Zoo Atlanta panda goes into labor

Lun Lun, the giant panda that captured the hearts of metro area residents in 2006 with the birth of her daughter Mei Lan, is on her way to being a mother again.

The 230-pound Zoo Atlanta bear went into labor around 1:30 p.m. Saturday when her water broke, officials said. The zoo said she could be in labor for up to 48 hours. She was in labor for 36 hours with Mei Lan, a record for a panda birth.

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Renee' Hannans Henry/AJC

Lun Lun could be in labor for up to 48 hours.

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“Lun Lun is doing great, and the animal management and veterinary teams will continue to keep a close watch on her during the delivery process,” zoo spokeswoman Simone Griffin said in a news release.

Heightening zoo officials excitement is the possibility that the panda could give birth to twins. An ultrasound conducted Thursday confirmed one fetus in the right horn of Lun Lun’s uterus, but was not able to see the other side.

It’s not uncommon for pandas to have twin births, even triplets, though that is more rare, said Jinping Yu, the zoo’s director of China Conservation and Education. Remote as that possibility is, Zoo Atlanta staff are prepared, with two incubators on hand to keep the cubs warm.

If Lun Lun has twins, they will be several hours apart. Lun Lun will probably pay more attention to the first cub, leaving veterinarians an opportunity to retrieve the second.

Lun Lun has been building a nest throughout the week, but she may have the cub or cubs on the concrete floor as last time. Officials think she may use the nest this time because she has more birthing experience and a better understanding of what is happening.

When she gave birth to Mei Lan, she quickly scooped up the cub — only a few seconds had passed — and cradled her to keep her warm. Yu said an infant cub’s body temperature can drop rapidly, which is why it is vital they are aware of a second cub that Lun Lun may need help keeping warm.

Zoo officials have been on pins and needles since beginning an around-the-clock panda watch Aug. 9.

The zoo artificially inseminated Lun Lun in April with semen from zoo mate Yang Yang.

Atlanta is one of four U.S. zoos with giant pandas. The others are in Washington, Memphis and San Diego.