In allusion to the Olympic Games of Beijing, among the cubs of the Giant Panda Breeding Center, 5 were named: Bei Bei, Jing Jing, Huan Huan, Ying Ying and Ni Ni, according to the welcome sentence of the OG: “Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni”, which means “Beijing is happy to welcome you”. Huan Huan is one of those 5 cubs, and her name means “welcome” and “great joy”.
Huan Huan is a rather calm and docile female, which willingly accepts medical trainings. She has a great confidence in the team of keepers who take care of her daily. Thus, after the mating period, Huan Huan regularly has ultrasounds scans, carried out on a voluntary basis. Urine samples are taken daily to check the good health of our bears. Blood samples can also be taken for a complete medical examination. Thanks to the relationship of trust that the keepers have established with Huan Huan, she accepts on request to pee, to give her arm for a blood sample or to lie on her back for the vet to carry out his manipulation.
Sleeping… stretching… sleeping again…changing position… and then savour some bamboos that she took great care to peel. This is, more or less, the typical day of our female panda! To this must be added the medical training she does at her own discretion and according to her apple cravings! Yes, yes, her apple cravings: Mrs Huan Huan does not carry out these exercises only to please her healers, but also by fondness for good food. And she has a little weakness for apples…
On August 4, 2017, Huan Huan has given birth to a little male, named Yuan Meng. A first
experience for this primiparous female: it is indeed her first cub. Huan Huan has proved herself
to be a good mother, even if her movements were a bit clumsy during the first months. As her cub
grew, Huan Huan became closer to him, alternating cuddling and playing phases. Now, Yuan Meng
wanders about with his mother in her inside or outside area and can be seen by the visitors.
Even if her young is more and more independent since he walks, Huan Huan remains very attentive
to his movements and does not hesitate to intervene if she judges that he goes too far away.
A real mother hen-panda!