Meilan (梅兰/Mei Lan), affectionately known as “Rou Rou” (Plumpness), had a rocky start to life but has since blossomed into a beloved panda with a gentle soul and a strong personality. Born on May 29, 2016, at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Meilan faced early complications, requiring the intervention of devoted staff to ensure her survival. Raised by foster mothers, she grew into a sweet-natured panda with a fondness for food, especially pumpkins, which earned her the title “Pumpkin Princess.” Whether stealing milk or nibbling on a visitor’s phone, Meilan’s curiosity and charm make her an unforgettable character at Dujiangyan Panda Valley.
Basic Information
- Name: Meilan (梅兰)
- Nickname: Rou Rou (肉肉/Fatie and Plumpness)
- 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)
Intriguing Details of Panda Meilan
Birth Complications: Meilan’s arrival into the world was anything but smooth. Her mother, Mei Bang, was a first-time mom, and instead of instinctively cradling her newborn, she seemed confused and uncertain. While Meilan lay crying and vulnerable on the ground, Mei Bang fixated on licking the severed umbilical cord, unaware of her fragile cub’s distress. As precious minutes passed, Meilan’s tiny body began losing warmth, and the situation turned critical. Realizing the danger, the staff swiftly intervened, whisking the cub away to an incubator. For over an hour, they carefully monitored her, waiting for her temperature to stabilize. Once Meilan showed signs of recovery, they gently fed her mother’s milk and decided to attempt a reunion. When they placed the cub back beside Mei Bang, the exhausted mother barely stirred. But then, as if stirred by the persistent cries of her baby, something in her instincts awakened. Slowly, she rose, hesitated, then finally, tenderly scooped Meilan up in her mouth, cuddling and licking her with newfound maternal warmth.
Experience with Foster Mothers:
Meilan’s early days were shaped by the care of several devoted foster mothers – Maomao (毛毛), Wenli (文莉), and Dajiao (大娇) – each of whom embraced her as their own. These experienced mothers provided Meilan with warmth, affection, and essential survival lessons. Among them, Da Jiao formed a particularly special bond with her. She not only nurtured Meilan but also played with her, patiently teaching her the skills she would need as she grew. Under their watchful care, Meilan flourished, learning the ways of the panda world through love, play, and guidance.
Gentle Personality: Meilan is the embodiment of patience and kindness. Even when her panda companions clumsily trample over her during naps – squashing her face into the ground – she doesn’t protest or retaliate. Instead, she simply blinks sleepily, as if nothing happened, and drifts right back into her peaceful slumber.
Protective Over Food: Despite her gentle demeanor, Meilan draws the line when it comes to food. Mealtime is sacred, and any disturbance is met with instant retaliation. Once, while savoring a crisp apple, Qiyi (奇一) daringly snatched a small piece from her mouth. Outraged, Meilan sprang into action, her paws swinging so fast they seemed to create afterimages as she unleashed a flurry of powerful blows. In another legendary food heist, the keepers prepared four bowls of milk for the pandas. Meilan, using her cunning and quick reflexes, managed to swipe three of them, leaving the remaining three pandas scrambling over a single bowl. Whether it’s fruit or milk, one thing is certain – Meilan always makes sure she gets her fair share (and maybe a little extra).
Love for Pumpkins: Among all the delicious treats Meilan enjoys, nothing compares to her love for pumpkins. This obsession has even earned her the adorable nickname “Pumpkin Princess.” Whenever she gets her paws on one, she expresses pure delight – squinting her eyes in happiness and letting out the most satisfying “crunch” as she devours each bite. Watching her relish a pumpkin is like witnessing pure bliss in panda form.
Always Alert: Meilan may love her food, but she never lets her guard down while eating. Ever watchful, she constantly scans her surroundings, ears perked up for any sign of a potential food thief. Once, while savoring her beloved pumpkin, a distant car horn suddenly broke the silence. Without hesitation, Meilan swiftly tucked the pumpkin under her arm, freezing in place as she assessed the situation. Only after confirming there was no threat did she finally relax and continue enjoying her meal. Nothing – and no one – gets between Meilan and her favorite snacks!
Nibbling on Phones: On September 22, 2023, Meilan had an unexpected encounter with modern technology. A visitor at Panda Valley accidentally dropped their phone into the enclosure, and the ever-curious Meilan was quick to investigate. She picked up the device, tapped the screen inquisitively, and even held it up as if trying to take a selfie – perhaps she wanted to see if she could rival human influencers! But soon, curiosity turned into a taste test, and Meilan decided to see if the phone was as delicious as her beloved pumpkins. Onlookers gasped and tried to intervene, but she remained unfazed, thoroughly enjoying her new “snack.” With this hilarious incident, Meilan earned the quirky title of the first panda in the world to “own” a cellphone.
Life Experience of Panda Meilan
Birth: Meilan 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 guy who couldn’t walk” for her crawling.
Relocations: At seven months old, Meilan 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, Meilan and nine other panda cubs moved to the Giant Panda Juvenile Garden to begin their collective life. On December 14, 2018, Meilan officially graduated from the Juvenile Garden and moved to Dujiangyan Panda Valley.
