Gao Gao

Gao Gao (Chinese: 高高; literally "Big Big"[1]) is a male giant panda currently at the San Diego Zoo. To date, he is the sire to four giant pandas in captivity.

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History

Gao Gao was born in the wild in China, around 1992, 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.[2]

Gao Gao arrived at the San Diego Zoo in January 2003 and replaced Shi Shi as Bai Yun's mate.[3] This has proven to be a very successful pairing — Gao Gao and Bai Yun are the parents of Mei Sheng, Su Lin, Zhen Zhen, and Yun Zi, all conceived via natural mating.

Genetic anomaly

Gao Gao, being wild-born, is considered a valuable contributor to the captive giant panda gene pool. One note-worthy genetic trait, which he has passed on to all his offspring, is webbed toes.[4][5]

See also

Footnotes and references

  1. ^ The word 高 usually translates as "high", "tall", or "lofty." It is unknown whether the English meaning listed by San Diego Zoo is intentional or a mistranslation.
  2. ^ Rosenbaum, Ellie. "Celebrating Gao Gao". San Diego Zoo. http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/celebrating-gao-gao/#more-3266. 
  3. ^ Shi Shi had been sent back to China.
  4. ^ "Panda Ducklings?". San Diego Zoo. September 11, 2009. http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/09/11/panda-ducklings/. 
  5. ^ "Zoo confirms panda paternity: Tiny toes tell the tale". The Orange County Register. September 16, 2009. http://ocpets.freedomblogging.com/2009/09/16/zoo-confirms-panda-paternity-baby-has-webbed-toes/16543. 

External links