Giant Panda Posts

July 8, 2022

Panda Updates – Friday, July 8

One of the giant pandas’ most interesting features is the pseudothumb. This extension of the wrist bone acts almost like...

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May 18, 2022

Panda Updates- Wednesday, May 18

It’s gotten warmer in Atlanta, which means we will be using the outdoor habitats less and less. The giant pandas have thick...

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March 2, 2022

Panda Updates- Wednesday, March 2

Did you know that we can tell a lot about an animal based on its poop? We can decipher different aspects of...

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November 8, 2021

PANDA UPDATES – MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8

As animal care professionals, it’s our job to make sure the animals we care for are in good health. One of the...

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November 5, 2021

Panda Updates – Friday, November 5

If you’ve visited Zoo Atlanta or watched PandaCam, you’ve likely noticed that the Zoo’s giant panda habitats have several structures...

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October 27, 2021

Panda Updates – Wednesday, October 27

For today’s panda update, I thought I’d share a little bamboo ASMR. You may have seen us post about leafeater...

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October 8, 2021

Panda Updates – Friday, October 8

I have recently been working with the giant pandas on blood draw training. All four of the giant pandas at...

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September 6, 2021

Wild Encounter: Giant Panda

Meet and feed one of Zoo Atlanta’s world-famous black-and-white bears during an exclusive behind-the-scenes encounter!

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September 3, 2021

Happy 5th birthday, Ya Lun and Xi Lun!

Giant panda twins Ya Lun and Xi Lun turned 5 on September 3, 2021. The Panda Care Team celebrated early...

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August 13, 2021

Panda Updates – Friday, August 13

Swing Keeper Adrianna came over to pandas recently and decided to enrich the bears by hanging up their tire swing!...

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July 30, 2021

Panda Updates – Friday, July 30

The Fourth of July ice cakes the giant pandas received earlier this month have inspired us to start scheming early...

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July 21, 2021

Panda Updates – Wednesday, July 21

Hey everyone! If you haven’t seen yet, this week is National Zookeepers Week! I know all of us animal care...

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July 2, 2021

Panda Updates – Friday, July 2

Hey everyone! The news around here at pandas is that we are trying out a new/old bamboo species! While there...

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June 30, 2021

Panda Updates – Wednesday, June 30

Did you know different pandas have different sleep schedules? Yang Yang enjoys sleeping in during the summer months. He has...

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June 7, 2021

Panda Updates – Monday, June 7

As we recently shared, bamboo shoot season was over for the year last week. It’s never long enough! Sigh. We...

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May 28, 2021

Panda Updates – Friday, May 28

We’ve talked before about how Xi Lun and Ya Lun are growing older and more independent. They are four and...

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May 11, 2021

Panda Wild Encounters return; Toucan & Friends debuts

One of Zoo Atlanta’s most popular in-person behind-the-scenes experiences is back and modified for safety with the return of Giant...

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April 19, 2021

Panda Updates – Monday, April 19

Although they are solitary animals, giant pandas do have a few vocalizations that they use to communicate with one another,...

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April 12, 2021

Panda Updates – Monday, April 12

One of the giant pandas’ most notable characteristics is their black-and-white coloration. This rare coloring is thought to serve two...

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March 22, 2021

Panda Updates – Monday, March 22

Hello! My name is Trish, and this is my first post as the newest member of the Panda Care Team...

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March 19, 2021

Panda Updates – Friday, March 19

So, it has been a few months since the last time I have been in the giant panda building, and I...

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March 8, 2021

Panda Updates – Monday, March 8

A playful panda sure can muddy the water! Spring is hopefully just around the corner. This means that on nice...

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March 5, 2021

Panda Updates – Friday, March 5

Now that spring is just around the corner, we are so glad to be enjoying this warmer weather! It does,...

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February 15, 2021

Panda Updates – Monday, February 15

Since I started training here in the giant panda area, we have been talking and preparing for our Virtual Giant...

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February 3, 2021

Panda Updates – Wednesday, February 3

Today’s panda update is taking you behind the scenes of our behind-the-scenes tours! The Giant Panda Care Team has...

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February 1, 2021

Panda Updates – Monday, February 1

Hi everyone! My name is Megan, and I am one of the new primary keepers on the Panda Care Team....

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January 27, 2021

Panda Updates – Wednesday, January 27

Every morning, the Panda Care Team checks on all of the giant pandas, as well as Jackie the red panda....

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January 25, 2021

Panda updates – Monday, January 25

Lately it has been pretty funny to see what Ya Lun and Xi Lun do when we shift them into...

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January 22, 2021

Panda Updates – Friday, January 22

We talk a lot about the giant pandas “culming” bamboo, but what does that actually mean? Well, technically, nothing! “Culming”...

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January 20, 2021

Panda Updates – Wednesday, January 20

I know when I first started working with the giant pandas, bamboo was simply bamboo, and it all looked yummy...

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January 15, 2021

Panda Updates – Friday, January 15

Red pandas are arboreal, meaning they spend most of their time in trees. They are perfectly adapted for life in...

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January 13, 2021

Panda Updates – Wednesday, January 13

The giant pandas amaze me all the time, but one of the aspects I am most incredulous (and jealous) of...

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January 6, 2021

Panda Updates – Wednesday, January 6

Yang Yang had a very playful day recently! We have some tough canvas strips that we use to play tug-of-war...

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January 4, 2021

Panda Updates – Monday, January 4

When I first walked up to Jackie’s habitat to start cleaning the other morning, he was resting in one of...

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December 30, 2020

Panda Updates – Wednesday, December 30

Hopefully everyone has had a terrific holiday season thus far. I know I and the pandas have! I was fortunate...

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December 16, 2020

Panda Updates – Wednesday, December 16

If anyone has a sibling, they know how much they love them, but oh can they get on your nerves!...

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December 14, 2020

Panda Updates – Monday, December 14

The other morning Adrianna and I set up one outdoor habitat for Ya Lun and Xi Lun and the other...

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December 7, 2020

Panda Updates – Monday, December 7

Hi everyone! My name is Adrianna, and I am somewhat new around here. Way back when, in 2015, I was...

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December 4, 2020

Panda Updates – Friday, December 4

It was terribly cold earlier this week in Atlanta! For many animal care teams, this means preparing heat lamps and...

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December 2, 2020

Panda Updates – Wednesday, December 2

With the holiday season here, and the end of the year approaching, I’ve been reflecting on this past year. For...

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November 23, 2020

Panda Updates – Monday, November 23

Lately I’ve been writing about panda-related research: why giant pandas may have their particular black-and-white patterning and how their eye...

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November 13, 2020

Panda Updates – Friday, November 13

Last week, I wrote an update about how research has shown that giant pandas have the ability to distinguish between...

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November 2, 2020

Panda Updates – Monday, November 2

Happy Monday, everyone! It is with bittersweet feelings that I share today is my last panda update, and I’m headed...

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October 28, 2020

Panda Updates – Wednesday, October 28

With the cooler fall weather, we have been able to give the giant pandas their outdoor habitats for longer periods...

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October 26, 2020

Panda Updates – Monday, October 26

The giant panda care routine consists of one person in the morning for roughly half an hour before the second...

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October 21, 2020

Panda Updates – Wednesday, October 21

Over the past three years as a member of the Giant Panda Care Team, I’ve really gotten to know the...

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October 19, 2020

Panda Updates – Monday, October 19

Yesterday was a quiet and relaxing day in PandaLand. Danica and I set up one outdoor habitat for Lun Lun,...

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October 16, 2020

Panda Updates – Friday, October 16

Last week our Horticulture Team worked in the pandas’ behind-the-scenes habitat to get it panda-ready for the season. Lun Lun...

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October 14, 2020

Panda Updates – Wednesday, October 14

With Lun Lun being at the end of her pseudopregnancy, the Panda Care Team is observing a few signs of...

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October 7, 2020

Panda Updates – Wednesday, October 7

Animals, just like humans, have changes in priorities and preferences as they age. As animal care professionals, it is our...

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October 5, 2020

Panda updates – Monday, October 5

The other day was a treat for me as it was my first time back on panda routine since before...

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October 2, 2020

Panda Updates – Friday, October 2

If you have visited Zoo Atlanta in the morning recently, you may have caught a glimpse of Lun Lun out...

