S/ Nippon TV reporter / Many people have gathered at the viewing area for Ri Ri and Shin Shin, with the wait at 80 minutes.

The male giant panda Ri Ri was eating bamboo.

The female Shin Shin was sleeping.

Visitors flocked to see them on August 31, a day after officials announced that the pair will be returned to China in late September.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government officials said the two pandas will be sent back to China before their loan period expires in about a year and a half due to health concerns.

S/ Visitor / It doesn't feel real. I'm just sad.

S/ Tomita Yasumasa, Ueno Zoo / They were so very loved by everyone. They made people feel that animals are important. I think these were their great contributions.

Panda fans have less than a month left to see Ri Ri and Shin Shin at Ueno Zoo.

The two giant pandas will be returned to China in late September for treatment of health conditions.

Officials of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government said Ri Ri and Shin Shin have shown symptoms of health issues including high blood pressure starting 2022.

They are both 19 years old, which is considered to be approaching old age for pandas.

Zookeepers have been administering medication and checking up on the two pandas, but they have not shown major improvement.

Officials said experts from Japan and China discussed the matter and agreed to return them to China to focus on treatment before their conditions worsen.

Ri Ri and Shin Shin arrived at Ueno Zoological Gardens in 2011.

They gave birth to Xiang Xiang in 2017 and twins Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei in 2021.

The last day for public viewing of Ri Ri and Shin Shin at Ueno Zoo will be September 28.

They will head back to China on September 29.