Gao's newest offspring is Yun Zi!
Many of the San Diego Zoo’s Panda Cam viewers have asked about Gao Gao, our adult male panda and father of our latest cutie, Yun Zi. Although he is not currently on exhibit, I’m happy to report that he’s doing very well! He and his daughter Su Lin usually rotate every few weeks between the main viewing exhibit and the off-exhibit enclosure). But Su Lin is currently undergoing hearing studies by our research team, and to move her from the off-exhibit enclosure to the soundproof room where the study is done every morning would take away so much from the study itself. So for right now, it’s more practical for bears and keepers to keep everyone where they are at this time.
And speaking of Gao, we often get questions about his success at fathering cubs. Although Bai Yun and Gao Gao are the only pair of giant pandas to naturally mate in the U.S., there are several occurrences of natural mating in China’s panda reserves. Now, why are they the only ones to succeed here? That really can’t be answered, since there are so many different thoughts on the matter.
Once the brief mating season is over for our pandas, we like to determine if a cub is on the way, but we need Bai Yun’s help to do this. Our bears are trained using well-known behavioral training methods, employing rewards for successive approximation to whatever the goal behavior is. We trained Bai Yun to urinate on command by “capturing” that particular behavior and rewarding her for it. Basically, our keepers would bring her into an area where they would observe her, and when she would urinate, they would reward her and tell her she was doing a good job. She soon caught on that they liked it when she did this and loved pleasing keepers for a reward. Lab tests done on the urine sample can tell us about changes in her hormone levels that may indicate a pregnancy.
As Bai Yun got closer to the time she might be giving birth, we were able to do ultrasound procedures on her. Doing the ultrasound without using any sedatives is always better for the animal, especially is she is pregnant. Our keepers started training Bai Yun for ultrasounds a few years ago by capturing the behavior of her rolling onto her back for us. Then they had to desensitize the area that the vets would be working on. During this time she is in a squeeze, which is a place where keepers and vets can minimize the area the animal has to move in. Our keepers kept rewarding her for lying still while they rubbed her belly and put some pressure on her abdomen. They did this for a period of time to allow her to adjust to the procedure. This can take weeks and weeks of training, but is certainly well worth the effort.
Many of our panda fans have contributed toward items on our Wish List for our pandas, as well as other animals in our care. These items included toys for Yun Zi and his family. Do they have a favorite toy? From my personal experience, I would say that they love the hanging ball, especially if we put treats in there for them. They also like different scents (they love cinnamon!).
Yun Zi is still nursing, although there really isn’t an exact time when he does this or a schedule of any sorts. We have seen him play in water, but can’t really tell you if he’s drinking it. I think one of the reasons he has gotten so big so fast is the fact that Bai Yun doesn’t have a schedule. She will feed her cub whenever he is hungry and doesn’t really restrict that. Watching Yun Zi nurse is pretty sweet!
One last question on everyone’s minds these days: When will Su Lin relocate to China? Although we expect Su Lin to go to China sometime in the future, we do not have any information about this possible move at this time.
We thank all of your for your interest in our pandas and we hope you continue to enjoy watching them and learning about them!
Anastasia Horning is a panda narrator at the San Diego Zoo.
Was the hanging ball with the goodies in it what Bai Yun did in one of Doxie’s youtube videos we saw? Looked like maybe carrots or something coming out as she banged it against her head. I thought HOW SMART!!!! (I’d like one over my desk at work …um..maybe with some M&M’s). : ) I plan to use these articles for FCAT writing subjects. Students will read the article and have to write on it. Something we are all interested in. Thank you!
Anastasia, great write-up. It’s amazing that you can get a panda to urinate on command but we can’t get athletes to do it. Ha Ha.
Regarding the hearing studies with Su Lin, are they to find the range of a pandas hearing or to find out what bothers them?
Thank you for the wonderful updates. I finally saw Yuunior live and he is just as cute as online. The information on training is so interesting. Thanks again
Really enjoyed all of the information. Its amazing what a little training and reward can do. Also the fact
that bears trust the staff, which to me is they caring loving people. Thank you for the information
Anastasia, I have learned so much in a short time I have been watching to Panda.
Lu
Thanks for the update! From my near-constant cam viewing, it does appear the bears love the hanging ball–I’ve even seen Yun Zi take a few taps at it! Can you tell us more about Su Lin’s hearing study? Does it involve how well she hears sounds of different pitch? Reaction to different types of sound? Overall acuity? My mind always wants more information! (Retaining that info is another thing entirely!)
