Pandas' Unusual Bond: Meet Guoqing, the Three-and-a-Half-Year-Old Milk Lover

In the heart of China's bustling Changlong Wildlife World, an extraordinary tale of motherly love and dependency unfolds between a panda mother and her daughter. Meet Guoqing, the beloved daughter of Meiqing, a female panda with a rich family history and a reputation for her strong maternal instincts.

Meiqing, born on July 12, 2002, at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda's Hetaoping Wilderness Training Base, is a descendant of the famous panda family led by "Yingying." She herself has become a grandmother to several well-known pandas, including "Mengmeng's" offspring, the mischievous "Menglan" and the chubby "Fuxing," as well as the overseas returnee "Xiangxiang." With a strong maternal bond, Meiqing has always been known for her protective nature over her cubs.

Guoqing's story began on September 30, 2019, just a day before China's National Day celebrations, marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Named in honor of this significant occasion, Guoqing's arrival brought joy and excitement to Changlong Wildlife World. Her father is Shenwei, another prominent panda resident at the facility.

From the moment she was born, Guoqing's bond with her mother was unbreakable. Unlike other pandas who are gradually weaned off milk around the age of two, Guoqing enjoyed an extended period of breastfeeding—an astonishing three-and-a-half years! This remarkable duration is equivalent to a human child being breastfed until around age 10, showcasing the unique and deep connection between Meiqing and her daughter.

Meiqing's doting nature meant that she allowed Guoqing to continue nursing well beyond the usual timeframe. The staff at Changlong respected Meiqing's wishes and only intervened when she herself decided it was time to wean Guoqing. This heartwarming yet challenging process was captured on live streams, showing Guoqing's struggle to cope with the separation from her mother's milk. For five consecutive nights, Guoqing cried incessantly, her little heart broken by the absence of her mother's comforting presence and milk.

The keepers, moved by Guoqing's distress, tried various methods to ease her transition. They organized a special weaning ceremony, using carrots to spell out "Weaning is Glorious," hoping to distract her. Despite their efforts, Guoqing continued to mourn, her crying sound echoing through the panda enclosure. In a heart-wrenching moment, the keepers decided to give her extra meals to comfort her, showing the extent of their care and compassion.

Guoqing's extended period of breastfeeding did not go in vain. Her strength and agility were evident in her playful antics, such as her impressive ability to hang from baskets and climb trees with ease. Her physical prowess was a testament to the nourishment she received from her mother's milk.

As Meiqing aged and entered retirement after giving birth to Guoqing, she continued to receive the utmost care from the staff at Changlong. Dubbed the "Empress Mei," she lived a life of luxury, enjoying special treats and a comfortable retirement. Her bond with Guoqing, however, remained unshaken, even after the weaning process.

Guoqing's story is a unique one, highlighting the strong bonds that can form between pandas and their offspring. It serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting natural instincts and the deep, emotional connections that exist within the animal kingdom. As Guoqing continues to grow and thrive, she will always carry with her the love and nourishment she received from her doting mother, Meiqing.