Zhen Zhen reaches out to her sister, Su Lin.
Once out on exhibit, Su Lin approached the gate first and peered into the adjacent enclosure. Zhen Zhen was sitting near her pond and she noticed Su Lin at the gate right away. She observed her big sister for a few moments and then tentatively started to make her way over toward the gate. As ZZ cautiously approached the gate, she bleated (a friendly vocalization) softly a few times. The two bears began smelling each other through the gate, and this nose-to-nose interaction lasted for quite awhile. Gradually their cautious behavior began to relax a bit, and Su Lin started rolling on her back in a playful, inviting gesture. Before long they appeared quite comfortable with one another, and they began displaying play behaviors that we don’t often see, including rearing up and playful running and roll invitations. It was clear that the two very much enjoyed interacting with one another.
At one point during my observation session, Su Lin did take a break and eat some bamboo in her enclosure. During the time when Su was away eating, ZZ sat and waited at the gate trying to look in and see where her big sister had gone. And as soon as Su returned to the gate, the two began playing again.
We are planning on providing PC (protected contact) again with Su Lin and Zhen Zhen. So if you live in San Diego, you may be able to watch the two sisters interact and play with one another. Or for those of you who don’t live nearby, we’ll do our best to get their interactions out on Panda Cam. If it’s anything like Thursday, it should be quite entertaining!
Pamela Crowe is a research technician at the San Diego Zoo.
Thanks Pamela for a great write up. I was fortunate to see this encounter and all I can say is that it was truly magical. Thank heavens no one else was in the office so I could watch and watch and watch.
They love each other!!! Please let them play together!
Thank you again for all of the insight and knowledge you give the rest of us. I hope you know how many fans you and the pandas have.
This is way too cute!! Su Lin looks so big at the gate compared to Little ZZ. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Is this maybe the first time that 2 panda siblings have met this way in the US?
Thanks to everyone at the zoo for all you do!
What sisterly love Bai raises wonderful children.
I was jazzed to see the 2 sisters romp and play! It was sooooo cute. It seemed so natural!
Do they know they’re sisters?
I loved when Zhen Zhen was going to climb her tree once and saw Su Lin and went back to the howdy gate!
Thank you for sharing some sisterly love with us! I enjoyed that! :O)
Why can’t they play together? They seem very friendly? I know they are supposed to be solitary creatures, but this was friendly- Jane
omg that is so cute I can not wait to see the pandas playing. I used to draw pandas and still to this day they are my favorite thing to draw.
I just noticed the Panda Cubs Milestones link on the main Cam page. Thanks for all the info provided. I bet this next exam will show our little boy’s eyes are open. I do wish there was sound with the video of the girls meeting. We would love to know what a friendly bleat sounds like.
Moderator’s note: The Learn about Giant Pandas link on the Panda Cam page offers panda sounds, including the bleat.
So wonderful to see the sisterly interaction! Can’t wait to see it again. Moderator, I might be mistaken, but in answer to Rita’s (#4) Q – didn’t Mei Sheng and Su get to meet at the gate also? I seem to think they did but my mind isn’t what it used to be.
Moderator’s note: I’ll have to check, as my mind isn’t all that great either!
Dear Nannykeepers, I pwomise if you let me pway wif my baby sissy I wont hurt her,, and will be good.
Sincerely, Su Lin
ps sissy said she will pway nice too.
This is just way too cute! Is there any chance that there was a SDZ video made with sound? It would be so very neat to hear.
Moderator’s note: We don’t have video of that event.
ags #2 – I totally agree with you! My heart is overruling my head right now.
Mei Sheng and Su Lin met at the Howdy Gate at least once, as I have some ‘postcards’ of them together on 10/16/2007!
Thank you so much for the link to the panda sound bytes! Awesome – the bleating, the cub whimper, and the newborn cub!!
The Milestones chart was a fascinating read. SDZ, you’re a class act!
Maybe a real play date might work, if it’s never happened before, who knows! They might be perfect little girls with one another…I volunteer to stand between them, just in case they do get too rambunctious! It would be worth it to see them hug and play together!
Right on, #11-Sweet Su!
So sweet — I’ll keep an eye out for their next encounter!
I just noticed the Panda Milestones link — it’s really interesting and answers so many questions!
How exciting, and thank you for the play by play of what occured. Cant wait to see part II.
The only words I have are thankyou and amazing!!!!
