On the 18th, Chimelong Safari Park in Guangzhou held a half-year birthday celebration for “Mei Zhu,” the daughter of “Meng Meng,” the eldest of the world’s only giant panda triplets. The event featured a check-up, which showed that “Mei Zhu” was growing well and full of charm.
At the birthday event, the Chimelong conservation team conducted a comprehensive health check for “Mei Zhu,” measuring various growth indicators, such as weight, body measurements, baby teeth, and heart rate. In just six months, “Mei Zhu” had grown significantly, weighing 10.88 kilograms, with a body length of 65 cm and a tail length of 9.5 cm.
Conservationist Chen Liangjin smiled as he introduced, “Although she’s only six months old, this little panda is particularly smart and quick-witted. ‘Mei Zhu’ is the first among the Chimelong pandas to ‘bite’ her caregiver, the first to sleep in trees, and the first to learn to ‘open windows.’ She’s even more mischievous than her mother and uncles were at her age. Everyone calls her ‘Little Chili.’ She especially likes to hug my legs whenever she sees me—she’s very clingy.”
As an only child, “Mei Zhu” is lovingly cared for by her mother “Meng Meng,” with the guidance of expert park caregivers. Although it is “Meng Meng’s” first time being a mother, she performs her role diligently, holding her cub and nursing her with correct posture, filled with love and patience.
At the celebration, the conservation team created luxurious enrichment toys for “Mei Zhu” and prepared special “birthday cakes” made from tender bamboo shoots, carrots, and other treats. Though “Mei Zhu” is still a little clumsy, running around with all four legs at once, she enjoys playing by herself and had a great time.
The park also hosted a grand opening for the “Mei Zhu Mini Store.” It was announced that “Mei Zhu’s” exhibit is undergoing upgrades, and both the exhibit and the physical store are expected to be completed by the end of January 2025. When finished, “Mei Zhu” will live in a more beautiful environment, and visitors will be able to engage in immersive interactions with her.
Currently, Chimelong Safari Park is home to the largest captive giant panda population in South China, with a total of 16 giant pandas.