The Berlin Zoo was awash in excitement and a splash of red on August 22, 2025, as twin giant panda cubs Leni and Lotti celebrated their first birthday in style. The playful sisters, born just a year ago at less than 200 grams each, now tip the scales at a robust 21 kilograms and have become the darlings of the zoo—and, indeed, of panda lovers everywhere. Their birthday bash was a spectacle that drew crowds, delighted keepers, and even offered a poignant reminder of the importance of panda conservation.
According to France24, the festivities included a large red wooden number one, a whimsical centerpiece that set the stage for the day. The twins were treated to an array of frozen vegetable delights—most notably, ice cream balls made from beetroot and carrot juice. These treats weren’t just for show; Leni and Lotti curiously licked and nibbled the icy balls, their antics captivating visitors who gathered to watch the celebration unfold. The pièce de résistance? A birthday candle fashioned from bamboo, a nod to their favorite snack and a fitting symbol for the occasion.
The zoo’s district manager, Norbert Zahmel, was on hand to offer insight into the cubs’ personalities and progress. "Lotti is the more daring of the two, while Leni often remains a little more relaxed," Zahmel told reporters. "But together they are a real dream team and a great stroke of luck for us." His words echoed the sentiment shared by many at the zoo, who see the twins as both a joy and a beacon of hope for their endangered species.
Visitors to the zoo watched as Leni and Lotti climbed around their enclosure, sampled the frozen treats—affectionately dubbed "ice cream bombs"—and even scaled the bamboo candle with playful determination. The twins also received a brand-new climbing frame as part of their birthday presents, adding another element of fun to their already bustling habitat. The sisters’ playful wrestling matches and confident exploration of their enclosure made it clear that they are thriving under the watchful eye of their keepers and, of course, their devoted mother.
Speaking of mothers, Meng Meng, the twins’ 12-year-old mother, was widely praised for her patience and affection. According to a statement from the zoo cited by Yahoo News, Meng Meng has been an exemplary parent, nurturing her cubs from their earliest, most vulnerable days to the energetic, healthy yearlings they are today. The zoo’s statement highlighted that, at birth, Leni and Lotti were "blind, naked, and helpless; now they explore their enclosure confidently and have a healthy appetite for bamboo, even if Mama Meng Meng’s milk still tastes best to them." The affectionate bond between mother and cubs was on full display during the birthday festivities, a testament to the natural instincts and dedication of giant panda mothers.
The birth of Leni and Lotti was a rare and significant event—not just for Berlin Zoo, but for Germany as a whole. As noted by Yahoo News, it was only the second time that pandas have given birth in the country. Meng Meng herself had previously given birth to another set of twins, Pit and Paule, marking her as a particularly successful and important member of the zoo’s panda family. The rarity of such births is underscored by the fact that there are fewer than 2,000 adult giant pandas left in the wild, according to the zoo. Each new cub, therefore, represents a vital addition to the global population and an important step forward for conservation efforts.
The international significance of the twins’ birth is further highlighted by their unique status: like their parents, Leni and Lotti are the property of the People’s Republic of China. They are lent to Germany as part of a broader initiative known as panda diplomacy, in which China lends pandas to selected countries as a gesture of goodwill and cooperation. This practice not only strengthens international ties but also helps raise awareness about the plight of the species and the importance of global conservation efforts.
At just one year old, Leni and Lotti have already undergone an impressive transformation. According to the zoo’s official statement, "They have now increased their birth weight of less than 200 grams by more than a hundredfold." That’s no small feat, especially considering the challenges faced by panda cubs in their early days. The fact that they are now energetic, curious, and healthy is a testament to the care provided by the zoo’s staff and the nurturing presence of their mother.
District manager Norbert Zahmel provided further insight into the cubs’ personalities, describing Leni as "quieter and gentler," while Lotti is "more adventurous." These differences have endeared the twins to the staff and visitors alike, with Zahmel noting that watching their interactions is "fun to see." The new climbing frame and the inventive frozen treats were just the latest in a series of enrichment activities designed to keep the cubs engaged and happy as they grow.
The broader context of the twins’ birthday celebration is impossible to ignore. Giant pandas remain an endangered species, with their numbers in the wild still perilously low. Each successful birth in captivity is a cause for celebration—not just for the immediate zoo community, but for conservationists around the world. The Berlin Zoo’s efforts, and the international cooperation that made the twins’ birth possible, offer a glimmer of hope in the ongoing fight to save these remarkable animals from extinction.
For visitors to the Berlin Zoo, the sight of Leni and Lotti playfully wrestling, climbing, and exploring is more than just a charming spectacle—it’s a living, breathing symbol of what’s at stake in the battle to preserve biodiversity. As the twins celebrated their first birthday with ice cream bombs and bamboo candles, they reminded everyone present of the joy and wonder that wildlife brings to our lives—and of the responsibility we all share to protect it.
With their first year behind them, Leni and Lotti are poised to continue delighting visitors and advancing the cause of panda conservation for years to come. Their story, marked by resilience, international collaboration, and a fair bit of playful mischief, is one that resonates far beyond the walls of the Berlin Zoo.
