Ai Jiu (艾玖/Aijiu), born on June 5, 2020, at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, quickly captured the hearts of her caretakers and fans with her unique charm. With her large, expressive ears reminiscent of Mickey Mouse, she earned the affectionate nickname “Mickey Jiu Jiu.” Despite her playful and spirited nature, Ai Jiu often surprised those around her with her stubborn independence, as seen in her notorious tree-climbing adventures that even defied the best attempts at coaxing her down. But beneath her mischievous exterior lies a caring spirit, especially towards her companions like Hua Hua, whom she lovingly supported during moments of frustration.
Basic Information
- Name: Ai Jiu (艾玖)
- Meaning of the Name: Black Jade of the Ai Family
- Nickname: Mickey Jiu Jiu
- Gender: Female
- Lineage Number: 1235
- Date of Birth: June 5, 2020, at 13:06
- Place of Birth: Moon Delivery Room, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
- Birth Weight: 219 grams, the heaviest recorded newborn at the Chengdu Panda Base
- Mother: Ai Li (艾莉)
- Father: Gong Zai (功仔)
- Siblings: Ai Mi (艾米), Ai Lun (艾伦), Ai Lin (艾琳), Ai Si (艾斯)
Intriguing Details of Panda Ai Jiu
Big Ears: One of Ai Jiu’s most endearing features is her large ears, which resemble those of Mickey Mouse, earning her the affectionate nickname “Mickey Jiu Jiu” from her caretakers and fans alike.
Uncooperation: As a young panda, Ai Jiu was particularly fond of hanging from trees, much to the frustration of her caretakers. Even when her nanny, Tan Ye Ye, and other caretakers called out to her, she remained indifferent. Tan Ye Ye once spent three whole hours trying to coax Ai Jiu down from a tree. First, he tried luring her with a steamed bun, but Ai Jiu merely glanced at it before resuming her perch. Undeterred, Tan Ye Ye offered her a small apple, but she still refused to come down. His third attempt involved a honey-coated steamed bun, but even that didn’t work. Finally, Tan Ye Ye resorted to using a water hose, spraying Ai Jiu with water to give her a bath. Only then did she finally come down from the tree.
Caring for Hua Hua: Despite her playful personality, Ai Jiu is known for her caring nature, especially towards her companion Hua Hua (花花). Once, Hua Hua became frustrated after biting on a rope and tumbling in circles. In a fit of anger, Hua Hua grabbed Ai Jiu by the fur, pulling her down. Remarkably, Ai Jiu didn’t show any signs of anger and accepted the situation calmly.
Life Experiences of Ai Jiu
Birth: Ai Jiu made history as the heaviest newborn panda ever recorded at the facility, weighing an impressive 219 grams at birth.
Life in Nursery: Between November 2021 and October 27, 2022, Ai Jiu resided in the “Class 1 of the Nursery,” a special area affectionately called the “Grandfather’s Pigsty.” Here, she shared space with her fellow pandas, including Hua Hua, He Ye (和叶), and Run Yue (润玥).
Life with Run Yue: On October 27, 2022, Ai Jiu, along with Run Yue, graduated from the nursery and moved to the B section of the sub-adult panda area. This new environment was quieter and surrounded by dense, tall trees, which provided the perfect setting for the young pandas to grow. Here, Ai Jiu often engaged in playful antics with her close friend Run Yue. The two pandas shared a close bond, eating, sleeping, and playing together. Ai Jiu sometimes took on the role of “alarm clock” for Run Yue, waking her up from naps to play when Run Yue was still asleep.