The San Diego Zoo’s Panda Team has provided some answers to questions posed by our blog post readers…
What does he weigh now?
Yun Zi weighs about 24 pounds (11 kilograms) now, and is growing every day. We do our best to weigh all of the pandas as often as possible.
Are those climbing structures in the garden room new? He is having such a good time in there, instead of in the classroom; why isn’t he out in the classroom?
The climbing structure in the garden room has actually been there for a while. Viewers don’t always see it as our Panda Cam is not always manned while he’s in there. We don’t have someone staying overnight to work the cameras, and Yun Zi often goes there to climb in the late evening and early morning before we get in.
Bai Yun and Yun Zi are only in the classroom exhibit when our staff is here. We like to have an accurate account of where the cub is at all times. In the evening, he and Bai Yun are brought into their back bedroom area, per a decision made by our Panda Team. This is something that all of the cubs have gone through, and we have found that it is the best choice for them.
I see that Yun Zi is not in the den, even though the camera is focused there, so he must have been there earlier. How much time is he spending in the den lately?
As this is being written, it’s about 7 p.m., and Mr. Yun Zi is not in the den. Every cub is different as far as the time they want to spend in the den, and Bai Yun could have pulled him out of there sooner. Recently, from what I’ve seen, he spends at least the early hours of the morning there and sometimes he decides to have a lazy day and lounge around. Last week during the rain, we did have a day where he didn’t want to go outside, and we didn’t try to get him to go out. It was very windy and raining hard, so we understood if he wasn’t thrilled to go outside. He spent about five hours in the den sleeping and playing by himself. There are always going to be fluctuations in his activity and particular behaviors.
Is he eating any solid foods yet?
Baby pandas really don’t start to eat solids until they are closer to a year old. However, he is very fond of apples, like his mother. One morning I gave him a piece of apple to play with and to see if he was interested in the scent and if it could lure him out of the climbing structure; he grabbed the apple and began sucking on it. He does grab bamboo from Mom and chews on the pieces of culm and leaves, of course. There are a lot of things for us to look forward to with little Yun Zi, and we are all excited to see when he reaches each new step in his development.
Why not wake up little “Yunior” a bit later in the morning, so he won’t be ready for a nap at 9 a.m. when the Zoo opens?
Often when the keepers start their day, the pandas are already awake. We really cannot control when they sleep or their activity level. It would probably make our jobs that much easier, but on the occasional morning when our cub is asleep, we try to let him wake up on his own, or have his mother gently wake him up. As he gets used to being on exhibit, his daily schedule will change, and we will see changes in his activity level. But remember: he is still a growing boy and may have days where he tends to sleep more.
Note: New images have been added to the Panda Photo Gallery. Enjoy!
Thank you for the informative and entertaining blog. I totally agree with Yun Zi, there were rainy days last week that I didn’t want to get out of bed either. We do need to remember that he still is a baby and needs his sleep.
Thanks Panda Team. Always interested in hearing any little detail about the pandas.
Since he was tiny little baby, I have been watching our boy develop and loving everything he does. When my husband sees me smiling at my laptop he knows what I’m watching. You guys are doing a fantastic job of caring for him and letting his fans know what is going on. I was wondering when you are going to put up his photo with the other pandas on the Meet the Pandas page. Keep up the great work you are doing!
Moderator’s note: His photo and profile were posted on the Meet the Pandas page when he received his name.
As ALWAYS the level of love and care each member of the panda team shows with each time we see you with him and with each typed word! There is no question in my mind the total love you ALL there feel for these wonderful animals. All of the animals there have to be the happiest in the world! We have been hooked on watching the pandas for months! And based on where we are (South Carolina) we have now decided to make a trip to the Atlanta zoo to see the animals there, just because we can’t come to see you all out there! That is where we all want to go visit!!! Thank you all for your care and love you give to the animals! Question though, we all know the noises that pandas make like when Yunior was in his exams… But when he and mommy are playing… does he makes noises at her and better yet does she at him? They look like they do and I have always wondered if there is noises to go along with the play times. Please let us know! Thanks again.
Thank you for letting Yunior enjoy his lazy days! It was a great treat for us watching on the panda cam to see him in his den sleeping and playing. He’s not so different from us, we don’t like going out in the rain either!
Yun Zi is such a cutie pie. Everyday I have the web cam up and in between customers I grab a sneek peek at what he is doing. Yesterday I caught him and mom playing the box with what looks like sawdust and they were rolling around and what looked like her sitting on him and he was trying to back out from under her. I can sit and watch them all day and just start laughing, then I hear others in the office starting to laugh, and find out they too have gone to the web cam to see what I was laughing at. I love that little guy
Thank you Panda Team for all of the helpful information you provide us. Little Yun–24 lbs. He is amazing and so is mom. Hugs and kisses to mom and baby and thank you again for answering all of our questions.
I have been wondering what happened to the link that would let us compare the other panda cub milestones with that of Yun Zi. Has it been removed or is it just elsewhere and I’ve not located it yet? I thoroughly enjoy all that you folks share with us, Thank You!
Moderator’s note: It does seem to come and go, doesn’t it? Here’s the Panda Cub Milestones link.
