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Panda Updates – Monday, January, 11

If you follow our giant panda program, you’ll often hear us talking about the fact that giant pandas are a solitary species, and during your visits to the Zoo, there are a few animals you might see who live alone. Unlike social species such as western lowland gorillas, African lions, meerkats and more, solitary species do not live in groups and do not necessarily seek out or even enjoy the company of their own species. Besides giant pandas, other examples at Zoo Atlanta include Sumatran tigers and red panda. Once giant pandas reach sub-adulthood, they will go off on their own, and then will come together briefly during breeding season. Ya Lun and Xi Lun have not reached sexual maturity (giant pandas reach sexual maturity at around 5 to 6 years old), so they still share the same space, but eventually, they will reach a point where they will start to view each other as resource competition – all a natural progression for a solitary species. Right now, though, they are still happily eating and playing together, so the Panda Care Team is making sure to capture these cute sibling moments!

(photo by Amanda D.)

Amanda D.
Keeper I, Mammals

Connect With Your Wild Side #onlyzooatl