Yun Zi

Yun Zi
Yun Zi the giant panda cub sitting in straw
Yun Zi as a cub at the San Diego Zoo (2009)
Other namessimplified Chinese: 云子; traditional Chinese: 雲子
SpeciesGiant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)
SexMale
BornYun Zi
(2009-08-05) August 5, 2009 (age 17)
San Diego Zoo, California, United States
NationalityAmerican-born (sent to China)
OccupationConservation animal
Known forFifth cub of Bai Yun and fourth of Gao Gao; natural mating success at the San Diego Zoo
OwnerSan Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance / China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda
ResidenceDujiangyan Base, Sichuan, China
ParentsGao Gao (father) and Bai Yun (mother)
Named after"Son of Cloud"

Yun Zi (simplified Chinese: 云子; traditional Chinese: 雲子; pinyin: Yún zǐ; lit. 'Son of Cloud'; born August 5, 2009) is a male giant panda born at the San Diego Zoo. Despite being American-born, Yun Zi is considered Chinese property, and in January 2014, he was quarantined for a month at Dujiangyan City. He then lived in Shijiazhuang Zoo for three years before settling in the Chengdu Giant Panda Base, where he has resided since May 2019.

Early life, family, and name

Yun Zi was born on August 5, 2009, as the fifth cub born in San Diego, the fifth born to his mother Bai Yun, and the fourth to his father Gao Gao, who were born in Shanghai. His mother arrived at the San Diego Zoo on September 10, 1996, with another mate, Shi Shi, who fathered Yun Zi's half-sister, Hua Mei, via artificial insemination. He also has two brothers, Mei Sheng (born 2003) and Xiao Liwu (born 2012); and two sisters, Su Lin (born 2005) and Zhen Zhen (2007). Yun Zi and his siblings were conceived via natural mating.

In Chinese, Yun Zi means "Son of Cloud", since the name of his mother, Bai Yun, means "White Cloud". Due to Chinese tradition, he was not named until he was 100 days old; at that point, his name was selected among five out of 6,300 potential candidates, and won with 28 percent of the votes. Yun Zi made his official media debut at the San Diego Zoo on January 6, 2010, and was revealed to the public the following day.

Departure and life in China

Although Yun Zi was not born in China, he was on loan from the Chinese government. He could have been sent back to China when he was as young as three, but he was not sent back to Shanghai until January 2014; at that point, he was around four and a half years old. To prepare Yun Zi for his time in China, the San Diego Zoo made bread for him, which he ate instead of the San Diego Zoo's kibble. He was quarantined for a month at Dujiangyan City, and lived in Shijiazhuang Zoo for three years. As of May 2019, Yun Zi lives at the Chengdu Giant Panda Base.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "San Diego Zoo panda cub named 'Son of Cloud'". NBC News. November 18, 2009. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 "Giant panda cub Yun Zi makes official media debut at the San Diego Zoo". China Daily (in Chinese). January 7, 2010.
  3. ↑ "Raw Video: Baby Panda Leaves Den, Sees World". Ocala StarBanner. December 21, 2009.
  4. 1 2 3 Leff, Gary (January 15, 2014). "Did You Know That Pandas Fly Commercial? Here's How One Flew Los Angeles to Shanghai". View from the Wing.
  5. ↑ Stickney, R (March 25, 2019). "Timeline Giant Pandas at San Diego Zoo". NBC San Diego. Archived from the original on August 22, 2026. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  6. ↑ "美国出生的中国大熊猫"华美"将"衣锦还乡"(图)" [American-born Chinese giant panda Hua Mei will 'return home in rich clothes' (photo)] (in Chinese). China News Service. Xinhua News Agency. August 24, 2002. Archived from the original on August 23, 2026. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  7. ↑ Peterson, Karla (August 8, 2015). "San Diego Zoo's panda mom a giant gift to science". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on January 18, 2018. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
  8. ↑ Molnar, Phillip. "San Diego Zoo's pandas leaving for China". Los Angeles Times.
  9. ↑ Taboh, Julie (September 10, 2015). "San Diego Zoo Giant Panda Turns 24". Voice of America.
  10. ↑ "San Diego Zoo Panda Cub Gets First Exam". Live Science. August 27, 2012.
  11. ↑ "100-day-old panda cub needs a name". CBS News. November 7, 2012.
  12. 1 2 "Giant panda cub at San Diego Zoo named Yun Zi". China Daily. Xinhua News Agency. November 18, 2009.
  13. ↑ "San Diego Zoo pandas get snow in August". CBS 8. August 29, 2013.
  14. 1 2 Hall, Matthew (January 15, 2014). "San Diego panda moved to China, leaves cutest photos". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on August 30, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Giant panda leaves San Diego for new life in China". Yahoo! News. Associated Press. January 11, 2014.
  16. ↑ Williams, Ian (January 13, 2014). "Eats shoots and leaves: US-born panda Yun Zi starts new life in China". NBC News.
  17. ↑ "美国'海归'大熊猫'云子'入驻石家庄动物园" [American 'returnee' giant panda 'yunzi' settles in Shijiazhuang Zoo]. China Daily (in Chinese). May 11, 2015.
  18. ↑ "旅美大熊猫'白云'带着儿子'小礼物'回川" [The giant panda 'Baiyun' traveling in the United States returns to Sichuan with his son 'a small gift']. Tencent QQ. Sichuan Online. May 20, 2019.