Yuan Xiao

Basic Profile

Yuan Xiao (Chinese: 缘小, also known as Le Shui/乐水) is a male giant panda born on August 6, 2006 at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, weighing 169 grams. He and his twin brother Yuan Da (缘大) were the first panda twins born globally in 2006.

His mother is Qi Yuan (奇缘) and his father is Lin Lin (琳琳). His siblings include Si Yuan (思缘), Le Shan (乐山), Qi Fu (奇福), Qi Miao (奇妙), Ming Ming (明明), Qi Yi (奇一), and Qi Guo (奇果).

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The “Pants-Off” Incident

In September 2008, Yuan Xiao was drawn into a play fight between his brother Yuan Da and Wu Yi (五一). During the scuffle, his right hind leg got stuck in a wooden gap, causing a displaced growth plate fracture (骺骨错位).

Multiple attempts to reset the bone failed because Yuan Xiao was too active. On October 8, 2008, he underwent orthopedic surgery at Chengdu Base. To implant a titanium alloy plate, veterinarians shaved both his hind legs bare — the resulting photo of his bald hindquarters went viral online as the iconic “Pants-Off Photo” (脱裤照) , making Yuan Xiao one of the most meme-famous pandas in China.

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Zoo Transfers

Yuan Xiao has had an itinerant life:

Period	Location
2009-05 to 2011-11	Guiyang Zoo (贵州动物园)
2011-11 to 2013-01	Chengdu Base
2013-01 to 2014-05	Xiamen Haicang Zoo (厦门海沧)
2014-05 to 2015-01	Chengdu Base
2015-01 to 2025-05	Qingdao Zoo (青岛动物园)
2025-05-09	Returned to Chengdu Base

Current Status

On May 9, 2025, Yuan Xiao moved back to the Chengdu Research Base, where he currently resides in his retirement.