Thankyou Panda team for the responses. Yun Zi is such a cutie!! He will melt the heart of some young panda lady in China one day as he has done with all of us.
Nothing is more fun and endearing than watching the interaction of mom and yunior. Thanks for all the info.
Thank you Panda Team for the answers to the many questions! I have one more
Really, I do want to know if Su Lin re-decorated again the other day. It certainly appeared that another tree had tipped over.
Please advise
To DoxiMom: The flickr video of Yun Zi on the top of the sawdust box was so Cute! Loved the way he got down
Thanks for the answers to the questions.
We wanted to know the age as it compares to humans.
Like “they” say a dog is 6/7 years to a human year. Does something like that equate with pandas/humans? Just trying to find the toddler things that he does.
Great blog! Thanks for all the information that we seem to crave. He is the cutest cub ever.
I think the platform in the garden room is starting to droop a little from the weight of the pandas..just a thought…
Thank you for the updates and information on “Chubby Cubbie.” He is such a refreshing break from my daily routine and I sneak a peek at him when ever I can. You all are doing a fantastic job caring for these wonderful creatures, and keeping us involved in their adventures. Thanks so much.
I HAVE BEEN WATCHING YUN ZI ON THE PANDA CAM SINCE HE WAS BORNED. THIS IS A FIRST FOR ME. WORDS CANT TELL HOW MUCH I HAVE ENJOYED IT. WHAT A WONDERFUL TIME WE LIVE IN TO BE ABLE TO EXPERENCE
ALL THIS.
THANK YOU
ALIVIA
Thank you for the update. He is growing so much, but I miss when you took him to the room
to be weighed and measured. Love the time when mom and yun zi play and romp around.
I have learned so much about Pandas since I have watched him grow. Thank for a great staff
of people and care takers.
lu
Can you please give an update on Hua Mei and Mei Sheng?
I don’t blame Yun Zi for not wanting to go outside when it’s raining hard and windy. He doesn’t want to get wet and cold from the wind. He is use to mama keeping him warm and cozy. Apples. Well, he is almost 6 months old and he likes apples!!
Okay zoo keepers… remember when he turns one and you make him that big birthday cake… you have gotta put apples in there for him… and some apple juice too!! Good for him.
And some applesauce too!
Hi! Where are the toys we panda fans bought our baby panda?
I remember he had a blue ball and a bamboo toy when he was younger and didn’t seem super interested, but what about now? What happened to them?
He needs some toys!
And where is SuLin’s beloved donut?
I almost missed an important picture announcement on Zoo Atlanta Panda Cam Page. I just caught the words “Farewell Mei Lan January 30, 2010″ as I was clicking off the page. I guess both Mei Lan and Tai Shan will be having their big public farewell ceremonies on Saturday. It is definitely bittersweet for many reasons. On top of that they are predicting definite snow for Virginia on Saturday, they just don’t know how much. The track of the Arctic air could also mean inclement weather in Atlanta as well as DC. Hopefully that won’t keep their fans from going to see them one last time to say Goodbye.
Hopefully the skies will be clear for their journey on Thursday, Feb 4, and they won’t hit turbulence and get upset tummies while dining high in the sky.
Thank you Panda Team for answering our questions. It is great that you take time from your busy jobs to answer our questions and educate us. We greatly appreciate your wealth of knowledge and willingness to share it with us.
For those of you who haven’t seen it, Zoo Atlanta has posted a video “Best of Mei Lan” on their website. It reminds me of the one that SDZ posted about Mei Sheng right before he went on his journey to China. It brings back many memories, and brings smiles and tears. Each panda is very different and they are all endearing animals. I look forward to similar video compilations about Tai Shan and Su Lin that will inevitably appear by both the zoos where they were born, and on YouTube. It is a treasured walk back in time.
My person recollection of Mei Lan was about 3 weeks before her 1st birthday and they were still planning on what to do because she didn’t have many teeth yet and wasn’t yet eating bamboo. It was early August, and as Sept 6 birth, she was later in her development than cubs born in July-August. She spent a long time climbing over Lun Lun and basically accosting her much like Tai Shan had done a year earlier. It taught me that many pandas, if not most, at that age are in the attack mom stage, in preparation for self-defense in a wild setting (they don’t know they won’t need that).
Stay tuned for more memories of Su Lin to come, and for lots of video clips to start appearing on You Tube about all the US pandas from their worldwide fans.
You can really see the little dark bridge over his nose in this picture, looks just like Su lin’s. Zhennie does not have this, so much, anyway. Whatever, they are scrumptious little ones!
Auntie Kat
Thank you for the updates on Yun Zi & all the pandas. The Panda Cam is better than a visit to the phychiatrist’s office. It’s a calming experience, makes one happy, it lasts as long as one wants to watch, & one doesn’t get a bill.
Panda keepers, you’re the best!
Love the update; thank you.
Sometimes (after watching some of the videos), I get the feeling that Yunior is thinking how very, very smart he is. Then Mommy comes along and tells him “Kid, you’re not THAT smart. Come mere.”
thanks again for the update. next best thing to actually having your enviable job! wow!
