Mei Mei

Basic Profile

Mei Mei (Chinese name: 梅梅, studbook number 408) was a female giant panda born on August 31, 1994 at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Her mother was Su Su (苏苏, studbook 282) and her father was Yue Yue (越越, studbook 308). Her twin sister was Shu Lan (蜀兰).

Life Journey

Early Breeding in China (1994-2000)

Before moving to Japan, Mei Mei gave birth to twin daughters Qi Zhen (奇珍, studbook 490) and Qi Yuan (奇缘, studbook 491) on September 4, 1999 at Chengdu Base via artificial insemination.

Transfer to Japan (2000)

On July 7, 2000, Mei Mei was transferred to Adventure World in Shirahama, Wakayama, Japan as part of the China-Japan Giant Panda International Long-term Breeding Cooperation Program. She joined male panda Yong Ming (永明), who had been in Japan since 1994.

Breeding Achievements in Japan

Mei Mei became one of the most prolific breeding giant pandas in captivity, giving birth to 11 cubs in 6 litters, 9 of which survived:

In China (Chengdu Base):

• Qi Zhen (奇珍) and Qi Yuan (奇缘): Twin females, born September 4, 1999 via artificial insemination

In Japan (Adventure World):

• Rau Hin (良浜, sb515): Female, born September 6, 2000. Father was Ha Lan (哈兰). First giant panda born in Japan through the cooperative program.
• Yu Hin (雄浜, sb540): Male, born December 17, 2001. World’s first case of a captive giant panda giving birth in winter after autumn estrus.
• Ryu Hin (隆浜, sb573) and Syu Hin (秋浜, sb574): Twin males, born September 8, 2003. Mei Mei became the first giant panda mother in the world to raise twin cubs simultaneously without human assistance.
• Kou Hin (幸浜, sb598): Male, born August 23, 2005 (twin, one cub did not survive).
• Ai Hin (爱浜, sb663) and Mei Hin (明浜, sb662): Female and male twins, born December 23, 2006. First winter-born twin cubs from an autumn mating.

Mei Mei and Yong Ming founded the largest overseas giant panda family, known as the “Bin Family” (浜家族).

Death and Legacy

In January 2008, Mei Mei suffered an intestinal obstruction and was successfully treated after 10 days of intensive care. On October 4, 2008, she showed symptoms again — loss of appetite, lethargy, and no bowel movements. Despite treatment including IV fluids, gastric tube medication, and enemas, her condition deteriorated. She died on October 15, 2008 at 4:29 AM (Japan time) at age 14.

On July 24, 2011, Mei Mei was posthumously awarded the title of “Prefectural Meritorious Service” by the Wakayama Prefectural Government for her contributions to promoting Wakayama. In 2012, Adventure World unveiled a monument featuring Yong Ming, Mei Mei, and their children.