Name: Hua Mei
Gender: Female
DOB: August 21, 1999
Stud #: 487
Astrological star sign: Leo
Hobbies: Eating bamboo, sitting, sleeping
Hua Mei seems quite accustomed to the paparazzi, and seemed to be playing hard to get as I waited patiently for her to turn towards the camera. Eventually, she took pity on my cold hands and posed for a picture on her upper patio before lying down for a long nap.
Hua Mei is somewhat of an international celebrity. Having been born at the San Diego Zoo, she is a panda of great importance to the field of international panda conservation. She is the first panda to be born outside of China and survive to adulthood. Her cub-hood was reminiscent of the Truman Show; as millions of people watched her explore, play, and grow via Panda Cam. It’s fitting that she was born a Leo. At the age of 5, she was repatriated to the Wolong Nature Reserve in Sichuan, China. After the 2008 earthquake, she was relocated here to Bifengxia. Hua Mei evidently adjusted well to the Chinese panda life, and over the past 13 years has given birth to over ten cubs her most recent being Hua Rong who was in the reintroduction training for a short period! Now 18 years old, Hua Mei is pushing the natural life expectancy of a panda in the wild. But in captivity, she could enjoy at least another 10 years of munching bamboo and taking naps.
Hua Mei searches for the perfect piece of bamboo.
Although Hua Mei lived it up during her younger years under the spotlight, life has slowed down since returning to China. Currently, she seems quite happy with the humble but spacious accommodations provided to her in her IPP3 pen. The neighborhood is quiet, as her neighbors Yang Yang and Lan Zi keep to themselves most of the time. She often sits on her lower patio to enjoy a delicate meal of bamboo culm and leaves; supplemented by the occasional carrot, panda bread, or succulent bamboo shoot. This is usually followed by a nap on her upper patio. She takes pleasure in living the quiet life.
Hua Mei pauses her meal to gaze pensively into the distance.
During our observation period on Saturday, she exhibited fewer stereotypes than other pandas that we’ve seen, kept in smaller enclosures than hers. This could point to a less stereotypical personality, or it could indicate lower stress levels from the larger and more varied enclosure. However, it could also be due simply to the overlap between our observation period and feeding time; which keeps her outside where she is less stereotypic.
I feel like I could relate to Hua Mei a bit more than the other pandas I’ve observed so far, but I can’t put my finger on why.
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Jeremy Vandenberg is studying giant pandas from December to February at Bifengxia; working on the stereotypical and maternal care studies.
Your observations came to me on a very auspicious day – rumor has it that BaoBao is being sent to Bifengxia to breed – she went back to China almost a year ago from SNZ (Smithsonian National Zoo) – I live in Richmond, Va so naturally I am concerned – my adopted Panda (Wen Hui) was moved in September along with 3 of her friends to Baoding – I have only a shared adoption of her but love is love – she was born 7/27/15 so next year they will probably be breeding her – you interns and your observations are very important to me – you are the future of the pandas! Keep up the good work!
Sincerely, JoAnn
Thank you so much JoAnn! We have definitely confirmed Bao Bao is now at the breeding center in Gengda but don’t know for sure if that means she will be bred this year. With all the reconstruction they may be just using the breeding center as a temporary housing area. We’ll keep everyone updated as we’re able! Thanks for reading and supporting our work!
Thanks for visiting with Hua Mei! She is certainly a celebrity among panda fans who watched her or her siblings grow up at San Diego Zoo and we love to see that she is doing well. She also probably remembers hearing English spoken, so you might be able to see if she responds to it differently than she does to Chinese.
Love all of the SDZ bears! I’ll check up on everyone that’s at either Gengda or BFX when I’m over there in two weeks!
Very interesting article and well written. Perhaps there needs to be a push for larger spaces for these majestic captive pandas to avoid stereotypic behaviors. That is always sad to see.
Hi Judy! Actually, Bifengxia has very large enclosures particularly when compared to US enclosures with many natural trees, shrubs, and grass. Why and how stereotypical behaviors develop is unknown (there’s even current debate on whether these behaviors are entirely “bad” or represent a coping mechanism of sort). Sadly, captive environments will never entirely mimic the wild environment but with our studies we hope to improve their welfare and shed some light on how and why stereotypical behavior manifests.
Thank you for posting this article and the great photos of Hua Mei. I had the privilege of watching her grow up until she left for China in February of 2004. It was a sad day for me the day she left. Hua Mei’s mother, Bai Yun, has raised her kids to be confident adults we are so proud of her entire family and the San Diego Zoo for all the work they have done in the conservation of the Giant Panda.
Us too! Bai Yun is such a good mother and has raised cubs that have also turned into wonderful mothers. We couldn’t be more proud of her!
Enjoy reading your blog on Hua Mei, thanks Jeremy. I heard that Bao Bao has been moved to Gengda. Would you be able to look her up?
Hi Karen! Bao Bao is at Gengda and Zack promises to check on her, though he may not get there super soon since they’re mostly doing work at Hetaoping and Tiantaishan so their days are full of reintroduction bears! I doubt we’ll be able to share pictures because she’s in a non public area but we’ll try to give an update. I’ll be there in two weeks as well so at the very least!
Thank you so much for this recent update and pictures of beloved Hua Mei. It’s comforting to know that she is doing well and is enjoying her home at the Bifengxia Base. Been missing her, and wondering where and how she’s been.
The last I read, Hua Mei was at Shanghai Wild Animal Park in 2017. Was Hua Mei recently recalled back to Bifengxia for breeding purposes or will she stay at Bifengxia? Thank you inadvance.
Bill, Hua Mei was moved back to Bifengxia – YAY! That means we can get more photos of her and more frequent updates. So far she’s not showing any signs of estrus though and breeding will take place at Gengda this year so she’ll be moved again up there if she starts showing signs.
Thanks so much for all that you do for the pandas. I recently found your site when researching information as to where Bao Bao was sent. Many of her adoring fans miss seeing her on the cams. I know I certainly have it’s very relaxing and often times quite entertaining to watch them.
I and her many fans look forward to any updates you can provide regarding Bao Bao. Maybe your team can also persuade the keepers at the base to have a princess cam just for her. lol jk, but I know her fans would love it. I also know the many other pandas have fans too and probably want the same. Again thanks and kudos to you and your team for your wonderful work!???? ???? ????????????
We will update as we’re able! I will be headed to Gengda in two weeks so hope to get some information for everyone – I can tell everyone is anxious about her! We’ll try to convince them to put her in a panda cam pen up there!