Born on June 5, 2020, Run Yue (润玥) quickly became a standout at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. With her distinctive yellowish fur and vibrant personality, she captured the hearts of both the staff and visitors. Known for her boundless energy and clever antics, Run Yue’s journey from infancy to her current life showcases her unique charm and the special bonds she forms with her fellow pandas. Her playful yet caring nature makes her a beloved figure and a testament to the captivating allure of giant pandas.
Basic Information
- Chinese Name: Run Yue
- Nicknames: Cai Cai (菜菜, infant name), Er Gou (二狗, nickname)
- Date of Birth: June 5, 2020, at 12:32
- Place of Birth: Moon Delivery Room, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
- Birth Weight: 172.6 grams
- Lineage Number: 1233
- Gender: Female
- Mother: Yuan Run (园润)
- Sister: Run Jiu (润九)
Intriguing Details of Panda Run Yue
Appearance: Run Yue’s fur is notably yellowish, which is due to her mother Yuan Run’s habit of frequently licking her daughter’s fur. The enzyme in the saliva temporarily turns the fur yellow upon oxidation. She also has a pair of distinct small bird-shaped eye patches that curve upwards at the ends.
Nickname: Run Yue’s nickname, “Er Gou” (which translates to “Second Dog”), comes from her mischievous nature and playful behavior. Her mother, Yuan Run, is affectionately known as “Little Dog” because of her gentle demeanor and her tendency to be highly maternal. As Yuan Run’s second cub, Run Yue often engages in playful and cheeky behavior, much to the delight of panda fans. She is known for getting into playful trouble, such as stealing food from others, which is why she is affectionately called “Er Gou” by her fans.
Mother-Daughter Bond: Yuan Run, known for her strong maternal instincts, often licks and grooms Run Yue’s fur. As a young cub, Run Yue was always seen snuggling close to her mother, sharing moments of warmth and bonding. However, Yuan Run’s affection is balanced with discipline. On several occasions, Yuan Run has disciplined Run Yue by giving her a gentle swipe. Despite this, Run Yue has always been resilient, and in fact, she sometimes engages in playful “battles” with her mother, testing her strength and the lessons she has learned.
Food Stealing Wars: Run Yue’s love for food is well-known, particularly when it comes to her favorite treats, like steamed buns (called “wo wo tou”) and small apples. Even when her food was unfinished, Run Yue would sneak over and steal from other pandas, such as Hua Hua, who was her playmate. As Run Yue grew and moved into the sub-adult panda area, the “food wars” became even more intense. In her new home, she would engage in fierce battles over food with Ai Jiu. However, Ai Jiu, with her greater strength, often won these battles. Nevertheless, Run Yue never gave up. She became expert at finding ways to snatch food, whether by sneaking up on Ai Jiu when she wasn’t looking or even locking Ai Jiu in a separate area to enjoy her food in peace.
Teaching Hua Hua: A Caring Friend: Despite her mischievous side, Run Yue also displays a nurturing and caring nature, particularly towards Hua Hua, another young panda. Run Yue would often accompany Hua Hua during meals, rolling around with her and snuggling together. She also took it upon herself to teach Hua Hua how to climb trees, a skill she had mastered herself. Run Yue would demonstrate climbing techniques, first showing Hua Hua how to scale the tree. After coming down, she would gesture for Hua Hua to try, but when Hua Hua failed to mimic the actions, Run Yue would become frustrated and walk off in a huff. In reality, Hua Hua had a problem with her back paws that made climbing difficult, but Run Yue was unaware of this.
Life Experience of Run Yue
Birth: Run Yue was born on June 5, 2020, at 12:32 PM, at the Moon Delivery Room of the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. She was the first to arrive, just 34 minutes ahead of her close companion, Ai Jiu (艾玖), earning her the title of “Class Leader” of the 2020 cohort.
The Yellow Girl: Run Yue’s yellow fur drew significant attention, and just a few months after her birth, she made headlines on CCTV News. The news anchor playfully asked her on national television, “Run Yue, were you grown in the soil?”
Adoption and Nicknames: On May 25, 2021, Run Yue was adopted by Sichuan Fansaoguang Food Group Co., Ltd., and was given the name “Cai Cai.” Since she was the second child of her mother Yuan Run, and due to her adoption name, netizens affectionately nicknamed her “Cai Er Gou” or “Cai Zong.”
Life with Her Mother and Companions: In a special arrangement by the base, Hua Hua (花花), another panda, was introduced to Run Yue’s mother Yuan Run as an adopted daughter. During this period, Run Yue spent her days learning essential panda skills such as eating bamboo shoots and climbing trees. She often challenged her mother to playful “battles” to test her newly acquired skills.
Adventures with the “Four Most” Companions: After parting from her mother Yuan Run, Run Yue joined her “Four Most” companions from the delivery room in the juvenile yard under the care of Grandpa Tan. The group, including Hua Hua, Ai Jiu, and He Ye (和叶), formed a new and popular combination known as “Jiu Cai Hua Ye.”
Sisterhood with Ai Jiu: After saying goodbye to her younger siblings, Run Yue and her same-day-born sister, Ai Jiu, moved to the sub-adult yard, embarking on a new chapter of their lives. In this new setting, the two sisters did everything together – eating, climbing trees, and maintaining a harmonious rhythm while enjoying their bamboo.
Moving to a New Home: The second phase of Run Yue and Ai Jiu’s journey took them to the new area of Yingri Pavilion. By this time, their bond had strengthened considerably. The sisters adapted to their new surroundings together, often engaging in playful yet strategic battles of wits. Their daily interactions were filled with humor and camaraderie, earning them the nickname “The Troublesome Sister Flowers” from their caretakers and fans.