Giant Pandas are an extremely rare and endangered species. There are only about 1,000 living wild in a few remote mountain areas of central China.
Scientists hope that through research and technology they can improve panda numbers.
Since Hua Mei's birth in August, the San Diego Zoo has kept her and her mother sheltered from zoo visitors so they could bond without distraction. Zoo officials chose February 11 as the first public appearance day because it's the seventh day of the Chinese New Year. The seventh day is mankind's birthday. This new year is the Chinese year of the dragon, which promises to be a time of great prosperity. Let's hope it's the beginning of a time of great prosperity for the pandas.