Home > Panda Watch > Archives > 2006 > October > 26 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USPanda cub gets feisty
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Maybe it’s because she feels her teeth beginning to show.
Or maybe she didn’t like the lens of the panda paparazzi hovering in her face.
Whatever the reason, Zoo Atlanta’s Giant Panda cub turned a little feisty Thursday morning. During her weekly physical, she squawked and suddenly lunged, albeit weakly, at a newspaper photographer who was busy clicking her profile. Then, almost instantly, she started to nod off to sleep.
At 50 days old, the panda baby weighs 5.5 pounds, a half pound more than last week, and has grown to 18 inches from nose to tip of tail.
“She’s growing very well, very steadily,” zoo veterinarian Maria Crane said. “Her incisors are beginning to erupt and her hair coat is much thicker than last week. She’s getting stronger. She’s a little more active and she’s trying to push up.” The cub is not expected to walk until about four months.
Meanwhile, mother panda Lun Lun, according to keeper Jay Pratte, is regaining muscle mass that was lost during pregnancy, when expectant pandas stop eating for the most part. She weighs about 105 kilos, or about 231 pounds, roughly ten pounds below her normal weight, he said.
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Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Big Dawg
October 26, 2006 09:58 AM | Link to this
Whatever.
By PF
October 26, 2006 10:04 AM | Link to this
Keep the updates coming AJC! We love hearing about the cub!
By Matt
October 26, 2006 10:06 AM | Link to this
Does this coverage remind anyone else of the scene in “Anchorman” with Brian Fantana reporting live from the panda den? “Oh my God! I think that baby panda just lunged at that photographer! This is truly horrific!” Haha, keep it up ajc, I need laughter in my day.
By andrew
October 26, 2006 10:08 AM | Link to this
Big Dawg is just mad because the baby panda has more bite then he does
By b. white
October 26, 2006 10:16 AM | Link to this
My students and I keep a daily vigil to stay up with the progress of the baby. I feel like she’s mine. I adore that little baby.
By J
October 26, 2006 10:25 AM | Link to this
As cute as she is, she’s still a BEAR…
By Laughing at UGA
October 26, 2006 10:28 AM | Link to this
Big Dawg is just mad because that Panda has as much bite as his “dawgs”. LOL.
By GTGreg
October 26, 2006 10:38 AM | Link to this
To J: For the sake of trivia, Pandas are not actually bears. They are more closely related to weasels and rodents than they are to bears. Bears, on the other hand, are more closely related to pigs.
By W
October 26, 2006 10:38 AM | Link to this
Ok,..whats the fascination with this animal? Why are they harrassing it every week? Maybe I just dont get it. LEAVE IT ALONE
By michael
October 26, 2006 10:48 AM | Link to this
Go for it! Bling Bling! Kick his butt!!
By T Love
October 26, 2006 10:51 AM | Link to this
Laughing at UGA, you must be a Tech fan. All I have to say is 5 in a row, LOL. Or if you are an SEC school fan then kiss the ring, LOL.
By Let the Big Dawg Eat
October 26, 2006 10:51 AM | Link to this
Most of the Dawg fans I see waddling around Atlanta have plenty of “bite”. It’s just the “bark” they lack.
By Jennifer
October 26, 2006 11:01 AM | Link to this
Tech students actually study versus just playing football. The whole UGA vs. Tech thing is silly; especially after reading the graduation rate for UGA’s players not too long ago. You can have your 5 in a row, but I prefer someone with an education, thanks.
By UGA
October 26, 2006 11:01 AM | Link to this
Gotta agree with the post below, this reeks of Sex Panther and Brian Fantana “Panda Watch”.
