Run Yue (润玥/Runyue), born on June 5, 2020, at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, immediately stood out with her distinctive yellowish fur and playful spirit. The result of her mother Yuan Run’s constant grooming, this unique fur color soon became her signature trait, earning her the attention of panda fans and even making headlines on national television. As Run Yue matures, her close bond with her sister and the unforgettable “food wars” remain defining moments of her adventurous and endearing personality.
Basic Information
- Name: Run Yue (润玥)
- Meaning of the Name: The Divine Pearl of the Run Family
- 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), Run Ze (润泽), Run Xiang (润洋)
Intriguing Details of Panda Run Yue
Appearance: Run Yue’s fur has a distinctive yellowish tint, a unique trait inherited from her mother, Yuan Run. This unusual coloration is the result of Yuan Run’s frequent grooming—her saliva contains enzymes that, when oxidized, temporarily turn the fur a soft golden hue. Adding to her charm, Run Yue sports a pair of eye patches shaped like small, upward-curving birds, giving her an expressive and mischievous look that perfectly matches her lively personality.
Nickname: Run Yue’s playful and sometimes mischievous antics have earned her the affectionate nickname “Er Gou” (which translates to “Second Dog”). This name stems from her mother, Yuan Run, who is lovingly called “Little Dog” due to her nurturing and gentle nature. As Yuan Run’s second cub, Run Yue has developed a reputation for being an energetic troublemaker – often sneaking extra treats, playfully pestering her caretakers, or swiping food from her panda companions.
Mother-Daughter Bond: Yuan Run, known for her unwavering maternal instincts, has always been deeply devoted to Run Yue. From infancy, Run Yue was rarely seen far from her mother, often nestled against her in moments of warmth and affection. Yuan Run’s constant grooming, filled with tender licks, not only comforted her cub but also contributed to Run Yue’s distinctive yellowish fur. However, Yuan Run’s love is not without discipline – when Run Yue got too unruly, she would receive a firm yet gentle swipe as a lesson in panda etiquette. Ever resilient, Run Yue never backed down. Instead, she turned these moments into playful “battles,” challenging her mother with enthusiastic wrestling matches, testing her growing strength while deepening their special bond.
Food Stealing Wars: Run Yue’s love for food is legendary, and she is not one to let others enjoy their meals in peace – especially when her favorites, like steamed buns (“wo wo tou”) and small apples, are involved. Even before finishing her own food, she would sneak over to pilfer snacks from her unsuspecting playmate, Hua Hua, sparking mini food feuds. As she grew and moved into the sub-adult panda area, the stakes of these “food wars” escalated. There, she encountered Ai Jiu, a formidable rival with superior strength. Although Ai Jiu often triumphed in their food battles, Run Yue refused to surrender. She developed clever tactics to outmaneuver her competitor – sneaking up when Ai Jiu was distracted, snatching treats at just the right moment, or even outwitting Ai Jiu by locking her in a separate area to enjoy an uninterrupted feast.
Teaching Hua Hua: A Caring Friend: Despite her mischievous and food-stealing antics, Run Yue also has a softer, nurturing side—especially when it comes to her close companion, Hua Hua. She often stayed by Hua Hua’s side during meals, rolling around playfully and snuggling with her like a doting older sister. Beyond their playful bond, Run Yue also took on the role of a teacher, determined to help Hua Hua master the art of tree climbing, a skill she had already perfected herself. With great enthusiasm, Run Yue would demonstrate her climbing technique, skillfully scaling a tree before descending with a triumphant look. Then, she would eagerly gesture for Hua Hua to follow suit. However, when Hua Hua struggled to mimic her, Run Yue’s patience would wear thin. Frustrated, she would huff dramatically and stomp off, as if exasperated by her friend’s lack of progress. What Run Yue didn’t realize was that Hua Hua had a problem with her back paws, making climbing especially difficult.
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.