Qi Zai

Basic Profile

Qi Zai (七仔), known internationally as Qizai, is a male Giant Panda born in 2009 in the Qinling Mountains of Shaanxi Province, China. He holds the global studbook number 802 and currently resides at the Qinling Sibao Science Park (秦岭四宝科学公园) in Zhouzhi County, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province. As the only known captive brown-and-white Giant Panda in the world, Qizai represents one of the rarest genetic variations documented in the species, earning him the affectionate nicknames “Chocolate Bear” (巧克力熊) and “Treasure Among Treasures” (宝中之宝).

He is also the fifth brown-and-white Giant Panda documented in the Qinling Mountains since 1985, when the region’s panda conservation program was established. Brown-and-white pandas have only ever been found in the Qinling Mountains, making Qizai a flagship representative of the older, genetically distinct Qinling subspecies.

Discovery and Rescue

On the evening of November 1, 2009, staff at the Shaanxi Rare Wildlife Rescue and Breeding Research Center received an urgent call from the Fuping County Forestry Bureau. Local villagers had discovered an abandoned pale brown animal cub in the Sanguanmiao Paifanggou (三官庙牌坊沟) area of the Foping National Nature Reserve. Severely weakened after hours without food, the cub was estimated to be just one to two months old, suffering from intestinal blockage and dangerous dehydration.

Recognizing the urgency, the rescue team deployed immediately, dispatching a rescue vehicle while the forestry bureau arranged transport to meet them halfway. After more than ten days of intensive veterinary care, the fragile cub recovered and began his journey toward becoming the world’s most distinctive resident panda.

Names & Nicknames

• 七仔 (Qizai) — His primary name, meaning “Number Seven Cub,” inspired by the round-headed alien creature “Qizai” from the Stephen Chow film CJ7 (长江七号). His unusually round head and stocky build reminded keepers of the movie’s beloved alien.
• Chocolate Bear (巧克力熊) — Referring to his distinctive brown-and-white coat.
• Treasure Among Treasures (宝中之宝) — A title reflecting his exceptional rarity.
• Seven Baby — A fan-given English nickname, paired with “Two Baby” for his childhood companion Er Lang (二郎).

Family & Lineage

Parentage

As a wild-born panda rescued from the Qinling Mountains, the identity of Qizai’s mother is not publicly documented. Unlike captive-born pandas with recorded parentage, Qizai’s maternal lineage remains unknown—typical for rescued wild cubs often found abandoned before their identities could be recorded.

The Bace2 gene mutation causing his brown-and-white coat follows an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern, and none of his known offspring have inherited the rare coloration.

Offspring

Qizai participated in natural breeding for the first time in 2018 after reaching sexual maturity. Despite his remarkable genetics, his distinctive coat color has not been passed to his offspring:

Name	Birth Date	Gender	Mother	Coat Color	Status
Qin Hua (秦华, aka Pan Pan/盼盼)	October 11, 2020	Male	Zhu Zhu (珠珠)	Black & White	Officially confirmed
Ba Zai (八仔)	July 16, 2021	Male	Zheng Zheng (正正, #834)	Black & White	Officially confirmed
Quan Yun (全运)	September 15, 2021	Female	Ming Ming (明明)	Black & White	Reported, pending confirmation
Rong Rong (荣荣)	July 27, 2022	Male	Jin Xin (锦心, #672)	Black & White	Reported, pending confirmation

In May 2023, the Shaanxi Provincial Forestry Bureau officially confirmed Qin Hua and Ba Zai as Qizai’s offspring. Quan Yun—named for her birth on the opening day of the 14th National Games (全运会) in Xi’an—and Rong Rong are widely reported as his cubs but remain pending DNA confirmation. All four were born with the typical black-and-white coloring.

Researchers continue to study whether Qizai carries any dormant genetic factors that might produce brown offspring in future generations.

Childhood Companion: Er Lang (二郎)

During his early years at the rescue center, Qizai lived together with another young male panda, Er Lang (二郎, studbook #809). The two were inseparable childhood companions (发小)—sharing food and lodging side by side. Giant panda fans gave the pair matching English nicknames: Er Lang became “Two Baby” and Qizai became “Seven Baby.”

While Qizai remains at the Qinling Sibao Science Park, Er Lang moved to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in 2024, where he now lives at the Moon Delivery Room (月亮产房).

Physical Characteristics

Qizai’s most distinguishing feature is his rare brown-and-white coat, a phenotypic trait documented only a handful of times in wild Qinling Giant Pandas. Unlike the stark black-and-white pattern typical of the species, Qizai displays:

• Brown patches replacing typical black markings, giving him a warm, chocolate-toned appearance
• Caramel-colored fur across his shoulders, limbs, and ear patches
• Creamy white underbelly contrasting with his brown markings
• A round head and stocky build that gives him the unmistakably adorable, high-recognition silhouette fans fell in love with

This coloration results from a genetic mutation affecting pigment production, making Qizai a living scientific specimen of significant conservation interest.

