MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Zoo has revealed the cause of death of Le Le, the giant panda that passed away last month. According to Rebecca Winchester, the zoo's communications specialist, Le Le died of heart disease.
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The US received its first pandas in 1972 after first lady Pat Nixon commented during a state function in China about her love for the animals. By 1984, panda diplomacy changed. The bears were no longer presented as gifts but instead were loaned for 10 years, a period that could be extended.
The pandas return to China when they reach old age and any cubs born are sent to China around age 3 or 4. The San Diego zoo returned its pandas in 2019, and the last bear at the Memphis, Tennessee, zoo went home earlier this year.
MEMPHIS, Tennessee — It's official. On Wednesday, the Memphis Zoo announced their pandas will be heading back to China next year, ending a 20-year-long stay.
Panda diplomacy is the practice of sending giant pandas from China to other countries as a tool of diplomacy. From 1941 to 1984, China gave a gift of pandas to other countries. After a change in policy in 1984, pandas were leased instead of given as a gift.