Dian Dian (点点/Diandian), born on June 20, 2015, at the Ya’an Bifengxia Base, is a charming yet socially anxious panda who has captured the hearts of visitors at Beijing Zoo. Known for her quirky personality, Dian Dian once won a battle of wills against steamed bun-shaped snacks, leaving her caretakers in defeat. Despite her shyness around crowds, she has grown into a beloved figure, now confidently interacting with visitors after overcoming her initial discomfort.
Basic Information
- Name: Dian Dian (点点)
- Meaning of the Name: Dots
- Nicknames: Little Princess (小公主)
- Gender: Female
- Date of Birth: June 20, 2015
- Birthplace: Ya’an Bifengxia Base of China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda
- Current Residence: Beijing Zoo Panda House
- Lineage Number: 946
- Mother: Ying Hua (瑛华)
- Siblings: Da Bai Tu (大白兔), Fu Lu (福禄), Fu Xing (福星), Hua Bao (华宝)
Intriguing Details of Panda Dian Dian
Interaction with Meng Lan: Growing up, Dian Dian wholeheartedly embraced Meng Lan (萌兰) as her “big brother.” She became his loyal little follower, trailing behind him wherever he went. She even took on the role of his personal assistant – letting him use her as a stepping stone and offering panda-style “massages” without hesitation.
Kindergarten Life: During her time in the “panda kindergarten,” Dian Dian once accompanied her nanny on a visit to a neighboring enclosure. As soon as she arrived, she let out a loud, unexpected shout – sending the other cubs scrambling in all directions. The scene was pure chaos, leaving the caretakers both stunned and amused.
Refusing to Eat Steamed Bun-shaped Snacks: Dian Dian has earned a legendary reputation for her absolute refusal to eat wowo tou (steamed bun-shaped panda snacks), outsmarting every nanny at Beijing Zoo. The battle began with Nanny Wang, who barely had time to offer the snack before Dian Dian turned and walked away without a second glance. Then came Nanny Mian Mian, who tried every trick in the book – only to end up sitting on the ground in utter defeat, staring at the untouched wowo tou in despair.
Personality: Dian Dian is known as one of the most socially anxious pandas. Large crowds make her uneasy, and her go-to escape plan is climbing a tree and turning her back to visitors, as if pretending they don’t exist. On particularly stressful days, she becomes so overwhelmed that she even refuses to eat or drink, much to the concern of her caretakers.
Life Experience of Panda Dian Dian
Birth: Dian Dian was the first panda cub born worldwide in 2015, weighing approximately 90 grams at birth. Identified as female by experts, she received artificial care shortly after birth due to her mother Ying Hua’s poor maternal care.
Weaning and Independence: On October 28, 2016, Dian Dian was officially weaned and separated from her mother to join the panda kindergarten at the Ya’an Base. By this time, she had learned to eat bamboo and weighed 32 kilograms.
Relocation and Exhibition: On September 21, 2017, Dian Dian moved to Beijing Zoo. She made her debut at Beijing Zoo on October 17, 2017, alongside another panda, Meng Lan. However, Dian Dian displayed signs of social anxiety, feeling uncomfortable around large crowds of visitors. This led to her being taken off public display and being cared for in a private area. Several years later on 10th January, 2024, she finally came back to the public and did not show any discomfort any more.
