Malnourished-looking panda in US zoo returns to China & gains 20kg

Ya Ya, the giant panda that lived in Memphis Zoo in Tennessee in the United States for 20 years, was recently seen looking visibly different in a video released by the Beijing Zoo in China.

The panda was returned to China in 2024 and now resides at the Beijing Zoo.

Ya Ya had previously appeared thin and mangy while in the U.S., but now appeared plump and healthy.

Drastic transformation

The topic of the panda's dramatic change in physical appearance has become a trending topic on Chinese social media.

The zoo stated that Ya Ya weighed only 75kg when she returned to China, reported Shin Min Daily News.

More than two years after her return, she now weighs 95kg.

Her body condition score has also improved from two out of five to four out of five.

Veterinarians reportedly assessed that Ya Ya's weight is currently stable within the ideal range for elderly giant pandas, and her overall physical functions are good.

Activists accused U.S. zoo of mistreatment

Some animal welfare activists previously raised concerns about Ya Ya’s health at the Memphis Zoo.

However, the zoo denied mistreating the panda, explaining on their website that her “familial genetics” were responsible for her small size, reported NBC News.

“Ya Ya also lives with a chronic skin and fur condition which is inherently related to her immune system and directly impacted by hormonal fluctuations. This condition does not affect her quality of life but does occasionally make her hair look thin and patchy,” it added.

Activists have also blamed the zoo for the death of Ya Ya’s mate, Le Le, in February 2023.

This was denied by both the zoo and Chinese officials.

Before Le Le’s death, the zoo said in a statement released together with the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens, which oversees the loaning of pandas, that neither bear was mistreated

The statement added that the organisations had “established an exchange mechanism for the health status of giant pandas, including monthly health reports and annual physical examination reports”.

Top photos from Weibo and Douyin