Panda Bei Chuan: Chuan Bao Zi

Panda Bei Chuan

If there’s one panda whose story will tug at your heartstrings, it’s Bei Chuan (北川/Beichuan). From her fierce resilience in battling wolves to her quirky dormitory-guarding habits, this beautiful panda is a true survivor. Known for her fluffy, bun-like face, Bei Chuan not only captivates with her looks but also with her journey of recovery, motherhood, and the undying love she gives to her cubs. Once you’ve heard her story, you’ll see why she’s beloved by all.

Basic Information

  • Name: Bei Chuan (北川)
  • Nicknames: Chuan Bun (川包子), Apple Chuan (苹果川), Flower of the Base (基地之花)
  • Gender: Female
  • Date of Birth: 2006 (exact date unknown), born in the wild
  • Rescue Date: April 26, 2010
  • Current Residence: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
  • Lineage Number: 765

Intriguing Details of Panda Bei Chuan

Appearance: Bei Chuan is renowned for her round face, large eyes, and well-aligned teeth, earning her the title of “Most Beautiful Panda of the Base.” Her relatively short and coarse fur is complemented by a clean, fluffy white coat. Her plump figure and round face have led to her nickname “Chuan Baozi,” reminiscent of a soft bun.

Fighting Alone Against a Pack of Wolves: It is said that Bei Chuan once ventured alone into a wolf’s den and stole a wolf cub, which led to the pack hunting her down and the eventual rescue. This incident made Bei Chuan famous and highlighted the fighting spirit of giant pandas.

Dormitory Manager: Bei Chuan enjoys lying on trees, as though guarding the peace of the base. Additionally, she has a quirky habit of hanging on trees during her outdoor time, secretly watching the cubs next door. This behavior has led to her being humorously dubbed the “Dormitory Manager” by netizens.

Stuck in the Rails: Bei Chuan once got stuck in the bars of her enclosure while trying to steal bamboo shoots, with her face squeezed between the gaps. This moment was captured on video and widely shared, earning her the nickname “Three-bar Face.” Furthermore, Bei Chuan is also fond of apples, earning the playful nickname “Apple Chuan” from fans.

Life Experience of Panda Bei Chuan

Rescue Experience: On April 26, 2010, Bei Chuan was discovered by a farmer in Jianghe Village, Xiaoba Township, Beichuan Qiang Autonomous County. At the time, she was severely underweight at only 50 kilograms and suffered significant internal injuries, particularly to her liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding quickly intervened, providing urgent care and medical treatment. Given her status as the first wild panda rescued in Beichuan after the Wenchuan earthquake, she was named Bei Chuan in honor of the region.

Treatment and Recovery: Bei Chuan received a year of intensive treatment and care at the base. While her condition improved, she continued to show abnormal blood and ultrasound results. To further aid her recovery, she remained at the Chengdu Base and was officially added to the captive panda lineage in 2011 with lineage number 765. Thanks to the dedication of the panda experts, Bei Chuan’s health steadily improved, and she now weighs over 100 kilograms, a normal weight for an adult panda.

Breeding Status

Chuan Zai: On May 20, 2018, Bei Chuan gave birth to a female cub named Chuan Zai (川仔), lineage number 1121. she was initially very nervous as a first-time mother, which led to some intense growling and aggression toward her cub. As a result, the keepers had to step in and hand-feed the cub.

Bei Chen and Bei Xia: On July 10, 2022, Bei Chuan welcomed two male cubs, Bei Chen (北辰) and Bei Xia (北侠), adding joy and new life to her family. Bei Xia was injured at birth when his arm was accidentally harmed by his mother, and in order to prevent infection, it had to be amputated. Despite being a one-armed cub, he grew to be lively and active, a little warrior who never gives up.

Bei Xiang Guo: In 2023, after Bei Chuan gave birth to Bei Xiang Guo (北香果), she began to care for the cub herself. As Chuan Zai grew up, she too had a cub, Rong Shuo (蓉烁). Now, Bei Chuan has the responsibility of raising two cubs at once, visibly wearing herself out from the effort.

Gallery of Panda Bei Chuan