Loved the post, the pictures and the videos. What wonderful sisters these girls are, and how nice that they were interested in each other and both seem open and passive with each other.. I too would love to see them actually interact, but I do understand why that doesn’t happen. We see them all as fuzzy docile creatures, but our wonderful SDZ staff knows what they are doing….
In response to Rita #4 and Kris #10:
This is the first time we have offered howdy gate access to our panda siblings. It is really the first time we have utilized the gate in a non-breeding context. Mei Sheng and Su Lin were not introduced to each other.
#4 Rita & #10 Kris – This was the first time for these two sisters. About 2 years ago around this time, Su Lin got to meet her big brother Mei Sheng through the howdy gate several times prior to his departure. I was lucky to have witnessed the meetings a few times. I believe Hua Mei met Gao Gao through the mesh prior to her departure.
Moderator’s note: I checked with the Panda Team and they don’t have any record of Su Lin and Mei Sheng, or Hua Mei and Gao Gao, meeting at the howdy gate.
I was lucky enough to see them interacting on Panda Cam. ZZ was a hoot to watch. She was having so much fun. For solitary animals, they sure seem like they like each other’s company. Makes me wonder if they’re solitary by choice or if it’s due to the low number of pandas in the wild which would limit contact with each other.
Thanks for the updates on all the pandas. SDZ is doing a great job. Keep it up!
A picture is worth a thousand words. How cute for the two sisters to meet. I was reading the previous blog and was hoping I could catch a glimse of them. Then in this blog, there were the pictures. Thanks for keeping us all up to date.
Karen
Yes, Kris (#10), you’re correct. Mei Sheng and Su Lin did meet at the howdy gate. Once Sheng left for China, those encounters became precious memories for every pandaholic on this blog!
Somebody here at my office thought Zhen and Su would probably say something like, “Hi, thing that looks like me…” I’m thinking there would possibly not be familiarity of scent beyond knowing it might be the scent of another panda. In other words, I don’t think they’d know they were siblings. I don’t really care, though. It was hilarious to watch the girls say “Howdy” to each other.
I don’t understand why the zoo won’t let the two be together in one enclosure. I hope they should because that’s how they are anyway in the wild. And these pandas should know (natural instinct) what they need to do when confronted with an unfriendly situation with each other anyway. Plus wouldn’t this actually a great opportunity to actually research on their behavior as pandas. I hope these pandas aren’t being used for public show only but really let them be as pandas would be.
No the gate is open and Su keeps checking it but ZZ is sleeping, wake her up!!!
Is there any way you can wake Zhennie up??!! I don’t want her to miss her window of opportunity with her
sister right now!!! WAKE UP, ZHENNIE!! Please don’t close the Howdy Gate today until they get to visit, please? Su Lin looks very willing and lonely…..look at that sweet face up in the tree..she looks disappointed. =-(
This interaction was wonderful to see and I’m so glad they get to do it again. When Tai who is my first born panda love is in yard one where he has access the howdy window he spends quite a bit of time there trying to catch a glimpse of his mom. I believe Lani has shown some interest in AJ as well. I do not believe pandas are as solitary as many think. In the wild it makes more sense to think of them as solitary but where there is no competition for food and especially in controlled environments like zoos they do seem to want company of others to talk and play with. One of my dream fantasy’s is to have a big open area with trees and streams and hills where all of of US born cubbies could live and play and stay together.
This is driving me crazy! The howdy gate is open again and they are not seeing each other!
I wonder if Zee showed off her humming skills for Susie. They are too adorable for words!
Why couldn’t the howdy gate be available everyday ? if Su Lin wanted privacy bcuz she is a female she can always go up a tree or not go to the howdy gate at all and ZZ can’t see her anyways if she walks away vice versa …
I just went back through the blogs and I found the July 24th, 2007 entry that details when Su Lin and Mei Sheng met.
Moderator’s note: It’s tough to argue with our own blog posts! Thanks for keeping us honest.
What a wonderful experience for these two sisters! What does “solitary” mean? I would think some social contact will be a positive thing for some animal species like panda bear even if they are so called “solitary”, especially for animals live in captivity. Su lin and Zhen Zhen show us that they were happy and exciting seeing each other. They were very much interested in each other’s present.
Thank you SDZ for making this meeting arrangement. I do hope they will have a chance to play together some day.
