Panda Zhen Zhen: A Colorful Life

Panda Zhen Zhen

Zhen Zhen (珍珍) is a female giant panda born on August 3, 2007, at the San Diego Zoo in the United States. She is a cherished member of the panda community, recognized for her playful demeanor and unique personality. As the third cub of her parents, Bai Yun and Gao Gao, Zhen Zhen’s life has been marked by remarkable milestones, from her early days in the United States to her eventual return to China.

Basic Information

  • Name: Zhen Zhen (珍珍)
  • Gender: Female
  • Lineage Number: 694
  • Date of Birth: August 3, 2007
  • Place of Birth: San Diego Zoo, USA
  • Father: Gao Gao (高高)
  • Mother: Bai Yun (白云)
  • Siblings: Hua Mei (华美), Su Lin (苏琳), Yun Zi (云子), Xiao Li Wu (小礼物)

Intriguing Details of Panda Zhen Zhen

Unique Skills: Once in the wild, Zhen Zhen demonstrated a strong sense of independence. During her adaptation training, she successfully removed her tracking collar using her small head and strong neck, and played hide and seek. The staff worked hard to put a new collar on her, but Zhen Zhen once again removed it right in front of them.

Cozy Life: While in the wild, Zhen Zhen didn’t just roam between the Wolong and Caopo Nature Reserves. She also went down to the villages, where she would boldly ask the villagers for food whenever she got hungry. The villagers could only spoil her with food and drink. Realizing that life was good, Zhen Zhen decided to settle in the village and refused to leave. From time to time, she would even “inspect” the farmland, completely forgetting her mission of mating male pandas in the wild.

Life Experience of Panda Zhen Zhen

Birth and Naming: Zhen Zhen was born on August 3, 2007, as the third cub of Bai Yun and Gao Gao at the San Diego Zoo. Her birth was a moment of joy and celebration, leading to a nationwide naming contest. After much anticipation, the name “Zhen Zhen” was chosen, which means “precious” in Chinese, reflecting the affection and importance that the panda community placed on her.

First Public Appearance: On December 21, 2007, Zhen Zhen made her debut to the public at the San Diego Zoo when she was just 20 weeks old. Her appearance added a festive atmosphere to the zoo ahead of Christmas. However, due to her young age and sensitivity to large crowds and camera flashes, the zoo limited her public viewing to only two hours each day, from 9 AM to 11 AM.

Return to China: On September 26, 2010, Zhen Zhen returned to China to join the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center. Upon her arrival, she underwent a month of closed quarantine to ensure her health and safety before being integrated into the center’s breeding program.

Wild Release Trials: In March 2018, the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center initiated trials to introduce Zhen Zhen back into the wild. She was safely transported from the Wolong Walnut Flat Base to the Tiantai Mountain area of the Wolong Nature Reserve.

Return to the Center: Following the successful reintroduction trials, Zhen Zhen was safely recaptured and returned to the Gengda Shenshuping Base of the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center.

Breeding Achievements of Panda Zhen Zhen

  • Tuan Zi (团子): Female, born on August 8, 2015, pedigree number 967. On August 28, 2019, she was sent to Nanjing Tangshan Ziqing Lake Wild Animal World.
  • Chun Qiao (春俏): Female, born on August 8, 2015, pedigree number 968. On April 8, 2021, she was sent to the Yangzhou International Horticultural Exposition Panda Pavilion.
  • Xin Xin (新新): Male, born on July 30, 2017, pedigree number 1089. On October 31, 2019, he was sent to Jiuzhaigou County Jiawu Hai Panda Conservation Research Park.
  • Xing An (兴安): Male, born on July 30, 2017, pedigree number 1090. On May 30, 2020, he was sent to Fenghuang China Giant Panda Garden in Xiangxi, Hunan.
  • Chuan Chuan (川川): Male, born on July 28, 2019, officially named “Chuan Chuan” on November 1.
  • Zhen Lan (珍兰): Male, born on July 17, 2021, twin brother, nickname “Zhen Shuaiqi” (Really Handsome).
  • Sheng Lan (胜兰): Male, born on July 17, 2021, twin brother, nickname “Zhen Xiaosa” (Really Elegant).

Gallery of Panda Zhen Zhen