Panda Zhu Yu: The Pouting Face

Panda Zhu Yu

Zhu Yu (茱萸), a charming female giant panda, was born in the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in October 2020. Known for her unique “pouting face,” she has become a fan favorite both online and in real life. Her expression, which often makes her look as if she’s eternally upset, has won her many admirers. Zhu Yu enjoys spending time high up in trees, and her playful antics, including one incident where a fire truck had to be called to help her return from her tree perch, have made her even more popular. Her journey has now taken her across the globe, as she embarks on a 10-year stay at the Madrid Zoo in Spain, where she continues to charm audiences abroad.

Basic Information

Intriguing Details of Panda Zhu Yu

Pouting Face: Zhu Yu is most recognizable for her characteristic “pouting face,” a feature that makes her look perpetually as if she has been wronged. This endearing expression has earned her a considerable following on social media

Various Skills: Under the meticulous care of her keepers, Zhu Yu has grown up healthy with impressive progress in various skills. Not only does she easily snatch small apples during the “Panda Fishing” game in her class, but she has also mastered unique tricks like breaking bamboos with her head and nose. She diligently practices climbing trees, and a video of her training was even shared on Weibo by Zhao Lijian, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Spider-Man: Although Zhu Yu is quite timid, she loves hanging from trees, earning her the nickname “Spider-Man.” However, she’s not very aware of her own weight – once, she climbed a tall, slender tree, which snapped under her weight, causing her to fall along with it.

Loves Eating Pumpkin: After moving to the Xuri Pavilion, which offers a larger space and better living conditions, Zhu Yu fell in love with eating pumpkins. She can eat a piece as big as half a shoe sole in one go, earning her the title of the new “Little Pumpkin Princess.”

Striking Poses: Zhu Yu is very smart and often acts cute to entertain people. Even when munching on bamboo, if she notices people watching, she’ll immediately strike playful and adorable poses. Her favorite way to greet visitors is by placing her little fist near her mouth and flashing a big smile.

Life Experience of Panda Zhu Yu

Name Origin: On October 25, 2020, Zhu Yu and her twin brother were born to their mother, Qing He, at the Chengdu Research Base. The timing of their birth coincided with the traditional Chinese Double Ninth Festival, leading to their initial names, “Qing Chongyang (庆重阳)” and “Qing Zhuyu,” which referenced the festival and the medicinal plant zhu yu (dogwood).

Cultural Ambassadorship: On February 4, 2021, to promote the cultural heritage of China’s giant pandas, the popular Chinese learning platform “Xuexi Qiangguo” (Study Strengthens the Nation) partnered with the Chengdu panda base to launch a dedicated “Giant Panda” channel. In recognition of this collaboration, the platform officially adopted Zhu Yu and her brother, renaming them “Qiang Qiang” and “Guo Guo” respectively. They were also appointed as “Ambassadors of Study Strong Nation” to promote panda conservation and China’s rich cultural traditions throughout the country.

International Journey: On April 29, 2024, as part of China’s international panda conservation collaboration program, Zhu Yu and her brother, Jin Xi (金喜), set off on a 10-year journey to the Madrid Zoo in Spain.

Debut in Spain: On May 30, 2024, Zhu Yu and Jin Xi made their official debut to the Spanish public at the Madrid Zoo. They were met with a warm reception, and their arrival generated great excitement among zoo visitors and the media alike. Zhu Yu, with her adorable “pouting face” and playful nature, quickly won the hearts of her new audience in Spain.

Technological Support: In October 2024, the Madrid Zoo took an innovative step by providing Zhu Yu with a unique assistant – an artificial intelligence (AI) caretaker named “Irenea.” This AI assistant was designed to help monitor and support Zhu Yu’s well-being during her stay in Spain.

News about Panda Zhu Yu

Gallery of Panda Zhu Yu