The girls looked great together. I would be afraid if they were actually together without any protection they would get so excited they might hurt one or the other. They do have those big paws that with one smack to say hello might damage the other bear. Keep up the great research work.
I’m just sure, unless I was hallucinating, that 2 yrs ago while I was glued to the pandacam with ZZ in her early months, and after we all knew Mei Sheng would be going to China that Fall, I saw 2 pandas on either side of a gate (presumably the famous Howdy gate, I didn’t know about it yet then). They were both rolling around joyfully and I learned (blog? blog comment?) it was the 2 siblings meeting for the first time. Didn’t that happen?? I’m really pretty sure I was awake and seeing that very thing!
Frustrating how Miss ZZ is sleeping and her big sis is visiting the gate looking for her…wish Su would bleat or something! It was so fun to watch them last week.
Moderator’s note: Yep, panda fans have better memories than we do
The girls just have to get their social secretaries to coordinate their howdy gate and nap times.
Carolyn #27–I love your fantasy of a US panda “herd”, though we’d have to import some nonrelatives for breeding and find a place that was always cool enough and that had a regenerating supply of bamboo… Details, details!
Moderator–I’m sure there are pictures or mentions in previous blogs about those meetings between Su Lin and Mei Sheng (they talked about how Sheng rolled around and tried to entertain Su Lin, like a good big brother) and between Gao Gao and Su Lin.
Moderator’s note: You’re right and we’re wrong.
#20 – Who is in charge with Education Department these days? You have to be kidding me. Or are you saying that the Researchers lost all the records for all these years? I have lots of photos of Mei Sheng and Su Lin at the Howdy Gate taken at the exhibit on several visits. Are you saying that I wasn’t really there even though I was? My friend has photos of Hua Mei and Gao Gao meeting at the gate. You may not have official zoo photos or videos, as you need to make arrangements with them and sometimes they run out of time while waiting and need to move on to other assignments.
Moderator’s note: Our memories were playing tricks on us. The Panda Team checked records for this time of year to confirm, but didn’t look back to July 2007. We are all so busy and we do try to research all of these answers for our panda fans. Please forgive us this error.
#19 and moderator note for # 20 — Su Lin and Mei Sheng certainly were introduced through the howdy gate! See prior blogs from 2007 “Panda Playtime” (July 24, 2007) and “Panda Q&A” (Aug. 3, 2007).
We were told at the time that since Mei Sheng was bigger and male there was a risk he could hurt Su Lin, so that is why they were not allowed to visit other than through the gate.
Love seeing the interaction between Su Lin and ZZ! I also wondered (hoped) that perhaps the girls could actually visit one another without the gate, particularly since there appeared to be no aggression in their first meeting.
Moderator’s note: Yes, thank you.
It would be interesting to see what would happen if Su Lin and Zhen Zhen were be allowed to be together.
#20, Moderator’s comments, Mei Sheng and Su Lin “met” many time from tree tops, read blog “Welcome back, Kiddo!” posted June 7, 2007. Another blog “Panda Playtime” posted July 24, 2007, stated that the howdy gate was open on the Sunday, so, Mei Sheng and Su Lin did meet at the howdy gate. I know for certain that Hua Mei and Gao Gao did meet at the howdy gate, once or twice (?), I have pictures of their meeting(s), some are labeled 2003, others 2004. They met before Hua Mei went to China in February 2004. Gao Gao and Mei Sheng also met at the howdy gate, see blog “Howdy!” posted on September 9, 2005.
I still think ZZ thinks it is her Mama.
There’s also a blog called “The Mating Ritual” which mentions the Howdy Gate meeting between Hua Mei and Gao Gao.
I’m so glad I’m not going crazy. I remember Su and Mei meeting but you convinced me that I was wrong.
I see Bai Yun is using her platform (cam 15) again. I know she is close enough to hear the little one but I think she is enjoying having it to herself. We all know that soon she will have to share it with junior and know sleep isn’t always on the agenda.
Because of the weight Bai has lost since having the baby it looks like Su Lin is on the platform.
I have photos of Mei Sheng and Su Lin meeing and I also have photos of Hua Mei meeting Gao Gao
if anyone needs further proof that the meeting actually happened. I have them posted on flickr.
