Ling Yan (灵岩/Lingyan), born on August 18, 2017, at the Shenshuping Base in Wolong, quickly earned a reputation for his playful antics and quirky personality. Known for his “pancake face” and clever moves, Ling Yan’s favorite activities include using toy carts for playful business ventures, performing disco-like dances, and even singing during his baths. His energetic behavior and antics have made him a social media sensation, captivating audiences worldwide with his unpredictable charm.
Basic Information
- Name: Ling Yan (灵岩)
- Meaning of the Name: Lively Rock
- Nicknames: Fatty Yan (胖岩), Bandit Yan (土匪岩)
- Gender: Male
- Lineage Number: 1106
- Date of Birth: August 18, 2017
- Place of Birth: Shenshuping Base of China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Wolong
- Current Residence: Bamboo Sea Wildlife Park, Luanchuan, Luoyang, Henan
- Mother: Min Min (闽闽)
- Siblings: A Jie (阿杰), Man Man (满满)
Intriguing Details of Panda Ling Yan
Selling Goods with a Cart: Ling Yan loves using toy carts, rollers, and spinning tops as “miniature carts,” pushing them around the area as if selling goods. He walks at least 10,000 steps a day, much to the delight of visitors who can’t help but laugh. This behavior also helps save the keepers from having to organize special exercises for him to strengthen his hind legs.
Disco Dancing: Ling Yan is a big fan of dancing, and he has a very professional style. He holds onto a wooden post with one hand while raising the other hand, all the while holding a toy or bamboo in his mouth. Then he twists and turns wildly. Sometimes, he dances so energetically that the toy in his mouth gets flung away. His dancing skills earned him the title of “Nightclub Prince.”
Singing Bath Songs: When Ling Yan takes a bath, he enjoys rhythmically splashing the water with his hands while swinging his feet and happily humming a little tune. He is completely immersed in his own world, relishing the joy of his bath, and has been humorously referred to by netizens as a “singing artist.”
Clever Moves: Ling Yan occasionally shows a more cunning side. For example, when he sees his neighbor Mai Mai (迈迈) playing with a toy car, he gazes at it longingly. The keepers, noticing this, bring a toy car for Ling Yan the next day. He is overjoyed with his new toy, though he eventually returns it to Mai Mai.
Livestream Incident: On January 31, 2024, Ling Yan became an internet sensation when a livestream from a zoo in Luoyang, Henan, was interrupted due to his playful “sexy hip shake,” causing the stream to be temporarily banned for ten minutes.
Life Experience of Panda Ling Yan
Birth and Early Life: Ling Yan was born on August 18, 2017, at the Shenshuping Base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Wolong. As a cub, Ling Yan was known for his long snout and distinctive black cheeks, earning him the nickname “saddle-face.”
Naming Ceremony: On December 27, 2018, the city of Dujiangyan announced the names of four pandas chosen by global netizens to be the city’s image ambassadors: Qing Cheng (青城), Li Dui (离堆), Yu Lei (玉垒), and Ling Yan. Ling Yan, named after Ling Yan Mountain, was among them.
Move to Luanchuan: On September 22, 2020, Ling Yan, along with another panda named Mai Mai, was loaned to the Bamboo Sea Wildlife Park in Luanchuan, Henan. Over the next few years, Ling Yan’s voracious appetite turned his once slim “saddle-face” into a round “pancake face.”