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DEL.ICIO.USPanda cub celebrates one-month birthday
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Happy Birthday, whatever your name is.
Zoo Atlanta’s still nameless panda cub celebrated her one-month birthday Friday by getting another clean bill of health. Zoo veterinarian Maria Crane performed the second medical exam on Lun Lun’s baby shortly before 10 a.m. “She’s healthy and growing well, as we expect,” Crane said.
The cub has more than doubled in weight — to 2.9 pounds — since her first checkup Sept. 25, when she was handled by humans for the first time and discovered to be female.
“One more meal and she would have been three pounds,” Crane joked.
The cub has grown from 12 inches in length to more than 15 inches, from nose to tip of tail.
During the examination Friday, the first one opened to a news reporter, the cub bobbed and yawned while Crane measured her heartbeat, listened to her lungs, checked the coloring inside her mouth, and guided her paws to make prints in a special wax.
With more wispy black-and-white fur growing in, the baby now looks like a miniature version of her mother, except for some pink skin still evident on her snout. But she’s still not much bigger than a Beanie Baby.
The morning exam did not go off without a hitch. Shortly after 8 a.m., zoo staff initiated the procedure shortly by coaxing Lun Lun out of the birthing den to eat in an adjacent holding area. With biscuit in paw, however, mother panda quickly became suspicious, turning around repeatedly to eye her cub as Crane prepared to pick up the baby. At that point, zoo officials decided to wait to conduct the physical.
“Something was off for her this morning,” Crane said shortly after. “She knew something was different. She sensed other people around.”
Shortly before 10 a.m, the exam began, and finished five minutes later. “We’re getting this down pat,” said Dennis Kelly, Zoo President and CEO.
The cub, the only panda born outside China this year, is expected to be named 100 days after birth — Dec. 15 — according to Chinese custom. It will be unveiled to the public in late December or early January, zoo officials said.
Permalink | Comments (34) | Categories: Daily updates
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Steve
October 6, 2006 12:27 PM | Link to this
Great, I’ll be able to sleep better now knowing this. Thanks AJC!!
By NH
October 6, 2006 12:53 PM | Link to this
Hey Steve - don’t be such a grump. With all the horrors in schools the last couple of weeks, I’m enjoying the chance to smile a little.
By RME
October 6, 2006 12:58 PM | Link to this
Actually, I kind of agree with Steve. Who cares about the Panda cub? It’s not really newsworthy yet the media in this town have spent ridiculous amounts of time covering the story. I think I could find something better to do with my time so I can forget about the horrors in the schools.
By Amanda
October 6, 2006 01:04 PM | Link to this
I don’t understand why you two are complaining; if you don’t want to read about the Panda cub than don’t. If you are going to choose to follow the story then quit complaining.
By Jennie
October 6, 2006 01:10 PM | Link to this
I love the pandas. The zoo is doing great work with them and I am so happy to see the AJC reporting something positive for a change.
By Crystal
October 6, 2006 01:13 PM | Link to this
The birth of this panda is a very rare and special event. We are so blessed to have this happening right here in Atlanta. It’s news all over the world because pandas are so endangered and the AJC would be remiss if they were not covering it. Aren’t you glad to see a happy story for a change?
By Sylvia
October 6, 2006 01:13 PM | Link to this
I am greatly enjoying the panda coverage. I think the panda cub story is an excellent way to educate people about animals and conservation. To see this beautiful, rare animal grow is a privelege.
By Rich
October 6, 2006 01:14 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the great stories & updates. All of us animal lovers care about SUCH IMPORTANT NEWS!
By Martha
October 6, 2006 01:15 PM | Link to this
If you spent one moment watching mother and cub on panda cam at zooatlanta.org you would appreciate all the coverage. AJC keep it coming!
By Donna
October 6, 2006 01:17 PM | Link to this
I can’t get enough news about the pandas. Especailly the pictures! She’s so cute and growing so fast.
