Tao Bang (桃浜/Taobang), born on December 2, 2014, at Adventure World Zoo in Japan, is a charming panda with a distinctive round face and a playful spirit. Her name, meaning “peach blossom,” symbolizes hope and peace, reflecting her joyful nature. Known for her food preferences and mischievous sibling rivalry with her twin sister Ying Bang, Tao Bang quickly became a beloved figure, especially after her smooth transition to life in China, where she earned the nickname “Social Butterfly.”
Basic Information
- Name: Tao Bang (桃浜)
- Meaning of the Name: Peach Blossom of the Bang Family
- Gender: Female
- Lineage Number: 945
- Date of Birth: December 2, 2014
- Birthplace: Adventure World Zoo, Shirahama Town, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan
- Father: Yong Ming (永明)
- Mother: Liang Bang (良浜)
- Twin Sister: Ying Bang (樱浜)
- Other Siblings: Yong Bang (永浜), Mei Bang (梅浜), Yang Bang (阳浜), Hai Bang (海浜), Cai Bang (彩浜), You Bang (优浜), Jie Bang (结浜), Cai Bang (彩浜), Feng Bang (枫浜)
Intriguing Details of Panda Tao Bang
Naming Origin: The name “Tao Bang” holds significant meaning. According to the zoo, “Tao” symbolizes the hope that she will be as beloved as China’s peach blossoms and help build a peaceful and flourishing family.
Appearance: Tao Bang has a round face reminiscent of a plump rice ball. Her ears are smaller than her sister Ying Bang’s, and her fur is shorter. Viewed from the side, her nose appears longer and more similar to her father Yong Ming’s distinct features. According to zookeepers, Tao Bang may have a better sense of smell compared to other giant pandas, potentially due to her elongated snout.
Food Preference: Tao Bang is known to be a “food connoisseur,” showing a preference for certain foods, which contrasts with her sister Ying Bang’s more indiscriminate eating habits.
Sibling Rivalry and Love: Tao Bang and her sister Ying Bang, while deeply affectionate towards each other, can also be fierce playmates. For example, when both of them eye the same bamboo shoot, they will start competing for it. Tao Bang has even been known to bite her sister Ying Bang, causing her to yelp like a dog. Interestingly, when Ying Bang sees her younger sister attempting to “escape,” she runs to the keepers to inform them and help capture Tao Bang.
Environmental Alertness: Tao Bang has a unique habit where she gets startled by her own food, sometimes causing her to jump up in surprise. If the nanny accidentally scares her, she will immediately express her apologies. Additionally, Tao Bang has a great fondness for climbing trees and is often seen playing around on them.
Social Butterfly: After returning to China, Tao Bang adapted quickly to her new environment. Compared to her sister Ying Bang, Tao Bang adjusted in a much shorter time. Following her public debut, Tao Bang displayed a very lively and outgoing personality, earning her the affectionate nickname “Social Butterfly” from the public.
Life Experience of Panda Tao Bang
Infancy: Tao Bang was born alongside her twin sister, Ying Bang. Both cubs are female and were of similar size, weighing about 180 grams and measuring approximately 20 centimeters in length. They enjoyed a happy childhood at Adventure World Zoo in Shirahama Town, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan.
Debut: On May 21, 2015, Tao Bang and Ying Bang, along with their mother Liang Bang, made their public debut in the zoo’s outdoor enclosure, marking their first appearance before visitors.
Return to China: On February 22, 2023, Tao Bang, along with her father Yong Ming and sister Ying Bang, flew from Kansai Airport in Japan to Chengdu, China. Upon arrival in China, they settled at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, undergoing a month-long quarantine before meeting the public.
Meet the Public: On May 19, 2023, Tao Bang and Ying Bang ended their quarantine and meet the public.