Atlanta

Panda twins mark new milestone by venturing outside

ATLANTA — At 7 months old, Zoo Atlanta's panda twins hit yet another milestone Wednesday. It's one that brings the panda cubs closer to nature and their adoring public.

Xi Lun and Ya Lun are showing their handlers they are right on track, venturing beyond the safety of the temperature controlled day room and heading outside into nature

The zoo says they will begin “cub proofing” the outdoor panda exhibit this week.

"They’ve explored it, they've got all the smells, the sounds. This is the first time they're experiencing different temperatures, increased humidity, the sound of birds,” said Zoo Atlanta curator of mammals Stephanie Braccini.

Outdoors is something they've prepared for. Handlers needed them ready to face and overcome true pitfalls.

“We have to make sure that they're able to climb out of the moat,” Braccini told Channel 2’s Wendy Corona.

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Just for starters, a rope is there to help, but at 7 months, the cubs show their natural giant panda climbing skills.

Turns out the twins aren't totally alike outside.

“Ya Lun is the exploratory one, where Xi Lun kind of hangs back a little bit more, is a little more timid,” Braccini said.

Like proud parents, staff is watching the pair hit major milestones of which next is their first taste of bamboo. And their growth timetable is right on par with their siblings.

“They're getting bigger, exploring more, they're going off a little more independent and they're doing exactly what we want them to do and what we expect them to do,” Braccini told Corona.

The twins will be taking some time off from the outdoor habitat during spring break simply because it could be too much stimulation as they ease into this new phase of life.

But if you don't them see them outside, you can see them likely hanging out in the day room.