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Zoos: Panda Cub Climbs His Way into New Exhibit at San Diego Zoo

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Related: Kids and Moms Enjoy San Diego Zoo in New Way / Bug Chefs at Audubon Insectarium in New Orleans

Yun Zi, the San Diego Zoo’s 6-month-old giant panda cub, was a little slow maneuvering his way to his new exhibit on Tuesday, but as soon as he got his bearings he was off and climbing!

"We wanted to give Bai Yun and Yun Zi a larger and more stimulating exhibit, " said Kathy Hawk, San Diego Zoo senior keeper. "Yun Zi is growing quickly and has shown us he is ready for bigger things."

In fact, Yun Zi was ready to climb high up on an elm tree. Although he stumbled a few times, he kept going back up, where he eventually settled for a nap, leaving mom to have to maneuver around him at times.

The male cub, whose name means "son of cloud, " and his mother, Bai Yun, moved into a different exhibit at the Giant Panda Research Station as a transition that will also allow guests to visit with Yun Zi for longer periods of time. Beginning this week the cub will now be visible until 12 p.m. The time will be extended slowly until he has graduated to being on exhibit for the whole day.

Yun Zi can also be seen by visiting the San Diego Zoo’s Panda Cam at www.sandiegozoo.org/pandacam. Giant pandas are on loan to the San Diego Zoo from the People’s Republic of China to study this endangered species. As part of this long-term program, the San Diego Zoo is collaborating with the Chinese Academy of Science in studies of behavior, ecology, genetics and conservation of wild pandas living in the Foping Nature Reserve.

The 100-acre San Diego Zoo is dedicated to the conservation of endangered species and their habitats. The organization focuses on conservation and research work around the globe, educates millions of individuals a year about wildlife and maintains accredited horticultural, animal, library and photo collections. The Zoo also manages the 1, 800-acre San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park, which includes a 900-acre native species reserve, and the San Diego Zoo’s Institute for Conservation Research. The important conservation and science work of these entities is supported in part by The Foundation of the Zoological Society of San Diego. B-roll includes: Video of Yun Zi climbing and exploring his new exhibit with his mother, Bai Yun. Interview with Kathy Hawk, San Diego Zoo senior keeper.

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