Rare Panda cub makes public debut at San Diego Zoo
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Xiao Liwu, the newest surviving giant panda born in captivity in the United States (US), made his public debut on Thursday at the San Diego Zoo by shunning the media but shining for the public. -- PHOTO: AFP
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The San Diego Zoo's panda cub, Xiao Liwu, started the New Year with a clean bill of health from his veterinarians on Jan 1, 2013 in San Diego, California. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Giant Panda cub Xiao Liwi is shown for the first time on public display after the section of the exhibit frequented by the five-month old bear was opened to the public at the San Diego Zoo in San Diego, California on Jan 10, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Giant Panda cub Xiao Liwi is shown for the first time on public display after the section of the exhibit frequented by the five-month old bear was opened to the public at the San Diego Zoo in San Diego, California on Jan 10, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Giant Panda cub Xiao Liwi is shown for the first time on public display after the section of the exhibit frequented by the five-month old bear was opened to the public at the San Diego Zoo in San Diego, California on Jan 10, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Giant Panda cub Xiao Liwi is shown for the first time on public display after the section of the exhibit frequented by the five-month old bear was opened to the public at the San Diego Zoo in San Diego, California on Jan 10, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Xiao Liwu, the newest surviving giant panda born in captivity in the United States (US), made his public debut on Thursday at the San Diego Zoo by shunning the media but shining for the public. -- PHOTO: AFP
The San Diego Zoo's panda cub, Xiao Liwu, started the New Year with a clean bill of health from his veterinarians on Jan 1, 2013 in San Diego, California. -- PHOTO: AFP
Giant Panda cub Xiao Liwi is shown for the first time on public display after the section of the exhibit frequented by the five-month old bear was opened to the public at the San Diego Zoo in San Diego, California on Jan 10, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Giant Panda cub Xiao Liwi is shown for the first time on public display after the section of the exhibit frequented by the five-month old bear was opened to the public at the San Diego Zoo in San Diego, California on Jan 10, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Giant Panda cub Xiao Liwi is shown for the first time on public display after the section of the exhibit frequented by the five-month old bear was opened to the public at the San Diego Zoo in San Diego, California on Jan 10, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Giant Panda cub Xiao Liwi is shown for the first time on public display after the section of the exhibit frequented by the five-month old bear was opened to the public at the San Diego Zoo in San Diego, California on Jan 10, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
SAN DIEGO (REUTERS) - Xiao Liwu, the newest surviving giant panda born in captivity in the United States (US), made his public debut on Thursday at the San Diego Zoo by shunning the media but shining for the public.
During an hour-long, pre-opening introduction to the media and zoo volunteers, the 6-month-old, 7.3kg male cub rolled in mud and hay, ignoring visitors, then climbed into a moat at the edge of the enclosure and fell asleep on his face.
He woke up once the public arrived and poured on the charm, climbing a tree and posing for photos.
Giant pandas are endangered, and experts estimate there are fewer than 1,600 in the wild, all in the mountain forests of central China.