The Science Behind His Color: Bace2 Gene Discovery

Historical Theories

Before scientists identified the genetic mechanism, several competing theories tried to explain the brown-and-white coat:

1. Atavism Theory (返祖说) — that the brown color was a throwback to an ancient ancestral coat
2. Recessive Homozygote Theory (隐性基因纯合说) — that the trait appeared only when both parents carried the mutation
3. Gene Mutation Theory (基因突变说) — that a spontaneous mutation produced the color
4. Environmental Influence Theory (环境影响说) — that diet or habitat conditions affected pigmentation

The recessive homozygote theory proved closest to the truth.

Breakthrough Research

In March 2024, a research team led by Academician Wei Fuwen of the Chinese Academy of Sciences published groundbreaking findings in PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences). Their study, titled “Taking a Color Photo: A Homozygous 25-bp Deletion in Bace2 May Cause Brown-and-White Coat Color in Giant Pandas,” revealed the genetic mechanism behind Qizai’s distinctive appearance.

Key Findings

1. Genetic Cause: A homozygous 25-base pair deletion in the Bace2 gene causes the brown-and-white coloration
2. Mechanism: The mutation reduces the number and size of melanosomes (pigment-containing organelles), converting what would typically be black fur to brown
3. Inheritance Pattern: The trait follows autosomal recessive inheritance—it only manifests when both parents carry the mutated gene. This explains why Qizai’s offspring are born black-and-white despite inheriting a single copy of the mutation
4. Scientific Significance: This marks the first time researchers have identified the precise genetic basis for coat color variation in Giant Pandas

The study utilized ecological and genetic data collected over decades at the Fuping Nature Reserve, combined with captive breeding records from the rescue center. Because brown-and-white pandas have only ever been documented in the Qinling Mountains, Qizai is regarded as a living representative of the older, rarer Qinling subspecies (Ailuropoda melanoleuca qinlingica). This research provides crucial insights for future captive breeding programs aiming to preserve and potentially study the brown-coat phenotype.

Health and Physical Development

Growth Milestones

Qizai has developed into a robust adult male:

• Rescue age (2009): Approximately one to two months old
• Current weight: Approximately 110 kg (240+ lbs)
• Daily bamboo consumption: 40+ kg (88+ lbs) of bamboo shoots, supplemented with apples and carrots
• Age (2026): Approximately 17 years old

His transformation from a frail, dehydrated cub to a healthy adult demonstrates the success of dedicated rehabilitation efforts at the Shaanxi Rare Wildlife Rescue and Breeding Research Center.

Timeline of Major Relocations

Date	Event
November 1, 2009	Rescued from Foping County, Foping National Nature Reserve
November 2, 2009	Transferred to Shaanxi Rare Wildlife Rescue and Breeding Research Center at Louguantai
December 2014	Moved to Foping Panda Wild-training Base for wild training preparation
November 2017	Returned to Louguantai Qinling Giant Panda Research Center
May 2021	Qinling Sibao Science Park opened; Qizai settled in Giant Panda Hall 1

Daily Life and Care

The Devoted Foodie

Qizai is a foodie through and through, eating around 40 kilograms of bamboo every day—a classic “lying-flat” (躺平式) eater who prefers to munch while reclining. Beyond bamboo, his favorite treats are carrots and apples. When eating carrots, he favors leaning his back against a tree, clutching the carrot in his chubby paws and savoring it bite by bite. After finishing, he will search for dropped crumbs on his chest and lick his paws clean—wasting nothing.

The Hidden Athlete

Despite his perpetually lazy appearance, Qizai is a capable athlete in disguise. When attracted by food, he can burst upright in an instant and even scramble up a tree to reach a treat. He also enjoys running circles along the enclosure wall until he tires himself out.

The “Comedy Reliever” (搞笑担当)

Beyond his famous coat, Qizai is best known as the comedy reliever of the panda world. His defining moment came when he bit the ear of his neighbor A Bao (阿宝), bending it into a “wrench” (扳手) shape—an incident that made him internet-famous.

Since then, Qizai has grown noticeably sneaky and guilty. At the slightest sound, his dark eyes roll around (眼珠滴溜溜地转), his head tilts, and his ears perk up as he carefully listens to his surroundings. He sometimes buries his head in his milk basin (盆盆奶), leaving just one eye visible, rolling it warily as he scans the scene. Even mid-bite on a stalk of bamboo, he will suddenly freeze, eyes darting left and right—as though checking whether the other pandas are gossiping about him behind his back. Netizens joke that he has “800 tricks up his sleeve” (八百个心眼). His temperament overall is calm and steady: besides eating and sleeping, he enjoys making friends with neighboring pandas.

Keepers’ Enrichment Training

Qi Zai adores carrots but is famously lazy—when he can stay put, he will not move an inch, and only a carrot can coax him into walking. To keep him healthy, keepers run a memorable daily exercise session nicknamed “hanging the bear” (吊熊): they tie a carrot to a long bamboo pole and dangle it above Qizai’s head while calling his name. The lazy-looking panda hesitates—should he move or not?—before appetite wins out. He stands up, walks along the enclosure wall, and snatches the carrot with both paws at the right moment. These sessions last about 30 minutes and help strengthen his hind legs and coordination, which keepers say is vital for his health and breeding readiness.

