Imagine stumbling upon a sleepy panda, vulnerable and fragile, lying on a stone wall in a quiet village in Sichuan. That was Jia Yuan (家园/Jiayuan)’s story – a story of resilience and hope. With both front paws injured and her body weakened, she was rescued in the nick of time. Today, Jia Yuan thrives at the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, showing us how even the most delicate creatures can rise with care and compassion.
Basic Information
- Name: Jia Yuan (家园)
- Meaning of Name: Homeland
- Gender: Female
- Genealogy Number: 1119
- Rescue Date: November 30, 2017
- Rescue Location: Changhe Village, Wawushan Township, Hongya County, Meishan City, Sichuan Province
- Current Location: Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base
Rescue Story
On the afternoon of November 30, 2017, Jia Yuan was discovered in a vulnerable state, lying on a stone wall outside a villager’s pigsty in Changhe Village, Wawushan Township, Sichuan. She was deep in sleep, a sign of exhaustion and distress. Local forestry authorities, forestry police, and rescue experts from the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base quickly arrived at the scene. Due to the steep terrain where Jia Yuan was found, immediate on-site rescue was impossible, and the team decided to anesthetize her and transport her to a safer location for emergency treatment. Upon initial examination, it was discovered that Jia Yuan had disabilities in both front paws, old fractures to her fourth and fifth ribs, severe dehydration, extreme emaciation, and very weak vital signs.
To ensure her safety, the rescue team decided to transport her to the Luojia Gou Rescue Center at the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base once her vital signs had stabilized. Over the course of several months, Jia Yuan received expert medical care and rehabilitation. Gradually, she regained her strength and began to adapt to her new life in the research base.
Health Status and Characteristics
Jia Yuan’s injuries, particularly the disabilities in her front paws, make feeding and foraging difficult. However, at the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, she has been provided with exceptional care and feeding, allowing her to improve steadily. Although Jia Yuan cannot climb or play as agilely as other pandas due to her disabilities, she continues to enjoy eating bamboo with her two impaired paws, holding it delicately and savoring every bite.
Offspring
Jia Yuan’s only daughter, Jia Xin (家欣), was born on July 10, 2002. Like her mother, Jia Xin possesses striking beauty and has developed her own unique way of hanging from trees, often seen balancing by propping her chin or cheeks in an adorable pose. Jia Xin has earned a reputation for being the last panda to return to her enclosure after playtime, often referred to as a “difficult-to-collect panda” due to her playful nature.
