Long Zai

Basic Profile

Long Zai (Chinese: 隆仔, nicknamed Xiao Ba/小八), studbook number 1137, is a male giant panda born on July 12, 2018 at Guangzhou Chimelong Safari Park, weighing 139 grams at birth. His father is Lan Zai (兰仔) and his mother is Long Long (隆隆) .

A Historic First

Long Zai’s mother, Long Long, was the first giant panda ever successfully bred through artificial means in South China (华南地区首只人工繁育大熊猫). Long Zai’s birth meant that a captive-bred panda had itself produced offspring — making him the “华南首只大熊猫子二代” (first second-generation panda in South China) — proving that the South China breeding program had achieved self-sustaining generational continuity.

The ID Card

On September 20, 2018, Long Zai was issued a special panda ID card numbered “008” — the 8th panda born in South China. This became his nickname “Xiao Ba” (小八).

Life Journey

Long Zai opened his eyes at 40 days old. By his first birthday, he had grown from 139 grams to 24.5 kg. He is described as playful and mischievous, inheriting his mother’s lively personality. He sleeps in various positions — side, back, stomach — for up to 16-17 hours daily.