Hao Hao

Basic Profile

Hao Hao (Chinese: 好好, studbook 741) is a female giant panda born on July 7, 2009 at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda. Her father is Lu Lu (芦芦/灵灵, studbook 503) and her mother is Hua Mei (华美, studbook 487), the first overseas-born giant panda to return to China. Hua Mei was also the mother of Tuan Tuan (团团), one of the two pandas gifted to Taiwan. She weighs approximately 118 kg and consumes 25 kg of bamboo, 1400 g of steamed bread (wotou), 250 g of apples, and 450 g of carrots daily.

Early Life

Hao Hao was one of Hua Mei’s successful pregnancies following the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. In 2010, at just over one year old, she was selected as a member of the “Asian Games Panda Group” and traveled to Guangzhou to support the 16th Asian Games, where she helped promote giant panda conservation and the sporting event.

Journey to Belgium

On February 22, 2014, Hao Hao departed China alongside the male panda Xing Hui (星徽) for Pairi Daiza in Brugelette, Belgium, beginning a 15-year conservation research cooperation. They arrived on February 23 and were welcomed by approximately 2,000 local residents. Pairi Daiza invested 10 million euros in panda infrastructure, including 4 hectares of dedicated bamboo forest.

Life at Pairi Daiza

At Pairi Daiza, Hao Hao became one of the zoo’s main attractions. She is described as having a round face with delicate features, a lively and active personality, and a fondness for playful mischief. She enjoys eating bamboo stalks and has a healthy appetite.

Offspring

Hao Hao gave birth to three cubs during her time in Belgium, all fathered by Xing Hui:

• Tian Bao (天宝): Male, born June 2, 2016 (studbook 1031) — the first giant panda born in Belgium. Born via artificial insemination.
• Bao Di (宝弟): Male twin, born August 8, 2019 (studbook 1186)
• Bao Mei (宝妹): Female twin, born August 8, 2019 (studbook 1187)

The twin birth on August 8, 2019 was the first giant panda twin birth in Belgium and the first overseas giant panda twins of 2019. All three cubs returned to China on December 10, 2024.

Return to China

In March 2025, Hao Hao began showing symptoms of moderate ascites (abdominal fluid accumulation). Chinese and Belgian veterinary teams collaborated on her treatment, with Chinese experts dispatched to Belgium for joint consultation. After evaluation, it was decided to bring her back to China for better medical care. On December 4, 2025, Hao Hao arrived safely at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, accompanied by Chinese and Belgian experts. She was transferred to the China Conservation and Research Center’s Wolong Shenshuping Base for a 30-day quarantine and ongoing medical care. Under the agreement, Xing Hui continues to reside at Pairi Daiza.