Meng’er (萌二/Meng Er) isn’t just another giant panda at Beijing Zoo – he’s a character with flair, charm, and a knack for stealing the spotlight. Born on August 22, 2013, at the Chengdu Research Base, Meng’er grew up without his mother’s guidance, learning life’s essentials from zookeepers, even mimicking their exaggerated expressions while breaking bamboo—complete with a signature toothy grin. Despite his mother Meng Meng’s indifference, Meng’er’s gentle, filial nature never wavered, earning him the nickname “Meng Xiao Xiao.” From outsmarting his keepers to holding his own in a surprise showdown with the formidable Gu Gu, Meng’er’s story is as endearing as it is unforgettable.
Basic Information
- Name: Meng’er (萌二)
- Meaning of the Name: The Second Kid of Meng Family
- Nickname: Meng Xiao (萌小)
- Gender: Male
- Date of Birth: August 22, 2013
- Birthplace: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
- Current Residence: Beijing Zoo, Asian Games Hall
- Mother: Meng Meng (萌萌)
- Father: Yong Yong (勇勇)
- Twin Brother: Meng Da (萌大)
- Siblings: Meng Lan (萌兰), Meng Bao (萌宝) and Meng Yu (萌玉)
Intriguing Details of Panda Meng’er
Exaggerated Facial Expressions: Meng’er returned to Beijing Zoo when he was just over a year old, having spent very little time with his mother. Unlike most panda cubs, he never drank his mother’s milk and wasn’t taught how to break bamboo by her. Instead, the zookeepers took on the task of educating him. Though the zookeepers weren’t particularly strong, they gave their all to break the bamboo, and Meng’er followed suit, eventually learning the skill himself. One of his signature moves became his exaggerated facial expression, where he would bare his teeth while breaking bamboo. On rare occasions, if he forgot to show his teeth during the process, he would quietly add the expression afterward, as if completing the gesture.
Relationship with His Mother: After returning to the zoo, Meng’er’s mother, Mengmeng, gave birth to a younger brother, Menglan, and two younger sisters, Mengbao and Mengyu. When Mengmeng came back, she shared the same space with Meng’er, but their relationship was far from warm. Mengmeng, who had never cared for Meng’er as a cub, didn’t recognize him and often treated him coldly, even growling at him. Despite this, Meng’er seemed to instinctively know that Mengmeng was his mother. He responded with kindness and gentleness, always showing her affection. When Mengmeng was uncomfortable due to a false pregnancy or reluctant to go outside because of the heat, Meng’er would step in and help without hesitation or complaint. His selfless devotion earned him the admiration of the zoo staff, and he was lovingly nicknamed “Meng Xiao Xiao,” meaning “Meng, the filial one.”
Smart and Clever: Meng’er is a sharp and resourceful panda, especially when it comes to foraging for food. On one occasion, during a midday snack, he couldn’t find any bamboo shoots and, to express his frustration, began drooling while looking towards the visiting tourists for help. However, after a little more searching, Meng’er managed to find the bamboo shoots on his own. Not stopping there, he took the time to investigate how the bamboo shoots had slid down the slide into the pool, showing a keen sense of curiosity. Another example of his cleverness came when his keeper gave him jujubes with medicine hidden inside. Meng’er would spit out the medicine, then subtly lift his chin, signaling to his keeper for a fresh jujube, as if nothing had happened, outsmarting everyone in the process.
Fighting with Gu Gu: Meng’er is known for his energetic and playful nature. His love for climbing trees and playing shows off his impressive agility and strength, often resting in the trees after a good play session. In 2018, during a power outage at Beijing Zoo, Meng’er wandered into the neighboring area and crossed paths with Gugu (古古), the infamous “security chief” of the panda base, known for his fighting skills. At the time, Gugu, 20 years old, had the upper hand, but to everyone’s surprise, the 5-year-old Meng’er fought back fiercely. Not only did he give Gugu a tough time, but he even managed to bite his nose, a feat that earned him a great deal of attention and increased fame.
Health Status of Panda Meng’er
Meng’er has suffered from demodectic mange, a common eye condition in pandas. Although the caretakers at Beijing Zoo have worked hard to treat it, the condition tends to recur, causing his once beautiful black eye circles to fade, leaving a noticeable white ring around his eyes. But now, this ailment has already recovered.
