Mao Sun (毛笋/Maosun), born on July 26, 2014, at the Chengdu Research Base, is as spirited as she is skilled. Known for her tough demeanor and impressive tree-climbing abilities, she captured hearts early on with her cheeky antics, even photobombing a New Year’s group photo of panda cubs. Now living at Copenhagen Zoo, Mao Sun’s journey has taken a few unexpected turns, especially in her ongoing love story with Xing Er, which keeps fans eagerly awaiting the next chapter.
Basic Information
- Name: Mao Sun (毛笋)
- Meaning of the Name: Bamboo Shoots
- Gender: Female
- Studbook Number: 919
- Date of Birth: July 26, 2014, at 13:07
- Birthplace: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
- Birth Weight: 181.2 grams
- Mother: Mao Mao (毛毛)
- Father: Xiong Bang (雄浜)
- Twin Brother: Mao Zhu (毛竹)
- Siblings: (毛笋), Mao Dou (毛豆), Mao Tao (毛桃), Da Mao (大毛), Re Gan Mian (热干面), Dan Huang Gao (蛋烘糕)
- Current Residence: Copenhagen Zoo, Denmark
Intriguing Details of Panda Mao Sun
The Strong-Willed Foodie: Mao Sun is a panda with a bold personality and an even bolder appetite. Compared to her brother, she has a noticeably larger appetite and isn’t shy about making it known when mealtime arrives. However, her feisty nature comes with a touch of impatience – she doesn’t like waiting, especially when food is involved! Despite her strong-willed temperament, Mao Sun has a soft spot for companionship and often prefers sleeping near other panda cubs, finding comfort in their presence. Her physical strength, particularly in her powerful limbs, has earned her the nickname of a “tough girl” among her caretakers. Whether it’s wrestling, climbing, or holding her ground, Mao Sun is always up for a challenge.
The Sky-High Observer: From a young age, Mao Sun displayed an extraordinary passion for tree climbing. According to her keeper, Tan Jintao, she has a naturally shy and independent personality. Instead of engaging in rough play, she enjoys retreating to the highest branches, where she can observe other panda cubs from a safe distance – her own version of entertainment. Her climbing skills emerged early, with her first successful climb recorded on December 30, 2014, when she was just five months old. As she grew, her talent only became more impressive, evolving into a true spectacle. Now, Mao Sun can strike a variety of gravity-defying poses in the treetops, sometimes even balancing effortlessly on a branch without any support.
Outdoor Adventure at Panda Valley: On July 20, 2015, after a morning exercise session, the pandas at the rewilding center were gradually moved indoors to air-conditioned rooms. However, Mao Sun, who had just arrived at the center, seemed to prefer the outdoor environment. She was found sleeping on a tree branch in the outdoor activity area, ignoring the calls of the staff. Despite the shade provided by the tree, the staff worried about her overheating. Eventually, they resorted to using her favorite food as a lure. After several attempts, Mao Sun finally climbed down from the tree to escape the heat.
The Unexpected Star: On January 20, 2017, at 10:30 AM, the Chengdu Research Base gathered 23 panda cubs born in 2016 for a special New Year’s group photo. Caretakers carefully arranged the fluffy cubs to form the numbers “2017,” sending festive greetings to people around the world. Just as the cameras were flashing and reporters were capturing the perfect shot, someone noticed an unexpected guest in the frame – high up in a nearby tree. It was none other than Mao Sun. With her unmistakable silhouette perched in the background, she effortlessly stole the spotlight, making her the surprise star of the event.
The “Love Triangle” Drama: Mao Sun’s love life has been as entertaining as a soap opera. She was once rumored to be entangled in a “love triangle” with two fellow pandas, He Xing (和兴) and Xing Er (星二). Fans eagerly speculated about her romantic choices, but the drama never quite unfolded as expected. Eventually, fate led Mao Sun and Xing Er to the Copenhagen Zoo in Denmark, where they became an official pair. However, their romantic journey has been anything but smooth. With Xing Er often appearing more interested in food than courtship, their relationship has remained full of challenges and uncertainty.
Life Experience of Panda Mao Sun
Early Life: Mao Sun was born alongside her twin brother Mao Zhu, with a birth weight of 181.2 grams. Despite being slightly heavier at birth, her brother grew faster initially. By about 20 days old, Mao Zhu weighed 636.2 grams, and Mao Sun weighed 645.8 grams. Nicknamed “Mao Mei” during her early days, she was officially named Mao Sun (meaning bamboo shoots) on November 20, 2014, following a global naming campaign.
Live-Stream: In September 2014, the Chengdu Research Base launched the world’s first live-streaming event showcasing the growth of giant pandas, which ran for three months. During the global broadcast on September 6, Mao Sun’s right eye began to open. By September 9, her left eye was fully open, and on September 10, she opened both eyes and began to crawl around her bed.
Relocation: On June 26, 2015, Mao Sun moved to Panda Valley with her mother Mao Mao and brother Mao Zhu to participate in wilderness training. This training was designed to prepare them for potential release into the wild by developing their survival skills. By November 17, 2016, Mao Sun began living independently at the Chengdu Research Base, next to the juvenile panda yard.
Journey to Denmark: On April 4, 2019, Mao Sun, along with another panda named Xing Er, was transferred to the Copenhagen Zoo in Denmark.
