Gao Gao

Gao Gao (Chinese: 高高; lit. 'High High or Tall Tall'[1]) is a male giant panda formerly at the San Diego Zoo. He was returned to China in 2018. To date, he has fathered five giant pandas in captivity.

Gao Gao eating bamboo in his habitat at the San Diego Zoo.

History

Gao Gao was born in the wild in China, around 1990, and was taken to the Fengtongzhai Nature Reserve in 1993 suffering from injuries which resulted in the loss of nearly two thirds of his left ear.

On April 12, 1995, Gao Gao was released to the wild in good health, as featured in the Chinese documentary Returning Home.[2] However, his release was brief, as he was too disruptive to the local villages. He was then brought to the Wolong Panda Conservation Center in 2002.[3]

Gao Gao arrived at the San Diego Zoo in January 2003 and replaced Shi Shi as Bai Yun's mate.[4] This has proven to be a very successful pairing — Gao Gao and Bai Yun are the parents of Mei Sheng (M), Su Lin (F), Zhen Zhen (F), Yun Zi (M), and Xiao Liwu (M),[1] all conceived via natural mating. He has three grandchildren, among them a male born to Su Lin on July 7, 2011.

Gao Gao in his habitat at the San Diego Zoo.

On October 30, 2018, Gao Gao left the San Diego Zoo, and returned to China as the end of his 15 year loan agreement was reached.[5]

Genetic anomaly

Gao Gao, being wild-born, is considered a valuable contributor to the captive giant panda gene pool. One noteworthy genetic trait, which he has passed on to the oldest four of his offspring, is webbed toes.[6][7]

See also

Footnotes and references
  1. "Meet the Pandas: Gao Gao's San Diego Zoo Profile".
  2. "回家—熊猫纪录片".
  3. Rosenbaum, Ellie. "Celebrating Gao Gao". San Diego Zoo.
  4. Shi Shi was sent back to China.
  5. Garske, Monica. "Goodbye, Gao Gao: Beloved Giant Panda Leaves San Diego Zoo". NBC San Diego.
  6. "Panda Ducklings?". San Diego Zoo. September 11, 2009.
  7. "Zoo confirms panda paternity: Tiny toes tell the tale". The Orange County Register. September 16, 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-09-24.
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