A giant panda who has lived at a US zoo for 20 years has embarked on her journey back home to China today, with millions of Chinese eagerly awaiting her return.
In a statement, Memphis Zoo confirmed Ya Ya "began her journey back to China" today, leaving the zoo to take a flight expected at noon bound for Shanghai.
The zoo said she's being accompanied by the zoo's senior veterinarian and Chief Zoological Officer - who have a combined total of more than 25 years of giant panda experience.
The statement said: "Memphis Zoo's panda loan agreement ended this spring and Ya Ya is returning to China to live our her golden years.
"After 20 years, Ya Ya has become like family, and she will be sorely missed by the Memphis Zoo staff and the local community. We wish her all the best of luck in her new home."
Ya Ya reportedly left the Tennessee zoo at around 8.45am local time, and is expected to be on a flight at noon for Shanghai.
At the top of popular social media network Weibo's news section is '#Welcome Yaya Home Together#' - showing how people are eagerly awaiting the return of the panda to her homeland.
As concerns grew for the panda's treatment, some Chinese-Americans voluntarily flew to Memphis to visit and "guard for Ya Ya".
Now, posts are spreading across Weibo with instructions on how to add panda icons to usernames, asking people to "forward and guard Ya Ya".
Many people took to social media to wish the panda "safe travels", saying she will "be missed".
Other posted messages saying they were "honoured to have grown up" with the panda, and expressed gratitude at having been to see her before she left.
However, there have been some more aggressive messages left by social media users. One said: "Stop faking your affection, you make me sick" in Chinese.
Another said: "Ya Ya [has] suffered such a hard time. Come back home - we're all waiting for you."
One user took to Weibo to say: "The pain that has lingered in the heart of Chinese people for more than two months is finally relieved.
"How many days and nights, it looked at the sky and missed the clouds and moon in its hometown. How many seasons it has tasted bamboo and missed the flowers and gradd of its hometown."
Others said: "Ya Ya, welcome home, the dark days are over".
People across China have been watching Ya Ya closely after questions were raised over the treatment of her and male mate Le Le who died in February.
The zoo has previously denied allegations of mistreatment, accusing activists of spreading misinformation.
The zoo said Ya Ya has a chronic skin and fur condition, which causes her fur to "occasionally" look "thin and patchy."
Critics have been posting in the zoo's comment section calling the zoo "nasty" saying children "will see animals being mistreated" if they visit in regards to allegations of mistreatment of the giant pandas.
Other users have responded to the latest news on Twitter saying: "Your family are always keep hungry as yaya? How dare your statement state that yaya [sic] has become like family?"
A video shared by animal advocacy groups In Defense of Animals and Panda Voices last year showed the pair pacing in circles. Groups said the animals seemed to have lost fur and weight, calling on them to be "returned to China before it's too late."
Anger was renewed in February after 25-year-old Le Le died.
Giant pandas live anywhere from 25 to 30 years in captivity, though many questioned whether the animals were being neglected by US zookeepers when relations between the US and China deteriorated due to diplomatic disputes and trade barriers.
People began pushing for Ya Ya's return to China earlier following Le Le's death - with people putting up slogans and pictures on advertisement locations across China.
Chinese experts flew to the US following Le Le's death, and along with US counterparts, came to an initial conclusion he had died of heart disease.
Ya Ya was given a check up where it was determined she had a good appetite and stable weight, and was healthy apart from the skin issue.
Before she left, 22-year-old giant panda Ya Ya even had a farewell party at Memphis Zoo on Saturday, April 22, ahead of her return to China.
It's thought around 500 people attended the event, which featured cultural Chinese performances.
Ya Ya and Le Le arrived in Memphis on loan in 2003 as part of what's been called 'panda diplomacy' tactics used by China to help foster relationships with other countries.
