Toronto Zoo Giant Panda Cubs Update – Nine Month Milestone

Jia Yueyue (left) Jia Panpan (right) – Photo credit: C. Thompson, Toronto Zoo

CLICK HERE for the Toronto Zoo’s “They Won’t Stay Small Forever” Video.

Our giant panda cubs turn nine months old today! Jia Panpan weighs in at 16.8kg and Jia Yueyue at 13.25kg. As they’ve gotten older, our panda keepers have been patiently waiting to start a training program with them both, something Er Shun and Da Mao have participated in since they arrived in 2013.

The Toronto Zoo has a very extensive positive reinforcement training program. This voluntary training is very enriching for the animals and greatly enhances the overall care and management. It assists in various veterinary procedures, breeding programs and routine husbandry activities. This was used by Toronto Zoo staff to ultrasound Er Shun on a regular basis to determine her pregnancy! This method uses a food item that is rewarding enough for the pandas to want to participate and stay engaged. Since the cubs were four months old, the keepers have offered them pieces of apple (mom’s favourite) however, the cubs didn’t take much interest in them. Following the National Zoo’s lead with training their cub Bei Bei, the keepers tried small pieces of cooked yam and the cubs loved it!

The panda keepers are thrilled with the cubs’ progress and are amazed by how quickly they are learning. Visit them daily from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm in the Giant Panda Experience.  

Please CLICK HERE for more information on Giant Panda Conservation at the Toronto Zoo.

THERE APPEARS TO BE SOME NEW “CREATURES” AT THE ZOO POKÉMON HAVE BEEN SPOTTED ON SITE!

With many areas of the Toronto Zoo being part of the new Pokémon Go app, we have spotted visitors catching Pikachu and friends throughout the site. The Toronto Zoo is reminding users to stay on the pathways and respect all warning signs throughout the 700 acre site that are in place to protect our visitors and the wildlife in our care.

Users can have a great experience chasing Pikachu and his friends while respecting Toronto Zoo plants and animals. Although you may see Staryu in our underwater polar bear exhibit, or Charmander in with the Komodo Dragon habitat, visitors will have to ‘catch em all’ while staying beyond Zoo barriers for the safety of our animals and guests. Be safe Pokémon trainers.

Insider tip: the Giant Panda Experience entrance is a Pokéstop!

DEADLINE EXTENDED TO AUGUST 13, 2016

UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, TORONTO ZOO CONTINUES CONTEST TO NAME PANDA CUBS

Become a United Nations Development Programme – UNDP ‪#‎PandaChampion and help name two giant panda cubs in China, plus have a chance to win a trip to China to meet them in person!

Submit your name suggestions for these two animal ambassadors and a 30-second video outlining how you plan to make a change with 1 of 17 sustainable development goals for your chance to win!

Enter by August 13, 2016 at http://pandas.undp.org/en/, and in the meantime visit our giant panda cubs Jia Panpan and Jia Yueyue from 9:00am to 5:30pm daily.