Ji Nian

Ji Nian (Chinese: 吉年, “Auspicious Year”), studbook number 1169, is a male giant panda born on May 29, 2019 at the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas (CCRCGP) Wolong Shenshuping Base. He is the son of Da Bai Tu (大白兔, sb766) and Lu Lu (芦芦, sb503), and the elder twin brother of Ji Qing (吉庆, sb1170).

Basic Profile

Ji Nian inherits the endearing physical traits of his father Lu Lu — a round, robust body with distinctive black-and-white fur, signature dark eye patches, and black ears. Compared to his sister Ji Qing, he is bolder and more mischievous. As a cub he was notably attached to his mother, earning the nickname “Mama’s Boy,” and was often recorded playfully bothering his sister. Even after growing up, reports frequently capture him teasing Ji Qing, leading fans to affectionately call the pair “Brother Rabbit and Sister Rabbit” (兔哥兔妹).

His nickname “Ji Zhan” (极黏, “Extremely Sticky”) reflects his clingy personality — both toward his mother in his youth and later toward enrichment items and keepers at Beijing Zoo.

Family

Ji Nian belongs to the extensive Ying Hua lineage:

• Mother: Da Bai Tu (大白兔, sb766), born 2010 at Beijing Zoo, daughter of Ying Hua (瑛华, sb566) and Gu Gu (古古, sb496)
• Father: Lu Lu (芦芦, sb503), one of the most prolific sires in the captive breeding program
• Twin Sister: Ji Qing (吉庆, sb1170)
• Maternal Grandmother: Ying Hua (瑛华, sb566)
• Maternal Uncles: Fu Xing (福星, also known as Pang Da Hai), Fu Jiang (福将)
• Maternal Aunts: Fu Lu (福禄), Dian Dian (点点)
• Half-brother: Bai Jun (白君)

Due to his family ties, Ji Nian’s arrival at Beijing Zoo transformed the “West Straight Gate Four Gentlemen” (西直门四少 — Meng Lan, Meng Da, Meng Er, Fu Xing) into uncles, while Fu Jiang — his contemporary at the zoo — became both his uncle and exhibition neighbor.

Life Journey

Early Years at Wolong and Bifengxia (2019–2025)

Ji Nian was born at the Wolong Shenshuping Base as part of the first successful birth of the 2019 breeding season at CCRCGP. He spent his early years alongside his sister Ji Qing at the Ya’an Bifengxia Base, where the twin pair became a favorite among visitors and caregivers for their contrasting personalities — Ji Nian bold and active, Ji Qing more reserved.

Though officially registered (户口) to Beijing Zoo, Ji Nian remained in Sichuan for his first six years, only occasionally spotted in non-exhibition areas by visitors.

Move to Beijing Zoo (2025)

On the evening of September 5, 2025, Ji Nian departed Sichuan for Beijing Zoo, arriving in the early hours of September 6. This transfer was part of the coordinated breeding and exhibition program between CCRCGP and Beijing Zoo. A month before the move, Beijing Zoo dispatched experienced keepers and veterinarians to Bifengxia to conduct adaptation training and establish emotional bonds with Ji Nian. The entire transport was accompanied by his dedicated keeper, and his mental state was assessed as stable with normal vital signs upon arrival.

Public Debut (2025-10-06)

After a one-month quarantine period, Ji Nian made his public debut on October 6, 2025 — Mid-Autumn Festival — at the Beijing Zoo Olympic Pavilion’s middle exhibition hall. He debuted alongside his maternal uncle Fu Jiang (福将), who was only three years old at the time. The pair drew large crowds, with Ji Nian immediately captivating visitors by climbing structures, playing in water, and enthusiastically eating bamboo.

Beijing Zoo Vice Director Lu Yanping introduced the pair to the press, describing Ji Nian as “carefree, playful and active, yet stable in temperament.” Under the zoo’s rotation system, Ji Nian now alternates exhibition periods with Dian Dian (点点) in the middle hall.

Life at Beijing Zoo

Ji Nian resides in the same enclosure previously occupied by the famous Hua Hua (花花) and Dian Dian. His neighbor in the adjacent enclosure is Meng Lan (萌兰), his maternal uncle — the two share a wall and occasional interactions that delight visitors.

At Beijing Zoo, Ji Nian lives alongside nine other giant pandas on public display: Meng Meng (萌萌), Meng Da (萌大), Meng Er (萌二), Meng Lan (萌兰), Fu Xing (福星), Bai Tian (白天), Dian Dian (点点), and Fu Jiang (福将), with Ya Ya (丫丫) resting backstage.

On May 29, 2026, Ji Nian celebrated his 7th birthday at Beijing Zoo with a specially prepared “birthday cake” made from his favorite foods, marking his first birthday celebration at his new home.