Mai Mai

Basic Profile

Mai Mai (Chinese: 迈迈, alternative name Chao Chao/超超), studbook number 1063, is a male giant panda born on May 31, 2017 at the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas (CCRCGP) Hetaoping Base in Wolong, Sichuan. His mother is Long Xin (龙欣, studbook 516) — the legendary “Genius Panda Mother” — and his twin sister is Ran Ran (冉冉).

Through his mother Long Xin, Mai Mai has 11 half-siblings spanning three continents: Fu Ni (Australia), Yuan Xin/Le Bao (Korea), Xi Wang, Qing Feng, You You, and others.

The Nickname Hall of Fame

Mai Mai’s fans have been prolific:

Nickname	Meaning	Origin
春丽迈 (Chun Li Mai)	Street Fighter Mai	His signature foot-biting pose mirrors Chun Li’s kick
迈少 (Mai Shao)	Young Master Mai	His cool, photogenic demeanor
迈甜甜 (Mai Tian Tian)	Sweet Mai	His gentle moments
炫迈 (Xuan Mai)	Dazzling Mai	His energetic spins
迈旋风 (Mai Xuan Feng)	Mai Whirlwind	Same
啃脚狂魔	Foot-Biting Maniac	His obsession with chewing his own feet
栾川小甜甜	Luanchuan Little Sweetie	His status as the town’s beloved panda
迈迈冷白皮	Cold White Skin Mai	His notably pale, fair fur

The Foot-Biting Phenomenon

Mai Mai’s most famous behavior is his signature foot-biting pose — he lifts one hind leg, grabs it with his paws, and chews on his own foot while staring directly at the camera. The pose is so uncannily reminiscent of Chun Li’s spinning bird kick from the Street Fighter franchise that fans rechristened him “Chun Li Mai” (春丽迈). The comparison went viral, and the pose became his brand.

Adding to his visual appeal, Mai Mai has what fans call “cold white skin” (冷白皮) — a noticeably paler, fairer coat than most pandas, which makes him stand out in photographs.

Life Journey

Sinochem Adoption (2020)

In September 2020, Mai Mai was lifelong adopted by Sinochem Agriculture (中化农业) to serve as the spokesperson for their “Panda Guide” (熊猫指南) — an agricultural quality evaluation program. His naming contest during the relocation period resulted in the nickname “Chao Chao” (超超), alongside “Yue Yue” (跃跃) as the runner-up.

The Luanchuan Move (2020)

On September 22, 2020, Mai Mai and Ling Yan (灵岩) embarked on a carefully orchestrated relocation to Luanchuan Bamboo Sea Wildlife Park in Henan Province. The journey was remarkable in its preparation:

• A climate-controlled refrigerated truck maintained optimal temperature throughout the 12-hour journey
• 600 kilograms of fresh bamboo were loaded as provisions
• The park’s 25-year-old keeper Song Jiaxun accompanied them, having undergone six months of specialized training
• A Ya’an Base technician provided full support during the transition

Upon arrival, the pair entered a purpose-built 2,464-square-meter panda pavilion featuring outdoor exercise yards, individual suites, swings, and hammocks.

Life in Luanchuan

Mai Mai quickly became renowned for his photogenic nature. Unlike the rambunctious Ling Yan, Mai Mai cultivates a cool, almost aloof public persona — he strikes poses deliberately, as if aware of the cameras. His weibo supertopic accumulated over 400 fans shortly after his debut.

He has a healthy appetite — his weight increased from 47 kg (94 jin) at the time of relocation to 55 kg (110 jin) by his 5th birthday in 2022, when keepers prepared a five-tier frozen fruit cake layered with apples and carrots.

His daily diet consists of approximately 30 kg of bamboo shoots and leaves, with a particular fondness for apples. Due to his sensitivity to heat, his enclosure is equipped with a climate control system and cooling ice blocks during summer months.