Bai Xue

Basic Profile

Bai Xue (Chinese: 白雪, meaning “White Snow”) was a female giant panda born approximately 1988 in the wilds of the Qinling Mountains, Shaanxi Province. She held the global studbook number 418 and became one of the most legendary pandas in Chinese conservation history, famous for her multiple escapes and her role as the matriarch of the “Bai Xue Family” (白雪家族) of the Qinling subspecies.

Names

• 白雪 (Bai Xue): Meaning “White Snow,” named after the first snowfall during her rescue. She was affectionately called “Snow White Princess” (白雪公主) for her gentle beauty.
• “Runaway Bride” (逃跑新娘): A nickname she earned after her 2001 escape, when she disappeared into the wilderness for over four years.

Appearance

Bai Xue was known for her distinctive crescent-shaped black nose marking — a trait she passed down to many of her descendants, now recognized as the “Bai Xue family characteristic.”

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Rescue Story

Discovery (October 2, 1993)

In the deep Qinling Mountains at Erlangba Township, Taibai County, villagers discovered a sick giant panda. They reported to the county forestry bureau, and wildlife protection station staff rushed to the scene. It was the first snowfall of winter, and the unpaved roads could only be traversed on foot for over 40 li (20 km) from Huangbaiyuan Township. The team trudged through snow to find a listless, severely weakened panda.

After initial examination, she was found to be a 5-year-old female suffering from internal and external parasitic infections that had left her dangerously weak. The Taibai County government held an emergency meeting to plan her rescue and gave her the name “Bai Xue” (白雪). She was transported to the Shaanxi Rare Wildlife Rescue and Breeding Research Center at Louguantai National Forest Park to begin her recovery.

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The First Escape: 80 Days in Suzhou (1994)

The Incident

In August 1994, Bai Xue was on loan exhibition at Shangfangshan National Forest Park in Suzhou. On August 16, she climbed over the enclosure wall, stepped onto a roof, and when the roof collapsed under her weight, she fled into the surrounding forest — vanishing without a trace.

City-Wide Search

Her escape became headline news across Suzhou. The local TV station broadcast daily “panda search notices” (寻猫启示). A massive search operation was launched involving:

• Military troops and armed police
• Government agencies
• Local volunteers and concerned citizens
• Police dogs

Return

After 80 days on the run, Bai Xue was finally located and safely returned to the park. The incident had captured the imagination of the entire nation.

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Breeding Legacy

In 1995, Bai Xue was transferred to the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas to participate in the captive breeding program. She went on to produce 6 litters with 9 offspring, all of whom survived:

Year	Offspring	Notes
1997	Lin Lin (琳琳)	Son
1999	Qing Qing (青青) & Xiu Xiu (秀秀)	Twins; named by Premier Zhu Rongji
2000	Zhu Zhu (珠珠) & Chuang Chuang (创创)	Twins
2001	—	(Escaped this year)
2006	Si Xue (思雪)	Daughter
2008	Zhuang Mei (壮妹) & Ning Ning (宁宁)	Twins
2009	Jin Ke (津柯)	Son

Her descendants — known as the “Bai Xue Family” — are distinguished by the characteristic black fur around the nose and mouth, a trait she passed down. They form one of the most important Qinling subspecies lineages.

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The Second Escape: Four Years in the Wild (2001-2005)

The Great Escape

On May 7, 2001, while all keepers were occupied with cleaning duties, Bai Xue seized her opportunity. She crossed three iron gates, climbed over a wall, and disappeared into the vast mountain forest.

Life in the Wild

For over four years, Bai Xue lived free in the Qinling wilderness. She survived on wild bamboo, found shelter in caves, and evaded both human contact and natural predators. Remarkably, she not only survived but appeared to thrive in her natural habitat.

The Return (November 2005)

In November 2005, staff at the China Conservation and Research Center noticed a panda lingering near the facility. Despite attempts to drive it away, the panda refused to leave. After careful observation and eventual tranquilization, they scanned her microchip — and discovered it was Bai Xue, returned after over four years.

She had come back because she was in trouble. A sharp bone splinter had become embedded in her jaw, causing a severe infection that made eating impossible. Unable to forage in the wild, she had returned to the only place where she knew she would receive help. After treatment, she made a full recovery and remained at the center for the rest of her life.

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Final Years

Bai Xue spent her remaining decade at the China Conservation and Research Center, enjoying a comfortable retirement. She passed away on June 27, 2015, at approximately 27 years of age — a remarkable lifespan for a giant panda, especially one who had spent years in the wild.

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Legacy: The Bai Xue Family

Bai Xue’s genetic legacy extends through multiple generations:

• Second generation: Lin Lin, Qing Qing, Xiu Xiu, Zhu Zhu, Chuang Chuang, Si Xue, Zhuang Mei, Ning Ning, Jin Ke
• Third generation: Countless descendants across Chinese breeding centers and zoos worldwide, including Yuan Yuan, Yuan Zai, and many others

Her descendants are easily identified by the distinctive crescent-shaped black nose marking — the “Bai Xue family trait” that continues to appear in Qinling pandas today.

As the matriarch of one of the most important lineages in the captive Qinling panda population, Bai Xue’s contribution to panda conservation genetics cannot be overstated. Her bloodline continues to thrive in conservation centers across China.