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 straight out there, but Ya Lun thought the unfamiliar pathway was too scary and would not follow her sister. Xi Lun is usually the more cautious of the two, so we couldn’t believe she was the first one to try out the new space. Both girls had access to Habitat 2 and Habitat 3 all day and Xi Lun wandered back and forth between the two throughout the day, but Ya Lun chose to stay in Habitat 2. Xi Lun even tried to guide her sister into the new habitat, but Ya Lun only followed her to the door, then turned around. Giant pandas often find new experiences scary, so Ya Lun’s behavior isn’t unusual. We made sure she had plenty of bamboo and leafeater biscuits in Habitat 2, so she stayed happy. Xi Lun enjoyed foraging for her own bamboo and exploring the new habitat. In fact, I had to convince her to come inside at the end of the day. We will continue to give the girls access to the behind-the-scenes habitat off and on. I’m sure Ya Lun will eventually muster the courage to venture over there with Xi Lun. 

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Heather R.
Senior Keeper, Carnivores