Ju Xiao (菊笑), a female giant panda born on September 28, 2002, at the Hetaoping Wildlife Training Base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, is renowned for being the first panda mother in the world to successfully give birth to and raise triplets. With a gentle nature and strong maternal instincts, Ju Xiao has made significant contributions to panda conservation and breeding, earning her a special place in the hearts of panda enthusiasts worldwide.
Basic Information
- Chinese Name: Ju Xiao (菊笑)
- Lineage Number: 557
- Gender: Female
- Birthdate: September 28, 2002
- Birthplace: Hetaoping Wildlife Training Base, China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda
- Mother: Tang Tang (唐唐)
- Father: Xi Meng (希梦)
Family Members
Siblings: Gongzhu, Yeye, Gugu, Longhui, Linyang, Linhui
Offspring:
- Caiyun (Female, born July 27, 2010, Lineage Number 771)
- Chaoyang (Male, born July 27, 2010, Lineage Number 772)
- Meng Meng (Female, born July 29, 2014, Lineage Number 921)
- Shuai Shuai (Male, born July 29, 2014, Lineage Number 922)
- Ku Ku (Male, born July 29, 2014, Lineage Number 923)
Life Experiences
Birthplace and Early Life: Ju Xiao spent her childhood at the Hetaoping Wildlife Training Base, where she was provided with an excellent environment for growth.
Relocations:
On June 28, 2008, Ju Xiao was relocated to the Bifengxia Base in Ya’an.
On July 13, 2012, she was sent to Guangzhou Chimelong Safari Park to participate in research cooperation and breeding work.
On December 6, 2018, Ju Xiao returned from Guangzhou Chimelong to the Shenshuping Base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Wolong.
In 2019, she was once again relocated to Guangzhou Chimelong Safari Park.
Breeding Achievements
Twin Birth: On July 27, 2010, Ju Xiao gave birth to a set of fraternal twins, Caiyun and Chaoyang, at Guangzhou Chimelong Safari Park, marking her first success in breeding.
Triplet Miracle: In the early hours of July 29, 2014, from 00:55 to 04:50, Ju Xiao made history by becoming the mother of the world’s first surviving panda triplets—Mengmeng, Shuai Shuai, and Ku Ku. The birth of triplets in pandas is extremely rare, and their survival rate is very low. After a night of labor, Ju Xiao, exhausted, had to have her cubs placed in an incubator for artificial rearing. Thanks to the meticulous care of the keepers, all three cubs survived and grew up healthily.
Personality and Behavior
Ju Xiao is known for her gentle disposition, though she can be quite impatient when it comes to eating, eagerly rushing to get her food. Unlike other panda mothers, she is very cooperative with keepers when it comes to milk collection, even assisting them voluntarily. Despite initially being too weak to care for her triplets after giving birth, Ju Xiao showed immense love and dedication to her cubs, doing her best to be with them once she had regained her strength.
