Qi Yuan

Basic Profile

Qi Yuan (奇缘, meaning “fated wonder”) is a female giant panda born on September 4, 1999 at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. She is the first-born daughter of Mei Mei (梅梅), the legendary founder of the worldwide “Hamada” (浜) lineage in Japan. Qi Yuan has a twin sister named Qi Zhen (奇珍, sb490), whose name (“precious”) was inspired by the 7 stitches she needed after Mei Mei accidentally injured her at birth.

Qi Yuan is named after her sister — the keepers named the first twin “Qi Zhen” (7 stitches → 奇珍), then gave the second twin “Qi Yuan” (奇缘, “fated connection”) to match.

Family

Qi Yuan’s mother is Mei Mei (梅梅, sb486), a cornerstone of the global panda breeding program who produced 10 cubs across Chengdu and Japan’s Adventure World. Her father is Ha Lan (哈兰, sb287), a wild-born male rescued from Gansu who sired 25 offspring across multiple institutions, one of the most prolific stud males of his era.

Qi Yuan’s twin sister Qi Zhen (奇珍, sb490) is also a notable breeding female.

Qi Yuan’s own offspring include:

• Si Yuan (思缘, sb593, born 2004) — her firstborn, known as “White Glove Auntie”
• Qi Fu (奇福, sb709, 2008–2022) — first panda born after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, died young
• Qi Miao (奇妙, sb710, born 2008) — twin of Qi Fu
• Qi Yi (奇一, sb??, born 2012) — famous for hugging keeper’s leg
• Le Shan (乐山/Yuan Da 缘大) and Le Shui (乐水/Yuan Xiao 缘小, born 2012) — twin sons; Yuan Xiao became an internet celebrity after a viral “pantsless” photo
• Qi Guo (奇果, sb1009, born 2014) — daughter
• Ming Ming (明明, born 2014) — twin of Qi Guo

Life Journey

Birth (1999)

Qi Yuan and Qi Zhen were the first cubs born to Mei Mei, who was a first-time mother and initially frightened by her newborns. Qi Zhen was accidentally injured and required surgery, while Qi Yuan was unharmed. Both survived and thrived, marking the beginning of Mei Mei’s successful breeding career.

Motherhood (2004–present)

Qi Yuan gave birth to her first cub, Si Yuan, at age 5 in 2004. Si Yuan was a “premature” birth at just 68 grams — the lightest cub born that year globally — and required round-the-clock artificial care.

Qi Yuan went on to produce multiple litters, demonstrating strong maternal instincts after her initial litter. Her 2008 twins Qi Fu and Qi Miao were born just weeks after the devastating Wenchuan earthquake, with Qi Fu’s name conveying “blessings” for the disaster zone.

Her son Yuan Xiao (乐水/缘小) became internationally famous in 2016 when a photo of him being treated for a leg injury went viral — his hindquarters had been shaved, making him appear to be “wearing no pants.” He is now one of the most recognizable pandas in China.

Current Status

Qi Yuan continues to live at the Chengdu Research Base, where she is one of the older residents. Despite her age, she remains healthy and is celebrated as a foundational member of the “Mei Mei lineage” that has contributed extensively to the captive panda population worldwide.

Significance

Qi Yuan, along with her sister Qi Zhen, represents the first generation of the Mei Mei dynasty — a lineage that has produced dozens of descendants across China, Japan, and beyond. Through her children Qi Fu, Qi Yi, and the viral sensation Yuan Xiao, she has contributed both genetically and culturally to panda conservation. Her line connects to virtually every major panda institution through the widespread “浜” clan.