Bei Xia

Basic Profile

Bei Xia (Chinese: 北侠, “Northern Hero”), is a male giant panda born on July 10, 2022 at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. His mother is Bei Chuan (北川).

The One-Armed Panda

Bei Xia was born with a severe injury to his left front paw. The wound posed a serious infection risk, and veterinarians made the difficult decision to amputate the limb — a rare procedure for a newborn panda cub.

The operation was successful, but it left Bei Xia with only one functional front arm. His name, “Bei Xia” (Northern Hero) , was chosen to reflect the courage he would need.

Life on Three Limbs

Despite his disability, Bei Xia has thrived. Keepers describe him as active, cheerful, and remarkably adaptable. He has learned to:

• Run at full speed across his enclosure
• Climb wooden structures using his single arm and hind legs for support
• Hold his milk bottle with his one arm while sitting up
• Play with enrichment toys alongside his peers

His round, fluffy face and determined expression have made him a fan favorite. In 2024, photos of him running joyfully across his enclosure went viral, inspiring thousands. A plush toy was created in his image.

Bei Xia’s name was officially announced in December 2022 as part of the Chengdu Base’s “Class of 2022” cohort.