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September 23, 2020

Panda Updates – Wednesday, September 23

As mentioned in previous updates, cooler weather means the giant pandas get to spend time in the outdoor habitats. This...

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September 21, 2020

Panda updates – Monday, September 21

With the cooler weather we have been able to give the giant pandas more frequent access to their outdoor habitats....

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September 14, 2020

Panda Updates – Monday, September 14

The Panda Care Team is in constant communication with our Bamboo Team providing them with information such as what species...

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September 9, 2020

Panda updates – Wednesday, September 9

This morning when I came in to work, all of the giant pandas were asleep except for Lun Lun. As...

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September 4, 2020

Panda Updates – Friday, September 4

When Lun Lun is experiencing a pseudopregnancy (as a reminder, a pseudopregnancy is not an actual pregnancy but is a...

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September 2, 2020

Panda Updates – Wednesday, September 2

Giant pandas are cute; we know that for a fact. However, after establishing the high level of cuteness present, the...

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August 31, 2020

Panda Updates – Monday, August 31

Birthday season is in full swing here in PandaLand! We celebrated Lun Lun’s 23rd birthday last week with some fun...

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August 28, 2020

Panda Updates – Friday, August 28

During the summer, the giant pandas spend time in our climate-controlled dayrooms and behind-the-scenes den spaces, but recently we had...

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August 24, 2020

Panda Updates – Monday, August 24

Although Lun Lun is 22 (turning 23 tomorrow!) and is no longer breeding, female giant pandas can still undergo something...

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August 21, 2020

Panda Updates – Friday, August 21

The training we do at Zoo Atlanta is all based around the animals having the opportunity and choice to participate...

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August 17, 2020

Panda Updates – Monday, August 17

No matter how many times I watch Lun Lun eat bamboo, I’m always impressed by her focus, skill, strength, and...

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August 11, 2020

Panda updates – Tuesday, August 11

In today’s update I thought I’d share with you an overview of what a typical day looks like as a...

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August 5, 2020

Panda Updates – Wednesday, August 5

I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that life has been crazy this year. While we are all adjusting...

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August 3, 2020

Panda updates – Monday, August 3

Here you’ll see Ya Lun sitting in a special training space. This structure is very helpful because it is mobile,...

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July 29, 2020

Panda Updates – Wednesday, July 29

The pandas were able to try a new scent recently: smoked paprika. As it turns out, they love it! The...

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July 27, 2020

Panda Updates – Monday, July 27

Hello Panda Fans! I know I recently shared an update about Yang and how playful he’s been, but I figured...

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July 22, 2020

Panda updates – Wednesday, July 22

It’s National Zoo Keeper Week! As you have probably seen on Zoo Atlanta social media recently, this week is about...

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July 20, 2020

Panda updates – Monday, July 20

Giant pandas are the masters of falling off of things. When I first started taking care of the pandas, I...

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July 17, 2020

Panda updates – Friday, July 17

Friday, July 17 As Michelle E. mentioned the other day, the panda office contains monitors that allow us to view...

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July 15, 2020

Panda updates – Wednesday, July 15

So many of you tune in to our PandaCam daily, but did you know that we do too? Our office...

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July 13, 2020

Panda updates – Monday, July 13

As you probably recall reading from past panda updates, when Yang Yang is feeling playful, the Panda Care Team can...

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July 10, 2020

Panda updates – Friday, July 10

On Tuesday, I was able to work in the giant panda building for the first time since March, and it...

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July 8, 2020

Panda Updates – Wednesday, July 8

Giant pandas have a powerful jaw structure that helps them break the tough exterior of bamboo. Their jaw muscles are...

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July 6, 2020

Panda updates – Monday, July 6

It’s a special day for the Panda Care Team because Po’s twins are 1 today! If you’re new to the...

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June 29, 2020

Panda Updates – Monday, June 29

Giant pandas and red pandas are not closely related, with their most common ancestor living over 40 million years ago....

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June 26, 2020

Panda Updates – Friday, June 26

In my 14-plus years as a member of the Panda Care Team at Zoo Atlanta, I have never worked a...

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June 17, 2020

Panda Updates – Wednesday, June 17

During this time, the Carnivore Team has changed up the way we do a few things to ensure the safety...

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June 15, 2020

Panda Updates – Monday, June 15

With the warmer weather, we almost always have one (or two if it’s the twins) giant pandas behind the scenes...

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June 10, 2020

Panda Updates – Wednesday, June 10

Now that bamboo shoot season is done, it is time for the next type of bamboo. We just started offering...

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June 5, 2020

Panda Updates – Friday, June 5

All is well in PandaLand. Just as Danica and Heather mentioned in recent updates, over the past month, all of...

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June 1, 2020

Panda Updates -Monday, June 1

Giant pandas have super thick fur, so they are not very heat tolerant and don’t usually want to be outside...

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May 29, 2020

Panda Updates – Friday, May 29

Bamboo shoot season is definitely the pandas’ and the Panda Care Team’s favorite time of year! We’ve been offering the...

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May 22, 2020

Panda Updates – Friday, May 22

Giant pandas have very few natural predators. As adults, they are very strong, and with a jaw pressure high enough...

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April 29, 2020

Panda Updates – Wednesday, April 29

It’s the giant pandas’ and Panda Care Team’s favorite time of year: bamboo shoot season! Bamboo shoots are popping up...

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April 17, 2020

Panda Updates – Friday, April 17

This week, Ambassador Animals Team members Megan and Wendy brought some new friends to visit the pandas! Olaf and Sven...

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April 15, 2020

Panda Updates – Wednesday, April 15

Earlier this week, we posted some tips on telling the giant panda twins apart on PandaCam. As a follow-up to...

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April 13, 2020

Panda Updates – Monday, April 13

Today, we wanted to tell you some of the ways to tell Ya Lun and Xi Lun apart when you’re...

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March 25, 2020

Panda Updates – Wednesday, March 25

During this temporary period when the Zoo is closed, between extra projects, cleaning and training, we are still making sure...

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March 18, 2020

Panda Updates – Wednesday, March 18

All Animal Care Teams are here at Zoo Atlanta caring for all of the animals even though the Zoo is...

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March 9, 2020

Panda Updates – Monday, March 9

The Panda Care Team sometimes gets asked how to tell Ya Lun and Xi Lun apart from each other. They...

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March 4, 2020

Panda Updates – Wednesday, March 4

With each enrichment activity or item offered, the Panda Care Team has a specific goal in mind. Certain enrichment might...

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February 26, 2020

Panda Updates – Wednesday, February 26

We have been seeing a lot of breeding season-related behaviors from Yang Yang recently. This is typical for this time...

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February 24, 2020

Panda Updates – Monday, February 24

Today was a rainy day here at the Zoo. The giant pandas don’t particularly like being out in the rain,...

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February 19, 2020

Panda Updates – Wednesday, February 19

We had a little bit of maintenance work going on in the giant panda building yesterday. It wasn’t very noisy,...

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February 10, 2020

Panda Updates – Monday, February 10

Things have been pretty quiet in the giant panda building lately. We are still offering rivercane bamboo (the long and...

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February 5, 2020

Panda Updates – Wednesday, February 5

Providing enrichment is an important part of the daily care for all of the animals here at the Zoo because...

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January 29, 2020

Panda Updates – Wednesday, January 29

The twins had a big adventure this week! Xi Lun finally convinced Ya Lun to join her in the behind-the-scenes...

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January 15, 2020

Panda Updates – Wednesday, January 15

It has been a rainy week in Atlanta! Thankfully, the giant pandas have been staying nice and dry in the...

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December 30, 2019

Panda Updates – Monday, December 30

Ninety-nine percent of the giant panda’s diet consists of bamboo. Here at the Zoo, we also supplement their diet with...

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December 27, 2019

Panda Updates – Friday, December 27

The giant panda routine changes a lot as the weather gets colder, but my favorite change is that we get...

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December 23, 2019

Panda Updates – Monday, December 23

One of my favorite things about being a member of the Panda Care Team is seeing the different relationships that...

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December 18, 2019

Panda Updates – Wednesday, December 18

Giant pandas, along with several other animals here at the Zoo, are a solitary species. This means that they don’t...

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December 16, 2019

Panda Updates – Monday, December 16

Yesterday was a great example of how well the primary keepers on the Panda Care Team know the animals they...

