WEANING PROCESS HAS BEGUN FOR PO THE GIANT PANDA

Lun Lun and her youngest began gradually spending time apart on January 3

ATLANTA, 2013-01-10 — /travelprnews.com/ — Po the giant panda cub is officially on his way to life as an independent bear. The weaning process for Po began on January 3, 2013.

Now 26 months old, Po is older than the average age of 18 months typically observed in the wild, and he now tips the scales at around 114 pounds. The Animal Management Team uses a stepwise process, developed by partners at San Diego Zoo Global and used successfully with the weaning of Po’s older brothers, Xi Lan and Mei Lan. The roughly two-week process, which will conclude on Friday, January 18, focuses on gradually increasing the amount of time mother and cub spend apart.

Born to Lun Lun on November 3, 2010, Po is eating large quantities of bamboo, as well as leafeater biscuits and fruit, with only occasional bouts of nursing. According to data from Zoo Atlanta, other partner institutions, and information about wild giant pandas, Po is at the appropriate age to make a healthy transition to a completely solid diet. “Po’s weaning process is moving along well, and we know from the behavior of his two brothers and Lun Lun that we have an effective plan,” said Rebecca Snyder, PhD, Curator of Mammals. “It’s easy to feel nostalgic about Po and Lun Lun living together, but this is a natural and necessary milestone in the life of any young mammal, particularly in a solitary species like giant pandas.”

Po’s and Lun Lun’s behavioral reactions to their temporary separations have been normal and expected thus far, with the cub occasionally bleating and spending time walking in response to time away from his mother. Both Lun Lun and Po are provided with extra enrichment during this time, and animal care staff will continue to monitor the pair’s behavior during their separations and reunions.

Once the weaning process is complete, Po, Lun Lun, Yang Yang and Xi Lan will be located in separate giant panda exhibits. It is hoped that Lun Lun will experience her annual estrus in late March or early April, within the normal timeframe of giant panda breeding season.

“Our number one priority at Zoo Atlanta is doing what’s in the best interest of the animals. I’m confident that the Animal Management Team have and will continue to dedicate themselves to ensuring that the weaning process for Po and Lun Lun is done with the highest level of care,” said Raymond King, President and CEO. “We look forward to seeing Po enter an exciting new chapter of his life.”

About Zoo Atlanta
An accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Zoo Atlanta inspires value and preservation of wildlife through a unique mix of education and outdoor family fun. From well-known native wildlife to critically endangered species on the brink of extinction, the Zoo offers memorable close encounters with more than 1,500 animals from around the world. A slate of new up-close-and-personal experiences opened in spring 2012: giraffe feeding, permitting guests to hand-feed Earth’s tallest living land mammals, and Wild Encounters, three new behind-the-scenes adventures with African elephants, giant pandas and Komodo dragon. Other highlights include the nation’s largest collection of western lowland gorillas, the nation’s largest zoological collection of orangutans and a global center of excellence for the care and study of vanishing reptiles and amphibians. The Zoo is open daily with the exceptions of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Keeper talks, interactive wildlife shows, education programs and special events run year-round. For more information, call 404.624.WILD or visit zooatlanta.org.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Keisha N. Hines
Director of Public Relations and Communications
404.624.5980 – office
404.309.2238 – cell
khines@zooatlanta.org

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