Li Li (莉莉), a charming female giant panda, was born on September 3, 1992, and is affectionately nicknamed “Li San Sui (Li Three Years Old)” due to her playful and endearing personality. With a lineage number of 387, Li Li has experienced a life filled with challenges and triumphs. From her early struggles with health issues to her eventual success as a mother, her journey reflects both the difficulties faced by giant pandas and the dedication of those who care for them. Li Li’s story is a testament to resilience, highlighting her significant contributions to the conservation of this beloved species.
Basic Information
- Name: Li Li (莉莉)
- Lineage Number: 387
- Gender: Female
- Birth Date: September 3, 1992
- Nickname: Li San Sui (莉三岁) (named for her lively and adorable character)
- Mother: Qing Qing (庆庆)
Growth Experience
From a young age, Li Li faced health challenges, earning her the nickname “sickly beauty” at the breeding center. Throughout her adult life, she maintained a weight of approximately 70 kilograms, which is below the average weight of a healthy adult panda, typically over 75 kilograms. Despite her health issues, Li Li’s spirited personality has always shone through, endearing her to caregivers and visitors alike.
Life Abroad
On September 20, 1994, Li Li embarked on a journey to South Korea, traveling with another panda named Ming Ming (明明) to the Everland Zoo. During her five years in South Korea, she received excellent care from her keeper, Kang Jeol-won, who paid close attention to her daily needs and diet. However, the economic downturn caused by the Asian financial crisis led the zoo to face financial difficulties, resulting in Li Li’s return to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in February 1999.
Breeding Journey
Li Li’s breeding history has been fraught with difficulties. Despite multiple attempts to reproduce, her first three experiences did not yield healthy cubs. In July 2001, she became pregnant for the first time, but the twin cubs, Shen Shen (申申) and Ao Ao (奥奥), sadly died due to congenital developmental issues. In 2004, she attempted to breed again but lost her cub shortly after birth. By 2007, after over two years of dedicated care and medication, Li Li’s health began to improve, yet her next breeding attempt also resulted in a stillborn cub.
A significant breakthrough occurred on July 19, 2009, when Li Li successfully gave birth to healthy twin females, Wen Li (文莉) and Ya Li (雅莉). These cubs marked a remarkable milestone as the first healthy giant panda twins born globally after the devastating Wenchuan earthquake. Following this success, Li Li welcomed her daughter, Ai Li (艾莉), in 2011, and her son, Oreo (奥莉奥), in 2012, further contributing to the survival of her species.