2016 in Panda History

Pan Pan (studbook 308), the world's longest-lived captive male giant panda and genetic founder of ~25% of the global captive population, died at 4:50 AM at Dujiangyan Base due to perianal squamous cell carcinoma. He was 31 years old.

Guo Guo died from acute pancreatitis at Shanghai Wildlife Park. Her cub Hua Sheng also died days later. The delayed announcement sparked public controversy.

Ryu Hin was transferred to Huai'an Zoo in Jiangsu Province alongside male panda A Bao.

A Bao was transferred to Huai'an Zoo for public exhibition.

Long Hui died from cardiac arrest during anesthesia for a tumor surgery at Schonbrunn Zoo.

Fu Feng was officially named "福凤" (Happy Phoenix) at a ceremony attended by the Chinese Ambassador to Austria and the Austrian Vice-Chancellor.

Zhen Duo and Mao Zhu transferred to Yunnan Wildlife Park (Kunming Zoo) — the first pandas to live in Yunnan Province.

Hua Yan was released into Liziping Nature Reserve alongside Zhang Meng — China's first dual-female panda rewilding and the world's first summer dual release.

Zhang Meng and Hua Yan were simultaneously released into Liziping Nature Reserve — the world's first dual-female panda rewilding and first summer dual release.

The world's oldest captive giant panda, Jia Jia, was euthanized at age 38.

Jia Panpan moved to china_conservation_and_research_center.

Ban Ban was born at shanghai_zoo.

Yue Yue was born at Shanghai Zoo alongside twin sister Ban Ban — the first panda twins born in East China, weighing 113.2g (Ban Ban).

Liang Yue was born at Chongqing Zoo, sole survivor of triplets.

Jie Bin (结浜/Yui Hin) was born at Adventure World as the 7th cub of Rau Hin, her name symbolizing the跨 border connections of the Hama Family.

Yui Hin (结浜) was born at Adventure World weighing 197g, the 7th surviving cub of Ei Mei and Rau Hin, named to symbolize connecting cultures across borders.

Tian Bao was named in Belgium.

Xiu Qiu was born at Wolong Hetaoping Base, daughter of Shui Xiu and Xiang Ge.

Ya Lun was born at atlanta_zoo.

At age 19, Lun Lun gave birth to her fifth litter — twin females Ya Lun and Xi Lun.

Ya Lun born at Zoo Atlanta, twin of Xi Lun, to parents Lun Lun and Yang Yang.

Bei Bei moved to china_conservation_and_research_center.

Man Lan was born at chengdu_base.

Nuan Nuan moved to nanjing_zoo.

Wen Yu was born at chengdu_base.

Qiao Yi was born at Ya'an Bifengxia Base, daughter of Qiao Qiao.

He Feng was born at chengdu_base.

He Yu was born at Chengdu Base weighing 152.8g, twin sister of He Feng. She is the daughter of Mei Lan and Cheng Gong.

Qiao Mai was born at chengdu_base.

Xin Bao was born at chengdu_base.

Yun Chuan was born at chengdu_base.

Fu Ban (福伴) was born at Schönbrunn Zoo alongside his twin sister Fu Feng — the world's first twin cubs raised entirely by their mother through natural maternal care, with no hand-rearing needed.

Fu Feng was born at Schönbrunn Zoo alongside her twin brother Fu Ban — together they made history as the world's first twin pandas raised entirely by their mother without human assistance.

Rong Rong was born at guangzhou_chimelong.

Yuan Meng was born at beauval_zoo.

Pan Qing was born at Ya'an Bifengxia Base as one half of the heaviest twin pair in CCRCGP history, weighing 220g alongside her brother Hong Xi.

Ding Ding was born at chengdu_base.

Ru Yi was born at chengdu_base.

Ruyi was born at china_conservation_and_research_center.

Chu Xin was born at Wolong Hetaoping Base, later moved to high-latitude Changchun.

Le Bao was born at chengdu_base.

Xiao He Tao was born at Wolong Hetaoping Base, later successfully rewilded.

Mao Sun was born at chengdu_base.

Mao Tao was born at Chengdu Base to Mao Mao — the inspiration for the 2008 Olympic mascot Jing Jing — and Xiong Bin. His yellowish fur earned him the nickname "Yellow Peach."

Qin Xin was born at Ya'an Bifengxia Base to first-time mother Shu Qin, described as robust with a loud cry.

Fu Lai was born at Chengdu Base, twin of Fu Shun. Known for her fluffy face and cheerful expression.

Fu Shun was born at chengdu_base.

Ai Bao was born at chengdu_base.

Le Pao moved to everland_resort.

Yu Bao was born at Chongqing Zoo, twin of Yu Bei.

At 14 years old, Lan Xiang gave birth to twins Yu Bao and Yu Bei — making her one of the oldest first-time panda mothers on record.

Hua Sheng was born at Shanghai Wildlife Park, Shanghai's first locally bred panda cub.

Qi Guo was born at Chengdu Base, twin of Qi Yi. Known as the "Sweetest Panda of 2016" for her round face.

Qi Yi was born at chengdu_base.

Wu Jie was born at ouwehand_zoo.

Yuan Man was born at Chengdu Base, known for her fluffy "exploding" fur.

Ji Lan was born at Chengdu Base, twin sister of Ji Mei. Shy and picky with food, she moved to Nanning Zoo in 2019.

Ji Mei was born at Chengdu Base, son of Mei Lan and Ji Li, twin brother of Ji Lan. He would later move to Nanning Zoo.

Jian Jian was born at Macau's Seac Pai Van Park, Macau's first native-born panda.

Kang Kang was born at Macau's Seac Pai Van Park, Macau's first native-born panda.

Shu Rong gave birth to twin sons Jian Jian and Kang Kang in Macau — completing the "Happy Family" (开心家族) and making history as the first panda birth in Macau.

Ya Zhu was born at Chengdu Base, twin of Ya Yun. Known for big ears and short snout, nicknamed "Ya Zhu Zhu" for her chubby appetite.

Dian Dian moved to nanjing_zoo.

Tian Bao was born at pairi_daiza.

Rou Rou was born at chengdu_base.

Ya Yi was born at guangzhou_chimelong.

Xing Er was born at chiang_mai_zoo.

Aihin gave birth to the first cub of 2016 globally, but the cub died suddenly 4 days later from causes similar to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome — an extremely rare case in panda breeding.

Wu Gang successfully mated with Cui Cui.

Ai Bao arrived at Everland Resort in Korea.

Le Bao (Yuan Xin) arrived at Everland Resort in South Korea alongside Ai Bao.

Si Nian received his official name through a global fan naming contest for 9 cubs, just before the Spring Festival. His name sounds like a brand of tangyuan (rice balls).

Ya Yi and her cousin Xing Yi arrived at Guangzhou Zoo, replacing the twin sisters Wen Li and Wen Ya who returned to Chengdu. The pair made their public debut immediately.

Jia He moved from Ya'an Bifengxia Base to Wolong Shenshuping Base to continue his growth and development under the care of the China Conservation and Research Center.

Ai Hin mated with male Yong Yong in an unusual winter breeding event — a rare occurrence in captive panda breeding, which led to the birth of the first panda cub of 2016.