Yang Yang (阳阳/Yangyang) is not your average panda – she’s an artist, a loving mother, and a trailblazer in panda conservation. From mastering the brush and creating stunning paintings to raising multiple cubs with tender devotion, her journey is a testament to both her beauty and remarkable spirit. Living in Austria for over a decade, Yang Yang became a global ambassador for her species, leaving a legacy of hope and inspiration before returning to her homeland in 2024.
Basic Information
- Name: Yang Yang (阳阳)
- Meaning of the Name: The Sun
- Gender: Female
- Lineage Number: 514
- Date of Birth: August 10, 2000
- Place of Birth: Wolong Panda Research Center, China
- Father: Da Di (大地)
- Mother: Ying Ying (英英)
- Siblings: You You (优优), Liang Liang (亮亮), Ying Hua (瑛华), Ying Mei (瑛美), Xian Zi (仙子), Xian Nv (仙女), Meng Meng (萌萌), Yun Yun (韵韵), Shu Qin (淑琴), Sen Sen (森森), Mei Qing (梅清), Lan Xiang (兰香)
Intriguing Details of Panda Yang Yang
An Artist: Yang Yang has a unique and unexpected skill – painting. She gained international recognition as the first panda capable of holding a paintbrush and creating artwork. Schönbrunn Zoo capitalized on this newfound talent by selling 100 of her paintings online, with each one priced at €490 (around ¥3,900). Proceeds from these sales went to a dedicated fund that supported panda conservation efforts.
Responsible Mother: Yang Yang’s reproduction is very regular and scientifically managed, giving birth once every three years, always in August. In terms of motherhood, Yang Yang has shown great maternal love. She once cared for her twin cubs alone, even going without food or water for 17 days while staying in a tree hollow, all to ensure the well-being of her babies.
Life Experience of Panda Yang Yang
Travel to Austria: Yang Yang’s journey to Austria began in 2003, when she and another male panda, Long Hui (龙徽), were sent from the Wolong Panda Research Center to the Schönbrunn Zoo in Vienna. This move was part of a 10-year agreement between the China Wildlife Conservation Association and Austria’s Schönbrunn Zoo for collaborative panda breeding research.
Extension of Lease: In 2013, the initial 10-year agreement was renewed for another decade, allowing Yang Yang to remain in Austria as part of the breeding program. Sadly, in 2016, Long Hui passed away during a surgery-related incident. Following his death, another male panda, Yuan Yuan (园园), joined Yang Yang at the zoo in 2019 to continue the research and conservation efforts. However, Yang Yang and Yuan Yuan were more like co-workers rather than partners and their relationship had never been very close.
Back to China: On September 14, 2024, after years of living abroad, Yang Yang safely arrived back in Chengdu, China, marking a new chapter in her life after a highly successful tenure abroad.
Breeding Achievements of Panda Yang Yang
Through her years in Austria, Yang Yang gave birth to five cubs, setting a record for natural conception among captive pandas in Europe.
- 2007: On August 23, 2007, Yang Yang and Long Hui welcomed twin panda cubs, but unfortunately, one of the cubs did not survive. The surviving cub, named Fu Long (福龙), became the first giant panda in 25 years to be naturally conceived and born in captivity in Europe. Fu Long returned to China in 2009.
- 2010: On August 23, 2010, Yang Yang gave birth to another set of twins. Sadly, once again, one cub did not survive. The surviving cub, named Fu Hu (福虎), was the second naturally conceived panda cub born in Europe. Fu Hu returned to China in 2012.
- 2013: On March 14, 2013, Yang Yang gave birth to a male cub named Fu Bao (福豹), who returned to China in November 2015.
- 2016: On August 7, 2016, Yang Yang gave birth to another set of twins, Fu Ban (福伴) and Fu Feng (福凤). These were the first twins born to a captive panda outside of China through natural conception. Remarkably, both cubs survived, and Yang Yang became the first panda to successfully raise twins in captivity. Fu Ban and Fu Feng returned to China in December 2018.
