Giant panda cub Le Le arrives safely in China on a specially arranged Singapore Airlines flight

17 Jan 2024

A fresh year marks a new beginning for giant panda Le Le who safely touched down at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport on 16 January 2024. Le Le is now serving his second round of quarantine, a mandatory measure, having completed the first stage at River Wonders in the Mandai Wildlife Reserve before his flight to China. During this period, the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Panda (CCRCGP) will be monitoring Le Le closely to determine the most suitable permanent residence for him, post-quarantine.

SATS and SIA Cargo personnel moving Le Le’s crate into position on board before securing it using tracks and locks. Besides paying attention to the aircraft temperature, humidity was also kept low for Le Le’s well-being.

Photo credit: Singapore Airlines

Departure day was filled with emotional moments as the panda care team prepared Le Le for his flight and said their heartfelt goodbyes to him. Le Le’s customised travel crate was loaded onto an air-conditioned truck which left for Singapore Changi Airport in the afternoon on 16 January 2024. Minister of State (Trade & Industry) Mr Alvin Tan, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Singapore, Mr Zhu Jing, as well as Cultural Counsellor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Singapore, Ms Qin Wen, were present on the tarmac to bid Le Le farewell. Joined by the management of Mandai Wildlife Group, Singapore Airlines (SIA), SATS and Changi Airport Group (CAG), they observed Le Le’s travel crate being loaded onto the specially arranged SIA Boeing 747-400F freighter aircraft.

Accompanying Le Le on the flight were his keeper and veterinarian from Mandai Wildlife Group as well as a keeper from China, who fed and checked on Le Le on board the aircraft. Le Le took well to the flight and maintained a good appetite throughout, chomping on bamboo and bamboo shoots.

Le Le’s arrival in China marks a new chapter for him as he now officially joins China’s giant panda conservation programme for the protection of his species.

Le Le eating within his custom travel crate. The panda care team spent much time preparing him through training, to get accustomed to the crate and be as comfortable as possible.