When you think of a panda with a legacy as rich as her gentle spirit, Lou Sheng (楼生/Lousheng) immediately comes to mind. Born in the lush Qinling Mountains, Lou Sheng’s life is a testament to both resilience and beauty. From overcoming a gender mix-up to becoming a prolific mother, her story is filled with milestones – each more heartwarming than the last. Her journey from a tiny cub to a revered matriarch continues to captivate panda lovers everywhere.
Basic Information
- Name: Lou Sheng (楼生)
- Gender: Female
- Lineage Number: 562
- Date of Birth: August 2, 2003
- Birthplace: Qinling Giant Panda Research Center
- Mother: Xue Xue (雪雪)
- Father: Ping Ping (屏屏)
- Siblings: Peng Peng (鹏鹏), Xin Xin (欣欣), Mei Xiang (美香)
Life Experience of Panda Lou Sheng
Birth and Name Origin: Lou Sheng was born weighing an impressive 187 grams, a sign of her robust health. She is the first cub independently bred at the Shaanxi Rare Wildlife Rescue and Breeding Research Center, located at Louguantai on the northern slopes of the Qinling Mountains (now known as the Qinling Giant Panda Research Center). Her name, “Lou Sheng,” meaning born in Louguantai, commemorates this significant milestone in the center’s breeding program.
Gender Mix-Up: In her early days, due to a lack of experience among caregivers, Lou Sheng’s gender was mistakenly identified as male. It wasn’t until she reached adulthood and went through her first estrous cycle that her true female identity was confirmed.
Breeding Achievements: On August 18, 2009, Lou Sheng gave birth to a pair of twins, aptly named Long Long (龙龙) and Feng Feng (凤凤), highlighting her impressive reproductive abilities. Over the years, Lou Sheng has continued to contribute to the panda population with multiple litters, including cubs such as Yong Yong (永永) and Yuan Yuan (远远) born in 2014, Qiang Sheng (强生) born in 2017, and Qin Ku Er (秦酷儿) born in 2019.
Breeding at Old Age: On March 12, 2021, Lou Sheng showed signs of estrus and underwent artificial insemination. On June 26, she gave birth to her daughter, Dang Sheng, whose father is Qiao Qiao. The cub was named Dang Sheng (党生), meaning born at the party’s birthday, as she was born on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party.