For anyone wondering about the American bears in China, check out Anita at Flickr. I’ve not seen much on Lani’s arrival, but Anita has photos of Tai looking good, chowing down on bamboo on his arrival! He looks completely unaffected by his journey, & was warmly welcomed by fans at the airport.
We were planning to visit Yun tomorrow, when rain is again predicted. I noticed that the pandacam is not showing the classroom exhibit today. Are Bai and little Yun staying inside this morning? Thanks!
Moderator’s note: If Mom and cub are sleeping, we focus the Cam on an active panda.
hmm.. so what is gao gao really doing haha? i want to see more of gao gao!!!!
Has anyone ever thought to do a IQ test on our pandas? They have to be the smartest ones in the WORLD! You all train them to do so many wonderful things! And most of the things you train them to do are just to help them to be normal bears! Healthy Bears and happy bears! We have all heard of the hearing study.. except for one thing… What are you looking for? What is the study trying to find? What have you found out so far? And are you letting her listen to music? If so, does she have a favorite? I would love to know if she taps her toes like her mommy (just to certain music) That would be over the top!
A link provided by another panda lover led me to this sentence. (As a side note, I will have new information concerning Su Lin of the San Diego Zoo on whether she will or will not be going to China, coming up in a day or two.)
Start at this link http://www.pandasliveon.com/ then go to the bottom of Mei Lan and Tai Shan’s trip to China that is where I got the sentence bracketted above. Perhaps in the excitement of preparations for the two pandas somebody forgot they had not communicated it to SDZ.
There is good reading on your way to almost half way down—-even the “pick a mate for Mei Lan”. I am not sure if some of the names are disturbing, funny, descriptive, or what. Read with a naughty eye they are hillarious.
Love Grammmie
I just had a good laugh I went to flickr to see if any of my contacts had posted more pictures of Tai Shan or Mei Lan. Will there was a picture of Mei Lan in her new cage and she had climbed up the back wall. The headlines said about the arrival of Tarzan Mei Lan so I thought they were calling Mei that because she had climb the wall. I had tranlate the story and figured out they were calling Tai Shan Tarzan as that how they tranlate it. LOL
How long are you going to show Yun Zi on the panda cam?
I really enjoy watching the baby play!!!!!! And watching Bai Yun play with him!!!
Dear #5 dd You wrote “For anyone wondering about the American bears in China, check out Anita at Flickr. I’ve not seen much on Lani’s arrival, but Anita has photos of Tai looking good, chowing down on bamboo on his arrival! He looks completely unaffected by his journey, & was warmly welcomed by fans at the airport.”
I would very much like to see the clip(s) but need more information. I went to flikr.com, put “anita” in the search box, but of the one page that came up nothing looked like what I am looking for. Do you have any hints for me to try for more success? Thank you so much…Love Grammmie
I think they are just the super power couple of the panda world! I would like to take a moment to say farewell to Tai Shan from the National Zoo, who left for China yesterday. Tai was the panda cub who turned me into a pandafanatic, which led to following the beautiful pandas here at San Diego.
Bless all the Giant Pandas!
Of course Gao Gao is so “talented” naturally because of the baja fish tacos, tasty waves, and epicurean buffet of bamboo that San Diego offers! He doesn’t want to go home to China, so he has made himself uniquely indispensable!
#7, yesterday we did get to see Gao Gao for a while, eating bamboo of course.
Gao-Gao chow-chow down-down.
Mama Bai seems to pace around her enclosure every day around 11:40. Is she anticipating food?
Moderator’s note: Yep!
We love Gao Gao and are really happy Su Lin is not leaving yet!
I have loved seeing roly poly play with all his toys lately!
Thank you for doing what you all do!
Even though Bai Yun and Gao Gao will not mate this year, will Bai Yun exhibit signs of estrus?
Moderator’s note: Not while she’s still nursing a cub, which she will do until he is 17 to 18 months old.
Thanks, Anastasia! You know that we pandaholics are an insatiable bunch, so these frequent nuggets of information just feed our addiction and make us happy! The information is ALMOST as delicious as watching Yun Zi chewing his feet and climbing all over his mother!
Thanks to Doxie Mom also for all your videos, but particularly Hey, You’re in my Way! It was really funny and there’s no doubt that with his determination he will always find a way – over, around, or under!
