Bao Mei (2019)

⚠️ Studbook number pending: No official studbook number has been published for the Belgian Bao Mei or her twin Bao Di (CWCA, Pairi Daiza and state-media releases give none; Douban’s #1200/#1201 is a low-tier source and #1201 already collides with Qin Bao on this site). The previously listed #1187 has been withdrawn — it had no first-tier source. Do not confuse her with Chengdu Bao Mei (宝妹, #1186), the daughter of A Bao.

Basic Profile

Bao Mei (Chinese: 宝妹, meaning “Little Sister Bao”) is a female giant panda born on August 8, 2019 at Pairi Daiza in Brugelette, Belgium. Her studbook number awaits official publication (see the note above).

Her parents are Xing Hui (星徽, studbook 745) and Hao Hao (好好, studbook 735). She has an older brother Tian Bao (天宝) (born 2016) and a twin brother Bao Di (宝弟).

Naming

On November 14, 2019, following a public vote with over 73,000 participants, she was named “Bao Mei” (宝妹) — meaning “Little Sister Bao,” as the younger sibling of Tian Bao (天宝).

Award

Bao Mei and Bao Di won the 2019 Global Panda Award for “Panda Cub of the Year” (Gold Award).

Life in Belgium

Bao Mei was described as active and playful. She enjoyed eating bamboo and playing with her mother Hao Hao. Her birthdays were celebrated annually at Pairi Daiza with special cakes and treats.

3rd Birthday (August 6, 2022)

The “Joy of 1000 Days” celebration was co-hosted by the Chinese Embassy and Pairi Daiza, with over 100 guests attending.

Return to China

On December 10, 2024, Bao Mei departed Belgium alongside Tian Bao and Bao Di. They arrived in Chengdu on December 11, 2024. She debuted to the Chinese public on January 26, 2025 at the Ya’an Bifengxia Base.

Wenzhou Zoo

On June 7, 2025, Bao Mei and Bao Di arrived in Wenzhou. After quarantine, they debuted at Wenzhou Zoo on June 15, 2025 for a five-year educational exchange.