Xi Wang

Basic Profile

Xi Wang (Chinese: 希望, meaning “Hope”) is a male giant panda born on August 11, 2005, at the Wolong核桃坪野化培训基地 (Hetaoping Wild Training Base) of the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas. He holds the global studbook number 607 and has lived at several institutions during his life.

Identity & Nomenclature

• 希望 (Xi Wang): His name means “Hope,” reflecting the breeding program’s aspirations for the species’ future
• Hope: English translation of his name
• Studbook Number: 607
• Gender: Male
• Birth Location: Wolong Hetaoping Base, Sichuan, China

Early Life: A “Genius Mother”

Xi Wang was the first cub born to Long Xin (龙欣, studbook #516) on August 11, 2005, at 4:01 AM. His mother Long Xin was only five years old at the time—remarkably young for a first-time panda mother—but she demonstrated exceptional maternal instincts:

• She instinctively and meticulously protected her newborn cub
• Used her tongue expertly to clean and stimulate the baby
• Earned the title “Genius Panda Mother” (天才大熊猫妈妈) from keepers

The birth was Long Xin’s first, and her successful raising of Xi Wang made her the youngest successful panda mother in the world at that time.

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Family & Lineage

Parents

Father: Ying Ying (迎迎), Studbook #369

• Born August 15, 1991, at Beijing Zoo
• Second natural-mating male at Beijing Zoo after Liang Liang (良良)
• Passed away on December 13, 2006, at Wolong Dujiangyan Base
• Contributed to captive breeding program before his death

Mother: Long Xin (龙欣), Studbook #516

• Born August 19, 2000, at Wolong
• Earned “Genius Mother” reputation for exceptional first-time maternal care
• Produced numerous offspring including Xi Wang’s siblings

Siblings

Xi Wang has a large extended family through his mother Long Xin, one of the most prolific panda mothers. His siblings include:

• Fu Ni (福妮): Sister
• Fu Wa / Xing Xing (福娃/兴兴): Brother
• Shui Ling (水灵): Sister
• Qing Feng (清风): Brother
• You You (佑佑): Brother
• Han Yuan (汉媛): Sister
• Hu Xiao (虎啸): Brother
• Yuan Xin / Le Bao (园欣/乐宝): Brother
• Xin Yuan (新媛): Sister
• Ran Ran (冉冉): Sister
• Mai Mai (迈迈): Brother
• Xing Lu (兴路): Brother

Half-Siblings

Through his father Ying Ying, Xi Wang also has half-siblings:

• Ya Ya (丫丫), studbook #507: Eldest sister, famous former resident of Memphis Zoo
• Tian Tian (甜甜), studbook #569: Sister
• Cui Cui (翠翠), studbook #643: Sister
• Qian Qian (芊芊), studbook #650: Sister

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The 2008 Earthquake

Life Before the Earthquake

Before the devastating Sichuan earthquake on May 12, 2008, Xi Wang lived peacefully at Wolong with his mother Long Xin and other pandas.

The 2008 Sichuan Earthquake

The magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck on May 12, 2008, causing massive destruction at Wolong. During the chaotic aftermath, Xi Wang and another young male named Wei Wei (伟伟) were discovered clinging to each other—two orphaned cubs seeking comfort in their shared trauma.

This image of the two young pandas embracing became an iconic symbol of survival and hope during the disaster recovery period.

Transfer to Wuhan

June 25, 2008: Following the earthquake, Xi Wang and Wei Wei were transferred to Wuhan Zoo at approximately three years old. This move represented efforts to redistribute pandas from damaged facilities and provide ongoing care for the young survivors.

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Life at Wuhan Zoo (2008-2013)

New Home in Jiangcheng

At Wuhan Zoo, Xi Wang and Wei Wei entered their juvenile and adolescent years together. The two pandas, who had already formed a bond during the earthquake trauma, continued their companionship in their new environment.

Social Bond with Wei Wei

Xi Wang and Wei Wei (伟伟), another male panda believed to be born around the same time, became:

• Playmates and companions
• Shared enclosure at Wuhan Zoo
• Together for approximately 5 years

Notable Incident: Peacock Hunt

May 2, 2011: keepers observed an unusual behavior. When孔雀 (peacock) from a neighboring aviary flew into the panda exhibit, Xi Wang demonstrated hunting instincts:

• Caught the peacock in his mouth
• Ran wildly around the enclosure with it
• Released it, then caught it again in a “cat and mouse” pattern
• Eventually placed the dying bird on his resting platform and watched it

The incident ended when keeper Chen Jun lured Xi Wang away with food and retrieved the deceased peacock. Veterinarians confirmed the bird had died from its injuries. This was the first such incident observed in the pandas, though peacocks had been regularly flying into the exhibit before.

