Zhang Ka

Basic Profile

Zhang Ka (Chinese: 张卡, studbook number 505) is a female giant panda born in the wild in approximately 2000 in the Fengtongzhai National Nature Reserve of Baoxing County, Sichuan. She was rescued on May 8, 2001 from Zhangga Mountain (张嘎山) — the location that inspired her name.

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Rescue and Early Years

Zhang Ka was found alone and in distress on Zhangga Mountain in the Fengtongzhai Reserve. Rescue teams brought her to the Fengtongzhai National Nature Reserve for emergency care before transferring her to the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas.

On May 8, 2003, she was moved to the Ya’an Bifengxia Base.

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A Record-Breaking Mother

First Birth: Two World Records (2006)

On August 3, 2006, Zhang Ka gave birth to her first cub — a male named Bao Le (宝乐, studbook 626). The birth was extraordinary:

• Longest labor ever recorded: 34 hours from water breaking to delivery
• Heaviest cub ever born in captivity at the time: 218 grams

Both records were officially recognized in panda breeding history. Tragically, Bao Le died on April 29, 2007.

Second Cub (2008)

On August 26, 2008, she gave birth to Ao Ao (傲傲, studbook 729), who passed away on August 19, 2010.

The Rewilding Daughters (2011, 2014)

On August 20, 2011, Zhang Ka gave birth to twin daughters:

• Zhang Xiang (张想, studbook 826) — the first female panda to be released to the wild
• Su Shan (苏珊, studbook 827) — a successful breeding female at the center

On July 7, 2014, she gave birth to Zhang Meng (张梦, studbook 916) in a semi-wild environment at Bifengxia. Zhang Meng was successfully rewilded on October 20, 2016.

Later Cubs

Zhang Ka continued breeding into her later years:

• 2017: Female cub (studbook 1071)
• 2022-08-15: Twins An Bao (安宝/安安, male) and Zhong Zhong (中中, female)

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Move to Wild Training Base

On November 28, 2014, Zhang Ka was moved to the Wolong Hetaoping Wild Training Base, where she has participated in the wild training program. As a wild-born panda herself, she was considered ideal for producing cubs suited for rewilding.

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Legacy

Zhang Ka’s contributions to panda conservation are profound:

1. Zhang Xiang — released to the wild in 2013, the first female panda ever rewilded
2. Zhang Meng — released to the wild in 2016, proving rewilding works for multiple individuals
3. Su Shan — a prolific breeding female, mother of Ya Ya (雅安 mascot) and others
4. An Bao and Zhong Zhong — continuing the genetic line

Her 34-hour labor record and 218g cub weight record remain notable in panda reproductive history.