Qi Zai

Basic Profile

Qi Zai (七仔), known internationally as Qizai, is a male Giant Panda born in approximately 2009 in the Qinling Mountains of Shaanxi Province, China. He holds the global studbook number 802 and currently resides at the Qinling Sibao Science Park (秦岭四宝科学公园) in Zhouzhi County, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province. As the only known captive brown-and-white Giant Panda in the world, Qizai represents one of the rarest genetic variations documented in the species, earning him the affectionate nicknames “Treasure Among Treasures” (宝中之宝) and “Chocolate Bear” (巧克力熊).

Discovery and Rescue

On the evening of November 1, 2009, staff at the Shaanxi Rare Wildlife Rescue and Breeding Research Center received an urgent call from the Fuping County Forestry Bureau. Local villagers had discovered an abandoned pale brown animal cub, severely weakened and dehydrated after hours without food. Recognizing the urgency, the rescue team deployed immediately—dispatching a rescue vehicle while the forestry bureau arranged transport to meet them halfway.

Upon examination, veterinarians confirmed the cub was a Giant Panda, approximately two months old. The prolonged fasting had left him dangerously dehydrated, requiring immediate emergency care. After stabilization at the rescue center, Qizai began his journey toward becoming the world’s most distinctive resident panda.

Names & Nicknames

• 七仔 (Qizai) — His primary name, meaning “Number Seven Cub,” inspired by the alien creature “Qizai” from the Chinese film Enchanted Magic (长江七号)
• Chocolate Bear (巧克力熊) — Referring to his distinctive brown-and-white coat
• Treasure Among Treasures (宝中之宝) — A title reflecting his exceptional rarity

Family & Lineage

Parentage

As a wild-born panda rescued from the Qinling Mountains, the identity of Qizai’s parents is not publicly documented. Unlike captive-born pandas with recorded parentage, Qizai’s family lineage remains unknown. This is typical for rescued wild cubs who are often found abandoned before their identities could be recorded.

The Bace2 gene mutation causing his brown-and-white coat appears to be a spontaneous genetic variation, as none of his known offspring have inherited the rare coloration.

Offspring

Despite his remarkable genetics, Qizai’s distinctive coat color has not been passed to his offspring:

Name	Birth Date	Gender	Mother	Coat Color
Qin Hua (秦华)	October 11, 2020	Male	Zhu Zhu (珠珠)	Black & White
Ba Zai (八仔)	July 16, 2021	Male	Zheng Zheng (正正, #834)	Black & White
Rong Rong (荣荣)	July 27, 2022	Male	Jin Xin (锦心)	Black & White

Researchers continue to study whether Qizai carries any dormant genetic factors that might produce brown offspring in future generations.

Physical Characteristics

Qizai’s most distinguishing feature is his rare brown-and-white coat, a phenotypic trait documented only a handful of times in wild Qinling Giant Pandas. Unlike the stark black-and-white pattern typical of the species, Qizai displays:

• Brown patches replacing typical black markings, giving him a warm, chocolate-toned appearance
• Caramel-colored fur across his shoulders, limbs, and ear patches
• Creamy white underbelly contrasting with his brown markings

This coloration results from a genetic mutation affecting pigment production, making Qizai a living scientific specimen of significant conservation interest.

The Science Behind His Color: Bace2 Gene Discovery

Breakthrough Research

In March 2024, a research team led by Academician Wei Fuwen of the Chinese Academy of Sciences published groundbreaking findings in PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences). Their study, titled “Taking a Color Photo: A Homozygous 25-bp Deletion in Bace2 May Cause Brown-and-White Coat Color in Giant Pandas,” revealed the genetic mechanism behind Qizai’s distinctive appearance.

Key Findings

1. Genetic Cause: A homozygous 25-base pair deletion in the Bace2 gene causes the brown-and-white coloration
2. Mechanism: The mutation reduces the number and size of melanosomes (pigment-containing organelles), converting what would typically be black fur to brown
3. Inheritance Pattern: The trait follows autosomal recessive inheritance, explaining why Qizai’s offspring are born black-and-white despite carrying one copy of the mutated gene
4. Scientific Significance: This marks the first time researchers have identified the precise genetic basis for coat color variation in Giant Pandas

The study utilized ecological and genetic data collected over decades at the Fuping Nature Reserve, combined with captive breeding records from the rescue center. This research provides crucial insights for future captive breeding programs aiming to preserve and potentially study the brown-coat phenotype.

Health and Physical Development

Growth Milestones

Qizai has developed into a robust adult male:

• Rescue weight (2009): Approximately 89 kg (196 lbs)
• Current weight: Over 100 kg (220 lbs)
• Daily bamboo consumption: 40+ kg (88+ lbs) of bamboo daily
• Age (2026): Approximately 17 years old

His transformation from a frail, dehydrated cub to a healthy adult demonstrates the success of dedicated rehabilitation efforts at the Shaanxi Rare Wildlife Rescue and Breeding Research Center.

Timeline of Major Relocations

Date	Event
November 1, 2009	Rescued from Fuping County, transferred to rescue center
2010	Permanently transferred to Qinling Sibao Science Park
December 2014	Moved to Fuping Panda Base for wild training preparation
November 2017	Returned to Shaanxi Rare Wildlife Rescue Center for breeding program

Cultural Impact and Conservation Ambassador

International Recognition

In 2019, the international conservation organization Panda International announced its lifetime sponsorship of Qizai, providing ongoing support for his care and the conservation programs he represents. This recognition highlights Qizai’s role as an ambassador for the Qinling subspecies and rare genetic diversity conservation.

Public Engagement

Qizai draws significant public interest to Giant Panda conservation:

• Visitor attraction: The Qinling Sibao Science Park reports increased attendance specifically to view Qizai
• Social media presence: His unique appearance generates sustained engagement on Chinese social platforms
• Educational programs: Qizai features prominently in the park’s conservation education initiatives

2026: Continuing Legacy

In April 2026, Qizai participated in International Rare Species Day activities at the science park, engaging with visitors and highlighting conservation efforts for endangered species. That same year, online observers documented magpies collecting fur from Qizai and other pandas for nest building—a behavior wildlife experts attributed to the birds seeking high-quality nesting materials.

Conservation Significance

The Qinling Subspecies

Qizai represents the genetically distinct Qinling Mountains subpopulation of Giant Pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca qinlingica). This population diverged from other Giant Panda groups approximately 300,000 years ago, developing distinct genetic characteristics including, in rare cases, the brown-and-white coat color.

Research Priorities

The discovery of Qizai’s genetic mutation has accelerated research into:

• Coat color genetics in Giant Pandas
• Genetic diversity conservation strategies
• Selective breeding protocols for rare phenotypic traits
• Wild population genetic monitoring

Shaanxi Province has launched dedicated scientific research programs focusing on Qinling brown-coated Giant Pandas, building on the foundation provided by Qizai’s unique genetics.

Sources & References

• Wei Fuwen et al., “Taking a color photo: A homozygous 25-bp deletion in Bace2 may cause brown-and-white coat color in giant pandas,” PNAS, March 5, 2024
• Shaanxi Rare Wildlife Rescue and Breeding Research Center official records
• Global Giant Panda Studbook (international breeding records)
• Qinling Sibao Science Park public documentation
• Panda International sponsorship records (2019)