St. Louis: Giant Panda Cubs Make Public Debut at Zoo

Giant Panda Cubs Captivate St. Louis with Public DebutGiant Panda Cubs Captivate St. Louis with Public Debut St. Louis Zoo welcomed hundreds of eager visitors on Friday as two adorable giant panda cubs, named Bao Bao and Xi Lun, made their long-awaited public debut. The siblings, now five weeks old, delighted onlookers with their playful antics and irresistible cuteness. The Cubs were born on August 10, 2023, to their mother, Lun Lun, and father, Ya Lun. Bao Bao, the female cub, weighs 3.1 pounds and has a gentle and curious nature. Xi Lun, the male cub, is more lively and adventurous, weighing 3.4 pounds. “We are so thrilled to finally share these amazing cubs with the public,” said Dr. Jeffrey Bonner, Zoo Director. “They are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our animal care team and a symbol of conservation success.” Visitors were treated to a special viewing area where they could observe the cubs as they napped, played, and interacted with their mother. Bao Bao and Xi Lun explored their surroundings with wide-eyed wonder, their tiny noses twitching as they sniffed at the new smells. “They are absolutely precious,” said one visitor, Emily Carter. “It’s incredible to see how much they’ve grown in just a few weeks.” The public debut marks a significant milestone in the cubs’ development and the zoo’s conservation efforts. Giant pandas are an endangered species, and the birth of these cubs represents an important contribution to their global population. The cubs will continue to be raised by their mother in a private nursery for the next few months until they are fully weaned and ready to join the zoo’s public exhibit. Until then, visitors can catch a glimpse of them through live webcams available on the zoo’s website. “We are so grateful for the support we’ve received from our community and the world,” said Mayor Tishaura Jones. “These cubs are a symbol of the joy and hope that wildlife can bring, and we look forward to seeing them thrive at the St. Louis Zoo.”