Xiang Guo

Basic Profile

Xiang Guo (Chinese: 香果), studbook number 1239, was a female giant panda born on July 6, 2020 at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Her mother is Xiang Bing (香冰, studbook 665), nicknamed the “Demolition Office Director,” and her father is Gong Zai (功仔, studbook 711), the inspiration for the protagonist in the film Kung Fu Panda.

Names & Nicknames

• 香果 (Xiang Guo) — Her primary name, meaning “Fragrant Fruit”
• 百香果 (Passion Fruit) — Playful nickname
• 挖煤大王 (Coal Mining King) — Earned from her habit of rolling in mud until her white fur turned black
• 香果女侠 (Xiang Guo the Heroine) — For her lively, adventurous spirit

Family

Xiang Guo’s notable relatives include:

• Mother: Xiang Bing (香冰, studbook 665)
• Father: Gong Zai (功仔, studbook 711)
• Grandmother: Bing Bing (冰冰)
• Aunt (paternal): Cheng Gong (成功) — grandmother of He Hua (花花), making Xiang Guo and He Hua cousins

Life Journey

Early Years at Chengdu (2020-2023)

Xiang Guo grew up alongside three male cubs: Re Gan Mian (热干面), Dan Hong Gao (蛋烘糕), and Chun Sheng (春生). She was known for her energetic personality and was often involved in playful wrestling matches with the boys. Her habit of digging and rolling in dirt left her fur perpetually gray-brown, earning her the “Coal Mining King” nickname.

Move to Hangzhou (2023)

On August 9, 2023, Xiang Guo and Chun Sheng traveled to Hangzhou Zoo for a three-year educational exhibition. They flew to Hangzhou, arriving at the zoo at 1:29 AM on August 10. After a week-long acclimation period, they made their public debut on August 18, 2023.

Due to their rough-and-tumble playstyle, the zoo separated them on September 12, 2023, giving each their own indoor and outdoor spaces connected by a mesh gate. Xiang Guo quickly became a fan favorite for her distinctive “velvet-textured” fur and mud-covered antics.

Death

In early February 2026, Xiang Guo developed acute mesenteric torsion (肠扭转), a severe digestive emergency. Despite round-the-clock care from a joint team of Hangzhou and Chengdu experts, she passed away on February 10, 2026 from multi-organ failure caused by mesenteric torsion.

Legacy

Xiang Guo was beloved by fans for her lively personality and unique appearance. Her passing was widely mourned, leading to a temporary closure of the Hangzhou Zoo panda exhibit for maintenance and review.