Thank you everyone for clarifying the “did they meet” or “didn’t they” debate! When I saw the response from Pamela (#19) I thought “That is it, I am losing my mind. I imagined the whole thing!!”. Glad to hear that was NOT the case! I need to hang onto what few marbles I have left! And some of you lucky folks actually got to see this in person and take photos!! Priceless! I am also glad that there are some real veteran cam watchers out there that can answer questions such as these as they arise. Thank you again.
Moderators I am happy to hand you a quotation, with humor. You are never wrong and seldom in error. I am sure you are thrilled at having so many faithful assistants and researchers…..:-D
I have postcards of Su Lin’s and Shengs very last meeting at the Howdy Gate. I cried and cried that day because I knew Sheng was leaving for China very soon after that and it was the last time those 2 would see each other in this life. It was like they both knew it was the last time, with Sheng putting his paw up to Su Lin and Su Lin doing the same as if to say goodbye, remember me!. I am getting teary eyed just thinking of it! I have about 35 picutres of that same event, as I knew it would be the last time they ever interacted together. How could you possibley forget such a moment. I can’t!!
Oh how fun! The Panda Stimulus Package! I’ll be down in San Diego next week and I’m looking forward to seeing those girls. I’ll make sure to come in the morning in case they get Howdy privileges again. Thanks SD Zoo for all the great updates!
Moderator, do you know if there are plans for the researchers to record ZZ’s and Su’s bleats to each other and possibly post the bleats on the post (like when you guys posted the cubbie’s sounds right after he was born)? I think I can speak for most of us, we would to hear the sisters communicate with each other.
Thanks for answering all our our questions, we all are human, we all make mistakes – sometimes we can’t recollect specific events that happened in the past. You have recanted on Mei and Su meeting at the howdy window, all is well!
Have a great afternoon and thanks for providing us an outlet to ask questions and post comments!
Moderator’s note: Your question has been forwarded to our Panda Team.
Hua Mei did get to meet Gao Gao just prior to her return trip to China. This was done via the howdy gate, just as Su Lin and Zhen did last week.
Readers can get more information about Su Lin’s meet-ups at the howdy gate with Mei Sheng here: http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2007/07/26/mei-sheng-fulfilling-his-destiny/#more-1350 and at http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2007/07/24/panda-playtime/
I have watched a number of PBS and Animal Planet/Discovery specials on giant pandas over the years and have noted that in China the pandas are not always kept separate. I also believe that the National Zoo panda parehnts have been together for most of their lives, having been born in the Wolong Center, and they are seen together on exhibit at the National Zoo. If the pandas are expected to go back in the wild, then perhaps their lonely existence there is a valid reason to keep them separated at the Centers or zoos. However, it is documented that they are also able to live together for most of a 24-hour day for many years without problems….I think it would be wonderful to see more interaction and liveability between them – especially if they are to be caged for the remainder of their lives.
Give the SDZ staff a break. The keepers and moderator are very busy with their daily jobs and do not have the time to thoroughly research the answers to your questions. It is understandable that they made a mistake. If you have a question, please take the time to use the Search function on this website to search for previous blog entries that contain the answers to your questions. The SDZ is the only zoo with pandas that has such an informative, responsive, and frequently updated blog. We should be grateful for that. Thank you very much to the Panda Team and the Moderator for their hard work!
Also, I saw a comment in the previous blog entry about Dr. Lindburg. He is a hero to us pandaholics. I remember seeing him all over the news when Hua Mei was born. Her birth sparked my panda passion. I think the new baby boy should be named after Dr. Lindburg.
They did appear to really like each other but of course as you note pandas are generally solitary and while they might seem to enjoy each other and want to play you can’t really take the risk of allowing them to be together literally. If an attack happened how would you be able to part them quickly before any serious injuries happened. True you wouldnt want to allow male and female together in a non breeding time because the male certainly might become aggressive though Gao Gao is not as big as Bai and I suspect he’d come out the worse in any fight there. I know we don’t want to see such a thing happen.
They do appear to have a hierarchy as far as who is submissive and who isn’t. Bears in general don’t seem to mingle and the incident in Germany this week illustrates what might happen between male and female. Different type of bear but still the point is that pandas are bears too.
I was touched by the fact that there seemed to be so much pleasure and enjoyment in our girls meeting each other. That is the most action I think we’ve ever seen. I thought it was simply beautiful to watch. Thank you for sharing this experience with all of us.
Moderator and Panda Team,
All is forgiven. We are indebted to you for all that you share with us!