Again, thanks Anastasia for the interesting update. Looks like Yunior is gertainly growing up – he’s getting very long and seems to be losing some of the cub chubbiness. Good for the Pandaholic fans he still loves to roll about and play.
We all know what happened at the Howdy gate with SL and ZZ… However, if either of the girls were able to see Yunior would they react like a momma bear or would they be agressive? Does anyone know or is it on a bear by bear experience? One just never thinks of a panda being the least bit agressive.. but they are bears after all. Could one of you give a (much more educated than the average panda nut) guess on what would happen in something like this?
Awww, watching them sleep is my favorite.
Thanks for another wonderful and informative post. It is clear that our SDZ pandas have some of the best care in the world. Thank you for putting their well-being priority number 1 and letting them be the beautiful creatures that they are.
I also would like to know how the Panda’s react to music. Maybe you don’t even use music, but if you do, what kind of music and what different tempos do they responde to? Thanks!
Tina # 21, I was wondering how Su or Zhen would reacht also, if they saw YZ. If they’re anything like us, they would swoon at his adorableness. lol
Anastasia, thanks for the wonderful information. I love reading all the panda knowledge.
I finally went to SDZ on Wednesday! I was lucky to see Mom and Yunior awake for a few minutes before they closed the exhibit. I got there at 9 sharp, but he didn’t wake up till about 11:45! He looks cute sleeping, though. What you said about not knowing if he is drinking water, I have the video of him drinking. I’ll try to post it in YouTube (it’s not very good…maybe DixieMom caught it better)
Everybody at SDZ is great and I am hoping to drive down again very soon.
#21 Tina in SC – If you read “Celebrating Gao Gao” http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/01/19/celebrating-gao-gao/, you will see that Gao Gao was found when less than a year old, he was injured and had difficulty walking. It was obvious that his mother, for an unknown reason, had not taken care of him. He most probably was attacked, but if it was by other panda(s) or other wild animals, is unknown as well. It is hard to believe that he would have been considered a threat by another panda at such a young age, but we don’t know how another panda mother caring for her own cub(s) would have reacted if he tried to approach.
#12 Grammie…I didn’t have luck just putting Anita in the searchbox but I tried adding “Tai Shan” to the searchbox and found the photostream with pictures of Tai in China.
Given that the pandas like cinnamon especially, how is it used for scent enrichment? Is it placed in the burlap bags along with the bags’ other contents? Is it sprinkled in the yard? Just wondering…
Moderator’s note: All of the above
Keepers sprinkle spices or perfumes/colognes in and on things around the exhibit. Other animals that use their noses get the same enrichment from their keepers, too!
Good News! I just read that the Sichuan Automotuve Company has adopted Tai Shan for life. It means that they will pay for his care at the reserve and in exchange they’ll get to use his image in association with their products. Accoding to the Washington Post some other pandas in China have corporate sponsorship but Tai’s deal is the biggest ever – befitting a superstar. What makes it good for US panda fans is that the company is planning to market their products here, which means we’ll get to see images of him
#28 MELISSA–TY so very much-I will give it a try. Is “Tai Shan” used alone-or with Anita? Love Grammmie
p.s. I will try both ways-you never know what treasures you will find.
BRAVO! BRAVO! PLEASE-more close ups like this!!! That little furry bundle of love, sooooooooo sweet.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU so much, meerkats!
#9, there are a lot of falsehoods in the article about Mei Lan … she is not “returning” to China as she was never there … she was not born in Washington, D.C., she was born in Atlanta, Georgia … if the males are the ones who are anesthetized in order to get their semen, how would “she” not feel it … “She” is not the one who is anesthetized in this case … Oh well.
Well, decided to check in on the SDZ pandacam again, and there was Bai and Yuni on the platform napping away! It looks like that is their favorite sleeping spot for now. I haven’t seen them in the den in the last week or two, so I’m wondering if the den phase has just ended and the den is closed up now. Sort of looks like it right now. Bai and Yuni look so comfy together!
Just checked out the AZ website’s panda page, and they have finally gotten an update written about Mei Lan’s trip to China. They also have that same update on their Farewell to Mei Lan page as well, and will use that page for more updates about Mei’s adjustment in China. Mei landed in Chengdu, China with Tai Shan earlier today, and she has made her way to the Chengdu Panda Base. The AZ panda keeper that was with her said that she tolerated the flight pretty well, but Mei was a little bit restless a couple of times. Her keeper kept her busy with snacks and boo, and Mei did get some rest during the flight. She will also start her 30 day quarantine at the center, and the keeper and vet from AZ will stay there to make sure that she makes a good adjustment there.
