Yun Zi

Basic Profile

Yun Zi (Chinese: 云子, studbook number 749) is a male giant panda born on August 5, 2009 at the San Diego Zoo in California, United States. His name means “Son of Bai Yun” (白云之子), chosen through a nationwide naming contest.

His father is Gao Gao (高高, studbook 415) — the famous wild-rescued male with a distinctively notched ear — and his mother is Bai Yun (白云, studbook 371), the legendary San Diego matriarch. His siblings include Hua Mei, Mei Sheng, Su Lin, Zhen Zhen, and Xiao Liwu.

Life at San Diego

Naming Contest

To name the new cub, San Diego Zoo launched a nationwide naming contest that received approximately 6,300 submissions. Five finalists were selected: “Fu Sheng” (福圣), “Xiao Long” (小龙), “Wei Xiong” (威熊), “Yong Xiang” (永祥), and “Yun Zi” (云子). “Yun Zi” won with 28% of the vote, honoring his mother Bai Yun’s name.

Public Debut

On January 7, 2010, five-month-old Yun Zi made his first formal media appearance at San Diego Zoo, charming reporters and photographers.

Return to China

On January 9, 2014, Yun Zi departed San Diego aboard flight CZ438. After a 48-hour journey, he arrived at the China Conservation and Research Center’s Dujiangyan Base — becoming the first overseas-returned panda (“haigui”) to reside at the Dujiangyan facility.

After a month of quarantine, he quickly adapted to his new home. Keepers noted he was in good spirits with a healthy appetite.

Shijiazhuang Zoo

On April 25, 2015, Yun Zi was transferred to Shijiazhuang Zoo in Hebei Province, where he has lived ever since, weighing approximately 105 kg and consuming bamboo shoots and fresh bamboo daily.

Health Scare: Testicular Tumor

In February 2022, keepers at Shijiazhuang Zoo noticed Yun Zi’s testicles were symmetrically enlarged. Blood tests showed normal results, and environmental samples (rocks, building materials, air quality, feed) were all tested — all passed.

On March 11, 2022, CCRCGP veterinary experts arrived and performed CT and ultrasound examinations, diagnosing bilateral testicular tumors. That same evening, a successful tumor removal surgery was performed by a team of veterinary and human medical specialists. Yun Zi recovered well, with his appetite returning to normal afterward.