Concerned fans launch bus ad campaign calling for improved treatment of giant panda Fu Bao

By KTimes

As more than a month has passed without a public sighting of Fu Bao — the giant panda that was somewhat recently returned to China — concerns over its health and treatment continue to grow. Fans of Fu Bao have launched various campaigns, including an advertisement on the New York Times Square billboard and a truck protest in front of the Chinese Embassy in Seoul. Now, they have expanded their efforts to include advertisements on Seoul's city buses.

According to the online community "Fu Bao's Right to Happiness" (known as "Fuhaengkwon"), a bus advertisement campaign began on Friday, featuring messages advocating for Fu Bao’s well-being. The advertisements have been placed on the 262 bus, which runs through downtown Seoul, including the Myeong-dong area. The bus, dubbed the "Hopeful Fu Bao Bus," will operate with advertisements on both sides until March 13.

The bus advertisements include the phrase, "Korea’s first panda, Fu Bao, has the right to be happy," alongside an image of Fu Bao smiling in a field of canola flowers in Korea. Additional messages such as "Fu Bao is running to find happiness," "Speeding towards happiness, Fu Bao" and "A ride on the bus comes with a bonus: Fu Bao’s happiness" are displayed on the side and back of the bus.

A representative of Fuhaengkwon said, "The Wolong Shenshuping Panda Base in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, has not provided any updates on Fu Bao’s health for over two months since reports of convulsions emerged." They added, "We hope for an improvement in living conditions and for Fu Bao to be moved to a place where it can receive the warm care it deserves."

Last month, Fu Bao's supporters also staged a truck protest in front of the Chinese Embassy in Seoul, calling for better treatment. They sought to raise awareness of Fu Bao's condition with Dai Bing, the newly appointed Chinese ambassador to South Korea. They demanded proper medical treatment and a change in caretakers.

Another fan community, "Fu Bao is My Light," sent a letter to Everland on Thursday, urging continued attention to Fu Bao. "Samsung C&T, which operates Everland, promised to maintain communication with China and provide updates on Fu Bao after its return," the group stated. "They must fulfill that promise and actively work to improve Fu Bao’s treatment."

Fu Bao has not been seen in public since early December, when visitors first noticed signs of convulsions. However, China’s Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center has been releasing periodic video updates. The center recently stated, "Fu Bao entered its mating season last month. Caretakers are closely monitoring behavioral changes and adjusting its diet to ensure its health." They added, "Fu Bao is living stably, and there are no plans to involve it in breeding this year."

Despite these assurances, members of Fuhaengkwon remain skeptical. "The Shenshuping Panda Base has not disclosed the cause of Fu Bao’s convulsions and continues to keep it in a nonpublic area while only releasing short video clips," a representative said. "We call for improved treatment and relocation to ensure Fu Bao’s right to happiness."

The animal rights group, Korea Animal Welfare Association, has also voiced concerns. In a recent statement, the organization said, "With increasing worries about Fu Bao’s health, we must take a deeper look at the broader issues surrounding pandas. Many suffer behind the scenes due to artificial breeding programs. We urge people to oppose the commodification of animals solely for profit."

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.