Ying Mei

Basic Profile

Ying Mei (Chinese: 瑛美, nicknamed Tai Yang/太阳 — “Sun”), studbook number 567, is a female giant panda born on April 13, 2002 at the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas (CCRCGP) Hetaoping Base. Her parents are Ying Ying (英英) and Ling Ling (灵灵).

She has 12 siblings, including You You (优优), Liang Liang (亮亮), Ying Hua (瑛华) , and Meng Meng (萌萌).

Life Journey

Ying Mei was once a candidate for the pair of pandas to be gifted to Taiwan (a role that eventually went to Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan). She was ultimately not selected due to her age.

Yangzhou Years (2011–2018)

On April 4, 2011, Ying Mei arrived at Yangzhou Zhuyuwan Scenic Area (茱萸湾风景区) in Jiangsu Province, where she spent the next seven years. She became a beloved local icon.

Her keepers maintained an meticulous daily log — tracking feeding times, stool quality, and behavior. In winter, when bamboo shoots were scarce, she would express her displeasure by pawing at the glass door.

Over seven years, she consumed an estimated 63 tons of bamboo, sourced from a 300-acre mountain plot rented by the zoo in Yizheng. Her weight stayed steady at 86–90 kg. She never got sick during her entire stay — all medical tests returned normal.

Return to Sichuan (2018)

On May 17, 2018, Yangzhou held a farewell ceremony for Ying Mei. She departed that evening for Shanghai, flying on May 18 aboard China Eastern Airlines MU5403 to Chengdu. Her keeper accompanied her on the flight. At age 16 (equivalent to ~70 human years), she entered retirement at the Dujiangyan Base.

Her farewell体检 showed her in excellent condition: 90 kg, clean eyes, healthy teeth, smooth fur, strong claws.