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 siblings have, with their own treat-filled and colorful ice “cakes.” In addition to the ice cakes, they had some hand-painted boxes with treats inside as well (leafeater biscuits). The girls were mildly interested in the cakes, but the giant box in the hammock was the most interesting of all! Ya Lun spent quite a bit of time getting a biscuit out of the box, and her sister was soon to follow. After a while we allowed Mom to join in on the fun (she was happily eating bamboo in the other dayroom). She made quick work of the sugarcane pieces sticking out of the cakes acting as “candles” and made short work of the boxes with treats the girls hadn’t gotten to. After all that excitement, it was time for a much-needed afternoon nap! I hope those of you who were watching from afar were able to watch on PandaCam! If not, check out our Facebook page to see Sunday’s live broadcast, and be sure to check out more video highlights on our YouTube channel.

And while we’re speaking of birthdays, happy birthday to Mei Lan, the first giant panda born at Zoo Atlanta, born 11 years ago today. How the time flies!
Jen W.
Keeper III, Mammals