Mao Sun

Basic Profile

Mao Sun (Chinese: 毛笋) is a female giant panda born on July 26, 2014 at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. She holds the global studbook number 919. Her birth weight was 181.2 grams.

Her mother is Mao Mao (毛毛), her father is Xiong Bin (雄浜), and her twin brother is Mao Zhu (毛竹).

Names

• 毛笋 (Mao Sun): Official name, meaning “Bamboo Shoot” — paired with her brother Mao Zhu (毛竹, “Bamboo”). The names were chosen through a global naming contest, symbolizing “no worry about bamboo” (竹不愁、笋无忧).
• 毛二 (Mao Er): Her studbook registration name
• “女汉子” (Tough Girl): Nickname given by keepers for her assertive personality and larger appetite
• “段正笋” / “笋爷”: Affectionate fan nicknames

Personality

Mao Sun was described by keepers as impatient and assertive, with a larger appetite than her brother — a true “tough girl” of the panda world. However, she is also gentle and alert.

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Early Life at Chengdu

Global Livestream

In September 2014, Chengdu Base launched the “world’s first giant panda birth and growth livestream” on YouTube and NicoNico, featuring Mao Sun and Mao Zhu. The stream ran weekly for three months.

Wild Training (2015)

On June 26, 2015, Mao Sun, her mother, and brother moved to Panda Valley for wild training. She earned the reputation of being a “difficult cat to recall” — often refusing to come down from trees when it was time to return indoors, requiring food bribes to coax her down.

The Famous Photobomb (January 20, 2017)

During a group photo of 23 panda cubs from the 2016 cohort, Mao Sun climbed a tree behind them and photobombed the shot. The image went viral, making her one of China’s most recognized pandas.

International Star Visit

In February 2017, Hollywood actor Lee Pace (The Hobbit) visited Chengdu Base as part of a conservation experience and was introduced to Mao Sun, who was described as having “super many fans.”

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Journey to Denmark

Selection

Mao Sun (then under the name Mao Er/毛二) was originally selected alongside He Xing (和兴) for the Denmark program. However, Xing Er (星二) ultimately traveled with her.

On April 4, 2019, Mao Sun and Xing Er departed for Copenhagen Zoo. Danish Minister for Environment and Food Jakob Ellemann-Jensen and Chinese Ambassador Deng Ying welcomed them. On April 10, 2019, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark inaugurated the panda house.

Mao Sun remains at Copenhagen Zoo as part of the 15-year Sino-Danish conservation program.