Dr. Amanda White exams the cub.
At this point, the cub’s eyes and ears are still closed, and this is normal. We expect the eyes and ears to open any time now, most likely before he is about 50 days old. Although we can begin to feel teeth below the gum line, we would not expect to see the teeth until he is 11 to 12 weeks old at the earliest. His lungs sound good, and his heart sounds strong, and he gave us a few vocalizations during the exam. And Mom has been feeding him very well!! Everything looks great!
It was an absolute joy to examine this little guy! Here at the Zoo, every day is an adventure, and I feel very lucky to be working with our panda cub!! How fun it will be to watch him grow!
Amanda White, D.V.M., is the San Diego Zoo’s Zoological Medicine Resident.
He is so adorable! And what a handfull! He has been eating very well and looks the picture of health! I can’t believe how big he has become in such a short time! Now he looks like a puppy! I can only imagine how exciting it will be for him to finally see Mommy and hear the world! I love watching the time lapse videos, too. They are hysterical all sped up. Bai looks like she is snuggling a stuffed animal toy instead of a cub! I notice she keeps her face and baby closer to the opening of the den, now. She must have a strong instinct that he will be able to see soon and wants him to enjoy the sun and boo and discover his new world! This is so fun!!
LOL. Thats what I said Amanda after watching the video! I thought he looked twice as big since his 1st exam. He is sooooooooooo chubby and cute and am so glad that he is as healthy as he is. Yes, BaiYun is doing a wonderful job with her son. The milk moustache says it all!!!! Bless you all for what you do and I will continue to enjoy watching this little guy grow up as I did ZZ………I miss seeing her. How is ZZ doing??
Moderator’s note: Keeper Kathy Hawk reports that Zhen Zhen has adjusted quite nicely to being on her own. ZZ is in the very early stages of training for a future panda hearing study and enjoys the training sessions with her keepers.
Thank you for the update on the excellent condition of the cub. He looks very comfortable in your hands. It must be a thrill to work with him!
Not very many people can say that they have a hands-on involvement with a growing giant panda cub. Neat!
Thankyou for the update again on the cubbie!! All of you vets are so special in your care of the pandas and all the other animals at the zoo. We pandaholics tend to forget that there are many other animals that you treat so well at your facility. We are so focused on our beloved pandas!!
Bai is such a good momma, but I suppose this is somewhat routine for her now since she has successfully raised four other cubs. And last but not least we can’t forget our studmuffin GAO GAO, without him none of this would be happening.
THANK YOU THANK YOU
What a beautiful baby boy! I watch daily to see how he is growing. I had my preschool clas watching yesterday. They were amazed at hoe small he was. Thank you for allowing us to watch. It is an amzing experience.
Thank you for the updates, video & great photos, especially of little roly poly with his milk mustache!
Oh how I envy you!!! I am soooo jealous! I love that little guy… watching him everyday is just joyous. Would love to hold and cuddle him!!! — panna fan, milwaukee
How I wish I had been in your shoes Dr. White! This precious baby boy has certainly stolen all our hearts.
Love the updates! Thank you. Love our pandas. A moment ago, it appeared Bai had cubbie over her shoulder burping him like a baby. All our kids are absolute joys. Thank you again for the update.
A ‘well conditioned’ cubbie, indeed! Amanda you may consider yourself one of the lucky and very few people in this world to have the joy of examining one of these precious creatures at such a tender age! If I had my life to live over again, I definately would have chosen a different path. One that would have led me towards animal care and conservation. But, we can’t go back, we can only move forward. For now I have to be happy to sit back, observe, offer support in whatever way I can, and wait for the ear and hiney biting to commence!
He is beautiful! Bai Yun is very good mother
I love Bai Yun’s baby.
I’m lapping up all this information as quickly as little one is lapping up his milk; the only difference is I don’t have a milk moustache. Oops, actually I do, I just drank a glass of milk!! Cheers, little one.
The other pandas haven’t walked until they were about 4 mos. old, but from the way this cub is acting, I think he’s going to walk a lot sooner. It almost looks like he’s trying to crawl already. He’s scooting his hind feet back and forth. I think Bai Yun’s going to have her paws full when this little guy starts moving.
Thanks for keeping us up to date. If the little boy only knew how popular he is. So many people clinging to the panda cam and anxiously waiting for updates. All of you there bring smiles to our faces. I hope to someday see the pandas in person but for now it is back to the panda cam.
One question I have, will the cubs from San Diego ever be breed with the cubs from Washington or Atlanta?
