Added on September 29, 2024 at 18:30:
Earlier today at 6:00 PM Japan time, Ri Ri and Shin Shin safely arrived at the Bifengxia Base of the China Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center in Ya'an City, Sichuan Province, and entered the quarantine facility. Both pandas are reported to be calm.

Ri Ri and Shin Shin departed Ueno Zoo at 4:00 AM this morning. The plane carrying the two animals left Narita Airport around 8:00 AM and landed at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport around 12:40 PM Japan time. It was a long 14-hour journey from Ueno to their destination, and we are relieved that they arrived safely. animal keeper and veterinarians from Ueno Zoo traveled to China with Ri Ri and Shin Shin. Ueno Zoo staff will not be allowed into the quarantine facility, but they will be conducting a thorough handover of information regarding the animals' care and management with the Chinese staff once they arrive.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude once again to everyone who has warmly supported Ri Ri and Shin Shin up to this point.

Added on September 29, 2024 at 14:15:
The plane carrying Ri Ri and Shin Shin departed Narita Airport at around 8:00 AM and arrived at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport at around 12:40 PM Japan time. Both pandas are reported to be calm. We will provide an update once they arrive at the China Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center.

Added on September 28, 2024:
Due to the large number of visitors, admission to view Giant Panda "Ri Ri" and "Shin Shin" today, September 28, 2024 (Saturday), closed at 8:20 AM.

Added on September 27, 2024:
The zoo is expected to be extremely crowded on Saturday, September 28, 2024, which is the last day for viewing Giant Panda Ri Ri and Shin Shin. Depending on the situation, you may not be able to see both pandas even if you visit the zoo. Please be aware of this in advance.

Added on September 19, 2024:
We will be sharing messages submitted to our "Messages for Ri Ri & Shin Shin" campaign as they are received. For more details, please click here (the deadline for submissions is September 28th).

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Giant Panda "Ri Ri" and "Shin Shin," currently being kept at Ueno Zoo, were to be cared for until February 20, 2026, the expiration date of the agreement between the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the China Wildlife Conservation Association. However, following amicable discussions between the two parties, it was concluded that it would be desirable to return both pandas to China before they reach old age (approximately 20 years old), and an agreement has now been reached as follows.

Returning Giant Panda

Name: Leelee
Visual male
Age 19
Born August 16, 2005 at Wolong Protection Center, Sichuan Province.
Date of visit: February 21, 2011

Name: Shinshin
Sex: Female
Age 19
Born July 3, 2005 at Wolong Protection Center, Sichuan Province.
Date of visit: February 21, 2011

return date

Sunday, September 29, 2024

background

Since 2022, Ri Ri has occasionally shown symptoms such as vomiting. Although experts from both Japan and China conducted examinations and consultations to determine the cause, no clear abnormality that could be the specific cause has been identified. In addition, both Ri Ri and Shin Shin have been showing symptoms of hypertension since September 2023, and are continuing to be administered antihypertensive medication. Both animals are in good condition in terms of feeding and behavior.

Following discussions between the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the China Wildlife Conservation Association, involving experts, it was concluded that "although the animals are not currently in a critical condition, it would be desirable to return them to China as soon as possible while they are still healthy, so that they can receive treatment in their native environment." Therefore, the two animals will be promptly returned to China.

About viewing and events

Regarding viewing

Added on September 30, 2024:
Starting October 1st (Tuesday), the way you view Giant Panda will change. Please see this notice for details.

Due to the quarantine procedures for the transport of Ri Ri and Shin Shin to China, the locations and viewing methods in the "Panda Forest" area will be changed starting August 31, 2024 (Saturday). Please check the listed precautions before visiting.


Panda Forest viewing route map after the change of location (August 31st onwards)
1. Ri Ri and Shin Shin

　Period: August 31st (Sat) - September 28th (Sat), 2024

　Opening time　　11:0010:30 From 10am until 3:30pm (Opening hours changed from September 6, 2024)

*The line to view the exhibit is usually open until 3:00 PM, Depending on the crowd situation on the day, we may close registration before 3:00 PM. Therefore, even if you visit the park, you may not be able to view the exhibits.

Viewing Instructions
The exhibits will be open to the public in Indoor Exhibition Room 2 (Indoor ②) and Room 3 (Indoor ③). Please line up to view the exhibits, and you will be guided into the rooms in order. Inside the rooms, you will move through the partitioned areas in a timed sequence. Please follow the instructions of the staff when lining up and moving around inside the rooms.

