Species Ailuropoda melanoleuca | ||
 | ||
Children Mei Sheng, Yun Zi, Xiao Liwu, Zhen Zhen, Su Lin | ||
Gao Gao (Chinese: 高高; literally: "High High or Tall Tall") is a male giant panda currently at the San Diego Zoo. To date, he is the sire to five giant pandas in captivity.
Contents
giant panda gao gao returning home
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.
In 1994, Gao Gao was briefly released to the wild, but was too disruptive to the local villages. He was then brought to the Wolong Panda Conservation Center in 2002.
Gao Gao arrived at the San Diego Zoo in January 2003 and replaced Shi Shi as Bai Yun's mate. 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), all conceived via natural mating. He has three grandchildren, among them a male born to Su Lin on July 7, 2011.
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.