By Atlanta Blue
October 26, 2006 11:14 AM | Link to this
For GTGreg:
Your information is out of date. DNA testing has shown that Giant Pandas are closely related to bears, and are members of the Ursidae (bear) family). From the Zoo Atlanta Website:
Scientists have debated for more than a century whether giant pandas belong to the bear family, the raccoon family or a separate family of their own. This is because the giant panda and its cousin, the lesser or red panda, share many characteristics with both bears and raccoons. Recent DNA analysis indicates that giant pandas are more closely related to bears and red pandas are more closely related to raccoons. Accordingly, giant pandas are categorized in the bear family while red pandas are categorized in the raccoon family.
By Mrs.D
October 26, 2006 11:33 AM | Link to this
Anchorman! HA! I thought the same thing about the coverage of the baby panda. I have the pic of her and mom as my screensaver at work..adorable.
By Something's Phishy
October 26, 2006 11:38 AM | Link to this
Okay, so the story headline said that the baby panda lunged at the photographer. Can a 5.5 pound anything really lunge? Sounds kinda stupid.
By Gasper
October 26, 2006 11:38 AM | Link to this
Dear Little Panda Pal, I can relate. Your Friend, Gasper
By barbara
October 26, 2006 11:44 AM | Link to this
I just looked at the pictures of the baby panda’s latest exam, and I think she is the cutest baby animal I’ve ever seen!! She is absolutely precious! I watch her daily on Panda Cam and I wonder if she really “lunged” at the photographer. On Panda Cam, it looks like she is trying to figure out how to walk, but her movements are still very jerky. So I don’t think she “lunged”; she just doesn’t have well-controlled movements yet. Thank you AJC for all the coverage and pictures of this precious baby.
By joseph kane
October 26, 2006 11:49 AM | Link to this
Why can’t those zoo scientists leave that poor panda pup alone? She seems to be doing very well without the stethoscopes, face masks and social hubbub.
By GMC
October 26, 2006 12:19 PM | Link to this
I agree with Barbara. Anyone who’s watched Panda Cam can see the cub is trying to get her legs going, and is less than graceful at her stage of development. Dr. Snyder has explained in the daily updates that the twitching motions are normal, so to say the cub lunged is far-fetched and probably an attempt to add some drama to a story that has become routine.
By Tim
October 26, 2006 12:30 PM | Link to this
The baby panda just did what most people want to do to today’s media.
By catlady
October 26, 2006 12:33 PM | Link to this
Lots of humans feel like that about photographers, also. See Brad Pitt, etc.
By shari
October 26, 2006 12:40 PM | Link to this
How did looking at a precious bear cub turn into a war of UGA and TECH? Furthermore, if you are not interested in the animal then don’t look and keep your comments to yourself - “whatever” is the mind set of a 16 yr. old.
By rhoda
October 26, 2006 12:42 PM | Link to this
Why are you on the panda site talking about football? surely watching the panda is far more interesting than big fat brainless men running around a field!!!!
The AJC are doing an excellent job of covering the new panda - far better than all the other depressing news.
By T Love
October 26, 2006 12:52 PM | Link to this
Jennifer, for someone who studies so much and is sooo intelligent, you sure do make a lousy point. Let me get this straight, UGA athletes have a low graduation rate therefore I must be uneducated. I graduated from a business school at UGA that has been statistically ranked higher than Tech’s for years. It is an interesting concept to think that my business shcool is statistically better than yours and we have won 5 in a row yet I am uneducated for simply pointing our winning streak out. Now, if you are into dating smart folks over football players because it makes you feel better then you go girl and I totally understand! I might recommend steering clear of your own football players as well (Reggie don’t interview so good). I feel dumb having to point this out to you since you are sooo smart!
By ISIDINGO
October 26, 2006 12:53 PM | Link to this
i don’t blame the panda.. as we are seein people are getting tired of the Media and there constant shoving the cameras in their faces. So i mean that baby is probably just tired of bein poked and probed and manhandled. I think weekly is a bit much to do an exam, biweely or ever 3 weeks might be alittle bit more comfortable for the cub.
By Brick Tamland
October 26, 2006 01:17 PM | Link to this
I love lamp.
By Jota Te Dinero
October 26, 2006 01:40 PM | Link to this
Light that thing on FIRE!!!
