As the fourth in the line of what has become San Diego's royal family, the Giant Panda cub Zhen Zhen's opening year of life was marked by not only her milestones, but those of her siblings, as well as the massive earthquake in China that devastated the Giant Panda breeding center closely tied to the San Diego Zoo's conservation efforts. Since making her entrance into this world, Zhen Zhen has captivated zoo and "panda cam" visitors with her antics and charm, all the while representing the hope for the future of this endangered species. "Panda Tales" weaves together a story highlighting a time of excitement and learning - but not just for Zhen Zhen. A decade ago, the panda population in the wild was dangerously dwindling due to a low reproductive rate, a disappearing habitat and vanishing food sources. Thanks to knowledge gleaned partially through the zoo's research, pandas at the Wolong Giant Panda Breeding Center and Reserve in China, one of the San Diego's partners in conservation, now mate naturally, and successfully nurture and raise their offspring.
