Panda Ting Ting: An Earthquake Survivor

Panda Ting Ting

Born on August 29, 2005, at the Hetaoping Wilderness Training Base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Ting Ting (婷婷) has a story that intertwines resilience and motherhood. Daughter of Ling Ling and Hua Mei, and the elder twin sister of Wei Wei, Ting Ting (lineage number 618) has lived through pivotal moments, including the Wenchuan Earthquake, and has emerged as a proud mother contributing to panda conservation.

Basic Information

Intriguing Details of Panda Ting Ting

Fiery and Bold: Ting Ting has a petite build, and the black fur on her belly has earned her the nickname “Black-Bellied Ting.” In her younger years, she was known for her feisty personality and was affectionately called a “spicy girl.” As she grew older, she became a “spicy mom” and is regarded as having the biggest temper among the dozens of pandas at Chimelong. During a matchmaking attempt with Lin Lin (琳琳), neither panda took a liking to the other. Lin Lin also has a fiery temperament, and when the two met, they started arguing immediately, which escalated into a fight. Despite the keepers’ attempts to intervene, the two pandas ignored them completely. However, Lin Lin didn’t manage to gain any advantage over Ting Ting in the scuffle.

Adorable Behaviors: During the sweltering summer, Ting Ting loves lying motionless on ice blocks to cool off or climbing trees to enjoy the breeze under a fan. She can be a bit timid at times. On one occasion, while enjoying her afternoon snack, she was startled by a loud visitor and immediately abandoned her food to scramble up a tree in fright.

Limited Maternal Love: Ting Ting has her own style when it comes to raising her cubs. She was particularly affectionate when the cubs were newborn, holding them close at all times. However, once the seventh day passed, Ting Ting changed her approach. Apart from feeding and cleaning up after the cubs, she would leave them lying on the ground, while she went off to eat, drink, and play. The chest of her first cub actually developed some issues due to this behavior, and it took a long time to recover. The same pattern repeated with her second cub – she was reluctant to let go in the first seven days, but by the eighth day, she showed little interest. This time, the zookeepers at Chimelong learned their lesson. When they saw Ting Ting neglecting her cub, they quickly placed it in a bamboo basket or put it on its side while it slept.

Life Experience of Panda Ting Ting

Early Years: Ting Ting and her twin brother, Wei Wei, were nurtured with great care at the panda research center. They enjoyed a carefree childhood, growing into healthy and active pandas under the dedicated care of the center’s staff.

Post-Earthquake Relocation: The 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake severely impacted the panda conservation facilities, necessitating the transfer of many pandas for their safety. Ting Ting was relocated to Guangzhou Chimelong Safari Park, where she has lived until now.

First Litter: Born on August 9, 2015, Yue Yue (悦悦) is a female panda (lineage number 969) and the offspring of Ting Ting and panda Lin Lin (琳琳). Yue Yue weighed 170 grams at birth, making her one of the heaviest panda cubs born at Chimelong.

Second Litter: Ting Zai (婷仔), a male cub, was born on July 29, 2018. His birth weight was 166 grams, and he quickly gained a reputation for being energetic and mischievous. His father is thought to be either Wu Gang (武岗) or Lan Zai (兰仔).

Return to the Spotlight: Ting Ting had been enjoying a peaceful retirement on the mountain at Chimelong and could only be seen on a cable car. However, after Meng Meng (萌萌) gave birth in 2024 and needed a quieter place to recuperate, their living arrangements were swapped. Although Ting Ting is already 20 years old (equivalent to about 80 in human years), she still looks adorable and youthful with her fluffy, endearing appearance.

Gallery of Panda Ting Ting