Pandas are China's friendly ambassadors

2009-11-19 19:57 BJT

Fulong is returning to China after two years of bringing joy to people's lives at an Austrian zoo. Fulong is coming home.

Fulong is returning to China after two years of bringing joy to people's lives at an Austrian zoo. Fulong is coming home.
Fulong is returning to China after two years of bringing joy to people's lives at an 
Austrian zoo. Fulong is coming home.

After two years in Vienna's Schoenbrunn Zoo, he's on his way to China. His final destination is the Bifengxia conservation and research center in Sichuan province. The staff there hope he can breed there.

Fulong has been a super star in Vienna since he was born two years ago.

From 100 grams, he's grown into more than 50 kilograms. Under the zoo's agreement with China, Fulong is to return home on his second birthday.

The 16-hour flight is a challenge for both the caretakers and the panda.

There's 50 kilograms of bamboo, 50 liters of water and some of Fulong's other favorite foods.

His caretaker will stay with him until he gets used to the life in Sichuan.