Imagine a panda with the heart of a playful adventurer and the spirit of a true friend – Kang Kang (康康/Kangkang) is exactly that! Born on October 6, 2019, he’s known for his lively personality, love of toys, and his adorable bond with his best friend, Qi Qi. Whether he’s bounding through his enclosure or enjoying a bamboo birthday cake, Kang Kang’s vibrant energy is impossible to resist. You won’t want to miss the charm of this “Little Chubby Boy.”
Basic Information
- Name: Kang Kang (康康)
- Meaning of the Name: Health
- Nickname: Jia You (嘉佑)
- Date of Birth: October 6, 2019
- Place of Birth: Shanghai Wild Animal Park
- Gender: Male
- Mother: Jia Jia (嘉嘉)
- Brother: Jia Bao (家宝)
Intriguing Details of Panda Kang Kang
Good Friend: Kang Kang has a good friend at the zoo named Qi Qi (七七). They often interact through a barrier, getting to know each other’s scents and sounds. Sometimes, Kang Kang gets very excited when seeing Qi Qi, occasionally making friendly purring sounds to share his emotions.
Toy Enthusiast: Kang Kang’s enclosure is filled with various toys and enrichment activities. At times, he transforms into a “little kung fu panda,” climbing and leaping across high perches in search of toys. Other times, he enjoys rolling around on an oversized lounge chair, basking in the warmth of the sunlight.
Birthday Celebration: On his second birthday, the Shanghai Wild Animal Park hosted a grand celebration in his honor. By that time, Kang Kang had surpassed 80 kilograms and had developed bright, expressive eyes that reflected his spirited nature. Playfully dubbed the “Little Chubby Boy,” he enjoyed a special bamboo cake prepared by his caretakers, who delighted in watching him alternate between sitting up and lying down to savor his birthday treat.
Health Concerns: Around November 2024, some netizens shared photos showing hair loss on Kang Kang’s hips and the outer sides of his hind legs, raising concerns among fans about potential skin issues. Keepers at Shanghai Wild Animal Park explained that this is actually a common phenomenon known as fur breakage in giant pandas, not an illness. Both adult and juvenile pandas go through molting periods to adapt to environmental changes. In some pandas, the shedding is less noticeable, while in others, it’s more pronounced, but the fur will gradually return to normal.