Quirks

• Picky eater: He sometimes secretly discards food he dislikes
• Photo model: He will deliberately strike cute poses to cooperate with visitors’ photos
• Milk drinker: During his first year in human care, he drank milk daily (courtesy of his foster mother Zhu Zhu)

Cultural Impact and Conservation Ambassador

A Wild Foundling’s Rise to Fame

After his rescue, the rescue center’s keepers arranged for Zhu Zhu (珠珠)—who had only one cub and plenty of milk—to act as Qizai’s foster mother. To help Zhu Zhu accept the strange-looking cub, keepers smeared Zhu Zhu’s urine on Qizai’s fur. The trick worked: Zhu Zhu sniffed the brown cub, recognized the scent, and raised him as her own for nearly a year until he joined his peers. In 2017, Qizai appeared in the CCTV documentary Aerial China: Shaanxi (航拍中国·陕西).

International Recognition

In 2019, the international conservation organization Pandas International, headquartered in Denver, USA, announced its lifetime sponsorship of Qizai, providing ongoing support for his care and the conservation programs he represents. This recognition highlights Qizai’s role as an ambassador for the Qinling subspecies and rare genetic diversity conservation.

Public Engagement

Qizai draws significant public interest to Giant Panda conservation:

• Visitor attraction: The Qinling Sibao Science Park reports increased attendance specifically to view Qizai
• Social media presence: His unique appearance generates sustained engagement on Chinese social platforms
• Educational programs: Qizai features prominently in the park’s conservation education initiatives

2026: Continuing Legacy

In April 2026, Qizai participated in International Rare Species Day activities at the science park, engaging with visitors and highlighting conservation efforts for endangered species. That same year, online observers documented magpies collecting fur from Qizai and other pandas for nest building—a behavior wildlife experts attributed to the birds seeking high-quality nesting materials.

Visitor Guide

Qizai lives at the Qinling Sibao Science Park (秦岭四宝科学公园) in Louguantai Town (楼观台镇), Zhouzhi County, Xi’an—about 70 km from downtown Xi’an. The park opened on May 28, 2021, built around the existing Qinling Giant Panda Research Center facilities.

• Tickets: Online booking required (the window does not sell tickets), approximately 30 yuan for adults in peak season. Book through the official Qinling Sibao Science Park WeChat account
• Opening hours: 9:00–17:30 (last entry at 16:30)
• Best time to see Qizai: Head to Giant Panda Hall 1 (1号馆) early in the morning—the air is cooler, pandas are active outdoors, and Qizai is easier to spot. Midday sun can be strong, so bring sun protection
• Other animals: The park houses 10–15 giant pandas plus crested ibis (朱鹮), Qinling takin (羚牛), golden snub-nosed monkeys (金丝猴), and red pandas (小熊猫), among 20+ rare species
• Getting around: The park is compact—no shuttle needed, comfortable to walk
• Getting there:
  • By bus: Take the Xi’an–Tanjiazhai coach from Xi’an Bus Station (水司汽车站) to Louguantai Taiji Road Hot Spring Road, then take a taxi
  • By car: Drive to Qinling Sibao Science Park directly (via Xi’an–Hanzhong Expressway, Laoyukou Toll Station, then 21 km west); navigation works well
  • Tourist shuttle: A direct “One Stop to Louguan” coach operates on weekends

Conservation Significance

The Qinling Subspecies

Qizai represents the genetically distinct Qinling Mountains subpopulation of Giant Pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca qinlingica). This population diverged from other Giant Panda groups approximately 300,000 years ago, developing distinct genetic characteristics including, in rare cases, the brown-and-white coat color. Brown-and-white pandas have only ever been documented in the Qinling Mountains, and Qizai is one of just a handful of individuals recorded there since 1985.

Research Priorities

The discovery of Qizai’s genetic mutation has accelerated research into:

• Coat color genetics in Giant Pandas
• Genetic diversity conservation strategies
• Selective breeding protocols for rare phenotypic traits
• Wild population genetic monitoring

Shaanxi Province has launched dedicated scientific research programs focusing on Qinling brown-coated Giant Pandas, building on the foundation provided by Qizai’s unique genetics.

Sources & References

• Wei Fuwen et al., “Taking a color photo: A homozygous 25-bp deletion in Bace2 may cause brown-and-white coat color in giant pandas,” PNAS, March 5, 2024
• Shaanxi Provincial Forestry Bureau official response, May 30, 2023 (confirming Qin Hua and Ba Zai as Qizai’s offspring)
• Shaanxi Rare Wildlife Rescue and Breeding Research Center official records
• Global Giant Panda Studbook (international breeding records)
• Qinling Sibao Science Park public documentation and visitor information
• Pandas International sponsorship records (2019)