Bai Tian (白天/Baitian), a poised and elegant panda, was born on August 20, 2018, at the Bifengxia Base in Sichuan and now calls Beijing Zoo her home. With her delicate bird-like eye rings, large ears, and graceful demeanor, Bai Tian has captured the hearts of visitors and caretakers alike. Despite her social anxiety, Bai Tian’s journey from a reserved cub to a beloved figure at Beijing Zoo has made her a symbol of grace and cleverness, while also raising awareness about the well-being of zoo animals after a notable incident in 2023.
Basic Information
- Name: Bai Tian (白天)
- Meaning of the Name: Daytime
- Gender: Female
- Birthdate: August 20, 2018
- Birthplace: China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Bifengxia Base, Ya’an, Sichuan, China
- Lineage Number: 1158
- Father: Lu Lu (芦芦)
- Mother: Xiao Bai Tu (小白兔)
- Current Residence: Beijing Zoo
- Siblings: Bai Xue (白雪) and Bai Feng (白峰)
Intriguing Details of Panda Bai Tian
Appearance: Bai Tian is both adorable and beautiful, with a well-behaved demeanor. She has cute little bird-like eye rings and natural winged eyeliner. Her large ears give her a proud and elegant princess look.
Personality: Bai Tian is gentle and obedient, though a bit “socially anxious.” From a young age, she has enjoyed hanging out in trees, often lounging there just to gaze at the scenery. She’s even earned the nickname “Beijing Zoo’s Tree Hanging Ornament.”
Intelligence: The steamed buns (wo wo tou) at Beijing Zoo are probably not very tasty, as there are many videos circulating of pandas refusing to eat them. Bai Tian has a clever routine when the caretakers try to feed her these buns—she will often position herself in a way that demands a massage from her caretaker before she’ll even consider eating. She even points out specific spots that she wants massaged. However, once the massage is over, she refuses to eat the bun.
Martial Arts Skills: Bai Tian has developed her own unique martial arts techniques, including “Iron Head” and “Iron Nose.” She can break harder bamboo in half with her head, while she effortlessly pinches softer bamboo with her nose. Due to her impressive abilities, she’s affectionately nicknamed “The Lady Hero.”
Life Journey of Panda Bai Tian
Birth: Bai Tian was born on August 20, 2018, at the Bifengxia Base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Ya’an, Sichuan.
Move to Beijing: On October 16, 2020, Bai Tian embarked on a new adventure as she moved to Beijing Zoo, one of her birthplaces. The transition from the Bifengxia Base to Beijing Zoo marked the beginning of a new chapter in her life.
Adaptation: Initially, Bai Tian was quite reserved, often seeking solitude in quiet corners as she adjusted to her new environment away from her mother. However, she gradually adapted to the new setting, warming up to her keepers and becoming familiar with the climate, food, and care routines of her new home.
Incident: On May 5, 2023, a video surfaced showing a visitor using a laser pointer to disturb Bai Tian while she was climbing a tree. This incident sparked a significant public outcry and raised concerns about the welfare of zoo animals. The zoo took immediate action, with veterinarians inspecting Bai Tian to ensure her well-being.