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December 13, 2019

Panda Updates – Friday, December 13

The Panda Care Team gets a weight on Idgie the red panda weekly. Accomplishing this task requires Idgie to get...

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December 11, 2019

Panda Updates – Wednesday, December 11

When giant pandas are kicked back eating, they can often be found sitting on their rears, with their front paws...

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December 6, 2019

Panda Updates – Friday, December 6

The Panda Care Team checks on each of the giant pandas, as well as Idgie the red panda, multiple times...

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December 4, 2019

Panda Updates – December 4, 2019

This week we introduced Ya Lun and Xi Lun to the behind-the-scenes habitat. Much to our surprise, Xi Lun walked...

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December 2, 2019

Panda Updates – Monday, December 2

I hope that everyone was able to enjoy a nice holiday this past week surrounded by the things and people...

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November 25, 2019

Panda Updates – Monday, November 25

Utilizing our behind-the-scenes outdoor habitat is one of my favorite aspects of being on the Panda Care Team. This habitat...

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November 22, 2019

Panda Updates – Friday, November 22

Recently, I’ve been working on updating one of the structures in the outdoor giant panda habitats. The existing logs had...

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November 20, 2019

Panda Updates – Wednesday, November 20

Here at Zoo Atlanta we have two climate-controlled dayrooms and two outdoor habitats that are visible to our guests. In...

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November 18, 2019

Panda Updates – Monday, November 18

We occasionally offer browse items (plants approved by our Veterinary and Horticulture Teams) to the giant pandas as a form...

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November 15, 2019

Panda Update – Friday, November 15

We always like to try and have Xi Lun and Ya Lun out in one of our climate-controlled dayrooms during...

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November 13, 2019

Panda Updates – Wednesday, November 13

If you live in the United States, you are likely all too aware that we are going through a cold...

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November 11, 2019

Panda Updates – Monday, November 11

Giant pandas were once found throughout a wide range of southern and eastern China, as well as some parts of...

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November 8, 2019

Panda Updates – Friday, November 8

A lot of our updates focus on the twins and their milestones, or Yang Yang and his cub-like behavior despite...

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November 6, 2019

Panda Updates – Wednesday, November 6

If you live in Atlanta, you know we have had a marked change in the weather in recent days, much...

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November 1, 2019

Panda Updates – Friday, November 1

As you might recall from previous panda updates, the Panda Care Team weighs the giant pandas twice a day. We...

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October 28, 2019

Panda Updates – Monday, October 28

Once they reached sub-adulthood, Ya Lun and Xi Lun got much more playful. After they have had their fill of...

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October 25, 2019

Panda Updates – Friday, October 25

Xi Lun and Ya Lun spent all of yesterday out in one of the outdoor habitats. Keeper Danica and I...

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October 21, 2019

Panda Updates – Monday, October 21

Giant pandas are solitary animals, which means they actually prefer to be by themselves. While it might be hard for...

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October 18, 2019

Panda Updates – Friday, October 18

Giant pandas have a wide variety of vocalizations, and the one that the Panda Care Team hears the most is...

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October 16, 2019

Panda Updates – Wednesday, October 16

Just a quick update from PandaLand today! As you all know, we are always on the lookout for ways to...

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October 14, 2019

Panda Updates – Monday, October 14

A lot of people ask us what it’s like being an animal care professional, and specifically what it’s like caring...

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October 11, 2019

Panda Updates – Friday, October 11

One thing I’ve gotten a lot more experience with since I started in the Panda Care Team a few months...

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October 7, 2019

Panda Updates – Monday, October 7

Fall is finally here, and for the Panda Care Team, that means the giant pandas can spend some time in their...

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October 2, 2019

Panda Updates – Wednesday, October 2

We’re back with more from our series on myths and misconceptions about giant pandas! Pandas are sometimes referred to as...

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September 30, 2019

Panda Updates – Monday, September 30

A huge benefit of being a zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is that we can...

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September 27, 2019

Panda Updates – Friday, September 27

Time for more in our series on myths and misconceptions about giant pandas! For various reasons, pandas are sometimes jokingly...

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September 23, 2019

Panda Updates – Monday, September 22

As we continue in our series on myths about giant pandas, what about the statement “Zoo pandas are lazy?” This...

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September 20, 2019

Panda Updates – Friday, September 20

There are a lot of misconceptions about giant pandas out in the world. As giant panda care specialists, we hear...

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September 18, 2019

Panda Updates – Wednesday, September 18

For our next few panda updates, we thought it would be interesting to share some common misconceptions of giant pandas....

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September 13, 2019

Panda Updates – Friday, September 13

Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on Earth. It grows so quickly that in some instances you can see it...

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September 11, 2019

Panda Updates – Wednesday, September 11

Birthday season is officially over in the panda building, and that means a few things around here! The summer is...

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September 9, 2019

Panda Updates – Monday, September 9

Based on the latest data sourced from the IUCN Red List, the giant panda population is estimated to be around...

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September 3, 2019

Panda Updates – Tuesday, September 3

Hey everyone! A lot has been going on in PandaLand recently, as the giant pandas birthdays are all happening around...

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August 30, 2019

Panda Updates – Friday, August 30

Like other bears, giant pandas, whether they live in the wild or in human care, have seasonal behavioral and physiological...

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August 27, 2019

August and September bring birthdays for pandas

The months of August and September mean birthday time for all four of the giant pandas at Zoo Atlanta. Adult...

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August 26, 2019

Panda Updates – Monday, August 26

Recently, one of our very generous donors gifted the giant pandas with a new enrichment item from our Wish List!...

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August 19, 2019

Panda Updates – Monday, August 19

Being able to adapt to a change in routine and come up with a new plan is key when working...

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August 14, 2019

Panda Updates – Wednesday, August 14

Even when a female giant panda is not pregnant, she may still exhibit behaviors or undergo physiological changes as if...

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August 7, 2019

Panda Updates – Wednesday, August 7

We get a weight on each of the giant pandas twice a day (They are both currently about 60 kg)....

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August 5, 2019

Panda Updates – Monday, August 5

Giant pandas are selective about their bamboo, but it is for a good reason. They have adapted to eat bamboo...

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July 31, 2019

Panda Updates – Wednesday, July 31

As you might remember from my recent panda update, I’m new to the Panda Care Team, which means I’m making...

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July 22, 2019

Panda Updates – Monday, July 22

My name is Amanda, and I recently joined the Panda Care Team here at Zoo Atlanta! I started as a...

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July 19, 2019

Panda Updates – Friday, July 19

All animals’ physical and behavioral traits adjust to make them best suited to their native environments. Animals who live in...

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July 17, 2019

Panda Updates – Wednesday, July 17

We’ve officially headed into the heat and humidity of middle summer in Atlanta. This means that animal care teams all...

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July 8, 2019

Panda Updates – Monday, July 8

Utilizing positive reinforcement training for veterinary behaviors is a huge part of how we are able to provide amazing care...

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July 5, 2019

Panda Updates – Friday, July 5

Monday was a true example of how our days run on the giant pandas’ schedule! Sunday night, they had access...

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June 21, 2019

Panda Updates – Friday, June 21

We often get asked why giant pandas sit the way they do when they eat. When the pandas are kicked...

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June 17, 2019

Panda Updates – Monday, June 17

It’s crazy to think that in a few short months Ya Lun and Xi Lun will be 3 years old....

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June 14, 2019

Panda Updates – Friday, June 14

It is important that the animals here at Zoo Atlanta have positive relationships with all members of their care teams....

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June 12, 2019

Panda Updates – Wednesday, June 12

Hi everyone! It’s been a while since my last update, and in wracking my brain on what comings and goings...

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June 10, 2019

Panda Updates – Monday, June 10

The well-being of all the animals at Zoo Atlanta is our top priority. In our continuing efforts to make Idgie...

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May 29, 2019

Panda Updates – Wednesday, May 29

Just as quickly as shoot season arrived, it is officially over. Bamboo shoots are seasonal, arriving in the spring/early summer,...

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May 22, 2019

Panda Updates – Wednesday, May 22

Hanging the extra hammock in one of the behind-the-scenes dens has been a huge hit with the adult giant pandas....

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May 20, 2019

Panda Updates – Monday, May 20

We recently tried some new enrichment in our behind-the-scenes area for the giant pandas. One of the most challenging and...

