Tao Tao

Basic Profile

Tao Tao (Chinese: 桃桃, named after Taojiawan/桃家湾 where she was rescued), was a wild-born female giant panda discovered on March 25, 1986 in the forests of Taojiawan, Wen County, Gansu Province. She was approximately 14 years old at the time and weighed only 55 kg — severely malnourished.

Life in Care

After recovery, she was housed at the Baihejiang Nature Reserve facility. Between 1989 and 1991, she was sent to Wolong three times for artificial breeding attempts, but never successfully produced cubs.

In October 1994, Tao Tao was transferred to Jinan Zoo in Shandong, where she spent the next 14 years as the zoo’s “treasure.” She hosted over 4 million visitors and became a beloved icon.

Her daily diet included fresh bamboo leaves, two eggs, 1.25 kg of milk, fruit, and ice blocks in summer for cooling.

Death and Legacy

On February 6, 2008, Tao Tao died from hypertension-induced cerebral thrombosis and cerebral hemorrhage at approximately 36 years old — equivalent to 100+ human years.

In April 2008, she was posthumously awarded “China’s Oldest Panda” and “Ecological Harmony Ambassador.” Her body was preserved as a taxidermy specimen and returned to Gansu, where it is displayed at the Baihejiang Wildlife and Plant Museum.