Lun Lun

Basic Profile

Lun Lun (Chinese name: 伦伦, studbook number 452), also known by her childhood name Hua Hua (华华), is a female giant panda born on August 25, 1997 at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Sichuan, China. Her father is Lin Nan (林楠) and her mother is Bing Bing (冰冰, studbook 334). She was later adopted by Taiwanese pop star Su Huilun (苏慧伦) and renamed “Lun Lun.”

Life Journey

Journey to America

On November 5, 1999, Lun Lun and Yang Yang traveled to Zoo Atlanta in the United States under a 10-year Sino-US cooperative breeding agreement. They made their public debut on November 20, 1999, instantly becoming Atlanta’s beloved “panda couple.” The agreement was extended twice — in 2009 and 2014 — ultimately spanning 25 years.

Record-Breaking Mother

Lun Lun became one of the most successful breeding pandas outside of China, producing five litters totaling seven cubs:

First-time mother — Mei Lan (2006): After a 158-day pregnancy and a grueling 36-hour labor from water breaking to delivery, Lun Lun gave birth to Mei Lan on September 6, 2006. The marathon labor set a world record for panda births. Mei Lan was initially misidentified as female by American keepers, a mistake only discovered when he returned to China and began displaying male behavior.

Xi Lan (2008): On August 30, 2008, Lun Lun gave birth to Xi Lan. Having gained experience, Lun Lun was notably more relaxed — even casual — with her second cub, earning her the nickname “Monster Mom” for tossing Xi Lan aside when he interrupted her bamboo eating. Xi Lan became known as “Second Master” (二爷) for his handsome appearance.

Po / Bao Lan (2010): On November 3, 2010, Lun Lun gave birth to a female cub named Po (阿宝) after the Kung Fu Panda protagonist. Like Mei Lan, Po was initially mistaken for male.

Mei Lun and Mei Huan (2013): On July 15, 2013, Lun Lun gave birth to twin females Mei Lun and Mei Huan — the first surviving panda twins born in the United States since 1987. Both were also initially misidentified as males.

Ya Lun and Xi Lun (2016): On September 3, 2016, at the advanced age of 19, Lun Lun gave birth to twin females Ya Lun and Xi Lun. Their names, chosen from over 23,400 public votes, mean “Lun Lun’s elegant and joyful daughters.”

Health Concerns and Return

In May 2024, online rumors circulated about the family’s health. Chengdu Base issued a detailed statement on May 11, 2024 confirming all four pandas at Zoo Atlanta were healthy and that repatriation procedures had begun. On October 13, 2024, Lun Lun, Yang Yang, and twins Ya Lun and Xi Lun flew back to Chengdu, ending 25 years abroad. Her breeding record of 5 litters and 7 surviving cubs is the best achievement for any overseas panda breeding program between China and Europe/America.