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May 13, 2019

Panda Updates – Monday, May 13

Giant pandas have been around for thousands of years. Some of the biggest threats that giant pandas face today, such...

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May 8, 2019

Panda Updates – Wednesday, May 8

One thing you all might have noticed from your visits to Zoo Atlanta or the pictures we have shared is...

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May 6, 2019

Panda Updates – Monday, May 6

Things have been pretty quiet with the giant pandas lately (bamboo shoots mean full, sleepy pandas and extra project time...

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May 3, 2019

Panda Updates – Friday, May 3

*Sings* It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Nope, not the holidays! Bamboo shoot season! We’ve mentioned it a...

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May 1, 2019

Panda Updates – Wednesday, May 1

As a Swing Keeper, my job is to go where I’m needed in the Mammal Team. Things have been so...

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April 29, 2019

Panda Updates – Monday, April 29

Like Shauna mentioned in the last update, bamboo shoot season is upon us! We all (humans and giant pandas alike)...

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April 24, 2019

Panda Updates – Wednesday, April 24

Shoots! We have finally begun to harvest bamboo shoots in large enough quantities that we can replace a significant portion...

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April 19, 2019

Panda Updates – Friday, April 19

Despite being the same age, Ya Lun and Xi Lun have always differed slightly in their priorities. They are both...

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April 15, 2019

Panda Updates – Monday, April 15

It’s been a little while since I’ve had the chance to train with Ya Lun and Xi Lun. While I...

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April 8, 2019

Panda Updates – Monday, April 8

Spring has officially sprung in Atlanta, which I’m sure everyone has noticed with all the pollen around. Spring is an...

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April 5, 2019

Panda Updates – Friday, April 5

Just like humans, giant pandas can develop tastes for new things over time. Just because one giant panda loves something...

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April 1, 2019

Panda Updates – Monday, April 1

Since I’m still fairly new to the giant panda team, I am still constantly having new experiences with seasonal panda behavior....

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March 28, 2019

Spring Break Tips and Must-Dos at the Zoo

Spring Break 2019 coincides with a milestone anniversary. Spring Break Week kicks off just days after a milestone anniversary for...

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March 27, 2019

Panda Update – Wednesday, March 27

The twins have hit another weight plateau, which means they aren’t quite as ravenous as sub-adults usually are. These plateaus...

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March 25, 2019

Panda Updates – Monday, March 25

Ever wonder why giant pandas eat sitting down, rather than on all four legs like most other bears do? Well,...

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March 22, 2019

Panda Updates – Friday, March 22

If you have visited the panda habitats this week, you may have heard some interesting auditory enrichment. The giant panda...

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March 18, 2019

Panda Updates – Monday, March 18

The sunshine was enjoyed by all of the giant pandas and panda care team this past weekend. It was nice...

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March 11, 2019

Panda Updates – Monday, March 11

Despite their laid-back lifestyles and calm behavior, the giant pandas remind us each and every day that they are indeed...

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March 1, 2019

Panda Updates – Friday, March 1

We have seen a big increase in culming activity from all of the giant pandas recently. When we say “culming,”...

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February 25, 2019

Panda Updates – Monday, February 25

Have you been watching Panda Cam recently? If so, you may have noticed the twins being very playful lately. Ya Lun and...

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February 15, 2019

Panda Updates – Friday, February 15

Lun Lun loves this hammock structure in one of the outdoor habitats. She always looks so comfortable up there. Sometimes,...

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February 13, 2019

Panda Updates – Wednesday, February 13

After working with the giant pandas for over eight years, it can sometimes be challenging to come up with creative...

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February 8, 2019

Panda Updates – Friday, February 8

Hey there! I’m Kelly, and I’m a primary keeper on the meat-eating side of the Carnivore Team. That means I...

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January 30, 2019

Panda updates – Wednesday, January 30

Wet, icy, wintry weather recently threatened to strike Atlanta for the first time in 2019! Due to anticipation of inclement...

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January 23, 2019

Panda Updates – Wednesday, January 23

Ya Lun and Xi Lun achieved a pretty big accomplishment last week: they participated in their first voluntary blood draws!...

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January 18, 2019

Panda Updates – Friday, January 18

Many of you who have followed the giant pandas for a long time may remember that Lun Lun has always...

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January 16, 2019

Panda Updates – Wednesday, January 16

I haven’t worked the giant panda routine for a few weeks, and it has been even longer since I had...

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January 14, 2019

Panda Updates – Monday, January 14

Giant pandas have some of the strongest jaws of all terrestrial carnivores. Their ability to crush through tough bamboo comes...

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January 11, 2019

Panda Updates – Friday, January 11

Sometimes we take an opportunity to give the twins a chance to hang out in their behind-the-scenes areas as a...

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January 4, 2019

Panda Updates – Friday, January 4

It’s hard to believe 2018 is already over. The past year has been exciting for the Panda Team, as we...

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January 2, 2019

Panda Updates – Wednesday, January 2

Yang Yang has a signature move that lets us know he feels playful: he bites his paw and shakes his...

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December 19, 2018

Panda Updates – Wednesday, December 19

Due to the rainy weather recently, we weren’t able to use our outdoor habitats. When this happens we have one...

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December 17, 2018

Panda Updates – Monday, December 17

As Heather mentioned previously, the twins are little bamboo-eating machines! Some of my favorite aspects of my job are the...

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December 14, 2018

Panda Updates – Friday, December 14

In a previous post, we mentioned Xi Lun’s distaste for sugarcane. We joke in the giant panda building that sugarcane...

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December 10, 2018

Panda Updates – Monday, December 10

Ya Lun and Xi Lun are little bamboo-eating machines! We are currently training them the “bamboo” cue, and they are...

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December 5, 2018

Panda Updates – Wednesday, December 5

Having worked with Lun Lun for eight years now, I’ve never actually known her to not be either going through...

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December 3, 2018

Panda Updates – Monday, December 3

Recently, we completed our leafeater biscuit transition, and all of the giant pandas have adjusted well. Yang Yang was the...

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November 30, 2018

Panda Updates – Friday, November 30

In the giant panda building, the animal care team works a staggered schedule. So, one keeper is usually here for...

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November 21, 2018

Panda Updates – Wednesday, November 21

Ya Lun and Xi Lun have hit a major milestone in their training! We have been working with them closely...

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November 12, 2018

Panda Updates – Monday, November 12

Since I just learned the giant panda care routine this summer, winter is a whole new ballgame! Now that the...

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November 7, 2018

Panda Updates – Wednesday, November 7

One of the most heart-melting aspects of working with the giant pandas is having the ability to come to work...

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November 5, 2018

Panda Updates – Monday, November 5

Introducing new items in the giant pandas’ diets can be quite a challenge. They are creatures of habit, and would...

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November 2, 2018

Panda Updates – Friday, November 2

Some people (and animals) like warm temperatures. Other people, like myself (and other animals) like cooler weather. With their dense...

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October 29, 2018

Panda Updates – Monday, October 29

As the cubs have grown, it has been fun to watch their personalities develop, as well as some of the...

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October 26, 2018

Panda Updates – Friday, October 26

Remember when Ya Lun and Xi Lun were just beginning to eat bamboo? It’s hard to believe that was only...

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October 17, 2018

Panda Updates – Wednesday, October 17

Hello from PandaLand! It’s been what feels like an eternity since I last worked with the giant pandas, and what...

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October 15, 2018

Panda Updates – Monday, October 15

As mentioned in previous updates, we are nearing the end of Lun Lun’s pseudopregnancy, and the recent cool weather has...

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October 12, 2018

Panda Updates – Friday, October 12

Taking care of the basic needs of a giant panda is like riding a bike; it comes back to you...

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October 10, 2018

Panda Updates – Wednesday, October 10

Throughout the year, giant pandas go through fairly large fluctuations in weight. Yang Yang, for example, can go from about...

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October 5, 2018

Panda Updates – Friday, October 5

Wild giant pandas typically eat bamboo leaves from April through October when the leaves are fresh and tender. However, our...

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October 3, 2018

Panda Updates – Wednesday, October 3

As many of you who have followed the giant pandas for a number of years know, female giant pandas can...

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September 26, 2018

Panda Update – Wednesday, September 26

Enrichment is something we offer to all of the animals at Zoo Atlanta, and we often prepare enrichment that caters...

