Thousands Bid Farewell to Tokyo Pandas

Beloved giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin have left Tokyo's Ueno Zoo to return to China due to age-related health issues, notably high blood pressure. More than 2,000 fans gathered to bid them a tearful farewell, with some camping overnight. The pandas, who arrived in Tokyo in 2011 under a leasing agreement, captivated visitors and gave birth to three cubs, including the famous Xiang Xiang. The decision to return them to China was made after consultations between Japanese and Chinese experts, aiming to provide them with better medical care. Their departure leaves Ueno Zoo with only two pandas, the twins Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei.