Malaysian panda fans bid an emotional farewell to Fu Wa and Feng Yi after 11 years’ stay

The panda pair arrived in 2014 to mark 40 years of Malaysia-China relations and produced three offspring during their stay at Zoo Negara

Around 40 panda lovers gathered at Zoo Negara in the early hours of Sunday morning to bid a heartfelt farewell to Fu Wa and Feng Yi, who are returning to China after spending 11 years in Malaysia.

Despite the lack of an official farewell ceremony, devoted fans – some travelling from as far as Seremban, as well as from Kuala Lumpur and Selangor – arrived as early as 5am.

With heavy hearts, they waited quietly for the pandas’ departure to Kuala Lumpur International Airport, where the pair would begin their journey back to their homeland.

At about 7.15am, the vehicles carrying Fu Wa and Feng Yi rolled out of Zoo Negara. Emotions ran high as fans waved, live streamed the moment, and captured photos and videos. Many were heard calling out: “Goodbye Fu Wa and Feng Yi!”

Their journey began as part of China’s panda loan programme, a goodwill gesture to countries with strong diplomatic ties.

The pair arrived at Zoo Negara to mark 40 years of Malaysia-China relations. Once settled in, they received new names: Fu Wa became Xing Xing, meaning “prosperity”, while Feng Yi was renamed Liang Liang, meaning “pretty”.

Zoo Negara deputy president Rosly Lana said panda caretaker Mohd Saiffullah Md Yusuf would accompany the pandas to China and stay for a few days to help them settle in.

“The pandas are in good health. We’ve always supported the panda conservation programme. I truly appreciate the fans who came. Even though it’s not an official farewell, their presence shows how much they care,” he said.

One of the fans, Chin Lee Peng, 56, arrived at Zoo Negara at 5am with seven friends. After seeing the pandas off, she planned to head to a location near the airport to catch a glimpse of their plane taking off.

Ever since she heard the pandas would be leaving and undergoing a one-month quarantine, she had been visiting the zoo every weekend to say her final goodbyes.

“My emotions have calmed down a bit now, but of course I still feel sad,” she said.

“China is their home and where they belong, so I just hope they live out the rest of their lives in good health and happiness.”

Chin is hoping that another panda pair will be sent to Malaysia in the future. In the meantime, she has already made plans to visit the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda in Wolong next week, to see Sheng Yi – Malaysia’s third panda cub – who turns four on May 31.

Another panda enthusiast, Lily Atikah, 27, said she arrived at the zoo at 5.30am. Like many others, her heart was filled with sorrow over the pandas’ departure.

“I really hope Malaysia will receive another panda pair,” she said. “This programme is a beautiful example of conservation cooperation between Malaysia and China.

“Of course, going to China to see them would depend on my finances, but if we have pandas here in Zoo Negara, we can visit anytime. I’m definitely looking forward to welcoming new ones.”

During their time in Malaysia, Fu Wa and Feng Yi started a family, producing three cubs: Nuan Nuan, born on August 18, 2015; Yi Yi, on January 14, 2018; and Sheng Yi, on May 31, 2021. Interestingly, May 31 is also the anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations.

Malaysia is preparing to receive a new pair of giant pandas to replace Fu Wa and Feng Yi in August.

This is part of a new 10-year agreement between Malaysia and China for the International Cooperation Project on Giant Panda Conservation signed on April 16 during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Malaysia.

This story was first published by The Star