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MEETAn individual life
Yong Ming
永明
- Life status
- Deceased
- Born
- Died
- The date is shown as recorded; its precision has not been confirmed
Yong Ming moved to Shirahama, Wakayama, at the age of two in 1994 and became an important early participant in China–Japan giant panda conservation cooperation. With Mei Mei and Rauhin, he fathered 16 cubs, forming the largest overseas giant panda family, known as the Hama family. His breeding history also included important records involving autumn mating and winter births in captivity. After returning to China in 2023, Yong Ming died on January 25, 2025, at the age of 32.5.
- Sex
- Male
No photograph is available yet.
Timeline
7 recorded events
Born at Beijing Zoo
Yong Ming was born at Beijing Zoo on September 14, 1992.
Beijing Zoo
Moved to Adventure World in Shirahama
Yong Ming traveled to Adventure World in Shirahama, Wakayama, on September 6, 1994, beginning China–Japan joint giant panda breeding research.
Adventure World
- Year only
Mated naturally with Mei Mei and also received assisted breeding support
Yong Ming mated naturally with Mei Mei from September 13 to 15, 2001, and artificial insemination was also used.
Adventure World
Xiong Bang was born
Mei Mei gave birth to Yong Ming’s son Xiong Bang on December 17, 2001.
Adventure World
Feng Bang was born, bringing Yong Ming’s total offspring to 16
Yong Ming’s daughter Feng Bang was born on November 22, 2020. With 16 offspring in total, Yong Ming again extended the record for the oldest male giant panda to reproduce naturally in captivity.
Adventure World
- Year only
Returned to China with Ying Bang and Tao Bang
Yong Ming left Japan with his twin daughters Ying Bang and Tao Bang on February 22, 2023, and arrived at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport that evening. They subsequently entered quarantine at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
Died at the Chengdu Panda Base
Yong Ming died on January 25, 2025, from multiple-organ failure at the age of 32.5.
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
Relationships
Mother
Father
Siblings4
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.
- www.aws-s.comhttps://www.aws-s.com/panda_breeding_and_research/cn/research/giantpanda.html
Event source
- www.aws-s.comhttps://www.aws-s.com/
Event source
- www.aws-s.comhttps://www.aws-s.com/panda_breeding_and_research/cn/history/development.html
Event source