Jiao Zi

Basic Profile

Jiao Zi (Chinese: 娇子, studbook number 425) was a female giant panda born on August 21, 1995 at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Her parents are Bing Bing (冰冰) and Lin Nan (林楠). She is considered one of the most culturally significant pandas in Chengdu’s history, having been the first giant panda in China to be socially adopted and later becoming a symbol of the city.

Family

Jiao Zi’s parents are Bing Bing and Lin Nan. Her siblings include well-known pandas Lun Lun (伦伦), Bing Xing (冰星), Bing Dian (冰点), Yuan Yuan (园园), and Xiang Bing (香冰).

Jiao Zi’s surviving offspring include:

• Xiao Jiao (小娇, studbook 536), male, born September 22, 2001. He was loaned to Anji Bamboo Garden in Huzhou, Zhejiang in 2012.
• Da Jiao (大娇, studbook 645), female, born August 30, 2006. She is a breeding female at Chengdu Base.
• Jiao Xiao (娇小, studbook 646), male, born August 31, 2006. He was loaned to Fuzhou Panda World in 2014.
• Ke Lin (科琳, studbook 678), female, born August 13, 2007. She passed away on January 6, 2021.
• Jiao Qing (娇庆, studbook 769), male, born July 15, 2010. He moved to Germany in 2017 with Meng Meng.
• Miao Miao (淼淼, studbook 855), female, born September 4, 2012. She is a breeding female at Chengdu Base.
• Sa Er (仨儿, studbook 892), female, born August 19, 2013. She was loaned to Hohhot Daqingshan Wildlife Park in 2018.

Life Journey

First Socially Adopted Panda

In 1996, one-year-old Jiao Zi was adopted by the Chengdu Cigarette Factory and named “Jiao Zi” (娇子), meaning “Heaven’s Favorite Child” or “Pampered One.” This was the first case of social adoption of a giant panda in China, setting a precedent for corporate panda sponsorship.

Cultural Icon

Jiao Zi appeared frequently in public service announcements and television advertisements, becoming a widely recognized face across China. In 2000, she was selected as one of “Chengdu’s Millennium Treasures,” and in 2004 she was voted one of the “Top Ten Icons of Chengdu,” cementing her status as a beloved city symbol.

Journey to Motherhood

Jiao Zi’s early attempts at motherhood were challenging. When she gave birth to her first cub Xiao Jiao in 2001, she lacked maternal instincts and was frightened by the cub. Over successive litters, with patient assistance from keepers, she gradually learned to care for her young. By the time her son Jiao Qing was born in 2010, she had become a fully competent mother.

Historic Triplet Birth

At 18 years old on August 19, 2013, Jiao Zi gave birth to triplets after a 57-hour labor. This was the first case of surviving giant panda triplets at Chengdu Base. Only one cub, a female named Sa Er (仨儿), survived. Jiao Zi herself was critically ill after the birth and required five days of intensive care.

Later Years and Death

Jiao Zi moved to the Dujiangyan Panda Valley in 2014 for retirement and returned to Chengdu Base in 2016. She passed away on May 13, 2024 at the age of 28. Her descendants are spread across multiple zoos and institutions in China and abroad.