▲ Giant panda "Yaya" loaned to Memphis Zoo in the United States


China is speeding up the return of giant pandas loaned to the Memphis Zoo in the United States.

According to the China Zoological Association on the 18th (local time), veterinarians and zookeepers from Beijing Zoo arrived in the United States on the 16th local time to breed and transport the female panda "Yaya" at the Memphis Zoo in Tennessee.

As panda experts, they will monitor the lifestyle and breeding of the yaya and then work with American experts to determine their health status.

He will also reportedly be in charge of Yaya's return.

China is pushing for Yaya's return because the death of a male panda 'lerer' who had been on loan with Yaya at the Memphis Zoo last month has led to widespread negative public opinion about the panda rental.

Some netizens pointed out the Memphis Zoo's alleged negligence in management, saying that "Yaya's behavior does not appear to be normal" or "it is clear that her health has deteriorated."

China's Changjiang Daily visited the Memphis Zoo on the 16th and said that it had personally checked Yaya, saying, "The bamboo given by the zoo was very dry and the leaves were yellow, but Yaya was eating well. I am a little fatter and whiter than I was a fortnight ago, but my skin disease still hasn't improved."

Yaya's rental period expires on the 7th of the following month.

The China Zoological Association said, "The timing of Yaya's return has not yet been confirmed," adding, "Yaya will arrive in Shanghai, China, undergo quarantine procedures, and be transferred to Beijing."

(Photo = Jeongdan Newspaper capture, Yonhap News)