The Fascinating Story of Panda Zhenzhen: From San Diego to the Wild

Pandas, those adorable and endangered giants of the bamboo forests, have always fascinated people around the world. Among them, one particular panda stands out due to her unique journey—Zhenzhen, born in the San Diego Zoo in the United States.

Zhenzhen, a female panda with a pedigree number of 694, was born on August 3, 2007. Her mother is Baiyun, known for her "eternal beauty," and her father is Gaogao, affectionately called "Milky Gao." Baiyun gave birth to Zhenzhen through natural mating, making her the fourth cub in the family. Zhenzhen has an older half-sister named Huamei and four other half-siblings: Meisheng, Sulin, Yunzi, and Xiaoliwu.

In November 2007, the San Diego Zoo launched a naming contest for the new cub. Out of numerous heartfelt suggestions, "Zhenzhen" emerged victorious with 50,000 votes, a name that signifies "precious." In December of the same year, the five-month-old Zhenzhen made her first public appearance in the United States. Her round, fluffy body and curious big eyes melted the hearts of the local people, bringing joy to the upcoming Christmas season.

In September 2010, Zhenzhen and her sister Sulin returned to China, arriving at the Ya'an Base of the China Research and Conservation Center for the Giant Panda. Today, Zhenzhen has settled down at the Shenshuping Base of the same center, where the picturesque scenery and ideal environment make it a perfect place for pandas to thrive and reproduce.

However, Zhenzhen's most remarkable story began in 2018, with her involvement in a wild introduction program. On March 5, 2018, Zhenzhen was transferred from the Wild Training Base of the China Research and Conservation Center for the Giant Panda to the Tiantai Mountain area within the Wolong National Nature Reserve for the wild introduction trial. The area where Zhenzhen lived covered 150,000 square meters, with superior ecological conditions and lush vegetation.

Staff members monitored Zhenzhen's activities daily, fed her, and interacted with her to help her adapt to the new environment. However, Zhenzhen's playful nature soon became evident. On April 28, 2018, she mischievously scratched off her GPS collar and played with it, earning her the nickname "Zhen the Mischievous."

On May 7, 2018, Zhenzhen showed signs of estrus. To allow her to find a mate in the wild, staff members removed the isolation fence. She quickly darted into the bamboo forest, embarking on a new journey in the wild. However, her adventure took an unexpected turn on May 31, 2018, when villagers in Jinbo Village, Mianxi Town, Wenchuan County, spotted her wandering around the village. After several hours of effort, staff members successfully captured Zhenzhen and brought her back to the Shenshuping Base.

Zhenzhen's wild introduction journey, though brief, was filled with excitement and challenges. Her playful antics and ability to adapt quickly to new environments made her a favorite among staff members and observers. Despite her brief stint in the wild, Zhenzhen's story serves as a testament to the ongoing efforts to conserve and protect the endangered giant panda species.

Today, Zhenzhen continues to live at the Shenshuping Base, where she has given birth to four litters of seven cubs, including the sister pandas Tuanzi and Chunqiao, two sets of twin brothers Xinxin and Xing'an, Zhenlan and Shenglan, and Yunchuan, who recently went to the San Diego Zoo. Zhenzhen's journey, from her birth in the United States to her wild introduction in China, is a fascinating tale of resilience, adaptation, and the ongoing efforts to ensure the survival of the giant panda.