Atlanta Zoo's baby panda cub, Mei Lan Debuts to Adoring Fans

Mei Lan Debuts to Adoring Fans
LINK BELOW TO THE PANDA PHOTO GALLERY. SO CUTE!
http://www.zooatlanta.org/animals_giant_panda_cub_gallery.htm
Limited public viewings of Zoo Atlanta's baby panda cub started Friday and Atlantans can finally see Mei Lan in person.


1/12/2007

Limited public viewings of Zoo Atlanta’s baby panda cub started Friday and Atlantans can finally see Mei Lan in person.

Zoo members can start visiting the panda exhibit at 9:00 a.m. and the exhibit opens to the at 9:30 a.m.

Atlanta sweetheart, Mei Lan began her day in front of a phalanx of cameras for her media debut.

Mei Lan recently learned how to walk and Friday, she was all about exploring her surroundings.

“We’ve been watching panda cam everyday, so it’s been amazing,” said panda visitor, Kim Dobso.

Dobso and her children were some of the first public visitors to see Mei Lan.

“When we walked up and saw her right there, we just got so emotional just seeing her for the first time in person. It’s amazing,” exclaimed Dobso.

“I was overwhelmed, I just wanted to cry, tears welled up. She’s beautiful,” said panda visitor Ann Bowers.

The baby cub explored, while Lun Lun dined on a breakfast of bamboo.

Zoo officials said people from all over the country tuned into the zoo’s website, hoping for a glimpse of Atlanta’s newest gem.

“We routinely get 40 to 50,000 folks a day visiting the website, and tracking her all over the country, so we hope this will bring visitors to Atlanta,” said Dennis Kelly, president and CEO of Zoo Atlanta.

Not long after Mei Lan was introduced to an adoring public, she curled up in little ball of fur for a nice, long nap.

While Mei Lan is on limited view, zoo visitors must buy an extra ticket to the panda exhibit, which is time specific, and guarantees patrons a chance to see Mei Lan.

When the baby cub gets older she will be in the exhibit full-time.

GO TO THE PANDA CAM BELOW TO SEE THE BABY. :o)

http://www.zooatlanta.org/animals_panda_cam.php4