Animal lovers at the San Diego Zoo in California got a special treat today as the giant panda cub Xiao Liwu made his public debut.
"We are very excited about our panda coming out on exhibit," zoo
spokeswoman Christina Simmons told ABCNews.com. "We have tons of fans
and there is a tremendous amount of excitement. I've worked with a lot
of different animals and there is something uniquely cute about pandas.
They have an adorable appearance that you don't necessarily see in other
animals."
The 5-month-old bear cub was allowed to go outside by himself
Wednesday, after he showed signs that he was strong enough by climbing
on bamboo and exploring his habitat. Before that, zookeepers could view
the bear's interaction with his mother, Bai Yun, in the birthing
quarters through video cameras.
"This little panda has taken a little longer than some of our other
youngsters to emerge from the den, but now that he is out he appears to
want to spend the majority of his time outside," Gaylene Thomas, animal
care supervisor at the San Diego Zoo, said in a release.
Simmons said the pandas tell zookeepers, through their actions, when
they are ready to go out into a natural habitat. The baby cubs typically
stay in the den for several months and when the mother and baby cub
feel they are ready they will move into the den, she said.
For now, Xiao Liwu will continue to live with his mother, but may be
transferred to a suitable breeding habitat by age 3, Simmons said. The
San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy's mission is to bring
endangered species back from the brink of extinction. The zoo has a
12-year agreement with China that includes the loan of two giant pandas.
China reserves the right to have the cub return to its native country
in order to increase the panda population.
"Pandas become sexually mature when they are 5-6 years of age,"
Simmons said. "We would move them between 3 and 5 years so they are in a
situation when they are of age to breed, which is important to the
population's growth."
Xiao Liwu, whose name means "Little Gift" in English, is the sixth cub of Bai Yun, and one of two cubs still living at the zoo.
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