Panda Yao Man: Exceptional Parenting Style

Panda Yao Man

Yao Man (姚蔓), a female giant panda born on September 27, 2009, at the Ya’an Bifengxia Base of the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center, has become a beloved figure in the panda community. As a member of the famous Jia Jia family, Yao Man has garnered significant attention for her nurturing personality and unique parenting style.

Basic Information

  • Name: Yao Man (姚蔓)
  • Gender: Female
  • Date of Birth: September 27, 2009
  • Place of Birth: Ya’an Bifengxia Base, China
  • Lineage Number: 759
  • Mother: Guo Guo (帼帼)
  • Father: Lu Lu (芦芦)
  • Twin Sister: Yao Xin (姚欣)
  • Siblings: Yao Yao (耀耀), Liang Liang (亮亮), Mei An (美安), Ping Ping (平平), An An (安安), Ya Ji (雅吉), Hua Sheng (花生)

Intriguing Details of Panda Yao Man

Little Troublemaker: Yao Man was lively and active as a cub, much like a little monkey. The keepers gave her the nickname “Gua Da Shuan” (meaning Tied Up), as she was so mischievous that they wished they could tie her up with a rope. However, Yao Man wasn’t very strong in fights – she only used her weight to overpower her opponents. In comparison, her sister Yao Xin was much stronger in combat.

Panda Beauty: Yao Man has a large round face like a steamed bun, fair and beautiful, with a graceful and elegant demeanor. Her long limbs and gentle personality make her very charming, especially when eating bamboo with poise. This attracted the attention of many male pandas, and her fans affectionately call her “Flower of the Base.”

Relationship with Yang Yang: As Yao Man grew older, she fell in love at first sight with Yang Yang (阳阳), a wild panda rescued from the Baishui River Nature Reserve in Gansu. Yang Yang has a calm and quiet personality, is smaller in size, and enjoys romantic relationships with female pandas. He is one of the center’s key breeding males. In 2019, during her mating season, Yao Man waited in the breeding enclosure for her beloved Yang Yang, but Yang Yang didn’t choose her and found a new mate instead. This broke Yao Man’s heart, and she had a moment of clarity, ending her relationship with him for good.

Rejection of Lan Zai: Yao Man once rejected the advances of Lan Zai (兰仔) at the base, even giving him a beating. At the time, her heart was still with her first love, Yang Yang.

Exceptional Parenting Style:

  • When caring for Qing Qing, Yao Man was constantly annoyed by her son wanting to nurse. She would climb trees to hide but couldn’t bear to scold him. When Qing Qing’s teeth started to grow, Yao Man would pick tender bamboo shoots and teach him how to eat bamboo, while she ate the thicker bamboo herself.
  • When caring for Tian Bao, Yao Man would always keep an eye on her daughter outside while eating bamboo in her den, worried that her daughter might be stolen.
  • When caring for Yuan Yuan, She never refused him to drink her milk, resulting in Yuan Yuan growing into a large panda, while Yao Man nearly got drained from nursing. When thy sat together, and their sizes were nearly identical.

Life Experience of Panda Yao Man

Birth: Yao Man was born alongside her twin sister, Yao Xin, making their entrance into the world a celebrated event at the Ya’an Bifengxia Base. The two sisters are recognized as members of the renowned Jia Jia family, known for their charm and playful nature.

Relocations: Yao Man’s journey has taken her through several significant locations. In September 2012, she briefly resided in the Sanjiang Eco-Tourism Area. Then, on January 8, 2013, she moved to the Bifengxia Base. In January 2016, Yao Man relocated to the Dujiangyan Base of the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center. However, by October 27 of the same year, she returned to the Bifengxia Base. The following year, on March 15, 2017, Yao Man moved to the Wolong Shenshuping Base.

Internet Fame: Yao Man became a viral sensation due to her exceptional parenting style, especially her tender care for her son, Qing Qing (青青). Qing Qing’s “coal-digging” photos, which depict him in a playful and messy state, became a symbol of cuteness on the internet, showcasing Yao Man’s nurturing approach.

Breeding Achievement of Panda Yao Man

  • On August 18, 2015, she and Yang Yang gave birth to a pair of opposite-sex twins, Qing Qing (青青) and Bing Bing (冰冰). As a first-time mother, Yao Man was unable to care for both cubs, so she entrusted Bing Bing to her sister Fei Fei (妃妃) and took care of Qing Qing until he was one year and two months old, at which point they were reluctantly separated.
  • On June 16, 2018, Yao Man gave birth to a female giant panda, Tian Bao (天宝), nicknamed Little Pomegranate. As a young cub, Tian Bao loved playing and climbing to high places, which caused Yao Man much worry.
  • On September 27, 2019, Yao Man gave birth to another pair of opposite-sex twins, Si Hai (四海), and Yi Jia (一家). On October 19, 2022, Si Hai traveled with Jing Jing (京京) to the Qatar Hall Panda Pavilion for a 15-year stay. Yi Jia currently resides at the Wolong Shenshuping Base.
  • On August 10, 2020, Yao Man gave birth to a male panda, Yuan Yuan (愿愿). As a cub, Yuan Yuan loved hanging from high trees, earning him the nickname Little Tree Spirit.

Gallery of Panda Yao Man