Yui Hin

Basic Profile

Yui Hin (Chinese: 结浜, also known as Jie Bin, studbook number 1047) is a female giant panda born on September 18, 2016 at Adventure World in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. She is the 7th surviving cub of Ei Mei (永明, studbook 390) and Rau Hin (良浜, studbook 515), and a proud member of the renowned “Hama Family” (浜家族).

Birth

Rau Hin began showing signs of increased sleep and changes in fecal output from August 22. At 1:12 AM on September 18, her waters broke, and she gave birth quickly — her fifth delivery. As an experienced mother, she immediately cradled the cub and began licking her clean. Yui Hin weighed 197 grams at birth.

Naming

On December 5, 2016, Adventure World announced the name “结浜” after receiving over 50,000 public submissions. The character “结” (knot/tie) symbolizes connecting cultures, values, and borders — reflecting the international conservation cooperation that the Hama Family represents. “浜” continues the family naming tradition.

Life at Adventure World

Yui Hin spent her early months nursing from her mother Rau Hin. In October 2017, at just over one year old, she was separated from her mother to begin independent life. With her permanent teeth nearly fully grown, she began transitioning from milk to a bamboo-based diet — mirroring the natural weaning process of wild pandas who leave their mothers between 1–2 years of age.

She grew into a healthy, active young female at Adventure World, becoming a popular attraction for visitors.

Return to China (2025)

Announcement

On April 24, 2025, Adventure World announced that four pandas — Rau Hin (良浜), Yui Hin (结浜), Sai Hin (彩浜), and Fu Hin (枫浜) — would all be returned to China as the Sino-Japanese cooperation agreement reached its natural conclusion.

Chinese experts were dispatched to Japan in advance to monitor the pandas’ health, living habits, and prepare them for the journey.

Final Farewell

On June 27, 2025, the four pandas made their final public appearance at Adventure World. At 4:00 PM, approximately 3,500 visitors gathered for a farewell ceremony co-organized by the zoo and the Chinese Consulate General in Osaka.

Fans from across Japan had traveled to Shirahama to say goodbye — many had followed these pandas since birth. The atmosphere was emotional as keepers led the pandas through their enclosure one last time.

Departure

On the morning of June 28, 2025, Yui Hin was loaded into a specialized transport truck and departed Adventure World. The pandas were transported in temperature-controlled航空笼 maintained at 18–20°C to ensure comfort during the journey.

Their charter flight departed from Kansai International Airport and arrived at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport at 18:51 Beijing time.

Life in Chengdu

Yui Hin was transported to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where she is expected to participate in the breeding program. Along with Sai Hin and Fu Hin, she will contribute to the genetic diversity of the captive population.

Impact on Adventure World

The departure of all four pandas dealt a significant blow to Adventure World’s tourism. Visitor numbers reportedly dropped by approximately 50% compared to 2024 levels. In response, the park launched a “Panda Keeper Experience” program in November 2025, where visitors wear keeper uniforms and panda-themed hats to simulate the experience of caring for pandas — with the “pandas” played by staff in costumes.

Local hotel operators reported needing to develop new attractions to compensate for the pandas’ absence.

Legacy

Yui Hin’s return marks the completion of the Hama Family’s repatriation — all pandas born at Adventure World have now returned to China, closing a 30-year chapter in Sino-Japanese panda cooperation (1994–2024).

Family

Yui Hin is a member of the extensive Hama Family. Her siblings include:

• Mei Hin (梅浜): Female, born 2008
• Ei Hin (永浜): Male, born 2008
• Kai Hin (海浜): Male, born 2010
• You Hin (阳浜): Female, born 2010
• Yu Hin (优浜): Female, born 2012
• Sakura Hin (樱浜): Female, born 2014
• Tao Hin (桃浜): Female, born 2014
• Saihin (彩浜): Female, born 2018
• Fuhin (枫浜): Female, born 2020