Panda Archive

Xiao Mei

小美

Xiao Mei is a female giant panda born on 2022-08-10 at Shanghai Zoo. She is registered under studbook number 1321 in the global giant panda breeding registry, and remains in good health as of 2024. She is the offspring of Ke Lan (studbook 954) and Ya Ya (studbook 789). Both of her parents are captive-bred giant pandas housed at Chinese breeding and exhibition facilities, and are part of the national coordinated breeding program. Currently living at Shanghai Zoo, she participates in the China Giant Panda Conservation and Breeding Program, a coordinated initiative to maintain a genetically healthy captive population of the species. Shanghai Zoo runs public education programs focused on giant panda ecology that feature Xiao Mei as an ambassador animal. As a young captive-born giant panda, Xiao Mei displays typical species traits including daily bamboo foraging and occasional tree climbing. She draws consistent public attention to giant panda conservation efforts, helping build public support for habitat protection initiatives for wild giant pandas that live in the mountainous forests of Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu. Her presence supports long-term conservation goals for the vulnerable species.