Si Hai

Basic Profile

Si Hai (Chinese: 四海, Arabic: Thuraya/索拉雅) is a female giant panda born on July 26, 2019, at the Wolong Shenshuping Base of the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas. She holds the global studbook number 1191. Her mother is Yao Man (姚蔓), and she is the elder twin sister of Yi Jia (一家, born July 27, 2019). Her maternal grandfather is Lu Lu (芦芦, studbook 503).

Naming

On August 22, 2019, a youth exchange delegation from the “Si Hai Yi Jia · Chuan Gang Tong Xing” (四海一家·川港同行) program visited the Dujiangyan Base and named the twin cubs “Si Hai” (四海) and “Yi Jia” (一家). The name conveys a spirit of inclusivity, harmony, and friendship.

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Journey to Qatar

Background

In May 2020, China and Qatar signed a Giant Panda Conservation Research Cooperation Agreement, launching a partnership in endangered species and biodiversity protection.

Departure

On October 19, 2022, Si Hai and Jing Jing (京京) departed China for Qatar, becoming the first giant pandas to reside in the Middle East. A farewell ceremony was held at the Ya’an Base on October 18. They arrived at Hamad International Airport in Doha via charter flight, where they were greeted by Qatari officials.

The Doha Panda House

Located 50 kilometers north of Doha in Al Khor Park, the Doha Panda House is the first giant panda facility in the Middle East. The 120,000-square-meter facility includes:

• Air-conditioned indoor and outdoor exercise areas
• Private sleeping quarters
• Nursery, treatment room, and food preparation areas
• Bamboo保鲜室 (preservation room)
• 24-hour security monitoring

Acclimation to Desert Climate

Adapting to Qatar’s dry, hot climate was a major challenge. The panda house maintains carefully controlled temperature and humidity to simulate the pandas’ natural habitat, including seasonal variations. Bamboo is flown in from Sichuan, China, kept fresh with ice packs during transport. Local keepers are learning Sichuan dialect to communicate with the pandas, who respond best to their native language.

In their first month in Qatar, both Si Hai and Jing Jing adapted well, each gaining approximately 3 kg (6 pounds).

Public Debut

After a three-week quarantine period, Si Hai made her first public appearance at the Doha Panda House on November 17, 2022.

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Life in Qatar

Si Hai celebrated her 4th birthday on July 26, 2023, with a celebration attended by panda fans at the Doha Panda House. As of March 2026, Qatari officials confirmed that both pandas remain in excellent health, with stable food supplies and ongoing professional care and monitoring.

Her Arabic name Thuraya (索拉雅) means “a star in the sky” in Arabic tradition, symbolizing good fortune, nobility, and infinite value.