The third mum I saw was Xiu Qiu 绣球 with her 2024-born cub female Xiu Li 绣丽 – I only saw this pair on the first day of my visit, but I saw Xiu Qiu on my visit last year in this area. One thing I quite liked was that they were in a yard that was a little tucked away so there weren’t many people there and it wasn’t on a main route through the area like most of the other yards are in the Star Nursery House. For ages at the yard I only saw Xiu Qiu, and it was only when I was walking away and looked back that the cub appeared from behind the tree way up on the platform! I think lots of other visitors walked past without seeing her. Initially Xiu Qiu was sitting in a huge bamboo pile, making quick work of it, but after I saw the cub, she then also got up herself, had a small walk around the yard, then headed up the ladder to check on her baby – so sweet! The pair rolled around for a bit – baby was not wanting to be cuddled and wanted some freedom I think, but eventually mum got her way and they cuddled together up on the platform.
I quite liked this yard for it’s slightly smaller size, so technically should be easy to spot the panda in, but it also has a very nice climbing frame along with some rocks and a slightly hilly terrain. The only downside is that the viewing has a lot of glass windows – so the best view to see them together on the platform was through glass and it was quite tricky not to catch the reflection or a dirty smudge on the glass. There is an open section, although a lot of the space is stairs, so not ideal – I was just glad it wasn’t super busy so everyone could get into the optimal spot and get their photos.
Xiu Qiu also is a panda who has moved her from CCRCGP, she was born to mum Shui Xiu who I saw last year, and I very much think she has inherited her mums round fluffiness^ Xiu Qui had her first cub in 2021 (who I saw at Wolong Shenshuping last year too!), then moved to the Chengdu Base in 2023, before her second successful pregnancy in 2024. I’m sure she has many more cubs to come in the future too.
