Baby panda takes first steps at Japanese zoo, will go on public display March 12

WAKAYAMA -- A baby female giant panda took its first wobbling steps on March 7, and will be put on display for the public on March 12, the Adventure World zoo announced on March 10.

According to the zoo in the town of Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, the nearly four-month-old cub's hind legs are still unsteady, but she is standing on all four legs and toddling over to toys and other things that catch her interest. The baby's steps are getting stronger day by day, and it is expected that she will be able to climb a tree by the time she is about five months old.

The cub, born on November 22, 2020, weighed 5,975 grams as of March 10 (157 grams at birth). The facility is also accepting public votes for the baby's name, from among Kohin, Shohin, and Fuhin, on a special website until March 11. The name with the most votes will be announced on March 18.

(Japanese original by Yukihiro Takeuchi, Tanabe Local Bureau)