One “Meditative Panda” and One “Foodie Panda”: Giant Pandas Are the True Stars of Yancheng

From the viral fame of “Huahua (花花)” at the Chengdu Giant Panda Base last year to “Menglan (萌兰)” at Beijing Zoo being affectionately called “Xizhimen Third Prince” by netizens, and the recent buzz around “Fubao (福宝)” returning from Korea this year, giant pandas are true celebrities in the animal world, capturing the hearts of fans both domestic and abroad.

In Yancheng, Jiangsu, two giant pandas have also become popular stars, thanks to their endearing appearance and unique behaviors. These are “Zhensheng (震生)” and “Yuner (云儿)” at the Yancheng Dafeng Port Animal Park.

“Meditative Panda” and “Foodie Panda” Become Top Stars

Since arriving in Yancheng in 2020, these national treasures have settled in and become local celebrities, adored by countless visitors and residents. The zoo has provided them with excellent living conditions, including a 2,300-square-meter outdoor area, 123 acres of bamboo forest for food, and the care of three dedicated zookeepers around the clock.

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“Zhensheng,” nicknamed “Kuan Kuan,” is a female born on August 3, 2017, at the China Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center’s Shenshuping Base. Her mother is the giant panda “Jinxin.” “Zhensheng” has a cheerful and active personality and enjoys climbing. Her face is hexagonal in shape, both round and angular, making her exceptionally cute, earning her the nickname “Hexagon Warrior” among fans.

Beyond her adorable looks, “Zhensheng” excels in various skills, including side leg raises, meditative sitting, walking on her hind legs, and doing push-ups. Last May, a photo of “Zhensheng” sitting cross-legged in a tree and “meditating” went viral on social media. The image of “Zhensheng” looking serene in her unique sitting pose brought smiles to many.

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While “Zhensheng” became famous for her impressive moves, “Yuner” gained fame for his foodie nature. Born on May 20, 2017, “Yuner” is a male with a name traditionally given to females. Zookeeper Chen Yan mentioned that “Yuner” has always been a mama’s boy, fond of eating, and the greatest joy in his life is food. On the other hand, “Zhensheng,” although female, is very playful and loves climbing trees, with a penchant for destroying things and toys.

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Diverse Daily Activities

“Zhensheng” and “Yuner” have a variety of daily activities. They enjoy climbing trees, playing, and displaying the unique liveliness of giant pandas. To keep them engaged, zookeepers often hide bamboo in various places as part of enrichment activities. On June 5 this year, fresh bamboo shoots were placed in the 2,300-square-meter outdoor area, some on swings, some hanging from trees, and some hidden under pavilions.

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After the bamboo was hidden, “Yuner” quickly returned to the zoo, climbed stairs, and followed the scent to find and leisurely eat the bamboo, leaving behind only the peels. “Zhensheng,” however, took her time, first taking a bath in the pool, and after playing, methodically found the hidden bamboo and enjoyed her meal.

Festive Treats and Special Attention

In addition to their daily meals and entertainment, the pandas receive special treats during holidays. For the Dragon Boat Festival, zookeepers make special zongzi (rice dumplings) filled with ingredients like corn flour and soybean flour. Their birthdays are also grand events at the zoo. On May 20, “Yuner’s” birthday was celebrated with a party that attracted fans from across the country. The zookeepers prepared an ice cream “cake” with colored ice blocks and topped it with ingredients like carrots and apples, allowing “Yuner” to enjoy his special day in a joyful atmosphere.

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On November 8 last year, to further enhance the happiness of “Zhensheng” and “Yuner,” the zoo decided to swap their rooms. This room exchange is an important method of environmental enrichment, stimulating natural behaviors and improving their quality of life. In their new environments, “Zhensheng” and “Yuner” have shown strong curiosity and exploration, sniffing new scents and excitedly playing with new toys.

Now in their fourth year at Yancheng Dafeng Port Animal Park, “Zhensheng” and “Yuner” live in spacious villas and are cared for by a dedicated team, leading healthy and happy lives.