Ueno Zoo Timeline

Ueno Zoo began demolishing the East Garden panda enclosure, which once housed 10 pandas including Xiang Xiang, Xiao Xiao, and Lei Lei. The building had deteriorated with age. Fans gathered the day before for a final farewell.

Ueno Zoo separated the twin pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei for individual display, as both exceeded 70 kg and required separate enclosures.

Lei Lei began independent living at Ueno Zoo, separated from mother Shin Shin following standard panda management protocol for sub-adults.

Xiao Xiao began independent living at Ueno Zoo, separated from mother Shin Shin following standard panda management protocol for sub-adults.

Xiao Xiao ate his first apple cube at Ueno Zoo, marking the start of his transition from mother's milk to solid foods like bamboo and fruit.

Lei Lei made her public debut at Ueno Zoo via lottery — only 1 in 348 applicants won admission. The zoo opened 2 hours daily for 1,080 visitors.

Xiao Xiao made his public debut at Ueno Zoo via lottery — only 1 in 348 applicants won admission. The zoo opened 2 hours daily for 1,080 visitors.

Lei Lei was named from 192,712 public submissions. Her name (蕾蕾, "Budding Flower") was announced alongside twin Xiao Xiao's on Oct 8, 2021.

Xiao Xiao was named from 192,712 public submissions. His name (晓晓, "Dawn") was announced alongside twin Lei Lei's on Oct 8, 2021.

Lei Lei was born at ueno_zoo.

Lei Lei was born at Ueno Zoo, Tokyo, twin sister of Xiao Xiao. Parents: Shin Shin (真真) and Bi Li (比力). She weighed 120-150g at birth.

Xiao Xiao was born at Ueno Zoo, Tokyo, twin brother of Lei Lei. Parents: Shin Shin (真真) and Bi Li (比力). He weighed 120-150g at birth.

Shin Shin gave birth to a pair of twins at Ueno Zoo — a male (Xiao Xiao, 晓晓) and a female (Lei Lei, 蕾蕾). This was Ueno Zoo's first panda twin birth. Both cubs remain at Ueno Zoo as of 2026.

Xiang Xiang debuted at Ueno Zoo.

Xiang Xiang was named from 320,000 submissions.

Xiang Xiang was born at ueno_zoo.

Shin Shin gave birth to a healthy female cub, later named Xiang Xiang (香香). She was the first surviving panda born at Ueno Zoo since 1988 and became a national celebrity in Japan. Xiang Xiang returned to China on February 21, 2023.

Shin Shin gave birth to a male cub on July 5, 2012 — Ueno's first panda birth in 24 years — but the cub died on July 11 from aspiration pneumonia after being unable to nurse properly. The loss triggered mourning across Japan.

Ri Ri and Shin Shin departed China for Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, as a new breeding pair under a 12-year cooperative research agreement.

Shin Shin (仙女/Xian Nv) arrived at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan together with her mate Ri Ri (比力, sb611) under a 10-year cooperative research agreement. They made their public debut on March 22, 2011, ending Ueno's three-year period without pandas since Ling Ling's death in 2008.

Tong Tong was born at Ueno Zoo, the first panda raised entirely in Japan.

Kang Kang, one of Japan's first giant pandas, died at Ueno Zoo. His specimen is preserved at Tama Zoological Park.

Lan Lan died while pregnant at Ueno Zoo, triggering national mourning in Japan. Her specimen is at Tama Zoological Park.

Kang Kang and Lan Lan arrived at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo as the first giant pandas ever to live in Japan, sparking nationwide panda fever.