Panda Na Na: A Motherly Star

Panda Na Na

Na Na (娜娜), a female giant panda born on August 20, 2003, at the Hetaoping Wild Training Base in China, has played a vital role in the global conservation and breeding programs for her species. Known for her gentle nature and maternal dedication, she has successfully raised eight cubs, many of whom have been sent to international zoos to promote panda conservation. Over the years, Na Na’s journey has taken her across several breeding and training centers in China, contributing to research and education on giant panda preservation.

Basic Information

  • Name: Na Na (娜娜)
  • Gender: Female
  • Studbook Number: 568
  • Birthdate: August 20, 2003
  • Birthplace: Hetaoping Wild Training Base, China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda
  • Mother: Lei Lei (雷雷)
  • Father: Xi Meng (希梦)
  • Siblings: Long Xin (龙欣), Zhu Yun (竹韵), Yuan Yuan (圆圆), and You You (友友)

Intriguing Details of Panda Na Na

Gender Mix-Up: There were several cases of gender confusion among Na Na’s offspring, with the most interesting being the story of Pu Pu and Fa Fa. Na Na once gave birth to a pair of twins – Pu Pu, a female, and Fa Fa, a male. However, later on, the staff got confused and mistakenly believed the male cub was the female twin. This mix-up continued until the “false pregnancy” incident with Fa Fa, which made everyone realize the earlier mistake.

First Trip: On January 31, 2007, Na Na traveled with her twins, Yang Guan and Xin Yue, to the Chimelong Safari Park in Guangzhou. At the time, the zookeepers worked hard to get Na Na into her crate, with one of the male keepers even standing on the crate and singing “Spicy Girl” to help calm her nerves.

Interesting Birth Story: In 2009, the afternoon before Na Na’s first delivery, she exhibited symptoms of morning sickness, which had never been seen in panda births before. Additionally, Na Na gave birth to her twin cubs, Xing Hui and Xing Rui, on the same day as a rare total solar eclipse, a once-in-a-century event.

Life Experience of Panda Na Na

August 20, 2003: Born at the Walnut Flat Wild Training Base of the China Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center.

January 31, 2007: Na Na, along with Yang Guang (阳光) and Xin Yue (新月), went on a trip to the Chimelong Safari Park in Guangzhou.

March 28, 2008: Moved to the Walnut Flat Wild Training Base of the China Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center.

December 16, 2011: Traveled with Giant Panda Rong Rong to the Langzhong Panda Science Popularization Museum.

January 15, 2013: Moved to the Ya’an Bifengxia Base of the China Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center.

June 11, 2014: Moved back to the Walnut Flat Wild Training Base of the China Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center.

Breeding Achievements of Panda Na Na

OffspringGenderBirthdateStudbook NumberCurrent Status/Location
Xing Hui (星徽)MaleJuly 22, 2009745Sent to Pairi Daiza Zoo, Belgium in February 2014
Xing Rui (星睿)MaleJuly 22, 2009746Relocated to Baoxing Giant Panda Cultural Center in November 2016
Cai Tao (彩陶)MaleAugust 4, 2010778Sent to Taman Safari Indonesia in September 2017
Shun Shun (舜舜)MaleAugust 27, 2013902Moved to Hainan Tropical Wildlife Park in November 2018
Pu Pu (浦浦)MaleAugust 10, 2014932Relocated to Shenyang Forest Zoo in September 2017
Fa Fa (发发)FemaleAugust 10, 2014931Joined Pu Pu at Shenyang Forest Zoo in September 2017
Pan Wang (潘旺)FemaleJune 2, 20171064Initially planned for wild release, later assigned to wild breeding
De Rui (德瑞)MaleAugust 9, 2020N/AParticipated in wild training at Hetaoping (2021-2023), moved to Ya’an Bifengxia Base

Gallery of Panda Na Na