And The Name is....

Po!

On February 15, 2011 Zoo Atlanta and DreamWorks animation have issued a joint announcement that the only Giant Panda cub born in the U.S in 2010 will be named Po in tribute to the main character, Po the Panda in the upcoming DreamWorks film Kung Fu Panda 2 which is due to be released sometime in May. Actor Jack Black who provides the voice of Po in both Kung Fu Panda and Kung Fu Panda 2 was on hand to reveal the name.

There are fewer than 1,600 Giant Pandas remaining in the ever shrinking Bamboo forests of China.Zoo Atlanta's Giant Panda program promotes conservation projects at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding as well as other nature reserves in China.

In the movie Kung Fu Panda, Po is an unlikely hero, challenged by the preconceived notions of what a real Kung Fu warrior should be. Following the the likeable but clumsy Po and his allies the films celebrate the power of self-worth and the ability of an individual to affect positive change.

Real Giant Pandas face their own challenges. Zoo Atlanta's Po is already on the right track to becoming a true ambassador for his species, helping to draw attention to the plight of his counterparts out in the wild. Born to mom, Lun Lun (loon loon) on November 3, 2010 the now almost 3 1/2 month old cub is due to make his debut sometime around March or early April.

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