The Taipei Zoo panda cub, Yuanzai, is moving out on her own on Wednesday. Tuesday was the last day her fans could witness any cuddling or other cute interaction between her and mama bear, Yuan Yuan.
Yuanzai has been a media darling ever since she was born a year and a half ago. Fans can watch her via webcam and many said they were sad she was moving out on her own. Yuanzai now weighs 52 kilograms and acts more and more like an adult panda, which means she spends most her time sleeping and eating, rather than playing as cubs do.
For the past few weeks, the zoo has been preparing Yuanzai for independence. She’s learned to eat dinner by herself and to get used to being alone for periods of time. Starting Wednesday, she’ll be on her own and won’t be able to drink her mother’s milk. The zoo will also start training her to be willing to cooperate in getting regular health check-ups like her parents.
Meanwhile, Yuan Yuan is entering prime season for breeding. The zookeepers will adjust the temperature and lighting around her in hopes of adding another panda cub to the Taipei family this year.