SINGAPORE: Mandai Wildlife Group has assured concerned Singaporeans that its top priority is the welfare of its animals in response to concerns that the recently planned separation of baby Giant Panda Le Le from his mother, Jia Jia, at the River Wonders, may have led to separation anxiety.
Earlier this month, Mandai Wildlife Group separated two-year-old Le Le from Jia Jia after the group observed avoidant behaviour from the adult panda. Last month, Jia Jia displayed signs of rejecting Le Le, such as actively driving away the cub.
Explaining that this developmental stage is part of the natural growth process for giant pandas, as they are solitary animals, Mandai Wildlife Group initially said that Jia Jia and Le Le will appear in a timesharing schedule. The mother-son duo were separated on 14 Nov.
Following the separation, some River Wonders visitors said the pandas appeared restless. One visitor, who declined to be named, visited the Giant Panda exhibit after the separation and told Channel 8 news that he saw Le Le crying loudly after hearing Jia Jia calling out. The visitor added that Jia Jia could be seen pacing back and forth and appearing to try to move a door as she heard Le Le crying.
Some observers added that Mandai Wildlife Group cancelled both pandas’ appearances on 19-20 Nov.
Mandai Wildlife Group has since adjusted the timesharing schedule in consultation with Chinese experts. Jia Jia will now share male adult panda Kai Kai’s exhibit on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 2pm. As she is sensitive, her keepers will allow her access to her den at the back of the house to use as she pleases. Le Le will be in his own exhibit daily from 10am to 2pm.
The Group assured that separation is a natural weaning process that also happens in the wild around this time in the cub’s life. A spokesman said: “In preparation for Le Le’s upcoming journey, a naturally occurring weaning phase started on 14 Nov 2023. This is something that occurs in the wild too, and at around 2.5 years, it is also the right timing.
“Doing so at this stage is important because Giant Panda mums will start showing signs of rejection, such as chasing the cub or being less patient on occasions. This has already happened to Jia Jia and Le Le.”
Stressing that the group’s top priority is the well-being of the giant pandas, the spokesman said: “Whilst this is a normal process, we can expect some level of agitation, which in Giant Pandas can be seen as vocalisation or apparent restlessness.
“Rest assured that the welfare of our beloved pandas remains our topmost priority during this period. We are continuously monitoring their behaviour and communicating with our colleagues from China for their expert input, allowing us to assess and make adjustments when necessary.”
Meanwhile, Le Le is preparing to return to China. According to the agreement between Singapore and China, locally-born giant pandas must be returned when they turn two to participate in the giant panda conservation program.
Le Le’s return date has been postponed to Jan 16, and a farewell party is planned for mid-December. His final public appearance at the River Wonders will be on Dec 13, with the following day marking the beginning of his quarantine until his departure in January.