Thanks,
Karen
Moderator’s note: National Zoo’s adult male Tian Tian, father of their cub, is a half brother of our very own Bai Yun. Their father, Pan Pan, is one of the most successful captive breeding males ever at Wolong, China. Our cubs will most likely move to China for breeding, following in the footsteps of their older siblings, Hua Mei and Mei Sheng.
Ya know- I’ve been watching Bai Yun and boy cubby almost daily! I KNEW he had to be a boy because he was feeding a lot, and most males are supposed to be big. *lol* BaiYun is an exceptional Momma! You go girl!
Yesterday when I saw baby boy- I thought to myself- he must have had a growth spurt overnight because the previous day- he wasn’t as big!
Glad to see that he’s doing great! I can’t wait til he has a name! He’s such a cutie! He’s stolen my heart!
~A~
Dr. Amanda White, you have the most enviable job that anyone can have! You are just enjoying your work and having fun, too! I’ve seen the vid of you with the cub, and the look on your face is just priceless! You were just beaming when you were holding the cub. Loved your article! This little guy is sooooo cute, adorable, precious, plump, and very well fed! Can you do us a favor? Can you give us all of the cub’s measurements and weights from his first 2 exams? We would like to keep track of that and do some comparisons on his growing up! Hope you can get that for us, and thanks for doing it.
Shuttle Discovery coming back to earth–landing at Edwards AFB, Cal! You’ll probably hear a couple of boom booms soon!
Well, gonna go and get back on the pandacam. Have to see little guy!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Moderator, got on the pandacam, and the cam was a little bit slow coming up today. I got on it last nite, and it took about roughly 30 seconds to come up. The cam took about a minute or so this time. Can you have that checked out? Could be computer traffic of people getting on the cam. Did see baby boy with mom relaxing on the cam today!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Moderator’s note: For some reason it’s getting a lot of traffic these days!
Thanks, Dr. White, for an excellent health report. We knew Bai Yun was the best mom before this news, but your scientific info in the exam confirms it. He is such a mellow fellow like his dad, Gao Gao. The milk on the lips is priceless and was his gift to all of you for your introduction to him.
Moderator thanks for the update about ZZ and the hearing test. Is it part of the hearing tests done earlier on the Polar Bears? If so, it will be interesting to see how the two species compare. I know the Polar Bears, especially the late Shikari, love the tests and the interactions with keepers and the special treats.
How did the research tests with Bai Yun go? I remember reading about them several months ago before breeding season and birthing season came along. Prior to the pregnancy and delivery of Xi Lan, Lun Lun was in a memory recall study, and she sometimes did well, and other times didn’t catch on too quickly. Her forte is raising cute cubs in very hot humid weather environment.
Megan Owen responds: Zhen Zhen has begun training for the hearing study, as has Gao Gao. Both are doing a great job. Bai Yun also did well with the study, but right now her priority is motherhood. We will wait until the cub is six months old or so to reintegrate Bai Yun into the study. She is a very smart bear, so we expect that she’ll pick up right where she left off.
It will certainly be interesting to see how the polar bears and pandas compare!
I concur with Sally #5 – THANK YOU for allowing us to watch. To be able to see this little guy since birth and to enjoy Bai Yun taking such exceptional care of him is absolutely amazing. And thank you for all the recent postings about him – you know we hang on each word from all of you there!! He is indeed a roly poly and as many have said he seems to grow before our eyes. Bai Yun is a remarkable mother.
With his milk mustache so cute, would that qualify him to be a “Got Milk?” ad ?
Also add: Getting money from the dairy farmers for this campaign could be used for more panda research.
Well, I don’t know about the rest of you but I think that if the adorable cub with his milk moustache were used in a “Got Milk” ad, the sales of milk would skyrocket!!
I am in my 50s and have totally enjoyed watching this little fellow. Have passed it on to a few schools so the kids can follow his progress. Thank you for sharing this wonderful experince with us all. I am from the east coast, n.y. and have had a very rainy summer. Checking in to see how he is doing is actually fun way to spend time. Do you have a name for him yet? Again thanks for keeping us abreast of the progress.
Moderator’s note: He will be given a name after his 100th-day. Check back for info on how his name will be selected this year.
That boy just went on a rolling spree across the floor of the den that had me thinking there was no way he could have just done what I saw! Bai – you are going to have your hands full with this youngster!
thanks to everyone who helps keep things going! The little bear and his Mom are so sweet! xo, Joellen M.
Thanks for the exam report from another set of eyes and hands. I love having so many updates. I mean, as we can see, the cub is growing by leaps and bounds minute by minute. We don’t want to miss one single second of it!
