Yu Ai (渝爱), a female giant panda born on July 22, 2022, at the Chongqing Zoo, is a cherished member of the panda family. Known for her endearing appearance and lively personality, Yu Ai has captured the hearts of many and has become a symbol of conservation and cultural exchange. Her journey from birth to becoming a beloved figure in both local and international circles is a testament to her charm and the dedicated care she has received.
Basic Information
- Name: Yu Ai (渝爱)
- Gender: Female
- Date of Birth: July 22, 2022
- Place of Birth: Chongqing Zoo
- Birth Weight: 91 grams
- Mother: Er Shun (二顺)
- Father: Qing Qing (青青)
- Twin Sister: Yu Ke (渝可)
- Siblings: Jia Pan Pan (加盼盼), Jia Yue Yue (加悦悦)
Intriguing Details of Panda Yu Ai
Appearance: Yu Ai’s face is characterized by a relatively short muzzle, which enhances her adorable look. Her most notable feature is her ability to deliver a sweet, endearing wink that has gone viral online, showcasing her natural appeal and engaging personality.
Head-Stuck Incident: On October 1, 2023, an amusing incident occurred when Yu Ai got her head stuck while playing with a toy. Her anxious calls for help as her caretakers freed her provided an entertaining moment for onlookers and further endeared her to the public.
Eating: Yu Ai eats with great enthusiasm, quickly devouring her food in one go, a stark contrast to her brother Yu Ke, who tends to eat while playing. She has an intense passion for food, whether it’s apples, bamboo leaves, or formula milk. She finishes everything swiftly and then sweetly asks her nanny for more little fruits.
Helpful Little Bear: Although Yu Ai is the youngest, she is very attentive to her mother and brother. She will rush to support her mom when she’s about to fall from the suspension bridge. When her brother is uncomfortable with his feet, she’ll gather bamboo shoots and bamboo for him. Even if her brother doesn’t eat, she quietly stays by his side.
Spicy Girl: Yu Ai’s personality is a perfect embodiment of a typical Chongqing “spicy girl.” By the time she was one year old, she had already taken two bird lives, and even tore apart their nest. The bird mother even came to complain. Yu Ai’s love for teasing birds, lifting manhole covers, and chasing after the zoo director after baths earned her the nickname “gangster boss (社会我爱姐).”
Second Director: When Yu Ke and Yu Ai turned one, the Chongqing Zoo held a “zhuazhou” ceremony (a traditional celebration marking a child’s first birthday). Yu Ai ignored the toys and food placed in front of her and directly grabbed hold of the panda exhibit director, which led to her being affectionately called the “second director.”
Independent and Self-Sufficient: At just over five months old, Yu Ai had already climbed every tall tree in her living area. Even when she fell, she wouldn’t cry but would get back up and continue conquering each tree. However, sometimes she would lash out in frustration, swatting at her nanny, her mom, bamboo, or even the air.
Dislikes Bathing: While her brother enjoys bath time, Yu Ai strongly dislikes it. It takes three keepers working together to hold her under the water hose. Even then, she tries every chance she gets to escape. More often than not, the keepers are soaked through before she finishes her bath.
Life Experiences of Panda Yu Ai
Naming Ceremony: Yu Ai’s name was chosen during a naming event held by the Chongqing Zoo in early 2023. This event, organized to name the twins born to Er Shun, received nearly a month of online voting. The names “Yu Ai” for the female and “Yu Ke” for the male were selected, reflecting both the panda’s birthplace in Chongqing (abbreviated as “Yu”) and their endearing qualities.
Public Engagements: In addition to her playful nature, Yu Ai has also been involved in various public engagements. On May 12, 2024, Yu Ai, along with her brother Yu Ke, became the face of Chongqing’s water conservation campaign.
Ambassador of International Event: The twins further gained recognition during the second Belt and Road International Skills Competition on June 14, 2024. As part of the event’s welcoming activities, Yu Ai and Yu Ke were introduced as the “ambassadors” for the competition.
Health Issues of Panda Yu Ai
On the morning of August 6, 2024, zookeepers discovered that the skin on the lower eyelid of the giant panda “Yu Ai” had a “white” area that appeared to be bare, possibly due to hair loss. After a clinical examination by a veterinarian, it was found that the skin was relatively smooth and the hair had fallen off in a large patch. The initial diagnosis suggested that this might be a localized injury caused accidentally while playing in the enclosure, with hair loss occurring as the wound healed and scabbed over.
On the afternoon of August 8, 2024, the Chongqing Zoo invited a dermatologist from the Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital to review the injury around “Yu Ai’s” right eye. No symptoms of dermatitis or other issues were found. The zoo has now taken additional active treatment measures based on the expert’s advice, hoping for “Yu Ai’s” speedy recovery.
In December 2024, Yu Ai’s eye condition worsened, and the Chongqing Zoo decided to separate Yu Ke and Yu Ai for their care.