There are only about 1,000 Giant Pandas in the wild. They are one of the rarest animals in the world. Having a pair so close is a great opportunity to see something most people will never get to see.
Memphis Zoo's Giant Pandas are Le-le and Ya-ya. Le-le (pronounced luh luh), the female, is 2. She comes from the Beijing Zoo in China. Her name means "beautiful little girl." Ya-ya (pronounced yah yah), the male , is 4. He comes from the Chongquing Zoo in China. His name means "Happy happy."
Memphis' China exhibit is worthy of such special creatures. It's design simulates a bamboo forest in China. There is an extra $3 conservation fee to enter the China exhibit so be prepared. Your $3 buys you a timed ticket for a 15 minute viewing period in which you will watch a short film about pandas and conservation. After watching, you get to wander the large exhibit.
Before you head off to Memphis, be sure to stop by the Little Rock Zoo and check out the Giant Panda's little cousin, the Red Panda. The Red Panda is also endangered and is one of very few mammals whose diet consists almost entirely of bamboo. The Little Rock Zoo has two Red Pandas. Both Zoos are participating in scientific studies of these species to help their conservation in the wild.
In the useless trivia section, Pandas are not actually "bears." They have characteristics of both bears and raccoons. DNA analysis of both species shows that the Giant Panda's DNA is more like bear DNA and the Red Panda's DNA is more like raccoon DNA. Remember that to impress people at your next party!
