Panda Hua Yan: Back to the Wild

Panda Hua Yan

Panda Hua Yan (华妍) is a remarkable female giant panda whose life embodies the essence of conservation and the challenges of rehabilitation. Born on August 14, 2013, at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in the Wolong Walnut Flat Wild Training Base, she has experienced a transformative journey from a semi-wild upbringing to her successful release into the wild. Hua Yan’s story highlights not only her individual growth and survival instincts but also the dedication of conservationists working to ensure the survival of this beloved species in its natural habitat.

Basic Information

  • Name: Hua Yan (华妍)
  • Gender: Female
  • Date of Birth: August 14, 2013
  • Place of Birth: China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Wolong Walnut Flat Wild Training Base
  • Mother: Ye Ye (晔晔)
  • Father: Wu Gang (武岗)
  • Pedigree Number: 888
  • Siblings: Cui Cui (翠翠), Lang Lang (朗朗), Wu Jun (武俊), Wu Jie (武杰), Lu Lin (芦琳), A Ling (阿灵), Hu Chun (湖春), Fu Fu (府府), Han Han (憨憨)

Life Experience of Panda Hua Yan

Early Life: Ever since her birth, Hua Yan was raised in a semi-wild environment where her mother, Ye Ye, taught her essential survival skills such as climbing trees, foraging for food, and avoiding danger. In October 2014, Hua Yan moved with her mother to the Tian Tai Mountain area of Wolong Nature Reserve, marking the beginning of her second phase of wild training.

Wild Training: During her wild training, Hua Yan gradually acquired the skills needed for independent survival. In April 2016, her mother, Ye Ye, was transferred to the Ya’an base for breeding purposes, allowing Hua Yan to begin living entirely on her own. After a period of monitoring, staff discovered that Hua Yan had successfully learned to find shelter, forage for different types of bamboo, locate water sources, and exhibit heightened alertness to identify predators and other threats.

Behavioral Characteristics: Hua Yan particularly enjoys engaging in tree activities, demonstrating impressive physical capabilities. Prior to her release, staff attempted to recapture her a month in advance, but Hua Yan displayed a remarkable will to escape, even successfully breaking free from the cage meant to confine her.

Release into the Wild

Release Date: October 20, 2016

Release Location: Li Zi Ping Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province

Pre-Release Preparations: Prior to her release, Hua Yan underwent a thorough health examination and assessment to ensure her growth and physiological indicators were normal. Staff also equipped her with a GPS collar that featured global satellite positioning and radio telemetry capabilities, enabling data collection and monitoring of her activities post-release.

Post-Release Life: Monitoring data indicated that Hua Yan had a wide-ranging activity level following her release and continued to thrive in her new environment. Between March and July 2024, staff from the Shiming County Management Station of the Giant Panda National Park captured footage of two pandas in a mating display, one of which was identified as the released panda, Hua Yan.