Yong Ba died on December 4, 2011 at the Ya’an Bi Feng Xia Base of CCRCGP.
She was wildborn approximately in 1983 and was rescued in September 1992. She is the mother of 11 pandas. Her first 9 cubs were sired by Pan Pan, the last two by Pan Pan’s son Da Di (Vienna’s Yang Yang’s father & San Diego’s Bai Yun’s brother).
Six of her children are still alive. Her three daughters Fei Fei, Jin Zhu and Xi Xi gave birth to cubs this year, all are part of the reintroduction program. Yong Ba’s three surviving sons are twins Long Teng and Long Fei & Tian Tian of the National Zoo.
She has 17 grandchildren. 16 of them are still alive, and the most famous one is ofcourse Tai Shan.
Yong Ba is the only captive giant panda who gave birth to triplets. Unfortunately none of them survived. The third born died two days after birth in August 1999. The first born, Yuan Yuan, died when he was just one year old. The second born, Guo Qing, died when he was 7 years old.
I am very happy that I had a chance to meet Yong Ba at the Ya’an Bi feng Xia Base of CCRCGP at November 15, 2011. Here are some pictures to remember Yong Ba.
Rest In Peace Yong Ba!
Source: CCRCGP