Berlin: The Berlin Zoo celebrated the second birthday of its beloved twin pandas, Leni and Lotti, with a special colorful ice cake crafted from carrot and beetroot juice. The event marked a significant milestone for the pandas, who have captured the hearts of many visitors since their birth.
According to Thai News Agency, Leni and Lotti were born to mother panda Meng Meng and father panda Jiao Qing. The twins have grown significantly since their birth, now weighing 60 kilograms and 70 kilograms, a remarkable increase from their initial birth weight of only 150 grams. This growth is a testament to the care and nurturing they have received at the zoo.
The zookeepers at Berlin Zoo shared insights into the pandas' development, noting that they are currently in the weaning stage. Despite their young age relative to the potential lifespan of giant pandas, which can extend up to 33 years, Leni and Lotti maintain a strong and loving bond with their mother. Unlike their counterparts in the wild, who often start living independently at this age, the zoo's panda family is expected to remain together until the twins' third birthday.
Looking ahead, Leni and Lotti will eventually return to China to contribute to a giant panda breeding program. This initiative aims to help conserve the species, which faces the challenge of having only about 1,800 individuals left in the wild. The return is part of an agreement with the Chinese government, which owns all pandas and loans them to foreign zoos for display.