VIP flight, temperature-controlled cabin: How Singapore's panda cub Le Le will travel back to China - CNA

Le Le’s departure “hasn’t quite sunk in” as the team has been busy with preparations, but Ms Tay said it would be bittersweet for most of them.

“Of course, we are sad that he’s leaving, he is our first-ever panda cub born in Singapore, and we watched him grow, from when he was in (Jia Jia’s) womb, all the way to how big he is right now – bigger than most of us,” she said.

“I think we’re sad to see him leave, but we’re also happy for him, that he’s entering his new phase of independence and joining China’s giant panda conservation programme.”

Asked about her most endearing memories with the panda cub, Ms Tay said she has many, including watching it grow up and start crawling.

“When you call him and he comes to you,” she said. “I think that’s one of the sweeter moments, when he actually responds to you and recognises you, besides mummy.”

A paint-by-numbers art piece depicting Le Le will be outside the exhibit between 10am and 2pm from Wednesday to Sunday, during which members of the public can add their artistic strokes to the painting.

“We have watched our giant panda cub grow into the confident, inquisitive and independent bear that he is today,” said Dr Cheng Wen-Haur, Deputy CEO of Life Sciences and Operations and Chief Life Sciences Officer at Mandai Wildlife Group.

“He is adored by all who have had the privilege of caring for him and we are excited to celebrate with him in his continuing role as an ambassador for his species.

“It is so heartening to see people of all walks of life coming together for Le Le, and cheering him on in the next chapter of his life.”

Dr Cheng added that they have been able to mark these milestones in species conservation due to the dedicated animal care and veterinary teams and the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, as well as sponsors Singapore Airlines and Pavillion Capital.

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