Care2 Update 4/12/23: Great news: Ya Ya is finally going home to China! Thankfully, 2023 marks the end of her 20-year loan to Memphis Zoo. So, while this was a planned return, it's in Ya Ya's best interest to return to China. Keep signing and sharing to ensure Memphis Zoo is officially removed from China's giant panda-lending program! We cannot let any more giant pandas suffer in their care!
--
In early February 2023, 24-year-old giant panda Le Le tragically and suddenly died from heart disease at Memphis Zoo. For years, animal rights groups have claimed the Memphis Zoo was mistreating these gentle giants, so why wasn't the zoo investigated sooner?
Sign the petition to demand Memphis Zoo be removed from China's giant panda-lending program!
Both Le Le and his female companion, Ya Ya, have been on loan from the Beijing Zoo since 2003. The pandas were loaned as part of China's "panda diplomacy" to promote international goodwill.
While investigations are ongoing, it's concerning that Le Le died so abruptly. A similar incident happened in 2017 when Chuang Chuang, a 19-year-old giant panda died from heart failure due to obesity while on loan to Thailand's Chiang Mai zoo.
Thankfully, Ya Ya will be sent back to the Beijing Zoo to live out her final years in China, but it's tragic that Le Le won't be joining her.
Sign the petition to demand Memphis Zoo be removed from China's giant panda-lending program!