By SS
October 6, 2006 01:19 PM | Link to this
Please tell me, would you rather hear about the death of an innocent 4 year old caught in the middle of crossfire or would you like to warm your heart and fill your mind with something positive like the celebration of animals in nature? Have a heart :-)
By andypanda
October 6, 2006 01:20 PM | Link to this
This is very newsworthy considering how rare these precious animals are. Obviously, RME and Steve don’t have anything better to do than to complain about the coverage. But, I guess they can’t help being LOSERS!
AJC you are doing a great job with your dedicated panda coverage!!!!!
By June
October 6, 2006 01:22 PM | Link to this
You are so right, Martha! I watch Panda Cam all day long. It is such a wonderful thing to witness the special bond between Lun Lun and her cub. I want to thank the AJC for their continuing coverage-I learn something new almost every day!!!!
By PandaExpress
October 6, 2006 01:24 PM | Link to this
This Panda is very special and should be embraced by all!!
By Stacy
October 6, 2006 01:37 PM | Link to this
Happy One Month birthday, little Cubcake! I am thrilled that the AJC is covering such a rare and unique experience for us here in Atlanta. Only Washington D.C and San Diego have had the joy of watching a panda cub born and thrive before us. Please keep it up, and bring more pictures!
By Stacy
October 6, 2006 01:39 PM | Link to this
Happy One Month birthday, little Cubcake! I am thrilled that the AJC is covering such a rare and unique experience for us here in Atlanta. Only Washington D.C and San Diego have had the joy of watching a panda cub born and thrive before us. Please keep it up, and bring more pictures!
By Stacy
October 6, 2006 01:52 PM | Link to this
Happy One Month birthday, little Cubcake! I am thrilled that the AJC is covering such a rare and unique experience for us here in Atlanta. Only Washington D.C and San Diego have had the joy of watching a panda cub born and thrive before us. Please keep it up, and bring more pictures!
By maggie
October 6, 2006 01:52 PM | Link to this
I am wondering why Steve and RME were commenting here. If they are not interested in the panda news, then do not click the link. I guess I will have to agree with andypanda, losers are losers and they just can’t help of being one.
Great job AJC for the panda news. Keep up with the good work.
By markscottmusic.com
October 6, 2006 01:55 PM | Link to this
Heck yeah I care about the panda cub. Please keep the coverage and the pictures coming. I especially like the video postings of the mom and cub (that posting of the nine panda cubs from China was as cute as…well… as cute as nine panda cubs!).
By Janet
October 6, 2006 02:26 PM | Link to this
From London. I’ve got news for Steve and RME - they share this planet with animals. That little cub has shown such determination and strength of character that they could only dream about. Keep up the good work AJC: you’re doing a great job which is reaching out across the pond. My nickname for the cub is Peaches because she is a beautiful Georgia peach: shame Steve and RME can’t take pride in their state.
By Barbara Kulik
October 6, 2006 02:58 PM | Link to this
I, too, can’t get enough of panda cam. I love to watch our zoo’s little pumpkin growing and changing every chance I get. I also love seeing what a wonderful mom Lun Lun has turned out to be. The views of panda mom cradling her cub and nuzzling it when resting are so heartwarming. Keep the panda stories coming AJC. I for one will be reading them.
By Sarah
October 6, 2006 03:15 PM | Link to this
I had the pleasure of seeing the first panda born in the United Staes and to be honest the experience was somewhat surreal to me. I was moved to see this young cub that had stirred so much interest in the US and how we as a country we tried so many times to have one of our on and the panda watch the country was on once the female was pregnant. Now we have one here in our fair city ! This is so cool for Atlanta and I thank China for helping us achieve this.
By SW
October 6, 2006 03:19 PM | Link to this
If you don’t find Pandas just totally amazing, run to your nearest Cardiologist to see if you have a heart.
By BAM BAM
October 6, 2006 03:38 PM | Link to this
The panda birth and growth is amazing and for all of you anti-panda people out there, get a life!
She is adorable and I can’t wait to see more of her. Happy birthday you precious baby!