Checked the pandacams and other animal cams on the NZ website, and the snow is starting to pile up. The flamingo keepers even took the flamingos inside but the ducks are still outdoors staying close to the heated pool. These ducks don’t even mind walking on the snow and laying down on it! Pandas Mei and Tian are doing their usual routine indoors–eating, napping, playing, and other stuff. With the snow falling outside, the pandas and animals are snug and warm in their indoor rooms.
Also got on the Memphis Zoo website, got on the pandacam, and YES! The pandacam is back on line! Saw one of the pandas on the cam but couldn’t figure out whether it was Ya Ya or Le Le. I’m thinking that the cam people will be focusing more on Ya Ya beause of the AI procedure and a hopeful birth of a cub in a few weeks or more. Finally got the chance to count Ya’s days since AI, and she is at 71 days as of today, Friday, Feb. 5th. Will keep track of her as well as Mei Xiang’s days since AI. I’m holding off on Mei for awhile since her gestation is only about a month old. Keep your fingers crossed for the both of them as we wait on whether they will have cubs or not.
Gonna go for now.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Thank you, Anastasia, for your informative article. I, too, think it is pretty sweet watching Yun Zi and also Bai Yun–she is such a wonderful mom! Please keep up your great articles and as always, hugs and kisses to Baby Yun and mom.
Thank you, thank you cam operator. Great shot of our little man. I have been watching YunZi on the platform (closeup shot) for sometime now and he is just adoreable………………………I was able to take so many pics of him and a few of BaiYun…………..I saw one of the keepers in there with our little man, then Bai was there. LOL…..She must have wanted in?????
There is a great closeup of Yuni on the platform on the pandacam! I was watching him play and gnaw on his paw, do a little bit of scratching, a little bit of stretching, then he went right back to sleep with a paw over his face. CUTE!! Got a postcard of this for myself! Hope a bunch of you saw that, too! Thanks cam people for that great shot!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Anastasia, thanks for a wonderful positive and educational contribution. We enjoy learning all we can about our favorite SDZ pandas. Let’s hope that Su Lin will be staying a while longer since Bifengxia is overcrowded at the moment, and has a new resident from USA to quarantine and acclimate already.
Forgot to ask a question. Do you know what Yun Zi weighs now? Looks like he’s getting pretty big but still so cute. Thank you.
A question for the moderator.
Are the blocks used to build the garden room (where sleeping platform is in case I am not asking for the right thing) standard size cement blocks? Or what size are they? That can help us pandaholics track Yunior’s size when we see him sleeping.
Thanks
Moderator’s note: I believe they are.
I’d be surprised if everyone wasn’t already commenting about this event!! But, just in case any of you missed it, here is the video!!!
2010-02-05 Yun Zi and the Apple!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnA09z36O-w
Happy 6 month birthday, Yun Zi!!
Thank you Anastasia for the informative update on Gao Gao, Bai Yun and Su Lin!! Always nice to read posts about all the San Diego Zoo pandas!!
Anastasia, thank you for the great article! The knowledge you and the other instructors provide is always welcome!
I am looking forward to the Olympics your city is hosting! I hope the network shows many views of the city and surrounding area….it has to be beautiful there!
Lee in Vancouver#2: Great line
I really hope China is taking another good look at taking panda cubs from their mothers at 6 months. Momma pandas have so much to teach their cubs
Today is Yun Zi’ s 6 month birthday – & momma Bai is teaching him something new constantly 
It may be : don’t bother me, don’t touch my bamboo, get down from that tree, no, you can’t do that, Yes. you will learn to like the pool & on the lessons go. How can a 6 month cub live without mom – yes, panda kindergarten is cute to watch but these little ones are not learning skills needed from their mothers 
Great, long post
that picture is adorable!
Fantastic details!!!
# 32 MsLiz of Atlanta I must have read the same article late last night, I remember the “returning home” line and the “she” for “he”. I just did not know whom to tell about it. I think perhaps the problems were in translation more than anything else..perhaps they meant since the cubs were always to “be Chinese” that she was returning to her homeland of China. Maybe it was the Chinese news???
