In the winter of 2020, after three connecting flights and a crowded train ride, my friends and I finally arrived at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Dujiangyan, Sichuan, China, all the way from San Diego, USA. As I locked eyes with the panda named Baiyun, time seemed to stand still. In that moment of silence, I felt a deep connection as she slowly approached me. It was as if she recognized me, and I could see the joy in her eyes. Baiyun excitedly began her habitual gesture of rubbing her belly with her left paw—an expression of happiness.

This reunion came after 500 days apart. Ever since Baiyun was repatriated to China from the San Diego Zoo as part of an agreement between the zoo and Chinese authorities, our bond remained strong. Now, as we gazed at each other, memories flooded back, unfolding before us like scenes from a movie. Baiyun continued to playfully rub her belly against the glass, her eyes seeming to reflect our shared past and my growth from a playful boy to a young leader.

It all started in 2015 when my brother and I, newly immigrated from Japan to the United States, had the opportunity to translate panda exhibit scripts for San Diego Zoo through a school activity. It was then that I formed a friendship with Baiyun, known for successfully raising six cubs and providing invaluable data for researchers. She became a guiding light in my life, nurturing me through the forests of growth. Her nickname, Baiyun MaMa, stemmed from her maternal success, earning her the title of a hero mom.

Amid the sunset glow of San Diego Zoo, my brother and I could often be found cleaning panda enclosures, preparing food, or assisting with record-keeping. Under Baiyun’s guidance, I learned perseverance and responsibility. Like her maternal care that nurtured generations of adorable panda cubs, she bestowed upon us dreams woven from the love and dedication she had received. These dreams resonated between Baiyun, the bamboo forests, my community, and the city of San Diego, giving us a sense of purpose.

Subsequently, my brother and I founded the Bamboo Club Foundation, aiming to advocate for the support and protection of rare and endangered animals, advocating for equal treatment of all animals, and supporting all vulnerable groups on Earth. We organized animal art exhibitions to raise funds for Baiyun, as well as sports competitions to support her cause, establishing ourselves as the “Panda Brothers” of San Diego.

Supporting research on improving panda habitats and diets became our mission. Our companionship with Baiyun MaMa extended beyond the panda habitat and into my daily life. She became a symbol of compassion, inspiring me to pursue dreams of service and authentic engagement with the community. Her presence turned moments of care into symphonies of purpose echoing through the canyons of my soul.

Our club grew from a few high school classmates to encompass students from different schools within the district, with many adults joining during the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding our support activities to healthcare workers and low-income communities. In the post-pandemic era, our focus shifted to supporting the mental health field, recognizing the need to care for all vulnerable groups in society, whether animals, the homeless, or those in need of psychological support.

On quiet moonlit nights, as I watched over her sanctuary, Baiyun’s presence transcended species boundaries, touching the depths of my soul. The roles of servant and friend blurred, and within that ambiguity, I found a newfound wholeness. Immersed in the tranquil atmosphere of Baiyun’s sanctuary, I couldn’t help but compare her journey to my own. Baiyun was brought to a foreign land as a near-extinct species. She found refuge and was able to thrive, shedding the title of endangered and becoming a friend of humanity. How beautiful a dream she bestowed upon us! My brother and I, with similar dreams, immigrated to the United States, where we were nurtured, loved, and liberated. What could I give back to this land? My left hand instinctively scratched my belly.

As a competitive swimmer, I realized I could use my passion and expertise in sports to effect change in society. My journey as a swimmer taught me valuable lessons in perseverance, teamwork, and determination, qualities honed over years of rigorous training and competition. Drawing inspiration from Baiyun’s resilience, I began exploring how to leverage my athletic prowess to promote safety and well-being. My experiences in the pool made me acutely aware of sports-related injuries, especially in aquatic sports, prompting me to educate others and provide resources to prevent such incidents. Collaborating with healthcare professionals and sports experts, I embarked on writing a children’s sports injury prevention manual, complete with 3D-printed models. Just as Baiyun protected her cubs, my sports manual aimed to make water sports safer for children.

My encounter with Baiyun was not a coincidence but the beginning of a long story. Through the changing seasons of San Diego Zoo, I too grew quietly on this land. Every moment spent replenishing bamboo leaves or carefully preparing food for her was a convergence of past and present.. Those playful moments of the past were polished into my present wisdom of leadership. She gave me dreams, allowing me to grow and understand through love and being loved. Baiyun witnessed my transformation from a naive teenager to a determined leader, strengthening my belief in giving back and serving society.

With the passage of time and the change of seasons, I realized that Baiyun was not just a part of my story; I, too, wanted to be a part of Baiyun MaMa. Unfolding my arms on a new land, giving and receiving love, her legacy existed not only in the echoes of bamboo leaves and laughter but also in the individual I had become—a person who finds fulfillment in supporting and inspiring others.
Among the 3D printed models I made for children, there is a special panda mama smiling and scratching his belly.