Twin pandas mark last birthday in South Korea where they were born
Sign up now: Get insights on Asia's fast-moving developments
The zookeepers prepared a large birthday cake made of bamboo for the pandas, Rui Bao and Hui Bao.
PHOTOS: EPA
- Twin pandas Rui Bao and Hui Bao celebrated their third birthday at Everland's Panda World in South Korea, likely their last birthday there.
- They were born on July 7, 2023, as the first twin pandas in Korea and are to be relocated to China before age four.
- Everland plans to monitor their health and coordinate with China for a safe move, following their older sister Fu Bao's relocation in April 2024.
AI generated
SEOUL – Twin giant pandas Rui Bao and Hui Bao celebrated their third birthday on July 7 at Everland’s Panda World in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, in what is expected to be their last birthday in South Korea.
Everland held a birthday party at the pandas’ second house, where zookeepers Kang Cheol-won and Song Young-gwan celebrated the occasion with some 30 invited fans.
The zookeepers prepared a large birthday cake made of bamboo, while Song presented a handmade wooden bench for the sisters to sit on together.
Born July 7, 2023, to mother Ai Bao and father Le Bao, the sisters were the first twin pandas born in South Korea.
Under an international agreement, all giant pandas born overseas must be relocated to China before turning four, when they reach breeding age.
The twins’ older sister Fu Bao moved to the Shenshuping base of the Wolong National Nature Reserve in Sichuan province, China, in April 2024.
“We plan to closely monitor Rui Bao and Hui Bao’s health and consult with the Chinese side to ensure a safe relocation at the most appropriate time,” an Everland official said. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK