Shu Qing (蜀庆), born on August 3, 1999, at the Chongqing Zoo, is a distinguished giant panda known for her exceptional beauty and intelligence. Often referred to as the “smartest panda” and the “Panda Xishi” of the Chengdu Panda Base, she has captivated the hearts of many with her striking appearance and clever behavior. Despite some initial confusion regarding her gender during her early years, she was confirmed to be female in the spring of 2003. As she embarks on her retirement years, Shu Qing continues to live a life of comfort and care at the Chengdu base, enjoying the fruits of a life well-lived while contributing to the ongoing conservation efforts for her species.
Basic Information
- Name: Shu Qing (蜀庆)
- Date of Birth: August 3, 1999
- Place of Birth: Chongqing Zoo
- Lineage Number: 480
- Gender: Female
- Mother: Xin Xing (新星)
- Father: Chuan Chuan (川川)
- Siblings: Chuan Xing (川星), Cong Cong (聪聪), Ling Ling (灵灵), Le Le (乐乐), Xiao Xiao (小小)
Intriguing Details of Panda Shu Qing
A Beauty Reference: From a young age, Shu Qing has been celebrated for her beauty. Her face is nearly perfectly round, with defined features, a plump body, and a graceful posture. Her physical appearance has set the standard for beauty among giant pandas, making her a reference point within the panda community.
Intelligence: Experts from Atlanta conducted memory tests on several pandas at the base, and Shu Qing exhibited the strongest memory of them all. She is clever and employs various tactics, such as pretending not to know how to carry or hold her cubs, to trick her caretakers into providing her with more food. Her cunning behavior has further enhanced her reputation, showcasing the dual charm of beauty and brains.
Gender Misunderstanding: Since birth, everyone believed Shu Qing was a male panda. However, in the spring of 2003, at the age of three and a half, Shu Qing displayed a series of intriguing behaviors – such as straddling bamboo while moving her paws rhythmically, which is a typical mating display in pandas. This completely overturned people’s assumptions about her gender. After a thorough analysis by expert Hou Rong, it was finally confirmed that Shu Qing was actually a girl.”
Breeding Achievements of Panda Shu Qing
- Yong Yong (勇勇): Male, Lineage Number 584. Born on August 26, 2004, at the Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Base.
- Shu Lin (蜀琳): Female, Lineage Number 666. Born on July 5, 2007. Transferred to Liuzhou Zoo on January 31, 2013.
- Shu Rong (蜀蓉): Female, Lineage Number 667. Born on July 5, 2007. Transferred to Macao’s Shizai Bay Zoo on April 30, 2015; currently residing in Macao, named “Xin Xin.”
- Shu Xiang (蜀祥): Male, Lineage Number 717. Born on August 4, 2008. Gifted to Macao on December 18, 2010, and returned to the Chengdu base on November 29, 2015.
- Shu Yun (蜀云): Male, Lineage Number 718. Born on August 5, 2008. Transferred to Qingdao Zoo in May 2014, returned to Chengdu base in July, and sadly passed away in 2015.