In the vast universe of giant pandas, where physical resemblance reigns supreme, the exemplary and eccentric male elder panda, Qiu Bang (秋浜) stands out for a series of distinctive traits and an unmistakable personality. Affectionately nicknamed the "Long-Faced Cat" for his tubular face, Qiu Bang is not only a well-known face in conservation, but a veteran who combines a historic lineage with a surprisingly relaxed lifestyle.
Qiu Bang, the eccentric elder of the pandsa: The veteran's return and rise to Shenzhen
Qiu Bang, the panda elder, was born on September 8, 2003 at Shirahama Wildlife Park, Wakayama. Qiu Bang and its twin Long Bang marked a giant panda breeding record. They were the world's first pair of twins to be bred naturally by their mother in captivity. This initial milestone defined Qiu Bang's importance within the famous "Bang family," descended from the renowned sire Yong Ming and the dam Mei Mei. In compliance with the Sino-Japanese cooperation agreements, Qiu Bang returned to China on October 28, 2007. After a period at the Chengdu Research Center, his journey led him, in April 2017, to the Shenzhen Wild Animal Park.
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Unique features and a distinct lifestyle
In Shenzhen, Qiu Bang He consolidated his fame thanks to an atypical external appearance. His build is robust and slender, inheriting his father's traits. However, it is his unmistakable long, tubular snout making him immediately recognizable, earning him the original nickname of “Long-Faced Cat.” Despite his advanced age (his 19th birthday was celebrated in September 2022, a sign of remarkable panda longevity in captivity), Qiu Bang is distinguished by a relaxed lifestyle and jovial. He is known for his love of water, often spotted lazily dipping into pools, a habit that has earned him the nickname "Old Qiu." This calmness is also reflected in his interactions with his enclosure neighbors. The dominating tactics of his enclosure mate, Yuan Zhou, who piles excrement near his door, are routinely ignored by the placid veteran.
A television icon and prolific father
In addition to his presence at the Shenzhen Zoo, Qiu Bang boasts a media career. He and his twin brother starred in the hit documentary “The Life of Giant Pandas.” On the breeding front, Qiu Bang He has proven to be a prolific sire, having successfully mated with three different partners (Er Yatou, Li Li, and Mao Mao), producing four offspring. This reproductive success is crucial for maintaining genetic diversity and the effectiveness of breeding programs. Giant Panda Breeding between China and Japan. The history of Panda Qiu Bang celebrates not only its resilience and charm, but also the enduring success of international collaboration in Panda Conservation China, making it a real star to monitor in the panorama of world fauna.