In a heartfelt announcement on April 24, 2025, Japan’s Wakayama Adventure World revealed that its four resident giant pandas—24-year-old Rauhin (良浜), 8-year-old Yuhin (结浜), 6-year-old Saihin (彩浜), and 4-year-old Fuhin (枫浜)—will return to China’s Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding by the end of June 2025. This repatriation marks the culmination of a 30-year Sino-Japanese collaboration in panda conservation and diplomacy, while leaving Japan with only two pandas remaining in Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo.
The Pandas’ Legacy in Wakayama
The four pandas are part of the family lineage of Eimei (永明), a male panda dubbed the “Ambassador of Sino-Japanese Friendship,” who passed away in 2023. Since 1994, Wakayama Adventure World has been a global leader in giant panda breeding outside China, successfully raising 17 cubs through 12 births—a record unmatched by other international institutions. The park’s efforts contributed significantly to the species’ recovery, which saw its conservation status upgraded from “endangered” to “vulnerable” in 2016.
The returning pandas, all female, have been crowd favorites. Rauhin, the matriarch, arrived in Japan in 2000 and became a symbol of resilience, giving birth to six cubs despite her advanced age. Her daughters—Yuhin, Saihin, and Fuhin—were born and raised in Wakayama, captivating visitors with their playful antics and starring in seasonal events like “Girls’ Day” celebrations.
Why Are They Returning?
The repatriation follows the expiration of Wakayama’s cooperative agreement with China in August 2025. To minimize stress during transport, the transfer was scheduled for June, when cooler temperatures reduce health risks for the pandas.
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Rauhin, now elderly, will retire in Chengdu’s specialized facilities equipped to care for aging pandas.
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Yuhin, Saihin, and Fuhin will join China’s national breeding program to diversify the gene pool and support future reintroduction efforts into the wild.
Local officials, including Wakayama’s Vice Governor Izumi Miyazaki, praised the pandas for boosting tourism and strengthening Japan-China ties, calling them “a bridge of friendship".
The Future of Pandas in Japan
After the departure, Japan will retain only two giant pandas: Xiao Xiao (晓晓) and Lei Lei (蕾蕾), twin cubs born in 2021 at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo69. While Wakayama hopes to renew its panda loan agreement, no immediate plans have been confirmed. China’s recent recalls of pandas from global zoos reflect both diplomatic recalibration and a focus on centralized breeding programs.
A Bittersweet Transition
For Wakayama, the pandas’ absence will leave a cultural and economic void. The animals drew over 1 million annual visitors and inspired local merchandise, documentaries, and festivals. However, their return underscores the success of transnational conservation efforts. As Adventure World staff noted: “We hope they thrive in China, and that the younger generation fulfills their mission to nurture new life”.
Conclusion: Conservation Beyond Borders
The story of Wakayama’s pandas is a testament to how wildlife can transcend politics. Their legacy—spanning decades of research, public education, and cross-cultural goodwill—reminds us that preserving biodiversity requires global cooperation. As these black-and-white ambassadors depart, they leave behind a blueprint for hope: that even in an era of division, humanity can unite to protect Earth’s most vulnerable creatures.
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