Cheng Ji

Basic Profile

Cheng Ji (成绩), also known by her nickname “Ji Ma” (绩麻), is a female giant panda born on September 12, 2000, at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. She holds studbook number 521 and is the younger twin sister of Cheng Gong (成功, studbook 522), together forming the iconic “Cheng” (成) lineage at Chengdu Base.

Family

Cheng Ji is the daughter of Ke Bi (科比, studbook 386) — named by IOC President Samaranch after the Barcelona Olympics mascot — and Cheng Cheng (成成, studbook 297). Her twin sister Cheng Gong was born just before midnight on September 11, while Cheng Ji arrived shortly after, making them famous “cross-night” twins. She also has an older sister Zhu Zhu (珠珠) and brother Quan Mei (全美).

As the matriarch of an extensive family line, Cheng Ji has produced 10 offspring across six litters: Ji You (绩优), Ji Li (绩丽), Ying Ying (迎迎), Ni Ni (妮妮), Cheng Da (成大), Cheng Xiao (成小), Cheng Shuang (成双), Cheng Dui (成对), Cheng Jiu (成就), and Cheng Shi (成实). Her grandchildren include Cheng Lan (成兰), Da Mei (大美), Cheng Feng (成风), and Cheng Lang (成浪).

”Little Grey” Gene

Cheng Ji is renowned for a distinctive genetic trait: her cubs are born with unusually light grey markings instead of the typical bold black and white. Their fur appears a soft, smoky grey — as if “the printer ran out of ink.” The grey gradually darkens over the first year, eventually maturing into normal black-and-white coloration by approximately 12 months of age. This unique characteristic has earned each of her cubs the nickname “Little Grey” (小灰灰), making Cheng Ji one of the most recognizable maternal lines at Chengdu Base.

Life Journey

Early Years (2000–2002)

Cheng Ji spent her first years at Chengdu Base alongside her twin sister Cheng Gong.

Hangzhou Stay (2002–2005)

On January 9, 2002, Cheng Ji was loaned to Hangzhou Wildlife Park, where she lived for over three years. She returned to Chengdu Base on May 16, 2005.

Breeding Career (2007–2016)

Beginning in 2007, Cheng Ji embarked on an extraordinary breeding career, producing 10 cubs over six litters:

• 2007: Twins Ji You (绩优) and Ji Li (绩丽)
• 2008: Twins Ying Ying (迎迎) and Ni Ni (妮妮)
• 2011: Twins Cheng Da (成大) and Cheng Xiao (成小)
• 2012: Twins Cheng Shuang (成双) and Cheng Dui (成对)
• 2014: Single cub Cheng Jiu (成就)
• 2016: Single cub Cheng Shi (成实)

Later Years (2019–present)

In November 2019, Cheng Ji was moved to the Dujiangyan Panda Valley, where she continues to live in retirement. She remains one of the most prolific and beloved matriarchs of the Chengdu Base lineage.

Currently living at Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Sichuan, China, she participates in the base’s captive giant panda conservation breeding and public education programs. The program supports the long-term recovery of the wild giant panda population native to the mountain ranges of central China.

Cheng Ji is known for her docile temperament and frequent public visibility, making her a popular attraction for domestic and international visitors to the Chengdu base. As an adult breeding female from a genetically valuable bloodline, she supports the maintenance of genetic diversity in the captive giant panda population, which is a core component of China’s national giant panda conservation strategy.

  Currently living at Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Sichuan, China, she participates in the base’s captive giant panda conservation breeding and public education programs. The program supports the long-term recovery of the wild giant panda population native to the mountain ranges of central China.
  
  Cheng Ji is known for her docile temperament and frequent public visibility, making her a popular attraction for domestic and international visitors to the Chengdu base. As an adult breeding female from a genetically valuable bloodline, she supports the maintenance of genetic diversity in the captive giant panda population, which is a core component of China’s national giant panda conservation strategy.

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