Yuan Run

Basic Profile

Yuan Run (Chinese: 园润, nicknamed Run Run/润润, Run Niu/润妞, Yellow-Haired Girl/黄毛丫头), studbook number 853, is a female giant panda born on August 25, 2012 at 5:10 AM at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, weighing 137 grams at birth. Her father is Yong Yong (勇勇, studbook 584) and her mother is Yuan Yuan (园园). Through her mother, she belongs to the Bing Bing family (冰冰家族) — her maternal grandparents are Ke Bi (科比) and Bing Bing (冰冰), and her paternal grandmother is Shu Qing (蜀庆).

Her siblings include Yuan Zi (园子, older brother), He Sheng (和盛), Xing Yi (星一), Miao Miao (淼淼), Qi Yi (奇一), Qi Guo (奇果), Yuan Man (圆满), and Ya Yi (雅一). Her cousin includes the famous He Hua (和花/花花).

Life Journey

Birth and Early Life

Yuan Run was a celebrity before she was born — CCTV News (央视新闻频道) documented her entire birth process live, from her parents’ courtship through pregnancy to delivery. The broadcast made her one of the most anticipated cubs of 2012.

However, her biological mother Yuan Yuan was unable to produce enough milk while also caring for another cub, Miao Miao (淼淼). Yuan Run was entrusted to foster mother Si Yuan (思缘), who raised her from infancy.

The “Seven Little Fortunes” (2014-2015)

In February 2014, Yuan Run moved to the base’s nursery yard (幼年园), initially cared by foster mother Li Li (莉莉). On June 10, 2014, Li Li moved out, and Yuan Run began living with six other cubs born the same year, forming the famous “Seven Little Fortunes” (七小福/七小) group. Within this group, she was known for her acrobatic skills (excelling at high-difficulty movements), her ladylike sitting posture while eating, and her extraordinary obsession with apples and wotou (steamed cornbread).

Dujiangyan Years (2015-2017)

On November 5, 2015, Yuan Run graduated from the nursery and moved to Villa No. 2 at the base. On December 30, 2015, she was transferred to the Dujiangyan Breeding and Wild Research Center (熊猫谷). There, she frequently played with her brother Ao Li Ao (奥莉奥) and sister Miao Miao, often getting herself covered in mud — earning her the playful nickname “Dirty” (脏脏) as they “mined coal” together in the enclosures.

She celebrated her 5th birthday on August 25, 2017 at Dujiangyan, having transformed from a “yellow-haired girl” into a mature adult.

Return to Chengdu Base (2017-present)

Yuan Run returned to the Chengdu Base in 2017.

First Birth: Run Jiu (2018)

On July 31, 2018, Yuan Run gave birth to her first cub — a female weighing 151.8 grams. The delivery was difficult: the cub emerged with a long wound from its mouth to its neck, likely caused by Yuan Run’s anxious attempts to pick it up during her first-time mothering. The cub underwent emergency surgery, receiving nine stitches. She was named Run Jiu (润九) — “Run’s Nine” — symbolizing healing and longevity.

Second Birth: Run Yue (2020)

On June 5, 2020 at 12:32 PM, Yuan Run gave birth to a second daughter, weighing 172.6 grams and in excellent health. This time, Yuan Run displayed strong maternal instincts, immediately cradling the cub after birth. The cub was named Run Yue (润玥).

Third Birth (2023)

In September 2023, Yuan Run gave birth again. Her cumulative offspring include daughters Run Jiu (润九), Run Yue (润玥), Run Yang (润洋), and son Run Ze (润泽).

Water-Pouring Incident (2023)

On May 29, 2023, a male visitor was observed pouring bottled water on Yuan Run while she was in the outdoor yard of Villa No. 1. On May 30, the Chengdu Base issued a notice: the visitor was banned for life from entering both the Chengdu Base and the Panda Valley (熊猫谷).

Appearance and Personality

Yuan Run is instantly recognizable by her:

• Yellowish-tinted fur (毛色偏黄) — unusual among pandas
• Fluffy face (蓬蓬脸) — giving her a round, soft appearance
• “Exploding” ear tufts (炸毛耳朵) — fur that sticks out from her ears

Her early nickname “Yellow-Haired Girl” (黄毛丫头) came from her fluffy, slightly discolored coat. She is known for her energetic, acrobatic personality combined with surprisingly ladylike eating manners — sitting up straight while carefully consuming her food.

Legacy

Yuan Run’s life has been documented more thoroughly than most pandas — from her live-broadcast birth through her mud-covered Dujiangyan days to her journey as a mother of four. The 2023 water-pouring incident and the resulting lifetime ban highlighted the growing commitment to panda welfare at Chinese facilities. She remains one of the Chengdu Base’s most beloved and recognizable residents.