Giant panda cub Le Le arrives in China, is now under quarantine
Singapore-born Le Le is serving his second round of quarantine, which is set to last 30 days.
Le Le eating within his custom travel crate. The panda care team spent much time preparing him through training, to get accustomed to the crate and be as comfortable as possible. (Photo: Mandai Wildlife Group)
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Rest assured panda fans, ‘Very Important Panda’ Le Le, as dubbed by Singapore Airlines (SIA), arrived safely in Chengdu, China, on Tuesday (Jan 16) night.
He left Singapore at 7.17pm that night in an SIA Boeing 747-400F freighter aircraft and, according to aviation site Flightradar24, landed at the Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport at 11.14pm.
The Singapore-born cub, who turns three years old in August, is now serving his second round of quarantine, a mandatory measure, said the Mandai Wildlife Group and SIA in a joint press release on Jan 17.
His quarantine in China is expected to last for 30 days, according to Xinhua news agency.
He will now will be closely monitored by the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Panda (CCRCGP) to determine his next home.
Le Le completed his first quarantine, which lasted four and a half weeks, at River Wonders in the Mandai Wildlife Reserve before his departure.
He made his final appearance on Dec 13 at Pavilion Capital Giant Panda Forest at River Wonders then began serving his quarantine the next day.
Here’s how Le Le’s emotional departure day went:
1. JOURNEY TO CHANGI AIRPORT
Le Le was transported to Changi Airport via Bukit Timah, Seletar and Tampines Expressways in a customised crate, which measured approximately 1.7m long, 1.1m wide and 1.3m high.
His crate was loaded onto a reefer truck, which was kept between 12°C and 16°C.
During the journey, Le Le was kept comfortable with his stash of snacks – bamboo and bamboo shoots.
2. AT THE AIRPORT
Once Le Le reached the airport, his crate was secured to a pallet, along with his travel essentials – food.
There, his panda care team also attached a handcrafted heart-shaped card, with their well wishes for Le Le, to his crate to accompany him on his journey.
The palletised crate weighed in at about 600kg.
3. BOARDING THE PLANE
The runway soon became one fit for a VIP as guests lined the airport tarmac to bid farewell to Le Le as his customised travel crate was loaded through the nose of the aircraft.
4. ENROUTE TO CHINA
On board the plane with Le Le were his keeper and veterinarian from Mandai Wildlife Group as well as a keeper from China, who fed and checked on Le Le throughout the four-and-a-half-hour flight.
“Le Le took well to the flight and maintained a good appetite throughout, chomping on bamboo and bamboo shoots,” said Mandai Wildlife Group and SIA.
“Le Le’s arrival in China marks a new chapter for him as he now officially joins China’s giant panda conservation programme for the protection of his species.”