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September 12, 2018

Panda Updates – Wednesday, September 12

This past Sunday, we celebrated the last, but certainly not the least, of our giant panda birthdays for the year....

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September 7, 2018

Panda Updates – Friday, September 7

Just because you don’t see him, her or them doesn’t mean that the giant panda who spends the day behind...

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September 5, 2018

Panda Updates – Wednesday, September 5

The weather is (sort of) starting to cool off, and we have been able to give the giant pandas access...

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August 31, 2018

Panda Updates – Friday, August 31

Giant panda twins Ya Lun and Xi Lun, who turn 2 on September 3, were honored at two early-birthday celebrations...

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August 30, 2018

It’s giant panda birthday season!

August and September are birthday months for all four of the giant pandas at Zoo Atlanta. Adult female Lun Lun...

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August 29, 2018

Panda Updates – Wednesday, August 29

On August 25, we celebrated the birthday of a very special member of our Zoo Atlanta family. Lun Lun turned...

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August 22, 2018

Panda Updates – Wednesday, August 22

There has been an update in the ongoing sweet potato saga! I don’t know if everyone else cares about this...

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August 15, 2018

Panda Updates – Wednesday, August 15

Since Xi Lun has (finally) decided that apple and sweet potato are (possibly) yummy, we have been weighing the twins...

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August 10, 2018

Panda Updates – Friday, August 10

Summer is a time when giant pandas sleep more and eat less. Male giant pandas take the summer to rest...

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August 6, 2018

Panda Updates – Monday, August 6

We’ve been using Xi Lun’s dislike of sweet potatoes and apples to our advantage the last several months. When weighing...

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August 3, 2018

Panda Updates – Friday, August 3

Hi! I’m Michelle, and as of today I am the newest member of the giant panda care team at Zoo...

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August 1, 2018

Panda Updates – Wednesday, August 1

I haven’t been in Panda Land for quite a while, and it was great to be back and see the...

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July 30, 2018

Panda Updates – Monday, July 30

A new milestone the twins reached was a week or so ago. We started getting their p.m. weights! We weigh...

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July 27, 2018

Panda Updates – Friday, July 27

I just got back from a week-long vacation, so I wanted to see if Xi Lun would remember any of...

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July 25, 2018

Panda Updates – Wednesday, July 25

As I only work in this area every once in a while, I saw how the skilled giant panda care...

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July 20, 2018

Panda Updates – Friday, July 20

Bamboo is the giant panda’s primary food, but they don’t just eat any old bamboo. Pandas are very selective about...

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July 16, 2018

Panda Updates – Monday, July 16

Many of you may have noticed there is a white barrel in the place of the hammock in one of...

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July 13, 2018

Panda Updates – Friday, July 13

Have you ever eaten something so delicious that you had to lick any remnants from your fingers? Well, giant pandas...

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July 11, 2018

Panda Updates – Wednesday, July 11

With the summer in full swing, the giant pandas’ behaviors are starting to change. Generally during the summer they tend...

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July 9, 2018

Panda Updates – Monday, July 9

We really aren’t joking when we say Ya Lun and Xi Lun are becoming quite the bamboo-eating machines! Much like...

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July 6, 2018

Panda Updates – Friday, July 6

Friday, July 6 Where’s Idgie? If you’ve visited the Zoo in the last week or so, you’ve probably noticed that...

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July 2, 2018

Panda Updates – Monday, July 2

Ya Lun and Xi Lun recently had a new food item added to their daily diets. In addition to the...

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June 27, 2018

Panda Updates – Wednesday, June 27

Hello from PandaLand! It’s been awhile since I have worked more than a day here and there on giant panda...

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June 25, 2018

Panda Updates – Monday, June 25

The other day for enrichment we decided to give the giant pandas cinnamon. When the pandas receive sensory enrichment such...

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June 20, 2018

Panda Updates – Wednesday, June 20

We celebrated all of the Zoo’s animal fathers here on Father’s Day this past Sunday. Yang Yang received all sorts...

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June 18, 2018

Panda Updates – Monday, June 18

As expected, the giant pandas accepted that bamboo shoot season was over and settled down and became satisfied with “regular...

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June 13, 2018

Panda Updates – Wednesday, June 13

Well, it’s official. Bamboo shoot season is over. With the end of shoot season comes the transition back to adult...

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June 11, 2018

Panda Updates – Monday, June 11

One of the giant pandas’ favorite non-food enrichment items are various scents. We have tried many smelly substances over the...

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June 8, 2018

Panda Updates – Friday, June 8

Bamboo shoot season is coming to a close, and I’m glad I was scheduled in the giant panda area once...

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June 1, 2018

Panda Update – Friday, June 1

One of my favorite things about giant pandas is the fact that the more uncomfortable they look, the more comfortable...

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May 25, 2018

Panda Updates – Friday, May 25

All is pretty status quo with the giant pandas. We are still feeding them exclusively bamboo shoots, which makes for...

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May 23, 2018

Panda Updates – Wednesday, May 23

When it comes to bamboo shoots, the twins are 100 percent their mother’s daughters! These two have bottomless pits for...

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May 21, 2018

Panda Updates – Monday, May 21

Hello from Panda Land! While I got to spend some time with the giant pandas one day last week, it...

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May 18, 2018

Panda Updates – Friday, May 18

Where did this heat come from? I thought it was still spring for a little longer, but Georgia seems to...

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May 11, 2018

Panda Updates – Friday, May 11

Right now is the peak of bamboo shoot season. We are feeding Yang Yang, Lun Lun, Ya Lun and Xi...

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May 9, 2018

Panda Update – Wednesday, May 9

Ya Lun and Xi Lun took a long time to become comfortable with being outside when they were still with...

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May 7, 2018

Panda Update – Monday, May 7

I know we just had a giant panda update about Yang Yang, but with how playful he has been recently,...

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May 4, 2018

Panda Updates – Friday, May 4

Ya Lun, Xi Lun and Lun Lun have moved to the next step since Ya Lun and Xi Lun were...

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May 2, 2018

Panda Updates – Wednesday, May 2

Ever since I changed job titles and moved out of the animal areas and into the Administration Building, I don’t...

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April 30, 2018

Panda Updates – Monday, April 30

Have you ever wondered why it sometimes takes the giant pandas a little longer than usual before they are out...

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April 27, 2018

Panda Updates – Friday, April 27

Recently, we changed and added a few new logs to the hammock dayroom’s structure. We are constantly trying to change...

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April 25, 2018

Panda Updates – Wednesday, April 25

Before all the recent stormy weather rolled in, we had some great, warm days here at Zoo Atlanta. It was...

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April 20, 2018

Panda Updates – Friday, April 20

One of the giant pandas’ favorite enrichment items is a 50-gallon drum that we have cut in half length-wise. All...

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April 18, 2018

Panda Updates – Wednesday, April 18

The giant panda hammock is back! Remember that hammock that was purchased a while back? It didn’t last too long...

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April 16, 2018

Panda Updates – Monday, April 16

Since it’s now been more than a month since the twins were weaned, we have started testing the waters with...

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April 13, 2018

Panda Updates – Friday, April 13

Lun Lun got to spend some time in our behind-the-scenes habitat recently. As previously mentioned, that habitat has several species...

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April 9, 2018

Panda Updates – Monday, April 9

With the recent warm weather, all of the beautiful plants on Zoo grounds are starting to grow and flower. This...

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April 6, 2018

Panda Updates – Friday, April 6

Ya Lun and Xi Lun are bamboo-eating machines just like their mother! Whenever we clean up after their meals, we...

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April 2, 2018

Panda Updates – Monday, April 2

Since Ya Lun and Xi Lun have adjusted so well to their new routine, we’ve decided they are ready for...

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March 30, 2018

Panda Updates – Friday, March 30

If you tuned into PandaCam on Thursday morning, you would have seen Ya Lun and Xi Lun in one of...

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March 28, 2018

Panda Updates – Wednesday, March 28

Many people often wonder how giant pandas are able to survive in dense bamboo forests while also being black-and-white. After...

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March 26, 2018

Panda Updates – Monday, March 26

This is the first day I’ve been back in Panda Land in a while, and I was super excited to...

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March 23, 2018

Panda Updates – Friday, March 23

Those of you who have been following Zoo Atlanta’s giant pandas for a while may remember that our first set...