Greetings from Adelaide
Thank you Panda Team for your wonderful update – I really hope when we get our panda cam working at Adelaide zoo that we get this type of information
You are my heroes (along with Doxie) and of course Dennis and every blogger -I really feel like SDZ is my Zoo too and Adelaide is nor so far away – if ever I win the lottery you will see me in person!!
Lots of Wang Wang and Funi hugs from Adelaide
I am going to be very sad next week when Mei Lan leaves for China, she was my first Panda cub and I learned so much about these wonderful creatures from watching her. She is so adorable, precious and silly. And now to think we have so much available to us pandaholics. The panda cam and these blogs are great. Following Yun Zi is just a joy. Thank you to the staff for the great job you do.
Today’s blog is a great way to learn more about the Pandas-thank you so much for it. I was hoping that Prince Fluffy-Butt’s way of getting on top of the sawdust box, might give us the date he first figure out the route on the tree limb. I saw an attempt and got a photo from your web-cam of him hanging from the corner of the box and addressed it late on The Blog Jan. 27, 2010 called “Morning Ritual For Yun Zi”…for anybody interested in seeing the photos. I checked the video DoxieMon so kindly shared with us of play that morning……but it ended before he tried, and I cannot remember if he tried from the ground or the perch he had been on. If anybody knows for sure I would love to hear which it was..Thank You Love Grammmie
Dear Panda Team, thank you for taking your time to inform us bloggers of Yun Zi etc. which is very much appreciated. We can all learn so much about our beloved pandas. What would we do without your dedication?
Sorry, I am late for work, will revert soon.
Thank you for answering all the questions and keeping us so well informed.
I have another question though: why is there such a tremendous difference in weight between the panda’s?
231 pounds for Bai Yun and 162 for Gao Gao and 130 for Zhen Zhen and 192 for Su Lin. Are they built differently. I have read that Gao Gao is a bamboo eating-machine so that is not the reason.
Moderator’s note: Like people, pandas have size ranges, too. Gao Gao is small in size but big of heart. We don’t know if his small stature is the result of poor nutrition as a youngster or is a matter of genetic variation, but we suspect the latter. You can read more about him at Celebrating Gao Gao. Zhen Zhen is not full-grown, as she is not yet 2 1/2 years old.
Thank you for the update, very much appreciated. I miss my Yun Zi not sleeping in his den as much anymore at night. I have checked several times during the night to see if I could get a glimpse of him and all I saw was a blacked out camera shot. I just love him and mama. But I also love all the pandas. They are so much fun to watch when they are playing. They have such good antics. They make me smile and it also relaxes me to be able to check in on the panda cam.
Thank you for the information! I have been following Yun Zi for months and I never tire of this little guy, I love to see bai yum and her cub napping together and I love to see yum zi climbing out on the exhibit while bai yun sits back and chomps on her bamboo, it’s so cute! It’s amazing how these wonderful animals have united so many of us panda fans, from all different cities. I have planned a trip to the zoo for August, right around Yun Zi’s first birthday…will there be a birthday celebration of some kind? I certainly hope so!
Moderator’s note: There will indeed!
In responce to Linda #26.. As a mother of 3… Dear… WE ALL say that to our children!!! Right up to when they hit about 13 years old and suddenly we know nothing… and never did… The only real great part about all this.. When your kids reach about 25 or 30 they remember all the stuff you told them for years and figure out… YES MOM DOES KNOW EVERYTHING AND ALWAYS DID… As for Pandas, a question has been posted a few times and I really would LOVE to know.. as dogs are around 7 years to 1 year in humans.. what are Pandas? Does anyone know? Or can you make a much educated guess?
Forgot to mention, I’m from Miami, FL, so my trip in August will be my first time to San Diego and the zoo. I wish I could go visit Yun Zi everyday!!
Good questions! Yun Zi is the best!!!!!
Hi, Panda Team! Thanks for the answers to some of our questions! We’ll keep you busy with more questions when we think of them!
Was on the AZ website’s panda page yesterday, and Mei Lan’s farewell party is today, Jan. 28 instead of Jan. 30 as was announced earlier. The time for today’s farewell is 10am-3pm at Atlanta Zoo, so all of you in the Atlanta area try to get there to see Mei Lan before she leaves for China. She has 7 days left before leaving. Going to go back to the AZ website to see if their announcement about Mei Lan and the Give So They Stay campaign is written up for us to read. We’ll finally find out how much was raised for the AZ pandas from that fundraiser. I’ll write back to let you know what I have found out about that.
Was just on the SDZ pandacam, and the cam was showing Gao’s yard, but Gao was nowhere to be seen! He’s hiding!
Gonna go and check pandacams!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Hi,
I so enjoy the cams, I watch the panda, polar bear & elephant cams daily. I do not know if there is a connection but ever since the bad storms last week the panda cam stops & freezes after a brief time. This does not happen with the polar bear or elephant cams. I am wondering if others are having this happened & wanted to let the zoo know.
