'Fu Bao's grandfather' reunites with famed panda in China

Everland zookeeper Kang Cheol-won reunited with the famed panda Fu Bao for the first time in three months. Kang met Fu Bao at the Shenshuping Panda Base in Wolong, China, on Thursday and Friday, Everland said Friday in a press release.

Everland zookeeper Kang Cheol-won meets with famed panda Fu Bao in Wolong, China, on July 5 [SAMSUNG C&T]

Everland zookeeper Kang Cheol-won reunited with the famed panda Fu Bao for the first time in three months.

Kang met Fu Bao at the Shenshuping Panda Base in Wolong, China, on Thursday and Friday, Everland said Friday in a press release.

Kang toured the outdoor enclosure where Fu Bao lives and called out to the panda. Fu Bao recognized Kang's voice and responded by approaching him closer, according to Everland.

Everland zookeeper Kang Cheol-won meets with famed panda Fu Bao in Wolong, China, on July 4 [SAMSUNG C&T]

Kang raised Fu Bao from the panda's birth on July 20, 2020. Kang is affectionately called "Fu Bao's grandfather" in Korea.

Fu Bao is the first panda born by natural breeding in Korea.

The reunion came after Fu Bao was moved to Sichuan Province, China, on April 3.

Everland zookeeper Kang Cheol-won meets with famed panda Fu Bao in Wolong, China, on July 4 [SAMSUNG C&T]

Kang accompanied Fu Bao from the airport to Shenshuping Panda Base when the panda was moved but had to return to Korea early due to his mother's passing. He promised to visit again when Fu Bao was open to the public.

After two months of quarantine and adaptation in China, Fu Bao began meeting the general public at the outdoor enclosure on June 12.

“I feel relieved after seeing Fu Bao’s living environment firsthand, as the surroundings are excellent and the local caregivers have put in a lot of effort for Fu Bao,” Kang said. “I am proud to see her adapting well, and as I believed, Fu Bao is doing great. I want to visit Fu Bao whenever I have the chance.”

The video of Kang and Fu Bao's reunion will be released later on Everland's YouTube channel “Ppuppa Tv: Animal World.”

Everland zookeeper Kang Cheol-won meets with famed panda Fu Bao in Wolong, China, on July 5 [SAMSUNG C&T]

Everland zookeeper Kang Cheol-won meets with famed panda Fu Bao in Wolong, China, on July 4 [SAMSUNG C&T]

BY KIM MIN-YOUNG [kim.minyoung5@joongang.co.kr]