Return to Wolong

December 8, 2013: After about five years at Wuhan, Xi Wang returned to his home range at Wolong. Wei Wei remained at Wuhan Zoo, continuing his solitary life there.

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Relocation to Yichang (2014-2015)

New Exhibition at Yichang Children’s Park Zoo

April 29, 2014: Xi Wang arrived at the Yichang City Children’s Park Zoo, beginning a planned two-year residency. Yichang became the second city in Hubei Province (after Wuhan) to host giant pandas, marking the first time a prefecture-level city in Hubei had pandas on display.

The Journey

The transfer was well-organized:

• A new enclosure costing over 400,000 yuan was constructed
• The facility included bedroom (兽舍), indoor exhibition area (客厅), and outdoor garden (户外花园) spanning over 200 square meters
• Features included artificial mountain, resting platforms, tire swings, and a water pool
• Security measures included smoothed tree trunks, electric fencing, and 24-hour surveillance

Care Protocol

The Yichang facility implemented comprehensive care:

• Professional keeper from Wolong accompanied Xi Wang initially
• Local keepers received training at Ya’an Bifengxia Base
• Daily bamboo supply from Henan驻马店 (Zhumadian) took 9 hours to transport
• Supplemental foods included apples, carrots, and窝窝头 (panda bread)
• Total annual cost approximately 1 million yuan

Adaptation

Xi Wang adapted well to Yichang:

• The zoo noted he was in excellent condition, described as an “8-year-old handsome young man”
• He gained weight during his first summer despite the heat
• The air-conditioned facility maintained temperatures around 24-25°C
• By his 100th day in Yichang (August 11, 2014, his 9th birthday), he was healthy and active

Birthday Celebration

August 11, 2014: Xi Wang’s 9th birthday was celebrated with special events:

• A multi-layer cake made of ice, carrots, apples, and panda bread
• Panda character parades, street dance performances, and clown shows
• Attracted large crowds, with over 13,000 visitors on the Labor Day holiday alone

Return to Wolong

November 28, 2015: After completing the two-year residency, Xi Wang returned to Wolong’s Dujiangyan base, ending his time in Yichang.

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Taian Adventure (2017-2024)

Arrival at Tai Shan Tian Yi Lake

December 18, 2017: Xi Wang and another male panda named Wu Jun (武俊) were transferred to the泰山天颐湖花海熊猫岛 (Tai Shan Tian Yi Lake Flower Sea Panda Island) in Shandong Province. They made their public debut on December 29, 2017.

Six Years in Shandong

The pandas became major attractions at the scenic area:

• Over 1.2 million visitors came to see them during the six-year period
• They were popular with tourists, especially children
• The facility provided appropriate care and enrichment for the pandas

Return to Sichuan

February 24, 2024 (Lantern Festival / 元宵节): After six years, Xi Wang and Wu Jun ended their loan period and returned to Sichuan. They were transported back to their home base at the Ya’an Bifengxia Base.

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Current Status (2024-2026)

Xi Wang currently resides at the Ya’an Bifengxia Base (雅安碧峰峡基地) of the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas. This location serves as:

• A primary breeding center
• A location for panda relocation and exchange programs
• A facility for public education and conservation awareness

His journey from earthquake survivor to traveling ambassador reflects the complex management of China’s captive panda population, with individual animals often moved between institutions for breeding, research, and public education purposes.

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Legacy & Significance

Earthquake Survivor

Xi Wang’s early experience surviving the 2008 Sichuan earthquake and his subsequent bond with Wei Wei symbolized resilience and hope during one of China’s darkest natural disaster periods.

Ambassador for Conservation

Through his travels to multiple cities, Xi Wang has served as:

• An educational ambassador teaching millions about panda conservation
• A representative of China’s successful captive breeding program
• A connection between local communities and conservation efforts

Breeding Potential

As a male panda of good genetic lineage (son of Ying Ying, who was himself an important breeding male), Xi Wang represents continued breeding potential for the captive population management program.

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Sources & Further Reading

• China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas official records
• Wuhan Zoo panda care documentation
• Yichang City Children’s Park Zoo news releases (2014-2015)
• Tai Shan Tian Yi Lake scenic area panda program reports
• Sichuan earthquake disaster documentation and panda rescue records
• International Giant Panda Studbook entries