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DEL.ICIO.USThe steady and ready teddy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
She’s growing steadily, playing readily, this little bear that so resembles a teddy.
That’s Mei Lan, of course, Zoo Atlanta’s baby giant panda, who underwent her weekly checkup Thursday. She’s in the pink.
That’s the color of her nose, resting like a sweetheart rose between two bright eyes. Dr. Maria Crane, the zoo’s senior veterinarian, measured the panda’s sniffer during the cub’s weekly checkup Thursday morning.
“Overall, she’s growing very well,” said Crane, who has been examining the cub regularly since her birth Sept. 6 to Lun Lun. “She’s very playful, too.”
So playful that Crane had trouble, again, getting the cub’s vitals. After several tries, Crane came up with the following results:
• Weight: 20 pounds. Mei Lan’s put on another pound since last week.
• Length: 32 inches, more or less. This measurement has varied in recent checkups, and it’s wiggly Mei Lan’s fault. Last week, Crane estimated she was 34 inches long.
• Girth: slightly more than 19 inches.
• Neck girth: 14 inches.
• Teeth? Crane didn’t count, but said they look good.
The true measure of her growth, though, cannot be calculated with tape or scale, said Crane. “She’s more aware of her surroundings,” Crane said. “She’s active — very, very active.”
Mei Lan has begun climbing the wooden structures in the compound where she lolls in the sun. She chews on toys and rolls about like something fired from a cannon.
Oh, and that rosy little nose? It’s 2 inches across.
Click here to see the latest photo gallery of Mei Lan.
Comments
By somesay
February 8, 2007 01:35 PM | Link to this
Thank you for the update Mark. I always enjoy reading your articles on Mei Lan.
By sukie
February 8, 2007 01:43 PM | Link to this
What a cutie! I love Mei Lan. Thanks for all the news.
By TheOne
February 8, 2007 01:44 PM | Link to this
Pictures, please!!!!!! She’s soooo adorable!!!
By lcnessie
February 8, 2007 01:46 PM | Link to this
Wonderful update! She’s a real beauty! Glad to hear she’s so healthy!
By Mango
February 8, 2007 01:55 PM | Link to this
Glad you’ve taken such an interest in Mei Lan. Your articles are just the best!
By Mark Davis
February 8, 2007 02:21 PM | Link to this
Folks, our own John Spink, photographer to the stars (read that: Mei Lan) is going to the zoo on Friday to get some new images of an array of animals. At the top of his list is one young panda cub. Thanks for reading. -Mark Davis AJC
By cubsfan723
February 8, 2007 03:37 PM | Link to this
Another humorous story on our widdle Lani. Great job Mark!
By csmf
February 8, 2007 03:52 PM | Link to this
I so look forward to your charming descriptions of little Mei Lan, Mr. Davis. My class has followed Mei Lan’s progress closely and I have been able to pass on details from your articles. We have made panda bears ensconsed in home made bamboo and written reports. By the way, I heard your voice on the panda videos and you sound so much like my family who were all originally from Charlottesville, VA. Could that possibly be where you are from?
By Mark
February 8, 2007 03:53 PM | Link to this
Mark Davis, love your stories and video descriptions of the panda baby. Keep up the great work.
By Pam G
February 8, 2007 03:57 PM | Link to this
LOL Mark! The tenor of your story almost implies that you, too, have fallen under her spell. Of course, no amount of cuteness and charm could possibly affect your journalist’s objectivity. You may as well surrender, Mark. Resistance is futile, as any Pandacam watcher can testify. Welcome to the club! And thanks for another great update on our cutie.
By Gary B.
February 8, 2007 04:07 PM | Link to this
I just went to Zoo Atlanta yesterday, Feb 7th….and Mei Lan is just adorable……people need to see her before she grows up…and she is growing fast ! …So go visit Zoo Atlanta !!!!
By Mark Davis
February 8, 2007 04:10 PM | Link to this
Dear csmf: I am delighted to know that your class is focusing on pandas. Could you email me at mrdavis@ajc.com? I want to know more about the class, but don’t want to clog the blog. Re the accent: That’s how folks originally from Eastern North Carolina talk. And, to you bloggers who say I have caught Mei Lan’s cuteness affliction, I can only say: It’s a pandemic. Thanks for reading. Mark Davis/AJC
By Jane Britcher
February 8, 2007 04:29 PM | Link to this
Atlanta, you are so lucky to have a panda cub. We in Britain have to survive on watching the panda cams.
By Deneese
February 9, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this
Now that Mei is spending more time in the viewing area, I think it’s time I drive 2 hours north to see her. I’m in Columbus, GA. I have the Journal’s “Oh Baby” poster on my cubicle wall. I can’t get the cam at work because we have an old media player, and we can’t update it. SO, I try to rush home every day just to get about 20 minutes of her antics. She’s precious….and precocious!! How can anyone resist this sweet baby?? I can’t!!
By LaurieG
February 13, 2007 07:37 AM | Link to this
Jane, the solution is simple - hop a plane, come to Atlanta, and get your fix in person! The exchange rate is in your favor coming from the UK! :)