Giant panda Gao Gao returns home from U.S.

Gao Gao is headed to the Chinese Center for Research and Conservation for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) in Dujiangyan, Sichuan province, as part of a research loan agreement. He fathered 5 cubs with matriarch Bai Yun, three of which have been sent back to China, and the youngest one, Xiao liwu, will remain behind with his mother, who arrived at the zoo in 1996.

Gao Gao was born in the wild in China around 1990. He spent time in the Fengtongzhai Nature Reserve and the Wolong Panda Conservation Center after he was found missing part of his left ear. He has become a film star in his own right for appearing in the movie "Go home" in 1995, and also brought joy to the America people during his stay in San Diego.

Gao Gao has had health problems in recent years in his advanced age and animal caretakers from San Diego Zoo Global will assist their counterparts at the CCRCGP with helping the panda get used to the new environments.