Home > Panda Watch > Archives > 2007 > January > 25 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USMei Lan’s new nickname: Wiggles
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
She’s not a track star, nor is it likely that she’ll win awards for grace in motion.
But if the people at Zoo Atlanta start handing out medals for sheer motion, Mei Lan the baby giant panda might be a contender for the gold.
Mei Lan underwent her weekly checkup Thursday, rolling around, batting at just about everything that moved and sticking her furry nose into any cranny she could sniff out. Her handlers tried to get the usual measurements that indicate how well the cub is doing.
It wasn’t easy getting her vital statistics, said Dr. Maria Crane, the zoo’s chief veterinarian, but it was sort of fun: Who can get mad at a panda whose nose is stuck in a traffic cone? Yes, a traffic cone: It’s one of the “enrichment toys” the zoo has given the panda to keep her interested in her surroundings.
“She’s showing really good growth and development,” said Crane, who has been checking on Mei Lan since the cub’s birth to Lun Lun Sept. 6. “She continues to do well.”
How well? Mei Lan weighed 18.2 pounds — almost a pound more than her last checkup. From wiggly nose to wriggly tail, she measured 34 inches. She’s walking better every day, too, and frequently ventures to the panda pen’s outside viewing area.
Mei Lan also recently reached another milestone, the bathroom variety. The cub is learning to urinate and defecate on her own. In the past, Lun Lun had to help the kid along, licking the cub’s private parts to get Mei Lan to evacuate.
(Parents, think of that the next time you make a face at junior’s diaper.)
In science-talk, Mei Lan is meeting all developmental platforms.
Crane translated: She’s doing great.”
Comments
By Mommy,too
January 25, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this
My family can’t wait to visit Zoo Atlanta and see “Wiggles”
By Jodi
January 25, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this
Wonderful! Go Mei Lan!!
By Phyl
January 25, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this
Wiggles…hmmm…has a certain cache, I like Snerk and Lani a tad bit better, but that girl CERTAINLY is a mover!!
By jane
January 25, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this
Please start showing us her weekly check-ups on video again. They are so much fun to watch and we can hear her little sounds.
By Mark Davis
January 25, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this
To panda fans asking for the weekly checkup video: The zoo no longer provides video of those checkups, but has begun supplying video of Mei Lan — and, at times, her mom — as she makes her rounds in the public viewing area. The AJC is expecting some new video today (Thursday). Thanks for your interest.
By TheOne
January 25, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this
I was hoping to see pictures too!!! She is sooooo adorable, please post some updated pics!!!
By Chrissy
January 25, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this
Yea me too, I’m missing the photos!
By Marci
January 25, 2007 01:00 PM | Link to this
Beautiful Name for a Beautiful Baby Panda
Her name is Mei Lan. So, could you “The Ted” folks resist calling her wiggles or anything else?
Her name is Mei Lan. Period!
By Jeanette
January 25, 2007 01:49 PM | Link to this
Mei Lan is too cute and my Shih Tzu would love her too as they are exactly the same colors/sports. We have a Teddy Bear that we name Mei Lan and Godive (Shih Tzu) loves her Panda bear.
By TheOne
January 25, 2007 02:22 PM | Link to this
I just watched the video…..toooooo cute!!!!
Marci calm down, it’s just a nickname geesh!!
Little Bling Bling Wiggles Mei Lan is adorable……..lol
By Brian
January 25, 2007 02:46 PM | Link to this
It makes me even happier using her cute nickname, knowing that it gets people like Marci bent out of shape. Is it hard to type with your pinky finger held out all the time?
Period.
By christy
January 25, 2007 04:09 PM | Link to this
She has lifted my spirits from day one! When things are out of wack on the home front, I can just tune into Mei Lan’s life. Soon as the weather gets nicer, it is a road trip from Austin, Texas. Can’t wait!
By Capt
January 25, 2007 04:16 PM | Link to this
Call her skeeter
By Pat
January 26, 2007 08:22 AM | Link to this
Mei Lan, Snerk, Wiggles, (or whatever her nickname of the day is) is the cutest ever!! Whenever I’m depressed, I look at her videos, and, just looking at her cute “moves”, puts me in a great mood.
By Greg
January 26, 2007 09:45 AM | Link to this
Odd that the body of your story has no reference to the topic of the headline! Could you give more info on the new name? Why have two names?
By Edwin Williams
January 26, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this
Finally some news from this paper that is NICE and doesn’t criticize the President or the Governor or lionize Hillary! This is just good, educational fun!
By Panda FAN
January 26, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this
I check on Mei Lan several times a day and she truelly lifts my spirits! Thanks to Zoo Atlanta for giving us the opportunity to share in her life and the great information on Pandas. We are grateful!
By Anne
January 26, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this
Well, she’s a little native-born Atlanta girl, like me. My mama used to call me sugar. Or, if we were feeling particularly southern, sugar booger. (that’s pronounced shugah buhghah). In the South, nicknames are a sign of affection-the more ya got, the more you’re loved.
By Mrs. Yearta's First Grade Class
January 26, 2007 02:12 PM | Link to this
We have been watching the baby panda since she was born. We ALL thing she is sooo fluffy and cute. We would really like to take a field trip and visit the baby panda.
By I love Wiggles
January 26, 2007 03:15 PM | Link to this
I too loved watching the checkups. Just to see Wiggles make the noises and snap and the Vet people for no reason.. It’s funny and too cute to watch. I especially liked the video of the panda trying to walk..Aww
By Betty
January 27, 2007 08:51 AM | Link to this
I lived in Atlanta for 38 years and visited Zoo Atlanta many times to see Willie B which I adored. Now I am retired & live in NC and there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t check in several times on the Panda Cam and watch this precious little baby. There is something about watching her that makes me feel “Happy” inside. I love her dearly.
By Debbie
January 29, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this
I am so attached to this baby! What a little bundle of “cuteness”!
By LaVonne
January 29, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this
What an opportunity and treat we have in being able to watch the daily progress of a precious creature! All life is precious and I hope everyone is sharing this unique experience with their children to instill an appreciation of “all creatures, great and small” that we are privileged to have among us and must care for.
By Christine
January 29, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this
I actually began calling Tai Shan “Wiggle” early on, because he seemed to do a lot of it. Subsequently, Su Lin became Wigglette. It seemed only natural that Mei Lan would be Wigglina! So fitting for such a sweet girl.
By Westiegal
January 29, 2007 04:26 PM | Link to this
Hey, maybe the vets would consider releasing the occassional audiotape of Mei Lan — those little panda sounds are definitely great to hear!
Westiegal