Lin Hui, the last remaining panda at Chiang Mai Zoo after the death of Chuang Chuang in September, may be sent back to China although a decision is yet be made by the Thai Government.
The Bangkok Post reports that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is mulling sending the panda back as by herself Lin Hui may be lonely.
“Many people have suggested sending her back as giant pandas are social creatures and proposals to have another sent over here could prove difficult,” Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa is quoted as saying.
A possible return of the panda to its native home in Sichuan Province in the southwest of China will likely be welcomed by Chinese citizens. Some Chinese netizens, be them likely 50 cent army, blamed Thailand for the death Chuang Chuang despite autopsy results finding that the panda died of natural causes.
In the event that Lin Hui is not soon returned to China, the current loan agreement has her remaining at Chiang Mai Zoo until October 2023.
