Meet Lu Lu (芦芦), a remarkable giant panda whose life story is filled with resilience, achievements, and contributions to panda conservation. Born in the picturesque Lu Shan County of Sichuan Province, Lu Lu has garnered attention not only for his impressive breeding record but also for his role in helping other pandas. His journey from being rescued as a cub to becoming a father to many is a testament to the dedicated efforts of the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center and the passion of those who care for him.
Basic Information
- Name: Lu Lu (芦芦)
- Gender: Male
- Lineage Number: 503
- Place of Discovery: Lu Shan County, Sichuan Province
- Date of Discovery: October 24, 1999
- Origin of Name: Lu Lu was named after being rescued in 1999 from Lu Shan County, Sichuan.
Intriguing Details of Panda Lu Lu
Numerous Offspring: Lu Lu is celebrated as a “heroic father” among the panda community. He is one of the most prolific breeding pandas in the world, having mated with 24 female pandas and sired an impressive total of 56 offspring, which includes 29 daughters and 27 sons. Some of Lu Lu’s notable descendants include famous individuals such as “Ai Bao” (爱宝), who lives in South Korea, “Gong Gong (贡贡)” and “Shun Shun (舜舜)” in Hainan, “Bai Tian (白天)” and “Fu Xing (福星)” at the Beijing Zoo, and the adorable “Fei Yun (飞云).”
Long Mating Duration: Lu Lu is particularly well-known for his exceptionally long mating durations, having set a record at the base with a remarkable 18 minutes and 3 seconds mating time with the female panda Xi Mei (喜妹).
Gender Therapist: In addition to his impressive breeding record, Lu Lu has played a crucial role in the “guidance therapy” of a bisexual panda named Jin Zhu (锦竹), who was initially identified as a male but fought with both male and female pandas. Through hormone therapy, he assisted Jin Zhu in discovering her true gender and fully transitioning back to female.
Irritable Phase: Every spring, Lu Lu becomes noticeably irritable – a sign of his mating season. In the wild, male pandas would engage in battles with rivals to win a mate. However, as a captive panda, Lu Lu has no outlet for his pent-up energy. This sometimes leads to aggressive behavior during mating, where he even lashes out at female pandas. Yet, Lu Lu shows a rare display of patience and gentleness towards Xi Mei, never acting aggressively towards her. Experts believe this could be because he sees mating with other females as a duty, whereas Ximei might be his true love.
Film Star: Lu Lu has also been featured in various documentaries, including “Panda Express,” “Exploration – Sichuan Earthquake, Rescue of Pandas,” and “The Legend of Giant Panda Lu Lu.”
Life Experience of Panda Lu Lu
Rescue: Lu Lu’s journey began on October 24, 1999, when he was just three months old and was rescued from the wild in Lu Shan County. Shortly after his rescue, he was relocated to the Wolong National Nature Reserve’s Walnut Flat Base for captive breeding and rehabilitation on October 26, 1999.
Relocations: Over the years, Lu Lu has experienced several relocations. On December 22, 2003, he moved to the Bifengxia Base of the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center in Ya’an. He returned to the Walnut Flat Base on July 1, 2004, only to relocate again to Bifengxia on July 21, 2008. In a further move, he returned to the Walnut Flat Base on May 6, 2016. Finally, on May 25, 2017, Lu Lu found his permanent home at the Shenshuping Base in Wolong, where he continues to thrive.
Fading Eye Rings and Nose: In September 2020, Lu Lu was found to have fading pigmentation around his eye rings and nose, drawing public attention. A comprehensive medical examination, including blood tests, biochemistry, trace elements, and thyroid function, revealed no abnormalities. Experts concluded that this condition, seen in some middle-aged and elderly pandas, is likely due to pigment metabolism issues associated with aging. In fact, three other elderly pandas at the center had previously exhibited the same “white nose” symptom.