I’m glad to hear that ZZ will be attending a special “school” soon. I’m sure she will love to be the subject of intense study and attention from the Trainers. I can’t wait to “hear” how well she does: LOL
I am getting ready to make my pilgrimage to Zoo Atlanta to see the Lun-Yang family. Hopefully I can make it to SDZ next summer to see the growing family there.
–Joy
I would like to hear more about the hearing study. What are the pandas asked to do? What are the hypotheses?
Thanks so much for the update!
) The interaction between Mama & baby is beautiful and I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to watch them.
I was severely injured in an accident some time back and am still recovering: the computer is my lifeline. I found the “Panda Gadget” for Vista awhile back and couldnt believe I lucked into seeing a baby! Wow! Bai Yun and her baby boy have been my constant ‘companions’ since. (Right now, looks like someone’s getting a bath!
From the bottom of my heart, thank you so very much from someone who really *is* watching daily. God bless the caregivers, the animals and the folks who volunteer of their time and money to help these wonderful creatures.
Delija Myers Modesto
Moderator’s note: We wish you a speedy recovery, Delija, and are glad our Panda Cam is a source of comfort and entertainment for you!
This such good news to hear!
HOW CUTE!!! It’s funny because I was praying he would be a boy!!!!
I am so happy to find out he’s nice and healthy and a big boy at that!!!
One question I have is how old do panda’s get and will Bai Yun ever have to go back to China or will she stay at Sandiego zoo forever???
LOVE YOU CUBBY!!!!!
Moderator’s note: Giant pandas live about 14 to 20 years in the wild and up to 30 years in managed care facilities like our Zoo. We have an agreement with China to keep Bai Yun and Gao Gao until at least 2013.
This lil one is already a “pawful”! He is sooo fully of personality plus! He’s gonna give ZZ and Mei Sheng a run for their money! Bai Yun is gonna have fun raising this one! LOL!
I have been watching this little guy grow daily. Can’t beleive how big he is getting!! Love watching him. His mama is a wonderful mom, always holding him and licking him. Love it!!Wish I had your job!
Dr. White, thank you very much for the update. Just like everyone else’s here, panda-watching has been a HUGE part of my life lately. I had the opportunity to watch Planet Earth a few days ago ( I recorded the series a while back), and the crew captured a Momma panda and her newborn in the wild while the Mom was breastfeeding her baby. I learned that when the Momma Panda gives birth to a twin, she has to give up one of them so that the other one will survived. It made me cry. Bai and other Mommy pandas in the world give us a chance to see their species evolved. How sad that we, humans, are the main reasons they are going extinct. SDZ, you are doing a great, great job. We might be focusing our attention to this precious creature, but I also hope that we, bloggers and viewers alike, will never forget the other precious creatures too like elephants, bears of all kinds, etc….
I’ve had fun watching Gao, Su and ZZ this morning when the cams are focusing on them…I missed them too:-)….Thank you very much SDZ keepers, vets, moderators of this blog and everybody else’s who are involve in giving us this chance to participate in your precious cares’ lives.
Welcome Delija to the panda cam and blog! You will find as you read the blogs that we all believe the panda cam and “pandaholic” postings help all of us through stressful situations as well as long days at work! I hope you are well again soon.
lick, lick, lick….momma’s long, wet tongue…baby’s learning to kick, how adorable, but, not for him…”maaaaaaaa, stop licking me!!!”
#30 Alyisa-it’s sad and good at the same time to know life expectancies….isn’t it? Thank you, SDZ, for helping keep momma bai on this earth for at least another 12 years, tho that doesn’t seem enough time either…
I checked out the Pandacam when I read in the National news about the new little cubbie. Now, I cannot go a day without checking on him. You people at the SDZ are wonderful for sharing all these animals with us. I am on the east coast and if I lived there would want to run to the zoo and see this baby in person! I love watching him and mommy. He is growing quick. Since I am new to this site, do all the Panda’s interact or do they need to be kept seperate? I was wondering if the entire family coexists with each other?
Thanks for the wonderful updates! I look forward to watching this little chubby guy grow up!
Moderator’s note: Welcome, Linda. We keep our pandas separate, except for mother and cub, of course.
Precious little cub! Mom and SDZ are doing a great job! Can’t wait to meet him when he goes on display.
I hope this isn’t an utterly stupid question — but what exactly does it mean that his ears “aren’t open” yet? In what sense are his ears “closed”? Are they just folded down (like a cat does to avoid earmite medication), or is there some membrane that breaks or disappears?