Thanks Panda Team for giving us some insight to the SDZ Pandas. I would find it very interesting if in the future when you have a spare moment
if you could write about the personalities of the 5 Pandas, the quirky things each of them do to make them unique, is one easier to train than the others, who seems to be more affectionate with their human Keepers, things that only you all would know about them from being with them on a daily basis. I’ve read the “meet the pandas” and it give a brief description about them.. almost like a teaser..I’m not able to visit the zoo like so many of the lucky CA’ers but I do tune in to the Panda Cam daily to see what is going on and I love to read what everyone has to say on the blogs… Thank you!
Thanks Panda Team. I love reading your blogs.
I always miss Gao when the camera’s on him, but this morning it’s been focused on his area. I keep checking and there’s no sign of him. Someone must not want me to see this Panda. lol
Thanks for the information. It is always great to hear about the pandas. Yun Zi has stolen my heart!
I was just on the Atlanta Zoo website. They are still showing Mei Lan’s Farewell Party for Saturday, January 30th.
Thank you for the update on our favorite little baby boy. I swear — Bai has the cutest cubs — each one cuter than the one before — or at least it seems so. The little black spot on the end of his tail is darling.
I have had the wonderful experienceof watching the movies of the other zoos where the Pandas are. Seen the little cubs, many all together playing, and tusseling, and generally having fun and excercise. So I have noticed that Yun Zi(roly poly) has nothing to play with, but the other pandas have many things to occupy them, besides each other. Yun Zi has big blue ball. Where is that? He could have a simple slide, or not so intricate climbing apparatus, or perhaps some little areas on the ground where he could getsome excercise. He is bored stiff! It is obvious. His mother tries and that is wonderful, but he is plump and why must he always be without simple toys? How much could those things cost? Get creative for him. I am glad he did not go into the garden during the rain, that is not pleasant for human babies either. Offer him some simple toys as you would human babies and see him flourish.
all he has now are leaves that blow in the wind. Boredom is not healthy for animal or human. You try and we are grateful you are so loving, but animate Yun Zi ,he is so sweet.
I see Yun Zi is awake and trying to decide what to do today. Should I look oh so cute for the fans or should I go bug Mom? What a hard decision to make for one so young. We all know what his decision will be though. Mom looks too comfortable – doesn’t she.
I also noticed that Tai Shan’s crate has been removed. I’m sure it is on to the next stage since there is only 1 week left before he begins his great adventure. Maybe he’ll be put near Hua Mei and Mei Sheng and start a North America corner in Bifengxia. He can tell them what is going on in their old home land. Remember, he knows Mei Sheng already from when Panda Claws was visiting a couple of years ago.
Just saw part of an extended play between Bai and Yunior (about 10:45 am San Diego time). At one point, I could just hear Yunior saying “Ma, stop tickling me!” They’re such a joy to watch. And Bai is an amazingly energetic mom. Those of you who were at the exhibit got a great show. And many thanks to the wonderful Panda Cam operators.
Seriously laughing out loud…….Yun Zi just rolled into the water while he and Bai were playing. He seemed a little surprised! How funny.
Here is the latest posted by the NZ on the departure of Tai Shan and Mei Lan on Feb. 4. I have not seen details, as of yet, on how Mei is getting to DC. Anyone?? Dulles International airport is located in VA to the west of DC. It is the same airport where Mei Xiang and Tian Tian arrived from China.
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/GiantPandas/default.cfm?cam=LP2
Hello from a Hawaii Fan,
I’ve never written before but I have a few questions:
Last week in the new outdoor exhibit Yun Zi was exploring he had a very bad tumble and fell quite a distance, he really looked dazed and disoriented afterward and today (1/28) while wrestling with his mom around 11am your time he whacked his head on the side of the concrete pond. He became passive, no longer engaged and seemed disoriented again. My question #1: Is there such a thing as a baby Panda concussion and do you check him out thoroughly when you weigh him or after times you become aware that he may have hit his head rather hard? and #2 I’ve seen him scratching like a dog and wonder if fleas are a problem for Panda’s? Thanks so much for all you do. This Panda Cam has brought immeasurable joy to so many of us and we are grateful
As I watch Mom and little Yun Zi roll around in the saw dust, I was wondering how they bathe and keep themselves clean. Do they groom themselves like a cat? Does mom groom Zi? I have never noticed them doing this on the live cam though, so I’m not sure. Thank you, Kelly
Dear Bloggers,
I can’t seem to get an answer from the Panda Team, so maybe you can help me out. It seems to me that Bai is much more involved in Yun’s daily activities. She is always sleeping near him, playing with him, and just around him a lot! I don’t remember seeing as much of this with her other cubs even though I’ve been watching the cams daily since Tai’s birth.
Have I missed this interaction with the other cubs (Tai and Mei included) or does Bai seem to be somehow more involved with this little one? If you think so too, does anyone have a clue as to why this would be? I find it fascinating to watch their interactions, and just feel that Bai is more loving and involved this time.
Anyone??
Panda Team responds:We don’t think so. We do have documentation of play behaviors over the years with Bai and previous cubs. We think you may have missed some interactions. Now, length of play time with each cub may differ some, but Bai has played with all her babies.
Oh, too funny, after going in the pool and splashing herself with water, Bai Yun walked away and left Yun Zi there. Then she came back and head butted him directly into the water.
