Panda Ke Da (Olympia): A Symbol of Olympic Spirit

Panda Ke Da

Panda Ke Da (科大), also fondly known as “Olympia,” is a remarkable female giant panda born on June 22, 2015, at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Her life story is intertwined with the values of the Olympic spirit and global sustainability. Known as one of the first panda twins born in 2015, Ke Da has captured hearts worldwide, from her celebrated infancy to her role as a mother.

Basic Information

  • Name: Ke Da (科大)
  • Nickname: Olympia (奥林匹亚)
  • Gender: Female
  • Date of Birth: June 22, 2015
  • Birthplace: Moon Delivery Room, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
  • Mother: Ke Lin (科琳)
  • Father: Qiao Qiao (乔乔)
  • Twin Sister: Fu Wa (福娃) (nicknamed Ke Xiao 科小)
  • Sibling: Ke Dou (科豆)

Life Experience of Panda Ke Da

Infancy: Shortly after her birth, Ke Da became a global sensation as one of the world’s first panda twins of 2015.

Name Origin: The names “Ke Da” and “Fu Wa” were chosen during the “2015 First Twin Pandas Global Naming Event” held by the Chengdu Research Base, in collaboration with Pandapia and Tencent Weibo. The names were submitted by Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, to honor the pandas’ unique connection to Olympic values. “Olympia” and “Fu Wa” symbolize the deep roots of the Olympic spirit in China and embody the legacy of the Olympic Games, making these panda twins a living tribute to global unity and peace.

UN Global Goals Flag Bearer: In 2015, Ke Da and her twin sister were selected as flag bearers for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Together, they raised the flag for “Affordable and Clean Energy,” supporting the global initiative to promote environmental and social sustainability.

Motherhood and the Next Generation: On September 28, 2022, Ke Da reached another milestone by giving birth to a healthy female cub named Ke Nian (科念), marking her first experience as a mother. This new addition also enriched the Chengdu Research Base’s “Olympic Family” of pandas, passing down Ke Da’s legacy and Olympic connection to future generations.

The Mix-Up Incident: It’s said that a mix-up once occurred at the Moonlight Nursery when the keeper accidentally placed the cub Ji Ran (绩然) into Ke Da’s enclosure. At first, Ji Ran was scared upon seeing Ke Da and stayed up in a tree, not daring to come down until Ke Da walked away. However, when Ji Ran noticed Ke Da returning, he hurriedly tried to climb back up. Ke Da bit Ji Ran gently and sniffed him thoroughly, seemingly trying to confirm if the cub was her own. Although Ke Da knew Ji Ran wasn’t her cub, her strong maternal instincts kicked in as she was in the cub-rearing period. She began playing with Ji Ran and tried to comfort him. Despite Ke Da’s gentle behavior, the scene frightened visiting fans, who quickly alerted the keepers to correct the mix-up and return Ji Ran to the right enclosure.

Gallery of Panda Ke Da