On March 20, 2025, the adorable panda twins, Leni and Lotti, made their much-anticipated debut in the outdoor area of the Panda Garden at the Berlin Zoo, marking their first exploration of the outside world.
Born on August 22, 2024, these lively sisters represent a significant milestone in Berlin’s panda conservation efforts, as they were only the second pair of pandas to be born in Germany. Their adventure into the great outdoors was preceded by weeks of climbing practice on smaller structures within their enclosure, demonstrating their playful and inquisitive nature.
The twins are now on a daily schedule, spending time outside in their expansive garden between 1:30 PM and 2:30 PM, weather permitting. The zoo has carefully constructed a new climbing landscape using tree trunks, funded by generous donations. This specially designed play area was fortified with safety features, including coverage of large gaps and a padded layer of mulch beneath the climbing structures to ensure a safe experience for the young explorers.
Florian Sicks, the zoo's bear curator and biologist, shared insights into the natural behavior of pandas. "Young pandas in their natural habitat begin their climbing attempts between the ages of four and six months. As they grow, they become more adept at climbing higher branches. We’ve noticed Leni and Lotti's eagerness to seek out higher perches, which is just right considering the recent warmer weather,” Sicks explained.
While pandas are known for their lumbering movements and fondness for lounging, they are also surprisingly skilled climbers. In fact, Sicks mentioned that pandas often take tumbles in the wild, but the resilient cubs typically emerge unharmed due to their thick fur and round bodies, which cushion falls.
The excitement surrounding Leni and Lotti reflects broader concerns for the species. According to Sicks, without human intervention, the giant panda population, currently estimated to be less than 2,000 in the wild, would likely already be extinct. The birth of the panda twins was a much-celebrated event in the conservation community, with the first panda cubs born in Germany in 2019 - Pit and Paule - also mothered by the same panda, Meng Meng. Once Leni and Lotti mature, they are set to move to the Chengdu Panda Base in China, a common practice for pandas bred in captivity outside their natural habitat.
Zoo Director Dr. Andreas Knieriem expressed the joy of witnessing Leni and Lotti in action, stating, "It’s a wonderful sight to see these playful young animals in their element, and this surely will enchant our guests in the coming weeks and months as well.” The director emphasized the importance of ongoing conservation efforts, noting that while the panda population is stabilizing due to protective measures, six of the eight bear species worldwide are still threatened.
As the cubs ventured onto their elaborate climbing frame, their behavior echoed that of wild panda cubs who often climb to escape predators like snow leopards. Their adventurous spirit was evident as they joyfully played under the watchful eye of trainers, ensuring no fall would be too severe.
Notably, a panda's diet consists primarily of bamboo, leading them to consume between 9 and 18 kilograms daily, a necessity given the low nutritional value of their main food source. This feeding habit means they spend much of their day eating and resting, conserving energy for their next climbing adventures.
The journey of Leni and Lotti is more than just a local story; it symbolizes the intricate connection between endangered species and human efforts to preserve them. The everyday lives of these panda twins serve as a reminder of the delicate balance required to maintain not just their species, but the broader ecosystem they inhabit.
The excitement and hope surrounding Leni and Lotti’s young lives stand as a testament to the impact of conservation work at the Berlin Zoo and beyond. As these twin sisters continue to thrive and grow, they exemplify the joy and wonder of wildlife conservation efforts, reinforcing the importance of protecting not only the giant pandas but also the habitats that support their existence.
