Meet Ya Jun (雅郡), an adorable female giant panda born on September 6, 2015, at the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center’s Bifengxia base in Ya’an. The daughter of the panda Jun Zhu and the father Jin Ke, she carries the lineage number 984. From her early days, Ya Jun has captured the hearts of many with her unique charm and personality. Today, she resides at the Ningbo Zoo, where she continues to be a favorite among caretakers and visitors alike.
Basic Information
- Name: Ya Jun (雅郡)
- Gender: Female
- Date of Birth: September 6, 2015
- Place of Birth: China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center, Bifengxia Base, Ya’an
- Lineage Number: 984
- Mother: Jun Zhu (郡主)
- Father: Jin Ke (津柯)
- Siblings: Yang Hua (阳花), Meng Meng (梦梦), Zhi Zhi (志志), Xin Bao (鑫宝)
Intriguing Details of Panda Ya Jun
Name Origin: Ya Jun’s name is derived from her birthplace, Ya’an, and her mother, Jun Zhu, combining both to create her unique name.
Little Foodie: Ya Jun has a deep appreciation for nature, but her true passion lies in eating, earning her the reputation of being a “little foodie.” In live broadcasts, visitors often see her leisurely munching on bamboo or bamboo shoots, delighting in the happiness that food brings her. Additionally, Ya Jun has mastered the art of “air sitting,” allowing her to sit elegantly while enjoying her bamboo, a skill that sets her apart among her peers.
Climbing and Tree Destruction: It is in the giant panda’s nature to climb trees, and the trees in Ya’an are tall and straight. Ya Jun is often seen sleeping high up in the trees in live stream footage. She once fell from a tree over ten meters high but, fortunately, was unharmed. After that, she continued her “tree climbing and destruction” endeavors. Just before moving, she climbed up a tall, slender tree and completely destroyed several branches at the top. This caused quite a stir among viewers who were watching the live stream. After over half an hour of coaxing, she finally came down, leaving a pile of broken branches and leaves on the ground.
Life Experience of Panda Ya Jun
Early Years: Shortly after her birth, Ya Jun exhibited her distinctive personality and charm. As the smallest panda of her generation, she quickly earned the affectionate nickname “Little Yao Er” due to her spirited appearance. During her time in the panda nursery, Ya Jun loved to roll around in the mud, leading her fans to humorously refer to her as the “Little Coal Digger.”
Moving and Adapting: As she grew, Ya Jun experienced several relocations. She first moved from her birthplace at the Bifengxia base to the Wolong Shenshuping base (China Giant Panda Garden) and later to the Dujiangyan base. Throughout these transitions, she displayed remarkable adaptability and a fondness for her new environments.
Independent Living: Over time, Ya Jun learned to live independently. She initially shared her space with a roommate named Dian Dian (点点), but after Dian Dian was sent back to Beijing, Ya Jun embarked on a solitary panda life.
Settle in Ningbo: On April 19th, Ya Jun, along with A Jie (阿杰), moved to Ningbo Wildlife Park where she receives attentive care from her keepers and is adored by visitors who come to admire her.