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March 21, 2018

Panda Updates – Wednesday, March 21

Things have been status-quo in PandaLand for the last few days, which makes things rather uneventful (which is good!). That...

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March 19, 2018

Panda Updates – Monday, March 19

We are well into arrow bamboo (Pseudosasa japonica) season. This is usually one of the favorite times of the year...

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March 14, 2018

Panda Updates – Wednesday, March 14

As Jen mentioned on Monday, we have been preparing the special behind-the-scenes third outdoor habitat for the adult giant pandas...

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March 12, 2018

Panda Updates – Monday, March 12

Everyone is settling into the new routine in PandaLand – giant panda care team and pandas alike. We have routinely...

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March 9, 2018

Panda Updates – Friday, March 9

The cubs have been fully weaned from Lun Lun for four days now. As mentioned in previous posts, things are...

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March 7, 2018

Panda Updates – Wednesday, March 7

The weaning process for Ya Lun and Xi Lun is now complete, and the girls are now living independently from...

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March 5, 2018

Panda Updates – Monday, March 5

The weaning process is almost complete, and everything has gone how we expected. Unless they want to nurse, the cubs...

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March 2, 2018

Panda Updates – Friday, March 2

Today was my first day back with the giant pandas after a week-long vacation. I got a few updates from...

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February 28, 2018

Panda Updates – Wednesday, February 28

The cubs are doing really well in day 10 of the weaning process. They are now staying separated from Lun...

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February 26, 2018

Panda Updates – Monday, February 26

It’s been awhile since I spent time in the giant panda building, and the biggest change is how big the...

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February 23, 2018

Panda Updates – Friday, February 23

Lun Lun, Ya Lun, and Xi Lun are continuing to do well during their time apart this week. The girls...

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February 21, 2018

Panda Updates – Wednesday, February 21

Over the past month or so, we have seen Lun Lun choose to spend much less time with the cubs...

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February 16, 2018

Panda Updates – Friday, February 16

Yesterday, the giant pandas’ indoor dayrooms got a makeover: We spent all day re-mulching the floors. Re-mulching is labor-intensive and...

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February 14, 2018

Panda Updates – Wednesday, February 14

Everyone knows that our resident male, Yang Yang, is a class-A clown and eternal cub-at-heart. While Lun Lun is more...

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February 12, 2018

Panda Updates – Monday, February 12

The cubs have both exceeded the 90-pound mark. Ya Lun is still the heavier of the two at around 43...

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February 9, 2018

Panda Updates – Friday, February 9

I recently wrote about Ya Lun finding her preferred sleeping spot in the outdoor habitat, but Xi Lun hadn’t quite...

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February 7, 2018

Panda Updates – Wednesday, February 7

Today was a wet, soggy day in Atlanta. Giant pandas don’t mind a light drizzle, and if it becomes too...

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February 5, 2018

Panda Updates – Monday, February 5

If you follow PandaCam, you may have noticed a new addition to Dayroom 1. Last week, thanks to a very...

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February 2, 2018

Panda Updates – Friday, February 2

Three little (big) peas in a pod! I captured a cute moment the other morning while the ladies were inside...

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January 31, 2018

Panda Updates – Wednesday, January 31

Many of you may know that in 2016, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) downgraded the giant panda’s...

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January 29, 2018

Panda Updates – Monday, January 29

We know giant panda breeding season is coming when Yang Yang begins patrolling his habitat. Males tend to exhibit what...

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January 26, 2018

Panda Updates – Friday, January 26

As mentioned in previous posts, the cubs’ personalities have started to shine through as they have gotten older. They are...

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January 24, 2018

Panda Updates – Wednesday, January 24

Ya Lun still loves her sweet potato. Xi Lun, not so much. We also started offering half a banana to...

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January 22, 2018

Panda Updates – Monday, January 22

If you saw the update last week about the giant panda cubs enjoying the snow, I’m sure you were wondering...

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January 12, 2018

Panda Updates – Friday, January 12

After being out of town for about a week, I returned to the Zoo and Ya Lun and Xi Lun...

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January 10, 2018

Panda Updates – Wednesday, January 10

With the recent cold snap, we have been able to offer the pandas river cane bamboo (Arundinaria gigantea). River cane...

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January 8, 2018

Panda Updates – Monday, January 8

We have an update on the sweet potato saga! Ya Lun now likes sweet potato! Both cubs have been offered...

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January 5, 2018

Panda Updates – Friday, January 5

The cubs are becoming little eating machines. Just a few months ago, when we would refresh Lun Lun’s bamboo (which...

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January 3, 2018

Panda Updates – Wednesday, January 3

Brrrr! Who turned up the air conditioner in Atlanta this week? It’s about as cold here as it was in...

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December 27, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, December 27

As part of the giant pandas’ animal care team, we are lucky to get to know the pandas on individual...

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December 22, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, December 22

Ya Lun and Xi Lun have taken quite a while to adjust to the outdoor habitat. They enjoy eating out...

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December 20, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, December 20

The animals here celebrated the holidays this past weekend with some extra-special enrichment. The adult giant pandas know what happens...

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December 15, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, December 15

I know we have all been talking about the cubs eating bamboo quite a bit lately, but it’s really the...

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December 13, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, December 13

The cubs are acting more and more like adult giant pandas each day. They’re eating bamboo more frequently, interacting with...

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December 11, 2017

Panda Updates – Monday, December 11

Hi panda fans! My name is Erin, and while I am new to the giant panda area, I have been...

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December 8, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, December 8

Ya Lun and Xi Lun have turned into little bamboo-eating machines! As mentioned in previous updates, it’s really fun to...

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December 6, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, December 6

If you watch PandaCam, you might have noticed that lately we have been giving Lun Lun and the cubs access...

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December 4, 2017

Panda Updates – Monday, December 4

Ya Lun and Xi Lun are eating more bamboo each day. Watching cubs grow up never gets old for me....

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December 1, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, December 1

One of our daily goals as animal care professionals is to provide enrichment for the animals. Enrichment is meant to...

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November 29, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, November 29

Many of you have been wondering if we have started training the cubs yet. Well, we aren’t asking for some...

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November 27, 2017

Panda Updates – Monday, November 27

Danica and I spent Thanksgiving with the giant pandas this year! It’s just a normal day for us and the...

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November 20, 2017

Panda updates – Monday, November 20

We’ve mentioned many times in the past how the leafeater biscuits we offer the giant pandas get stuck in their...

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November 15, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, November 15

Many of you know that we don’t share spaces with our adult giant pandas, but we still frequently get questions...

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November 13, 2017

Panda Updates – Monday, November 13

Giant pandas sleep in the most ridiculous positions — whether it is on their backs with one paw extended, or...

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November 10, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, November 11

The last few days we have seen consistent consumption of bamboo from both Xi Lun and Ya Lun. Previously they...

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November 8, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, November 8

Due to previous scheduling issues, this is my third attempt at getting cleared to work the giant panda routine. This...

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November 6, 2017

Panda Updates – Monday, November 6

Occasionally, the pandas receive approved browse that we cut on grounds and give to them as enrichment. Most of the...

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November 3, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, November 3

Ya Lun and Xi Lun are eating more bamboo each day. Watching cubs grow up never gets old for me....

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November 1, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, November 1

It is no secret that the cubs are growing like weeds. As they get bigger and more independent, we are...

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October 30, 2017

Panda Updates – Monday, October 30

The pandas had a spooky, fun Halloween last weekend. The cubs conquered several ghosts that were covered with vanilla extract...

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October 25, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, October 25

A lot of our panda fans have been asking why we are trying so hard to introduce sweet potato to...

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October 23, 2017

Panda Updates – Monday, October 23

The cubs are beginning to consume some bamboo. While they still don’t quite have the jaw strength to break the...

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October 20, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, October 20

The giant pandas spending more time in their outdoor habitats presents many more opportunities than just the pandas getting to...

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October 18, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, October 18

Cooler weather means more outside time for the giant pandas! Going outside almost daily this past week has resulted in...

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October 16, 2017

Panda Updates – Monday, October 16

We are all excited about the autumn weather finally arriving to Atlanta. Well, almost arriving. It’s not 80 degrees anymore!...

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October 13, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, October 13

I think we’re going to have to pull out some of the tricks we have up our sleeves to entice...

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October 9, 2017

Panda Updates – Monday, October 9

I think it’s safe to say that giant pandas are very much creatures of habit. This is why it is...

