Everland's newest panda cub named Shubao after 220,000 votes

The fourth baby panda born at Everland's Panda World has been named Shubao, or Seobo, following a public vote that drew 220,000 entries.

Samsung C&T's resort division, Everland, officially unveiled the name Friday as the cub marked its 100th day. Shubao is a female giant panda born through natural breeding on June 3 to father Le Bao and mother Ai Bao. She follows Fu Bao, born in 2020, and twins Rui Bao and Hui Bao, born in 2023. Her name carries the family's shared syllable "bao," meaning "treasure," combined with a meaning of "treasure bright as dawn light."

The name was finalized through a two-month public naming campaign and vote that began July 13. More than 10,000 people took part in the first round, submitting suggestions through Everland's social media and community comments. A naming committee of keepers and veterinarians then narrowed the submissions down to five finalists — Shubao, Yubao, Jubao, Linbao and Junbao — based on meaning and pronunciation.

The second round of voting, held both online and offline, drew a total of 220,000 votes, with Shubao winning first place with 42 percent support. Yubao followed with 30 percent, then Jubao with 17 percent, Linbao with 8 percent and Junbao with 3 percent.

Giant pandas are typically born prematurely, weighing under 200 grams, and international convention calls for naming them with a Chinese name around the 100-day mark, once their health has stabilized. Eldest sister Fu Bao and twin sisters Rui Bao and Hui Bao were also named through public campaigns around their 100th day.

Everland held a naming announcement and 100-day celebration Friday morning at Panda World, attended by staff including zookeepers Kang Cheol-won and Song Young-kwan, along with fans and reporters.

Shubao weighed just 171 grams at birth but has grown more than 30-fold, surpassing 5.5 kilograms by her 100th day. Her characteristic black markings emerged around 10 days after birth, and she now has the fully formed appearance of a panda. Raised under the care of mother Ai Bao and round-the-clock monitoring by keepers and veterinarians, Shubao has recently begun sleeping on her own. She has also started growing her first teeth, showing normal development.

"Thanks to the interest and affection of the whole nation, our youngest, Shubao, was able to grow healthy through her 100th day," Kang said. "We ask for continued support for Shubao as she grows under the care of her mother, Ai Bao, and the keepers."

Everland said it is closely monitoring Shubao's growth and her adjustment to outside conditions, and is considering opening her to public viewing before the end of the year.