Monday, February 8, 2010

Monday's Memory-Mei Lan

Mei Lan and Lun Lun
Zoo Atlanta
~June, 2007



I'm sure many of you have heard that 2 US-born pandas were relocated to China last week. Every panda living in the U.S., even those born here, must eventually be returned to their motherland. Mei Lan, from Zoo Atlanta and Tai Shan, from the National Zoo in Washington, made the 14-hour flight to China on FedEx's Panda Express.



Zoo attendance doubled after Mei Lan's birth in September, 2006. I was present for the naming ceremony in December, 2006 and when Mei Lan made her public debut in February, 2007.



When she was 9 months old, Hubby and I visited the zoo and spent the day watching Mei Lan, her mother, Lun Lun, and Papa Bear, Yang Yang. I'm not a big fan of most zoos, but as a "panda-lover" I couldn't miss this opportunity.


I will miss visiting Mei Lan (Atlanta Beauty), and I wish her well in her new home at the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base in Chengdu.


Check out Zoo Atlanta's Panda Cam.







Happy Trails,

at

25 comments:

  1. NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog!February 8, 2010 at 12:15 AM

    Mom spent many a moment watching the DC AND San Diego Panda Khams!

    Thank woo fur sharing your memories with them!

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra

    ReplyDelete
  2. MaryBethFebruary 8, 2010 at 12:18 AM

    We took the girls to the zoo this summer and the pandas were the biggest hit of the day.... well, after the playground if truth be told.

    ReplyDelete
  3. MaxmomFebruary 8, 2010 at 2:04 AM

    That is beautiful news for the panda's, but sad because you have to say goodbye. Wishing them a happy life too.
    YOUR FRIEND IN SOUTH AFRICA

    ReplyDelete
  4. Huskee and HersheyFebruary 8, 2010 at 2:27 AM

    We didn't realize that Pandas living outside China has to be returned to their motherland! The Singapore Zoo will be getting a pair of baby pandas from China by 2012. They'll be here on a 10 year loan and I hope we can get to visit them when they come...

    ReplyDelete
  5. ~Kim at Golden Pines~February 8, 2010 at 6:17 AM

    I share your exact same sentiment about the Pandas because Tai Shan was from "my neck of the woods." While I know that their return to China was/is for a good cause, I was a bit sad as I watched their departure on the news Thursday. The parents of Tai Shan are to be returned to China at the end of the year--But we are all hopeful that won't happen...

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousFebruary 8, 2010 at 7:00 AM

    Beautiful pics. So sorry she had to leave, but I do recall those arrangements. Is there any way to check on progress? SH

    ReplyDelete
  7. kksFebruary 8, 2010 at 7:06 AM

    so sad to see her go! i didn't know they all had to return....
    happy week to you!
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousFebruary 8, 2010 at 7:29 AM

    Pandas are beautiful creatures, no doubt about it! Glad you got to see them! I have never seen one.

    Liz

    ReplyDelete
  9. My Mind's EyeFebruary 8, 2010 at 7:30 AM

    Hi Ms. K
    Great post!!! We are big panda lovers too. I still have my daughter's large stuffed panda....she named Biggie. She and Biggie had lots of tea parties.
    Madi and Mom

    ReplyDelete
  10. ByronFebruary 8, 2010 at 8:35 AM

    I hope they do well in their new home. Fascinating animals they are.

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownFebruary 8, 2010 at 9:36 AM

    I have spent many hours watching the zoo cam. It really must have been fun seeing them in person! You sure look cute as a Panda Kit!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Smushie RanchFebruary 8, 2010 at 9:44 AM

    I saw Mei Lan's care giver on the news. She was holding back the tears talking about her journey to China. I felt so bad for her, but it's a wonderful thing they are doing. Maybe she'll get to go visit Mei Lan.

    ReplyDelete
  13. RemingtonFebruary 8, 2010 at 9:45 AM

    Very cool -- thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Betsy Banks AdamsFebruary 8, 2010 at 11:10 AM

    I knew that they were returning to China... That's kinda sad, isn't it???? Glad you got to see them!!!!

    Bet your pooches would be jealous to know that you like PANDAS... ha ha

    Great pictures, Kit.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  15. ♥I am Holly♥February 8, 2010 at 11:25 AM

    I love pandas! I saw on the news where they were going to China which is sad for us. You were very lucky to be there in 2006, that had to be special!

    ReplyDelete
  16. animal lover, quilt loverFebruary 8, 2010 at 12:14 PM

    You know coons are in the panda family don't you?? I too LOVE Pandas!!! As I love coons.
    Beets!! We buy fresh beets every week. We have been putting the tops in the critter food. A couple of weeks ago I tasted them. Not bad!! Last Saturday I put them in our stir fry!! It was wonderful!!!
    The coons will not be getting anymore nutritious beet tops!!
    Unless we have some to spare.
    Kiss the pups, Bambi & Fern

    ReplyDelete
  17. chelleFebruary 8, 2010 at 12:57 PM

    Awwwww Kit....you made such a cute panda. Hope they have a great life back in China...

    ReplyDelete
  18. UnknownFebruary 8, 2010 at 3:25 PM

    Gee, thanks for the update. We used to be big followers on the updates and then we lost track. Going to check the links you provided. Thank you :)
    Twink!

    ReplyDelete
  19. ♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥February 8, 2010 at 3:41 PM

    Mom was sad to hear that the two pandas had to go back to China. We hope their trip was smooth and not too traumatic for them. What a nice picture of you.

    Woos, Phantom and Thunder

    ReplyDelete
  20. Paco,Milo, Maya and mommy SimonaFebruary 8, 2010 at 3:44 PM

    Awwwwwwwwwwww....
    we love Panda....are sooooo cute....
    and we watched Panda cam...GREAT!!!
    Thanks for sharing!!!!!
    That is beautiful news for the pandas but we're so sorry for you because you have to say goodbye to them!!!!....
    We wish them a happy life too!!!!!!!
    Good luck guys!!!!!!!!

    Have a great day dear friends!!!!
    LICKS AND KISSES

    ReplyDelete
  21. Gus, Louie and CallieFebruary 8, 2010 at 4:55 PM

    Oh that is so cool and they are so cute...

    Big Sloppy Kisses
    Gus, Louie and Callie

    ReplyDelete
  22. Frankie Furter and ErnieFebruary 8, 2010 at 10:04 PM

    Hummmm, Retired Elem. Teacher??? So's my mom! I'm just sayin'.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Ina in AlaskaFebruary 8, 2010 at 10:12 PM

    I think it is sad the pandas all had to go back to China!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. BobbyFebruary 9, 2010 at 5:07 AM

    It is great that the breading programme is doing so well

    ReplyDelete
  25. SonicFebruary 9, 2010 at 6:18 AM

    Apparently some pandas are coming to Singapore soon! I can't wait, cos they look so big and cute! Hope I can sneak into the zoo.

    Sonic

    ReplyDelete

I love your comments! Thank you, ~K