Panda Meng Lan Photo: Beijing Zoo

"The 3rd Prince of Xizhimen" is at it again! Meng Lan, a mischievous panda, recently tried to escape his enclosure, prompting the Beijing Zoo to upgrade safety measures to transparent acrylic panels.

The zoo shared a statement on Weibo on October 22 about Meng Lan's latest "great escape," which generated quite a buzz. They described him as not only a clever and playful panda but also the "largest one" in the zoo.

On October 15, while playing, Meng Lan attempted to climb the wall, which was a bit risky! To keep him and the visitors safe, the zoo put up temporary metal barriers. 

After reviewing the situation, they decided to enhance the safety measures further, installing the new acrylic panels on October 21, the zoo said.

From October 28 to November 1, the zoo will be closed for renovations to improve Meng Lan's play area, ensuring he could stay curious and entertained. 

As Meng Lan is the third child of his mother Meng Meng and lives at the zoo in Xizhimen in Beijing, he has earned the nickname "the 3rd Prince of Xizhimen." 

Meng Lan has attracted numerous fans for his impressive "kung fu skills" that wowed visitors during his previous escape in December 2021.

Global Times