Jia Jia

Basic Profile

Jia Jia (Chinese: 佳佳, studbook number 230) was a female giant panda born in the wilds of Qingchuan County, Sichuan Province, China around July 28, 1978. In September 1980, at approximately two years of age, she was found foraging in bamboo forest in the Tangjiahe area and rescued by local authorities. She was transferred to the Wolong China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, where she began her life in human care.

Hero Mother at Wolong

At Wolong, Jia Jia proved to be an exceptionally fertile female. She came into estrus reliably for 16 consecutive years, became pregnant 7 times, and produced 5 litters totaling 6 cubs — an extraordinary record that earned her the title of “hero mother” among the breeding staff. Her most famous daughter, Guo Guo (帼帼), inherited her mother’s excellent breeding genetics and went on to produce 5 litters (8 cubs) of her own, including the twin cubs Ping Ping and An An born after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake.

Life at Ocean Park Hong Kong

In 1999, to celebrate the second anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China, the Central Government selected Jia Jia and male An An (安安, studbook 327) as gifts to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The pair arrived at Ocean Park Hong Kong on March 11, 1999, where they quickly became the park’s most popular attractions.

Over the next 17 years, more than 29 million visitors came to see Jia Jia and An An. She was known for her gentle, docile nature and right ear that bore a distinctive V-shaped notch — a scar from her early days in the wild. Ocean Park developed award-winning educational programs around the pair, reaching over 846,000 students annually.

Guinness World Record

On July 28, 2015, Jia Jia was officially certified by Guinness World Records as the “Oldest Giant Panda in Captivity” and “Oldest Living Giant Panda in Captivity” — she was 37 years old at the time, equivalent to approximately 110 human years.

Final Years

In her later years, Jia Jia received specialized geriatric care for hypertension, cataracts, and arthritis. In October 2016, her health deteriorated rapidly. Her appetite and weight dropped significantly — from 71 kg to 67 kg. On October 16, 2016, unable to stand or move, she was humanely euthanized at the age of 38 (equivalent to ~114 human years), with the consent of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and Ocean Park’s veterinarians.

Her death was announced by Ocean Park Chairman Mr. Leo Kung, who stated: “Jia Jia was not only a member of the Ocean Park family, but also accompanied the people of Hong Kong for 17 wonderful years.”

Legacy

Jia Jia remains the oldest giant panda ever recorded in captivity (Guinness World Record). Her longevity was a testament to the quality of care at both Wolong and Ocean Park. She was a symbol of the strong bond between mainland China and Hong Kong, and her “hero mother” legacy lives on through her many descendants. Her ecological specimen is preserved for research and educational purposes.