Everyone has their ups and downs
Giant panda celebrates 3rd birthday
9:14 a.m. PDT, August 2, 2012
SAN DIEGO -- The giant panda Yun Zi's third birthday was celebrated a little early Thursday at the San Diego Zoo.
The fifth offspring of Bai Yun was given an ice cake topped with yams and what the zoo called "ground herbivore biscuits.'' He was also given boxes that contained other food items, like bamboo and peaches. The 180-pound panda's actual birthday is this upcoming Sunday.
Bai Yun gave birth on Sunday to a newborn which appears to be doing well, according to what zoo animal care staff can hear from the panda den and see via an Internet webcam.
The giant pandas are on loan from China and offspring are to be sent to that country after they turn 3 years old.
According to the zoo, the protocol is to wait for China to request that the panda be handed over. No such action had been taken in regards to Yun Zi by late Tuesday, zoo officials said.
Only 1,600 giant pandas are believed to exist. The species has been challenged by habitat destruction, low reproduction rates and bamboo shortages, zoo officials said.
Cute Brands @ Washington DC Zoo - Tian Tian Panda Eating Yummy Bamboo (www.CUTEandHAPPY.com)
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