MEI

Panda archive

Mei Lan

美兰

alive male Born September 6, 2006

Mei Lan (美兰) is a male giant panda born September 6, 2006 at Zoo Atlanta, the first cub born through the Sino-US Giant Panda Cooperative Breeding Program. Initially mistaken for female, his true gender was discovered upon return to China, ending an online mate-selection vote. He is the father of over a dozen cubs including He Hua (和花) and He Ye (和叶), making him one of the most genetically influential pandas at the Chengdu Base.

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Start with the profile, then expand into the archive around this panda

This page brings together the core facts, timeline, family graph, media, place journey, and related reading for Mei Lan.

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Profile snapshot

Quick facts

Birth date

September 6, 2006

Birth place

Zoo Atlanta

Current location

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

Status

Alive

Studbook

#649

Archive activity

4 updates · 0 media

Narrative

Life story

Start with a concise summary, then continue into the full narrative record for Mei Lan.

Short version

Basic Profile

Mei Lan (Chinese name: 美兰, studbook number 649) is a male giant panda born on September 6, 2006 at Zoo Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He is the first offspring of Lun Lun (伦伦, studbook 452) and Yang Yang (洋洋, studbook 461), who arrived at Zoo Atlanta in 1999 as part of the Sino-US cooperative breeding loan agreement. His maternal grandmother is Ya Ya (娅娅, studbook 362), and his maternal grandfather is Lin Nan (林楠, studbook 298).

Life Journey

Birth and Early Life at Atlanta

Mei Lan was the first giant panda cub born through the Sino-US Giant Panda Cooperative Breeding Program. His birth was highly anticipated — Lun Lun’s labor lasted 36 hours, several times the normal duration, making the delivery exceptionally difficult.

As a first-time mother, Lun Lun was extremely protective. She followed Mei Lan everywhere, watching him constantly. When he climbed trees, she stayed close behind; if he went too high, she would gently lift him down. Zoo visitors were deeply moved, calling it “the cutest thing I have ever seen.”

On December 15, 2006 (his 100th day), a public online vote named him “Mei Lan” (美兰), meaning “Beauty of Atlanta” — English nickname “Lannie.” He made his public debut on January 12, 2007.

Personality and Appearance

Mei Lan possesses the traits of the renowned “Bai De Yao Si” (白德耀斯) family line: a round head, fluffy face, and strikingly clear black-and-white fur. He grew into an elegant, gentlemanly panda — eating slowly and deliberately, walking with a lazy, unhurried gait, and sitting with perfect posture. His refined demeanor earned him the nickname “Da Jie” (大姐, “Big Sister”) despite his maleness, and later the playful moniker “Duan Zheng Mei” (段正美).

Return to China (2010)

On February 5, 2010, Mei Lan traveled aboard the “FedEx Panda Express” — a specially outfitted Boeing 777 cargo plane — alongside Tai Shan (泰山, studbook 595) from Washington Dulles to Chengdu Shuangliu Airport. FedEx spent weeks preparing the flight, loading 75 kg of bamboo, nutrient supplements, and water for the journey.

Upon arrival, Mei Lan initially struggled with the transition — he showed disinterest in Chengdu’s bamboo and wotou (steamed cornbread). His keepers patiently guided him through the adjustment. After a 30-day quarantine, he debuted at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding on March 16, 2010 in Villa No. 2.

Earth Hour Global Ambassador

On March 27, 2010, Mei Lan was named a WWF Earth Hour Global Ambassador — pulling a rope with his mouth to switch off the lights in his enclosure at 8:30 PM, symbolizing endangered animals calling on humanity: “Protect my black-and-white world, or the world will lose all its color.”

On March 26, 2011, he appeared again for Earth Hour, turning off an ice sculpture panda’s power at 8:30 PM in a special ceremony.

The Great Gender Controversy

Mei Lan was initially identified as female at birth. After returning to China, the Chengdu Base launched an international online vote to select a mate from seven candidate males:

Ke Bi (科比), Le Shan (乐山), Le Shui (乐水), Long Bang (隆浜), Xiong Bang (雄浜), Yong Yong (勇勇) , Zhen Da (珍大)

Yong Yong won the popular vote, and fans eagerly anticipated the wedding. However, before any pairing could occur, Mei Lan began displaying male behavioral traits — the telltale signs of sexual maturity in male pandas. Veterinary examination confirmed he was male, abruptly ending the mate selection.

The eight suitors had been competing for a bride who turned out to be a fellow bachelor. According to zoo lore, one candidate Wu Yi (五一) was so traumatized by the revelation that he remains unmarried to this day.

Despite the correction, Mei Lan kept his nickname “Da Jie” (大姐) due to his elegant, feminine beauty, and the incident made him one of the most famous pandas in China.

