Chi Chi

Chi Chi is a female giant panda born on January 1, 1957 in the wild of Sichuan Province, China. She was captured in 1957 and transferred to London Zoo in the United Kingdom the following year, becoming one of the most well-known giant pandas housed in a European zoo in the mid-20th century. She is the offspring of wild, unnamed giant panda parents native to the Min Mountains of central Sichuan. Her wild birth is recorded in the international giant panda studbook, which assigns her the official studbook number 110. Currently living at London Zoo, she participates in the institution's public education programming focused on endangered species protection. She resided at the zoo until her death in 1972, and her preserved taxidermy remains are held in the collection of the Natural History Museum, London. As a giant panda, Chi Chi was known for her calm, curious demeanor that endeared her to millions of zoo visitors. She became the original model for the World Wildlife Fund's iconic panda logo, cementing her global cultural legacy. Her presence helped raise widespread public awareness of giant panda conservation, making her a critical early figure in international efforts to protect the species.