# 39 Lucy–You had a very odd question—lets be frank about the block walls……you are thinking of building a Panda habitat……and will have to have your pockets and any large bags checked on your way out of the zoo. Just remember we do not see how huge he is until we see him with one of his tiny keepers..then he looks like the giant he is becoming. Your best bet is to train him quick to act like a stuffed Panda that you can carry in your arms as you breeze through the gates…..do Pandas snore-loudly?…that might trip you up too. If you need any other help in this caper I am around until “they come to take me away”. (and I will Fluffy-Butt sit when you just must go out without him)
# 40 DoxieMom thank you for todays episode in the San Diego Drama/Comedy Panda World. Have you had a look at the names of the males that may be the chosen as groom for Mei Lan? Our Chinese Friends live on the wild side-do they not? I sure hope you got the “sipping from the pool” footage of Fluffy-Butt, I saw it but still have not had the time to figure out how to work all of the stuff I have new on Windows 7–let alone figure out how to tape from an online cam. If I ever do figure it out I volunteer to take over some of the duties for you….and if we train a few more folks we could cover SDZ PandaCam 24-7. We do have a lot of time before we have a cub on the way again-hopefully-so I will start nosing around in some of the stuff my son fancied up my programs with.
Love, Hugs and kisses to all of you Grammmie
I just checked the pandacam again—it looks like we are to be treated to Su Lin this evening—with the bright ling on, perhaps this will be a Friday night staple, but we are supposed to be rainy here in the S D Z area…..Love Grammmie
Thank you Anastasia. That is Su Lin I see out this evening eating isn’t it? As far as I’m concerned we could keep Su Lin forever. Any idea why the Chinese haven’t asked for her back or perhaps they have but just haven’t set a date? I think SDZ has a terrific panda program that has produced results way beyond what was probably expected. Of course I’m biased but look at the record. Five cubs. Is there any other zoo in the world, outside of China’s own reserves, who have had this much success? That is not a put down to any other zoo mind you. I think they’re all great and look at Atlanta, they had two cubs.
We love learning more about our pandas and we love every panda that comes to the U.S. The National Zoo has not been able to get another cub but you never know. It could happen again soon and I’m sure that Atlanta will have more cubs as well. Everyone hates having to give up the cubs even though we know that they are going to a place where they will be treated well.
Of course if we had the decision we’d never give up any of them so it is probably good that we don’t have that. Thank you so much for all the information you give us and for letting us share even more deeply in our pandas lives.
Almost forgot, Lee in Vancouver #2 I love your city. In fact I love your Province and your country. I haven’t been up in a long, long time and I do miss it. I am totally ready for the games and they couldn’t be in a better place. And Bobbie you are right it is an absolutely beautiful city as I’m sure Lee can tell you.
Dear Pam T (No 10),
In Chinese, the name Tarzan is translated as Tai Shan (same ideographs, same words) so Chinese person may see Tazan as his English name. ‘Tai Shan’ is written the way the words are pronounced and you know it means peaceful mountain.
Thanks Anastasia. And OF COURSE DoxieMom. Little Yunni will learn all about “if you snooze you lose!” Just adorable. A wonderful end to a difficult week. Thanks everyone
Dear DoxieMom….I just got to watch the happy 6 month birthday video…but I am not sure if I should laugh or cry. Our poor baby got a nice little chunk of apple, and was sleepy and a gentleman. I knew that if his mommy got wind of the apple it would be history—so for his 6th month birthday he did not act like a pig—zip-Hi Mommy this is a great piece of apple—–was’t it??? I have seen her check enrichment toys for food, and empty things in moments, and eat everything in minutes–I guess she had to have some way to get the family Fluffy-Butt…..Love Grammmie
Bai Yun and Gao Gao are total rock stars producing a bevvy of rockstar offspring. Love it. Thanks for the interesting information on our beloved pandas. Watching Tai Shan and Mei Lan jet off back to China made me weep watching their fans say goodbye. I know I need to cherish every video, postcard and viewing of the Yunster. I hope we have Su Lin for much more time, but I’m trying to prepare myself already.
Thanks Anastasia. I so want to be you when I grow up. Sadly that was decades ago and I missed the boat.
Thank you for the video, DoxieMom–such a sleepy fuzzy yawny little guy. I somehow knew that Bai would end up with the apple when he didn’t go for it right away. Well good for her–she has the cutest cubs!