Breeding Legacy

Mei Lan has proven to be one of the Chengdu Base’s most prolific and genetically valuable males, fathering over 20 cubs with multiple partners:

Mate	Offspring
Qi Fu (奇福)	Qi Qiao (七巧), Qi Xi (七喜), Fu Shun (福顺), Fu Lai (福来), Fu Duoduo (福多多)
Meng Meng (萌萌)	Meng Lan (萌兰), Meng Yu (萌玉), Meng Bao (萌宝)
Si Yuan (思缘)	Si Nian (思念), Si Junjun (思筠筠)
Xing Ya (星雅)	Xing Guang (星光), Xing Chen (星辰)
Ji Li (绩丽)	Ji Mei (绩美), Ji Lan (绩兰), Ji Xiao (绩笑)
Cheng Gong (成功)	He Feng (和风), He Yu (和雨), He Hua (和花), He Ye (和叶)
Cheng Da (成大)	Da Mei (大美), Cheng Lan (成兰), Cheng Feng (成风), Cheng Lang (成浪)

His daughters He Hua (和花) and He Ye (和叶) became among the most famous pandas in China, with He Hua — affectionately known as “Hua Hua” (花花) — achieving viral internet celebrity status.

In December 2018, his cubs Xing Chen (星辰) and He Yu (和雨) entered the Daxiangling Wild Training Base for rewilding preparation — the first members of the Mei Lan lineage to participate in wild reintroduction training.

2018 Head-Rubbing Incident

In May 2018, visitors noticed Mei Lan repeatedly rubbing his head on the ground in his indoor enclosure, leaving a dirty patch. Concerned fans contacted the zoo, worried he was injured or ill.

The Chengdu Base investigated and determined Mei Lan was not injured — the behavior was a learned signal to keepers. He had discovered that rubbing his head would prompt keepers to let him into the outdoor yard or provide food. The behavior occurred mainly when the outdoor enclosure was being cleaned or before feeding times.

The base confirmed Mei Lan’s health indicators, appetite, and spirit were all normal. They implemented environmental enrichment adjustments and behavioral training to redirect the behavior.

Siblings

Through parents Lun Lun and Yang Yang, Mei Lan’s siblings include: Xi Lan (喜兰), A Bao/Bao Lan (阿宝/宝兰), Mei Lun (美轮), Mei Huan (美奂), Ya Lun (雅伦), and Xi Lun (喜伦).

Legacy

As the first cub born through the Sino-US cooperative breeding program, Mei Lan symbolizes the success of international panda conservation. His accidental gender controversy made him a household name, while his prolific breeding output has cemented his genetic influence in the captive population. From a 36-hour labor in Atlanta to becoming one of the Chengdu Base’s most celebrated patriarchs, Mei Lan’s story is one of resilience, adaptability, and unexpected fame.

Evidence

Life timeline

Key updates and milestone events tied to Mei Lan.

4 updates

2010 (2)

Activity Mar 1, 2010

Mei Lan identified as male

After returning to China, Mei Lan was discovered to be male, ending an online mate-selection vote that had drawn global attention.

Transfer Feb 5, 2010

Mei Lan returns to China

Mei Lan flew aboard the FedEx Panda Express with Tai Shan from Washington Dulles to Chengdu, returning to his ancestral homeland.

2006 (2)

Birth Sep 6, 2006

Birth of Mei Lan

Mei Lan was born at Zoo Atlanta.

Birth Sep 6, 2006

Lun Lun Gives Birth to Mei Lan

After a grueling 36-hour labor, Lun Lun gave birth to Mei Lan — the first cub born through the Sino-US cooperative breeding program. She proved an exceptionally attentive mother.

Knowledge graph

Family and network

See the core family graph first, then continue through related pandas and archive themes.

Father Mother Full siblings Half-siblings (grouped) Children

Full siblings 5 same father & mother

Bao Lan Mei Lun #807 Po Shan Shan #702 Xi Lan #731

Er Xi #792

Ya Lun Ya Lun #1089

Mei Lan has 5 full siblings and 3 half-siblings. The majority share the same mother, Lun Lun .

Showing all 32 known offspring

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Mei Lan

Start with the profile, then expand into the archive around this panda

Quick facts

Life story

Basic Profile

Life Journey

Birth and Early Life at Atlanta

Personality and Appearance

Return to China (2010)

Earth Hour Global Ambassador

The Great Gender Controversy

Breeding Legacy

2018 Head-Rubbing Incident

Siblings

Legacy

Life timeline

Mei Lan identified as male

Mei Lan returns to China

Birth of Mei Lan

Lun Lun Gives Birth to Mei Lan

Family and network

Other pandas connected to Mei Lan

Ai Lan

Bao Lan

Cheng Feng

Cheng Hehua

Cheng Heye

Cheng Lang

Da Bai

Er Xi

Feng Ning

Fu Lai

Fu Shun

Hai Hai

He Feng

He Guang

He Yu

Ji Lan

Ji Mei

Ji Xiao

Jin Bao

Jing Ke

Jing Wai

Ke Da

Lin Lin

Lun Lun

Mei Lun

Meng Bao

Meng Lan

Meng Yu

Nan Nan

Po

Qi Yi

Qiao Mai

Run Yue

Shan Shan

Si Nian

Si Yun Yun

Xi Lan

Ya Lun

Ya Lun

Yang Yang

Yun Ning Second

Yun Yan

A Bao

Mei Huan

Ai Hin

Cui Cui

Da Jiao

Fu Ni

Kang Kang

Lang Lang

Liang Liang

Mei An

Mei Qian

Meng Meng

Ming Hin

Qian Qian

Si Jia

Si Xue