BC-GA—Panda Cub,0165

Zoo Atlanta’s giant panda cub now on display

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ATLANTA (AP) — Visitors at Zoo Atlanta can now get an up-close look at the 4-month-old giant panda cub.

Xi Lan (SHE LAHN) had been in seclusion with his mom, Lun Lun (LOON LOON), since his Aug. 31 birth. Zoo spokeswoman Keisha Hines-Davis said Monday the cub and his mom have started venturing into the panda’s indoor exhibit space for a few hours every morning.

The cub is still learning to walk. As he gets more sure on his feet, he’ll spend more time in the public display space in the panda habitat.

The cub weighs about 14 pounds, up from just the few ounces he weighed when he was born.

Xi Lan, which means “Atlanta’s joy,” is the only giant panda cub born at a U.S. zoo this year. Atlanta is one of four U.S. zoos with giant pandas, which are on loan from their native China.

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On the Net:

Zoo Atlanta: http://www.zooatlanta.org