Oh they are very playful sisters! They looked like they were enjoying playing and spending time with each other!
Hopefully they at some time they can play some more!
Thanks for the info on the panda sisters. Su looks like she’s whispering family secrets to Zhen!
Pics of meetings between Hua Mei and Gao Gao are posted on flickr by rita petita and auntie rain.
Pics of Mei Sheng and Su Lin meeting are posted on flickr by rita petita and NekoMama7.
Come on folks, lets go easy on our wonderful moderator and the rest of the panda team!! There are many pic’s of Mei Sheng and Su Lin at the howdy gate on flickr and I’m sure on youtube as well.. I think that these folks do an amazing job of keeping us informed!
If we’re going to have a panda herd, sign me up as a panda herder! I’ll have to figure out how to herd the spirited pandas hiding in the trees.
I love reading all the updates/blogs on our pannas! It really makes my day! They are the cutest animals ever. Love them to no end! Thanks for all you do!
Cute to see the sisters together at the gate and I wish I saw it in person. I always love to watch the caution of any panda approaching another when there is a mesh and how that instinct kicks in.
I have a question and can’t remember where I read or heard it. Is it true that panda’s don’t have the best eyesite so even if another panda is on the other side of the gate, they might not see him/her immediately and thus not instantly react? They may hear something and listen for a bit and maybe a few minutes later explore it at which time the other panda may be out of range. I’ve seen this occur many times at the National Zoo (in person and on the cams) and almost want to nudge whoever is walking away. LOL
I think we need to keep in mind that keepers, researchers, volunteers, etc. are busy at the conservation center these days, watching Bai tend to her cub, keeping the younger girls happy and let’s not forgot he who made it all happen – my sweet faced Gao. I can’t imagine that juggling their tasks with the panda family is an easy thing to say the least. And I’ll bet that there are a few employees who don’t have the history of being with the Gao’s from the beginning, along with us faithful cam watchers. I hope everyone will keep all of this in mind as these dedicated folks go about their jobs AND manage to keep us informed of the magic that is happening.
Moderator’s note: Your question has been forwarded to our Panda Team.
I feel exactly the same way about the kids getting together, etc, but if everyone would cruise through these recent comments, it almost sounds like we are scolding the Panda team for not getting all their facts straight! Hey, the blog is probably not a top priority, they do go to work for bigger responsibilities I bet, I just don’t want to aggravate the team and one morning go to turn the cam on and ……NO PANDAS! YIKES!!!! OOPS, someone forgot to turn the cam on…. =-(
Oh, Bai and Gao……….see what you started? A bunch of admirers from far and wide; a journalist who became enemy number 1 fast; poems, songs, and conversations; peopele counting their pennies so they may come and visit you and your family; so many posts that the poor moderator has to work weekends, nights, etc.; keepers who are peppered with questions; and so much love that we don’t quite know what to do with it all! You are amazing.
#21 – I agree with you that maybe they aren’t really “solitary” animals by choice. I think it might be that in the wild they have to stay apart because there isn’t enough bamboo in one area to support two pandas, or there might be too much competition for male pandas that would cause fighting among females. From watching the NZ pandas for several years, it seems they seek out one another at times and then go off by themselves after they’ve had their “visit”. Once when Tian Tian and Mei Xiang were separated for several days, I saw them be reunited, and Mei ran to Tian Tian and threw her arms around his neck. She was squealing in delight to see him again!
I wish the two sisters could play together. They seem friendly with one another and they seem to enjoy being together.
my head says one thing and my heart another about SU and ZZ getting together. I just wonder also as one of you mentioned about the difference between wild and captive born pandas being interested in one another and would they like to meet. I think since they have seen alot of people and got alot of scents from the other pandas that they just may be curious enough to want to meet and play. I do understand the size difference and that one may be hurt. all of you that work so hard for these precious beautiful animals know whats best for them after years of studies and hands on experience so I salute you for all the difficult decisions you have to make. This is something else I have to look forward to when I visit in Nov. My excitement is building.
Bai and baby look like they’re luging this afternoon–another sport for the Pandolympics!
wonder if they know that they are siblings…..
Geez Sayuri…step away from the computer. It was an honest mistake by a very busy Zoo! They have 5 pandas to take care of, including a month old cub. They admitted they were wrong, apologized, and corrected themselves, all in a pleasant manner. What more do you want?
