Bei Bei

Bei Bei is a male giant panda born on 2015-08-22 at the Smithsonian National Zoo. As a captive-born giant panda, he holds studbook number 975 in the global giant panda studbook registry, which tracks the genetic management of the species. He is the offspring of Tian Tian and Mei Xiang. Both of his parents are adult giant pandas owned by China, previously on long-term loan to the Smithsonian National Zoo for research and public display. Currently living at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Wolong, Sichuan, he participates in the center’s captive breeding program for giant pandas. This program aims to maintain genetic diversity within the captive giant panda population, supporting long-term species recovery efforts. As a giant panda born outside of China that was repatriated to his species’ native range, Bei Bei draws consistent public attention to giant panda conservation initiatives. He displays typical giant panda foraging behavior, spending most of his active time feeding on bamboo. His cross-cultural origin has made him a prominent example of international collaboration for giant panda protection.