Born on May 29, 2016, at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Mei Lan (梅兰), affectionately known as Rou Rou (肉肉), has captured the hearts of panda lovers around the world. With her striking golden fur and irresistibly round face, Mei Lan stands out among her peers. Currently residing in Dujiangyan Panda Valley, she is known for her delightful personality, love for pumpkins, and playful interactions with her caretakers.
Basic Information
- Name: Mei Lan (梅兰)
- Nickname: Rou Rou (肉肉)
- Lineage Number: 991
- Date of Birth: May 29, 2016
- Birthplace: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
- Current Residence: Dujiangyan Panda Valley
- Father: Yong Yong (勇勇)
- Mother: Mei Bang (梅浜), a returned overseas panda
Appearance
- Mei Lan has a large body, golden fur, and a big fluffy head. Her fur is slightly more golden compared to other pandas of her age, inheriting this trait from her father, Yong Yong.
- She has an adorably round face, which has earned her a large following of fans.
Personality and Behavior
- Mei Lan has a wonderful temperament, loves to stick close to her keepers, and is an expert at being charming and playful.
- She is smart, quick-witted, and enjoys interacting with her keepers. Mei Lan loves playing with water and exhibits a lively and active personality.
- Mei Lan is very protective of her food. She once got into a scuffle with a companion over an apple, showing her assertive side.
- She has an intense love for pumpkins and eats them very cautiously to prevent other pandas from stealing them, earning her the nickname “Pumpkin Princess.”
- Mei Lan is also a dance enthusiast. When visitors or cameras are on her, she strikes various poses, showcasing her dance talents and earning the title “Disco Queen.”
Life Experience
- Mei Lan was born on May 29, 2016, at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. As the eldest of the 2016 batch, her size advantage became evident over time. However, despite her size, she could not walk by the age of four months and was humorously nicknamed “the big panda who couldn’t walk” for her crawling.
- At seven months old, Mei Lan began her “roaming” life, moving from the Sun Nursery to the Moon Nursery. By nine months, she could stand on her own without assistance.
- After a year, Mei Lan and nine other panda cubs moved to the Giant Panda Juvenile Garden to begin their collective life.
- On December 14, 2018, Mei Lan officially graduated from the Juvenile Garden and moved to Dujiangyan Panda Valley.
Related Events
- Over the years, Mei Lan has become a public favorite due to her unique personality and adorable behavior. For instance, she once garnered widespread attention for picking up and chewing on a visitor’s dropped phone.
- She also experienced an incident of malicious feeding by a visitor, but fortunately, she was not harmed. This incident served as a reminder for the public to follow rules and avoid feeding the pandas during visits.
