Xi Lan explores Atlanta's exhibit number 3
Xi Lan moved for the first time to Zoo Atlanta’s off exhibit oudoor yard. Check out these updates on Xi Lan the explorer:
Wednesday, November 9
With all of the excitement of Po’s birthday, we still haven’t forgotten about his big brother Xi Lan. The other day Xi Lan got a special treat, too, when we gave him access to our off-exhibit outdoor habitat. At first he wasn’t so sure about the yard. It took a little time, and coaxing from the keepers, to actually shift through the doorway that leads into the yard. But once he got out there, he immediately set to eating the fresh bamboo that the keepers had provided. We gave him access, in case he wanted to spend a little time in the tunnel, and he took advantage of this a couple of times. But he actually seemed very comfortable out there. Now that the weather has cooled down, it will be nice for him and the other pandas to have an additional outdoor space to enjoy.
Megan Wilson, Ph.D.
Assistant Curator of Mammals
Monday, November 14
Xi Lan had some exciting days this week. We began to use an off exhibit outdoor area to provide the boys with a little extra space. Yang Yang has been in this yard before, but it was brand new to Xi Lan. I have known Xi Lan to be the most adventurous of pandas and when we showed him the new yard for the first time he did not let me down. He walked right up the new hallway and entered into the yard. He walked around and smelled all the fresh bamboo growing in the yard for a long time before settling down and trying to figure out how to eat it. He has always been provided with precut bamboo, so trying to eat it while it is still in the ground was a new experience. His technique is pretty unique. He grabs a piece of bamboo and then lays completely flat on his back and bends the bamboo to the ground. Then with his back and front paws he holds onto it and tries to eat the leaves. He manages ok except for when he lets the piece slip through his paws. This ends up surprising him and he has to search for a new piece. I’m sure in a few days he will figure out how to snap the bamboo off and eat it just like Yang Yang.
Sheena
Keeper I, Giant Panda
Monday, November 21
For those who don’t know, we have a third off-exhibit outdoor habitat where we are able to let our pandas be pandas! It’s really cool to get to see behaviors we would truly see in the wild. Lun Lun and Po don’t get to go over there yet because Po isn’t big enough. This fall is the first time Xi Lan has gotten to go over there and he loves the opportunity to explore something new. Yang Yang remembers this yard and loves being in there … so much so that he has created a mess along with his 3-year-old son Xi Lan! Instead of breaking the bamboo stalk (culm) in half, the boys have been simply bending the tall bamboo down so they can get to the yummy leaves. If you or I were to attempt this, nothing would happen – we’re not strong enough; but the pandas bend and twist the bamboo like it’s no thicker than a twig! Unfortunately with the tall bamboo forest growing in there, and the boys’ love of bending the culm, it’s become a disaster zone! They’ve woven the bamboo up, down, around, over, under and at one point managed to make a knot around the untouched bamboo as they would bend a plant down and then walk 3 feet over to eat it, and then decide that they want to finish eating it 5 feet over in the opposite direction. Repeat this action all day and you can start to get an idea of how it looks! To be honest I’m not sure how they manage to navigate within the little bamboo forest because I have a hard time getting in there to clean up! I know they love being out there and while I’m fighting with the tangled mess, I just keep telling myself that. If only we could teach them to clean up after themselves …
Jen
Keeper I, Carnivores
Friday, November 25
Last week while Jen and I were cleaning out some broken bamboo and debris from the off-exhibit habitat, I noticed that an eleagnus plant growing in there was looking a bit worse for wear with several broken branches. Yesterday I found out why. As I was collecting behavioral data on Po, I happened to spot Xi Lan on the camera. He was in the off-exhibit habitat standing in an odd position. I zoomed in on him and he was climbing the eleagnus! He wasn’t getting very far because it is not a large plant and the branches couldn’t support his weight, but for a while he kept trying to climb up as far as possible. After he fell out of the branches a few times, he gave up and decided his time was better spent foraging for bamboo.
Heather
Carnivore Keeper II
Source: Zoo Atlanta
