Xin Bao

Basic Profile

Xin Bao (Chinese: 鑫宝) is a female giant panda born on July 23, 2020, at the Wolong Shenshuping Base of the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas. She is the daughter of Jun Zhu (郡主), and has siblings including Yang Hua (阳花), Ya Jun (雅郡), Meng Meng (梦梦), and Zhi Zhi (志志).

Name Meaning

Her name “鑫宝” consists of three “金” (gold) characters, symbolizing “prosperity and abundant treasure.” The name was chosen to bring good fortune to California, known as the “Golden State,” where she would eventually reside.

Personality

Xin Bao is described as introverted, gentle, and alert. She enjoys quietly sunbathing, focusing on her favorite foods, and often rests quietly in corners or on tree branches. Keepers note her calm and observant nature.

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Journey to America

Selection

In April 2024, the China Wildlife Conservation Association and San Diego Zoo signed a new cooperation agreement. Xin Bao (female, born 2020) and Yun Chuan (云川) (male, born 2020) were selected as the first pandas to reside at the San Diego Zoo since the return of Bai Yun and Gao Gao.

Departure

On the evening of June 26, 2024, Xin Bao departed the Ya’an Bifengxia Base. She and Yun Chuan boarded a charter flight from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, arriving in San Diego on the afternoon of June 27, 2024.

Quarantine and Acclimation

The pandas underwent a period of acclimation at the newly renovated San Diego Zoo facility. On July 9, 2024, the zoo released their first photos, showing both pandas in excellent health and adapting well.

Public Debut

On August 8, 2024, Xin Bao and Yun Chuan made their public debut at the newly expanded “Panda Ridge” habitat — a facility four times larger than the previous panda exhibit. The habitat was designed to mimic the geological features of the pandas’ native home, with hills, canyons, and cliffs, planted with diverse vegetation and equipped with climbing trees.

California Panda Day

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared August 8, 2024 as “California Panda Day” to celebrate the pandas’ debut. Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng attended the opening ceremony.

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Life at San Diego

Diet

San Diego Zoo provides over a dozen varieties of bamboo for Xin Bao. She has selected her preferred types. The zoo also produces a special “American version” of wowotou (panda bread) based on Chinese expert recommendations.

Growth

By March 2025, Xin Bao weighed approximately 103 kg. She is an enthusiastic climber with a regular daily routine: resting indoors until early morning, then enjoying bamboo breakfast from around 6 AM, followed by outdoor exploration and play.

Cultural Impact

Xin Bao’s image was featured in the 2025 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, highlighting the cultural exchange between the U.S. and China through panda conservation.

Health Monitoring

A joint Chinese-American veterinary team monitors Xin Bao’s weight, appetite, and health indicators daily. By July 2024, all indicators were reported as stable.

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Conservation Significance

Xin Bao represents the renewal of the U.S.-China panda conservation partnership at the San Diego Zoo, which had been paused since 2019. Her 10-year agreement (2024-2034) continues the legacy of collaborative research on panda behavior, nutrition, and reproductive biology at one of the world’s leading conservation institutions.