Are there any websites or UTubes that show the FedEx plane taking off for China? I watched CNN and saw just snippets of news about the pandas’ move to China. And any videos of their arrival in China? I missed all of this somehow!
very cute i love him!!!
was just on adelaide zoo website. they have several videos of the pandas and a blog site. at the thailand zoo lin ping was active. a keeper was wiping her down , must have had a bath, then he put several toys in her room , mei and tian were both sleeping, and lili, the black bear , and cub were quiet. quess i got my fill of bears for tonite its raining here now, after snow most of the day, but getting more snow saturday, D.C. is supposed to get over 2 feet of the white stuff.
Thanks for reassuring responses to my post worrying about the separated cubs growing up to be great moms. Still, as I watch Bai Yun and Yun Zi, I think being raised by someone like her must be the best thing that could happen to a cub.
I love all the wonderful blogs; they are such a great gift to us from the Zoo staff. Of course, I feel like quite a slacker since my dogs are not nearly as well trained as your pandas!
Thank you, Anastasia!
The slideshow of Tia Shan from birth to farewell is wonderful. I know his keeper will miss him. I do. It almost made me cry. But, I know just know Tia Shan will make a bunch of little Tia Shans. He is such a pretty bear.
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/GiantPandas/TaiShan/default.cfm
Thank you for all the new information Anastasia. Always a joy to learn something new about our precious pandas.
I was wondering if there is a chance, even a remote one, that Su Lin could get an AI soon? Then she could stay here and let us watch her beautiful cubbie grow… That would be so sweet, Momma Bai Yun could have a grandbaby
Has anyone heard from Dennis (and Lynn) Carey in the last couple of days??? We usually get notes once or more a day about the Pandas, Lilly the Black Bear, and how Lynn is doing. I know he is volunteerring time for Lilly to make notes for the doctor in charge, and that may be all there is to it, but I would like to know…..Love Grammmie
Everytime you give us a treat of information, its like we found a tasty biscuit on a branch!
What does everyone mean when they say they got a “postcard” of a shot?
Moderator’s note: Our Panda Cam page has a “send postcard” feature (located just below the image). If you see something happening on Panda Cam that you wish to save, click on the postcard link and you can e-mail that captured image to yourself or anyone you like!
Doren #55, if you go to YouTube and search for ‘Through the Lens – The Bear Man you will find the most wonderful video tribute to Dr Lynn Rogers and his wife Donna featuring some gorgeous black bears. If any of you want to cry tears of happiness (as I did) rather than of sadness at Tai and Mei’s departures, you have to see this. The music is hauntingly beautiful. I must thank Dennis Carney for telling us about Lily the Black Bear. We need more people like the Rogers’ in this world.
Great! How long are Bai and Gao staying in California??
Moderator’s note: At least a few more years.
This was another really great posting. Thanks!
I’m very relieved to hear once again, that our 2 beloved pandas made it safely to their new homes in China. It is so comforting to know that they treasure them as much as we do.
I just happened to check the cameras at NZP. I’m not sure if it was Mei or Tian but one of them was having a BLAST scooting up and down the trees and rolling around in all the deep fresh snow! Life goes on…..
Don’t miss the update on Fu Long posted on the Pandas Live On website and other German websites. There is a picture of Fu Long, with his white toes, and his new friend Wu Jun, same age male panda, eating their bamboo. It is nice to see that Fu Long is adapting well in Bifengxia. No mention of a Chinese teacher for him… His keepers mentioned that Fu Long and Wu Jun understand each other well; it seems that panda talk is international… But there might be another reason why the two young cubs are getting along so well. When checking other German websites, I found another picture and additional information on pandanews dot wordpress dot com.
The young male Wu Jun is not only Fu Long’s new friend, he is his cousin. Wu Jun’s Mama Ye Ye is the sister of Fu Long’s Papa Long Hui.
Wu Jun was born in Wolong and was traumatized by the earthquake, staying high in trees and not eating. It took a lot of attention from his keeper to get him back on his feet and in good health.
Someone was asking in a previous blog what Pandabub meant, Bub means young lad. Buben is the plural form.
I was saddened to view a brief video about ZA’s Mei Lan and how she’s doing since her arrival in China. I pray that with time she will adjust to her new home. It must be such an adjustment for these bears to be taken so far and put in totally new surroundings.
