Mei Lan

Basic Profile

Mei Lan (Chinese name: 美兰, studbook number 649) is a male giant panda born on September 6, 2006 at Zoo Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He is the first offspring of Lun Lun (伦伦, studbook 452) and Yang Yang (洋洋, studbook 461), who arrived at Zoo Atlanta in 1999 as part of the Sino-US cooperative breeding loan agreement. His maternal grandmother is Ya Ya (娅娅, studbook 362), and his maternal grandfather is Lin Nan (林楠, studbook 298).

Life Journey

Birth and Early Life at Atlanta

Mei Lan was the first giant panda cub born through the Sino-US Giant Panda Cooperative Breeding Program. His birth was highly anticipated — Lun Lun’s labor lasted 36 hours, several times the normal duration, making the delivery exceptionally difficult.

As a first-time mother, Lun Lun was extremely protective. She followed Mei Lan everywhere, watching him constantly. When he climbed trees, she stayed close behind; if he went too high, she would gently lift him down. Zoo visitors were deeply moved, calling it “the cutest thing I have ever seen.”

On December 15, 2006 (his 100th day), a public online vote named him “Mei Lan” (美兰), meaning “Beauty of Atlanta” — English nickname “Lannie.” He made his public debut on January 12, 2007.

Personality and Appearance

Mei Lan possesses the traits of the renowned “Bai De Yao Si” (白德耀斯) family line: a round head, fluffy face, and strikingly clear black-and-white fur. He grew into an elegant, gentlemanly panda — eating slowly and deliberately, walking with a lazy, unhurried gait, and sitting with perfect posture. His refined demeanor earned him the nickname “Da Jie” (大姐, “Big Sister”) despite his maleness, and later the playful moniker “Duan Zheng Mei” (段正美).

Return to China (2010)

On February 5, 2010, Mei Lan traveled aboard the “FedEx Panda Express” — a specially outfitted Boeing 777 cargo plane — alongside Tai Shan (泰山, studbook 595) from Washington Dulles to Chengdu Shuangliu Airport. FedEx spent weeks preparing the flight, loading 75 kg of bamboo, nutrient supplements, and water for the journey.

Upon arrival, Mei Lan initially struggled with the transition — he showed disinterest in Chengdu’s bamboo and wotou (steamed cornbread). His keepers patiently guided him through the adjustment. After a 30-day quarantine, he debuted at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding on March 16, 2010 in Villa No. 2.

Earth Hour Global Ambassador

On March 27, 2010, Mei Lan was named a WWF Earth Hour Global Ambassador — pulling a rope with his mouth to switch off the lights in his enclosure at 8:30 PM, symbolizing endangered animals calling on humanity: “Protect my black-and-white world, or the world will lose all its color.”

On March 26, 2011, he appeared again for Earth Hour, turning off an ice sculpture panda’s power at 8:30 PM in a special ceremony.

The Great Gender Controversy

Mei Lan was initially identified as female at birth. After returning to China, the Chengdu Base launched an international online vote to select a mate from seven candidate males:

• Ke Bi (科比), Le Shan (乐山), Le Shui (乐水), Long Bang (隆浜), Xiong Bang (雄浜), Yong Yong (勇勇) , Zhen Da (珍大)

Yong Yong won the popular vote, and fans eagerly anticipated the wedding. However, before any pairing could occur, Mei Lan began displaying male behavioral traits — the telltale signs of sexual maturity in male pandas. Veterinary examination confirmed he was male, abruptly ending the mate selection.

The eight suitors had been competing for a bride who turned out to be a fellow bachelor. According to zoo lore, one candidate Wu Yi (五一) was so traumatized by the revelation that he remains unmarried to this day.

Despite the correction, Mei Lan kept his nickname “Da Jie” (大姐) due to his elegant, feminine beauty, and the incident made him one of the most famous pandas in China.

Breeding Legacy

Mei Lan has proven to be one of the Chengdu Base’s most prolific and genetically valuable males, fathering over 20 cubs with multiple partners:

Mate	Offspring
Qi Fu (奇福)	Qi Qiao (七巧), Qi Xi (七喜), Fu Shun (福顺), Fu Lai (福来), Fu Duoduo (福多多)
Meng Meng (萌萌)	Meng Lan (萌兰), Meng Yu (萌玉), Meng Bao (萌宝)
Si Yuan (思缘)	Si Nian (思念), Si Junjun (思筠筠)
Xing Ya (星雅)	Xing Guang (星光), Xing Chen (星辰)
Ji Li (绩丽)	Ji Mei (绩美), Ji Lan (绩兰), Ji Xiao (绩笑)
Cheng Gong (成功)	He Feng (和风), He Yu (和雨), He Hua (和花), He Ye (和叶)
Cheng Da (成大)	Da Mei (大美), Cheng Lan (成兰), Cheng Feng (成风), Cheng Lang (成浪)

His daughters He Hua (和花) and He Ye (和叶) became among the most famous pandas in China, with He Hua — affectionately known as “Hua Hua” (花花) — achieving viral internet celebrity status.

In December 2018, his cubs Xing Chen (星辰) and He Yu (和雨) entered the Daxiangling Wild Training Base for rewilding preparation — the first members of the Mei Lan lineage to participate in wild reintroduction training.

2018 Head-Rubbing Incident

In May 2018, visitors noticed Mei Lan repeatedly rubbing his head on the ground in his indoor enclosure, leaving a dirty patch. Concerned fans contacted the zoo, worried he was injured or ill.

The Chengdu Base investigated and determined Mei Lan was not injured — the behavior was a learned signal to keepers. He had discovered that rubbing his head would prompt keepers to let him into the outdoor yard or provide food. The behavior occurred mainly when the outdoor enclosure was being cleaned or before feeding times.

The base confirmed Mei Lan’s health indicators, appetite, and spirit were all normal. They implemented environmental enrichment adjustments and behavioral training to redirect the behavior.

Siblings

Through parents Lun Lun and Yang Yang, Mei Lan’s siblings include: Xi Lan (喜兰), A Bao/Bao Lan (阿宝/宝兰), Mei Lun (美轮), Mei Huan (美奂), Ya Lun (雅伦), and Xi Lun (喜伦).

Legacy

As the first cub born through the Sino-US cooperative breeding program, Mei Lan symbolizes the success of international panda conservation. His accidental gender controversy made him a household name, while his prolific breeding output has cemented his genetic influence in the captive population. From a 36-hour labor in Atlanta to becoming one of the Chengdu Base’s most celebrated patriarchs, Mei Lan’s story is one of resilience, adaptability, and unexpected fame.