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Thursday, January 11, 2007
Panda’s big debut
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It looks like the public debut for Mei Lan, Zoo Atlanta’s giant panda cub, will be this weekend.
The baby panda, which has been nurtured behind the scenes since her Sept. 6 birth, will be presented to the media in her habitat at the zoo Friday morning.
After that, she may stay on public view, if only on a limited basis.
Zoo spokeswoman Susan Elliott said anyone happening to visit the zoo Friday might see Mei Lan and her mother, Lun Lun, in the giant panda habitat. But there are no guarantees. It’s up to the pandas whether they will be outside, or back in their den.
“When the media preview happens, she may just decide to stay out,” Elliott said. “t’s up to her now. Both Mei Lan and Lun Lun will have access to be out after that.”
The zoo has been conducting trials with the wobbly-walking cub in the panda habitat in recent days, and she has stayed out anywhere from 15 minutes to 45 minutes. “It’s been increasing every day,” Elliott said. Elliott said Saturday offers a better chance than Friday for the public to see the cub.
More details will be announced at Friday morning’s press conference Come back to ajc.com after 8 a.m. for more information.
Zoo Atlanta opens to zoo members at 9 a.m. Friday and to the general public at 9:30 a.m.