It is a privilege not a right that we get information about our dear SDZ pandas. I thank this amazing, gifted, and dedicated staff for taking the time to *try* to educate people about them.
Thank you staff, researchers, keepers, interpreters and moderators for the information.
I was so fortunate to be present at the zoo last Thursday when Su Lin and Zhen Zhen had their magical encounter at the howdy gate. While this was not the first time they have had visual sight of each other, it was the first physical contact — indeed a very special day. They have seen each other from the trees in the adjacent exhibits in the classroom area and one day I observed Zhen peeking under the crack at the bottom of the door separating the classroom exhibits trying to catch a glimpse of Su Lin. This occured in the months following Zhen’s separation from Bai. Adorable, as she had to lie flat to see Su Lin. The keepers said she regularly looked through the cracks.
As for other encounters at the howdy gate, here are several: Gao Gao and Hua Mei (December 2003, Hua Mei was a vixen and Gao was very intrigued), Mei Sheng and Gao (Mei Sheng was very interested, but Gao much less so) and Mei Sheng and Su Lin (both enchanted with each other). I have photos and video of these encounters and all were special.
Thank you SDZ staff for letting us share a bit of your world through your web site, and teaching us about all of the wonderful animals living at the Zoo.
And for my fellow Panda lovers, the word for today is: ANTHROPOMORPHISM…
…it’s fine for children’s books, but a a good animal caretaker knows the danger!
There must have been another cub exam today. There are new photos in the photo gallery. His eyes are open! Can’t wait to see the video.
Again, thank you to our GREAT PANDA TEAM, KEEPERS, CAMERA PEOPLE, VETS ETC. You all do an awesome job. This was so special watching the girls play through the fence. And I agree, wholeheartedly, the Zoo knows what it is doing, leave it to them. And thank God for this great Zoo and its staff.
Panda Fans,
My apologies for my post earlier this morning… It appears that my memory is not quite what it used to be (can I blame that on having children?). Having worked on the panda program for nearly a decade now, sometimes it’s hard to recall all of the events that have occurred over the many years. I should have checked our record books a bit more thoroughly before responding. As some of you have mentioned in your posts, we do all get quite busy working on various projects. Sometimes we don’t always have the time to respond to the blog comments as thoroughly as we’d like. Thank goodness we have our moderator for that!
I’m surprised nobody at SDZ remembers that Mei Sheng and Su Lin did indeed meet at the howdy gate shortly before he went to China.
I certainly wouldn’t want — or expect — the panda team to put our girls in any danger — and certainly that could be the case if they were placed together in an exhibit. We’ve read many times in previous blogs how territorial and solitary pandas are. And although they seem to enjoy greeting each other at the howdy gate — it could be an entirely different matter when faced with another bear being in their space, potentially competing for their bamboo. You never know when natural instincts kick in — so in my mind, the howdy gate is perfectly fine. Let’s face it — these are not circus bears doing summersaults strictly for our amusement — these are critically endangered animals that the panda team are trying to save. Yes, they are on exhibit for our entertainment — but the SD Zoo tries to replicate as close a possible the life the would lead in the wild — and research shows that they simply prefer to not share their space/food with another bear. OK — I’m getting off my soap box and hope to get a glimpse of Mr. Chubby Wubby!
Hi, are you guys going to eventually have them together? Thanks
Stacy #67: Well said indeed Stacy. I know sometimes we tend to let our human emotions get away from us, understandable but let’s not take it out on the people that allow us the opportunity to come here and share such a beautiful experience. It’s easy for us to sit at home in our chairs and make comments and give advice based on snippets we read on the web but the reality is sometimes quite different. At the end of the day SDZ is doing what they think is best to preserve a species that is in trouble and we should all support that – they are the experts and we are the students. And let’s also not forget that on the end of the keyboard is a human being with real feelings and real life things to deal with – sometimes we tend to forget that in the cyber world.
And heck as someone who is middle aged, I can tell you that somedays I can’t remember what I did or said the day before…it happens
Pamela,
There is no need to apologize. There is always one or two in a crowd that make themselves look foolish. These folks know who they are and there is no need to name names, but honestly folks be a little more respectful and tactful, a little less hostile and place yourself in another shoes before you jump ship and post unnecessary comments. We are all human – and even the best of the best make mistakes. SDZ doesn’t have to answer none of your questions, nor offer this blog.
