PETALING JAYA: Yi Yi and Sheng Yi, the two pandas that were born in Malaysia, will be returned to China on Tuesday (Aug 29).
According to a source from the Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry, the two pandas will be sent back to Shanghai, China after a farewell party at Zoo Negara on Aug 29.
Sheng Yi and Yi Yi are the offspring of Fu Wa and Feng Yi (later renamed Xing Xing and Liang Liang), the pandas loaned to Malaysia in 2014 for 10 years to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China.
The Giant Panda Conservation Centre (GPCC) in Zoo Negara, here since 2014, celebrated Xing Xing's and Liang Liang's 17th birthday on Aug 23.
The pair have three offspring – Nuan Nuan, born on Aug 18, 2015; Yi Yi (Jan 14, 2018); and Sheng Yi on May 31, 2021. Nuan Nuan was sent back to China in 2017.
In a speech, Zoo Negara's deputy president, Rosly @ Rahmat Ahmat Lana, said that the success in breeding giant pandas contributed to the conservation efforts of the iconic species, Bernama reported.
Rosly also said that the government is currently discussing extending the lease of the two pandas for an additional five years.
