World News for Students of English

03-05-2023 07:00

A giant panda who lived in a zoo in Tennessee for twenty years has returned to China as part of a loan agreement.

Ya Ya moved to Memphis Zoo in 2003 with a male giant panda named Le Le, who died this February from a heart disease, when she was just three years old. It was seen as a symbol of friendship between China and America. However, animal advocates raised concerns about her health after videos surfaced online of her with less fur and underweight causing China to accuse the US of mistreatment. However, the zoo had previously denied such allegations and accused activists of spreading false information.

On its website, the zoo said that Ya Ya lived with a chronic skin and fur condition. This condition didn’t affect her quality of life but occasionally made her hair look thin and patchy. The condition was closely monitored by our animal care team and veterinary staff.

Difficult words: advocate (a person who publicly supports a particular cause or policy), allegation (a claim that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically one made without proof), chronic (persisting for a long time).

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