Atlanta Zoo Pandas

[Kris G.]

Awww-  

Wednesday, November 10
It has been a big day for Lun Lun and her cub. Lun Lun left the cub twice today very briefly (no more than 60 seconds) and the cub remained alert and wiggly, but quiet. Until today, the very few times Lun Lun has put the cub on the floor, it has vocalized very loudly and Lun Lun returned immediately to calm the cub. The fact that the cub remained relaxed during Lun Lun’s brief absence is a good sign that it feels comfortable for “Mom� to be gone for short periods of time. If the cub is comfortable with Lun Lun leaving, Lun Lun will be more likely to put the cub down more regularly to eat and drink. While the cub was on the floor of the nest box, I could see that not only have its eyes and ears darkened, its shoulders, saddle and front legs are starting to turn dark as well. The cub looked round and robust!

Lun Lun is continuing to take small amounts of water, sugarcane, fruit and biscuits from us opportunistically, but she is still not ready to leave the cub long enough for a full meal. However, Lun Lun’s and the cub’s behavior today let us know that it will not be long before that happens.
Heather Baker Roberts
Carnivore Keeper II

[Donna]

So cool...cute little Panda, (if you can believe it is a Panda). Thanks.

[Annette]

The panda cub ist very cute. 

[jeanne]

She is such an excellent mom!  What a little cutie!

[MAK]

 :panda:Love it!

[Kris G.]

Saturday, November 13
Because Lun Lun has been leaving the cub regularly, we were able to do a quick health check on the cub on Friday.  Lun Lun was closed in the adjacent den while the cub was removed, quickly weighed and measured.  The cub is in excellent health.  Its weight is 297 grams. Its chest girth is 17 cm. Its total length was not measured, but its head is 4.5 cm long and its tail is an amazing 5 cm in length.  Lun Lun did well while the cub was away.  She ate some sugarcane and biscuits, but she was eager to return to her cub.  She picked it up right away and licked it for a few minutes.  Then she and the cub settled down for a nap.

The cub's sex will be announced late next week - stay tuned for exciting details!
Rebecca Snyder, PhD
Curator of Mammals

Sunday, November 14
The cub's coloration continues to change with every day.  The black areas are getting darker than they were before, and at present you can really see the back legs changing.  The skin turns dark first.  Now we just have to wait for the fur to really start to grow in.  I have been able to get some good looks at the cub the last two nights as Lun Lun is leaving it to go eat in an adjacent den more regularly.  The cub is not 100% okay with this quite yet, but if Lun feels that it needs something, she does not hesitate to head right back.  That just shows how good of a mother she is, as she will give up eating for the sake of the cub's happiness.  If Lun is eating, though, I try to sneak a peek at the cub to see any changes going on, and that is how I really noticed the change in coloration.
Joseph T. Svoke
Carnivore Keeper III

[Dumpsterkitty]

Saturday, November 13

The cub's sex will be announced late next week - stay tuned for exciting details!

Why on earth are they waiting until next week?  My guess would be...if they know for sure this early, it's a boy!

 

[Kris G.]

Posted this AM on Zoo Atlanta site:



It's a boy!
11-18-10


The only giant panda born in the U.S. in 2010 is a male

The giant panda cub born to Lun Lun on November 3, 2010, has been determined to be male. The cub’s sex was determined during an exam by the Zoo Atlanta Veterinary Team and a colleague from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

The Veterinary Team began conducting routine exams late last week, when Lun Lun began leaving the cub for brief periods to eat and drink. The newborn, who weighs just over 11 ounces, has also begun to develop his species’ trademark coloration of black saddles on the shoulders and black patches over the eyes, although his eyes are not yet open.

While Lun Lun and the cub are not expected to make their debut to Members and guests until spring 2011, web users can follow the pair on PandaCam presented by EarthCam, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Fans are encouraged to stay abreast of all things panda by following Zoo Atlanta on our website and on Twitter, joining the Zoo Atlanta Facebook community, and registering for biweekly eUpdate newsletters.

You were right, Ei! 

[Donna]

How adorable is he? Thanks Kris... 

[Annette]

Posted this AM on Zoo Atlanta site:

The cub is so cute!   

[MAK]

Awww!   

[Kris G.]

New pic posted today of Lun's baby on the Zoo Atlanta site: 

 

[Donna]

New pic posted today of Lun's baby on the Zoo Atlanta site: 

 

It's a PINK and BLACK Panda!! 

[MAK]

   Awww, how cute!   

[Dumpsterkitty]

New pic posted today of Lun's baby on the Zoo Atlanta site: 

 

AWWW!!!  Look at those adorable wrinkles on his neck!!