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- Everland’s youngest panda, Shubao, made her public debut at Panda World on October 30, after growing under the care of her mother Aibao, zookeepers and veterinarians
- Born on June 3, Shubao is the fourth giant panda born in Korea; Everland will gradually expand her viewing hours and visitor capacity as she adjusts to her new surroundings
Shubao, a female giant panda born at Everland on June 3, began venturing out at Panda World on October 30, Samsung C&T Resort Group, which operates Everland, announced on October 27.
Until now, visitors have followed Shubao’s growth through online channels including Everland’s YouTube channel, PpuppaTV and Naver’s Zootopia café. Her public debut gave them the chance to see her in person for the first time.
Born to Aibao and Le Bao through natural breeding, Shubao is the fourth giant panda born in Korea, following Fubao and the twin pandas Ruibao and Huibao.
A Curious Newcomer
Shubao weighed just 171 grams at birth. She now weighs more than 9 kilograms and is growing well with care from her mother, zookeepers and veterinarians.
At around 120 days old, she began taking her first wobbly steps on all fours. More recently, she has started moving around on her own near Aibao and spending more time exploring her surroundings. Her growing curiosity about unfamiliar objects is another sign of how active she has become as she settled in at Panda World.
A Gradual Introduction to Panda World
Ahead of Shubao’s debut, Everland helped her become familiar with new spaces and surroundings in stages. She has gradually expanded her activity area from the indoor habitat where she has been living, following Aibao as she explores. She has also been visiting the outdoor habitat, getting used to its terrain and scents.
Aibao checks the surroundings first and stays close to Shubao, helping her feel secure as she encounters the new environment. Zookeepers and veterinarians are also closely observing the pair’s adjustment, including Shubao’s movements, reactions and rest.
Everland will prioritize Shubao’s health and comfort, gradually increasing viewing hours and the number of visitors as she settles in.
Kang Cheol-won, the zookeeper affectionately known as “Panda Grandpa,” said, “Shubao relies on her mother, Aibao, while also looking around and exploring on her own, gradually expanding her world. We hope visitors will cheer her on as she toddles around, plays with her mother and practices climbing trees.”
A Name Chosen by the Public
Shubao received her name on her 100th day. Written as 曙宝, it means “a bright treasure like the dawn.”
More than 10,000 people took part in a public naming contest. After expert review, five names were shortlisted, and Shubao received the most votes in a total of 220,000 online and in-person votes, earning 42% of the total.
“From Shubao’s birth and naming to her first meeting with visitors, many people have shown her warm interest and support,” said Jung Dong-hee, director of Everland’s zoo. “We will do our utmost to help her grow up healthy and bring bright, warm joy to many people, just as her name suggests.”
See the Panda Family at Everland
Shubao’s older sisters, twin pandas Ruibao and Huibao, will begin quarantine on November 13 ahead of their planned move to China. Their final day on public view at Everland is scheduled for December 11.
rom October 30 through December 11, visitors will be able to see the whole family at Everland: father Le Bao, mother Aibao, twins Ruibao and Huibao, and their youngest sister, Shubao.
For full details on operating hours and park information, visit the Everland website or check out the mobile app.
International visitors can also enjoy a range of special admission offers when presenting eligible VISA, JCB, or T-money cards, or by showing eligible boarding passes from Asiana Airlines. Visitors can also enjoy 25% off the Everland Pass through Singapore Airlines’ Kris+ platform, which can be accessed using a KrisFlyer membership, while Discover Seoul Pass holders can enjoy complimentary admission as part of their pass benefits.
