Cub’s name will be unveiled at 100 Day Naming Celebration

ATLANTA – December 1, 2008 – After more than three suspenseful weeks collecting ballots from over 45,000 excited voters, Zoo Atlanta will announce the new giant panda cub’s name on Monday, December 8, 2008, at his 100 Day Naming Celebration. Voting to name the 3-month-old bear opened on November 3 and closed on Wednesday, December 3.

Voters flocked to zooatlanta.org to make their selections from 12 names submitted by the Zoo Atlanta family and extended family. The contenders represent Zoo staff; Zoo Members; the Zoo’s MySpace community; residents of Chengdu, China; and five local radio stations. The most dedicated of the cub’s fans also voted in person, casting their ballots at 12 polling locations outside the Zoo’s Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Giant Panda Conservation Center. The individual or organization responsible for submitting the winning name will win a private reception for 50 at Zoo Atlanta and an exclusive viewing of the cub.

The cub’s name will be unveiled at approximately 11:30 a.m. on December 8 on Zoo Atlanta’s Grand Patio, and members of the public are invited and encouraged to attend. The historic event will also feature live performances by Chinese artists, refreshments and an appearance by Zhu Zhu, Zoo Atlanta’s giant panda mascot.

Born on August 30, the cub was the only giant panda to be born in the U.S. in 2008. He is the second offspring of Lun Lun and Yang Yang and the younger sibling of the world-famous Mei Lan, born on September 6, 2006. Zoo Atlanta expects the new addition to make his official public debut in January. Images, video and live PandaCam peeks of the cub are currently available on zooatlanta.org.

The 100 Day Naming Celebration is free for Zoo Atlanta Members and children under 3; free with general admission.

About the 100 Day Naming Tradition
A time-honored custom in many parts of China, the 100 Day Naming Celebration has its roots in practicality. Until relatively recently in history, infant mortality was common in China, and many parents postponed naming their offspring during the fragile early months. An infant’s 100th day was thus considered an extremely significant milestone, and the custom survives today as an occasion of great festivity. In Chinese tradition, family and friends typically honor the child with gifts and red envelopes containing warm wishes for health, long life and prosperity.

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