Bing Bing (冰冰/Bingbing) wasn’t just any panda – she was a living legend in the world of panda conservation. Born during a sweltering Chengdu summer, her name, which means “ice,” was a tribute to her survival in the heat, a symbol of her resilient spirit. With a round face and fluffy cheeks that melted hearts, she lived an extraordinary 36 years, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire all who encounter her story.
Basic Information
- Name: Bing Bing (冰冰)
- Gender: Female
- Date of Birth: August 6, 1986
- Date of Death: March 16, 2023
- Age at Death: 36 years (equivalent to about 100 human years)
- Birthplace: Chengdu Zoo
- Lineage Number: 314
- Father: Pang Ba (胖粑)
- Mother: Guo Guo (果果)
Intriguing Details of Panda Bing Bing
Name Origin: Bing Bing’s name holds a special significance linked to her birth circumstances. She was born during an exceptionally hot summer in Chengdu, where the temperatures soared. Unlike the pampered panda mothers at the base who enjoyed 24-hour air conditioning now, her mother, Guo Guo, struggled with the heat and was often seen panting. To help cool her down, staff placed ice blocks in the enclosure, which inspired the name “Bing Bing,” meaning “ice” in Chinese.
Physical Characteristics: Bing Bing was renowned for her unique round face and fluffy cheeks, features that were passed down to many of her offspring, making her family particularly notable in the panda community. Her head was so perfectly round, it seemed to have been drawn with a compass, and her voluminous fur made her a beloved figure at the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base for many years.
Life Experience of Panda Bing Bing
Early Life: Bing Bing was born at Chengdu Zoo but was quickly transferred to artificial rearing due to her mother’s illness shortly after birth. Despite facing challenges such as insufficient maternal milk and severe illness in her early days, Bing Bing showed remarkable resilience and survived these tough times.
Breeding Achievements: In September 1989, Bing Bing moved to the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, where she would spend the majority of her life. One of her most notable achievements came on June 30, 2007, when she set a record as the oldest panda at the base to give birth. At the age of 21, she successfully gave birth to her youngest daughter, Xiang Bing (香冰). Bing Bing not only nurtured her cub to survival but later assisted in raising her granddaughter, Ke Lin (科琳), along with several other cubs born in 2007, caring for them until they reached one and a half years old.
Retirement: In the fall of 2008, Bing Bing retired from breeding activities, transitioning to a peaceful life at the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. This new phase allowed her to enjoy her later years surrounded by caregivers and fellow pandas. On July 9, 2008, she briefly traveled to Hefei Wildlife Park, but by August 15, 2010, she returned to the Chengdu base, where she began her retirement in a non-exhibition area dedicated to her comfort and well-being.
Final Years and Legacy: Bing Bing lived a long and fulfilling life, contributing immensely to the breeding program and the overall understanding of panda behavior. Sadly, she passed away naturally on March 16, 2023, at the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base.
