Ge Ge (格格/Gege), the “princess” of the panda world, captivates with her graceful and composed nature. A true lady, she savors every bamboo bite with care, never rushing her meals. While her calm demeanor often finds her lounging or hiding in quiet corners, Ge Ge’s strong will shines through in her playful rivalry with fellow panda Xi Le. With a lineage of six cubs, her life has been a remarkable journey of beauty, wisdom, and quiet charm.
Basic Information
- Name: Ge Ge (格格)
- Meaning of the Name: Princess during Qing Dynasty
- Gender: Female
- Date of Birth: September 6, 2003
- Place of Birth: Walnut Flat Wild Training Base, China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center
- Lineage Number: 571
- Mother: Gong Zhu (公主)
- Father: Ling Ling (灵灵)
- Twin Sister: Jun Zhu (郡主)
- Siblings: Ya Ao (雅奥), Li Li (丽丽), Bi Li (比力), Huan Huan (欢欢), Zhu Ling (竹灵), Zhu Hai (竹海), Yun Yun (运运), Shan Hu (山虎), Wu Wen (武雯), Xian Xian (贤贤), and Qi Qi (七七)
Intriging Details of Panda Ge Ge
Elegant Demeanor: Ge Ge is known for her quiet and reserved nature, displaying a calm and elegant demeanor. She approaches her activities with a deliberate pace, reflecting a gentle personality. Even while eating bamboo, Ge Ge showcases her meticulousness by tearing the bamboo into strips, rather than simply breaking it.
Argument Incident: The two “princesses” at Tianjin Zoo, Ge Ge and Xi Le (喜乐), often have a “king doesn’t meet king” situation. Last year, during renovations of the outdoor area, Ge Ge and Xi Le got into an argument. If it weren’t for the glass wall separating them, it seemed like they might have gotten into a physical fight.
Competing for Attention: Ge Ge and Xi Le often compete with each other. On Xi Le’s birthday, the keepers prepared a cake and toys for her, and also made sure to prepare something for Ge Ge. When Ge Ge heard the keepers complimenting Xi Le, she would roll her eyes at them. However, when she heard the keepers say, “Don’t worry, when Xi Le gets old, she will never be as beautiful as you,” Ge Ge would happily resume eating and drinking.
Leisurely Life: Since Ge Ge is already a senior, the zoo doesn’t have many special requirements for her daily routine, and whether she goes outside or not depends on her mood. So sometimes, when visiting Ge Ge, she might be found sleeping or hiding in a corner, which is perfectly normal.
Life Experience of Panda Ge Ge
Birth and Early Life: Ge Ge spent her early years at the Walnut Flat Wild Training Base, a facility designed to provide a naturalistic environment for young pandas.
Relocation Experiences: As Ge Ge matured, her living arrangements changed. On September 29, 2007, she moved to the Yaan Bifengxia Base of the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center. Following this, she had a brief stint at the Emei Xianzhi Bamboo Tip Ecological Park on March 30, 2012. In 2018, Ge Ge relocated to the Dujiangyan Base of the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center. Later that year, on December 26, she transferred to the Tianjin Zoo, where she would spend a significant amount of time.
20th Birthday Celebration: September 6, 2023, marked Ge Ge’s 20th birthday, a milestone celebrated with great enthusiasm at the Tianjin Zoo. The zoo organized a “Court Theme Birthday Party” in honor of her special day, inviting many members of the public who care for giant pandas and adore Ge Ge. The zookeepers prepared a special “birthday cake” for her, and the playground featured bamboo trays decorated with the images of her six cubs and warm wishes.
21th Birthday Celebration: On September 6, 2024, Tianjin Zoo held a birthday party titled “Fortune Comes, Ge Ge Brings Good Luck” to celebrate Ge Ge’s 21st Birthday.
Breeding Achievements of Panda Ge Ge
- Miao Yin (妙音), female, born on August 9, 2010, lineage number 781. On September 21, 2012, she, along with Jin Hu (金虎) and Fei Yun (飞云), was sent on a mission to Dalian Forest Zoo.
- Hua Li (华丽), female, born on September 2, 2013, lineage number 907. On September 30, 2016, she was sent on a mission to the Tianmu Lake Nanshan Bamboo Sea Scenic Area in Liyang.
- He He (和和), female, born on August 10, 2015, lineage number 970. On September 30, 2017, she was sent on a mission to Nanjing Hongshan Forest Zoo.
- Jiu Jiu (九九), female, born on August 10, 2015, lineage number 971. On September 30, 2017, she was sent on a mission to Nanjing Hongshan Forest Zoo.
- Li Dui (离堆), male, born on August 21, 2017, lineage number 1107. On May 29, 2020, he was sent on a mission to the Phoenix China Giant Panda Garden in Hunan Province.
- Jing Bao (京宝), female, born on August 21, 2017, lineage number 1108. On May 29, 2020, she was sent on a mission to the Phoenix China Giant Panda Garden in Hunan Province.
News about Panda Ge Ge
- Giant Pandas Want to Play in the Snow? Tianjin Zoo Says: “No Problem!” (28-12-2024)
- Giant Panda “Ge Ge” Turns 21 in Tianjin (06-09-2024)