Lun Lun, a proud Mommy, cuddles her infant, and look how far he’s come!

No more camera… me go sleepy time, okay?!

ATLANTA – August 30, 2008 – Zoo
Atlanta’s Animal Management Team announced today that 11-year-old
female giant panda Lun has given birth to a cub. Delivery took place at
10:10 pm in a specially-constructed birthing den in the Zoo’s giant
panda holding building. The cub is the only giant panda to be born in
the U.S. in 2008.

         

The birth marks
another significant milestone in the fight to save one of the world’s
most beloved endangered species. Fewer than 1600 giant pandas are
estimated to remain in the wild, with an additional 230 living in
zoological situations.

         

“We are
delighted, proud and elated,” said Dennis Kelly, Zoo Atlanta’s
President and CEO. “We are just as excited as we were about Mei Lan’s
(Lun Lun’s first offspring, born September 6, 2006) birth. This is
another great moment for the City of Atlanta our colleagues in China as
well as Zoo members, guests and staff.”

         

Zoo
officials report that the organization’s joy may even have a part two.
The Zoo’s Animal Management and Veterinary Teams continue to monitor
Lun Lun closely for a potential second birth. Twin births take place
nearly 50 percent of the time in giant pandas, although twins may not
necessarily arrive within moments or even hours of each other. A second
cub could arrive as much as 12 to 24 hours after the first.

         

            

             

             

            

            

             

             

            

         

Zoo staff celebrates another panda birth

         

Lun
Lun is a great second time mom and is caring for her cub, which is
about the size of a human hand. The Veterinary Team will conduct the
cub’s first checkup when it is deemed possible to do so without
disrupting maternal care. The Animal Management and Veterinary Teams,
joined by a curator from China’s Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda
Breeding, will continue round-the-clock monitoring of mother and cub.

         

The
cub will be introduced to Zoo Atlanta Members and guests in early 2009.
Until that time, images will be available on monitors at the Zoo’s
Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Giant Panda Conservation Center and
on PandaCam, located on the Zoo’s website at zooatlanta.org. Zoo officials expect to name  the cub in approximately 100 days in keeping with Chinese tradition.

         

The
cub’s father, 10-year-old Yang Yang, remains on exhibit and will not be
introduced to his offspring. This separation is normal for giant
pandas, which are solitary in the wild.

         

Lun Lun’s  firstborn, Mei Lan, turns 2 on September 6. Public birthday festivities
are planned for Saturday, September 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the
Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Giant Panda Conservation Center at
Zoo Atlanta.