Ya Ya's health 'visibly improved' in video released by Beijing Zoo

2023-06-07 Global Times Editor：Li Yan

According to a video posted on the Beijing Zoo's Weibo account on Tuesday, giant panda Ya Ya is getting used to her new habitat after returning to the zoo and is now in stable condition. Netizens were pleasantly surprised by the dramatic change in Ya Ya's condition. Ya Ya, who had lived in the Memphis Zoo in the US state of Tennessee for 20 years, came back to China on April 27.

In response to the fans of Ya Ya, the Beijing Zoo posted a timely update on her condition on Tuesday. The video quickly went viral on Weibo, China's Twitter-like social media platform.

In the video, Ya Ya is enjoying the sun and food in the garden full of various kinds of bamboo. A previous skin disease on her body also appeared to have visibly improved to the naked eye.

Ya Ya's fur is getting thicker, and her mental state is good, one netizen commented. "Thanks to the staff members of the zoo, Ya Ya will live a happy life forever."

"Just one month after she returned to China, Ya Ya is completely different from how she looked at the Memphis Zoo. We hope that Ya Ya can take a good rest, eat more fresh bamboo and have a wonderful life ahead," another netizen posted.

Meanwhile, some netizens said that they are looking forward to seeing Meng Lan, "the 3rd Prince of Xizhimen," who once went viral for "breaking through" the enclosure in the Beijing Zoo, meet with Ya Ya as soon as possible.

It is hoped that the naughty Meng Lan can bring more joy to the quiet Ya Ya, a netizen noted.

"East or west, home is the best," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Twitter, with a comparison picture attached.

The Beijing Zoo has prepared a special breeding facility for Ya Ya, formulated specific plans for her feeding, nursing, medical care and nutrition, and arranged a team to continue to take care of her.

Ya Ya has reached the age of 23 and needs rest while adapting to a new environment after returning to Beijing. The zoo said it will regularly release updates about Ya Ya on its Weibo account.