"Good to See Him Eating Well"...Pufao Reveals Himself After Two Months

by Koo Nari

Published 12 Jun.2024 14:20(KST)

Outdoor Bamboo Shoot Cake Mukbang Presented in the Enclosure

Fubao, the giant panda born in Yongin who returned to China last April, appeared in public for the first time in about two months.

The giant panda 'Fubao,' returned to China last April, was unveiled to the public on the 12th at the Sichuan Panda Base after about two months. [Image source=Captured from Weibo of China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda]

On the morning of the 12th, China’s state-run CCTV broadcast live footage of Fubao appearing at the outdoor enclosure of the Wolong China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center’s Xuanping Base in Sichuan Province. The outdoor enclosure where Fubao appeared is located in the center of the Xuanping Base, surrounded by fences and covering an area of about 300㎡ (91 pyeong). It is designed as a garden with trees, bushes, and a small pond. Although Fubao appeared about nine minutes later than the center had initially expected, he immediately stretched by leaning against the wall near the entrance and then went out for a walk. Approaching the bamboo table prepared for him, Fubao chose a carrot as his first food from the 'bamboo shoot cake.'

He then quickly grabbed a bamboo stalk and climbed up a rock-shaped sculpture, showing off a majestic posture. Holding bamboo in both hands, Fubao sat back and ate deliciously. He then returned to the table with the feeding container and continued eating bamboo. About 30 minutes after coming out to the outdoor enclosure, he even placed the feeding container between his legs and showed a full-fledged 'mukbang' (eating broadcast).

After finishing his meal, he lay down on the table to rest and suddenly stood up, shaking his hips. After getting down from the table, Fubao went to a small artificial pond to drink some water and then strolled around the grassy area as if to aid digestion, going out for another walk.

Pufao, who appeared in public for the first time in two months, is eating bamboo shoots. [Image source=Online community capture]

This was broadcast live from start to finish on Chinese social networking services (SNS) Weibo and Baidu. Notably, the background music for the Baidu broadcast was the Korean Fubao song titled 'Kkokkoma Agi Panda' (Little Baby Panda), which attracted attention. Chinese netizens showed high interest with comments such as "Princess Fu is so cute," "She really eats well," "Glad she seems to like this place," and "Welcome, lucky charm." Korean netizens watching the live broadcast of Fubao also expressed mixed concern and interest, saying things like "I was worried, but she seems to be doing well," "The enclosure is smaller than Everland, but the environment doesn’t seem bad, so that’s a relief," and "She looks thinner than when she was in Korea, so I’m worried."

Starting from the afternoon of the same day, Fubao is scheduled to meet 999 general visitors who made advance reservations. After being cared for by keepers in an indoor living space, Fubao can meet visitors who come to the Xuanping Base once she goes outdoors. From the 13th, the number of visitors will increase to 12,000 per day.

Pufao, who appeared in public for the first time in two months, is lying down and eating bamboo. <br>[Image source=Yonhap News]

Pufao, who appeared in public for the first time in two months, is lying down and eating bamboo.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

After Fubao returned to China, allegations of poor treatment and abuse, so-called 'Fu mistreatment,' were raised mainly among Korean and Chinese netizens. The Chinese authorities have worked hard to refute these claims by directly responding and releasing videos of Fubao repeatedly. On the day before Fubao’s public appearance, the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center held a press conference attended by Korean and Chinese media reporters, stating, "During the quarantine period, we found localized hair loss on the neck area, but test results showed no clear signs of dandruff increase, rash, skin disease, or related pathogens on Fubao’s body. She is healthy and adapting smoothly to the Chinese base and panda group."

Fubao began public activities about two months after arriving in China, which is relatively fast compared to other 'overseas' pandas. Xiang Xiang from Japan, known for her sensitive temperament, arrived in China in February last year and was opened to the public in November of the same year.