Wu Jun

Basic Profile

Wu Jun (Chinese: 武俊, nicknamed Xiao Shuai/小帅 — “Little Handsome”), studbook number 689, is a male giant panda born on September 14, 2007 at the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas (CCRCGP) Hetaoping Base. His mother is Ye Ye (晔晔) and his father is Wu Gang (武岗), a wild panda whose rare genetic lineage makes Wu Jun genetically distinctive from the typical captive population.

His twin brother is Wu Jie (武杰), who was selected for a 10-year cooperative research program in Singapore.

Film Career: “Panda’s Home” (2010)

In 2010, Wu Jun was cast as the lead character Pang Pang (胖胖) in the feature film “Panda’s Home” (熊猫回家路). The production required five panda doubles to shoot around his schedule. His natural charisma and high screen time earned him the nickname “Xiao Shuai” from the crew, and the film remains a cult favorite among panda enthusiasts.

Life Journey

Wenchuan Earthquake (2008)

When the devastating 2008 Wenchuan earthquake struck, Wu Jun was temporarily housed at a makeshift shelter in Wolong before being transferred to the Ya’an Bifengxia Base in 2009.

Asian Games Envoy (2010)

On September 29, 2010, Wu Jun was dispatched to Guangzhou Zoo as a special ambassador for the Guangzhou Asian Games, where he served as a living symbol of the event’s conservation and cultural exchange mission.

Tai’an Chapter (2017–2024)

On December 18, 2017, Wu Jun and his companion Xi Wang (希望) arrived at the Tai’an Tianyi Lake Scenic Area in Shandong Province, becoming the first giant pandas to settle in Tai’an. They quickly became beloved local figures.

His birthdays in Tai’an were celebrated as major events:

• 2018: His first birthday in Tai’an featured a fruit-and-vegetable cake and 10 children born on the same day
• 2019: A three-tier ice cake was prepared, with 50 families in attendance
• 2022: Shared a 15th birthday celebration with Xi Wang

Keepers in Tai’an noted that Wu Jun seemed to understand commands in the local Tai’an dialect, responding more readily to the Shandong-accented speech of his caretakers than to standard Mandarin.

Return to Sichuan (2024)

On February 24, 2024 (Lantern Festival), Wu Jun ended his six-year exhibition in Tai’an and returned to the Ya’an Bifengxia Base. He was described by staff as being in excellent health and good spirits after the journey.

Personality

Wu Jun is described as tall, sturdy, and exceptionally handsome — hence his nickname. He is known for his love of climbing trees (he is exceptionally good at it) and his calm, steady temperament. His wild panda father’s genetics are often cited as the source of his robust build.