Su Shan (苏珊), a charming female giant panda, has captured the hearts of many since her birth on August 20, 2011. Born at the Bifengxia Base of the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center, Su Shan has undergone a remarkable journey through various breeding centers dedicated to the conservation of giant pandas. Now residing at the Wolong Shenshuping Base, she continues to contribute to the survival of her species through her role as a mother and an ambassador for panda conservation.
Basic Information
- Name: Su Shan (苏珊)
- Also Known As: Zhang Nian (张念)
- Gender: Female
- Birth Date: August 20, 2011
- Birthplace: Bifengxia Base, China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center
- Lineage Number: 827
- Mother: Zhang Ka (张卡)
- Father: Bai Yang (白杨)
- Current Status: Living at Wolong Shenshuping Base, China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center
- Twin Sister: Zhang Xiang (张想)
- Siblings: Bao Le (宝乐), Ao Ao (傲傲), Zhang Meng (张梦), An An (安安), Zhong Zhong (中中)
Intriguing Details of Panda Su Shan
Origin of the Name: Su Shan was originally named Zhang Nian. She later changed her name in honor of Susan, the CEO of Panda International, to recognize her long-standing and significant contributions to panda conservation and research efforts.
Bad Habits: When Su Shan was young and attending kindergarten, she had the habit of sucking her thumb. This was likely linked to a lack of maternal care during her early years, as her mother, Zhang Ka, was busy training other cubs in the semi-wild environment. In a documentary, the caretakers were shown repeatedly trying to correct this habit by pulling her hand away.
The Road to Love: Su Shan’s romantic journey has been far from smooth. During her time at the breeding center, she was rather picky when it came to potential mates. She displayed an aloof attitude towards many male pandas, even showing signs of rejection. For example, during her “dates” with male pandas like Yang Yang (阳阳) and Yi Bao (依宝), there were instances of fighting or impatience. However, as a descendant of wild pandas, Su Shan eventually found a mate, successfully mated, and gave birth to her own cubs.
Relocations: On June 5, 2013, at the age of 2, Sushan moved to the Dujiangyan Base of the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center, and returned to the Bifengxia Base on June 18, 2015. In 2018, Su Shan relocated to the Wolong Shenshuping Base, also known as the China Giant Panda Park.
Breeding Achievements of Panda Su Shan
The Birth of Jerry: On August 26, 2016, Su Shan gave birth to her son, Jerry (杰瑞), at the Bifengxia Panda Base. At just five years old, Su Shan was still too young and inexperienced to care for her cub, so Jerry was separated from her early and raised by another panda, Yang Hua (阳花). Jerry became an internet sensation, not only because of his unique birth (which coincided with a solar eclipse) but also due to his very own fan song. Jerry disappeared from the public eye around August 2018.
The Birth of Twin Cubs: On August 8, 2017, Su Shan gave birth to twin cubs – Jin Shan (金山) and a second cub that unfortunately passed away shortly after birth. This event marked the infamous 2018 Ya’an Kindergarten infection incident, where only Jin Shan survived among the panda cubs in the A class of the Ya’an Kindergarten. In 2023, Jin Shan herself became a mother and proved to be a strict but loving “hot mom” when it came to raising her own cubs.
The Birth of Twin Daughters: On August 4, 2019, Su Shan gave birth to twin daughters, Ya Ya (雅雅) and Su Jin (苏锦), at the Shenshuping Panda Base. Ya Ya and An An (安安) grew up together and were even chosen to be the city ambassador pandas for Ya’an. Su Jin, who was initially named Su Xiao Xiao, lived with Qiao Dou Dou (乔兜兜) and the rest of the family. She was known for being playful and sometimes mischievous, often teasing Qiao Dou Dou.
The Birth of Twins: On July 17, 2021, Su Shan gave birth to a pair of twins: a brother and sister, Xiao Lu (小鲁) and Xiao Jiang (小将), at the Shen Shu Ping Base. Xiao Lu, with a round and soft face, resembled Su Shan’s mother. Xiao Jiang became well-known for his love of digging and rolling around in the dirt, often exhausting both his mother and sister.