Please note that viewing the exhibition for 30 minutes from 15:00 to 15:30 on Saturday, September 28th, the final day of viewing, will be by lottery (200 people) based on prior application. Applications for the lottery will be accepted online from 9:30 AM on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 to 11:59 PM on Monday, September 16, 2024. Masu. Learn more Please check.

　*Advance registration for the final viewing time [September 28th (Sat) 15:00-15:30] has closed.

2. Lei Lei
The exhibition will remain open from 10:00 to 16:00, mainly in Indoor Exhibition Room 1 (Indoor ①). While the usual closing time for queuing is 15:30, Depending on the crowd situation on the day, we may close registration for the viewing line before 3:30 PM. On days with low temperatures, the animals may be displayed in outdoor enclosure B (Outdoor B). Therefore, even if you visit the park, you may not be able to see them.

3. Xiaoxiao
Due to a change in the public viewing location for Ri Ri and Shin Shin, they will be kept and managed in a non-public area. As a general rule, they will not be on public display, but on days with low temperatures, they may be displayed in Outdoor Enclosure A (Outdoor A).

Regarding the implementation of "Thank you, Ri Ri & Shin Shin ~With gratitude for approximately 5000 days~"

As we return Ri Ri and Shin Shin to China, we will be holding an event to express our gratitude to the two pandas for the many memories and valuable insights they have given us regarding Giant Panda conservation and research during their approximately 5,000 days at Ueno Zoo, and to spend a farewell moment with everyone.


Thank you, Ri Ri & Shin Shin! ~With gratitude for approximately 5000 days~
1. We are collecting messages for Ri Ri & Shin Shin (we will be sharing the messages we have received).

We are collecting messages for Ri Ri and Shin Shin online. Messages collected through the submission form on our website will be delivered digitally to the China Wildlife Conservation Association and the China Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center, where Ri Ri and Shin Shin will return.

On October 2, 2024, we shared the 2,960 messages you sent with the staff of the Bifengxia Base of the China Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center.

Period: September 15th (Sun) - September 28th (Sat), 2024*Applications are now closed.

How to post　　Please participate using this submission form.

Content Please include your message to RiRi & ShinShin (140 characters or less) and your nickname (7 characters or less) when submitting your message.

Participation fee Free (however, internet communication and connection fees are the responsibility of the user).

Precautions　
We do not accept submissions made by means other than the submission form, such as by mail.
Please limit your submissions to one per person.
• Submitted messages will be reflected on the site after review and approval by our staff. Please note that it may take several days for the site to be updated. Also, if we deem a post inappropriate, we reserve the right to remove it even after it has been published.
Please refrain from including any personally identifiable information.
Please check the disclaimer listed on the submission form before using this service.

2. Special Exhibition: "Li Li Xing Xing's Journey to Her Birthplace in China - A Journey Through 14 Years in Ueno"

Period: September 3, 2024 (Tue) - November 24, 2024 (Sun)

place Children's Zoo STEP Outer Pathway, Aesop Bridge Railing

Content This panel displays memories of Ri Ri and Shin Shin at Ueno Zoo, as well as the many achievements they brought to the zoo.

3. Display of messages from animal care staff and other staff.

Period: September 25, 2024 (Wed) - October 31, 2024 (Thu)

place Near West Garden Panda Forest (near Aesop Bridge)

Content Messages from zookeepers and staff to Ri Ri and Shin Shin will be displayed on banners.


Location of events held within the park
*Please note that event dates and content may change, so please check Ueno Zoo official website for the latest information.

About Giant Panda twins, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei

Xiao Xiao (male) and Lei Lei (female), born at Ueno Zoo in 2021, will continue to be kept at Ueno Zoo. The deadline for their return is the expiration of the agreement between the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the China Wildlife Conservation Association (February 20, 2026).

(August 30, 2024)
(September 2, 2024: Added information on the start time for lottery applications)
(September 3, 2024: Added a link to the lottery page)
(September 5, 2024: Revised the exhibition times for "Li Li" and "Shin Shin")
(September 15, 2024: Message submission form released)
(September 17, 2024: Added information regarding the end of advance reservations for the final viewing time)
(September 19, 2024: Added a section introducing the messages we received.)
(September 27, 2024: Added information about the final viewing date for Ri Ri and Shin Shin)
(September 28, 2024: Added information regarding the deadline for registration on the final viewing day)
(Added on September 29, 2024, 14:15: Regarding arrival at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport)
(Added on September 29, 2024, 18:30: Regarding arrival in Ya'an)
(September 30, 2024: Added information about changes to viewing procedures from October 1st)
(February 10, 2025: Added information to the message collection for Li Li & Xin Xin)