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October 6, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, October 6

Most of the animals in our care are trained for a number of behaviors depending on needs of the animal....

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October 4, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, October 4

The rate at which Ya Lun and Xi Lun grow and develop is so fun to watch. It seems like...

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October 2, 2017

Panda Updates – Monday, October 2

The (slightly) cooler weather for the next few days means the giant pandas are able to spend more time in...

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September 29, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, September 29

As the cubs become more and more interested in biscuits, they also become more motivated to search for biscuits. Usually...

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September 27, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, September 27

There is a good chance that when you visit the giant pandas at Zoo Atlanta, or tune into PandaCam online,...

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September 25, 2017

Panda Updates – Monday, September 25

In the mornings when we arrive for the day, we turn on our camera monitors to see what the pandas...

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September 22, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, September 22

If you’ve been following our panda family for a number of years, you may remember that at least one of...

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September 18, 2017

Panda Updates – Monday, September 18

It’s been a while since we talked about the girls’ personalities, so I wanted to share a few quirks that...

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September 15, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, September 15

Some of you may have seen the adorable photo of Yang Yang playing with bubbles last week. This week, we...

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September 14, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, September 13

We know everyone was curious about all the animals here during the weather we got with Tropical Storm Irma. We...

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September 8, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, September 9

The pandas received a bubble machine as a present for the cubs’ birthday. Since Yang Yang was outside the other...

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September 6, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, September 6

Sunday was the twins’ first birthday! The year has flown by! The girls celebrated their birthday just as their older...

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September 1, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, September 1

This time last year we were (impatiently) waiting for Lun Lun to give birth. The nursery had been ready for...

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August 30, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, August 30

It has been months since I last got to take care of these bears, and my oh my, how much...

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August 29, 2017

Ya Lun and Xi Lun are turning 1!

Ya Lun’s and Xi Lun’s big day will be the highlight of a black-and-white holiday weekend. Ya Lun and Xi...

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August 28, 2017

Panda Updates – Monday, August 28

The pandas and humans alike are happily welcoming the slightly cooler weather in Atlanta. With the temperatures in the 60s...

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August 25, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, August 25

Happy 20th birthday, Lun Lun! We hope everyone was able to tune in to see our favorite mama bear enjoying...

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August 23, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, August 23

If you watch our PandaCam, you may have noticed recently that during the day, both cubs like to nap on...

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August 21, 2017

Panda Updates – Monday, August 21

Due to his increased play behaviors and soliciting attention from keepers, we have been housing Yang Yang in Dens One...

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August 18, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, August 18

This is the first time I have been around for a panda birthday, and it’s super fun that all four...

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August 16, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, August 16

Ya Lun and Xi Lun have been interested in and playing with bamboo for several months now. However, just in...

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August 14, 2017

Panda Updates – Monday, August 14

Now that the cubs are older and have been eating leafeater biscuits more reliably and more quickly, we can start...

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August 11, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, August 11

It’s almost party time in PandaLand! This time of year, there are a lot of exciting things happening for the...

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August 9, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, August 9

If you were watching PandaCam last week, you may have noticed that the hammock was missing from the dayroom. While...

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August 4, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, August 4

It’s been awhile since my last shift in PandaLand, and I’m amazed at how much the girls have grown, both...

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August 2, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, August 2

I know we’ve talked a lot about how playful Yang Yang’s been …but his antics have been cracking all of...

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July 31, 2017

Panda Updates – Monday, July 31

Yang Yang isn’t the only one in a playful mood the past few days! He has, however, caused early retirement...

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July 28, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, July 28

As we’ve mentioned in previous posts, one of the most fun parts of watching the twins grow up is observing...

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July 24, 2017

Panda Update – Monday, July 24

In less than two months, the cubs will be turning a year old! This means the twins will soon be...

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July 17, 2017

Panda Updates – Monday, July 17

Now that the girls are consuming more leafeater biscuits and consuming more milk (Mom’s and supplemental), there is quite a...

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July 14, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, July 14

Today was an extra-fun enrichment day here in PandaLand! As the twins get older, they are showing more interest in...

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July 12, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, July 12

Everything is going great as usual over here in the panda building. The cubs are growing like weeds every day....

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July 10, 2017

Panda Updates – Monday, July 10

The cubs are beginning to become little mini-destroyers. We noticed recently that they have taken to pulling the bark off...

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July 7, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, July 7

I always look forward to my days in the giant panda area. Of course it’s because I get to be...

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July 5, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, July 5

Those of you who watch our PandaCam may have noticed we have recently started giving Lun Lun and the cubs...

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July 3, 2017

Panda Updates – Monday, July 3

Hello panda fans! My name is Erin, and I am a primary keeper on the meat-eating side of the Carnivore...

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June 30, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, June 30

The cubs are working hard on their shifting skills. Some days are better than others, but progress is being made....

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June 28, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, June 28

What can I say! These girls have grown so fast. It seems like yesterday, we were monitoring them 24/7 and...

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June 26, 2017

Panda Updates – Monday, June 26

Since the last weight update, Ya Lun and Xi Lun have gained 5 pounds and 3 pounds, respectively. Ya Lun...

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June 23, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, June 23

We offer the giant pandas two different types of leafeater biscuits. One is the original biscuit that Yang Yang and...

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June 21, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, June 21

If you watch PandaCam, you know that Ya Lun and Xi Lun can be quite rambunctious. When they aren’t napping,...

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June 16, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, June 16

Since my last update, I have spent more time with Ya Lun and Xi Lun to both win over their...

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June 14, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, June 14

Many people ask us if Yang Yang ever interacts with the cubs. Yang Yang never shares a direct space with...

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June 12, 2017

Panda Updates – Monday, June 12

New enrichment! Or at least new to the cubs. We recently hung the “tire swing” in Dayroom Two for the...

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June 9, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, June 9

As Shauna mentioned a couple of weeks ago, we are working on teaching the cubs to get onto the adult...

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June 7, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, June 7

Exciting things are happening in the world of giant pandas here at Zoo Atlanta. Well, exciting things for us anyway....

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June 2, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, June 2

One of my favorite things is watching cub personalities blossom. The girls are still small enough that we can safely...

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May 31, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, May 31

I have been up in pandas since mid-April, and this past week I worked in Hoofstock for two days. It...

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May 26, 2017

Panda Updates – May 26

Yesterday, we fed out the last of the bamboo shoots for this season. The pandas and the keepers are totally...

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May 25, 2017

Catching up with Ya Lun and Xi Lun

New foods and new skills are among the latest milestones for the only twin giant pandas in the U.S. The...

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May 24, 2017

Panda updates – Wednesday, May 24

This is what I’m going to call the panda cold shoulder. Since I don’t work in the giant panda building...

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May 22, 2017

Panda Updates – Monday, May 22

The cubs are reaching a new milestone: shifting and getting on the adult scale on their own! We started with...

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May 19, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, May 19

Some of you may have thought recently, “My, Lun Lun’s looking a bit chunky.” Well, you’d be correct in that...

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May 17, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, May 17

If you follow our panda updates, then you have probably heard all about the twins’ increasing interest in leafeater biscuits....

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May 15, 2017

Panda Updates – Monday, May 15

Sunday we celebrated Mother’s Day at the Zoo, so all of our Zoo moms received special enrichment. Lun Lun received...

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May 12, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, May 12

We have been steadily offering and introducing the twins to leafeater biscuits and produce. They still take forever to eat...

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May 10, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, May 10

There are lots of things about giant pandas that amaze and amuse me, but one of the most chuckle-worthy is...

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May 8, 2017

Panda Updates – Monday, May 8

It was a beautiful and busy day in pandas this past Saturday. The weather was so fantastic we couldn’t wait...

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May 5, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, May 5

When I arrive at the giant panda building, I always check our record book to see what the day was...

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May 3, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, May 3

Ya Lun (pictured) and Xi Lun have been quite busy with some overnights exploring the past few days! Recently, we...

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May 1, 2017

Panda Updates – Monday, May 1

Bamboo shoot season is upon us! Bamboo shoots are the young stalks of bamboo that pop up all over the...

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April 28, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, April 28

We keepers feel like Yang Yang does not get enough attention. Not from us, of course! We shower him with...

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April 26, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, April 26

Yesterday was my first day working in pandas in a long time. Many things around the building don’t change. The...

