Ya Ya

Basic Profile

Ya Ya (Chinese: 娅娅), studbook number 362, is a legendary female giant panda born on August 24, 1990 at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. She earned the nickname “Asian Games Princess” (亚运公主) because she was born on the opening day of the 1990 Beijing Asian Games.

She is the daughter of Qing Qing (庆庆, studbook 280) and an unnamed father.

Historic Birth

Ya Ya and her brother Xiang Xiang were born through artificial insemination — making them the world’s first artificially bred twin giant pandas. Keepers used an innovative “mother care + incubator” method that became standard practice. The research earned the National Science and Technology Progress Award (Second Class).

Breeding Career

Ya Ya gave birth to 9 litters and 13 cubs, with 12 surviving to adulthood:

• Yang Yang (洋洋, #591) — to Zoo Atlanta, father of seven cubs
• Ya Lao Da (娅老大, #494) and Ya Lao Er (娅老二, #493) — twins born 1999
• Ya Xiang (娅祥, #529) and Ya Guang (娅光, #530) — twins born 2001
• Ya Shuang (娅双, #554) and Ya Xing (娅星, #555) — twins born 2002
• Mao Mao (毛毛, #570) — prototype for 2008 Olympic mascot “Jing Jing”
• Jing Jing (晶晶, #598)
• Ya Zai (娅仔, #637)
• Ya Lin (娅琳, #726) — moved to Macau in 2015
• Ya Yun (娅韵, #796)

In 2011, she was photographed caring for seven cubs simultaneously in the famous “very 1+7” family portrait.

Retirement

In February 2013, at age 23, Ya Ya retired from breeding. On March 7, 2019, she returned permanently to Chengdu Base and was removed from public exhibition.

Legacy

Her 12 surviving offspring have produced dozens of descendants, making Ya Ya one of the most genetically valuable pandas ever. Her son Yang Yang’s line includes Mei Lan (father of He Hua). Her daughter Mao Mao became the Olympic mascot prototype.

Current Status (2026)

At 36 years old, Ya Ya is one of the oldest living giant pandas. She lives in quiet retirement at Chengdu Base, receiving specialized geriatric care.