Panda Mei Lan (美兰/Meilan)’s journey is as charming as it is unexpected, filled with twists that make him all the more endearing. Born on September 6, 2006, in Zoo Atlanta, he was initially thought to be female – until a surprise discovery revealed his true gender! With his puffy face, round eyes, and gentle personality, Mei Lan captured hearts worldwide. From his global ambassador role to his famous “celebrity” status, he’s proven to be more than just a panda – he’s an icon.
Basic Information
- Name: Mei Lan (美兰)
- Meaning of the Name: Beautiful Orchid
- English Names: Lannie
- Gender: Male
- Studbook Number: 649
- Date of Birth: September 6, 2006
- Birthplace: Zoo Atlanta, USA
- Mother: Lun Lun (伦伦)
- Father: Yang Yang (洋洋)
- Siblings: Xi Lan (喜兰), Bao Lan (宝兰), Mei Lun (美轮), Mei Huan (美奂), Ya Lun (雅伦), Xi Lun (喜伦)
Intriguing Details of Panda Mei Lan
Appearance: Mei Lan is a true beauty of the “Puffy Face” panda lineage, instantly recognizable by his soft, rounded cheeks and well-defined fur markings. His expressive round eyes sparkle with curiosity, framed by naturally long, elegant eyelashes that give him a gentle and almost dreamy look.
Name Origin: On December 15, 2006, Mei Lan reached a milestone – his 100th day in the world. To celebrate, a public online vote was held to choose his name, and the winning choice was “Mei Lan,” which means “The Beauty of Atlanta.” His English name remains Mei Lan, but among American panda lovers, he is affectionately known as “Lannie,” a sweet nickname that reflects their deep fondness for him.
Elegant and Gentle: Mei Lan carries himself with the elegance of a serene spirit. He enjoys peaceful solitude, often seen quietly lounging or slowly meandering through his enclosure. His movements are unhurried and graceful—whether she’s delicately munching on bamboo or curling up for a nap in perfect form. Mei Lan’s calm, composed demeanor, paired with his slow, thoughtful ways, make him the embodiment of poise and gentleness.
Matchmaking Story: After returning to the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, Mei Lan was arranged for a series of matchmaking activities. After spending some time with a male panda named “Yong Yong (勇勇),” the staff noticed that Mei Lan was displaying behaviors typical of a male panda during sexual maturity. A thorough examination revealed that Mei Lan was, in fact, a male panda. This surprising twist turned what was thought to be a female “fiancée” into a “brother” instead. This revelation left both Yong Yong and another male panda, “Wu Yi (五一),” who had fallen in love with Mei Lan at first sight, feeling disappointed. Especially Wu Yi, who, despite learning that Mei Lan was male, continued to harbor deep affection for him and remained devoted for many years.
Life Experience of Panda Mei Lan
Birth: Mei Lan was the first giant panda born as part of the “Giant Panda International Cooperation Breeding Project” between the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and Zoo Atlanta. At birth, Mei Lan was mistakenly identified as female due to his round physique and gentle temperament, and was cared for by the zookeepers at Zoo Atlanta as a female panda.
Early Life: Mei Lan’s mother, Lun Lun, was extremely attentive and protective, always following Mei Lan closely whenever he climbed, and would gently bring him down if he ventured too high.
Return to China and Adaptation: On February 5, 2010, Mei Lan, along with another panda named Tai Shan (泰山), returned to China on a special flight and was housed at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. After a one-month quarantine and health check, Mei Lan made his public debut in China on March 15, 2010.
Global Ambassador: On February 11, 2010, Mei Lan was selected as the global ambassador for the World Wildlife Fund’s “Earth Hour” campaign and was inducted into the honorary ambassador roster for the event. Over the years, Mei Lan has participated in several “Earth Hour” ceremonies, advocating for environmental protection and the conservation of endangered species.
Gender Mix-Up: In September 2011, Mei Lan exhibited signs of male panda maturity, prompting further testing, which revealed that Mei Lan was actually male. This surprising discovery did not diminish his popularity among fans.
Celebirty Visit: On March 26, 2014, U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama visited the Chengdu Panda Base and met Mei Lan at the “Sun Nursery” during his tour of the facility.
Move to Beijing: On September 21, 2017, Mei Lan was flown to Beijing and officially greeted visitors at the Beijing Zoo on October 16, 2017, where he currently resides.
Breeding and Offspring
With Panda Qi Fu (奇福):
- Qi Qiao (七巧) and Qi Xi (七喜): Twin sisters born in 2014. They now live in Ordos, Inner Mongolia.
- Fu Shun (福顺) and Fu Lai (福来): A pair of twins born in 2016, with Fu Shun being the male and Fu Lai the female.
- Fu Duo Duo (福多多): Born in 2021, Fu Duo Duo is the youngest child of Mei Lan and Qi Fu. She is also said to be the “highly attractive princess” of the family.
With Panda Meng Meng (萌萌):
- Meng Lan (萌兰): Born in 2015, this male panda is a major star at the Beijing Zoo, loved by visitors and widely popular.
- Meng Bao (萌宝) and Meng Yu (萌玉): Twin sisters born in 2018. They currently live with their mother, Meng Meng, in Beijing.
With Other Female Pandas:
- He Hua (和花) and He Ye (和叶): A male and female pair of twins born in 2020 to Cheng Gong (成功). The daughter, He Hua, has become a major celebrity in the panda world.
- Si Nian (思念) and Si Yun Yun (思筠筠): Twin brothers born in 2015, with Si Yuan (思缘) as the mother. They now live in Xiamen.
- Xing Guang (星光) and Xing Chen (星辰): A pair of twins, born in 2016 to Xing Ya (星雅). Xing Guang currently lives in Shanghai, while Xing Chen is undergoing rewilding training.
- Ji Mei (绩美), Ji Lan (绩兰), and Ji Xiao (绩笑): Ji Mei and Ji Lan are a male and female pair of twins born in 2017. They now live in Nanning, Guangxi. Ji Xiao, a female born in 2019, quickly became a top-tier panda star, making headlines multiple times.
- Da Mei (大美) and Cheng Lan (成兰): A male and female pair of twins born in 2019, with Cheng Da (成大) as the mother. Da Mei currently resides in Changsha, while Cheng Lan remains in Chengdu.
- Cheng Feng (成风) and Cheng Lang (成浪): Twin sisters born in 2019.
- He Feng (和风) and He Yu (和雨): A pair of twins born in 2016 to Cheng Gong (成功).
