Yang Yang (阳阳)’s story is one of survival against the odds, compassion, and dedicated care. Found abandoned and frail at just eight months old in the Bai Shui Jiang National Nature Reserve in Gansu Province, his rescue and rehabilitation marked the beginning of a remarkable journey. Over the years, Yang Yang has become a symbol of perseverance and the successful collaboration between conservationists and the public in panda protection efforts.
Basic Information
- Name: Yang Yang (阳阳)
- Gender: Male
- Lineage Number: 579
- Rescue Date: June 1, 2002
- Rescue Location: Bai Shui Jiang National Nature Reserve, Gansu Province, China
- Age and Weight at Rescue: 8 months old, 14 kg
Life Experience of Panda Yang Yang
Rescue: On June 1, 2002, Yang Yang was discovered in the Bai Shui Jiang National Nature Reserve in Gansu Province, weak and abandoned by his mother. At the time of his rescue, he was frail and in critical condition. From June 4 to June 13, staff from the Bai Shui Jiang reserve monitored Yang Yang’s condition closely. On June 14, they took immediate action, rescuing the young cub at an altitude of 1880 meters in Wenxian, where they provided first aid before swiftly transporting him by tractor and car to the Bai Shui Jiang reserve’s management office.
Recovery: On June 15, the rescue team, in collaboration with medical personnel from the Wenxian People’s Hospital, successfully administered life-saving treatments to Yang Yang. Their combined efforts gave this young panda a second chance at life.
Adoption: On December 30, 2002, Yang Yang was officially adopted by Jiang Xuefu, the manager of a construction company in Wenxian, under the auspices of the Bai Shui Jiang Nature Reserve. Jiang pledged an annual donation of 10,000 yuan to cover Yang Yang’s living expenses.
Relocations:
- On April 23, 2003, Yang Yang was moved to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding for further care and rehabilitation.
- On November 28, 2003, He was transferred to the Ya’an Bifengxia Base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda.
- On September 28, 2007, Yang Yang went on a temporary transfer to the Guilin Seven Star Park Zoo for public display.
- On August 29, 2009, He returned to the Ya’an Bifengxia Base for continued conservation work.
- In 2018, Yang Yang was moved to the Wolong Shenshuping Base (China Giant Panda Park) for more space and enhanced care.
Breeding Achievements: Yang Yang is one of the key breeding male pandas at the Giant Panda Conservation Center. Since 2010, he has been paired with several female pandas, resulting in many offspring, including Xiao Jiang (小将), Xiao Lu (小鲁) and Lu Lu (禄禄). Yang Yang is easily recognized by his distinctive “saddle-shaped face”. Whenever a panda cub displays similar facial features, it often sparks speculation that the cub might be one of Yang Yang’s descendants.