We are so grateful to all of the Keepers, Researchers, Monderators, Vets and so on. Please don’t hold this as a negative experience, but as a learning one.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for all that you do. Your time, commitment, dedication is commendable!!
Way To Go Su Lin and ZZ!!! It’ so sweet to see them both have a great time at the howdy gate. I know there is so much still be to learned about these gorgeous pandas, that in the wild they don’t normally “hang out”, but, I’m so glad you do it with the pandas at the SDZ………………..Thank you all!!!
I remember and loved Mei Sheng and was sad when he went to China. Does the SDZ receive any updates on how he’s doing?
SDZ, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for everything you do. We do thank you for REMEMBERING everything that you do remember, but mainly for TAKING SUCH GOOD CARE of the pandas (and other animals), and for putting up with all of us. YOU are amazing.
Kiss the big-little guy night-night for me. And ZZ, oh can’t forget Ms. Su; and of course, Mom and Dad (my Shrek bear).
And OMG just looked at the new pics, and Chubbie Cubbie has BEAUTIFUL eyes.
Yes, the adult panda’s at NZ are allowed to be together. But, look at their record of reproduction without AI. It doesn’t seem to work for them, and they almost seem like brother and sister when they are together. The romance is gone….so, keeping the Panda’s, adults, and siblings, separated makes a lot of sence. What would happen if Su Lin didn’t like Miss Fluffy Butt all of a sudden and hurt her in some way. What SDZ has done over the years, always seems to work. Let’s leave them to it. Oh….and they are allowed to make a mistake once in awhile. Even twice in awhile…we all know how hard they work for us out here. So, thanks to everyone who helps to put this wonderful blog together for us.
#63 Betty and #82 Widget, The last mating of Tian Tian and Mei Xiang didn’t end up all that well, Tian Tian turned kind of rough towards Mei Xiang. I was a bit concerned that he might hurt her. I don’t know if he got frustrated because the mating wasn’t working or if there was another reason. Outside the mating season they seem to get along fine and I love watching them eating side by side, and play together. During the “regular” time it is always Mei Xiang, I think, who call the shots. It is hard to tell if the fact that they spend so much time together is “killing” the romance or if it is because they just don’t know how to do it. Perhaps they should be watching the videos, or Gao Gao should go there to teach Tian Tian, after all Tian Tian is his brother in-law…
This morning we visited the pandas at the SDZ in hopes of finding Su Lin and Zhen Zhen interacting at the howdy gate. When we arrived at 9:25 AM, Su Lin was sitting against the back fence eating some bamboo. She seemed preoccupied and kept looking up and all around. The Panda Team was preparing a hearing test for Su Lin. Finally, Su Lin left her exhibit for her 15-minute test.
We then went to visit with Zhen Zhen. Zhen was also acting a little anxious walking to and from the howdy gate. The hearing test was being held outdoors behind Zhen’s exhibit. Zhen started to eat some bamboo, but was more interested in checking the howdy gate for signs of Su Lin. After 15 minutes, the howdy door on Su Lin’s side was opened. The Narrator told us that Su Lin would be arriving soon. After her session, Su Lin sat and ate some bamboo in her exhibit. She walked cautiously into the tunnel toward the howdy gate. In the meantime, Zhen was walking around her exhibit. Suddenly, Su Lin let out a loud chirp. Zhen immediately walked to the howdy gate to see her sister. They met face to face. Zhen started rolling on the ground and then she sat up and placed her back against the fence as if she wanted Su Lin to scratch her back. Su Lin also rolled on her back as if to say “let’s play.”
Zhen put her head against the fence and Su Lin reached through, with her teeth, and grabbed a tuft of fur from Zhen’s neck. Zhen started lifting her left paw as if to say, “stop”. Zhen tried to pull away but Su Lin, still biting, pulled her fur through the fence. Su Lin continued to pull but Zhen slipped from her grasp. Zhen rubbed her neck for a second but all was okay.
I have a 10-minute video of the Two Sisters at the Howdy Gate. I’ll put it up on Youtube soon.
We were so thrilled to have watched these two beautiful panda bears interact. There’s no doubt that they truly enjoy each other’s company. However, I must agree that it would not be wise to put them together. Su Lin is almost 100 lbs. heavier than Zhen. If they start to roughhouse, I believe that Zhen could not defend herself. It’s much better to be safe than sorry.
