Gong Zai (功仔), a male giant panda born on July 26, 2008, at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, is more than just a beloved member of the panda community—he’s a real-life inspiration for a movie character. Known by various nicknames such as “Peace,” “Fatty,” “Ximen Chui Zai,” and “War God of the West,” Gong Zai’s charming and resilient personality made him the model for the iconic character “Po” in the animated film Kung Fu Panda 2. His unique life journey, from a pampered cub to a participant in wilderness training, has endeared him to panda fans worldwide.
Basic Information
- Name: Gong Zai (功仔)
- Nicknames: War God of the West (西区战神)
- Gender: Male
- Studbook Number: 711
- Date of Birth: July 26, 2008
- Birthplace: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
- Birth Weight: 117 grams
- Current Residence: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (Villa No. 1)
- Mother: Cheng Gong (成功)
- Father: Xiao Ping Ping (小平平)
- Siblings: He Qi (和琪), He Mei (和美), He Xing (和兴), He Sheng (和盛), He Feng (和风), He Yu (和雨), He Ye (和叶) and He Hua (和花)
Intriguing Details of Panda Gong Zai
Appearance Personality Traits: Gong Zai has strong and slender limbs, with a nose that is longer than that of other pandas, giving him a tall and imposing look that many find very handsome. He is calm, outgoing, and gentle, traits that mirror the character “Po” from the movie.
Movie Inspiration: On October 21, 2008, DreamWorks Animation and the creative team behind Kung Fu Panda visited the Chengdu Research Base to seek inspiration. They were immediately captivated by the three-month-old Gong Zai, whose lively and adorable demeanor became the inspiration for the main character “Po” in Kung Fu Panda 2.
Master Strategist: When the zookeepers engage in “panda fishing” activities, Gong Zai is always able to easily walk two steps upright or climb up to the top of a tree to grab the food with precision. Sometimes, he shows his clever side by pretending to ignore the zookeeper’s guidance, leisurely sitting under a tree and savoring bamboo shoots. Then, at the moment the zookeepers let their guard down, he quickly stands upright and snatches the food away.
Nickname Origin: During his time at the Dujiangyan Panda Base, Gong Zai once fought with Mei Lan (美兰). He managed to outfight Mei Lan, who was two years older, making Mei Lan cry out in pain. The staff had to exert great effort to separate the two. After that, Gong Zai earned the nickname “War God of the West District” (西区战神).
Life Exprience of Panda Gong Zai
Early Childhood: During his early years, Gong Zai was cared for by several “nannies,” thriving on the collective nurturing he received. Since his mother Cheng Gong was a first-time mother and inexperienced in raising cubs, the staff entrusted Gong Zai to the care of the more experienced panda Qi Yuan (奇缘).
Adoption and Naming: On August 17, 2011, Gong Zai was jointly adopted by the Pan Pearl River Delta region and was given the name “Cheng Cheng” (城城).
Wilderness Training: On January 11, 2012, Gong Zai was selected as one of the first six pandas sent by the Chengdu Research Base to Dujiangyan Panda Valley for wilderness training, alongside Xing Rong (星蓉), Xing Ya (星雅), Ying Ying (迎迎), Zhi Zhi (芝芝), and Qi Qi (琪琪).
Return to Cheng Du: After two years of training in the wild, Gong Zai returned to the Chengdu Research Base at the end of 2014 to continue his life there.