After months of anticipation, the name of Zoo Atlanta's giant panda cub, determined by the public through an online poll held at ajc.com, was announced today at Zoo Atlanta. "Mei Lan," which translates to "Atlanta Beauty" won the poll, receiving 22% of the 57,015 votes cast. Voters were given a list of 10 names from which to choose. The names were suggested by several institutions interested in panda conservation including local media, Zoo Atlanta staff and volunteers, Panda Express, a Zoo Atlanta sponsor, and the people of China.

"We are thrilled with the public's selection," said Dennis Kelly, Zoo Atlanta president and CEO. "The name recognizes both her birthplace and her homeland. " The winning name was announced today at a 100-Day Naming Ceremony at Zoo Atlanta attended by a number of Chinese dignitaries.

"We were thrilled with the birth of this cub and are grateful to Zoo Atlanta for its efforts towards conserving the species in the wild," said Zhang Zhihe, director, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. "The naming of this cub was a much anticipated event in China and it is an honor to be here to see how much the people of Atlanta have embraced its birth."

Although it is impossible to give an exact date, Mei Lan, who took her first steps just yesterday, should be making her public debut in the next few weeks. Father, Yang Yang, and mother, Lun Lun, can currently be seen at Zoo Atlanta's Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Giant Panda Conservation Center. Mei Lan can be viewed Monday- Friday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on panda cam at zooatlanta.org.

By ZOO ATLANTA