Imagine a panda with a deep love for cleanliness, so much so that she won’t let her cubs escape a good bath! That’s Feng Yi (凤仪/Fengyi), also known as Liang Liang (靓靓/Liangliang), whose playful yet meticulous nature has captured the hearts of panda enthusiasts worldwide. From her role as one of the Olympic pandas to becoming a cherished mother of three, Feng Yi’s journey is one of elegance, trust, and a touch of pampering fit for a national treasure.
Basic Information
- Name: Feng Yi (凤仪)
- Meaning of the Name: The Deportment of Phoenix
- Nickname: Liang Liang (靓靓)
- Gender: Female
- Birth Date: August 23, 2006
- Birthplace: China Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center
- Current Residence: National Zoo of Malaysia
- Mother: Fei Fei (妃妃)
- Father: Wu Gang (武岗)
- Siblings: Le Sheng (乐生), Jing Jing (晶晶), Ao Yun (奥运), Fei Yun (飞云), Yun Tao (云涛), Bing Qing (冰清), Yi Yun (怡云), Qing Cheng (青城)
Intriguing Details of Panda Feng Yi
Cleanliness Obsession: Feng Yi is particularly fond of cleanliness. When her cubs, Sheng Yi gets dirty by rolling around and playing, Feng Yi will grab her by the back of the neck and drag her all the way to a water pool, where she forces Sheng Yi into the water. Feng Yi holds her there, not letting her out until she feels that Sheng Yi is clean enough. Only after a few moments of splashing in the water will she allow Sheng Yi to get back out.
Trust in Caretakers: Feng Yi has a deep trust in her caretakers, allowing them to feed her and care for her cubs up close. For instance, when the caretakers offer her an extra meal, they gently stroke her and tell her that the food is placed on the wooden platform, which is quite rare for an adult panda. Even if Feng Yi isn’t hungry, she’ll glance at the caretaker before going back to sleep, showing her complete trust.
Special Treatment: At the National Zoo in Malaysia, Feng Yi enjoys the treatment that befits a national treasure. Every day, her caretakers pamper her by wiping her down with fragrant oils, keeping her fur fluffy, shiny, and smooth. Additionally, to prevent her from overheating during the summer, the zoo spent over a hundred thousand to provide her with a luxurious ice bed to keep her cool.
Life Experience of Panda Feng Yi
Olympic Panda: Feng Yi was one of the eight Olympic pandas in 2008, just before turning three years old. Her role as an Olympic panda garnered significant attention both domestically and internationally.
Loan to Malaysia: In June 2013, China officially approved the loan of Liang Liang (then known as Feng Yi) and another male giant panda, Fu Wa (福娃), to Malaysia to commemorate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia. On May 21, 2014, the pandas arrived at the National Zoo of Malaysia, and on June 25, they were renamed Xing Xing and Liang Liang by the Malaysian Prime Minister Najib.
Breeding Success: In late April 2015, Feng Yi displayed noticeable signs of estrus, and by May 7, her mating behavior peaked, leading to natural mating with Fu Wa. On August 18, 2015, Feng Yi successfully gave birth to a cub, named Nuan Nuan (暖暖), at the National Zoo of Malaysia. This was the first successful panda birth in Malaysia.
Anniversary Celebrations: On August 23, 2016, the National Zoo of Malaysia held a grand 10th birthday celebration for the pandas Xing Xing and Liang Liang. On August 23, 2017, the zoo celebrated their 11th birthday.
Twin Cubs: On January 14, 2018, Liang Liang gave birth to a second cub, Yi Yi (谊谊), and on May 31, 2022, her third cub was named Sheng Yi (升谊).
Birthday Celebration: On August 23, 2023, a joint celebration for the 17th birthday of Xing Xing and Liang Liang was held by the National Zoo of Malaysia and the Kuala Lumpur Chinese Cultural Center.
