Panda Pu Pu (浦浦), born on August 10, 2014, is a charming male giant panda who has captured the hearts of visitors and fans alike. Known for his lively personality and playful demeanor, Pu Pu’s journey has been marked by unique experiences, including a notable gender misidentification that led to unexpected adventures. Residing at the Shenyang Forest Zoo in Liaoning Province, Pu Pu is more than just a panda; he is a social media sensation and an ambassador for panda conservation efforts.
Basic Information
- Name: Pu Pu (浦浦)
- Lineage Number: 932
- Gender: Male
- Date of Birth: August 10, 2014
- Place of Birth: China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Walnut Flat Wild Training Base
- Mother: Na Na (娜娜)
- Father: Yuan Yuan (园园)
- Twin Sister: Fa Fa (发发)
- Siblings: Pan Wang (潘旺), Xing Hui (星徽), Xing Rui (星睿), Cai Tao (彩陶), Shun Shun (舜舜), De Rui (德瑞), and Zhai Zhai (宅宅)
- Current Residence: Shenyang Forest Zoo, Liaoning Province
Intriguing Details of Panda Pu Pu
Appearance: Pu Pu has a unique appearance: a long snout, a bicycle-seat shaped face, heart-shaped eye rings, and cow-horn braided ears, with a dirty yellow body. Although his looks don’t fit the typical “beautiful panda” standards, Pu Pu still wins the hearts of many fans with his distinctive charm.
Demolition Team Leader: Pu Pu is known for his lively and energetic personality. He loves all things unfamiliar, whether it’s butterflies or flying insects, which always catch his attention. Pu Pu often works day and night on his “demolition project,” destroying various structures in his territory, which has earned him the nickname “Demolition Team Leader” from netizens.
Affinity for Small Animals: While at the Dujiangyan Base, Pu Pu was seen feeding pet birds with leftover steamed buns, carrying bird nests back to his home, and eagerly chasing butterflies, showing his playful and youthful nature.
Kung Fu Panda: During his time at the Shenyang Forest Zoo, Pu Pu made it to the trending topics after showcasing his rolling skills and whirlwind running technique. Netizens were impressed by his playful antics in the video and affectionately called him “Kung Fu Panda.”
Never Overtime: As soon as it’s time to clock out, Pu Pu immediately rushes to the entrance of his enclosure to return to his cozy den. If the keepers are even a little late and haven’t opened the door yet, he will knock on the door loudly, making it clear he won’t work even a second more.
Gender Misidentification: For a long time during his early life, Pu Pu was mistakenly identified as female, earning him the nickname “Banker’s Daughter.” During this time, he was even arranged to mate with a male panda named Jin Hu (金虎). However, in April 2018, staff at the Shenyang Forest Zoo observed Pu Pu displaying typical male behaviors, such as “backward walking” and “leg lifting.” These behaviors prompted a reassessment, and he was ultimately confirmed to be a male panda.
Life Experience of Panda Pu Pu
Birth: Pu Pu was born in 2014 at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, where he grew up alongside his twin sister, Fa Fa.
Wild Training Program: From 2014 until the end of 2015, Pu Pu participated in the center’s wild training program. However, he did not meet the necessary requirements to advance to the second phase of the training and was subsequently eliminated from the program. Between December 2016 and September 2017, Pu Pu resided at the Dujiangyan Base, specifically in the Double Bamboo Garden No. 5.
Adoption: In May 2015, Pu Pu and his sister Fa Fa were adopted for life by Pufa Bank. The bank has not only provided a loving home for the pandas but has also actively raised funds to donate to the Giant Panda Conservation Education Center.
Move to Shen Yang: On September 17, 2017, Pu Pu made a significant transition in his life when he flew on a special plane from the Sichuan Dujiangyan Base to Shenyang. He officially met visitors at the Shenyang Forest Zoo on September 27, marking the beginning of his new chapter.