Yuan Zai (giant panda)

Yuan Zai
Yuan Zai in April 2014 on a branch
SpeciesGiant panda
SexFemale
Born (2013-07-06) July 6, 2013 (age 11)
Taipei Zoo, Wenshan District, Taipei, Taiwan
Parent(s)Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan
OffspringYuan Bao [zh] (younger sister)

Yuan Zai (Chinese: 圓仔; pinyin: Yuánzǎi; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Îⁿ-á) is a female giant panda born at the Taipei Zoo on July 6, 2013. She is the first panda cub born in Taiwan, to parents Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan by artificial insemination.[1][2] As Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan were sent to Taiwan from People's Republic of China in exchange for two Formosan sika deer and two Taiwan serows,[3] Yuan Zai does not need to be returned.[4][5]

The female baby was first nicknamed "Yuan Zai" by the zookeepers soon after birth. On October 26, at the zoo's 99th anniversary ceremony, the baby panda was officially named Yuan Zai after a naming activity that saw 60% of the votes go to the cub's nickname. The name "Yuan Zai" can be interpreted variously as "the little round thing", "rice ball", or "(Yuan) Yuan's child". On the same day, she was also presented an honorary citizen's card.[6]

  1. ^ Tai, Ya-chen; Liu, Shi-yih; Hsiao, Scully (7 July 2013). "Panda newborn to meet public within 6 months". Central News Agency. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  2. ^ "Yuan Zai celebrates her second birthday". Taipei Times. 7 July 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  3. ^ "Deer, goats as gifts from Taiwan arrive at Weihai". China Daily. 16 April 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  4. ^ Low, Y. F.; Liu, Chien-pang (2 July 2016). "Taipei Zoo throws birthday party for Yuan Zai". Central News Agency. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  5. ^ Liang, Pei-chi; Hsu, Elizabeth (6 July 2018). "Giant panda Yuan Zai celebrates 5th birthday at Taipei Zoo". Central News Agency. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  6. ^ Mo, Yan-chih (27 October 2013). "Panda cub officially named Yuan Zai, gets citizen's card". Taipei Times. Retrieved 7 July 2020.