据美媒报道，当地时间8日，美国田纳西州孟菲斯动物园为将返回中国的大熊猫“丫丫”举办告别派对，祝愿“丫丫”旅途安全，并庆祝与中国动物园协会20年的合作。

On Apr. 8 (local time), the Memphis Zoo held a farewell party for Ya Ya to wish her a safe trip home and to celebrate the 20-year partnership between the zoo and the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens, said US media.

孟菲斯动物园在其官方推特上写道：孟菲斯动物园诚邀社会各界祝愿“丫丫”一路平安，并庆祝我们与中国动物园协会建立20周年合作伙伴关系。

据报道，当地时间8日上午10时至下午2时，孟菲斯动物园为“丫丫”举行了送行活动。

Memphis Zoo held a farewell party for Ya Ya from 10 am to 2 pm on Apr.8.

动物园为“丫丫”准备了一个特制的彩色大蛋糕，蛋糕上点缀着葡萄、甘蔗和小饼干。

The zoo made a special big cake decorated with grapes, sugarcane, and cookies for Ya Ya.

其他相关的送别活动还包括一系列具有中国特色的文化表演以及签署告别信等。据悉，动物园邀请了当地华人小朋友表演中华武术，向来参加活动的民众展示中华文化。

The zoo also invited the Chinese kids to perform kungfu. People signed goodbye letters.

此次告别活动约500人参加。许多美国民众前去与“丫丫”道别。

About 500 people joined the party and lots of American came to say goodbye to Ya Ya.

 

还有不少不能到现场的“丫丫”粉丝，在孟菲斯动物园社交媒体账号下留言，用暖心的话语和“丫丫”说再见。

“(‘丫丫’回国)太难过了，‘丫丫’已经成为了我们的家人，亲爱的姑娘，一路平安。”

“我会非常想念‘丫丫’的，我知道她也会想念多年来的家。祝‘丫丫’一路平安。”

据美联社报道，孟菲斯动物园发言人丽贝卡·温彻斯特称，“丫丫”可能会在动物园待到本月月底，随后返回中国。

Ya Yawill likely head back to China at the end of month, according to zoo spokespersonRebeccaWinchester.

动物园方面表示，大熊猫是研究和保护项目的关键，同时也帮助人们了解和体验了一些中国文化。

The zoo says the pandas were key to research and conservation projects and helped people experience some of Chinese culture.

作为中美共同保护和研究大熊猫计划的一部分，“丫丫”和“乐乐”于2003年4月一起抵达孟菲斯动物园开始旅美生涯，为游客们带去无数的欢乐。

Ya Ya and Le Le arrived in the U.S. state of Tennessee as part of a joint conservation and research project between the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens and the zoo in April of 2003.

协议期限为10年，2013年到期后又延长10年，租借期到今年4月7日为止。2022年12月21日，孟菲斯动物园宣布，将把“丫丫”和“乐乐”归还中国，结束20年的租借期。

The agreement was initially for 10 years and was extended by 10 more years in 2013. On Dec. 21, Memphis Zoo announced that it's going to return the two giant pandas.

 

然而，2023年2月2日，“乐乐”不幸离世，终年25岁。人们为“乐乐”哀悼悲伤的同时，更加急切地希望“丫丫”能够早日回家。中美双方一直在积极商洽加快办理大熊猫“丫丫”回国相关手续的方式和途径，争取早日将“丫丫”接返回国。

However, on Feb. 2, 2023, the other giant panda, Le Le, died due to heart disease, aged 25. Both China and the US have been actively negotiating ways to expedite the procedures necessary for Ya Ya's return to her home country.

目前，中方已经完成了所有审批事项。据了解，“丫丫”回国后，要先到上海进行隔离检疫。北京动物园已从饲养场地、饲养方案、医疗保障、饲料供应等方面做好了迎接“丫丫”回家的各项准备工作。

The Chinese side has completed all approvals, while Beijing Zoo has made preparations to welcome Ya Ya back, including ensuring appropriate facilities, care plans, medical support and food supply.

After returning to China, Ya Ya will spend more than a month in Shanghai in quarantine before taking up residence in a new home being built in Beijing Zoo.