Bai Yun
As our little Zhen Zhen is getting ready to leave her mother and go into a new world on her own, Bai Yun is getting ready for a different phase. Soon Bai Yun will be in the process of weaning herself away from her cub and beginning to focus on herself. Keepers are feeding Bai Yun more and more each day to compensate what the baby takes from mom’s food stash and to encourage Bai Yun to eat more and gain weight. Right now Bai Yun is nursing and competing with her growing cub for food, so gaining weight isn’t the easiest job right now.
Female giant pandas need to be at a good solid weight going into mating season. How much weight? Well, it can be different every time and for every female. A healthy weight is important for a healthy pregnancy.
Gao Gao
What does our Gao Gao have to say about this? After Bai Yun for sure comes into her estrus, we will do what we refer to as a swap: the two adults will switch enclosures to enhance the estrus and to get Gao Gao in the mood. Gao Gao’s usual routine is to start putting on weight and scenting every area he can with his scent gland, located underneath his tail. Once our staff feels that Bai Yun and Gao Gao are ready to come face to face, they will open the “howdy” door.
We will be getting closer to that time, so keep checking the blogs and keep an ear open!
Anastasia Horning is a panda narrator at the San Diego Zoo.
Note: We are celebrating Gao Gao’s birthday on Wednesday, January 21, not January 15 as noted earlier. This gives us more time to prepare a special cake and to make sure our photographer is on hand to record the happy occasion! We hope you’ll join us for his 19th birthday.
RELATED POSTS
Spring is such a wonderful time at the Zoo. I am sure it is very hectic for all the keepers and staff that have to keep an eye on ALL the animals that are in preparations to mate. We are fortunate to have the SDZ blog and panda cam so that we can be “up to the minute” on all the goings-on. Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedules for all your faithful viewers/readers! I am hoping that Bai and Gao can be blessed with at least one more cub. They make such great ones!!
Gao’s celebration is delayed until the 21st..? That must be SOME cake! You guys sure do know how to build the anticipation!!
Thank you Anastasia for your comments on Zhen Zhen and her parents Bai Yun and Gao Gao.
Very informative! Keep up the great Blogs.
I’m very excited for Bai and Gao. And what lady wouldn’t like to be told you need to gain weight! ZZ is becoming her own girl. I will be an exciting for her as well. Thanks for the update. SDZ is the best.
I have stupid “my space” question. Do you have to be a member or have a page on my space to navigate around on another’s person/zoo’s website? I can’t get much on ZA’s page. Maybe my security settings need to be changed?
Thank you for the update, Anastasia! Will Gao’s celebration be seen on panda cam? If so, what time? I would be so happy to be able to watch Gao’s reaction as he’s presented with his first big frozen cake. I watched the video from ZZ’s first birthday many times and never tired of watching her climb all over her special cake. Gao Gao probably won’t try to climb his cake but I know he will be very sweet and entertaining to watch. I’ve seen differing birth years for Gao as I’ve read about him and wasn’t sure if he was born in ’90 or ’92, so I was really glad that you posted his age. It’s probably obvious from all of my posts that Gao is my favorite SDZ panda but I admire Bai, Su and ZZ, too, of course. My thanks to SDZ for sharing the occasion with us and for celebrating Papa Gao.
I also was wondering about the burlap bag that Gao was enjoying this morning. Was there a special scent that caused him to roll around on the bag?
Hopeful eyes will be on Bai, Ya Ya and Mei Xiang in the coming months as we await the possible addition of giant panda cubs. I can’t quite believe that the waiting and watching has already begun. Truth be told, my greatest hope is that Mei Xiang will have a female cub. She is so smart, beautiful and funny and it would be wonderful if she passed those qualities to a daughter, as Lun and Bai have passed their unique qualities to female offspring. As far as Ya Ya is concerned, maybe she will have twins — a boy AND a girl. Wouldn’t that be great?
Moderator’s note: Gao’s party will begin at 9 a.m. Along with an ice cake, he’ll be treated to some “presents” filled with treats.
Re the sack: it was filled with Bermuda hay.
And #3 Linda A … You gave me a laugh re: “what lady wouldn’t like to be told you need to gain weight!” So true…I wish I had that problem! I often smile at the idea of what life would be like for us humans if we had to spend 12 hours a day eating. So much cooking, shopping, dishwashing…
It just seems like the days go faster and faster because it’s hard to believe we are already talking about Bai & Gao getting together to produce cub #4, 3 (respectively). The previous blog comments mentioned how amazing Bai is that she has been pregnant or mothering/nursing a cub for most of the past 6 years. Yet, she is still able to be “All About Bai” when she needs to be.
She is an amazing giant panda and I feel so blessed to be able to watch and participate in the life of “one of the Best”
And, also from the previous blog’s comments, Moderator… Next time I’m in CA, I will have to stop by to give you a much-deserved foot rub. Since we can’t do it for Bai, I’ll volunteer to do it for you. I am a “professional foot-rub-er” of sorts. (I’m a Nurse Practitioner and I used to train Nursing Assistants how to give their patients foot massages.) I’ll keep you posted!
(PS Don’t take your shoes & socks off yet, my trip to CA for 2009 was canceled.) Although, now that I think about it, maybe I can raise funds for the “Joy to CA to help relieve the Panda Blog Moderator’s stress” FUND. Alas, I’m afraid the IRS might not approve that as a charitable donation. I will keep working on it!
I was thrilled to see some close-ups on Zhen today. She is one beautiful panda, with such expressive eyes. (Of course, I think that ALL our pandas are gorgeous!)
Hope everyone is having a great day and that there are no glitches on anyone’s pandaCam feeds.
Love, Joy
Moderator’s note: Joy, you brought a smile to my face and that is the best spa treatment of all!
Just wondering, wouldn’t it be good for Bai to take a year off inbetween babies? Give her system a chance to rest and normalize?
Hi..to #3 Linda A…this is Linda MD or Widget as everyone knows me. I just joined or registered MySpace (it’s free) and was able to access the pics of XiLan and Yang Yang as a cub. Hope that helps. About the blog and Bai Yun..I wonder what she is thinking when she rests on a tree limb for hours. The mountains of Sichuan…all of her children near and far…GaoGao? She does seem to have deep thoughts though. She is a beautiful panda and a wonderful mommy to all of her children. I wonder if she even feels like doing the rearing of another cub all over again?
Hmm, Moderator – we know SO much about our beloved pandas. We are fortunate to be able to watch the cam and read and express ourselves on the blog – much with your help! Yet – we know nothing about you! Any possibility you might share a few deets? Like, is there more than one moderator? Or just you? Are you male or female? Who is your favorite panda? (Ha! That is a trick question!). Just as we have been able to learn about some of the keepers thru the blog, I think it is high time we learn about our moderator(s). What’d ya say…?
Moderator’s note: We plead the 5th! But we will say it is a pleasure to prepare the blogs from our many contributors for posting and read the wonderful comments from animal lovers around the world. And we hope more readers will take the time to follow some of our other blog categories: they contain such wonderful wildlife information. And we LOVE comments, so keep ‘em coming!
Michelle #7,
Should Bai Yun get pregnant this year, she will have had two years in between births. If her body needs a rest, she will manifest as a lack of estrus. This has been seen with pandas in China many times. However, if she has a strong estrus and both she and Gao Gao are willing, we will pair them for mating.
Lucky Bai Yun–her visit to the panda spa will include lots of extra food treats along with her foot rubs and mud baths! The moderator and blogger spa will have a more extensive lo-carb lo-fat menu. We’ll have exercise and she’ll have a few more naps. Ahh. And Melissa #5–Bai is really lucky–all she has to do is eat. She has others to do her shopping, cooking and cleaning for her–after all, she is the Queen Bai!
