Taiwan's first native-born giant panda, six-month-old Yuan Zai, was unveiled to a rapt public at Taipei Zoo Monday.
Publicity shy —
Taiwan's first native-born giant panda, six-month-old Yuan Zai, was unveiled to a rapt public at Taipei Zoo Monday.
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More than 10,000 visitors lined up outside the zoo for a glimpse of the cute celebrity -- who spent much of the time slumbering.
Crowd pleaser —
More than 10,000 visitors lined up outside the zoo for a glimpse of the cute celebrity -- who spent much of the time slumbering.
SAM YEH/AFP/Getty Images
Yuan Zai, who weighed 180 grams at birth, now tips scales at 14 kilos.
In-cub-ator —
Yuan Zai, who weighed 180 grams at birth, now tips scales at 14 kilos.
Mandy Cheng/AFP/Getty Images
Yuan Zai can mean "rice ball" or "child of Yuan Yuan."
Why did they call me that? —
Yuan Zai can mean "rice ball" or "child of Yuan Yuan."
Taipei City Zoo/AFP/Getty Images
Yuan Zai was briefly separated from her mother, Yuan Yuan, after birth, but their <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DRP5VqPt_c38%26list%3DTL13mtAHNzIpYvyTgLo-t1ddBv1KZB4-QQ" target="_blank" target="_blank">reunion proved to be heartwarming</a>. The cub was born into captivity in July 2013 through artificial insemination.
Bear hug —
Yuan Zai was briefly separated from her mother, Yuan Yuan, after birth, but their reunion proved to be heartwarming. The cub was born into captivity in July 2013 through artificial insemination.
Taipei City Zoo/AFP/Getty Images
Hundreds of people watched Yuan Zai fall asleep with her mother.
Would I lie on you, mummy? —
Hundreds of people watched Yuan Zai fall asleep with her mother.
Mandy Cheng/AFP/Getty Images
Yuan Zai even beat the island's president, Ma Ying-jeou, in an online vote on the biggest news personalities of 2013.
Poll vaulter —
Yuan Zai even beat the island's president, Ma Ying-jeou, in an online vote on the biggest news personalities of 2013.
Mandy Cheng/AFP/Getty Images
Briefly awake here, the cub sleeps up to 20 hours each day.
Snooze-fest —
Briefly awake here, the cub sleeps up to 20 hours each day.
Mandy Cheng/AFP/Getty Images
Yuan Zai's parents, Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan, were gifted to Taiwan by Beijing in 2008.
Rare gift —
Yuan Zai's parents, Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan, were gifted to Taiwan by Beijing in 2008.
SAM YEH/AFP/Getty Images
Giant pandas are endangered species that mainly reside in China's Sichuan province.
Fighting for survival —
Giant pandas are endangered species that mainly reside in China's Sichuan province.
Mandy Cheng/AFP/Getty Images