Imagine a panda whose heartwarming curiosity and gentle spirit could win anyone over. Xing Bang (幸浜/Xingbang), a soft-eyed, bilingual giant panda with an intriguing past, offers more than just his adorable appearance. With a background of loss and triumph, he navigates life with a calm grace that stands out among his peers. His journey from Japan to Chengdu, paired with his delightful quirks, paints the picture of a panda whose story is as fascinating as his personality.
Basic Information
- Name: Xing Bang (幸浜)
- Meaning of the Name: Lucky One of the Bang Family
- Birth Date: August 23, 2005
- Gender: Male
- Place of Birth: Shirahama Animal Park, Wakayama, Japan
- Genealogy Number: 614
- Father: Yong Ming (永明)
- Mother: Mei Mei (梅梅)
- Siblings: Xiong Bang (雄浜), Long Bang (隆浜), Qiu Bang (秋浜), Qi Zhen (奇珍), Qi Zhen (奇珍), Ai Bang (爱浜), Liang Bang (良浜)
Intriguing Details of Panda Xing Bang
Gentle Personality: Shortly after Xing Bang returned to China, a peacock accidentally flew into his enclosure. However, he did not chase the peacock as another panda, Xi Wang (希望). Instead, he silently observed it. After a few minutes, he quietly approached and gently touched the peacock with his paw, as if he were touching something precious. Unfortunately, before he could get familiar with the peacock, it flew away.
Strong Adaptability: Most pandas experience an adjustment period when they move to a new habitat, showing symptoms like loss of appetite and lethargy. However, Xing Bang showed no such signs. After returning from Japan in 2010, he immediately developed a fondness for Sichuan bamboo leaves, which he had never eaten before. He devoured them enthusiastically, not even sparing the leaves’ branches, thoroughly enjoying his meal.
Bilingual Ability: Although Xing Bang was born and raised in Japan, experts from the Chengdu Panda Base frequently visited Japan to care for him, monitor his health, and adjust his diet. This experience made Xing Bang one of the rare bilingual giant pandas, responding positively to commands in both Chinese and Japanese.
Life Experience of Panda Xing Bang
Early Life: Xing Bang was born alongside his twin brother, who tragically passed away due to underdeveloped heart conditions just 40 hours after birth. Despite this loss, Xing Bang thrived under the care of his mother, Mei Mei, who nurtured him to adulthood.
Life in Japan: Xing Bang spent his childhood at Shirahama Animal Park in Wakayama, Japan, as part of the “Bang family,” which is the largest panda family living overseas.
Return to China: Following the Japan-China Giant Panda International Breeding and Research Cooperation Agreement, Xing Bang returned to China on March 16, 2010. He was transferred to Chengdu and settled into his new life at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. After arriving, he underwent a month-long quarantine period before being officially introduced to the public.
Current Life: Xing Bang now resides at the Chengdu Panda Base, although he is not often exhibited to the public. Instead, he lives a more private life in a non-exhibition area.