On December 3rd, “Fubao,” the giant panda living at the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center’s Wolong Shenshuping Base, was found shaking while eating. Preliminary checks confirmed that its appearance was normal, and it was in good spirits and appetite. That evening, reporters traveled to the Wolong Shenshuping Base, located over 110 kilometers from Chengdu, to conduct an exclusive on-site visit to see “Fubao.”
At 9:00 PM on December 3rd, at the Wolong Shenshuping Base, reporters and staff dressed in protective suits and shoe covers entered the “Panda Kindergarten No. 2” enclosure and observed “Fubao” from behind the protective barrier. The reporters saw that “Fubao” alternated between lying on its back and walking around before sitting cross-legged and eating bamboo with great interest. During the feeding process, no further shaking behavior was observed, and “Fubao” responded promptly to the keepers’ calls. After finishing its meal, “Fubao” went to a corner and rested, leaning against the protective barrier. A panoramic camera was also installed outside the enclosure, aimed directly at “Fubao,” to observe and record its activities 24 hours a day. Around 11:00 PM, after “Fubao” had fallen asleep, the reporters and staff ended their observation and left the enclosure.
On the morning of December 4th at 9:00 AM, the reporters returned to the enclosure where “Fubao” lives. The staff member Xu Xiang fed “Fubao” carrots at 9:15 AM, followed by steamed buns half an hour later, along with fresh bamboo and the bamboo shoots “Fubao” particularly enjoys. “Fubao, come here and sit down,” Xu Xiang instructed. “Fubao” responded promptly each time, sitting down and extending a paw to hold the “blood sampling frame” while eating, making “guaji guaji” sounds, and finishing all the food in the bowl.
While feeding, Xu Xiang used hand gestures to ask “Fubao” to open its mouth for an oral and dental check. A veterinarian also took an oral swab sample from “Fubao” for further testing. Throughout the checkup, “Fubao” cooperated well.
After eating, “Fubao” got up and paced around the enclosure, occasionally standing and looking outside. “This time in the morning is when ‘Fubao’ usually plays in the outer area,” said Xu Xiang.
“From the afternoon of December 3rd to the morning of December 4th, initial tests of ‘Fubao’s blood, feces, and oral swab all showed normal results. Its appetite, food intake, fecal frequency, and color were all normal,” said a panda expert. “Its ability to respond to keepers’ commands, normal feeding, and repeated marking behaviors are all consistent with its usual behavior.”
Interviews revealed that other pandas have experienced similar shaking, often due to brain abnormalities or epilepsy, but this mostly occurs in older pandas. “Fubao” is only four years old, and the brief shaking behavior may suggest an unusual condition or could be an isolated incident, but since the symptoms were very brief, further observation and monitoring are needed.
“The observation period will last 2 to 3 days, and ‘Fubao’ will temporarily refrain from outdoor activities. This allows us to better observe and monitor ‘Fubao’ in the indoor space, enabling us to detect any abnormalities in real time,” said a relevant official from the Shenshuping Base of the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center. The team will comprehensively assess “Fubao’s” clinical condition and decide if further anesthesia tests are necessary.
The Wolong Shenshuping Base, located in the Wolong area of the Giant Panda National Park, covers 150 hectares and has an average elevation of around 1,700 meters. Surrounded by mountains, lush vegetation, and fresh air, it provides an ideal natural habitat for giant pandas. Currently, over 80 giant pandas of various ages live at the base, and during the reporters’ visit on December 4th, all other pandas were being exhibited normally, with visitors orderly following the guidelines.