Giant pandas are adored worldwide. They are seen not just as cute and calm creatures but also as icons of international friendship and environmental protection. Fu Bao, the first panda to be naturally conceived and born in South Korea during COVID-19, is one of the most beloved animals today. Ai Bao, Fu Bao’s mother, and Le Bao, Fu Bao’s father, were gifts from the Chinese President Xi Jinping to South Korea in 2016. At birth, Fu Bao weighed only 197 grams. Now, she has grown into a healthy panda, weighing over 100 kilograms thanks to the dedicated care from both her keepers and her mother.

Fu Bao, which means "happy treasure" in Chinese, has lived up to her name by bringing joy and happiness to many visitors with her cute appearance and adorable antics. Fu Bao — often called "Princess Fu" — lives in Panda World at Everland, the largest amusement park in South Korea, located in Yongin, Gyeonggi,  and has attracted thousands of visitors daily. The popularity of Fu Bao and related panda merchandise has left significant positive impacts on Everland, doubling visitor numbers and boosting the park's YouTube channel to over 1 million subscribers. Furthermore, a photo essay book about Fu Bao published in 2021 has sold 130,000 copies, indicating her widespread appeal.

However, the time has come for Fu Bao to return to China. On April 3^rd, she will be transferred to the Giant Panda Conservation Research Center in Sichuan Province. Panda diplomacy is a practice that dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907) where China loans pandas to other countries as a gesture of goodwill. Initially, pandas were gifted, but since 1984, they have been loaned with a stipulation that any cubs born abroad must return to China before their fourth birthday to contribute to the conservation and breeding efforts for this endangered species. Fu Bao's return is part of this long-standing tradition, highlighting the intricate relationship involved in conservation initiatives. As Fu Bao is getting ready to leave, her fans and keepers are taking this time to think about the happiness she has shared. They also reflect on how she has helped raise awareness on nature conservation.

Unfortunately, not all pandas have had experiences as enriching as Fu Bao's. Nuan Nuan, a giant panda at Zoo Negara in Malaysia, was sent back to China in 2017 due to high maintenance costs reaching 600,000 US dollars annually. The story of YaYa and LeLe at the Memphis Zoo located in Tennessee, US, paints an even sobering picture. LeLe was set to return to China in 2023, however, he passed away at the age of 24 just weeks before the scheduled move due to neglect. This puts a spotlight on the grave results of not providing animals with proper care. It prompts critical inquiries into the welfare of animals and the duties that zoos and similar institutions have towards their animals.
Despite these experiences, the story of saving giant pandas continues in many parts of the world. The drop in the number of pandas were due to their low birth rate, losing their homes to humans, and being hunted for their fur. A lot of work has been done to preserve the panda species, such as establishing protected reserves and developing innovative breeding programs to promote reproduction. For example, China established over 50 panda reserves that covers more than 10,400 km². They focused on recreating and populating bamboo forests as bamboo makes up 99% of the panda's diet. Corridors were created to link separate panda reserves allowing pandas to roam freely and interact with other panda populations which contributes to genetic diversity and the species’ long-term survival. Establishing secure areas for them to live and enforcing laws to protect them were key steps in not only stabilizing their population but also gradually increasing them. Currently, the global panda population stands at approximately 1864, showing that all these persistent efforts have paid off. This shows how important it is for us to join these wildlife conservation projects, and that when we all come together to protect our world and its animals, we can make a big difference.