Panda Meng Er: Active and Playful

Panda Meng Er

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

Intriguing Details of Panda Meng Er

Exaggerated Facial Expressions: Meng Er returned to Beijing Zoo when he was just over a year old and had hardly spent any time with his mother. He never drank his mother’s milk and was not taught how to break bamboo by a panda mom; instead, the zookeepers had to teach him. The zookeepers, though not very strong, would use all their might to break the bamboo, and Meng Er learned everything, even adopting the exaggerated facial expression of baring his teeth. This became his signature move, and sometimes, when he forgot to show his teeth while breaking bamboo, he would quietly add it afterward.

Relationship with His Mother: After returning to the base, Meng Meng gave birth to a younger brother, Meng Lan, and two younger sisters, Meng Bao and Meng Yu. When Meng Meng came back, he shared the same space with Meng Er. However, Meng Meng had never taken care of Meng Er and didn’t recognize him, treating him coldly and even growling at him. Despite this, Meng Er seemed to know that Meng Meng was his mother and treated her with kindness and gentleness. When Meng Meng was uncomfortable due to a false pregnancy or unwilling to go outside because of the heat, Meng Er would step in to help without complaint. Because of this, Meng Er was praised as the most filial panda at Beijing Zoo and earned the nickname “Meng Xiao Xiao” (Meng, the filial one).

Smart and Clever: Meng Er has shown a clever side, especially when foraging for bamboo shoots. One time, during a midday snack, he couldn’t find any bamboo shoots, so he drooled while looking for help from the visiting tourists. Eventually, he found the bamboo shoots on his own. After eating, he even investigated how the bamboo shoots had slid down the slide into the pool. When his keeper gave him jujubes with medicine inside, he would spit out the medicine and then subtly lift his chin, signaling to the keeper to give him another jujube, as if nothing had happened.

Fighting with Gu Gu: Meng Er has a lively and energetic personality. He enjoys climbing trees and playing, often sleeping in trees, showcasing his excellent climbing abilities. In 2018, during a power outage at Beijing Zoo, Meng Er wandered into the neighboring area and encountered Gu Gu (古古), the renowned panda “security chief” known for his fighting prowess. Initially overpowered by the 20-year-old Gu Gu, Meng Er, then only 5, surprisingly turned the tables, giving Gu Gu a tough time and even biting his nose. This encounter earned Meng Er considerable 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.

Galley of Panda Meng Er