Panda Fu Bao (Pubao): South Korea’s Beloved Panda Princess

Panda Fu Bao South Koreas Beloved Panda

From her first breath on July 20, 2020, at Everland Resort in South Korea, Fu Bao (福宝/Fubao/Pubao) has been a captivating presence, charming hearts and winning adoration from all corners of the world. As the first giant panda born in South Korea, she quickly became a symbol of joy and unity, earning the nickname “Princess Fu.” Her playful antics, endearing personality, and unforgettable moments, like the time she mistook a familiar face for a stranger, have made Fu Bao a beloved celebrity far beyond her homeland.

Basic Information

  • Name: Fu Bao/Pubao (福宝)
  • Gender: Female
  • Nicknames: Princess Fu (福公主)
  • Birth Weight: 197 grams
  • Date of Birth: July 20, 2020 (local time in South Korea)
  • Place of Birth: Everland Resort, South Korea
  • Mother: Ai Bao (爱宝) (Hua Ni in China)
  • Father: Le Bao (乐宝) (Yuan Xin in China)
  • Siblings: Hui Bao (辉宝) and Rui Bao (睿宝)

Intriguing Details of Panda Fu Bao

Appearance: Fu Bao has several distinctive physical features, including a tuft of hair on top of her head, yellowish markings around her cheeks, widely spaced eye patches, and a silvery tail with fine, bird-like feathers. But the most unique physiological traits is her heart-shaped tongue.

The “Destroyer”: Before Fu Bao was born, Ai Bao’s enclosure was like a small garden, adorned with various tulips and rapeseed flowers. Ai Bao would always carefully avoid these flowers to preserve their beauty. However, after Fu Bao’s birth, everything changed. The tulips disappeared, and Ai Bao’s favorite small trees were pulled out by Fu Bao when she became upset. Ai Bao’s once-beautiful garden now appeared barren, giving it a desolate, almost lifeless look, as if no plants could survive Fu Bao’s playful antics.

“Not Recognizing Grandpa Jiang”: During one of Fu Bao’s regular activities, her caretaker, Grandpa Jiang, came to visit. However, when Grandpa Jiang appeared wearing a different work uniform and a safety helmet, Fu Bao seemed completely puzzled. She stared at the “strange” figure before her, failing to recognize the familiar Grandpa Jiang. Despite his attempts to jog her memory by calling her name and gently patting her, Fu Bao remained lost in her own world. After some time, Fu Bao suddenly had an epiphany and recognized that the “green-clad stranger” was, in fact, the loving Grandpa Jiang. This adorable and humorous moment was captured and quickly went viral on the internet, delighting fans and highlighting Fu Bao’s endearing nature.

The Shy and Timid Fu Bao: Fu Bao’s personality is also marked by moments of shyness and clumsiness. On one occasion, she tried to climb a tree, but her head got stuck, causing her to panic. In her distress, Fu Bao let out a sound that resembled a dog’s bark. In another instance, she tried to climb a fragile tree branch, only to be startled and let out a loud braying sound like a donkey as she lost her balance and tumbled down with a big thud.

Life Exprience of Panda Fu Bao

Birth: Fu Bao was born on July 20, 2020, at Everland Resort in Yongin, South Korea. At birth, she measured 16.5 cm in length and weighed 197 grams. Her mother, Ai Bao (known as Huani in China), initially struggled but eventually succeeded in holding and comforting her newborn after several attempts.

Early Life: Between September 22 and October 11, 2020, Everland Resort held a public naming contest for the first giant panda born in South Korea. The name “Fu Bao,” meaning “a treasure that brings happiness,” won with 17,000 votes. On January 4, 2021, Fu Bao made her first public appearance at Everland’s “Panda World.”

Return to China: According to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), giant pandas born abroad must return to China before they reach breeding age, typically around four years old. On April 3, 2024, Fu Bao left Everland Resort in Yongin, South Korea, to return to China. Later that afternoon, with joint efforts from Chinese and South Korean authorities, Fu Bao arrived in Chengdu, China. She was then taken to the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) at the Wolong Shenshuping base for a one-month quarantine.

Quarantine and Adjustment: During a routine press conference on the day of her arrival, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin welcomed Fu Bao back to China and expressed gratitude to the South Korean caretakers for their meticulous care. On May 1, while still under quarantine, Fu Bao showed normal behavior in eating, activity, and interaction with her keepers. On May 4, Fu Bao completed her quarantine and moved to the breeding park at the Wolong Shenshuping base, where she continued to adapt well to her new environment.

Public Debut in China: On June 11, Fu Bao was relocated to the No. 2 building of the panda kindergarten at the Wolong Shenshuping base. On June 12, she made her official public debut at the Wolong Shenshuping base. Fu Bao had already adjusted to her new diet, showing a high acceptance of local bamboo shoots, carrots, and apples. Her weight fluctuated between 103 and 106 kilograms, within the normal range for a panda her age. On July 4, fulfilling his promise to visit Fu Bao, South Korean panda caretaker Kang Cheol-won (affectionately known as Grandpa Kang) visited the Wolong Shenshuping base.

Estrus: On February 12, the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center announced that Fu Bao, who has entered sexual maturity, went into estrus in late January this year. To ensure her physiological health, zookeepers have been closely monitoring her behavior and have made timely adjustments to her diet. Currently, Fu Bao is in stable condition. To better observe and care for her, Fu Bao is temporarily residing at the Shen Shuping Base breeding area, but she will not participate in breeding this year.

Social Impact and Hornors of Panda Fu Bao

Nicknames and Public Affection: Fu Bao’s presence in South Korea garnered immense love and affection from the public. Her charming personality and adorable antics led to her being affectionately called “Princess Fu” and “Long Ren Fu Shi.”

Photographic Essay Collection: On July 20, 2021, a photographic essay collection documenting Fu Bao’s growth, titled “Panda Baby Fu Bao,” was published. This book provided fans with an intimate look at her life and quickly became a cherished item among her admirers.

Popular Emojis: In 2021, Everland Resort released the first set of Fu Bao emojis, titled “Fu Bao One Year Old.” On September 6, 2023, a new set of emojis, “Fu Bao Three Years Old,” was launched. This set featured 24 fan-favorite moments from her growth, including a heartwarming image of Fu Bao cuddling with her caretaker, Kang Cheol-won, accompanied by the text “I love you.” The following day, this emoji set topped the popularity charts on South Korean social media. Additionally, the previously released “Fu Bao One Year Old” emojis saw a resurgence in popularity, ranking second.

Pop-up Store: On November 9, 2023, Everland Resort opened a two-week limited-time pop-up store, “Fu Bao, My Sweet Home,” at THE Hyundai Seoul’s B2 level. The online reservation slots for this event were fully booked within five minutes of opening, demonstrating Fu Bao’s massive appeal.

Limited Edition Credit Card: At the end of 2023, KB Kookmin Credit Card introduced the “KB Kookmin Everland Panda Card Fu Bao Limited Edition,” with an initial release of 1,000 cards. The cards sold out within three business days, prompting a second release of an additional 4,000 cards, which also quickly sold out.

Honorary Citizenship: In February 2024, Yongin City in Gyeonggi Province awarded Fu Bao an honorary citizenship certificate. This special recognition highlighted her significant impact on the local community and the joy she brought to the residents.

Galaxy Buds Special Edition: In May 2024, Samsung Electronics launched a special edition of their Galaxy Buds wireless earbuds, inspired by Fu Bao and her family. This product further cemented Fu Bao’s status as a cultural icon in South Korea.

News about Panda Fu Bao

Gallery of Panda Fu Bao