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MEETAn individual life
Gao Gao
高高
- Life status
- Deceased
- Born
- Month only
- Died
- The date is shown as recorded; its precision has not been confirmed
Gao Gao came from the wild in Baoxing, Sichuan, where he was rescued on April 6, 1993. Based on his estimated age at rescue, the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda placed his birth at around September 1992. In 2003, Gao Gao went to the San Diego Zoo for China–U.S. breeding cooperation and fathered five cubs with Bai Yun: Mei Sheng, Su Lin, Zhen Zhen, Yun Zi and Xiao Liwu. After 15 years in the United States, he returned to China in 2018. Gao Gao died on November 24, 2025, at about 33 years old.
- Sex
- Male
Timeline
9 recorded events
- Year only
Born in the wild in Baoxing, Sichuan
Gao Gao was born in the wild in Baoxing, Sichuan, around September 1992; the date was estimated from his age when he was rescued in 1993.
Baoxing, Sichuan
Rescued in Baoxing
Gao Gao was rescued in the wild in Baoxing, Sichuan, on April 6, 1993.
Baoxing, Sichuan
Attempted reintroduction to the wild
After rehabilitation and semi-wild care, Gao Gao was released into the wild on April 12, 1996. He was taken back into care several weeks later after repeatedly entering farmland and residential areas.
Baoxing, Sichuan
Arrived at the San Diego Zoo
Gao Gao arrived at the San Diego Zoo on January 15, 2003, to take part in China–U.S. giant panda conservation cooperation.
San Diego Zoo
Mated naturally with Bai Yun
Gao Gao mated naturally with Bai Yun on March 22, 2003.
San Diego Zoo
- Year only
Fathered five cubs with Bai Yun by 2012
By 2012, Gao Gao and Bai Yun had produced five cubs: Mei Sheng in 2003, Su Lin in 2005, Zhen Zhen in 2007, Yun Zi in 2009 and Xiao Liwu in 2012.
San Diego Zoo
Underwent surgery for a testicular tumor
Gao Gao underwent removal of his right testicle on May 6, 2014, because of a testicular tumor.
San Diego Zoo
Returned to China after 15 years in the United States
Gao Gao ended his stay in the United States and returned to the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda on November 1, 2018.
China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda
Died after his condition worsened in late November
After his condition worsened in late November 2025 despite continued treatment, Gao Gao died at 2:30 p.m. on November 24.
China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda
Relationships
Places
The available information does not yet identify a specific place.
Read more about its time in different places in the Timeline.
Sources
These are sources related to this panda. Sources for individual events appear in the timeline; one source does not establish every detail.
- adminblogs.sandiegozoo.orghttps://adminblogs.sandiegozoo.org/2015/01/13/happy-anniversary-gao-gao/
Event source
- downloads.regulations.govhttps://downloads.regulations.gov/FWS-HQ-IA-2018-0051-0003/content.pdf
Event source
- www.cbsnews.comhttps://www.cbsnews.com/news/baby-panda-born-another-on-way/
Event source
- www.latimes.comhttps://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-san-diego-pandas-20140507-story.html
Event source