Thanks, Anastasia, for the wonderful update and for reminding us of the great things to look forward to. After all, breeding and new generation of pandas is not possible with out the separation and weaning of the current one. Each panda will have more time and attention to their diet, including Zhen Zhen. I remember vividly the smile on Bai Yun’s face as her last estrus neared and she was able to eat, and sleep, as much as she wanted without Su Lin’s not so tiny paws interrupting. And, the placid look of slumber in her favorite area in the back as she prepared her body for the birth of ZZ was even more a reminder that a mother must have time for herself to be at her best for her offspring. Each pregnancy we all hope there will be twins, and since Hua Mei has had three sets, and Mei Sheng was the only one of the twins born from that year’s pregnancy, we will be crossing our pseudo-thumbs again this year. Bai and Gao are very experienced at this natural process, and their bodies and instincts serve them very well in producing stellar cubs. So…. we patiently wait for the next phase in SDZ panda land, even though we may shed a few tears, and bite our fingernails a few times along the way.
Thanks, Moderator, for a great job. I love the email address webkeeper @ sandiegozoo (dot) com
My niece visited the zoo yesterday, and called me in VA to ask what special exhibits I would like photos from. I wish I had known when she was visiting the pandas, and I would have saved a postcard shot of her visit. She had a wonderful time visiting the entire zoo, as I knew she would. Too bad I couldn’t travel in her suitcase and get there in person.
I cannot believe it is time for our little ZZ to go out on her own, or that Sue Lin is getting so big, will we be able to keep Sue Lin for a while??? I hope so. My how they do grow, so quick.
I was just out in San Diego, and was hoping to visit all of our little girls, but, unfortunately, never got to go. I will do my best next visit. Good luck to our two wonderful parents in producing a 4th cub. I will be watching, and keeping an eye on our little zz.
Hello, we are planning our annual trip to the zoo next weekend and are so excited to see our bears again! Moderator, do you know if Su Lin and Gao Gao will be switching again before then? Can’t wait to spend both days watching the bears to our hearts content!
Moderator’s note: We’ll find out for you.
It doesn’t seem possible that it’s almost time for Bai & Goa to mate again. Our little cubbies grow up way too fast,
#3 Linda A – I am also having trouble with ZA’s My Space page. Have been encouraged by their blogs but am unable to find most photos.
OK…So my curiosity gets the best of me this time. I know that Bai Yun is 17 years old, and she is nearing the end of her prime time. Is SDZ still planning on having her breed with Gao Gao??? Don’t get me wrong; I am delighted whenever we have more little pandas come into this world. However, judging from the age of Bai Yun, I would have thought that she is about done with motherhood. Will this year be Bai Yun’s last chance to breed with Gao Gao?
I can’t believe Zhen is getting ready to be weaned already!!!
Our stud Gao Gao will be ready and waiting. He hasn’t let us down in the past.
I am hoping if Bai has another cub she will have another sweet soon like Mei Sheng. I really miss him.
In our Sunday newspaper here in Sacramento, there was a great story in the travel section about San Diego. The writer was not going to visit the Zoo but decided to go at the last minute. She said it was one of her best moves of the week. She wrote how it was not the “typical see-the-animal zoo.” She wrote how she was entralled by the information given about the animals. And of course, she wrote about the pandas and the research station. And a great picture of Bai and ZZ was in the story. Very, very nice!!! Great article about the Zoo and San Diego.
Looks like I missed Gao Gao and the sawdust. I always miss these things – got to do something about that time difference! Oh well, off to the time-lapse once again. He looks like he’s worn himself out.
Sunday looks like a great napping day at SDZ and Mr. Gao Gao looks positively ecstatic lying in his bed of shredded whatever it is he’s lying on.
Wow, I cant believe Gao Gao will be 19 yrs old, Gao Gao is as handsome as ever:) Happy early Birthday from the people of Seattle Washington. We love you:)
Untill then many thanks to Anastasia for the great blog:)
The time has come for little Zhen Zhen to become a lady all of her own. Zhen Zhen has seemed very independent for a while now. I think she will do just fine:)
I hope during the estrus time period Gao Gao and Bai Yun are sucessful in there mating so the may be blessed and also bless us with a the great miracle of life
these blogs were so cute and fun to read! I can’t believe that zz will be going on her own soon! she has been my very first baby that I have watched grow and it kind of saddens me to think she is old enough already to leave her mom. wow! time has a way of flying by before we realize it. just think about your children or grand-children and how fast they have grown! see what I mean!!!!!! I hope that bai and gao
still have that special feeling for each other. another baby would be great!
I was watching the baby at AZ grow by leaps and bounds and start to walk and leave the den. of course many of you out there in panda world were too! lets hope that they get back on the cam soon so we don’t miss all the fun!!!! I hope you are warmer where you are. michigan feels like a polar tundra right now! ha ha. florida is in our agenda in a couple of weeks. here I come big sister!!!!!!
Linda A, Maureen and all, I finally found the pictures on the My Space page.
When the page opens look on the left for the Zoo Atlanta sign. Under it you will find:
Mood: Hopeful
View My: Pics/Videos
Click on the pics and you will find what you want.
Hope it works for you, it does for me.
Conversation with Gao Gao #53
Gao Gao: HELLO! MR. TOURIST!
Tourist: Huh? Gao Gao? Is that you?
G: Hee hee.
T: OK, what’s going on?
G: Hee hee.
T: You look like a mud pack.
G: Hee hee hee.
T: And stink like algae.
G: Don’t you like the lime green color?
T: Oh, yeah, splendid. And it even flouresces.
G: I’m ready to test market my products.
T: WHOA! And to whom would you market your products?
G: Well, I’ve got lots of clients.
T: You mean pond turtles?
G: Oh, but my products are laced with pheromones.
T: Oh, of course.
(In the other yard)
Bai Yun: Mmmmm. (sniffing the air)
Zhen Zhen: (while up in a tree) Mama. What are you sniffing at?
B: Something heavenly, my dear.
Z: But it smells like that slimy glob in the yard across from here.
B: Oh, but it’s just heavenly, my dear.
P. Wong, you do make me smile!!!!!! Thank you again.
Lee, #23, you are the best. Thank you for the advice. The pics are adorable — all of them. Very interesting family album. Well put together.
I read on one of the TV stations in Atlanta, that ZA is doing a media blitz. Not sure if that’s good news or bad news for the cam.
Fun watching ZZ and Bai this morning while it was still a little dark.
Thank you, Moderator, for the details regarding the hour of Gao’s special celebration next week. I can’t wait! He’s so cute. I have fun just watching him eat, so I know it will bring a smile to my face to see him with his frozen “cake” and presents.
A friend of mine called a couple of weeks ago to tell me she saw the story about Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan. She said the woman reading the news had a huge smile on her face after they ran the video of the pandas that went with the story. It occurred to me that giant pandas seem to have that effect on most people: they bring smiles to our faces and as well as our hearts. They are wonderful ambassadors for wildlife conservation.
My flight back east from southern California was yesterday..back to the grind today! I did visit the San Diego Zoo on January 5th, 2009. I had a really great time… got to see Zhen Zhen, Bai Yun and Gao Gao, and took some lovely pictures. (I also went to the koalas, polar bears, took a bus tour, went on the Sky Tram….) I like that the zoo had various forms of transport around to help folks deal with the steep paths within the Zoo complex. Helped this tired traveler.
And I did get the letter from SDZ acknowledging my ‘boo cooler donation.
I’m really glad you all were able to get the money you needed for those facilities!
Moderator’s note: Welcome home, Nicole, and thank you for your contribution to the ‘boo cooler fund!
It’s getting that time of the year to get ready for the mating season to start I hope Bai. Gao, Mei, Tian and Ya and Le all have cubs this year it would be wonderful. The AZ says Yang is starting his annual pacing and marking but he will be left out this year poor boy.
Moderator, thank you for looking into it. We are anxious to see everyone in just a few days.
Moderator’s note: The keepers tell us that there is no set schedule for panda rotation right now, as trees are being trimmed in and around the panda exhibits and the off-exhibit “classroom” area is being renovated in preparation of Zhen’s weaning. Things are busy at the panda station!
OK – WHICH panda was high in the tree about 7:30EDT -cam stated we were watching Bai & Miss Z but the panda busy eating bamboo on the ground looked to small to be momma Bai while there was a big panda dangling off a tree limb —does Bai still climb trees….maybe to get away from her soon & ready to be weaned cub.
