A lively nine-month-old giant panda cub named Meizhu (妹猪) charmed visitors at Guangzhou's Chimelong Safari Park on March 11 as she settled into her newly upgraded habitat, complete with a Cantonese-style "housewarming feast" to mark the occasion.
The cub, whose nickname means "Beloved Girl" in Cantonese, curiously inspected a symbolic giant key before devouring a spread of carved carrots, bamboo shoots, and fruits. The feast mirrored a local tradition believed to bring luck to new homes. Visitors cheered as the playful panda clambered over logs and splashed in water, showcasing her agility.
Born in June 2023 to Mengmeng, the eldest of the world's only surviving giant panda triplets, Meizhu represents a conservation success story. Her mother and two uncles made headlines in 2014 when they became the first panda triplets to survive infancy, a rarity for the species. The park now hosts 16 pandas, the largest such population in southern China.
The renovated habitat features indoor and outdoor areas alongside educational displays about panda behavior and conservation. Keepers praised Meizhu's growing skills, from climbing trees to outwitting her mother in games.
The celebration included lion dances, a staple of Cantonese culture, with rituals like "dotting the eyes" and "presenting blessings" to wish Meizhu prosperity. Park staff emphasized the event's dual purpose: celebrating the cub's new home and raising awareness about protecting the endangered species.
Author | Feng Huiting
Photo | Nanfang Daily
Editor | Wei Shen, James, Shen He
