Ask the Memphian: Will the Memphis Zoo ever have pandas again?
Ya Ya, a giant panda at the Memphis Zoo eats bamboo on Saturday, April 8, 2023. About five hundred people attended a farewell party for the panda. (Karen Pulfer Focht/AP Photo file)
For one month in 1987 and another 20 years after, giant pandas made their home at the Memphis Zoo, delighting locals and visitors from around the world with their antics and adorableness.
When the zoo’s 20-year loan agreement with China ended in 2023, the zoo shipped Ya Ya, the female panda and the remains of Le Le, who died at the Memphis Zoo a few months earlier, back to Asia.
At the time, zoo officials made vague statements about continuing the city’s panda legacy by attempting to get another pair of the bears from China.
This is an excerpt of this story. To read more, please click here and subscribe.
Topics
Memphis Zoo giant pandas Pandas Ask the Memphian Subscriber OnlyThank you for reading The Daily Memphian. Your support is critical.
Did you know we are a 501(c)3 nonprofit news organization? We rely on a mix of revenue from subscriptions (50%), advertising, events and other earned income (25%) and fundraising (25%).
Please consider making a fully tax-deductible donation or other contribution to The Daily Memphian today.
👉🏽 Your subscription pays for you to read all our journalism.
👉🏽 Your donation powers the work we do to reach everyone else with the news.
We believe an informed Memphis is a better Memphis. If you agree, join our growing list of donors now.
Jody Callahan
Jody Callahan graduated with degrees in journalism and economics from what is now known as the University of Memphis. He has covered news in Memphis for more than 25 years.
Comments
Want to comment on our stories? If you’re a subscriber, scroll down to the comments. If you’re not a subscriber, only paid subscribers can add their thoughts, so subscribe now. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.