AP Archive | Visitors at zoo in Japan bid farewell to beloved giant pandas before their return to China @APArchive | Uploaded 1 day ago | Updated 16 hours ago
(29 Sep 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tokyo, Japan - 28 September 2024
1. Panda eating
2. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Hirono Sasaki, Tokyo resident: ++STARTS ON PREVIOUS SHOT++
“I loved seeing Ri Ri climbing trees in her old enclosure. I hope she can climb trees again when she is back in China.”
3. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Sakurai (surname only), visitor from Saitama prefecture: ++PARTLY COVERED WITH SHOT 4++
“I thought I would definitely regret it if I didn't see them on the last day. I wanted to be with my beloved Ri Ri and Shin Shin until the very end, so I decided to go early today, no matter how long the line was.”
4. People queuing
5. Various of panda eating, visitors waving goodbye
STORYLINE:
Visitors wept at Tokyo’s Ueno zoo after seeing giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin for the last time Saturday, the final public viewing day before they are sent back to China.
The 19-year-old pair arrived at Ueno Zoo 13 years ago under a leasing agreement. After the ageing pandas were confirmed with high blood pressure, Japan and China agreed that the two should return to their native land to continue their treatment.
Some people camped out overnight to secure their chance to bid a final farewell to the two beloved pandas, while more than 2,000 visitors queuing outside the zoo on Saturday before its opening.
“They were always my source of comfort, so I feel extremely sad,” said Hirono Sasaki crying, who queued from 5 a.m. in the morning to see the two pandas.
“I loved seeing Ri Ri climbing trees in her old enclosure. I hope she can climb trees again when she is back in China.”
After lining up for hours to enter the enclosure, visitors were only allowed a few minutes inside to view the pandas.
While some visitors were delighted to see Ri Ri and Shin Shin eating bamboo, others were slightly disappointed to only catch them during their naps.
China sends pandas abroad as a sign of goodwill but maintains ownership over the animals and any cubs they produce. The animals are native to southwestern China and are an unofficial national mascot.
AP video by Ayaka McGill
===========================================================
Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: info@aparchive.com.
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: twitter.com/AP_Archive
Facebook: facebook.com/APArchives
Instagram: instagram.com/APNews
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/aeedfe284ddc410ea0aeee50ab9c09c5
(29 Sep 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tokyo, Japan - 28 September 2024
1. Panda eating
2. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Hirono Sasaki, Tokyo resident: ++STARTS ON PREVIOUS SHOT++
“I loved seeing Ri Ri climbing trees in her old enclosure. I hope she can climb trees again when she is back in China.”
3. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Sakurai (surname only), visitor from Saitama prefecture: ++PARTLY COVERED WITH SHOT 4++
“I thought I would definitely regret it if I didn't see them on the last day. I wanted to be with my beloved Ri Ri and Shin Shin until the very end, so I decided to go early today, no matter how long the line was.”
4. People queuing
5. Various of panda eating, visitors waving goodbye
STORYLINE:
Visitors wept at Tokyo’s Ueno zoo after seeing giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin for the last time Saturday, the final public viewing day before they are sent back to China.
The 19-year-old pair arrived at Ueno Zoo 13 years ago under a leasing agreement. After the ageing pandas were confirmed with high blood pressure, Japan and China agreed that the two should return to their native land to continue their treatment.
Some people camped out overnight to secure their chance to bid a final farewell to the two beloved pandas, while more than 2,000 visitors queuing outside the zoo on Saturday before its opening.
“They were always my source of comfort, so I feel extremely sad,” said Hirono Sasaki crying, who queued from 5 a.m. in the morning to see the two pandas.
“I loved seeing Ri Ri climbing trees in her old enclosure. I hope she can climb trees again when she is back in China.”
After lining up for hours to enter the enclosure, visitors were only allowed a few minutes inside to view the pandas.
While some visitors were delighted to see Ri Ri and Shin Shin eating bamboo, others were slightly disappointed to only catch them during their naps.
China sends pandas abroad as a sign of goodwill but maintains ownership over the animals and any cubs they produce. The animals are native to southwestern China and are an unofficial national mascot.
AP video by Ayaka McGill
===========================================================
Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: info@aparchive.com.
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: twitter.com/AP_Archive
Facebook: facebook.com/APArchives
Instagram: instagram.com/APNews
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/aeedfe284ddc410ea0aeee50ab9c09c5
