Last August 22nd, at the Berlin Zoo, Two twin pandas were born: Meng Hao, which means "sweet dreams" in Chinese, and Meng Tian, also the bearer of "golden dreams." In November, they were presented to the public for the first time.
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Meng Hao and Meng Tian, the twin pandas at Berlin Zoo: the choice of names
Great joy at Berlin Zoo! The sweet panda mother Meng Meng She gave birth to twin pandas. Daughters of the ambassador panda, Jiao Qing. As per Chinese tradition, their names recall a trait of their mother. But to celebrate their new German home, the little girls have also received cute nicknames: Leni and Lotti. These names weren't chosen randomly, but are a true homage to the city of Berlin. Leni is a tribute to the legendary Marlene Dietrich, the famous actress born in the Schöneberg district. Lotti, on the other hand, with a touch of vivacity, recalls the name of Charlottenburg, a neighborhood near the zoo.
The words of the director of the facility
Zoo director Andreas Knieriem said the choice of names was the result of extensive internal discussion. "We received countless suggestions and created a small group in our communications office to select them. Ultimately, we realized that Leni and Lotti would immediately win the hearts of Berliners," Knieriem explained. But for Knieriem, these names go beyond simple identification. They represent the cultural bonds that arise from the shared commitment to protecting this special species. "Our twin cubs have roots in both Chengdu and Berlin," he proudly emphasized.
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Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner also emphasized the importance of pandas to the city. "The giant panda is not only a symbol of the relationship between China and Germany, but also a bridge that fosters even deeper collaboration and exchange," he said, delighted that Berlin Zoo is the only one in Germany to house these fascinating animals.
The little pandas were born on March 26th thanks to a delicate assisted reproduction procedure, carefully prepared by experts from around the world. Their mother, Meng Meng, now eleven years old, arrived in Berlin from China back in 2017. In August 2019, she had already given Germany her first twin cubs, named Meng Xiang and Meng Yuan.
With the arrival of this new litter, Berlin Zoo confirms its role as a key site for the conservation of this iconic species. This event further strengthens the beautiful bond between Germany and China, marked by the tenderness and wonder that only pandas can inspire.