Bao Bao

Basic Profile

Bao Bao (Chinese: 宝宝, studbook number 241) was a male giant panda born in the wild of Sichuan Province, China around 1978. Captured as a juvenile, he was first transferred to Beijing Zoo before being sent to Germany.

Life in Berlin

On November 5, 1980, Bao Bao arrived at Berlin Zoo alongside female panda Tjen Tjen (天天), as a gift from China to West Germany. While Tjen Tjen died in 1984, Bao Bao remained at Berlin Zoo for the next 32 years, becoming one of the longest-residing pandas in any zoo outside China.

Bao Bao was a male panda of calm temperament who became a beloved figure in Berlin. He lived alone for most of his later years after Tjen Tjen’s death, but remained a major attraction drawing millions of visitors. Another female, Yan Yan (艳艳), joined him in 1995 and lived at Berlin Zoo until her death in 2007, though the pair never produced offspring.

Later Years and Death

In his final years, Bao Bao received geriatric care for age-related conditions. He died on August 22, 2012 at approximately 34 years of age, making him one of the oldest giant pandas in captivity at the time. His death marked the end of an era — Berlin Zoo would not host pandas again until the arrival of Meng Meng and Jiao Qing in 2017.

Legacy

Bao Bao was Germany’s first giant panda and lived at Berlin Zoo for nearly 32 years. He introduced millions of European visitors to the species and helped build public awareness of panda conservation. His long tenure at Berlin Zoo laid the groundwork for the successful Sino-German panda cooperation program that continues today.