Panda Yuan Zai: A Branch Chewer

Panda Yuan Zai

Panda Yuan Zai (圆仔), affectionately known as “Yuan Zai,” has become a beloved figure at Taipei Zoo since her birth on July 6, 2013. As the first cub of the giant pandas Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan, who were gifted to Taiwan as a gesture of friendship from China, Yuan Zai has drawn attention and admiration from visitors and panda enthusiasts alike. Her early life was marked by unique challenges and memorable moments, which contributed to her charming personality and playful nature.

Basic Information

  • Name: Yuan Zai (圆仔)
  • Gender: Female
  • Date of Birth: July 6, 2013
  • Place of Birth: Taipei Zoo
  • Lineage Number: 864
  • Father: Tuan Tuan (团团)
  • Mother: Yuan Yuan (圆圆)
  • Sibling: Yuan Bao (圆宝)

Intriguing Details of Panda Yuan Zai

Yuan Zai is an exceptionally curious panda who loves to explore her surroundings. When a hammock was introduced to her play area, she was the first to investigate, quickly discovering the pleasure of lounging in it. Her playful nature is also reflected in her eating habits; she enjoys her food, particularly devouring Wo Wo Tou (steamed buns made from various ingredients), apples, and carrots. However, she is not as fond of bamboo leaves. When outside, Yuan Zai enjoys chewing on branches, especially relishing the fruits from the jackfruit tree.

Life Experience of Panda Yuan Zai

Birth: Yuan Zai is the first cub of the giant panda pair Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan, who were gifted to Taiwan from mainland China. Upon her birth, she was found to have a small wound in her groin area, leading to temporary hand-rearing by zookeepers. To ensure that her mother, Yuan Yuan, remained in a nurturing state, the zoo created a lifelike plush toy resembling Yuan Zai and applied Yuan Zai’s scent to the toy using her feces. This innovative approach allowed Yuan Yuan to become familiar with her cub’s scent. After a month apart, the zoo arranged for a reunion, allowing Yuan Zai to see her mother for the first time when she opened her eyes.

Naming: Yuan Zai’s name was chosen through an online voting campaign, where the name “Yuan Zai” received the highest number of votes, officially cementing her identity.

Debut: Yuan Zai made her first official public appearance on January 6, 2014, at 9:10 AM. She developed her muscles very well and had no trouble climbing up and down the climbing frames. The keepers specially designed toys for Yuan Zai, and after just a few tries, she was able to handle them with ease.

Birthday Celebration: Every year on her birthday, Taipei Zoo prepares a special birthday cake for Yuan Zai. For example, the cake for her 10th birthday in 2023 was shaped like the Taipei 101 skyscraper and made from ingredients such as pineapple, carrots, and kiwi. Visitors who come to celebrate her birthday always crowd around the panda exhibit, forming layers of people inside and outside.

Gallery of Panda Yuan Zai