds of adoring international visitors.
