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 bamboo or have just woken up from a nap, we often find them playing with their enrichment or wrestling with one another. Each of them has adopted her own “wrestling” style, and we can often tell who is who on the camera based solely off their signature moves. Xi Lun is more about the sneak attacks, and will often try to catch Ya Lun off guard. She also easily loses interest and will try to start eating again, but Ya Lun usually interferes and re-initiates the wrestling match. Ya Lun makes all of us laugh, as she is known for her full on WWE-style body slams. She climbs as high as she can, locates Xi Lun, and flings her body full force in her direction (regardless of whether or not it requires sacrificing a safe landing for herself). Luckily, giant pandas are very muscular and don’t get injured during falls, and often purposefully will fall or fling themselves onto things. Usually the tail end of the wrestling match consists of a lot of rolling around. My favorite part of this video is when Ya Lun reaches up to try to pull herself onto the structure (about 3 seconds in), realizes she isn’t going to get there before Xi Lun reaches her, and her body language seems to say “Yep, okay, I’m not gonna make it”, and she just falls backward. They are so silly sometimes!

Check out a video on Zoo Atlanta’s social networks later today!

Danica W.
Keeper II, Mammals