Gong Zhu

Basic Profile

Gong Zhu (Chinese: 公主, meaning “Princess”), studbook number 477, was a female giant panda born on September 11, 1998 at the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas (CCRCGP) Hetaoping Base in Wolong, Sichuan. Her father was Da Di (大地, studbook 394) and her mother was Tang Tang (唐唐, studbook 371).

She was named “Princess” for her graceful demeanor and became one of the most important breeding females in the Chinese captive panda program, producing 13 cubs across multiple litters.

Siblings

Gong Zhu’s siblings (all offspring of Tang Tang) included:

• Ye Ye (晔晔)
• Gu Gu (古古)
• Long Hui (龙徽, studbook 526) — the famous Vienna male
• Lin Yang (林阳)
• Lin Hui (林惠, studbook 523)
• Ju Xiao (菊笑)

Family & Lineage

Offspring

Gong Zhu gave birth to 13 cubs throughout her life, many of whom went on to have their own offspring:

Name	Studbook	Gender	Birth Date	Notes
Ge Ge (格格)	571	Female	2003-09-06	Mother of Miao Yin, Hua Li, He He, Jiu Jiu, Li Dui, Jing Bao
Jun Zhu (郡主)	572	Female	2003-09-06	Mother of Yang Hua, Ya Jun, Meng Meng, Zhi Zhi, Xin Bao
Ya Ao (雅奥)	583	Male	2004-08-13	Died 2022 from intestinal obstruction
Li Li (丽丽)	611	Female	2005-08-16	Died 2024
Bi Li (比力)	612	Male	2005-08-16	Traveled to Ueno Zoo, Japan in 2011
Huan Huan (欢欢)	636	Male	2006-08-14	Loaned to Beijing Zoo
Zhu Ling (竹灵)	682	Female	2007-08-18	Loaned to Weihai Liugong Island
Zhu Hai (竹海)	683	Male	2007-08-18	Died shortly after birth
Yun Yun (运运)	742	Male	2009-07-07	Loaned to Chimelong, later Deqing
Shan Hu (山虎)	790	Male	2010-08-24	Died 2018 from illness
Wu Wen (武雯)	884	Female	2013-08-11	Traveled to Ouwehands Zoo, Netherlands in 2017
Xian Xian (贤贤)	935	Female	2014-08-15	Mother of twin cubs born 2023
Qi Qi (七七)	1139	Female	2018-07-17	Born at Shanghai Wildlife Park

Life Journey

Early Years (1998-2001)

Gong Zhu spent her first years at the Wolong Hetaoping Base. On March 17, 2001, she was transferred to Changsha Ecological Zoo in Hunan Province for exhibition. She returned to Wolong Hetaoping Base on June 18, 2001.

Years at Bifengxia (2008-2015)

On July 21, 2008, Gong Zhu was moved to the Ya’an Bifengxia Base, where she spent most of her productive breeding years. She moved between Bifengxia and Hetaoping several times during this period.

On March 17, 2015, she was moved to the Dujiangyan Base, and later that month on March 31, she returned to Bifengxia.

Later Years (2016-2023)

On April 3, 2016, Gong Zhu was sent to Ganzhou Forest Zoo in Jiangxi Province. She returned to the Dujiangyan Base on July 17, 2017. In 2018, she was moved back to the Wolong Hetaoping Base for her retirement years.

Death

In July 2023, Gong Zhu developed systemic multiple malignant lymphoma leading to respiratory and multiple organ failure. Despite intensive medical efforts, she passed away on July 24, 2023 at approximately 25 years of age.

Legacy

Gong Zhu’s genetic legacy continues through her many offspring and grandchildren. Her daughter Wu Wen (武雯) made history as one of the first giant pandas to live in the Netherlands at Ouwehands Zoo. Her son Bi Li (比力) represented China at Ueno Zoo in Japan. Many of her other descendants continue to contribute to the captive breeding population across Chinese facilities.