Ya Lin

Basic Profile

Ya Lin (Chinese: 娅林, Macau name Kai Kai/开开), studbook number 726, is a male giant panda born on August 24, 2008 at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. His father is Ping Ping (屏屏, studbook 377) and his mother is Ya Ya (娅娅, studbook 362).

He is described as having prominent black eye circles, a round head, and a medium, sturdy build weighing approximately 110 kg. His keepers note his strong social leadership skills — he often initiates interactions with companions and enjoys engaging with his caretakers. He is curious, playful, and an excellent climber.

Selection for Macau (2015)

When Macau’s original male panda, the first “Kai Kai” (蜀祥), was left alone after his companion “Xin Xin” (奇妙) died in 2014, President Xi Jinping announced that a new pair would be gifted to Macau for the 15th anniversary of Macau’s return to China.

A rigorous selection process was launched. Experts evaluated 55 candidate pandas across five criteria: health, appearance, behavior, reproductive potential, and genetics. The field was narrowed to three pairs, then two. On March 31, 2015, a Macau delegation led by Secretary for Administration and Justice Sonia Chan visited the Chengdu Base and personally selected Ya Lin and female Shu Rong (蜀蓉, studbook 667).

The pair continued Macau’s tradition of using the names “Kai Kai” (开开) and “Xin Xin” (心心) — meaning “happy and joyful.”

Life in Macau

On April 30, 2015, Ya Lin and Shu Rong flew to Macau aboard Air China flight CA649. After 30 days of quarantine, they debuted to the public on June 1, 2015, at the Macau Seac Pai Van Park panda pavilion — a fan-shaped, nature-inspired facility built into a hillside, covering over 1,200 square meters.

Fatherhood

On June 26, 2016, Shu Rong gave birth to twin male cubs. Through a public naming competition, they were named Jian Jian (健健) and Kang Kang (康康) — together forming the “Happy Family” (开心家族) of Macau.