So appreciate the efforts that SD and the Nat’l Zoo are making w/regard to our endangered friends. I also have to admit that I was not aware that Tai Shan’s father, Tian Tian, was a 1/2 brother to Bai Yun.
My question is how much danger are we in of inbreeding in the efforts that SD, Nat’l Zoo and Wolong are making? Is this taken into account in the breeding efforts on both sides of the western pond?
That said – I became a “pandaholic” as Diana says with the birth of Tai Shan who has now reached his 4th birthday – having grew up in the DC area and living through the failed attempts, the joy at any successful birth has to be appreciated. And Bai is no question as good a mommy as Mei Xiang has been w/Tai Shan. Now that Mei and Tian have been reintroduced and picked up right where they left off, hopes are high both for learning about interactions and another successful breeding.
Like others, I can’t resist watching the growth of these unbelievable animals and hope that we continue to make the strides that we seem to be making. Can’t wait to hear what name this one gets at his 100th-day!
Can’t tell you how much I am enjoying watching this little fellow grow. Watching the wonderful care his mum gives him is just so heart warming.
Can’t wait to see him start to move around.
I have passed the link to many people here in the UK and like me they are all fascinated too. Thank you so much for hosting this webcam.
cutie.
Hi, I was watching very chubby baby boy and thought I saw him roll over from his back to his tummy. If I am right in my observation, is this one milestone you guys look for as far as his “good condition” goes? The world is lucky to have you guys too. Thanks
Dr. Amanda White, you have one lucky job to be able to hold the baby boy cub. He is so cute and Bai Yun is doing a great job keeping him so healthy. He has grown so big already. I loved seeing his milk moustache.
Take care,
Karen
Thank you so much for the updates on our precious little boy. It must be just wonderful to hold him and after checking him out to know he is well and thriving. That little milk mustache was just too adorable for words! Thank you for all the wonderful care you give not only to the pandas but to all the animals at the zoo.
For some reason, even though I have it on 24/7, I missed the cublet rolling across the floor. Would have loved to have seen that! He is truly roly poly, isn’t he? And such a testament to Bai Yun’s mothering.
Will be fun to see the cublet’s reactions when he can see and hear his environment. I suspect Bai Yun will be super protective of him then!
Love the newest little munchkin especialy his little milk moustache. He is growing so fast. Can you explain how a female panda can produce such rich, high fat milk when their diet consists of mostly a non-nutrional plant such as boo.
I understand keeping Momma Bai Yun and Cubby together , but I wonder why they have to be separate from the rest?
Thanks to you all for ALL you do! Panda Cam is a delight!
I love watching this baby panda grow. When do we get to hear him?
Moderator’s note: You can hear him a bit in the 2nd exam video, and he’ll probably have something to say during his next exam!
To Jackie H. #39:
The ears are closed at birth, just like the eyes. The eyelids and external ear canals are “sealed” with a thin membrane that breaks down in time.
Bai Yun is such a good mom — what will happen when the cub is weaned … and does the mom show signs of withdrawal from her long-time companion baby????
Why are pandas solitary creatures — when they are so bonded to their young?
I love watching Bai Yun and her cub — many many hours per day — and many many many postcards sent and many many pictures taken with my own camera off the computer video!!
Thank you for all that you do … wish I could babysit-watch in person. Always glad to be a member for so many years since moving to San Diego.
Gentle as you go…
Moderator’s note: You’ll find answers to your questions addressed in previous posts. Simply start by typing in key words in the blog section’s search bar.
I am in love with these Pandas…. The live web cam is the first stop when I sign on each day. It starts my day with a smile and joy to see Mom and baby boy. What a terrific Mom. The other day the little guy was alone when I tuned in and he was on his back. I just laughed and laughed watching him try to turn over. His little legs were really trying to get them going in the right direction. So very adorable. Thank you for the wonderful cam.
WOW little guy finally was able to roll over after putting in a great effort!! GOOD JOB LITTLE MAN
Have had a wonderful time watching momma & baby brings a BIG smile to watch how Bai Yun is so loving and gentle with cubbie, and I like when cubbie wiggles around and when he turns over. I just love them and of course all of the pandas. I have a question…what is Gao Gao’s name in english? Myself and a friend of mine were wondering. And I was also wondering, is there always staff with Bai Yun & the cubbie around the clock? Thank you so much for the pandacam, I am addicted to it and I thoroughly enjoy it.
