Shuhin

Shuhin, known in Chinese as Qiubang, is a male giant panda with studbook number 569, formally registered in global giant panda breeding records overseen by international and Chinese conservation authorities. He was born on September 8, 2003, at Adventure World in Japan, born to sire Eimei (also documented as Yongming, studbook number 384) and dam Meimei (studbook number 480), both captive-bred individuals with fully documented lineages integrated into the official international giant panda cooperative breeding program. His early first year was spent at the Japanese facility, under routine care and observation consistent with global captive panda management protocols.

On September 8, 2004, marking his first birthday, Shuhin was transferred to the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Wolong, Sichuan, making him one of the first giant pandas born in Japan to be repatriated to China for formal conservation breeding purposes. Since his arrival, he has been housed under the center’s specialized care, following species-specific management guidelines that support his physical and behavioral well-being, including access to a varied bamboo-dominated diet and habitat that allows for the species’ characteristic prolonged daily resting and foraging patterns.

Shuhin currently participates in the center’s coordinated captive breeding program, a core initiative focused on preserving and expanding the genetic diversity of the global captive giant panda population. His confirmed, well-documented lineage makes him a valuable contributor to breeding pair selection efforts, which are designed to minimize inbreeding risk and maintain a healthy, self-sustaining captive population that can support future species reintroduction projects where suitable wild habitat is available.

Beyond his direct conservation contributions, Shuhin has become a notable figure in public education outreach related to giant panda protection, with his cross-border birth and repatriation story raising public awareness of the collaborative, international nature of giant panda conservation efforts. His presence at the Wolong center also supports visitor education programs that highlight the importance of habitat preservation and coordinated species management for long-term panda survival.