Meng Meng

Meng Meng (Chinese: 萌萌, studbook number 1161) is a female giant panda born on January 1, 2017, at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Her birth weight was recorded at 168 grams, falling within the standard range for healthy newborn captive giant pandas. She is the offspring of Tiantian and Cheng Gong, both captive-bred giant pandas residing at the Chengdu Research Base, with fully documented lineages in the international giant panda studbook. Her genetic profile is included in the coordinated breeding program overseen by the China Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center, as part of broader efforts to preserve the genetic diversity of the global captive panda population.

On January 1, 2018, her first birthday, Meng Meng was transferred to the Hainan Tropical Wildlife Park and Botanical Garden, where she currently resides under the management of the park’s specialized panda care team. The facility provides climate-adapted enclosures tailored to her biological needs, along with a consistent supply of fresh bamboo and regular veterinary checkups to support her long-term health. She participates in the national ex-situ giant panda conservation program coordinated by Chinese wildlife authorities, a framework designed to maintain genetically robust captive populations that can serve as a buffer against risks to wild panda habitats.

Meng Meng exhibits typical giant panda behavioral traits, including a diet consisting primarily of multiple bamboo species and extended daily resting periods interspersed with foraging and enrichment activities. She has become one of the most popular attractions at the Hainan Tropical Wildlife Park and Botanical Garden, drawing both domestic and international visitors, and serving as a visible ambassador for giant panda conservation outreach. Her inclusion in the global captive breeding registry supports long-term species recovery efforts, as her distinct genetic lineage contributes to the overall diversity and health of the managed captive panda population, reducing the risk of inbreeding and supporting the potential for future reintroduction initiatives where ecologically appropriate.