Mei Xiang

Mei Xiang (Chinese: 美香, studbook number 461) is a female giant panda born on July 22, 1998 at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China. Her lineage traces to two established members of the Chinese captive giant panda population: her father is Pan Pan, studbook number 354, a widely recognized male panda in global breeding programs, and her mother is Yong Ba, studbook number 355. Her birth and early care were part of the Chengdu Research Base’s long-running efforts to support the survival of the vulnerable species, which is listed as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.

On July 22, 1999, her first birthday, Mei Xiang was transferred to the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C., as part of a long-term cooperative conservation and research agreement between the zoo and Chinese wildlife management authorities. This partnership is designed to advance global understanding of giant panda physiology, reproductive biology, and habitat needs, while also supporting public education initiatives focused on species protection. Mei Xiang is one of the longest-residing giant pandas in the history of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, with her tenure spanning more than two decades as of 2024.

Mei Xiang’s presence at the zoo has drawn millions of annual visitors from around the world, serving as a high-profile ambassador for giant panda conservation. Her visibility has helped raise widespread public awareness of the threats facing wild giant panda populations, including habitat loss and fragmentation, and the importance of cross-border collaborative efforts to protect the species. The captive breeding program she participates in also plays a critical role in preserving genetic diversity within the global captive giant panda population, providing a safeguard against potential population declines in the wild. All research and care protocols for Mei Xiang are aligned with international species survival guidelines, with regular data shared between U.S. and Chinese conservation teams to inform broader panda protection strategies.