How exciting the breeding season is approaching – let’s hope that our dear Tian Tian can figure things this year ….we know pappa Gao knows what to do. Lets hope MeiXiang & our famous Bai have cubs again this year.
It has been interesting, reading all your comments these past few days. I, too, am pining for the ZA panda cam. The day just doesn’t seem complete without that part of my ‘panda-fix’. Luckily, we have 3 other cams to sooth our panda needs. I watched an interesting program last night on Discovery Channel. It covered the survival of wildlife in different terrains. As I watched the “Mountains” chapter, I wondered if they would get around to wild Giant Pandas. They did. There was what looked like a young panda female with a new-born cub in a cave in the mountains of China. My son was amazed that she was cradling the cub in her arms like a human. I explained that she has to do this until the cub matures enough to maintain his body temperature without mother’s warmth. This was filmed before the China earthquake, so there was bamboo to eat, and other pandas to mate with. It was a “first ever” film of a wild panda and new born cub, in the wild. It is sad to wonder how many of these wild pandas have survived. Does anyone know if there has been an attempt to count wild survivors?
Hope you all had a wonderful New Year weekend. As always, thanks to the keepers and caretakers at SDZ for their amazing dedication to keeping our beloved Giant Pandas cared for and happy.
P. S. P Wong, you always make my day. First, with Mei Sheng’s big plans for Gao’s celebration and the dragons pulling the sleigh….last line made me laugh out loud. And the current one, with GG getting all “scented” up for Bai’s delight. Your creations should be in print for all the world to enjoy. Thank you for making me laugh.
P Wong, you’ve done it again. When I got to the part where ZZ compares Gao Gao to ‘that slimey glob in the yard across from here’ I had to put my coffee down before I spilt it all over the keyboard from laughing so much. Great start to my day.
On a more sober note, I only just recorded last week Pandamonium (kept missing it) and watched it last night. It’s brought it all back and I was fighting back the tears again for beautiful Mao Mao. I so hope that the conditions for the pandas have improved a little since that film was made.
I’ve got my fingers crossed, as I know we all have, that your remaining boo cooler lasts until the new ones arrive.
Me again! Just checked the panda cam again on my way to the polar cam and saw ZZ up the tree wriggling about at gone 1am in the morning. Should her Mum let her stay up so late?!! She needs her beauty sleep!
Good morning, you all! Usually I write in later in the day or in the pm, but wanted to let you all know that Both of the NZ pandacams are out this morning. They are both set on READY for some reason, so you won’t be able to see the pandas thru those cams. There is a way to see the NZ pandas, tho. Go to the Animal Planet website, type in “panda cam” in the search line, then click on panda cam on the search list, and you will be able to see one of the pandas on that cam. It’s the only cam on the AP site, and you will need the latest version of Free Real Player downloaded into your computer to be able to see the live stream. At least there’s a backup to the NZ pandacams when those 2 cams are out. I have gone to the AP pandacam site alot when Tai Shan was a baby when both of the NZ pandacams were having their issues back in 2005.
Just got on the SDZ pandacam, and there was Bai Yun doing her early morning walk about and ZZ in her tree trunk just waking up. It was around 6:30am PST (9:30am EDT) today. Looked in on the Memphis Zoo panda page for new updates about Ya Ya’s progress yesterday, and nothing new in there right now. Read the latest update on the AZ panda page last nite, and it was a cute one about Xi Lan doing his walking around in the dayroom then going back into one of the dens to take a nap. Hoping to see a cute video of Xi Lan sometime today from AZ, but a live pandacam would be soooooooo much better!
Well, gonna go for now. Will check in later on! Have a nice morning where ever you all are at. We’re getting rain and very cold weather down here in Pinellas County, Florida!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
My niece loved her visit to the zoo last week, and brought me lots of panda goodies. Since they are poor college students they loved visiting the gift shops and getting 50% discount on fabulous calendars to bring back as gifts for lots of people. It was a win-win for everyone, they benefited from new year sales, friends and family got terrific gifts, and the zoos 2009 calendar inventory went down substantially.
They were not enamoured of the large “menacing” peacocks wandering around trying to steal their lunch. Even her 6 foot 4 male friend was “afraid” of the peacock that kept “stalking” them. They enjoyed the Polar bear eating carrots, and the Meerkats. Elephants are her personal favorite animal, and she was disappointed that there was only one elephant on exhibit. They saw where Elephant Odyssey is being built, and hopefully on their next visit in the future they will get to see more elephants there, and have time to also go to WAP. So much to see and so little time, even when you are 20 and still have lots of energy. One of their favorites was the Wild Animal Show, and seeing the Cheetah who lives with a dog as part of a research project into Feline and Canine behavior.
Next time someone in my family visits the zoo, I hope it includes me.
Moderator’s note: We hope so too, Margaret!
When Gao sits and EATS his boo, he reminds me of the character “Shrek.” So very cute! Of course, I may be crazy this morning.
Wow! I can’t believe Gao Gao is turning 19! He sure could teach those young whippersnappers in Atlanta, Memphis, and Washington a thing or two, couldn’t he!!??!!
Linda A (#37) I loved your reference to “Shrek”. I agree completely. Here is a paragraph of an article my daughter wrote for our local paper. I have her permission to send this.
“The reason we had come to Ocean Park was so my Panda-obsessed friend could gawk to her heart’s content at four of the big, furry beauties, two of which had just arrived from mainland China as gifts celebrating the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return from English rule. Normally solitary animals, the two newcomers were in the same enclosure and it was so cute to watch them sitting together, playfully fighting over the choice bamboo, their little black Shrek-like ears wiggling with every chew.”
I believe this says exactly what you mean.
#37 Linda A … You are not crazy at all. More than a time or two, I’ve often smiled to myself when panda ears remind me of Shrek. It happens most often when I watch Mei Xiang eating a frozen fruit treat (it’s how she rotates her ears around when she’s in a “fruity” trance) but I can also see that Gao’s facial expressions can look a little like Shrek, too, when Gao turns up the corner of his mouth and scrunches his face. Gao also often reminds me of how an older gentleman wielding a toothpick looks. The shredded shards of bamboo that he munches on look like giant toothpicks. And sometimes I imagine that the creators of Cookie Monster must have been inspired by panda paws years ago. I often chuckle when there’s a closeup of a giant panda paw manipulating bamboo leaves as my mind draws a parallel between the panda paw and that of Cookie Monster. As I write this, I’m thinking that all of our furry panda friends have brainwashed me a little bit. I see the world so often in terms of giant pandas!
I am getting excited for Gao’s “First” Birhtday Celebration. I wonder what he will think about that huge “cake” and if he will go for it first or stick with his all-too-favorite bamboo!?! I have my clock set on my phone, and my computer calendar to remind me. Plus, I wrote it on my wall calendar. Hopefully, I will remember to watch.
Linda (37) you’er right, Gao does have a resemblance to Shrek. And he likes to be alone, they share that also. The only thing missing is a donkey or some character to get him in trouble. I bet the keepers are glad that he is side-kick-less.
Also, would that make Bai Yun– Fiona?
Animal Planet had “Growing Up… Giant Panda” on this morning. I was thrilled to watch it again and to see Jing Jing be born and start her cub-dom. I hope she is doing well now in Chengdu.
I definitely know that Bai is ready to wean Zhen. The other day I saw Bai give Zhen the “talk to the paw” move to get her away from Bai’s bamboo stash. Zhen was actually trying to get the “best” pieces of boo and Bai would have none of that. So funny to watch but also so telling of Bai saying to her humans… “I need my peace” and as this blog mentioned, she needs to bulk up. The competition for food is one reason we KNOW that cubs cannot stay with their mothers forever. So, a message to all those who are new to panda cub weaning: I’ve gone through it 5 times now. It’s hard for us to watch, but it is what the animals need. Get a box of Kleen-ex (or two, or a dozen…) and remember it’s what they are suppose to do. It’s how they are. It’s a fact of nature.
I am really glad (especially after watching the “Growing Up” episode again) that we allow our cubs to stay with their mother until the mother is ready to wean them.
