Panda Meng Da (萌大/Mengda), a resident of Beijing Zoo’s Asian Games Hall, is known for his quirky and often misunderstood behaviors that set him apart from his peers. Born on August 22, 2013, he shares a strong bond with his twin brother Meng Er and the rest of his siblings. But Meng Da is no ordinary panda – his “uncivilized” behavior, like urinating at crowds or engaging in playful mischief with his younger brother Meng Lan, has earned him a reputation that sparks both amusement and complaints. Beyond his cheeky antics, Meng Da’s love for snacks and punctuality add layers to his unique personality, making him a truly fascinating character.
Basic Information
- Name: Meng Da (萌大)
- Meaning of the Name: The Elder Borther of Meng Family
- Gender: Male
- Date of Birth: August 22, 2013
- Mother: Meng Meng (萌萌)
- Father: Yong Yong (勇勇)
- Twin Brother: Meng Er (萌二)
- Siblings: Meng Lan (萌兰), Meng Bao (萌宝) and Meng Yu (萌玉)
- Current Residence: Beijing Zoo, Asian Games Hall
Intriguing Details of Panda Meng Da
“Uncivilized” Behavior: He has a somewhat picky temperament, often showing little interest in things around him. The noisy and bustling crowds of visitors can annoy him. In response, he sometimes stands on his hind legs and urinates towards the noisy spectators as a way to mark his territory, which has led to complaints from visitors about his “uncivilized” behavior. In fact, Meng Da is the only panda known to have received complaints from the audience.
Interaction with Meng Lan: Meng Da is neighbors with the famous panda Meng Lan, also known as the “Third Prince.” Meng Da is particularly fond of his younger brother and often urinates in Meng Lan’s direction while standing on his hind legs, signaling that he has Meng Lan’s back. However, Meng Lan doesn’t appreciate this gesture and often complains to their caretaker, Xu Laoye, who then has to clean Meng Lan with a hose to resolve the issue.
The Tug of War: Unlike the clever Meng Lan, Meng Da is straightforward. In a tug-of-war game with Meng Lan, Meng Da used all his strength, not realizing that Meng Lan had cleverly tied the other end to a wooden post and walked away to play elsewhere.
Puncturality: Meng Da loves extra snacks and is good at keeping track of time. He often waits by the small door ten minutes before snack time. Recently, Meng Da has developed a new skill: he uses a stick to knock on the door to signal his keeper for snacks, persistently knocking until he gets his treat.
Unique Drinking Habit: Meng Da has a special drinking habit—he uses his water bowl to soak his feet. Not only does he switch to a new bowl after a while, but he also knows to pour out the foot-soaking water. Afterward, he uses a small blanket to wipe his face.