HI: wHY NOT TRAY TO PUT THE GIRLS TOGETHER AND SEE WHAT HAPPEN, OF COURSE HAVE A PERSON RIGHT THERE TO BE WITH THEM. I KNOW YOU KNOW WHAT IS BEST BUT NO HARM TRYING.
YOU GUYS THERE ARE THE BEST KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. THANKS FOR ALL OF YOU THERE.
HI: wHY NOT TRAY TO PUT THE GIRLS TOGETHER AND SEE WHAT HAPPEN, OF COURSE HAVE A PERSON RIGHT THERE TO BE WITH THEM. I KNOW YOU KNOW WHAT IS BEST BUT NO HARM TRYING.
YOU GUYS THERE ARE THE BEST KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. THANKS FOR ALL OF YOU THERE.
HI: wHY NOT TRAY TO PUT THE GIRLS TOGETHER AND SEE WHAT HAPPEN, OF COURSE HAVE A PERSON RIGHT THERE TO BE WITH THEM. I KNOW YOU KNOW WHAT IS BEST BUT NO HARM TRYING.
YOU GUYS THERE ARE THE BEST KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. THANKS FOR ALL OF YOU THERE.
I loved the update…warm and fuzzy sisterly love. Too cute! Thank you sooo much for the story SDZ!! Made my day.
“I have postcards of Su Lin’s and Shengs very last meeting at the Howdy Gate. I cried and cried that day because I knew Sheng was leaving for China very soon after that and it was the last time those 2 would see each other in this life. It was like they both knew it was the last time, with Sheng putting his paw up to Su Lin and Su Lin doing the same as if to say goodbye, remember me!”
Now I wonder if Su Lin will be sent to the same facility as Mei Sheng lives at, and if there will ever be more Howdy Gate meetings between them in China. Image how surprised and happy they’d be to see each other again in this life!
I feel like it’s Christmas–so many updates in such a short time! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Su & Zhennie at the howdy gate was almost too much for me. They seemed to enjoy “talking” to each other so much! As for ZZ’s submissive behavior, when Tai interacts with Mei or Tian at their howdy gate, he also behaves in a submissive manner. Sure, he looks as cute as anything rolling around & sumersaulting, but he is in fact making himself vulnerable.
Thanks to everyone at SDZ for this blog, the videos, the cams, & all that you do for the animals & their fans. It looks like most of the folks on this blog do appreciate all you do, & realize that SDZ provides a unique opportunity for give & take between the public & animal experts. So, thanks again!
Rose N, thank you so much for sharing your experience watching the girls today. It’s wonderful to get the zoo keepers experience, but I really enjoyed reading about your visit with the girls.
Thank you keepers, mods and panda team for keeping us well informed. We appreciate you all.
I would think that the zoo staff would know best how ALL the animals should be taken care of and what can be expected of them, especially around humans and their own kind. Why would anyone risk anything happening to these endangered, beautiful, as well as expensive animals?
Be thankful we have the opportunity to see these pandas at all. Be thankful there are people in this world who have devoted their lives to caring for them.
I love you Mods and staff!! you guys/gals do a wonderful Job and at least try to answer all of our questions…alot more then before ..thats what I notice..so keep up the great work..I would send you guys candies from hawaii let me know and how too!!! you guys need a coffee and candy break : )
Moderator’s note: Hawaiian candy sounds great, Lid. Thank you. But you can help us best by making a donation to our Adopt an Animal or Adopt a Project programs!
How vocal were the girls during their meeting? Do you think they recognize each others voice? I can still fool friends & family when answering the phone because I sound like my sister (Including her husband & kids!) I can also fool her into thinking I’m our own mom! So, I was just curious.
they are kissing, it is so pity not let them together, why that, in China sichuan panda base, all panda kids live together, they happy that way, i am so sad seeing this picture.
Moderator’s note: Please remember that these sisters are two years apart in age and are very different in size.
#93 – pandanuts – I, like you and many others, think it would be great to see the sisters playing without the barrier; however, the moderator has a point. In China, the cubs that live and play together are all the same age and size. In San Diego, Su Lin is much bigger than Zhen Zhen and the keepers are just being careful to keep both bears safe. They are still bears and can be unpredictable and it would be tragic if any harm was to come to either one of them.
I am always checking on Mom and Baby, but recently I see less of Moma. Why is this?
cote