Tai Shan (Chinese: 泰山; pinyin: Tài Shān, pronounced [tʰâiʂán], also known as Butterstick after birth and before naming)[1] is a giant panda born at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., on July 9, 2005.

(The first pair, Ling-Ling (female) and Hsing-Hsing (male), were donated to the United States by China in 1972, shortly after Richard Nixon's historic visit.

Both of Tai Shan's parents were born at the China Research and Conservation Center for the Giant Panda in Wolong, Sichuan Province.

The announcement was made when Chinese Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong presented Tai Shan a "passport" with an extended stay period to July 2009, without extra charge.

[4] Before he got a name, the cub was popularly referred to as Butterstick because immediately after his birth, a zoo worker described him as being about the size of a stick of butter.

Some bloggers protested this decision; there was even an attempt to hack the poll,[1][6] allowing voters the option of selecting the name Butterstick.

[7] Tai Shan made his public debut on December 8, 2005, after the National Zoo issued 13,000 free timed entry tickets.

Fans set up sites selling cub-related merchandise, including one partnered with cafepress.com that donated approximately $1,900 in profits to the National Zoo.