Pandas Are Getting Bigger, Better Home

By LAUREN FRAYER
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - Two of the most-watched celebrities in the nation's capital have acquired a huge new chunk of real estate, complete with tasty bamboo and waterfalls.

Giant pandas Mei Xiang and Tian Tian currently have 17,500 square feet of stomping ground at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. Officials broke ground Wednesday on the new Giant Panda Habitat - slated for completion by 2006 - which will nearly double that space. The animals will be able to tumble down a slide, lounge on cooling rocks and chomp bamboo while foggers spew mist to mimic the climate of China's mountains.

"Who wouldn't want to enjoy a 55 degree water-cooled grotto during the heat of a Washington summer?" said Stanley Freimuth, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., which donated $7.8 million to build the new panda area. It is the first step in a 10-year, $34 million renovation plan - the largest and most expensive in the zoo's history. The remainder comes from the federal government and private donors.

Eventually, an Asia Trail will cover nearly a quarter of the zoo's public exhibit area and house additional species such as sloth bears, fishing cats, clouded leopards, red pandas and giant salamanders - a new addition to the National Zoo.

"Our goal is to create an experience that will bring our visitors closer to the animals, as well as to some of the scientific questions we ask about them every day," said National Zoo Director Lucy Spelman.

The new habitat also makes room for panda cubs. Scientists say Mei Xiang could become pregnant this year.

"It's very likely. She's now 6 going on 7, so she's reached sexual maturity and I think she's got really good chances - we're excited," said assistant curator Lisa Stevens. Giant pandas have a 3 month to 6 month gestation period, so tourists could see a baby panda as early as summer's end.

Mei Xiang and Tian Tian are the National Zoo's second pair of giant pandas. Both went on exhibit more than 3 years ago and are on a 10-year loan from China. Only about 1,000 giant pandas survive in the wild. An additional 140 live in breeding facilities and zoos.

(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)