Panda archive

Wu Gang

武岗

deceased male Born January 1, 2000

Wu Gang (武岗), studbook #502, was a male giant panda rescued from Baoxing County, Sichuan on May 1, 2001. He was known for his distinctive pink nose and successful natural mating with Cui Cui (翠翠) in 2016. In early 2023, he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer) of the oral cavity. Despite medical interventions, he passed away on October 29, 2023. He is the father of Kai Kai (凯凯) and several other offspring.

Jump to timeline View media

Share this profile X Facebook

How to use this page

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 Wu Gang.

Profile Timeline Family network Media Connected archive

Profile snapshot

Quick facts

Birth date

January 1, 2000

Birth place

Wild (Sichuan)

Current location

Ya'an Bifengxia Base of China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda

Status

Deceased

Studbook

#502

Archive activity

5 updates · 0 media

Narrative

Life story

Start with a concise summary, then continue into the full narrative record for Wu Gang.

Short version

Basic Profile

Wu Gang (Chinese: 武岗) was a male giant panda rescued from the wild in Baoxing County, Sichuan. He held the global studbook number 502 and was known throughout his life for his distinctive pink nose, which made him instantly recognizable to panda fans.

Rescue Story

On May 1, 2001, a villager named Wu Huajun discovered a young panda cub in Chujugou, Yongfu Township (now merged into Longdong Town), Baoxing County. The cub was weak and abandoned, and was immediately transported to the Fengtongzhai National Nature Reserve for emergency care. He was later transferred to the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas, where he was given the name Wu Gang (武岗).

Relocation History

2001: Transferred to the China Conservation and Research Center
Moved to Chengdu Wildlife Zoo
Transferred to Wolong Hetaoping Base
2008-07-21: Moved to Ya’an Bifengxia Base (permanent residence)

Historic Natural Mating

April 3, 2016: At the Bifengxia Base’s new breeding facility, Wu Gang successfully completed natural mating with the female panda Cui Cui (翠翠). The first mating session lasted 4 minutes and 33 seconds. That same evening, the pair mated a second time, lasting 8 minutes and 50 seconds — setting a record for the China Conservation and Research Center that year. The entire process was broadcast live globally through the iPanda channel.

Offspring

Wu Gang fathered several offspring, including:

Kai Kai (凯凯): Son who was sent to Singapore
Wu Wen (武雯): Daughter
Hua Yan (华妍): Daughter
Xiao Bai Tu (小白兔): Daughter

Battle with Cancer

Early 2023: Diagnosis

In early 2023, keepers noticed a growth in Wu Gang’s oral cavity accompanied by bleeding while eating. An expert team was assembled, including specialists from West China Hospital of Sichuan University (Head and Neck Tumor Surgery Department). Wu Gang was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (malignant bone cancer) of the oral cavity — a condition never before treated in giant pandas, with no established clinical protocols.

Treatment Attempts

The expert team performed two tumor reduction surgeries, but the results were unsatisfactory. As the tumor grew rapidly, Wu Gang’s eating became increasingly difficult. He could only manage small pieces of bamboo shoots, concentrated feed, fruits, and vegetables to maintain his energy.

By June 2023, the team decided that interventional radiology (localized treatment) was the best remaining option. Preparations were underway for this novel procedure.

Final Days

Despite all medical efforts, Wu Gang’s condition continued to deteriorate. In the final months, he was moved to the Dujiangyan Base isolation area for end-of-life care. On October 29, 2023, in the early morning hours, Wu Gang passed away peacefully due to complications from the malignant tumor.

His battle with osteosarcoma remains a significant case in giant panda veterinary medicine, highlighting the challenges of treating rare cancers in this vulnerable species.

Evidence

Life timeline

Key updates and milestone events tied to Wu Gang.

5 updates

2023 (1)

Death Oct 29, 2023

Wu Gang Dies of Osteosarcoma

Wu Gang passed away from osteosarcoma.

2016 (1)

Activity Apr 3, 2016

Wu Gang Successfully Natural Mates with Cui Cui

Wu Gang successfully mated with Cui Cui.

2001 (1)

Activity May 1, 2001

Wu Gang Rescued in Baoxing County

Wu Gang was rescued in Baoxing County.

2000 (2)

Birth Jan 1, 2000

Birth of Wu Gang

Wu Gang was born in the wild of Baoxing County.

Transfer Jan 1, 2000

Wu Gang transferred to china_conservation_and_research_center

Wu Gang moved to china_conservation_and_research_center.

Knowledge graph

Family and network

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

Children

Showing all 6 known offspring

Related profiles

Other pandas connected to Wu Gang

These profiles are linked through place, lineage, and broader archive context.

24 recommendations

Hu Chun

湖春

Alive

16 years old

indonesia_zoo

Hu Chun (湖春), studbook #794, is a female giant panda born on September 8, 2010 at the Ya'an Bifengxia Base. Her father i...

captive-bred indonesia overseas +1

Wu Gang

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

Quick facts

Life story

Basic Profile

Rescue Story

Relocation History

Historic Natural Mating

Offspring

Battle with Cancer

Early 2023: Diagnosis

Treatment Attempts

Final Days

Life timeline

Wu Gang Dies of Osteosarcoma

Wu Gang Successfully Natural Mates with Cui Cui

Wu Gang Rescued in Baoxing County

Birth of Wu Gang

Wu Gang transferred to china_conservation_and_research_center

Family and network

Other pandas connected to Wu Gang

Hu Chun

Kai Kai

Liang Liang

Mei Qian

Wu Jun

Wu Wen

Bing Dian

Bing Xing

Cheng Gong

Cheng Ji

Chuang Chuang

Le Sheng

Liang Liang

Long Hui

Long Sheng

Long Teng

Long Xin

Qing Qing

Rau Hin

Xi Mei

Ya Ya

Yang Yang

Zhang Ka

Zhu Zhu

Why these profiles appear here

Media gallery

No media available

Follow this profile into places, articles, and related pandas

Place journey

Wild (Sichuan)

China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda

Ya'an Bifengxia Base of China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda

Current location

Archive paths

More connections

Same place

Bei Bei

Da Bai Tu

Dou Dou

Same country

A Bao

A Bao

A Bao

Trending pandas

Bing Xing

Cheng Hehua

Sources and references

Primary source types

External links

Continue through the panda archive