Oh my… Yun Zi was just sitting on the side of the pool and Bai knocked him over in the water. I’ve not seen her do that before. I don’t think Yun Zi liked it all that much, especially when she then rolled him over in it… Is she taking lessons from Monster Mommie?
The Cam does appear to be stopping every once in a while and you have to refresh to get it going… Also, has anyone had problems watching Lin Ping’s Cam? It just stays black for me.
From the looks of things today, I believe that Yun Zi is trashing his home. He is pulling all the greenery by the roots. Having a great time. I guess he wants to redecorate. Good for him. He is full of energy. I guess after this romp he will be a very tired panda.
Thanks for the updates,
Shirley
Very informative article…..Many thanks Panda Team!
You have answered many of my questions…I’ll try to stop bothering you all!
I am curious about one thing,….the Full Moon is due the end of the month,
do the Pandas show any unusual behavior at this time like some humans do?
Doxie Mom hope you caught the Panda Cam @ 11:46 San Diego Time, 1/28.
Yun was playing ever so nicely at the edge of the pond,
when Bai came over and gave him a wallop, sending Little One flying into the water.
Poor Yun probably wondering what that was all about!……..Full Moon ?
Then Bai seemed to try and make up by playing so nice with him.
It was really something to see.
Sort of comical!
From watching Bai Yun play with Yun Zi, I can see why she has descriptors of unpredictable and mischievous in her profile.
I just read that Mei Lan and one of her keepers will depart ZA in the “pre-dawn hours” on Thursday morning to board the FedEx Panda Express to Dulles International Airport. Once at Dulles Tai Shan will join her on board along with one of Tai’s keepers and a vet from NZ.
When will Su Lin be going to China?
Moderator’s note: No date has been set.
Here are a couple of Yun Zi videos from today, Thursday!
The first involves playing with Bai, an unknown yet much sought after object (anyone know?), and the pool! Yes Georgie #56, I was recording!! Dee in Texas #53 and Dianna #54 also caught this action:
“Yun Zi Makes A Splash!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Q9lQ1KahuM
The 2nd is a 90 second, 6x speed Flickr video showing Yun Zi in the Classroom early this morning, and explains why he needs his morning nap!
“This is Why Yun Zi is Asleep at 9AM”
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pandalover19/4312064904/
Thank you Panda Team for answering some of our many questions! You are truly the best!!
Wow! What a first date – an all expenses paid trip to China for Tai Shan and Mei Lan! I don’t know about you, but I only went to the movies on my first date. This is a bittersweet moment. But I’m happy that Tai will occassionaly be able to have contact with another panda. And I’m hoping that Mei Lan will be blessed with children of her own. Today’s post on the ZA site reminds me of our last visit with Mei Lan. We like most visitors were watching Xi Lan’s antics when we turned to see what all the squealing was about. There was Mei Lan inside the hammock room running around and doing somersaults. She would stop and look at the group of toddlers as if to say, “Oh, you liked that so much I’ll do it again.” And she did, over and over again, never once looking up into the faces of the adults but rather focussing soley on the 2 and 3 year olds. Like most teenage girls in the presence of babes she was just totally absorbed by them.
Danielle, in NY – Thanks for the info. Very interesting.
#46 Lee in Vancouver – I also noticed that the crate has been moved. Actually this morning I observed a very active and at time very silly panda at the NZ. At time he was hanging upside down, scratching his dirty bud all over high branches and trees, and marking his territory all over the place. I knew it was not the section where the crate was and it did not look like how Tian Tian would behave. So I suspect it was Tai Shan in the outside section where Tian Tian was, which would explain the multiple markings. It was nice to observe Tai Shan being so active just before he is due for such a long trip. For those more familiar with the NZ grounds, it was on cam 28, 33, 34 and 36.
Speaking of silly panda, don’t miss the Wednesday’s update on the Atlanta Zoo’s website. Mei Lan antics with her keepers are described. I had just read that update before watching the Ustream TV from yesterday morning. (Thanks to #120 Pam T. and #121 PA pandafan on the previous blog to draw my attention to this interview). During the entire 30 min interview of the two keepers, Jay and Kate, Mei Lan was very calm, eating her bamboo and just asking from time to time for a biscuit by sticking her nose on the fence near the biscuits container. I did not hear a noise from her. It shows that you never know how the pandas are going to behave from one day to another. In that blog, Xi Lan is described as having become “a little man”…
Virginia #45. Please take note of the sucess rate of the SDZ’s othe Panda cubs. All are well adjusted and beautiful. The SDZ Panda team is very well educated on how to raise a Panda baby and you must trust that they know best. I saw in an earlier blog that in China, babies are taken from their mothers at 6 mos and get needed stimulation from toys and each other being they are without a Mother. Little Yun Zi has his Mom for another year or more and will get just what he needs from her. My toddler children always found a piece of paper, or an old box far more interesting than any new toy we gave them. I cannot say that I have seen Yun Zi bored at all. Just a cute, happy boy who loves to play with leaves and flowers just as a wild baby Panda would, happy to spend his days with a fun and very attentive Mamma Bai who knows exactly how to entertain her baby. So no worries…just enjoy.
