We first announced back in August 2021 that Singapore’s first Giant Panda Cub was born to Kai Kai (then aged 13) and Jia Jia (then aged 12).
But now after nearly three years, the famous Giant Panda Le Le says goodbye to Singapore before heading to China in January. The farewell party saw nearly 1,000 people come to see Le Le on his last day of public appearances over the weekend at the Pavilion Capital Giant Panda Forest in River Wonders.
Le Le has entered quarantine before his four hour and 30 minute flight to his new home in Chengdu in China on January 16. The VIP (Very Important Panda) will board of Singapore Airlines Boeing 747-400F aircraft departing Changi Airport at 7.15pm on the day. The aircraft has made arrangements to accomodate Le Le’s custom-made crate, with travel essentials, and an in-flight meal consisting of up to 50kg of bamboo, bamboo shoots, fruits, pellets, and water.
Le Le will be transported to a quarantine facility in the Sichuan Province before arriving in his new home. Below we look back at Le Le’s time at Mandai Wildlife Reserve.
Panda Cub Le Le’s life
Singapore’s first Panda Cub was born on August 14, 2021. Le Le was born via artificial semination after seven attempts between Kai Kai and Jia Jia since first mating back in 2015. The pair of pandas were River Wonders main attractions after arriving in 2012, on a 10-year-loan from Chengdu in China. This loan has been extended for another five years.
In recent months, Le Le gained full separation and independence from his mom Jia Jia where the Giant Panda Forest exhibition was shared between them. But don’t feel sad because this is natural since Giant Pandas are solitary animals and the mother pandas eventually reject their cubs.
Le Le – who turned two on August 14 – had a special second birthday celebration. The birthday cub can be seen opening his presents, enjoying a buffet of special treats, alongside a large bamboo cake, and playing among a confetti of straw, hay, and wood shavings below.
To learn more about Giant Panda Cub Le Le and his Panda parents, visit the Mandai website.
📍 80 Mandai Lake Road Singapore 729826