China | Bring our bears home

Chinese nationalists are up in arms over the treatment of pandas

One has died at a zoo in America. Another is losing clumps of fur

An advertisement calling on the return of the giant panda YaYa is displayed on a giant electronic screen at a shopping mall in Zhengzhou city, central China's Henan province, 12 March 2023.
Image: Imaginechina

Le Le means “happy happy”, but the giant panda known by that name appeared to be in a sad state. Last year animal advocates accused the Memphis Zoo in America of neglecting the bear and his female companion, Ya Ya. In February Le Le died, apparently of heart disease. Now Ya Ya (meaning “cute girl”) is looking less adorable. She has been losing clumps of hair, raising concerns about her health.

This article appeared in the China section of the print edition under the headline “Bring our bears home”

From the March 25th 2023 edition

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