Taipei City Zoo celebrated the 20th birthday of the giant panda “Yuan Yuan,” gifted from mainland China, on August 30. The event featured live streaming, allowing netizens from both sides of the Taiwan Strait to send their warm wishes and congratulations.
According to public records, Yuan Yuan is a female giant panda born on August 30, 2004, at the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center. On December 23, 2008, Yuan Yuan and her male counterpart, “Tuan Tuan,” were presented as a gift to Taiwan and arrived at Taipei Zoo.
A Fond Reflection
Chen Yi-Cong, the director of Taipei Zoo, expressed his sentiments about Yuan Yuan and Tuan Tuan’s arrival at the zoo when they were just four years old. Now, two decades have passed, and Yuan Yuan is celebrating her milestone birthday in 2024. Over the years, Yuan Yuan has captured the hearts of many with her charming personality and adorable appearance. She has served diligently as an ambassador for conservation, inspiring numerous Taiwanese citizens to engage in educational outreach activities to learn more about giant pandas’ behavior and ecology, while also raising awareness about other endangered species.
Since arriving in Taiwan, the zoo has committed itself to understanding and caring for Yuan Yuan. In 2013, Yuan Yuan gave birth to her first cub, “Yuan Zai.” Although the mother and cub were temporarily separated due to an injury sustained by Yuan Zai, the nurturing instinct of Yuan Yuan prevailed. She successfully took over the care and raised Yuan Zai to adulthood. In 2020, Yuan Yuan gave birth to her second cub, “Yuan Bao.” With her previous experience as a mother, Yuan Yuan managed to raise Yuan Bao with even greater skill and care.
As Yuan Yuan has entered her senior years, her keepers have become increasingly attentive to her health and activity levels. To mark her 20th birthday, the Taipei Zoo’s keepers prepared a special enrichment cake following their annual tradition. This year’s cake featured the theme “20,” crafted from ice with ingredients like sugar cane, pineapple, kiwi, and grapes, showcasing the keepers’ heartfelt wishes for the beloved panda.
A Heartwarming Celebration
In line with tradition, Yuan Yuan elegantly knocked over her birthday cake, then moved to a corner to enjoy her apple, eliciting admiration from online viewers who were watching the live stream. Many netizens flooded the chat with their heartfelt messages:
- “Happy birthday, dear Yuan Yuan! Thank you for always being so beautiful and adorable, and for bringing us such lovely cubs. Wishing you all health and happiness!”
- “Happy birthday, Yuan Yuan!”
- “Beautiful Yuan Yuan, happy birthday! Wishing you peace and health.”
- “Yuan Yuan’s silhouette is so cute!”
- “Wondering which treat to eat next?”
- “The neighbor’s cub is saying: I want some too!”
- “Yuan Yuan, love you!”
Amid the cheers from the public and the company of her keepers, Yuan Yuan celebrated her 20th birthday, marking a significant milestone in her life as a giant panda. The heartfelt wishes from fans and supporters highlighted the bond between Yuan Yuan and the people of Taiwan, emphasizing her role not only as a cherished resident of the zoo but also as a symbol of wildlife conservation efforts.
