Birth of Third Cub by Giant Panda at Zoo Atlanta Confirmed by Officials

A giant panda at Zoo Atlanta has given birth to her third cub, the only panda birth at a U.S. zoo so far this year.

Zoo officials say Lun Lun (loon loon) gave birth to the cub at 5:39 a.m. on Wednesday in a specially prepared birthing den.



Zoo Atlanta is one of only four U.S. zoos with the endangered animals. The others are in San Diego, Memphis and Washington, D.C.

Lun Lun was inseminated with sperm from her partner, Yang Yang (yahng yahng), in June after the two failed to mate. The couple's previous cubs were Mei Lan (may lahn), born in 2006, and Xi Lan (she lahn), born in 2008.

Researchers estimate only 1,600 to 3,000 of the endangered species remain in the wild and another 200 in captivity.