Moderator’s note: Gao Gao’s name means “big big.” You can read more in our Meet the Panda section at http://www.sandiegozoo.org/pandacam/meet.html
Momma Bai is sitting in the doorway of the nursery, or outer area of nursery? Is this where she is for such long periods of time, when she leaves baby? I know she is the epitimy (sp) of supermums, but I feel better now knowing where she is when she leaves him….Maybe you’ve talked on this before, but I missed it…she is so cute sitting there! Happy Monday to all! Thanks again, Meerkats, you rock, you know…..
Moderator’s note: She is never far from the cub or the den.
p.s. do the pandas know their names when you call them?
Is there any chance that rights to a photo of the cub with the milk on his lips could be worked out between the Wolong Panda Preserve and the milk council or whoever it is that does the “Got milk?” ads. The preserve certainly could use a big chunk of money and it would be such an eye-catching ad.
Is exam #3, or 6 weeks, whichever comes first, when the first blood is taken and shots are started? Or, do you wait until the cubs are much older. I forget what age ZZ was when these essentials were done.
Kat, #55, each panda has a unique name so that they can tell when they are being called and will respond to the keeper’s training commands for their animal husbandry.
Moderator’s note: Zhen Zhen received her first vaccination, for canine distemper, at nine weeks.
…no one seems to know what’s going on…where is ma and baby??
It’s evening and I don’t see the baby. Looking at the time lapse it looks like Bai-Yun may have taken him outside at some point earlier today. Did she take him outside again? Pandacam is fascinating. Thanks for not only the cam, but for all the interesting articles and panda tidbits.
I was watching the live cam… and saw that the mother panda took the little panda out… is that OK? They have not come back to the camera area… Thank you and I would appreciate some update about this… I am somewhat worried…
Where are the panda’s ???? I have looked several times tonight and they are not there. Where have they gone?
Good morning. I was very surprised this am. when I clicked on to see the den empty. Two am. your time. Is it a common occurence that MaMa would take the cub out in the dark?
Are Bai & cubbie alright? They haven’t been in the den all night. I just woke up and the first thing I did was turn on the panda cam and they still were not in there. I know that Bai is a great mom but I am concerned that they have been outside all night long.
The baby cubbie may certainly be “well-conditioned,” but from the way Bai has been acting the past two days in the placement of her cub near the entrance or removing him from the den altogether; that our little boy may have soiled his comfy nest. I think Bai does not like the smell of the den and needs some help with a little house cleaning.
I don’t know, certainly, about how involved the keepers can be in the “house keeping,” so maybe the nest cannot be cleaned to suit Bai’s sense of smell. I just get the idea from how I have seen her acting, that she doesn’t seem to want the cubbie to lay in the nest.
Saw Bai Yun take the cub out last night and now see they are not in the den. Is everything all right?
It seems that Baby and Bai spent last night at The Bamboo Bar!
The nest was empty.
Bai’s Maternal instincts were incredible, staying /w Baby inside for so long.
Is it possible to photograph them when they are away from the nest?
The SDZ has done an excellent job showing us the day by day growth and development of the
Baby Panda……
Many thanks to all, you have certainly brought JOY to my life!
I’m very worried about Bai Yuns little boy! What is happening! I’ve been watching the Den since week, day & night & little one always there except on 2 occasions when the medical staff doing check ups – although Bai Jun has been going out a bit more lately – little one there! Well since about 9-10 O’clock SanDiego time no sign of either of them! Also playing back Time lapse shows little boy in den on own then snatched up by Adult Panda that didn’t even look like Bai Yun & taken from Den! I’m so worried – as I’m sure other Avid Cam watchers must be! Please let us know what is happening! I even tried ringing the Zoo from Australia where I live – but couldn’t get through! Praying all ok! Debbie
Could you please tell us why the baby is out of the den. I believe he was gone last night when I last looked and not yet back. I am worried!! Thank you
no one noticed here either….wished we could have seen where they were last nite. Was everything okay?
OH GOOD!!!! Bai & cubbie are back in the den. I feel much better now.
I noticed mama took baby out last night for the night. What does she do with him and where does she place him while he’s outside? I guess she’s getting him ready to be outside more? He is just too cute, but I would think he’s too young to go out for that long. Does mom exhibit all the same behaviors outside just like inside? It’s been so educational watching him here in Missouri.
I missed this – Mei Xiang at the Nat’l Zoo refused to let Tai Shan out initially. Took many more weeks and several drag-backs b4 she would even venture forth on her own, let alone allow him to venture forth. Is it perhaps that they were moved together by the keepers to clean the den? Would find it interesting to know if, like human mothers, panda mommies have differing rearing behaviors…..
Gosh, that panda cub is cute! This is one more reason why the San Diego Zoo is one of the world’s very best zoos, and certainly America’s best. Where else can you regularly see baby pandas?