This is Mei Lan
and mother Lun Lun from Zoo Atlanta. Mei Lan is a male and was born
9/6/2006. On 2/4/2010, beautiful Mei Lan was sent back to China
with Tai Shan (DC born male panda).
Mei Lan was initially thought to be a
female, but as the panda developed sexually, Mei Lan proved to be a male.
This was announced on 9/22/2011, at age 5. Until a panda begins to
develop sexually starting around age 3, it apparently is only possible to
verify its sex via DNA testing. As part of the physicals to get Xi Lan and
Po ready for return to China , all four of the sibling pandas in Atlanta were
DNA tested on December 13, 2013. At that time it was determined that Po
was a female, Xi Lan was indeed a male as initially announced, and the twins who
were thought to be males were really females.
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