Panda Xi Mei: A Protective Mother

Panda Xi Mei

Panda Xi Mei (喜妹), born on August 8, 2000, is a remarkable female giant panda residing at the Wolong National Nature Reserve’s Walnut Grove Wild Training Base, which is part of the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center. With a lineage number of 511, Xi Mei is the daughter of Long Gu, also known as Qian Qian, and Da Di, both significant figures in the giant panda conservation effort. Throughout her life, Xi Mei has displayed strong maternal instincts and has made significant contributions to the breeding programs of the center, helping to ensure the survival of her species. Her journey is a testament to the dedication of conservationists and the unique personalities that pandas exhibit.

Basic Information

  • Name: Xi Mei (喜妹)
  • Gender: Female
  • Date of Birth: August 8, 2000
  • Place of Birth: China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center, Hetaoping Wild Training Base
  • Lineage Number: 511
  • Mother: Long Gu (龙古)
  • Father: Da Di (大地)
  • Siblings: Fu Fu (福福), Xiang Xiang (祥祥), Yang Guang (阳光), Xin Yue (新月), Tong Tong (彤彤)

Life Experience of Panda Xi Mei

Moving Between Wolong’s Hetaoping and Bifengxia: Xi Mei, born on August 8, 2000, at the Hetaoping Wild Training Base, has had a life of frequent relocations. On December 22, 2003, she moved to the Bifengxia Panda Base, returned to Hetaoping in 2004, went back to Bifengxia in 2008, and finally settled in Hetaoping in 2015. This frequent moving was necessary as Xi Mei played a key role in leading her cubs and other young pandas through wilderness training at Hetaoping, preparing them for release into the wild. During periods without wilderness training responsibilities, she would return to Bifengxia to rest and recover.

Relationship with Lu Lu: Xi Mei and Lu Lu (芦芦)’s mating process once set a record during a live broadcast, with a session lasting over 18 minutes. It is said that Lu Lu endured significant frustration before this due to Xi Mei’s delayed estrus period, which kept him waiting for six months. His frustration was so intense that he reportedly spent weeks banging his head against walls to vent his emotions. When their cub Yin Ke (银柯) was born, Xi Mei provided meticulous care, showcasing her strong maternal instincts.

Incident Involving Injury: On December 17, 2016, Xi Mei was leading her son, Ba Xi (八喜), through wilderness training. After Ba Xi had not been seen for over two days, researchers, including Wei Hua, decided to enter the training area to check on him. They eventually found Ba Xi safe and sound, much to their relief. However, as they were about to leave, Xi Mei blocked their path. Driven by her strong maternal instincts, Xi Mei perceived Wei Hua, who stood between her and Ba Xi, as a threat. She attacked Wei Hua, dragging him to the ground and biting him ferociously.

Despite Wei Hua curling up to defend himself, Xi Mei continued the attack for five minutes before releasing him. The injuries were severe: Wei Hua required over 4,000 milliliters of blood transfusions, suffered severed tendons in his feet, fractured wrist bones in both arms, and lost one-third of his left hand.

Breeding Achievements of Panda Xi Mei

  • Chun Chun (春春): Female, Lineage Number 608, born on August 11, 2005; passed away on May 23, 2007, at the Walnut Grove Wild Training Base.
  • Hui Hui (回回): Male, Lineage Number 609, born on August 11, 2005; transferred to the Huangshan Giant Panda Theme Park on December 20, 2018.
  • Tao Tao (淘淘): Male, Lineage Number 633, born on August 12, 2006; transferred to the Linhu Guise Panda Museum in Ulanqab on September 29, 2019.
  • Si Jia (思嘉): Female, Lineage Number 634, born on August 12, 2006; transferred to the Yabuli Forest Zoo on July 5, 2016.
  • Yin Ke (银柯): Male, Lineage Number 744, born on July 16, 2009; transferred to the Linyi Zoo on May 29, 2019.
  • Zheng Zheng (正正): Female, Lineage Number 834, born on July 11, 2012; transferred to the Shaanxi Wild Rare Animal Rescue and Breeding Center for genetic exchange in April 2020.
  • Hui Hui (辉辉): Female, Lineage Number 835, born on July 11, 2012; transferred to the Langzhong Panda Paradise on January 16, 2015. In 2023, she participated in wild training with her cubs at the China Giant Panda Protection Research Center.
  • Xi Le: (喜乐): Female, Lineage Number 877, born on July 24, 2013; transferred to Tianjin Zoo on October 13, 2015.
  • Ba Xi (八喜): Male, Lineage Number 956, born on July 26, 2015; released into the wild in the Li Zi Ping National Nature Reserve in Ya’an, Sichuan, on November 23, 2017.
  • Hao Yue (皓月): Male, Lineage Number 1130, born on June 27, 2018; transferred to the Yueyang Giant Panda Park on July 18, 2023.
  • Xi Yue (喜悦): Female, born in 2019 at the Wolong Walnut Grove; transferred to the Yueyang Giant Panda Park on July 18, 2023.

Gallery of Padan Xi mei