One of Ueno Zoo's most popular residents will be leaving Japan next February. Xiang Xiang the giant panda will be heading to China, her parent's birth country.

Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko announced at a news conference on Friday that Xiang Xiang would leave on February 21.

The five-year-old panda was born at Ueno Zoo. Her parents are on loan from China, and based on the agreement she was due to be transferred to the country when she turned two.

But the plan has been pushed back five times due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Xiang Xiang's final public appearances at the zoo are expected to draw great interest. Zoo officials will hold a lottery for tickets to see her between January 21 and February 19. Up to 2,600 people will be able to view her each day during that period. The zoo will begin taking applications online from January 6.

Koike said people may feel sad that the beloved Xiang Xiang is leaving, but she hopes they understand that the panda will play an important role in the preservation and breeding of the species.