Dianna #54, the panda cam in Thailand is black for me too, I noticed it yesterday. Also, not getting the panda cam for the Memphis Zoo the past 2 days either.
Yun Zi is SOOOO cute! My gosh, he just melts my heart!!!!!!! My b-day is tomorrow,Yeah!!!!!!
These two are TOO CUTE!!! Earlier, Bai Yun picked up Yun Zi and took him into the box, I didn’t know why. I thought maybe to nurse him. Well… it was nothing more than for Bai Yun to take a nap, and use Yun Zi as her pillow! She tried over & over to make him cooperate but he wasn’t having any part of it. It was hilarious. It turned into a full on wrestling match w/Bai Yin even standing on her head a few times. It really was cute. Finally, Yun Zi got away but mom followed him right out there, and put a stop to anything he tried to do. She got pretty rough out there today. She even pushed him into the pool, and it totally looked intentional, if you ask me! I caught a great pic so I didn’t get to see yunior’s immediate reaction. I’m hoping Doxie mom will make a video of it. It was a crazy morning of play.
There were times when Bai Yun had pretty good grips on those arm’s. He looked like a rag doll. There was a short period where I was getting kind of scared for him. But since the camera was right on every move, I knew that if there was anything out of the ordinary going on, he’d have one, two, or 24 of his invaluable servants right there to give him their utmost attention & excellent care they (probably fight over) love to give him
Was Yun Zi pretty vocal today? My dog is when we play. I’m apologizing ahead of time because my questions seem stupid but I’m curious, and want to know: I imagine that Panda’s don’t all sound alike, and have many different tones to express themselves. Would that be true, or just speculation? If you were only able to rely on their voice, w/out reading their body language, would you be able to interpret when they’re feeling distressed vs. having fun, or when they’re mad?
Moderator/Panda Team – thanks for answering my question regarding Bai’s relationship with Yun. Maybe I’ve just watched more with this little guy because he is so adorable and had therefore assumed that Mom sleeping in the tree structure, etc was not the norm for her.
She’s an amazing mother and he is a treasure. I know that I smile from ear to ear when watching his ‘doings’!
And Doxie Mom thanks for the clip of Yun getting helped off the roof the other day. I’m jealous, jealous, jealous of those keepers!!
Great questions and answers! Thank you!
Moderator: Does the cam stop after 20mins and then the page has to be refreshed? Some people say that they enoucnter this. Thanks.
Moderator’s note: No.
thanks, do like knowing what is going on, but I have been watching and when you turn it to Su Lin, at times I can see that Su Lin is often walking around her exibit and was wondering why that is?
Moderator’s note: It could be close to feeding time or she’s stretching her legs (or planning her next decorating move!).
Marie #41, This morning Gao Gao was sitting in a large pile of bamboo, I had to look for him, but when I looked closely, the pile was moving.
Per # 39, I too am having the same problem with the cam for the Pandas. It does freeze but not the polar bears or elephants or apes. I thought maybe something was wrong with my computer but guess not. I do have to refresh so the screen gets updated.
Thank you Panda team for all the information. I love watching Yun Zi play and sleep also. I do not blame him for not wanting to go out in the rain and wind. I know I do not like it either. He is just too cute. Please throw him a kiss for me.
Why is the “garden room” (I think that’s what it is) so boring-looking? Once the little panda climbs up on the terrace structure, he has nothing to do or look at. It’s not a stimulating environment for an animal, especially one that’s new to the world. The entire room is nothing but cement and cinder block. The little guy just rolls around and stares. That can’t be emotionally healthy for a captive animal. Why not put plants for a more natural environment? Or decorate the walls. Or provide safe toys or even just things for him to look at? The display enclosure the animals are kept in look natural, but I’m concerned about the cold, concrete environment provided when the pandas are not on display.
Moderator’s note: Please remember you cannot see the entire garden room from Panda Cam. The Cam just focuses on where the cub often likes to be, which is up on the platform in the corner. There is concrete under the platform, but the rest of the garden room floor is covered in grass. The roof and two of the walls are mesh, so cubbie can get the sun from above and see keeper activities through the walls. If he wants, he can look through the door’s window right into the keepers’ office (and he has been spotted doing this), which is another form of enrichment.
Toys are not given to any young animal overnight, for safety reasons, but different scents are often added in the evening to give our cub some interesting smells to investigate.
I hope this eases your concern for the welfare of our cub.
Looks like Yun Zi is trying to give himself a bath this afternoon, but his belly is so fat he can’t reach over it with his tongue. Too cute. He is knocking himself over backwards on the shelf in the bedroom trying to reach the lower parts of his underside. Momma Bai taught him well about cleanliness, that is for certain.
#46, Lee, can’t you just imagine the fun that Mei Sheng and Tai Shan could “cook” up together. They would make Panda Claws proud of what big, energetic adult panda males they have become. They would give each other a run for their money for sure.
Any news from Austria after Fu Long went to China? As I recall his parents were another couple that enjoyed each other’s company like Mei Xiang and Tian Tian. It is very unsual for adult pandas to choose to be in the company of another adult panda. It makes me wonder what would happen if they leave Mei Xiang in DC and bring another male over from China, or if Mei and Tian go as a pair whereever they go.
