She is the first giant panda cub to survive to adulthood in the United States.

Millions of people around the world watched Hua Mei grow up via the zoo's Panda Cam.

Hua Mei is the elder half-sister to five other cubs born to Bai Yun: Mei Sheng, Su Lin, Zhen Zhen, Yun Zi, and Xiao Liwu.

In February 2004, upon reaching adulthood, Hua Mei was relocated to the Wolong Reserve in Sichuan Province, China, where she was reportedly doing very well.

[4] Hua Mei delivered her eighth cub, a male named Yang Hu, in September 2010.