Each time a cub is weaned, I put a phrase on my bulletin board near my computer to remind me that it is a good thing. Since I started calling Zhen “BRIGHT STAR” from the moment she was born, my phrase is “A Star shines brighter when they are away from the Sun.” Zhen will be Great on her own and she can do so much more as she grows up to be the Bright Star (“superstar”) that she is!
Love, Joy
Thank you for letting me know that I’m not crazy!! Gao will forever be my Shrek.
Lee, #39, love the paragraph your daughter wrote. And Melissa, #40, I’ve thought the same thing about the Cookie Monster hands. Aren’t they cute?
I saw a video of an interview of the gentleman who was recently biten by the panda in China after trying to retrieve his child’s toy from the enclosure. I’m sorry; what a door knob. This particular panda (Gu Gu?) has biten three people. All three door knobs. I’m assuming that nothing will happen to the panda. They need to make the enclosure more secure to protect the door knobs from themselves.
Linda, #42, I completely agree with you. My husband and I were saying that those people who got bit certainly were asking for it. Their stupidity also does a disservice to the pandas by the bad publicity the incident creates. Poor panda, can you imagine him just throwing his hands up in the air going “can a panda get some peace and quiet around here?” Also, CNN showed the enclosure and there are very big signs in chinese and english stating that the area is off limits. Door knobs and ding dongs indeed.
We’re so excited about our upcoming weekend at the zoo! It will be special indeed to witness some play time between mama and baby before they are separated.
Concerning the most recent incident of a person being attacked by the panda in China, I agree with the folks who commented on the stupidity of the humans involved. The news story I read quoted the gentleman as saying he thought they were just cute and cuddly, and never dreamed they’d ever attack. Here’s a clue: they’re wild animals, buddy! I have to agree with Sara (#43) in wondering what poor Gu Gu must have thought. His home is being invaded, for goodness sake. I’d attack, too.
BTW, yesterday’s panda update page for ZA features a clickable thumbnail picture of Xi Lan exploring and studying the wonders of the hammock. It’s very short, but if you click on the picture, you get a little video clip of Mr. Cutie Buns in all his glory. Enjoy!
AZ has a new video of Xi Lan in the hammock…Soooooo cute to see him fall out! Thank goodness for the videos to help keep track of him growing up. Really hoping for maybe ’3′ new panda cubs this year. They are such fun to watch and so beautiful too.
What an adorable close-up of ZZ napping in her tree! She must be having sweet dreams. She has a huge smile on her face and put one on mine too!!
Kris, #46, I saw ZZ smiling too. I tried to get a “postcard” of her yawning but just missed it. She is adorable. I remember Su Lin when she was that age. Equally “baby” adorable those girls. Funny, to me there seems to be a distinct difference in the personalities of the female babies and the male babies. Or I’m just crazy again. But then, I was VERY glad I wasn’t the only one to see Shrek in Gao, and not just crazy.
Linda #47–I think one of the most endearing things about panda cubs is that while they are all adorable in that baby panda way, they are individuals as well–and though I haven’t watched a male cub from birth as I have “our” beautiful Miss ZZ, I think you’re right that the male and female cubs are different in some way.
I hadn’t really made the Shrek connection, but now I’ll never see Shrek without thinking of Gao Gao. I love Mr. G’s fuzzy feet/limbs–they make him look very flamboyant. I think Mei Sheng has them too. I wonder if this is a male thing in general, or just something special about Gao Gao?
And I too have a really hard time believing that people are so dumb as to jump into an enclosure with a wild animal–and it seems that Gu Gu’s keepers need to figure out some way to protect him from the silly humans.
More regarding the Shrek comparison.
If you can watch the pandas eat, with their back to you, you will really think they move their ears like Shrek. Their ears move independently and it is quite funny. I saw this when I was in Hong Kong last year. The two new pandas there always sat beside each other but one would face forward and one would face backward. So you could see it quite easily.
When I was at SDZ in September I mentioned this to Ellie and she told me it was due to the way the muscles are in their head/face/jaw. Maybe she could explain it properly to us.
The National Zoo needs bamboo! – I just read an article that appeared in “World Zoo Today”. The article states that the National Zoo is issuing a public appeal for bamboo to feed its giant pandas. They claim that they might not have enough bamboo to last the winter!! – This is a very sad situation. – The zoo also states that it normally harvests about 75,000 pounds of bamboo a year from its grounds in Washington, its Research Center in Virginia and private residences in Maryland and Virginia.
The bamboo on the Zoo grounds is cut back annually and usually grows back. This year, for reasons unknown, the bamboo did not grow back. As a result, more bamboo needs to be found.
I hope and pray that someone who has a lot of bamboo on their property comes forward to help save our most precious pandas. This is truly a very dire situation.
Regarding weaning Miss Z – yes, we will all need a few tissues the day our cubbie is on her own for the first time….but remember in the wild the mommy panda just wanders off one day leaving her cub wondering where mom is – harsh to us…oh dear…but in the wild a cub is competing for bamboo with mom. And it sure sounds like Bai knows the time is near . She has done a wonderful job raising all her cubs & knows when it’s time to send them out on their own. At our zoos we have dedicated keepers to make sure the transition goes smoothly…Miss Z will get extra attention from her keepers & truthfully as independent as Zhen is I am know she’ll be fine
Tai was my first panda to watch from birth, and he’s going on 4. So I’ve watched all the girls’ births and now Xi. (All with much delight!) I swear the girls just seem to be different than the boys. Again, I may just be crazy.
Lee, #49, thanks for the info on the Shrek ears. And I bet seeing the two pandas on your trip was special! And to watch the ears had to make you smile.
I have a question for the moderator……..does SDZ have keepers at the Zoo at night? The pandas at NZ come in at night. SDZ, they can enjoy the California cool air and their habitat all night. Just curious……and still wanting to be a Meerkat.
Moderator’s note: We don’t usually have keepers on grounds in the late evenings, except during our summer Nighttime Zoo. Exceptions are for birth watches or 24-hour care of a baby in the Zoo’s nursery.
Hi! Not much news to tell you tonite. But I did check the pandacams to see how the pandas are doing. I read the AZ update about Xi Lan, and Xi has been walking around exploring the dayroom and going to one of the dens, back and forth. He also had a weight check done this week—17 POUNDS, you all!! The pic with today’s AZ update was very cute—a very poopt out cub! The video yesterday was very cute as well about Xi Lan navigating around on the hammock trying to find a way to get off of it. He did! Xi rolled over the side of the hammock!
Oh yeah, even tho the San Diego Chargers did not win their playoff game, congrats on a great season! May be next year!
I also saw “Growing Up Panda” on Animal Planet yesterday about Jing Jing being born and growing up at Chengdu Reasearch Base, China. It was very good and was made in 2006. He should be 3 years old sometime this year.
P Wong, looks like Gao Gao has some more surprising things going on again! That was a good one!
Now, what’s this comparison between Gao Gao and Shrek?? Been reading all of these great comments and then the conversation goes into the Shrek and Gao thing! Does Gao really have Shrek’s looks?? I do know one thing about Gao, tho; he’s an avid muncher of bamboo, and I don’t know if there’s another adult panda here in the US that can match him! I’ve watched him eat his boo on the pandacam several times, and he just snacks away on them with relish as well as leaving one great mess on his chest! Looking forward to Gao’s “birthday” celebration next week! That’ll be fun to watch on the pandacam. Moderator, please let us know what time you all will give the cake to Gao so that I can be up and watching, ok? Thanks!
Can’t believe that it’s getting close to that time when ZZ will start her weaning process from her mom, Bai. As a bunch of you have said, been thru this a few times already, but I know that ZZ will do well once she gets used to her new life as a self sufficient panda.
Well, gonna go and I’ll check in later on.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Moderator’s note: Gao is scheduled to receive his cake at about 9 a.m., but tune in earlier, just in case!
Interesting observation of pandas ears. I had also noticed that little oddity with Tai Shan and Lun Lun. But when you watch other animals, the majority also have independent control of the muscles in their ears. They can pivot one ear toward a sound or noise, whichever side of their head the noise comes from. I notice this a lot in cows and horses. Just proves how amazing animals can be, and we sometimes aren’t even aware.
