Panda Cub Updates

Monday, March 28
For those of you who watch the panda cam, you will notice a small change in the birthing den which is on the cam most of the time. Po has now reached an age and has gained enough climbing ability that the nest box can no longer contain him, so it is no longer needed. We removed it Sunday morning, cleaned it, and stored it. So, it will be ready to use for the next cub.
Po nearly hit the 8 kg mark this morning, weighing in at 7.9 kg. This was, however, right before a nursing session. I have no doubt he could have broken that barrier had I weighed him a little later.
Here in Atlanta we had a wet, cloudy day, but that didn't seem to matter too much to Po, as he went about his normal routine of sleeping, playing in the bamboo, sleeping, chasing his mom, nursing, sleeping. He has been climbing in and out of the hammock on his own now, as his climbing abilities have gotten much better. It won't be long before he gets good enough to reach the flat logs on the back of the climbing structure. That was the favorite resting spot for both of his siblings, Mei Lan and Xi Lan.
Kenn Harwood
Lead Keeper of Carnivores

It's all about the hammock today

< 22 sec. Lun's Dismount Video Link

Mei Lan was still an Ambassador for Earth Hour March 26th

Link < Video Link
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Chinese giant panda Mei Lan remains as Earth Hour global ambassador < Video Link
{in Chinese but larger video}

Mei Lan will appear at Earth Hour 2011 launching ceremony in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province on Saturday......
At 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Mei Lan will turn out the lights at the indoor stadium in the center. But till now the details of the event remains a mystery. The only clues are the T-shaped stage and the ice sculpture in the stadium. Yuan said that the melting of ice sculpture will remind people of environmental protection and a low carbon dioxide emission lifestyle.
The breeder of Mei Lan has been training her for the last month for Saturday's ceremony. While many cities in the world have chosen to turn off the lights in landmark sites to celebrate Earth Hour, Chengdu's unique approach is expected to impress many of those involved in the program.

Ambassador Mei Lan with her beautiful face & fluffy cheeks
~from above video

Queenie, yes it was all about the hammock yesterday And Mei Lan once again made us proud as the Ambassador for Earth Hour

03-28-2011 Whoops, Dere Po Goes Again!! (Flickr video)

:movie: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pandalover19/5568682693/

Po hanging off the edge...


Lun really tries to pull him back


Looks like he landed on his feet though

As you saw earlier, Po made it into the hammock himself on Monday ... but first he had a few misses!!

03-28-2011 Takes Po-actice to make Po-erfect (Flickr video)

:movie: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pandalover19/5568574144/