Singapore’s first Giant Panda cub, Le Le, is braving new territory.
Fast outgrowing his nursery, he is ready to make his debut in the main exhibit today. In the blink of an eye, our pink panda baby is now almost seven months old, weighing in at a whopping 15.86kg (as of 8 Mar).
Jia Jia continues to be an extremely dedicated and protective mother and keeps close tabs on her firstborn as he curiously explores his new environment.
Le Le’s much-anticipated official first day out in the exhibit was marked by the unveiling of his information board at the Giant Panda Forest, officiated by Guest of Honour, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies, Mr Heng Swee Keat, together with the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency Mr Hong Xiaoyong; Chairman of Mandai Park Holdings, Mr S Dhanabalan; Deputy Chairman of Mandai Park Holdings, Mr Tan Chuan-Jin; and Group CEO, Mr Mike Barclay.
“Le Le has come a long way in his development since last August. His birth has stirred hearts far and wide, and we would not have got to this point without the generous and strong support provided by our partners and the public. Our care for the Giant Panda species is just one example of how we work with like-minded conservation partners and the wider community of accredited zoos to care for and breed threatened species. This helps to ensure the genetic viability of these species for the long-term,” said Mr Mike Barclay.
Image credits: Mandai Wildlife Group
To prepare for Le Le joining mom in the exhibit, some degree of ‘baby proofing’ was necessary.
Anticipating the curious cub will explore the grounds and get his paws on the various elements within the habitat, the animal care team assessed the space and removed any potential risks to ensure his safety. A key modification was draining the water area, which is now filled and padded with leaves and pine bark chips.
Aside from being able to spend quality time with Jia Jia throughout the day, Le Le also enjoys exploring his new space independently to continue his spirited adventures in climbing and investigating every area of their exhibit. He has even tried his paws at enrichment devices, all under mom’s watchful eye.
In celebration of this exciting milestone, panda-themed activities will be made available for visitors to join in the festivities. More information is available at www.mandai.com/pandacub.
Image credits: Mandai Wildlife Group