Panda Triplets Named, Serenaded by Famous Pianist

— -- Panda triplets born over the summer were finally named this week at a ceremony that saw them also serenaded by a pianist who has been named the “Panda Ambassador.”

The pianist, Li Yundi, played melodies for the three panda cubs Monday at China’s Guangzhou Chimelong Safari Park.

In addition to the musical interlude, the ceremony was a chance for park officials to announce that, after an international naming contest, the pandas have been named Mengmeng, Shuaishuai and Kuku.

Mengmeng, which means “cute,” is the name given to the oldest panda triplet, a girl. Her brothers’ names stand for “handsome,” for Shuaishuai, and “cool,” for Kuku, according to CCTV.

"The names were chosen to reflect each cub’s characters,” the park’s general manager, Dong Guixin, told CCTV. “These names are popular, and we hope the panda cubs will grow healthier.”

Around the world, the same week the panda triplets were making waves, a panda in Scotland was celebrating the upcoming holidays.

Officials at Scotland’s Edinburgh Zoo baked a special panda cake in the shape of a Christmas tree for their panda, Tian Tian, and drizzled it with honey to make it even more appealing.

Photos show Tian Tian, on loan to the zoo from China, starting with the star on top of the tree and then quickly devouring the festive treat.

"The special Christmas panda cake will contain all the same ingredients as the cakes I regularly bake from scratch right here at the zoo," panda keeper Alison Maclean told The Herald newspaper. "We are lucky to have been gifted this recipe from our colleagues in China as it supplements a vital part of the giant panda's natural diet."