A Japanese amusement park is finding creative and touching ways to celebrate its three-decade legacy with giant pandas, demonstrating the enduring bond between the beloved bears and their devoted fans.

Adventure World in Wakayama prefecture recently bid farewell to its last four pandas, including 24-year-old Rauhin and her three offspring, who returned to China in June after years of delighting visitors. Rauhin holds a special place in history as the first panda successfully born and raised in Japan, making her departure particularly poignant for staff and visitors alike.

Rather than simply closing the chapter on their panda program, the park chose to honor this meaningful relationship in an innovative way. Public relations officer Manami Wakabayashi, who dedicated three decades to caring for pandas, launched the heartwarming "Panda Love Club" to keep the spirit of these cherished animals alive.

The centerpiece of this initiative is a unique keeper experience tour that invites visitors to step into the shoes of panda caretakers. Each week, dedicated staff members don panda hats and playfully mimic the bears' behavior, allowing participants to experience what it was like to care for these magnificent creatures. Visitors can feed the "pandas," explore the animals' former living areas, and earn an official keeper certificate.

The experience has resonated deeply with fans. One participant shared her joy at being "in the same place as her favourite panda," expressing the emotional connection many visitors maintain with the departed bears.

Beyond entertainment, the program serves multiple thoughtful purposes. It preserves the specialized knowledge and skills the keepers developed over three decades, ensuring their expertise isn't lost. It also maintains employment for dedicated staff who built their careers around panda care, demonstrating the park's commitment to its team.

The Panda Love Club extends beyond the keeper experience, offering keeper talks where staff share cherished memories, educational lectures about giant pandas, and tours of the animals' former playground. These events create a living memorial to the park's panda legacy while educating visitors about conservation and animal care.

The initiative has captured hearts both in Japan and internationally, with videos of the experiences spreading warmth across social media. While some viewers initially found the concept unconventional, many have expressed appreciation for the park's dedication to honoring its history and supporting its staff.

As Japan's last two pandas—twins Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo—prepare to return to China by the end of January, long queues of well-wishers have formed to bid them farewell, demonstrating the deep affection these animals inspire.

Adventure World's creative approach showcases how institutions can celebrate meaningful relationships even after circumstances change. By transforming farewell into an opportunity for education, preservation of expertise, and community connection, the park has written a new chapter in its panda story—one focused on gratitude, creativity, and the lasting impact these remarkable animals had on everyone who knew them.

The facilities remain ready should new pandas arrive in the future, representing hope for continued cultural exchange and the possibility of new panda generations charming Japanese visitors once again.