Panda Zhang Ka: The Cornerstone of the Rewilding Program

Panda Zhang Ka

Zhang Ka (张卡), a female giant panda born around the year 2000, has an extraordinary story of survival, recovery, and contribution to conservation. Rescued from the wild at a young age, she has grown to become an iconic figure in panda breeding programs. Her legacy includes the successful raising of several cubs, many of which have gone on to be released back into the wild, contributing to the sustainability of the panda population. Zhang Ka’s journey reflects both the challenges faced by endangered species and the ongoing efforts to protect and nurture them.

Basic Information

  • Name: Zhang Ka (张卡)
  • Birthdate: Approximately 2000 (born in the wild; exact date unknown)
  • Rescue Date: May 8, 2001
  • Rescue Location: Zhangga Mountain, Fengtongzhai National Nature Reserve
  • Lineage Number: 505

Intriguing Details of Panda Zhang Ka

Name Origin: On May 8, 2001, Zhang Ka was rescued from Zhangga Mountain in the Fengtongzhai National Nature Reserve, a remote area known for its pristine natural environment. Due to her rescue location, she was named “Zhang Ka,” a name derived from the mountain’s name. However, there’s also a theory that the name “Zhang Ka” was chosen to honor the local person who discovered her.

Failed Matchmaking: Zhang Ka is a beautiful panda, but her first attempt at romance was unsuccessful. The male panda misunderstood her intentions, thinking she was just playing with him. Annoyed, Zhang Ka chased him away. Surprisingly, the male panda soon found his true love elsewhere.

Responsible Mother: Zhang Ka is known for her strong maternal instincts. During rainy nights in the wild training period, she would shield her cubs under her body to keep them dry. If staff took her cubs for check-ups, she would anxiously search for them. When her cub Zhang Xiang once tried to climb a tree without permission, Zhang Ka immediately pulled her down and gave her a firm scolding.

Life Experience of Panda Zhang Ka

2001–2003: After her rescue, Zhang Ka received initial treatment and rehabilitation in the Fengtongzhai National Nature Reserve, where she was cared for by wildlife experts.

May 8, 2003: Zhang Ka was moved to the Ya’an Bifengxia Base, where she began receiving more specialized care and management.

2006–2017: Zhang Ka lived in both the Ya’an Bifengxia Base and the Wolong Hezuoping Wild Training Base, where she underwent wild training and successfully gave birth to several cubs.

2017–Present: Zhang Ka now resides at the Dujiangyan China Giant Panda Sanctuary, where she enjoys her peaceful retirement life.

Breeding Achievements of Panda Zhang Ka

On August 3, 2006, Zhang Ka gave birth to a male cub, Bao Le (宝乐) (Lineage Number 626). Her labor broke two records in panda breeding history:
1. The labor lasted 34 hours from the rupture of the amniotic sac to the birth of the cub, setting the world record for the longest panda delivery time.
2. Bao Le weighed 218 grams at birth, making him the heaviest panda cub born under artificial breeding conditions at the time. Sadly, Bao Le passed away on April 29, 2007.

On August 26, 2008, Zhang Ka gave birth to another male cub, Ao Ao (傲傲) (Lineage Number 729), who tragically passed away on August 19, 2010.

On August 20, 2011, Zhang Ka gave birth to twin female cubs, Zhang Xiang (张想) (Lineage Number 826) and Susan (苏珊) (Lineage Number 827). Zhang Xiang became the first female panda to be released back into the wild, on November 6, 2013. Susan now resides at the Shenshuping Base.

On July 7, 2014, in a semi-wild environment at the Bifengxia Base, Zhang Ka gave birth to a female cub, Zhang Meng (张梦) (Lineage Number 916), who was released back into the wild on October 20, 2016. In June 2017, Zhang Meng roamed from Mianning County in Liangshan to the small panda subpopulation area in the Xiao Xiangling Mountains, west of the Liziping Nature Reserve. She successfully migrated between two relatively independent subpopulations, becoming the second reintroduced panda known to cross protected areas.

On August 15, 2022, Zhang Ka gave birth to twin cubs, An An (安安) and Zhong Zhong (中中).

Gallery of Panda Zhang Ka