Ting Zai

Basic Profile

Ting Zai (Chinese: 婷仔) is a male giant panda born on July 29, 2018 at Guangzhou Chimelong Safari Park, weighing 166 grams after a 20-hour labor. He is the second cub of Ting Ting (婷婷, studbook #599) , a female panda who relocated from Wolong to Guangzhou following the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. His father is Lan Zai (兰仔) — the same sire as his half-brother Long Zai (隆仔), born just 17 days earlier on July 12.

His older sister is Yue Yue (悦悦, studbook #969), born in 2015 — together they form part of the founding second-generation panda population at Chimelong.

The Ting Family Line

Ting Zai belongs to the “Ting” maternal line, descended from his grandmother Shu Lan (蜀兰) of the Wolong breeding center. His mother Ting Ting was widely regarded as one of the most beautiful pandas at Chimelong, known for her pristine white coat and refined features — traits that Ting Zai inherited in his own round-faced, sturdy build.

Unlike the intense maternal care seen in some panda mothers, Ting Ting was described by keepers as a “free-range mom” (放养型妈妈). She often let Ting Zai explore on his own, picking him up mainly for feeding. This hands-off style, combined with Ting Zai’s naturally easygoing temperament, earned him a reputation as a low-maintenance, adaptable cub who rarely cried or fussed.

Early Development

In his first days, Ting Zai received around-the-clock monitoring from the Chimelong conservation team, passing his first bowel movement the day after birth. By day 15, keepers observed his jet-black fur and notably solid, sturdy frame — he was already visibly more robust than many cubs his age.

At 40 days old, Ting Zai opened his eyes. By his first Lunar New Year in January 2019, at roughly six months of age, he weighed 13.15 kg — only 0.85 kg lighter than Long Zai, despite being 20 days younger. Keepers noted his naturally thick, plush coat and glossy black patches, which made him appear even rounder than his older half-brother.

Sleep Training

During his first months, keepers noticed Ting Zai had a habit of sleeping on his back — a position that posed a minor risk for cubs. Through gentle, consistent correction, they trained him to adopt a side-sleeping posture instead. He quickly adapted and has maintained the habit ever since.

Regular Health Checks

Ting Zai underwent standard cub health procedures, including ear-notch trimming for identification and regular physiological monitoring via a specialized tracking device. His keepers recorded steady growth and consistently good health markers throughout his early years.

Life at Chimelong

Ting Zai grew up alongside Long Zai in the Chimelong Panda Center. The two half-brothers, born less than three weeks apart, became a popular duo. In their first year, they shared exhibition spaces and enrichment activities, with keepers noting that Ting Zai was the more laid-back of the pair — content to eat and nap while Long Zai explored.

In early 2023, Ting Zai’s exhibit area was renovated to include a mud play zone with varied terrain, along with a diversified feeding program featuring bamboo shoots, specially formulated bamboo powder pastries (竹粉煎堆), and seasonal produce. Keepers also introduced parallel bars and climbing structures as enrichment, encouraging natural foraging and movement behaviors.

Weight Management

By 2023, Ting Zai had become one of the heaviest pandas in the Chimelong population, ranking among the top three by body weight. His keepers implemented a structured diet management plan to maintain healthy body composition while ensuring adequate nutrition. Regular weigh-ins and body condition scoring became part of his routine care.

On July 29, 2024, Ting Zai celebrated his 6th birthday with a special ice bed cooling station and parallel bar enrichment. By this time, his adult body had fully developed — veterinary exams confirmed complete secondary sexual characteristics typical of a mature captive male giant panda, standing approximately 150 cm tall.

The Chimelong Generation

Ting Zai is counted among the “six years, nine cubs” (六年九仔) milestone of the South China breeding program — a reference to the nine giant pandas born at Chimelong between 2013 and 2018, marking the establishment of a self-sustaining panda population in South China’s humid subtropical climate.

2026 Health Crisis

In early May 2026, Ting Zai and another Chimelong panda, Jia He (家和), stopped appearing in public view, sparking widespread concern among visitors and panda enthusiasts. Local forestry authorities confirmed that both pandas were ill and that experts from the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas had been dispatched to Chimelong.

On May 16, 2026, Chimelong Safari Park issued an official health bulletin. Ting Zai had displayed symptoms including loss of appetite, lethargy, coughing, and fever. A multidisciplinary medical team was assembled, including specialists from:

• China Agricultural University (College of Veterinary Medicine)
• South China Agricultural University (College of Veterinary Medicine)
• Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Zhongshan University

After intensive treatment and multi-disciplinary consultation, Ting Zai’s condition improved significantly. As of the bulletin date, his vital signs had stabilized and he remained under close monitoring by the expert team.

The incident prompted a comprehensive health screening of all pandas at Chimelong and their caretakers, along with environmental sampling. No further abnormalities were detected. As a precautionary measure, the Chimelong Panda Center was temporarily closed to the public.