By Nina
October 26, 2006 01:40 PM | Link to this
Well, at least AJC doesn’t have Britney Spears on the top of the front page, unlike CNN.
By Beverly McGrath
October 26, 2006 01:51 PM | Link to this
I guess some people don’t realize what a miracle this little panda is, and how fortunate we are to have her in Atlanta!
By PandaPoo
October 26, 2006 01:57 PM | Link to this
Maybe they should name the baby lunge-lunge
By joe
October 26, 2006 02:15 PM | Link to this
Pandas seem like they are related to the sloth since they are so slow and inactive. No wonder they are nearly extinct.
By News
October 26, 2006 02:18 PM | Link to this
Must be a slow news day in Atlanta, I guess we can expect this to be the top story of the evening news.
By Game Hunter
October 26, 2006 02:18 PM | Link to this
I just want to know when it will be big enough to eat. Panda fajitas rule!
By MusingLee
October 26, 2006 02:28 PM | Link to this
So the baby Panda “lunged” at the camara guy, and almost instantly fell asleep?!?! Sounds like it got it’s freak on and was tired…Are you sure this is a female Panda?
By Puncher
October 26, 2006 02:34 PM | Link to this
Game Hunter , you are out of your mind, don’t you remember dog food is your main diet ?
By Game Hunter
October 26, 2006 02:43 PM | Link to this
Yes, dog food is my main diet. However, my dog eats well: nothing but panda and clownfish.
By Haha
October 26, 2006 02:59 PM | Link to this
I thought the Panda was busy suing the Regular Guys…
By angela
October 26, 2006 03:24 PM | Link to this
Thursdays are my new favorite day.
By PETA
October 26, 2006 04:13 PM | Link to this
Personally I think panda tastes like chicken, but it’s still better than beluga whale!
By jeff
October 26, 2006 04:36 PM | Link to this
yeah, I totally think of Anchorman and Brian Fantana’s hard hitting new reports every time I see the headline “Panda WATCH!” Here’s a quote from the movie:
“Panda Watch. The mood is tense; I have been on some serious, serious reports but nothing quite like this. I uh… Ching… King is inside right now. I tried to get an interview with him, but they said no, you can’t do that he’s a live bear, he will literally rip your face off. [to the Panda] Brian Fantana: Hey, you’re making me look stupid. Get out of there Panda Jerk!”
By Pam
October 26, 2006 04:59 PM | Link to this
Atlanta’s Panda princess had better get used to the Pandarazzi: Her public debut will draw visitors and photographers from all over the world. As the latest of only five Panda cubs ever born in America, she is a rare treasure and a true celebrity. I hope the pandacam will be able to follow her as she grows, begins to walk, and finally leaves the den. The cuteness factor goes skyhigh at that point. Atlanta is in for an amazing treat!
By Doug
October 26, 2006 05:18 PM | Link to this
I love these Panda stories. It’s such a rarity in terms of wildlife and we’re getting to experience it here in Atlanta. Keep ‘em coming.
By biogasman
October 26, 2006 05:33 PM | Link to this
Cute Rocks! That is why the baby panda is so admired and popular. Who said looks don’t matter?
By Danny
October 27, 2006 10:49 AM | Link to this
PandaPoo - “lunge-lunge” That’s great! Perfect name for the little fuzzball. I’m glad it’s getting so much coverage (Ron Burgundy style). It’s like Willie B was reincarnated as a cute little panda…who’s gonna be HUGE in no time at all. Enjoy it while we can.
By mike
October 27, 2006 12:20 PM | Link to this
i want one
By susan
October 27, 2006 01:08 PM | Link to this
Thanks so much for these updates. Look forward to more. I love the baby panda and this we are very blessed to have her.
By florida ladybug
October 28, 2006 10:42 AM | Link to this
Thank you AJC for the coverage on the panda! Weekly check-ups are necessary for such a young panda and a novice mother. Pandas are for admiring-dawgs are just puppy-chow for those gators!