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You may have noticed that Lun and her munchkins spent the morning in a behind-the-scenes den the other day and were not seen in the dayroom during that time. This was because Lun Lun was passing a mucus stool. Every so often, giant pandas will shed the lining of their GI tract (likely the stomach). … Continue reading "Panda Updates – Friday, March 17"

Months ago in our nursery updates, you may remember us writing to you all about how we would sometimes do biscuit feeds with Lun Lun in order to encourage her to eat more bamboo. While biscuits are an important part of her balanced diet, they are viewed as a supplement, whereas bamboo is her primary … Continue reading "Panda Updates – Wednesday, March 15"

I’m going to veer off animals for just a moment and talk about your second favorite subject, zookeepers! After looking at my own experience and talking to other keepers and interns, I have come to the conclusion that becoming a zookeeper has similar stages as a person deciding what they want to be when they … Continue reading "Keeper Stories – Thursday, March 9"

Okay, it used to be simple for us biology nerds to distinguish “poisonous” organisms from “venomous” organisms. In lectures, I always boil it down the basic distinction of “whom is biting/stinging whom?” In other words, if you put it in your mouth or on your skin, and you get sick, then you have encountered a … Continue reading "Venomous or Poisonous? "

The cubs are growing like weeds! I have been on a mini vacation for the last five days and came back to cubs that looked about the same size-wise, but were definitely a little heavier! I’m trying my hardest to enjoy them while they are “pint-sized” and still really goofy in their coordination. Their current … Continue reading "Panda Updates – Wednesday, March 8"

Yesterday was my first day working with the pandas in three weeks. I get regular updates from the primary panda keepers about how all of the pandas are doing, but I wasn’t prepared for just how big the girls had grown in that time. Both girls have gained around a kilogram (2.2 pounds) since I … Continue reading "Panda Updates – Monday, March 6"

Even though the cubs are only just under 6 months old, and weigh around 9 kilograms (give or take, depending on if they’ve gone to the bathroom), they have gotten incredibly strong! We usually have to wake them up after lunch to give them their supplemental formula. This means we have to go and pull … Continue reading "Panda Updates – Wednesday, March 1"

The girls have become more and more comfortable hanging out in the dayroom. The proof is that they have found new places to nap (the top of the structure). Because of this we’re able to keep them in the dayroom for longer periods. You may also notice that at the end of the day Mom … Continue reading "Panda Updates – Wednesday, February 22"

The animals at Zoo Atlanta represent so many opportunities for biologists around the world to learn basic information about, well, animals! We get research proposals all the time from researchers, both among our own staff and globally, seeking permission to include the animals in their research. We approve the proposals that are of the greatest … Continue reading "Sun Bear Tongues and Frog Tongues"

Hello from Outback Station! The keepers here in Outback work with a number of different species, but my personal favorites are the petting zoo animals. We have 14 goats, four sheep, and two pigs that spend time in the petting zoo. We spend a large portion of our day interacting with guests and telling them … Continue reading "Keeper Stories – Tuesday, February 21"