Wishing a warm “Happy Annibearsary” today to Mr. Gao. We will celebrate all that is wonderful about precious Gao Gao next week when he gets his cake and presents, but I just wanted to express how glad I am that he kept coming back to his Chinese keepers after they nursed him back to health and tried to release him back to the wild. I like to think that he knew how valuable his giant panda genes are to the survival of pandakind when he decided to forego his freedom, but he probably found his humans to be much more hospitable than his fellow pandas after being viciously attacked. At any rate, I am glad!
Three cheers to Gao Gao: part Superman (saving his species one estrus at a time!), part Indiana Jones (smart, scrappy, intrepid survivor/adventurer), and part James Bond (strong and silent, and at least to me, suave in his own endearing way).
I hope some of you are watching the NZ panda cam this morning. It seems Tian Tian is in matting mood but I suspect he missed the sex education class, he is most of the time giving Mei Xiang a heavy back massage or simply walking all over her, but never seems to approach her the right way. I thought they had educational videos for pandas… Or is that just in China.
I looked at a funny video of Xi Lan on youtube: Xi Lan Escapes from the Exhibit, it had already been posted but it is now edited. Quite funny.
I have been watching the most interesting “dancing” between Tian Tian and Mei Xiang at the National Zoo this morning. It seemed like Tian was listening to Marvin Gaye’s song “Let’s Get It On,” while Mei was listening to “Do You Know the Way to San Jose.” Since NZ doesn’t do updates very often, I have no idea if Mei is ready. But Tian Tian appears to be more than ready. Does anyone have more on Mei and Tian’s “season?” Or shall I say the worst dancing with the stars routine? (Judges: “Tian, love your enthusiasm; Mei, you just didn’t seem with it today.” Scores to be determined later.)
Is estrus coming early everywhere this year? Tian is trying to mate with Mei Xiang, and she is letting him. If she wasn’t in estrus she would be chasing him all over their yard. But, I haven’t read a thing about her being anywhere near estrus this year. Strange because I have never seen them try to mate while “playing.” Their play always consists of wrestling. This is obviously mating attempts on his part.
I send NZP a message asking what is up, so I hope to hear back soon.
IF Mei Xiang is in estrus already, the only panda female that will be in the normal breeding season is Bai, and she is moving right along with natural process. She still has the tough job of weaning to do before her body can fully bulk up and rest before breeding season and then birthing season.
We have so much still to learn from these marvelous and wonderous animals.
Have a great day!
From what I’m watching on NZ webcam, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian seem to be mating this morning. Wonder whether NZ will be posting blog telling us what’s happening? Is that kind of early? Let’s keep our pseudo fingers crossed.
Something is definately going on at NZ. Tien has not let up on his pursuit of Mei Xiang all morning. He seems absolutely determined to mate, and she seems absolutely determined to lay as flat as possible.
Yep, Tian and Mei are definitely trying to mate. Poor Tian. He can never seem to get it right. He could really benefit from some cub-making lessons from the Master Gao Gao. I think Tai must be able to hear them because he is racing back and forth between the small window by the door separating the yards and the big mesh window out in the middle of the yard. Poor guy. He doesn’t know what is happening – just that he is missing out on it! It is odd that NZ wouldn’t mention Mei being in estrus. While they are sometimes lax about updating the website about the bears activities, they are much better about it during breeding season. If anyone hears anything – please post!!
I, too, was wondering what in the world was going on in Washington this morning! If Mei is in estrus, it is really early for her by about two months. I know males get “in the mood” long before it is optimally time to mate, but as someone else mentioned, it seems Mei would not be participating if the time weren’t right. I did see a few “tail up” behaviors on her part, so gosh, who knows??? I was also thinking that the keepers wouldn’t subject her to so much, um, “practice” (much needed on Tian’s part) if this weren’t the time. And she is awfully submissive for the normally feisty and occasionally grumpy Mei Xiang. Maybe TT and MX don’t want to be upstaged by the inauguration next week and are reminding everyone who, in fact, is the most important couple in Washington, DC!
#57 Linda … I had to laugh at your musical descriptions of this morning’s antics! I kept hoping Mei would turn around and give him a paw slap to the face though. I guess that’s me injecting my own human reactions into the goings-on of the animal kingdom again!
Sorry to post again so soon, but I have noticed Mei scent-marking quite a bit lately (at least for her). I also noticed in the past 7-10 days that Mei and Tian were spending less time together. I had guessed (maybe wrongly) that the keepers were limiting the pandas’ access to each other in the months leading up to Mei’s estrus because Tian is more aggressive towards Mei and so that they will be more ready to mate when the time is right. I had no idea that the right time might have been so near but who knows. Just thinking out loud about what I’d been wondering about for the last couple of weeks…
Melissa (#62 & 63) – maybe Mei Xiang isn’t in estrus but it sure isn’t normal for her to be receptive to Tian if she isn’t. They play together and when she has had enough, she wallops him good and sends him running for cover. She definitely wears the pants there, but I think you are right in that they are the #1 couple in Washington, DC.
Linda (#57) – love the song choices and the worst dancing with the stars routine. You hit that nail right on the head!!
Then again, I remember that the NZ decided after Tai’s birth that Mei and Tian would not be mating anymore but that Mei would undergo AI from here on out, whether with Tian’s sample or otherwise (Gao again?). Now I am really puzzled!
Happy Birthday Gao Gao!
Happy birthday to the wonderful studmuffin Gao Gao, the handsome daddy of Mei Sheng, Su Lin, Zhen Zhen and maybe a future cub. Hope you get all the bamboo you want today, Big Guy. Hard to believe Gao is 19–the San Diego weather and all that good care keep him young.
It seems as though all of Bai’s offsprings take after her. Not one looks like Gao Gao.
Yes, Happy Birthday Gao Gao! Looking forward to your big celebration next week!! I am wishing for a wonderful ice cake with all your favorite treats and maybe a present or two. Like maybe something scented with your favorite smell or some sawdust to roll in.
Happy BearDay to Gao Gao! I am SOOOOOOOO thrilled that he was persistent in going to the place where he was helped by the Chinese. AND that we were blessed with his presence in our midst. It is great to know that one of our US panda males knows the steps to “Let’s Get It ON”
It’s hard to imagine it was that long ago today, that he arrived. And to think of all the things that have happened since then. He is certainly one “big and strong” panda.
So, HIP, HIP, Hooray!!! To Gao Gao Today!!! *ecstatic jumping and leaping*
Love, Joy
Happy BearDay to Gao Gao! I am SOOOOOOOO thrilled that he was persistent in going to the place where he was helped by the Chinese. AND that we were blessed with his presence in our midst. It is great to know that one of our US panda males knows the steps to “Let’s Get It ON”
It’s hard to imagine it was that long ago today, that he arrived. And to think of all the things that have happened since then. He is certainly one “big and strong” panda.
So, HIP, HIP, Hooray!!! To Gao Gao Today!!! *ecstatic jumping and leaping*
Love, Joy
Happy BearDay to Gao Gao! I am SOOOOOOOO thrilled that he was persistent in going to the place where he was helped by the Chinese. AND that we were blessed with his presence in our midst. It is great to know that one of our US panda males knows the steps to “Let’s Get It ON”
It’s hard to imagine it was that long ago today, that he arrived. And to think of all the things that have happened since then. He is certainly one “big and strong” panda.
So, HIP, HIP, Hooray!!! To Gao Gao Today!!! *ecstatic jumping and leaping*
Love, Joy
Happy BearDay to Gao Gao! I am SOOOOOOOO thrilled that he was persistent in going to the place where he was helped by the Chinese. AND that we were blessed with his presence in our midst. It is great to know that one of our US panda males knows the steps to “Let’s Get It ON”
It’s hard to imagine it was that long ago today, that he arrived. And to think of all the things that have happened since then. He is certainly one “big and strong” panda.
So, HIP, HIP, Hooray!!! To Gao Gao Today!!! *ecstatic jumping and leaping*
Love, Joy
NZ posted a brief update about Mei and Tian. They were apparently pretty surprised by today’s events, too!
