Giant Panda Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei arrive at the Ya'an Base of the China Conservation and Research Center Giant Panda (Photos added of the quarantine facility at the Ya'an Base in China)
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Updated on January 31, 2026
Giant Panda Xiao Xiao (male) and Lei Lei (female) arrived safely at the Ya'an Base of the China Conservation and Research Center Giant Panda at around 6:00 a.m. Japan time (around 5:00 a.m. local time) today, January 28, 2026, and entered the quarantine facility.
All staff are very relieved that Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei were able to safely complete the approximately 17-hour transport from Ueno Zoo to their arrival at Ya'an Base.
Updated on January 28, 2026 at 14:00
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who has warmly supported Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei up until now. We are sharing with you the video of them taking off from Narita Airport on Tuesday, January 27th.
Panda Forest where the two pandas were born and raised will be temporarily opened to the public.
Details will be announced on Ueno Zoo official website as soon as they are decided.
Updated on January 31, 2026
The China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Panda kindly provided us with these photos of Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei entering their quarantine facility on January 28th.
(Courtesy of China Conservation and Research Center Giant Panda)
(Courtesy of China Conservation and Research Center Giant Panda)
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(January 28, 2026)
(January 28, 2026, 2:00 PM: Added footage of loading and takeoff)
(January 31, 2026: Added photos of Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei in quarantine)