パンダ２頭、９月末に中国返還　上野動物園、高血圧症状で―東京都

　東京都の小池百合子知事は３０日、上野動物園（台東区）のジャイアントパンダ「リーリー」（雄）と「シンシン」（雌）を９月２９日に中国に返還すると発表した。２頭とも高齢になり、高血圧の症状があるという。最終観覧日は同２８日。
　小池氏は定例記者会見で「（２頭は）１３年間にわたり皆さまに愛された。健康を第一に考え、温かく見送っていただきたい」と述べた。
　返還に当たり、日中の関係者間で協議し、２頭が生まれ育った中国国内で治療を受けるべきだとの判断に至った。（2024/08/30-16:10）

Two giant pandas at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo will be returned to China on Sept. 29, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said Friday.
   Both Ri Ri, a male, and Shin Shin, a female, have high blood pressure associated with old age, informed sources said. The public will have a final chance to view the popular animals on Sept. 28.
   The two pandas "have been loved by everyone for 13 years," Koike told a regular press conference. "I want people to put the (pandas') health first and see them off warmly."
   Japanese and Chinese officials have concluded that the two pandas should be treated in China, their home country.
   Currently, there are four giant pandas in Ueno Zoo. The two pandas' twin cubs, Xiao Xiao, a male, and Lei Lei, a female, will remain at the zoo after the parents have returned to China.