By Tracey
October 6, 2006 03:44 PM | Link to this
I keep the Zoo Alanta pandacam on my computer all day long and check the AJC website every day for updates, and I don’t even live in Atlanta! The birth of a panda cub in the U.S. is a very rare event; therefore, it should be celebrated, and the cub’s development should be chronicled. I totally agree with SW’s comment — if you don’t think that pandas, especially baby pandas, are one of the cutest, most awe-inspiring creatures on earth, then you must have a heart of stone. AJC, please continue the fantastic updates and post more pictures and videos!
By Chen
October 6, 2006 04:10 PM | Link to this
Hi Janet, well said. Peaches is actually a popular name for girls in China. Hmm… Peaches…Peaches the Panda…PP for short. Does it comfirm the psychic’s prediction for the little girl’s name? LOL.
By Shirley
October 6, 2006 04:44 PM | Link to this
I agree with Janet…. Peaches would be an adorable name for Atlanta’s precious panda cub!
By KEW
October 6, 2006 05:06 PM | Link to this
Chicago. Thank you, Steve and RME, for giving names to poverty of spirit. Panda lovers the world over will read your astute comments (links are posted in many places)and wonder at your lack of perception and lack of civic pride. Maybe a trip away from the keyboard would help you. Maybe a trip to the zoo. Thank you, ajc, for your continuing Cubcake updates.
By Rose
October 6, 2006 05:28 PM | Link to this
Congratulations Zoo Atlanta on such a wonderful and long awaited event! I have learned much about animal conservation and have seen and read about the panda cub at the National Zoo. I will be at zoo again as soon as the cub turns 100 days old. Thankfully there are so many people like those at Zoo Atlanta devoted to animals and animal conservation in this world.
By Tell Me
October 7, 2006 11:07 AM | Link to this
Some people just don’t understand that pandas are almost extinct, and that every birth is special…especially in Atlanta!
I’ve been watching the live feed from the zoo daily to see what’s new, and I’ve also told other “voyeur” friends who enjoy watching animal-cams, and they are just as excited as I. They are a hoot to watch. Where you find it boring, I find it very educational. My 3 year old granddaughter and I watch with anticipation daily.
Good Job LunLun…keep up the good work…and don’t let people like “Steve” ruin the one month milestone of your daughter! (He probably hates kids, too.)
By Naming The Cub
October 7, 2006 11:11 AM | Link to this
“Peaches”? What’s Oriental about THAT? They have already stated that it would be an Oriental-type name. Peaches would be good for a dog or cat, or even a human nickname…but a panda? C’mon. I guess you’d call a Japanese Chin (that’s a dog for those educated in Georgia) something like Peanuts…that’s about Georgia, too.
By Susan
October 7, 2006 11:17 AM | Link to this
I agree with the above poster…if you couldn’t care less about the pandas, why did you bother to click on the link? The paper is full of other articles of death, shootings, robberies, etc., things you’d find more interesting…so if you don’t like pandas, stay out of the panda vent. I think you came here just to get your daily fix of “mean” and hide behind your anonymity.
Keep it up AJC. Those of us who DO care appreciate the updates and coverage.
By PandaGramma
October 7, 2006 11:23 AM | Link to this
Some of us ARE interested in the panda cub and her progress. That’s why we come here. If you don’t like the pandas and their coverage, there are all sorts of articles in the newspaper…enough to read so that you don’t even have to come in here. You aren’t the only ones the paper caters to. They also cater to those of us that care about wildlife…especially endangered species. (I’d like to think that Steve & RME and others like them are soon to be on the extinct list.)
If you don’t like the news here, there are other places to get it, i.e. CNN, MSNBC, Yahoo, AOL, etc. Try those and quit trying to ruin the happy news for everyone else.
By laurie
October 8, 2006 12:47 PM | Link to this
I’m not sure how everyone else keeps up with this news, but I have the blog pulled in via RSS feed. In other words, I select what I want to view. I read this and View From the Cop.
To the curmudgeons on the list, if you don’t want to read about the pandas, then don’t!. I’m squarely in the camp of those who find a bit of good news now and then refreshing and encouraging.