Ying Ying

Basic Profile

Ying Ying (迎迎, meaning “Welcome”) was a wild-born female giant panda rescued from Baoxing County, Sichuan Province on June 7, 1975. After a brief stay at the Beijing Zoo, she and a male named Pe Pe (贝贝) were selected as a diplomatic gift to Mexico — one of the last 23 pandas ever given as state gifts before China ended the practice in 1982.

On September 10, 1975, Ying Ying and Pe Pe arrived at Chapultepec Zoo in Mexico City to mark the third anniversary of Sino-Mexican diplomatic relations. They were an immediate sensation, drawing massive crowds and becoming beloved national figures.

Family

Both of Ying Ying’s parents were wild pandas from the Qionglai Mountains. Her mate Pe Pe (贝贝, sb167) was also a wild-born rescue from Yuexi County, Sichuan (rescued July 28, 1975).

Together, Ying Ying and Pe Pe became the most prolific panda pair outside China, producing seven cubs between 1980 and 1987:

• Xen Li (1980) — first panda born in Mexico, died at 8 days old
• Tohui (托惠, 1981–1993) — first panda born outside China to survive to adulthood; mother of Xin Xin
• Liang Liang (亮亮, 1983–c.1999) — survived to adulthood, no offspring
• Xiu Hua (秀华, 1985–c.2013) — twin (unnamed sibling died young); no offspring
• Ping Ping and Shuan Shuan (双双, 1987) — twins; Shuan Shuan lived to 35

Through Tohui, Ying Ying’s lineage continued to a third generation with Xin Xin (欣欣, born 1990), who remains the last living panda in Mexico and one of the few pandas outside China not owned by the Chinese government.

Life Journey

Wild Rescue and Journey to Mexico (1975)

Ying Ying was discovered in the wilds of Baoxing County, Sichuan in June 1975. After a brief period at Beijing Zoo, she was paired with Pe Pe and the two were flown to Mexico City on September 10, 1975. The panda pair was a goodwill gift from Chinese Vice-Premier Chen Yonggui during his visit to Mexico.

Breeding Success at Chapultepec (1980–1987)

Ying Ying and Pe Pe adapted remarkably well to their new home at Chapultepec Zoo. The zoo’s high altitude (2,300 meters, similar to the Sichuan mountains) was credited as a factor in their breeding success. In 1980, Ying Ying gave birth to her first cub, Xen Li, who unfortunately died after only 8 days.

The breakthrough came on July 21, 1981, when Tohui was born and successfully raised — the first giant panda cub ever born and raised to adulthood outside of China. Tohui’s birth caused a “panda fever” in Mexico, with visitors queuing for hours and a hit song recorded in her honor.

Ying Ying went on to produce five more cubs: Liang Liang (1983), Xiu Hua and an unnamed twin (1985), and twins Ping Ping and Shuan Shuan (1987). Of her seven cubs, four survived to adulthood.

Death and Legacy

Ying Ying died on January 29, 1989 at approximately 14 years of age. Her mate Pe Pe had died the previous year (July 20, 1988). Together, they founded the only self-sustaining giant panda lineage in the Americas, one that continues to this day through their great-granddaughter Xin Xin.

Significance

Ying Ying and Pe Pe were the last pandas gifted by China as a diplomatic present. Their offspring, uniquely, are Mexican property — not Chinese-owned like all other pandas outside China. This makes Ying Ying’s lineage legally and historically unique among the global panda population. Her success at Chapultepec demonstrated that giant pandas could breed reliably in suitable captive environments outside China, paving the way for the modern conservation loan programs that sustain the species today.