Imagine a panda so charming, she captured the hearts of Spain and beyond. Zhu Li Na (竹莉娜/Zhu Lina), born at Madrid Zoo in 2016, isn’t just another adorable panda – she’s the first female panda to be born and survive in Spain, a symbol of perseverance and tenderness. With her playful nature, from climbing play structures to gently massaging her mother’s back, Zhu Li Na’s journey to her homeland is a testament to the love and joy she’s brought to the world.
Basic Information
- Name: Zhu Li Na (竹莉娜)
- Gender: Female
- Date of Birth: August 30, 2016
- Place of Birth: Madrid Zoo, Spain
- Father: Bing Xing (冰星)
- Mother: Hua Zui Ba (花嘴巴)
- Siblings: You You (友友), Jiu Jiu (久久), A Bao (阿宝), Xing Bao (星宝), De De (德德)
Life Experience of Panda Zhu Li Na
Birth: Born on August 30, 2016, at the Madrid Zoo in Spain, Zhu Li Na was the first giant panda born overseas that year and also the first female giant panda to be born and survive in Spain.
Naming: In October 2016, Madrid Zoo held a naming poll on social media for the newborn panda. The candidate names were “Hua Hua” (meaning beautiful little flower), “Hua Bao” (meaning precious daughter with a Hua Zui Ba), and “Zhu Li Na” (meaning the treasure of the bamboo forest). On January 12, 2017, following the results of the poll, Madrid Zoo officially revealed the baby panda’s name as “Zhu Li Na.” The name also holds special significance, as it commemorates “Zhu Lin,” the first male panda in Europe to be born through artificial insemination under captive conditions.
Early Days: At birth, Zhu Li Na weighed 180 grams. During the first month of her life, she fed on her mother’s milk every three hours, each feeding lasting about eight minutes. Under the careful care of her mother, Zhu Li Na grew steadily, and by the 41st day, she opened her eyes and weighed 2.34 kilograms.
Learning to Crawl and Eat Bamboo Leaves: At six months old, Zhu Li Na tried her first piece of bamboo leaf, and around the same time, she began to learn how to crawl.
First Public Appearance: In April 2017, at the age of seven months, Zhu Li Na made her first public appearance. On the day of her exhibition, she was very active, climbing around the play structures. After playing, she returned to her mother, “Hua Zui Ba,” and gently scratched her mother’s head before giving her a back massage.
Return to China: In early 2024, Zhu Li Na and her family returned to their homeland in Chengdu. On March 1, 2024, under the joint efforts of both China and Spain, “Hua Zui Ba” and “Bing Xing,” along with their three children – Zhu Li Na, Jiu Jiu, and You You – completed their 17-year journey in Spain and safely arrived in Sichuan, Chengdu.
Adapting to the New Environment: Currently, Zhu Li Na and her family of five live at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Except for Zhu Li Na, the other four pandas have already been publicly exhibited. To help Zhu Li Na fully adjust to the new environment and for her mental and physical well-being, she has not yet been introduced to the public. However, the Chengdu Panda Base regularly updates videos of her life, offering comfort to her fans around the world who care about her.