I’ve noticed that three of Bai’s four cubs resemble her. ZZ’s panda features, however, remind me a lot of Lun and Mei Lan (who have the bigger eye patches and fluffier cheeks than Bai). There is a picture of Bai in SDZ’s photo gallery that reminds me of her half-brother, Tian. I can see a family resemblance between them.
It’s funny…I’ve always followed giant pandas but until I got a new computer plus highspeed internet last year (and thus was able to watch all the panda cams), I never was very good at being able to distuinguish all the different pandas. Panda cams opened a whole new world for me and made my “relationship” with giant pandas so much more personal. I always felt like I was missing out and wanted to kick my old computer for not supporting video streams (LOL), but I had no idea how much I did miss. I thank the SDZ as well as the other zoos for providing the opportunity to learn about and observe these beautiful animals. They truly enrich my life every day!
I’m so sorry I made so many posts today. Thanks to all the fellow panda watchers for tolerating me and “bearing” with me!
I’ve learned so much by reading the posts here.
to Melissa: I really enjoyed your posts today – “Happy Annibearsary” and the characterization of Gao as Superman/Indy/James Bond brought smiles to my face. And also the true #1 power couple in D.C. – Mei & Tian. I agree wholeheartedly with all you said.
I suppose by now everyone will have read the latest update by NZ regarding Mei Xiang’s unusual estrus behavior. Was so busy at work today that I did not have the time for my daily tour de pandacams and missed out on the action. As for all those bad mouthing Tian’s love making technique, may I please remind everyone that last year NZ told us it was not so much Tian’s fault as it was Mei’s. She does not assume the customary position, making it difficult for our boy to get the proper alignment. As far as I’m concerned, I don’t care if it is natural mating or AI, as long as it results in a panda cub. But I would like for Tian to stop being a rolling stone and finally get some Satisfaction!
Suggestion: maybe NZ should play some “Beary” White music for Mei & Tian.
Happy Birthday, Big Daddy! Looking forward to your celebration next week.
Betty #68–from some angles I sometimes think Su Lin takes a bit after Gao Gao. She has his long tail, and sometimes in profile she looks a bit like him. From the front, she looks more like Bai Yun. Mei Sheng and Zhen Zhen definitely resemble Bai Yun. Since I never saw Hua Mei before she went to China, I can only judge her in pictures, but I think she takes after Shi Shi. In any case, Bai Yun and Gao Gao have made some beautiful cubs, the old fashioned way.
I just know Gao Gao is working on an advice manual for young male pandas wanting to know all of his secrets…
Wow! Has Zhen Zhen suddenly gotten big or is it the camera angle. Someone asked if BaiYun was climbing lately and I now see why. At 5:13 PM PST a large panda is in the tree where ZZ usually likes to nap over Bai’s head, and the other (smaller) panda is on the ground eating away heartily at their bamboo supper. We all know that this normally is ZZ in the tree, and Bai Yun eating. But from the angle of the camera it sure looks reversed. The panda in the tree is sprawled out on the branch, not in a normal ZZ pose. Could it be that ZZ is eating and Bai is resting in the tree? After all, Gao Gao surprised the keepers recently by suddenly doing un-Gao like behavior and climbed trees, so who knows maybe Bai Yun is doing the same and celebrating her impending singlehood???
Glad to know that I wasn’t crazy watching Tian and Mei this morning. If her hormones haven’t peaked, this could be a very long breeding season in DC. It is especially puzzling because I did not see her try even one time to swat him or run him off. She patiently let him try to do his thing and moved around to different spots and let him try again. Very unlike her if she is not receptive for breeding.
To our dear pappa Gao – How fortunate we are that you were such a stubborn panda that was not about to return to the wild. As we celebrate this day of your arrival at the SDZ we are so grateful for all your antics & the amazing cubs you helped produce. You & your “lady love” Bai are so special
What an interesting development at the NZ today-Tian & Mei trying so hard to mate caught the staff off guard. Just when zoos think they have studied panda breeding behavior something new comes along.
And as #72 Sharon reminded us it is Mei who does not assume the right position – we all tend to pick on poor Tian. Wonder if there is no natural mating this year if NZ will do AI so early in the season – guess we’ll have to wait for updates
Panda watching drives me crazy.
I want to wish Gao Gao a very Happy Birthday what a great guy.
Wow! What a strange winter season for our bears. First Ya Ya, although she has had odd times of the year for estrus in previous years and now Mei Xiang! I’m sure NZP will keep us updated with what transpires. It sounds like this took them by surprise, too!
To our Studmuffin Gao Gao….Happy Birthday!!!! You will soon get your chance to show why you earned this name!!
Someone must have turned off the music at NZ. I haven’t seen any “dancing” this morning. No satisfaction and no can’t get enough of your love baby.
Linda A. — You’re killing me — so funny — I’m laughing out loud with the music selections!
Hi, this is my first post, but I’m a frequent visitor (and contributor to the boo cooler – looking forward to updates and pics:) . My day is not complete without watching the cams and reading the blogs. Thank you SDZ for providing such a wonderful platform for panda lovers to share, especially those of us that are unable to travel far from our chairs.
Happy belated birthday Gao!!! You are a gem, a gentle man and joy to watch. Bai, I’ll be watching closely as your baby girl ZZ goes out on her own, and we (hopefully) get to see another of Gao and your cubs come into this world (crosses psydothumbs).
FYI: If you want to see some fantastic video and an explanation of what happened yesterday at the NZ, go to www(dot)pandasliveon(dot)com. It’s intense!!
Moderator’s note: Welcome, Jayne, and thank you for contributing to the ‘boo cooler fund!
This has been a week of GREAT fun with all of you pandaholics. Thank you. You are all thoughtful and obviously, lovers of our pandas. Thank you to our WONDERFUL pandas for allowing us to love you. Thank you to SDZ for allowing us to be on this site! I know we all really appreciate it.
Have a great weekend. Here’s to getting the ZA cam back; for increased hormones (in THE PANDAS!), coolers which work until new ones are installed, and boo for NZ.
I was wondering, now that Su Lin and Tai Shan will be turning 4 this year, will they have to go to China or will they get to stay? I thought that we would be fortunate enough to have them around for a while since the earthquake caused so much damage at the Panda Reserves.
#81, Jayne, thanks for your post. And for the info on pandaliveon. I’ve always had a problem opening that site, but I was able to watch the video. I was so wrong about Mei! She was into it. Good for you, Mei.
I missed watching any of the panda cams this morning so I didn’t get to see whether Tian and Mei spent any time together today. I did just see him peeking through the screen at her. Mei is awfully pretty so maybe he was just admiring her beauty.
I think both Mei and Tian probably can shoulder some blame in their lackluster mating history. Mei did try a couple of times to get things right but Tian was always in the wrong neighborhood whether she was where she was supposed to be or not. It doesn’t help that he tends to push her down, stand on her back (all four feet on her back) and walk across her like a doormat. Gosh, Tai Shan might be in for some tough times down the road if he was watching and “learning.” Eek.
I’m sure I’ve read this somewhere, but does anyone know at what age a female panda is considered too old for reproducing? If and when Bai reaches that point, will she and Gao Gao “retire” and enjoy the relative comforts of being captive pandas in a zoo (with Gao Gao continuing to contribute to the giant panda gene pool through AI of other pandas) or will Gao get a new, younger “mate”? The latter scenario is a little depressing (will he get a Corvette and toupee, too? Just joking!) but I again remind myself that conserving the species is paramount as opposed to our delicate human sensibilities.
