Huayan

华妍

Life status: Living
Born: August 14, 2013

In 2016, Huayan and Zhang Meng were released together into Liziping National Nature Reserve in Sichuan, marking China’s first simultaneous release of two giant pandas. In 2024, patrol staff recorded Huayan courting Taotao after years of living in the wild. DNA testing later confirmed their identities, providing the first conclusive evidence that giant pandas released when young could integrate into the local wild population and take part in mating and reproduction as adults.

Read the story Meet the family

Sex: Female
Studbook number: 888
Current place: Liziping National Nature Reserve

No photograph is available yet.

Timeline

4 recorded events

2013-08-14
Born at Hetaoping Rewilding Training Base
Huayan was born at Hetaoping Rewilding Training Base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda on August 14, 2013, and subsequently took part in systematic rewilding training.
Hetaoping Rewilding Training Base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda
2016Year only
Separated from her mother and began living independently in a rewilding enclosure
In late March 2016, Huayan separated from her mother Yeye and began living independently in Tiantaishan No. 3 Rewilding Training Enclosure.
Tiantaishan No. 3 Rewilding Training Enclosure
live.ipanda.com
2016-10-20
Released into Liziping National Nature Reserve
Huayan was released into Liziping National Nature Reserve in Sichuan on October 20, 2016.
Liziping National Nature Reserve
2024Year only
Recorded courting Taotao in the wild; identities later confirmed
In March 2024, Huayan was recorded courting the released giant panda Taotao in the wild at Liziping. Microsatellite DNA and hormone testing of fecal samples collected from March through July later confirmed both pandas’ identities and estrous status in September, making this China’s first field record of courtship between two released giant pandas.
Liziping National Nature Reserve