Fubao's twin sisters may head to China this winter, Everland says

Twin giant pandas Ruibao and Huibao at Everland in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province are increasingly likely to be transferred to China this winter, following their older sister Fubao, who left for China in 2024. The twin sisters, the first pandas born as twins in South Korea, are being prepared for the move under an international agreement.

Kang Cheol-won, a zookeeper at Everland, raised the possibility of the transfer in a video published Sunday on the park's YouTube channel "Talking Zoo Ppuppa TV," according to Yonhap News Agency.

"Ruibao and Huibao are already turning three, and I think there will be hormonal changes related to reproductive behavior around early next year," Kang said. "Fubao had a hard time because of that, and to spare the twins from going through the same difficulty, I'm thinking of preparing their move a little earlier — around this winter."

He added that no schedule has been finalized, but that experts from South Korea and China are in discussions about the timing that would be most comfortable for the two pandas.

If the twins depart this winter, they would leave South Korea somewhat earlier than Fubao did. Fubao was born at Everland on July 20, 2020, and was transferred to the Shenshuping Panda Base in Wolong, Sichuan Province, China, on April 3, 2024 — about three months before she turned four.

Under an international agreement, giant pandas born abroad must return to China before the age of four, when they become old enough to breed. Ruibao and Huibao were born on July 7, 2023, to mother Aibao and father Lebao, and will turn four in July 2027.

The two pandas weighed just 180 grams and 140 grams respectively at birth, but have grown to nearly 90 kilograms each under Aibao's care and the attention of Everland's zookeeping staff.

Meanwhile, Everland announced on its website on May 15 that Aibao had entered a period requiring close observation and stable management, and that she would move to an indoor enclosure starting May 26 for intensive care by zookeepers and veterinary staff. The announcement has drawn attention to the possibility that Aibao may be pregnant for a third time.

Giant pandas have a fertile window of only one to three days each spring. If mating is successful, gestation typically lasts about four months, and pregnant pandas are known to sleep more and eat less.