Mei Sheng (美生), a prominent male giant panda born on August 19, 2003, at the San Diego Zoo in the United States, holds a special place in the hearts of panda enthusiasts. As the first male giant panda born in the U.S. through natural mating, his arrival marked a significant milestone. His lineage, coupled with his remarkable journey across continents, underscores his importance in the global conservation efforts for giant pandas.
Basic Information
- Name: Mei Sheng (美生)
- Gender: Male
- Lineage Number: 563
- Date of Birth: August 19, 2003
- Place of Birth: San Diego Zoo, USA
- Mother: Panda Bai Yun (白云)
- Father: Panda Gao Gao (高高)
Growth and Development
Birth and Early Life:
On August 19, 2003, Mei Sheng was born at the San Diego Zoo, making him the first male giant panda born in the U.S. through natural mating. His birth attracted significant attention, not only because he was the first male panda born through natural mating in America but also due to his parents, Bai Yun and Gao Gao, who were beloved star pandas.
Return to China and Relocations:
On November 7, 2007, Mei Sheng was accompanied by his caretakers back to China, where he was initially housed at the Wolong Walnut Grove Wild Training Base of the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center.
Over the years, Mei Sheng experienced several relocations, including moves to the Ya’an Bifengxia Base, the Wolong Shenshuping Base, and the Dujiangyan Base.
On March 14, 2017, Mei Sheng traveled to the Guangzhou Chimelong Safari Park for a temporary assignment.
On August 26, 2019, he returned to the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center and subsequently moved to the Nanjing Tangshan Ziqinghu Wild Animal World on August 28.
Most recently, on August 21, 2023, Mei Sheng, now 20 years old, flew to Sichuan and arrived at the Wolong Giant Panda Nature Reserve, where he began a new chapter in his retirement life.