NZ events yesterday. I was watching around midday. Let’s just say that Tien would not take “No” for an answer. Mei decided she needed a break and did chase Tien off. She laid down under the trees behind the rocks. It was not long before Tien headed in her direction. She charged him and chased him back to the rocks. Things were pretty nasty. Once she settled herself again under the trees one of the keepers called Tien. He was a little reluctant but after the keeper reminded him that it was lunch time he decided to head in that direction. But when he and Mei spotted each other the fight began. They reared up on their hind legs and yelled in each other’s face while trading blows and bites. They looked and sounded like two grizzly bears duking it out. The camera person understandably lost sight of them for a few moments as they disappeared near the rocks. The sound was apparently turned off. When the camera operator found them Tien had Mei pinned down with her side/back to the concrete wall of the moat. She was trying to get away but looked like she was getting really tired. When she tried to go up the slope out of the moat he dragged her back down. Something took me away for a minute. When I returned Tien was ambling up to the patio. He found and ate a goodie near the edge of the sidewalk. Then he looked to the keeper for more. She was at the mesh in the next yard and obviously coaxed him through the open door with more treats. I was thinking “Watch out Tien that the door doesn’t hit you in the rear!” Sure enough it immediately swung shut right behind him. He was not a happy camper but decided to walk it off and ultimately took a cold shower splashing and rolling around in the little bit of water in the pond. The keepers were able to get a good look at him when he was near the mesh. Mei was on top of the grotto and you could tell they were concerned about her condition as the camera zoomed in super close – so much so that the screen was filled with just her fur. (I couldn’t help but think what a good reason, all by itself, to have a panda cam!) They spent some time just zooming in on various spots on Mei. She was very figidity looking like she couldn’t get comfortable. That probably made it easier for them to check her out. Ultimately she resettled herself under the trees. The sound came back on and every once in awhile she would pick her head up slightly and make a mild sound. She appeared to be totally exhausted. I was very worried about her, but kept telling myself that the keepers must have been satisfied by the video examination or else they surely would have taken additional action. And who knows what might have happened to her in the wild. Thanks to their dedicated and loving keepers they both were saved from the effects of their hormones.
I enjoy watching Bai and ZZ. Although I’m sure Bai is battling a bit of cub fatigue, I do still see the warmth and fondness between mother and cub. It is endearing.
I may be out of line for wondering, but I’ve been checking in on our dear Mei Xiang at NZ and it appears that food is being withheld. She is not a happy camper (much vocalizing). Having had cats that have had to undergo anesthesia, I’m wondering if food is being withheld for that reason (i.e. an impending AI)? Wouldn’t it be something if she had an early summer cub? It only seems right that Mei might have a cub in May. Perhaps all of this is wishful thinking on my part, but I hope not.
I hope everyone has a nice weekend, including the moderator!
Welcome Jayne (#81) – checked out the video’s on the “Pandas Live On” website for yesterday’s happenings at NZ. You are right. It is intense!! The article talks about Mei’s inability/refusal to assume the correct position during mating and how they had contructed a bucket apparatus that if she bent over it, it would put her in the proper position. Perhaps no one told her what it was for or demonstrated how to use it because she did not. It gets a little scary when she decides “the date” is over. She turns on him and really lets him have it! Wow! I know she can be a bully but man, she really lit into him. If I was a keeper there, I would have been scared out of my wits! They make a lot of noise during their mating attempts but really put up a racket when they are fighting. No wonder Tai Shan was so frantic! But, there are a lot of other new posts on the website including video’s of Ya Ya eating boo and enjoying an apple and Le Le splashing in his pool. Also some video’s of Lun dragging Xi all over the exhibit. Poor guy!! He looks like a limp little rag doll when she is dragging him. She dragged him by his cheek, his back foot! I feel so sorry for the little guy but he takes it all in stride and the minute she lets go of him, he is up on his feet and on his way. There is also a very nice birthday tribute to our very own Gao Gao. However, they incorrectly state that his name means “more and more”. Gao Gao means “big big”. Tian Tian at NZ is “more and more” The author must have had Tian on the brain after all the excitement yesterday. An off topic note – can you believe that pilot of the plane that crashed into the Hudson River? What an amazing job he did! And all those boat operators rushing to the rescue? That was just incredible. I am so glad everyone made it out safely.
Hi, me again. Just got my NZ newsletter and there is an interesting article about Tian Tian. His right eye became quite infected and didn’t respond to medication so he had to have surgery on it. Luckily, he has recovered and is back to his usual “bother Mei Xiang” self. Check it out at www(dot)nationalzoosi(dot)edu(slash)conservationandscience(slash)spotlightonvetmedicine(slash)pandaeye.
Hi! Just got on the NZ panda page and pandacam, and I saw the funniest thing happen with one of the pandas today! On NZ pandacam 1, there is this one panda that was constantly walking around the 2 indoor rooms at a fairly fast pace! (DC is freezing today!) Don’t know if that was Mei Xiang or Tian Tian, but this panda was on the move. He/she will walk from one room to another room and back again, and on a couple of trips to one of the indoor rooms, the panda did some pee marking—once on a medium sized ball and once on a round tube (the one you would find in a pool)! This panda was making sure that both of these items were covered in panda pee! I’m suspecting that this panda could be Tian Tian after reading some of the earlier comments from some of you about Tian doing his pacing around when he was outside. The NZ panda keepers also wrote a short update about the attempted mating between Mei Xiang and Tian Tian in the last day or two. Looks like Ya Ya in Memphis Zoo has started something here! Early estrus of both of these lady pandas in the winter!! The only thing about Mei is that her hormones have not spiked yet. The NZ keepers will keep on monitoring her hormone levels and keep us posted as much as possible.
At SDZ, got on the pandacam and saw Bai napping on her favorite stump. At least Bai will have her “normal” estrus cycle after she is fully seperated from ZZ in a few more months.
Well, we are in a nice, long cold snap here in Florida! Should have had this weather down here during Christmas week instead of the 80 degree weather that we did have.
Gonna go, but will check back in later on.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
I was just watching ZZ in her bedroom rolling around on her back like crazy girl. Makes me wonder what she’s thinking. She can’t possibly be scratching for that length of time. I can just hear her singing, “girls just want to have fun.”
ooh–Moderator, why has pandacam gotten so dark so early (C5)? It has also been really dark overnight recently. Thanks–
Moderator’s note: We’ll look into it.
Hi Chari, #90…That was Mei whose behavior you’re describing. She had no food (still has no food) and was/is not happy. I think she is being prepared for an AI under anesthesia and isn’t being allowed to eat. She is probably very confused by the fact that the keepers have seemingly left (if only for a while) without leaving her a big stash of bamboo for the night. And I would never want to be the one who breaks the news to Mei that she will be deprived of food and treats for 8 or more hours. She is very determined when she is hungry.
I’m confused – always thought panda came into estrus in the spring (April or May). Here it is one of the coldest winters in years & we have our females in Washington & Memphis already in estrus. Memphis has performed an AI & it sounds like the NZ is ready to do the same. This must be fun for the panda research teams.
Regarding my blog #50…
Here’s an update – The National Zoo recently issued a notice on their website thanking everyone who responded to their appeal for additional sources of bamboo. They received an overwhelming response to this request. They also expressed an appreciation for everyone’s concern and assistance.
This is wonderful news, my prayers have been answered.
I just want to share an interesting bamboo fact that I came across while reading the thank you note from the NZ.
Under their heading of Bamboo Facts – It is mentioned that the underground bamboo stems, or rhizomes, are so strong that people have taken refuge from earthquakes in old bamboo groves because they know the rhizomes will hold the earth together.
This is another amazing use for bamboo and maybe all of us Californians should grow some in our backyards.
I am having one lucky Saturday! I went online to watch both the pandas and the poar bears, and all my beloved bears are in view! The three bears are playing in or near the water with a hug, red toy; little Zhen Zhen is following mama Bai Yun everywhere…
I love these bears, and thanks again to the Meerkats for all of your wonderful work!
I read that Mei had AI this morning. The Panda House was closed, and someone heard a man on the Panda Cam say “Set her over here. Right here.” There is no information on the web site.
Hi, Melissa (#93)! Thanks for clarifying which panda that was on the NZ pandacam that was doing all of that pacing and peeing! Mei Xiang!! Well, she’s acting like some of us humans do when we haven’t eaten in a long time and get very cranky! I figured that she was not too happy about something, and now I know what it was. I checked the NZ panda page, and there was no news about any AI procedure done on Mei yet. I’ll keep checking back to the NZ panda page often to see if there’s another update about Mei. I did look in on the pandacam late tonite (11pm EST, 1/17/2009), and saw Mei Xiang eating some bamboo. Now, she’s a happy camper and really enjoying her boo! I’m going to check in on the Memphis Zoo panda page to see if there’s any more updates about Ya Ya to see how she’s progressing.
