Jia He

Basic Profile

Jia He (Chinese: 家和, “Family Harmony”), studbook number 972, is a male giant panda born on August 15, 2015 at the Ya’an Bifengxia Base of the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas. His mother is Jin Xin (锦心, studbook #672), a highly productive breeding female, and he was born as the elder twin alongside his sister Jia Mei (家美, studbook #973).

Family Background

Jia He belongs to a large and genetically significant lineage through his mother Jin Xin, whose seven offspring include:

• Zhen Sheng (震生, #1092) — the “Hexagonal Warrior,” now at Yancheng Dafeng Port Zoo
• Qian Bao (倩宝, #1093) — the NetEase-gymnast panda at Shijiazhuang Zoo
• Nian Nian (念念) — at Yangzhou Expo Panda House
• Zhi Lu (知路/善仔) — at Yangxian Huayang
• Rong Rong (荣荣/锦小七) — son of the brown panda Qi Zai

Life Journey

Early Years at Bifengxia

Jia He spent the first five months of his life at the Ya’an Bifengxia Base where he was born. On January 28, 2016, he was transferred to the Wolong Shenshuping Base, where he continued to grow and mature under the care of the China Conservation and Research Center.

Transfer to Chimelong

On November 15, 2023, Jia He was selected by the China Conservation and Research Center to be transferred to Guangzhou Chimelong Safari Park — not merely as a resident, but as a carefully chosen “上门女婿” (live-in son-in-law) for Meng Meng (萌萌), the eldest of the world’s only surviving giant panda triplets “Meng Shuai Ku” (萌帅酷).

The pairing was a deliberate breeding strategy. Meng Meng was described by her keepers as having a proud and independent personality — she was not easily impressed. But when Jia He was placed in the adjacent enclosure, it was Meng Meng who showed interest first. Keepers observed her following his movements through the partition, bleating (咩咩叫声) in response to his calls, and engaging in reciprocal calling and following behavior. This mutual affection convinced the breeding team that the pair was compatible.

Fatherhood

Jia He and Meng Meng’s union produced a single female cub born on June 18, 2024 — Mei Zhu (妹珠), the first “second-generation” descendant of the world’s only surviving panda triplets. The birth was celebrated as a “miracle continuation,” proving that the triplets’ genetic line could successfully propagate.

On June 15, 2025, Jia He celebrated his first Father’s Day. Chimelong keepers prepared a special enrichment for him: a “telescope” made from fresh bamboo shoots and carrots, symbolizing Jia He’s ability to “look out” toward his mate Meng Meng and daughter Mei Zhu. The enrichment was accompanied by a message wishing Jia He a happy Father’s Day and a healthy, joyful life.

Personality

Jia He was known for his calm demeanor and stable temperament — a steady and reliable presence at Chimelong. Keepers noted that while Meng Meng was the more assertive partner, Jia He’s gentle and composed nature balanced their pairing perfectly.

Death

In early May 2026, Jia He and fellow Chimelong panda Ting Zai (婷仔) both stopped appearing in public, sparking concern among visitors. Local forestry authorities confirmed illness and dispatched experts from the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas.

On May 9, 2026, Jia He’s condition suddenly deteriorated. Despite intensive care, he died at 12:46 PM from heart failure secondary to a pulmonary chlamydia infection (肺部衣原体感染继发心力衰竭). A multidisciplinary team from China Agricultural University, South China Agricultural University, and Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital had been treating both pandas, with Jia He showing initial improvement before his sudden decline.

Following Jia He’s death, comprehensive health screenings were conducted on all pandas at Chimelong and their caretakers, alongside environmental sampling. No further abnormalities were detected. The Chimelong Panda Center was temporarily closed as a precautionary measure.

Jia He’s death represents a significant loss to the captive panda community. He was 10 years old.