Yuan Zai (giant panda)
Giant panda at the Taipei Zoo (born 2013)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Yuan Zai (Chinese: 圓仔; pinyin: Yuánzǎi; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Îⁿ-á; born 6 July 2013) is a female giant panda born at the Taipei Zoo.
Taipei Zoo, Wenshan District, Taipei, Taiwan
Yuan Zai in April 2014 on a branch | |
| Species | Giant panda |
|---|---|
| Sex | Female |
| Born | July 6, 2013 Taipei Zoo, Wenshan District, Taipei, Taiwan |
| Parent | Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan |
Life
Yuan Zai was born on 6 July 2013 to parents Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan by artificial insemination, making her the first giant panda born in Taiwan.[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. At the zoo's 99th anniversary ceremony on 26 October, 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]
