Recently, a giant panda cub named 'Su Jin Zai' from the Wolong Shenshuping Base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda has gone viral online due to its entirely blackened appearance, earning it the nickname 'Black Coal Ball' from netizens. Videos of the cub have flooded social media platforms, offering a heartwarming and soothing effect.

Source from the Internet

In the videos, 'Su Jin Zai' hangs from a tree branch, completely covered in dark grime, presenting a striking contrast to the traditional black-and-white image of giant pandas. Netizens have jokingly commented, 'Did Shenshuping introduce a black bear?' and 'Has this little one been working in a coal mine?' Nicknames such as 'Black Bear Spirit' and 'Little Coal Miner' have since become popular.

Photo source: China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda

In reality, 'Su Jin Zai' was not born this way. It is a male giant panda born on June 28, 2025, to mother Su Jin. Because Su Jin's first delivery took approximately 38 hours, caretakers gave the cub the nickname 'Yi Tian Ban' (meaning 'One and a Half Days'). The cub is known for its lively personality and fondness for rolling around on the ground.

The reason for its blackened appearance is that after recent snowfall at the base, the outdoor enclosure became wet, muddy, and slippery. 'Su Jin Zai' repeatedly rolled in the mud, resulting in this temporary 'limited-edition coat color'.

In response to netizens' suggestions to 'give it a bath', the center explained that giant pandas have a natural oily layer on their skin that provides insulation, moisture resistance, and protection against cold. Artificial washing with water would disrupt this protective barrier, increasing the risk of catching colds or developing skin conditions. Currently, caretakers have gently cleaned 'Su Jin Zai' with wiping methods.

【本文部分内容由AI辅助生成，特此声明。The author(s) generated part of the content in this work with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI), which is hereby declared.】