Panda Archive

Xiao Xiao

晓晓

Xiao Xiao is a male giant panda born on 2021-06-23 at Ueno Zoo. He is registered under studbook number 1300 in the international giant panda studbook system, which tracks the demographic and genetic status of captive giant pandas globally. He is the offspring of Ri Ri (studbook 608) and Shin Shin (studbook 607), both adult giant pandas housed long-term at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan. His birth marked the second successful captive giant panda breeding at the institution following the birth of his older sister Xiang Xiang in 2017. Currently living at Ueno Zoo, he participates in the joint giant panda conservation research program between the Japan Wildlife Research Center and the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda. The program focuses on studying captive giant panda behavior, reproductive biology, and public conservation education. As a high-profile captive-born giant panda, Xiao Xiao draws millions of annual visitors to Ueno Zoo, boosting public awareness of giant panda conservation in Japan. He displays typical giant panda behaviors including daily foraging on bamboo and extended resting periods, making him a popular subject for wildlife observation and cultural media coverage. His genetic data contributes to global efforts to maintain a genetically healthy captive giant panda population.