Fu Long at Schonbrunn Zoo, Austria

BIRTH
On 23 August 2007 a (tiny) Giant Panda was born at Vienna's Schönbrunn Zoo. This is the first European baby since 1982, when a panda was born at the Madrid Zoo (by artificial insemination). The Schönbrunn baby was conceived by natural means.

NAME
On 4 December 2007 the panda baby received the name "Fu Long" (happy dragon) from a Chinese delegation including the ambassador of the People's Republic of China in Austria. Austria's foreign minister Dr. Ursula Plassnik "adopted" the baby in the name of her ministry.

FIRST PUBLIC APPEARANCE
As of 29 January 2008, visitors to Schönbrunn Zoo can see the tiny panda live.

OUTSIDE AT LAST
On 30 March 2008, Fu Long, accompanied by his mother, ventured into the outdoor enclosure of the Panda facility for the first time. He animatedly examined the ground, explored a tree hollow, and then fell asleep on a platform atop the jungle gym.

GROWTH
The panda baby now weighs more than 16 kilograms (status 20 June). His main nourishment continues to be his mother's milk, although, like any good panda, he is already diligently testing the bamboo.

YOUR CHANCES OF SEEING FU LONG
You can now catch a glimpse of Fu Long most any time of day because he hardly ever sleeps in dens. His naps are randomly distributed during the day and usually take place on various platforms. With a little luck you can spot Yang Yang and Long Hui together, for example in the outdoor enclosure when Fu Long is sleeping inside, or the other was around. Fu Long is quite independent, which is a good turn of events for Yang Yang.

Learn more about Fu Long at the Schonbrunn Zoo site: http://www.zoovienna.at/e/index.html

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• fu
• long
• schonbrunn
• panda
• austria
• vienna
• zoo

[pauline404]

Thank you for the nice video of Fu Long.