Panda Yuan Run: Golden Hair Girl

Panda Yuan Run

Yuan Run (园润/Yuanrun) is the epitome of panda charm, with her golden fur and quirky, frizzy hair making her an unforgettable sight. This playful “Coal Digger” has won hearts with her love for getting messy in the dirt and her tender, motherly side when caring for cubs like Hua Hua. Her spirit is as vibrant as her nickname “Yellow-Haired Girl,” and once you see her gentle soul, you’ll understand why she’s captured so much affection from fans worldwide.

Basic Information

  • Name: Yuan Run (园润)
  • Meaning of the Name: Round and Plump
  • Nicknames: Dirty Dirty (脏脏), Golden Hair Girl (黄毛丫头)
  • Gender: Female
  • Lineage Number: 853
  • Date of Birth: August 25, 2012, at 5:10 AM
  • Birthplace: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
  • Father: Yong Yong (勇勇)
  • Mother: Yuan Yuan (园园)
  • Siblings: Yuan Zi (园子), Yuan Lin (园琳), Yuan Zhou (园舟), Yuan Yue (园月), Yuan Man (园满)

Intriguing Details of Panda Yuan Run

Yellow-Haired Girl: When Yuan Run was a cub, her fur had a yellowish tint, and her hair often looked a bit messy, earning her the affectionate nickname “Yellow-Haired Girl” or “Frizzy Fur Run.” Her head was slightly larger than that of the other cubs, which made her stand out in the panda world.

Coal Digger: After graduating from the Panda Kindergarten, Yuan Run moved into Villa No. 2 with her brother  Ao Li Ao (奥莉奥) and sister Miao Miao (淼淼). Together, they relocated to Panda Valley, where Yuan Run began her career of digging and playing in the dirt, always leaving her fur covered in mud. Fans affectionately referred to them as one of the “Three Giant Coal Diggers.”

Hua Hua’s Godmother: When Hua Hua (花花) was young, Yuan Run took care of her for a period. When they first met, Yuan Run immediately showed affection, inviting Hua Hua into her embrace. Yuan Run even gently nibbled on Hua Hua’s paws to give her a massage. When Hua Hua had trouble climbing trees, Yuan Run patiently taught her, even when Hua Hua, frustrated, would call out angrily. Yuan Run never showed impatience, displaying great tenderness and care.

Cub-Bearing Incident: Yuan Run’s first experience giving birth was somewhat challenging. The cub didn’t come out smoothly, and Yuan Run appeared quite anxious. While trying to lift the cub, she accidentally scratched the cub’s mouth and neck. The caretakers noticed the injury and immediately performed surgery, stitching up the wound with nine stitches. As a result, Yuan Run’s eldest daughter was named “Run Jiu (润九, Jiu means Nine in Chinese),” symbolizing health and longevity.

Watching Fireworks: During the Spring Festival, the park organized a fireworks display to celebrate the holiday. As the fireworks lit up the night sky, staff assumed all the pandas had been moved back to their indoor enclosures. However, they were surprised to find that Yuan Run had not returned to her den but had climbed a tree to quietly sit on a branch and watch the fireworks. This heartwarming scene was captured by staff and widely shared on social media.

Life Experience of Panda Yuan Run

Birth: Yuan Run was born at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, weighing 137 grams at birth. Her arrival was widely covered by CCTV, from her parents’ courtship to her successful delivery.

Early Life: Due to her mother Yuan Yuan needing to care for other cubs like Miao Miao (淼淼), Yuan Run was raised by surrogate mother Si Yuan (思缘).

Juvenile Life: In February 2014, Yuan Run moved to the juvenile area of the Chengdu base, where she was cared for by Li Li (莉莉). She displayed a lively and active personality, excelling in various challenging movements, though she maintained a poised demeanor during meals. In June 2014, after Li Li left, Yuan Run joined six other cubs born in the same year, affectionately known as the “Seven Little Fortune” by fans.

Adulthood and Relocations: Yuan Run graduated from the juvenile area on November 5, 2015, and moved to Villa No. 2 at the Chengdu base. By December 30 of the same year, she had relocated to the Dujiangyan Breeding and Release Research Center (Panda Valley).

Breeding Achievements of Panda Yuan Run

On July 31, 2018, Yuan Run gave birth to her first female cub, Run Jiu (润九), who weighed 151.8 grams at birth. Although she initially had some difficulties, timely care ensured Run Jiu’s healthy development.

On June 5, 2020, Yuan Run gave birth to her second female cub, Run Yue (润玥), who weighed 172.6 grams. This time, Yuan Run showcased her nurturing side, promptly embracing her new cub.

As of September 8, 2023, Yuan Run has successfully given birth again, Run Ze (润泽) and Run Xiang (润洋), with dedicated caregivers ensuring the cub’s well-being.

Gallery of Panda Yuan Run