Who's who: A listing of pandas born in American zoos

By Howard Pousner

Nov 3, 2010

Zoo Atlanta hailed the birth of Lun Lun and Yang Yang's unnamed third cub Wednesday as "a significant achievement for global efforts to save a critically endangered species." Fewer than 1,600 giant pandas are estimated to remain in the wild, with approximately 280 living in zoological institutions around the world.

Four American zoos host giant pandas via long-term loan arrangements with the Chinese government. Nine cubs have been born in the U.S. zoos since the first one, Hua Mei, arrived at the San Diego Zoo in 1999. Here's an update:

Zoo Atlanta

Mei Lan ("Atlanta Beauty")

Sex: female

Birthdate: Sept. 6, 2006

Parents: Lun Lun (mother) and Yang Yang (father)

Resides: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Chengdu, Sichuan, China

Xi Lan ("Atlanta's Joy")

Sex: male

Birthdate: Aug. 30, 2008

Parents: Lun Lun (mother) and Yang Yang (father)

Resides: Zoo Atlanta

newborn cub to be named later

Sex: not yet known

Birthdate: Nov. 3, 2010

Parents: Lun Lun (mother) and Yang Yang (father)

Resides: Zoo Atlanta

National Zoo, Washington

Tai Shan ("Peaceful Mountain")

Sex: male

Birthdate: July 9, 2005

Parents: Mei Xiang (mother) and Tian Tian (father)