How old are panda males when they cease being sexually active? Females I believe are not active in breeding after 20.
DoxieMom #60 – Thanks for capturing the water episodes today. I watched until Bai took Yun Zi off the box roof and then had to get some work done. So cute that he fell in the first time and then Bai batten him in the second time. I remember when Su Line would not go near the water and Bai just picked her up one day and dumped her in. I guess that is the norm if they won’t go in by themselves.
Hooray! I was able to get to the Zoo on Tuesday and spent three full hours doing the “Panda Loop,” simply getting back in line to see Mom & baby, and to see the sisters down the street. It didn’t rain, and I got to see four of our five pandas. It’s also the first time I’ve seen the classroom exhibit.
Someone asked why Su Lin is roaming so much. At the zoo they told us that she appears to be undergoing some hormonal changes that are making her restless. It’s normal and she’d be doing the same thing if she were in the wild.
Alas, Yunior was asleep on top of the “dinosaur” climbing structure almost the entire time I was there. As Kay said, he is not a “morning bear.” Fortunately Bai Yun decided she wanted him to nurse about five minutes to noon, and she woke him up. I’ve uploaded a video I took of the whole incident, with Kay’s narration to the crowd (what a terrific narrator!). If you listen you can hear Bai calling to Yun Zi several times. Here’s the video (sorry, I don’t have a zoom lens, but you can still see the bears):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IOkB3DnU7Y
thank you doxiemom for the great videos. i was busy outside before the snow falls this weekend 6-9 ins. it was so funny when bei pushed yunnie in the pool and i can see why yunnie is ready for a nap at 9am.first thing i do when i get up ,is turn on the cam and they are usually sleeping. of course its like5 am there. sounds like a bad storm moving in, so the nz pandas will like the snow. i doubt that i will get to see tai shan before he leaves. hope they keep us up to date on mei . they were really good last year with her pregnancy watch. memphis cam is very sporadic,on some days and not others.. i watched xia lan being born almost 2yrs ago. last nite i watched lin ping getting washed down and playing with her keeper funny!!!!!!!
Camera questions #69 and others…. I am having the same problem watching Panda Cam. After about 20 minutes, the video just freezes, picture, camera, clock. I need to refresh to get it going again.
Camera folks (meercats) did a wonderful job today following our adored kid and mama that wants to be a kid. Thanks.
Moderator’s note: I’ll check with our Web Team to see what’s up.
Maybe this question has been asked before – but I’m so curious about whether you-all have insights into why it seems so satisfying to a panda to lay with his or her head hanging down over the platform or tree limb. I have been watching Bai Yun and Yun Zi daily since Yun Zi’s birth in August. I am a hooked fan, like so many others. Everything about them intrigues me, but this pose looks so intensely satisfying to them. Is it learned? An inherent physical need? It’s so “panda.”
# 77 Fonsia – I loved your video, but I’m not sure where I can hear Bai calling YZ… there is KAy talking and other noises. Can you pinpoint the minute(s) it happens? Thanks for sharing the video!
Doxiemom, Great videos as always. Thanks much.
To Doximom # 60: Loved both of the videos!!! Thank you for posting
To Fonsia # 77: Very Fine Video! You picked a great day to be at the SDZ!!! Thank you for posting
# 51 Kelly in Fla. Bai cleans Yunior-and he has fought it for most of the time I have seen him. There is a link to a photo with his reaction in # 111 of last blog Morning Ritual For Yun Zi. Some days it was hard to tell if we watched Saturday night Bath or Saturday night Wrestling.
# 53 Dee we who missed out on that play (network connection problems this a. m. for me) can only hope that DoxieMom did her magic and got it on video for us.
# 56 Georgie-Last month at the end we had a blue moon that was almost full on the 30th-the night the camera was focused away from the shelf in the Garden Room, towards the grass and when Bai and Prince Fluffy-Butt went to play between 10 and 11 p.m. I got to watch them in the moonlight having a great time. It was like the late night play sessions they used to have in the den but filled with the magic of moonlight. (The 31st had the actual full blue moon.)
#60 DoxieMom comes through again-I will get to see the water scene—yyyeeeeaaahhhhh!!!!!!
#66 Happy Birthday tomorrow PandaFan.
#69 Daniel-and any others with the cam timing out (since Monday for me)….I get about 15 minutes unless I rememeber to click on to the page for a moment to keep it going. I make a little box for the corner of the screen so I can do other things while waiting for action-if I forget to keep clicking regularly I have to refresh too.
#77 Fonsia—TY TY TY……………………………………………Love Grammmie
#77 Fonsia – Thanks!! That was wonderful actually hearing Momma Bai Yun calling for Yun Zi to wake up. Funny he will get right up when Mom is calling but plays coy for the Keepers
I found another video when I watched Fonsia’s. It’s of Momma Bai Yun and Poppa Gao when they were thinking about little Zhennie
At least the date on it is from 2007…hehehe so many different vocalizations and you can see Poppa Gao’s cute little face quite clearly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o8K8aGzjP4&NR=1
Loved all above videos and Happy Birthday to Pandafan #2
I do love it when they just hang their heads down…..so relaxed.
