Yuan Bao

Basic Profile

Yuan Bao (Chinese: 圆宝, studbook number 1264) is a female giant panda born on June 28, 2020 at Taipei Zoo in Taiwan. She is the second daughter of Tuan Tuan (团团, studbook 588) and Yuan Yuan (圆圆, studbook 587) — the pair gifted by mainland China to Taiwan in 2008. Her older sister is Yuan Zai (圆仔, born 2013).

Naming

A public naming contest was held, with six candidates: 柔宝, 雅妞, 圆妞, 圆宝, 珠圆, and 粉圆. On August 30, 2020, “圆宝” (Yuan Bao) won with 8,712 votes — over two-thirds of all votes cast. The name continues the “圆” (circle/round) theme shared by her mother and sister.

Life Journey

Public Debut

On December 29, 2020, Yuan Bao made her first public appearance at Taipei Zoo. At six months old, she weighed 22.5 kg and had completed her quarantine observation period.

Father’s Passing

Yuan Bao’s father, Tuan Tuan, passed away on November 19, 2022 from a brain disease. His death was widely mourned across the strait.

Birthday Celebrations

Taipei Zoo celebrates Yuan Bao’s birthday each year with themed events:

• 4th Birthday (2024): Due to the zoo’s annual closure, the celebration was held via live stream, attracting over 60,000 online viewers from across the strait. Yuan Bao knocked over her cake mid-broadcast and continued eating — much to viewers’ delight. The zoo noted she had begun showing estrus and false pregnancy behaviors, indicating adulthood.

• 5th Birthday (2025): A sports-themed ice cake shaped like a basketball hoop and baseball bat, made from sugarcane, pineapple, and bamboo. The event was held in person as the zoo reopened, featuring the first “Panda Vet Chat Room” for public education.

Current Status

Yuan Bao has reached adulthood and shown signs of estrus and false pregnancy. Taipei Zoo is coordinating with the Chengdu Research Base regarding potential future breeding pairings.