Return of Yi Yi, Sheng Yi to China tears up guardian

SEPANG: The departure of giant panda cubs Yi Yi and Sheng Yi for China will leave a long-lasting impression on one of its guardians, Azrennizam Ibrahim.

During the process of unloading the two pandas at the animal hotel situated at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Cargo Complex here, Azrennizam, 46, called out the names of the two pandas while patting their cages to ensure both remained calm during the operation.

Fleetingly, he was seen wiping away tears while stroking the panda cage.

“I just hope their guardians will take care of them as best as possible, because we took care of them like a ‘full tank of oil’ (‘great care with no spills’),” he told Bernama after the unloading process of Yi Yi and Sheng Yi.

Immediately upon arriving at the animal hotel, Yi Yi and Sheng Yi were placed together in a room for a quiet period after travelling for about half an hour from Zoo Negara and were also given nourishment.

“I will always remember the pampered and mischievous pandas, especially the youngest Sheng Yi,” he said, sharing that the experience of caring for them was one of the most valuable in his life.

“I have watched and nursed the siblings since infancy, including the eldest Nuan Nuan. But the opportunity to take care of them, including their parents, is the unforgettable experience of a lifetime,” he said, adding that he hoped to be able to meet the panda pair again one day, even if the possibility seems remote.