Giant Pandas Xiaoxiao and Leilei Return Safely to China from Japan

At 01:00 Beijing Time on January 28, 2026, the giant pandas Xiaoxiao and Leilei, who had been residing at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo, Japan, safely arrived at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport on a dedicated flight. Subsequently, at 06:00, they were successfully transferred to the Ya'an base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, where they will undergo a quarantine period.

The giant pandas Xiaoxiao and Leilei were born in June 2021 at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo, Japan. They are the offspring of the previously Japan-based giant pandas Bili and Xiannü.

To ensure a safe and smooth return for Xiaoxiao and Leilei, the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda dispatched experienced experts to Japan in advance. These experts collaborated with their Japanese counterparts to facilitate the pre-departure preparations and accompanied the two pandas on their flight back to China. The Ya'an base has completed all necessary preparations for the quarantine period, including enclosure disinfection, food supply, husbandry management, and health safeguards. These measures aim to ensure the pandas adapt smoothly to their home environment as quickly as possible.