Fu Wa, Feng Yi to return to China in May as Malaysia signs new 10-year panda agreement

MALAYSIA will bid farewell to its long-time giant panda residents, Fu Wa and Feng Yi, in May 2025 as part of a renewed conservation agreement with the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) announced today.

The move follows the signing of a new 10-year Giant Panda Conservation Cooperation Agreement between Malaysia and China on 16 April 2025, coinciding with the official state visit of the President of the PRC to Malaysia. Under the agreement, Malaysia will receive a new pair of giant pandas for the period of 2025 to 2035.

In preparation for their return, Fu Wa and Feng Yi will begin a quarantine process on 18 April at the Giant Panda Conservation Centre (PKGP) in Zoo Negara to ensure they are in optimal health and meet international permit requirements. The pandas will also undergo training to acclimatise for the upcoming flight.

During this period, public access to Fu Wa and Feng Yi will be limited. However, visitors can still catch a glimpse of them from the PKGP Learning Centre at designated times.

Originally arriving in Malaysia on 21 May 2014, Fu Wa and Feng Yi have been central figures in Malaysia’s conservation efforts and a symbol of diplomatic friendship between the two nations. Their three cubs—Nuan Nuan, Yi Yi, and Sheng Yi—were previously repatriated to China, with the last two returning in August 2023.

To honour the pandas’ decade-long presence, Zoo Negara has launched a farewell programme, including message boards, interactive sessions with panda keepers, documentary screenings, and creative competitions. Full details are available on the zoo’s website and social media platforms.

Zoo Negara will also take this opportunity to upgrade facilities at the conservation centre in preparation for the arrival of the new panda pair, expected in August 2025.

The panda partnership remains a strong emblem of Malaysia’s commitment to environmental stewardship and conservation diplomacy. According to NRES, it also aligns with the principles of Malaysia MADANI—emphasising cooperation, sustainability, and care for a shared future.

The ministry encourages the public to visit Zoo Negara and participate in the farewell activities as a gesture of appreciation for Fu Wa and Feng Yi’s time in Malaysia. - April 19, 2025