In Defense of Animals and Panda Voices are hosting a virtual memorial on Saturday, April 8, 2023, to honor LeLe the giant panda, who recently died from neglect at the Memphis Zoo. The event will include elements such as a eulogy and a poem (both in English and Chinese), a special tribute video, artwork tribute cards by panda fans, and speakers from In Defense of Animals, Panda Voices, and select panda supporters.

On December 21, 2022, we were thrilled by the news that the Memphis Zoo’s giant pandas YaYa and LeLe would finally be returned to China once the contract between China and the zoo ends in early April. Devastatingly, LeLe passed away on February 1, after his health took a turn for the worse. Unfortunately, the zoo ignored concerns about the pandas’ health, which led to his premature death. 

It’s utterly tragic that after 20 years of suffering, LeLe died of neglect and inadequate care when he was so close to going home. His health was clearly worsening, yet no recommended changes were made to help him or YaYa. He was only 24 years old, yet pandas can live well over 30 years. His own mother XinXing passed away at the age of 38 in China in 2020. 

LeLe started showing increased signs of physical deterioration in mid-January. He had very little interest in bamboo, was visibly weak, appeared emaciated, and was observed to have severe digestive problems. Panda monitors watching the zoo’s panda cam noted LeLe’s health issues escalating over several days. The most worrying moment happened on January 25 when he suddenly collapsed on the ground and didn't get up for several hours. 

The death of the beloved panda, especially since he was so close to being freed from Memphis Zoo, sparked widespread outrage and mobilized panda fans in China, the United States, and all over the world to seek justice for LeLe. It also prompted an even stronger call to action for YaYa, as she continues to suffer in the zoo. Advocates have expressed great concern over her debilitating health and are anxiously awaiting her return to China, desperately hoping that she will not succumb to the same tragic outcome that LeLe faced. Our newest panda alert has a record-breaking number of supporters, with over 114,000 signatures.

In the aftermath of LeLe’s death, we, along with Panda Voices and panda supporters worldwide, are committed to honoring this beloved individual with a beautiful memorial event, as a tribute to his life as well as an opportunity to seek justice for him and spread more awareness about his story.

We invite everyone to join us and hope that you will share with your animal-loving friends so that we have as many attendees as possible for this special event. Please register via this link so that you can receive the invitation to join the Zoom event: 

Registration Link: www.idausa.org/LeLeMemorial

Who: In Defense of Animals, Panda Voices, and select speakers. Everyone is invited! Please spread the word. 
What: Virtual memorial for LeLe
Where: www.idausa.org/LeLeMemorial
When: Saturday, April 8, 2023, 11:00 a.m. ET, 8:00 a.m. PT, 11:00 p.m. China Standard Time

*The event will likely run an hour and a half. 

Check out the Facebook event page.