San Diego Zoo, Panda Cub Xiao Liwu, Barking Up a Tree

SAN DIEGO- 2012-12-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — San Diego Zoo keepers placed a small section of a tree branch and some fresh bamboo on the ground for the panda cub’s 17^th exam this morning. Xiao Liwu was eager to explore and climbed over the branch while practicing his coordinated climbing skills for keepers. The 19-week-old panda weighed 14 pounds this morning when he was brought in for his weekly veterinary exam and continues to grow. Only 1,600 giant pandas are believed to exist in the wild, and the species is primarily threatened by habitat loss. San Diego Zoo Global, in conjunction with giant panda experts from the People’s Republic of China, continues to work on science-based panda conservation programs at the Zoo and in China.

CONTACT:   SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL
PUBLIC RELATIONS
619-685-3291
WEBSITE:    www.sandiegozoo.org

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Photo taken on Dec. 13, 2012, by Ken Bohn, San Diego Zoo.