Fu Wa (福娃/Fuwa), or Ke Xiao, is a panda whose charm lies in her “puffy face” and distinct, larger-than-life personality. Born on June 22, 2015, alongside her twin sister Ke Da, Fu Wa quickly became a standout with her round, fluffy face and striking eye rings. While she may seem cool and aloof, don’t be fooled—this sensitive panda has moments of fiery spirit that make her an unforgettable character in the world of giant pandas.
Basic Information
- Name: Fu Wa (福娃)
- Nickname: Ke Xiao (科小)
- Gender: Female
- Date of Birth: June 22, 2015
- Birthplace: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
- Father: Qiao Qiao (乔乔)
- Mother: Ke Lin (科琳)
- Twin Sister: Ke Da (科大) (nicknamed Olympia)
- Sibling: Ke Dou (科豆)
Intriguing Details of Panda Fu Wa
Name Origin: Fu Wa’s name was selected through a special naming event in 2015, organized by the Chengdu Research Base, Pandapia, and Tencent Weibo. The event, held to celebrate the twins’ one-month milestone, received over 3,000 name suggestions. Ultimately, “Olympia” and “Fu Wa” were chosen for the panda sisters, names symbolizing the connection to the Olympic spirit. Coincidentally, these names were submitted by Thomas Bach, the President of the International Olympic Committee, during his visit to Chengdu in August 2015, creating a memorable link between the Chengdu pandas and the Olympics.
Appearance: Fu Wa belongs to the “puffy face” lineage of pandas and is known for her notably round and fluffy face, one of the largest among her peers. She has a lighter coat than other pandas and is slightly larger in size. Although she closely resembles her twin sister Ke Da, Fu Wa’s eye rings are set a bit further apart, and she has two distinct black dots on her nose bridge, which make her easily recognizable.
Personality: Fu Wa is a “cool and aloof” little beauty. As a cub, she preferred to lie alone on wooden structures or hang from trees, rarely initiating interactions with her enclosure mates, Ke Da and Meng Lan (萌兰). However, she’s also a sensitive little panda. Once, when Meng Lan startled her, she instinctively roared at him, scaring Meng Lan so much that he fell off the wooden structure.
