Probably safe to hug at this point.
Atlanta’s newest favorite son — Zoo Atlanta’s panda cub — now has a name: Xi Lan (shee-lahn).
In a ceremony marking his 100th day of life, zoo officials revealed the name — which means “Atlanta’s joy” — while about 200 people, braving the sunny, morning chill, cheered with excitement.
“This is indeed a very important birth for this highly endangered species,” said Dennis Kelly, president of the zoo. “The eyes of the world are on Atlanta and Georgia.”
The event was kicked off by children from Atlanta’s Chinese Children Adoption International singing “Panda Mi-Mi,” a song about a panda mother and her cub. A colorful traditional Chinese dragon dance followed at the zoo’s Grand Patio.
Xi Lan, born Aug. 30, was given his name on the 100th day of life as part of Chinese tradition. In the past, high infant mortality in the eastern nation led parents to wait 100 days before naming a child.
While dignitaries from the zoo, city, state and China spoke about him, Xi Lan could be seen asleep in his den, moving around every once in a while. Kelly said he had just eaten.
More than 45,000 votes were cast worldwide for one of the 12 names for Xi Lan, the second cub born to Lun Lun and Yang Yang, Zoo Atlanta’s panda parents. Mei Lan, the panda couple’s first child, was born in September 2006.
“That’s the one I voted for,” Fulton County Commission Lynne Riley said of the winning name. “I voted for Mei Lan, too. I’m two for two on panda names.”
The 12 names were suggested by several individuals and organizations, including radio stations, zoo staff and representatives from China’s Chengdu Research Base Facility, the owners of the pandas.
The Zoo Atlanta board of directors won a private reception for 50 at the zoo as well as an exclusive viewing of the cub because its name — Xi Lan — was chosen. It donated the prize to the Chinese Children Adoption International.
While the event was designed to celebrate Xi Lan’s naming, the political benefits of Atlanta raising a cub was inescapable. Speakers often spoke about the partnership between China and Zoo Atlanta, as well as Delta Air Lines and its Chinese routes.
“The relationship that we have with the Chinese community and the efforts we have made to perpetuate this species is nothing less than spectacular,” said Greg Pridgeon, chief of staff for Mayor Shirley Franklin.
Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle said the zoo and its management of the pandas has helped strengthen the bonds between Georgia and China. Coupled with Delta and state efforts to grow economic ties, Georgia is positioned to make the partnership stronger.
“This is just a fitting tribute to that cooperation and relationship,” he said.
The Chinese seem equally positive.
“We wish Lun Lun would produce more and more babies in the future,” said Xia Zhenglin of the Chinese Research Base.
Filed under: China, animal news, local news
December 8th, 2008 at 6:59 PM
This is indeed a great occasion, I’m glad that the all who are involved with Pandas have had great success with their reproduction in the past 5 or so years. I too hope many more Pandas are born. Mike76