Panda cubs with gray fur quickly gain black color at Chengdu base

Panda caretakers in southwest China’s Chengdu are savoring the final days before certain special cubs lose their gray fur and fully develop the classic black-and-white coloring.

Several newly born giant panda cubs made their debut on the first day of 2026 at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, with livestreams of the adorable youngsters airing to welcome the new year.

Some of the cubs come from a family line with a unique trait—their fur appears gray and white during the first few months after birth. Fans have affectionately nicknamed these little pandas "Little Grays."

Duan Dongqiong, a panda caretaker at the base, explained that as the cubs grow, their gray fur gradually turns black. While most of the transformation is nearly complete, a few cubs still show traces of gray on parts of their coat. To keep livestream viewers updated, Duan and the other keepers set up a signboard with photos showing the cubs’ fur at different stages.

To ensure a smooth transition, the caretakers closely monitor the cubs’ vocalizations to understand their needs.

“Panda cubs use many different sounds to communicate. Daily observations have revealed over 20 distinct sounds. For example, a ‘humming’ sound may mean, ‘Mommy, I’m tired, I want a hug.’ When playing with other cubs, they also hum while running, creating different sounds,” Duan said.

She added that with the arrival of the new year, the last traces of gray on the cubs’ bodies will soon disappear. For the caretakers and the pandas, this marks both an achievement and a new challenge.

“For our team, it means the cubs have taken another big step on their unique life journey. For the panda cubs, it means they are ready to explore larger enclosures and meet new friends. Their full ‘battle uniform’ is a symbol of moving into a new stage of life,” she said.

China has made significant progress in giant panda conservation. The population of captive giant pandas in the country has nearly doubled over the past decade, reaching 808, according to the National Forestry and Grassland Administration.

—China Central Television (CCTV)/Reuters