Atlanta Zoo: Pandas!

Today we went to the Atlanta zoo. Each city I go to I try to visit the Zoo. I love seeing all the different animals that is unique to each zoo. With this zoo it is of course the Pandas.

Growing up in Atlanta I remember when the pandas arrived. In 1999, I went and gather in a giant single file line to get a view of these foreign visitors. I was amazed at their beauty and grace.

I only went back two other times minus school trips to see the Pandas. Once in 2006 and once in 2008 both when new baby Pandas were born. This trip was no different as the Zoo have twin Pandas which are two years old.


When we got to the Zoo we headed straight back to the Pandas. You walk through a Japan Temple to get to the Pandas. It a nice theme but needs to be repainted and updated.

A giant sign greets you with all the Panda names and information.

When we arrived the father Panda was sleeping. The twins were eating and playing. It was adorable watching them eat the bamboo. They were quite active in the morning, walking all around their pin and climbing up on there post. 

A volunteer told us that they have bred 5 pandas since the father and Mother came to the Zoo in 1999. She also explained why Pandas are endangered animals. Pandas are only fertile for 36 hours in a year! This makes it incredibly hard to have babies in the wild. The volunteer also explained that due to this most Pandas are to go back to China when they are between 3.5 years and 5 years to help breed these creatures so they don't become extinct.

Out of the 4 hours at the Zoo roughly 1 hour was spent watching the Pandas. Though they were sleeping most of the time, they are such cute animals. If you ever come to Atlanta, come see them at the Zoo. It is worth the price.