Well, gonna go and get to bed. Had a long day!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
#93 Melissa – you are right. There is a new post on the NZ website and they performed 2 bouts of AI on Mei. She caught them by surprise but they were quick to react and hopfully the AI will be successful this year. Estrus seems to be coming early this year. Hope the SDZ staff and keepers on their toes as well in the event that Bai decides to an early bird as well.
The NZ website has an update confirming that Mei did undergo AI yesterday. Mei and Tian have been separated and will remain so until either a cub is born or it is determined that Mei is not pregnant.
Good Sunday morning………….hope everyone read the update on the NZ website. Pretty exciting!!!
A friend sent me about a 20 pics of panda cubs with captions. I swear, they are the sweetest, funniest pictures I’ve ever seen. I’m trying to determine where they came from; I’ll let you know if I do. I wish I could send them to everyone. They are adorable.
Hope everyone is having a great weekend.
Good morning, Panda Lovers everywhere! For those who are following the drama from NZ’s Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, all is calm today. NZ’s update today announces AI procedures on Saturday by zoo veterinarians and scientists. They also explained their observations and noted the early estrus cycle of Mei, who usually cycles in March. So, hopefully, Tai Shan will have a baby brother or sister, possibly as early as May or June. EXCITING!
When I tuned in to SDZ’s panda cam this morning (10:15 SD time), I couldn’t figure out the camera angle. I could see it was Su Lin, but how in heck did you get the unusual camera angle? Looks like someone’s experiencing creative photography juices. Very interesting!
And California can be extremely proud of a certain pilot from Danville, Ca., who saved 155 lives last week.
Have a great week, everyone.
Well they done an AI on Mei at the NZ Saturday. So now we just have to wait, watch and also pray for the next few months that both Mei and Ya Ya are bless with healthly cubs. Hopefully later on this spring Bai will be coming into estrus and we can have three cubs born in our zoos this year.
Someone had said if you don’t think pandas are bears just watch the video of Mei and Tian in their battle. Yes it was very scarey I wouldn’t want to make a panda angry.
so i have a question where will you put the newly weaned cub after the prosses is complete. i soo happy that the pandas get to be seen till 2013 thanks to all who take great care of these wonderful animals
you are all correct about mei and tian’s attempt at mating! national zoo has posted an up-date on the 18th of jan. stating that due to the un-successful mating attempts, mei has been artifically inseminated a couple of times. on the 17th! and, they will be separated for the next few months due to the possible birth of a cub or an un-successful pregnacy. let’s hope it worked!!!!!!! they will be montoring mei with all the proper procedures, scans, etc. to confirm one way or another later. I too was very surprised on the 15th when I checked in on the DC pandas to find them very much in the mating mood. the next day on the 16th they (NZ KEEPERS AND VETS) stated that mei wasn’t at her peak yet, so it didn’t really happen for tian as he would have liked. he had been scent marking alot lately though! now we know why!!!!…………………! mei was not all that receptive and did not make it one bit easy for tian. so, it looked very clumsy and I might add funny at all the poor guy’s attempts. exhaustive for both! ha ha!
Hi, you all! I’m sure that this won’t be on the comment page until tomorrow, but I’ve got some news for you all. First thing I want to get confirmation on is the date of Gao Gao’s birthday celebration. I read and understand that it is supposed to be on Jan. 21 at around 9am PST (12 noon EDT my time). Let me know if I’m right, ok? I want to catch it on the pandacam on that day! Speaking of the pandacam, just got on it this afternoon (finally) and saw ZZ on a nice sized tree branch with her front legs and head drooped over the branch napping! What a sleeping position to be in for her; hope it was comfy for her!
Now, to the biggest panda news of the weekend! You all may have already read the update on the NZ panda page by the time this gets on the comment page, but Mei Xiang did show signs of estrus due to the increased activity between Mei and Tian Tian on Jan. 9, 2009, with vocals from the both of them associated with the mating season. So, on Jan. 15, the panda keepers let Mei and Tian have some time together to try natural mating; nothing doing! The keepers and vets quickly decided to do two AI procedures on Mei using Tian’s sperm on Jan. 17. From what Lisa explained to me on her comments (Jan. 16th), that definitely explains why Mei didn’t have anything to eat before the 1/17 AI procedures were done, so she called it! I was thoroughly waiting for this update from NZ dated Jan. 18 to confirm this. I’m sure that Tian Tian was on NPO as well on 1/16 (no food after midnite) for his sperm removal procedure on 1/17. I wonder how he tolerated it without any boo in his room! Also, Pandas Live On had 3 great videos of Mei and Tian trying to do their thing on their front page yesterday (could be on the 2nd page by now!). Well, Ya Ya has definitely started a nice early estrus trend this year with Mei Xiang having her AIs done just 3 weeks later! Now the countdown and emotional roller coaster rides are beginning with BOTH pandas!! Are we ready for all of this?? I sure am! I’ve got my cards ready to keep track of the both of them. Now, we’ll need to wait for Bai Yun to go thru the weaning process with ZZ, and hopefully she will go into estrus later this spring. If you all are interested, I’ll give you updates on the number of days since AI on Mei Xiang and Ya Ya just to let all of us know where they are at on their long road to pregnancy and possible birth of cubs.
On another great animal news story, National Zoo gorilla keepers have announced the birth of a baby western lowland gorilla on Jan. 10, 2009. The mother is Mandara who is 26 years old, and the father is Baraka who is 16 years old. The baby gorilla is the seventh born at NZ since 1991, and this is Mandara’s sixth baby. Mandara is a very experienced mom, and both her and the baby are doing well. They haven’t determined the gender of the baby yet, but we’ll get an update on that soon once things have settled down. There are a couple of very cute pics of the baby as well as a video with this update. We maybe able to have a vote for a name for the baby gorilla once we know whether it’s a boy or girl. If I understand this correctly, western lowland gorillas are on the endangered species list due to habitat loss, human encroachment, and poaching for the bush meat trade.
Back on Pandas Live On, there were some other great vids of Xi Lan and Lun Lun at AZ. These are pretty recent because little Xi was doing a little bit of running–from his mom! Lun would constantly pick him up by the neck or leg to bring him back to the middle of the dayroom every time this little guy would head for the den door! It was fun to watch them in action! Xi had his ideas and momma Lun had different ideas on where to stay at. She was the decision maker that day!
Well, gonna go for now. My son is bugging me for this computer, so I’ll let him have it for awhile. Will check back later on!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Moderator’s note: Yes, we’re honoring Gao Gao with an ice cake and enrichment “presents” on Wed, Jan. 21, at 9 a.m.
Great video on the “Pandas live on” website of the bears at the Atlanta Zoo. It is from you tube so I am sure you could find it there too.
Hello all panda lovers! I was out of touch with all panda activity for about two weeks and I come back to news of early estrus in Memphis and NZ!!! Wow!!! Can we stand it?? Thanks to all of you who provided great details – now I’m up-to-date. How exciting!!
Hey, Pandafan (109)! Glad that you’re back with us again. Yeah, isn’t that awesome that Mei Xiang and Ya Ya have their AI procedures done within 3 weeks of each other?? You know as well as I do and everyone else on this comment page what we will be going thru for the next 3-6 months with these 2 lady pandas! If and when they both are pregnant, Mei will be expecting baby #2 while Ya will be having her very first one–hopefully. Ya lost her first baby panda back in 2007. Now, we’ll wait on Bai Yun to go thru the weaning process with ZZ, then hopefully have a successful estrus and mating season with Super Dad Gao Gao. We’re all glad that you had the chance to read our comments and get updated thru today! It’s countdown time again!
Moderator, thanks for reminding me about Gao’s birthday party. I will be on the pandacam by 12 noon EDT my time for this event! Fun time!!
Well, gonna go for now. Will check back in later.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
BooHoo!!!!I’m gonna go see the pandas in spring, the first time I’ve ever seen a real live one, and ZZ is almost grown up!