GUANGZHOU, China (WTXF/STORYFUL) - Pizza is known as the "world's saddest polar bear" and he has been temporarily removed from his enclosure in a Chinese mall and sent back to the park where he was born.
Over the weekend, the Grandview Mall in Guangzhou said Pizza and other animals would be sent away during the facility's renovation.
Then, the mall held a farewell party for Pizza and said the staff would wait for the polar bear's return to a home "full of warmth."
Humane Society International reports Pizza "will reportedly be returned to an undisclosed ocean park in North China where he was born, reuniting him with his parents."
It and other animal rights groups had petitioned the mall to permanently release Pizza, who was thrown into spotlight after video of its enclosure went viral.
The Yorkshire Wildlife Park in the UK offered Pizza a new home in March but was turned down.
Humane Society International said the polar bear showed signs of worsening health in a video it published on Oct. 25.
The aquarium claimed Pizza was happy, fed and entertained.