In a twist fit for a 🎬 *dramatic movie reveal*, the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding confirmed Wednesday that He Ye – long considered the “younger brother” of internet-favorite panda twins – is actually female! 🌸
The mix-up highlights how tricky it is to determine panda cubs’ genders early on (their…um, anatomy isn’t obvious), leading to occasional “plot twists.” 😅 He Ye and twin He Hua, born in 2020, have been social media stars for years, melting hearts with their playful antics.
🔍 Why it matters: Accurate gender tracking is crucial for conservation efforts. Giant pandas remain a vulnerable species, with fewer than 2,000 in the wild. The Chengdu base, a global leader in panda research, uses DNA testing and observation to ensure proper care and breeding programs.
Fans are already flooding Weibo with memes: “He Ye said ✨gender is a social construct✨” and “Panda-monium in the comments!” 🐼💬
Reference(s):
Star panda He Hua's younger 'brother' He Ye turns out to be female
cgtn.com