Yun Yun

Basic Profile

Yun Yun (Chinese: 运运, nickname De De/德德), studbook number 742, is a male giant panda born on July 7, 2009 at the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas (CCRCGP). His mother is Gong Zhu (公主, studbook 477) — one of the most prolific mothers in the program.

Through his mother Gong Zhu, Yun Yun has 12 half-siblings: Ge Ge (格格), Jun Zhu (郡主), Ya Ao (雅奥), Li Li (丽丽), Bi Li (比力), Huan Huan (欢欢), Zhu Ling (竹灵), Zhu Hai (竹海), Shan Hu (山虎), Wu Wen (武雯), Xian Xian (贤贤), and Qi Qi (七七).

Life Journey

Asian Games Panda (2010)

In October 2010, Yun Yun was selected as one of 12 pandas in the “Asian Games Panda Group” sent to Guangzhou Xiangjiang Safari World (Chimelong) to promote the 16th Asian Games. His great-grandfather was Pan Pan (盼盼), the mascot of the 1990 Beijing Asian Games — creating a generational link between the two Games.

Huzhou Years (2013–2023)

On January 22, 2013, Yun Yun (then called De De) was transferred to the Xiazhu Lake Panda Garden in Deqing, Huzhou, Zhejiang. The 18-acre facility, built at a cost of over 10 million RMB, featured climate-controlled indoor spaces and outdoor exercise yards. A dedicated bamboo plantation was established nearby to ensure his food supply.

The Tongue-Flicking Controversy

In 2023, Yun Yun attracted attention for a behavior pattern: he repeatedly flicked his tongue, sometimes for extended periods. Visitors raised concerns about possible stereotypic behavior — repetitive movements sometimes associated with stress in captive animals. The zoo responded:

• Veterinary checks found no health abnormalities
• The behavior was explained as a habitual post-feeding action developed in his youth
• Keepers implemented behavioral enrichment and bamboo-shoot feeding interventions
• Enhanced security was added to prevent unauthorized visitor feeding

Return to Sichuan (2023)

On August 27, 2023, after a decade in Zhejiang, Yun Yun’s lease contract expired. He was transported to Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport under a covered crate to minimize stress, flew Sichuan Airlines 3U8920, and arrived safely in Sichuan the same day.