I thought that today Bai Yun was being so testy and seemed to be in a rather foul mood.
She sure took it out on him.
The time lapse camera really showed a lot of acitivity today.
It was cute to see him mimic his mom drinking water….I don’t know that he actually did drink but he just posed like mom.
What happens to Bai Yun when she can’t breed anymore? Do they have a “rest home” for old pandas sonewhere?
Marie #81, you can hear Bai bleating to Yunior at about :28, :37 and 1:40 (the loudest). It think there are a few more, but they’re much softer.
# 84 Tina – Thanks for that link. I love seeing Gao’s cute little face! What interesting sounds. Kinda sounds like the sound young horses make. lol.
I came across this adorable video of Zhennie trying to wake up momma. It’s too funny. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy7ocy_MsXA
#41 Marie…Gao tends to bury himself in his bamboo as he eats. The bamboo starts in a neat pile next to him and as he pulls more and more onto his lap to eat, he winds up underneath a big pile of leaves and bamboo culm! Although this habit makes it hard to see him sometimes, it’s pretty endearing and something that can always be counted on when he’s eating indoors.
Hopefully he’ll be out on exhibit soon so we can see his handsome face!
Hi Fonsia #77 – Many thanks for sharing your wonderful video. It sounds like you had an fun day with the panda family. I really enjoyed hearing Bai Yun’s bleating. Bai actually has a bleating sound meaning it’s time for “lunch”.
#12 Telly26
No one knows the answer to that question.
Hi DoxieMom #60 – Thanks so much for posting the two fun videos. It looks like Yun Zi has decided that his best descent from the climbing structure is via the shed.
Bai Yun and Yun Zi’s wrestling bout was non-stop and it is clear that Bai gives her cub quite a workout. Your second video is really clever and very revealing. The high-speed highlights the incredible amount of exercise that Yun Zi gets. There is no stopping him. 
Oh! By the way, regarding the unknown object in the pool – my guess is that it’s Bai’s leftover treat or perhaps, a piece of apple or sweet potato?
Do you find Mr. Yun Zi to be a, uh, bit more “stubborn” than his sisters were at this age? From observing him on the cam and the videos, I just get a strong sense of “maleness” about him. Interesting to watch and observe!
The TRUE story of why Bai Yun gave little Yun Zi a sudden bath in the concrete pond…..
Little Yun Zi got into some mischief while playing the other day. He came upon a fresh pile of Momma’s Panda Poo and like many human children, thought this was the ideal toy to play with. I watched him flop down right in the middle of the pile. He put it in his mouth, chewed on it (I know this sounds gross) and basically attacked it. After rolling in it several times, Bai came over to him, took one whiff of him and walked away. They played a little bit, rolling through the sawdust enclosure and little cubbie must have still smelled like Panda Poo.
When Bai went over to the pond, she saw what was on the ground. I think she figured out that little Yunior had been playing in non-zoo “enrichment” toys. Little cubbie came over to investigate what momma was doing and Bai took the back of her paw and pushed Yun Zi over into the pond. After an unexpected bath, which he didn’t seem to enjoy, he went over and rolled in the honeysuckle to get himself dry. All the while trying to figure out what Mom had pushed him over into the water.
It may be my guess, but I truly believe that Bai was trying to get Yunior washed off. This was one mess she was NOT going to clean off with her tongue.
Yun Zi is so cute
Today I watched two keepers attempting to wake up Yun Zi while he was napping in the tree structure and then attempt to entice him to come out of the structure. It was very enjoyable and humorous to watch and I commend the keepers on their patience. Was this part of his training? I thought they were going to physically remove him from the structure but they waited it out but I also noticed they were laughing as much as I was.
Robin #95
I, too, watched this very closely. Even when there was no sound, you could tell that Yun Zi must have given the ladies a growl or two, because they backed off very quickly and got their hands out of the way.
The Zoo Staff and Keepers know much more than I do, about how to handle Panda cubs, so I won’t comment on how “I” would have tried to get him out of the tree. I would never presume to tell the keepers how to do their job.
Yun Zi is one stubborn little boy when he wants to be. He seems like this one cub that needs some sternness from the keepers during training. (And I do not mean any physical punishment and the keepers and staff wouldn’t either.) I know that the keepers and staff have their hands full with this growing male cub. He’s very independent and seems like he would be a handful during training sessions. One thing’s for sure….he likes his apples.
Bai Yun has her paws full, that’s for sure….
I was wondering aobut the layout of the classroom, garden room, birthing den, tunnels, etc. Is there a map online or can you put one up? I would like to see how everything fits together.
Moderator’s note: For security purposes, we do not provide a layout of the Giant Panda Research Station.
I am doing a panda project in school. My question is Are the pandas living in a completely covered cage. Does it have a roof and sides for their kind of climate?
thanks
Moderator’s note: Our pandas spend their days in open exhibits or back areas with mesh roofs and walls. They each have an enclosed “bedroom” area they can use if they wish.
Ah! Thank you for posting this!| There have been quite a bit of different
info out there, this dispells, puts to rest
some of what I’ve seen.