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April 24, 2017

Panda Updates – Monday, April 21

Hi everybody! My name is Danica, and I am a Swing Keeper in the Mammal Department here at Zoo Atlanta....

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April 21, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, April 21

At this point we’ve used the term “growing like a weed” at almost every update, but what is Ya Lun’s...

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April 19, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, April 19

It seems like it has been ages since I have worked with the youngsters, even though I did get some...

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April 14, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, April 14

As you watch the panda cubs either at the Zoo or on PandaCam, you may catch them chewing on bamboo...

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April 12, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, April 12

Like most of you, I sometimes watch the PandaCam while working at my desk. There just isn’t enough panda in...

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April 10, 2017

Panda Updates – Monday, April 10

The girls have become very capable climbers, so much so that the playpen no longer contains them. We generally don’t...

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April 7, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, April 7

As part of our enrichment program, we offer the pandas various scents. Some of their favorites are cinnamon, mint mouthwash,...

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April 6, 2017

Panda Update – Thursday, April 6

A quick special update since we know many of you were wondering about yesterday’s weather in stormy Atlanta! It is...

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April 3, 2017

Panda Updates – Monday, April 3

We know the cubs are getting comfortable with each new area when they are able to sleep in that area....

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April 3, 2017

Meet the Giant Panda Cub Twins

Meet the Giant Panda Cub Twins of Zoo Atlanta There are four zoos in the United States where you can...

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March 31, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, March 31

Mulch! If you’ve stopped by our panda viewing and checked out the dayrooms, you might have noticed that the rooms...

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March 29, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, March 29

After a busy couple of days exploring the new frontier of their outdoor habitats, Ya Lun and Xi Lun had...

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March 27, 2017

Panda Updates – Monday, March 27

The cubs are hitting a new milestone: outside time! One important step for them spending time outside is that we...

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March 27, 2017

Giant Panda Twins Play Outside

Ya Lun and Xi Lun the giant panda twins play outside; The only giant panda twins in the U.S. get their...

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March 24, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, March 24

We keepers are very excited to have Arrow bamboo (sp. Pseudosasa japonica) for the adult pandas this week! Arrow is...

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March 22, 2017

Panda Update – Wednesday, March 22

Now that our two little girls have mastered the running thing, the climbing thing, and the exploring thing in their...

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March 20, 2017

Panda Updates – Monday, March 20

As animals get older it is important to monitor their health with different criteria in mind. Heart health is especially...

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March 17, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, March 17

You may have noticed that Lun and her munchkins spent the morning in a behind-the-scenes den the other day and...

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March 15, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, March 15

Months ago in our nursery updates, you may remember us writing to you all about how we would sometimes do...

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March 13, 2017

Panda Updates – Monday, March 13

The cubs are becoming expert climbers. They are still a bit awkward about it, but as soon as they go...

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March 10, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, March 10

I know I wrote about Xi Lun coming in last week on her own, but she is doing so well...

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March 9, 2017

Ya Lun and Xi Lun reach new milestone

Ya Lun and Xi Lun the Giant panda twins have reached a new milestone: all-day play in their dayroom habitat....

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March 8, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, March 8

The cubs are growing like weeds! I have been on a mini vacation for the last five days and came...

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March 6, 2017

Panda Updates – Monday, March 6

Yesterday was my first day working with the pandas in three weeks. I get regular updates from the primary panda...

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March 3, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, March 3

Throughout the day, we bring the pandas into the back so that we can clean up leftovers and give them...

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March 1, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, March 1

Even though the cubs are only just under 6 months old, and weigh around 9 kilograms (give or take, depending...

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February 27, 2017

Panda Updates – Monday, February 27

As Lun Lun and the cubs get more comfortable in the tepee dayroom, you will notice that they will be...

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February 24, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, February 24

This morning we gave Lun Lun, Ya Lun and Xi Lun access to the other dayroom. Lun Lun walked in...

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February 22, 2017

Panda Updates – Wednesday, February 22

The girls have become more and more comfortable hanging out in the dayroom. The proof is that they have found...

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February 20, 2017

Panda Update – Monday, Feb. 20

We gets lots of questions about the relationship between Yang Yang and the twins, but giant pandas are solitary by...

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February 17, 2017

Panda Updates – Friday, February 17

Some of you may have noticed recently that Ya Lun has a blue spot on her back at the bottom...

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February 15, 2017

Panda Update – Wednesday, Feb. 15

Trying to weigh squirmy cubs is rather difficult. We offer the cubs supplemental formula three times a day, and weigh...

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February 13, 2017

Panda Update – Monday, February 13

You might have noticed that Lun and her little munchkins are in the dayroom for longer and longer periods each...

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February 10, 2017

Panda Update – Friday, February 10

It’s amazing how long it takes to prepare for a panda birth (months) vs. how long it takes to dismantle...

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February 8, 2017

Panda Update – Wednesday, February 8

My oh my … how much these cubs have grown! It has been about two weeks since I last worked...

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February 6, 2017

Panda Update – Monday, February 6

Whew! We had a big weekend in the panda building! On Saturday, Ya Lun decided to try her hand at...

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February 3, 2017

Panda Update – Friday, February 3

Happy 5-month birthday to Ya Lun and Xi Lun! The time has really flown by for the whole Panda Care...

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February 1, 2017

Panda Update – Wednesday, February 1

Today’s panda update is a topic we do have to talk about occasionally: Panda Poo! For the first three months...

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January 30, 2017

Panda Update – Mon. January 30

Our after-hours night shift in the panda nursery has officially come to an end. This is a great milestone for...

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January 13, 2017

Yang Yang

Yang Yang is playful and easygoing. Yang Yang remained with his mother for 13 months as part of a behavioral...

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January 13, 2017

Lun Lun

Lun Lun is an avid climber and enjoys sleeping on climbing structures. Born at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant...

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January 6, 2017

Panda Update – Friday, January 6

Now that the cubs are more mobile, we are seeing some more personality differences come out. Ya Lun is bold...

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January 4, 2017

Panda Update – Wed. January 4

Now that the cubs are able to walk a bit better, the next two tasks for them to tackle are...

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January 2, 2017

Panda Update – Monday, January 2

Happy New Year! It seems like just a week ago the cubs were barely walking around the dens…Oh wait! They...

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December 31, 2016

Panda Updates from 2016

Zoo Atlanta December 8, 2016 Giant panda twins’ names to be revealed at 100 Day Celebration on December 12 In...

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December 29, 2016

Giant Panda Conservation

Zoo Atlanta has contributed more than $10 million for the conservation of giant pandas in China, making this our most...

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December 29, 2016

Giant Panda Research

The primary objective of this study is to quantitatively document the giant panda mother-cub relationship.

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December 16, 2016

Giant Pandas Projects

The giant pandas at Zoo Atlanta are on loan from China. The Zoo pays an annual loan fee for the pandas,...

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December 9, 2016

100 Day Naming Celebration

The giant panda twins’ 100 Day Naming Celebration Monday, December 12, 2016 Be there when Cub A’s and Cub B’s...

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December 8, 2016

Panda Pagoda

SHOP ONLINE Discover a variety of panda-rific gifts for panda fans of all ages. Offering a variety of toys, clothing...

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December 8, 2016

Revealing of twin pandas names!

Giant panda twins’ names to be revealed at 100 Day Celebration on December 12 In one of their biggest milestones...

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November 21, 2016

Giant Panda Research

Zoo Atlanta’s research program on giant pandas began in March 1997. Research is conducted both here at Zoo Atlanta and...

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November 3, 2016

A bamboo bon voyage

The first surviving giant panda twins born in the U.S. are en route to China Mei Lun and Mei Huan,...

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October 20, 2016

Giant pandas are departing

Departure date set for giant pandas Mei Lun and Mei Huan 3-year-old twins will depart Atlanta for China on November...

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October 19, 2016

The twins’ big adventure

Mei Lun’s and Mei Huan’s next adventure Wednesday, October 19, 2016 Visit the 3-year-old twins before they embark on an...

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October 18, 2016

Panda twins turn 1 month old

The giant panda twins are 1 month old Tuesday, October 18, 2016 The giant panda twins born to Lun Lun...

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September 3, 2016

Giant pandas born

Giant panda twins born at Zoo Atlanta! Second birth completes a pair of twins for Lun Lun Lun Lun, a...

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