I love baby Yun Zi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can’t wait to visit him hopefully for my 11th B-day! You rock pandas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
heard tai is settling in pretty well and nicole has said her final goodbye to tai – she said it would be easier on him to bond with his new keeper and on herself to be so close to him and not be allowed to take care of him. she is going to visit tai’s grandparents and try to get to see mei sheng and hua mei before she heads home.
#53, Lilarose, you need to sign up for Google alerts, using “giant panda” or “panda cub” as the subjects for your alerts. You then get any news article about those subjects as they happen. Mine show up on my home page. Most of the videos of Tai Shan’s departure came from the Washington Post. You can go into their website and type in “Tai Shan” as the search and they should pop up. You may have to register/subscribe, but it is free. There are several videos there of his departure and also arrival in China and then on to Bifengxia.
It seems Tai made the trip with no anxiety at all, however Mei Lan apparently was not quite so calm, although she made it just fine.
It’s been a sad few days, and my thoughts still go there, but thank goodness we have Yun Zi and supermom Bai Yun to help us through. What would we do without the SDZ and their wonderful panda bears?
If anyone wants to see the news clip about Mei Lan–it is a short narrated video–it can be found on Reuters dot com and search for panda. I believe the title is something like U.S. Panda finds home in China.
#40 DoxieMom, Since Tai Shan and Su Lin were born, I’ve watched all the U.S. panda cubs grow and develop, but your videos have really shown me so much more than I’ve ever seen catching glimpses here and there on the pandacams. Thank you so much. And thanks to the SDZ moderators, keepers and staff, for giving us the opportunity to become pandaholics. Can’t want until our convention in March!
Sumi
I came across a current and interesting journal by a graduate student, Vanessa Hull, at Michigan State who is trying to capture wild pandas to collar them with gps transmitters. She is working with Chinese researchers from Woolong. They are living in a cabin in the mountains monitoring and baiting several traps. They would like to collar four pandas, but so far the giant pandas have eluded them — although not the red ones. Their living conditions are fairly primitive, and Vanessa has to climb down the mountain some distance to post her reports. They are charmingly written. There is a link to send Vanessa questions, but it doesn’t seem to be working right now. Moderator, I hope you can post this link. Thank you.
http://special.news.msu.edu/panda/journal/index.php
Just read that one of the pandas from Japan is scheduled to go to China this month too. So, Bifengxia will be challenged to find quarantine room for all the incoming foreign born pandas that are being “returned” to China per the lease agreements for their parents. They just moved the 16 cubs born in 2009 into the Panda Kindergarten. Presumably that includes Hua Mei’s 2009 cub(s), and the cub that Mei Sheng may have fathered. I forget if she had one or two in 2009. With 13 cubs in 2008 and 16 cubs in 2009, they have a full house of young cubs. Until Wolong is finished they are hard pressed to have enough space for everyone. Since Tai Shan is going to be in Suite 1 “their most luxurious” space, where does that leave room for Su Lin, or the Japanese arrival? Interesting. I wonder sometimes if they will send a foreign born panda to another country than China, or Wolong in particular. Chengdu has some of the displaced Wolong earthquake survivors until the new facility is built. They also have room left for more arrivals. So, it will be interesting to see who goes where. I also wonder if the rumors that I have read about China rethinking their policy of removing cubs at 6 months will have any bearing on their training candidates for release in the wild. It seems to me that a mother raised cub would be more prepared for a life in the wild than one that was removed from its mother at 6 months as basically human raised.
I am glad to see the sod in Zhen Zhen’s exhibit is holding up well. It still looks vibrant and luxurious like it did in January. It doesn’t have the well worn paths through it like Su Lin’s exhibit does. Between switches from Su Lin to next resident do you anticipate renovating the grass in that exhibit? Bai and Yun will have great surface for playing when they switch to Exhibit 1.
urinate on command..now thats to cool !! haha…Just like training killer whales to do things..I have no idea how you guys do it…but that is to awesome…keep up the great work!
I came across a video on YouTube “Mei Lan – the first day in Chengdu” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdAQPed3GBk but it is in Chinese. If someone understand what is said about Mei Lan, could you please let us know. Thanks.
I just watched the video on Mei Lan on Reuters…. I hope the keeper who went over with her still has access to her so she can help her. I’m looking forward to reading updates from the zoo keepers on how things are going.
I have to say that Lun Lun and Ping Lin’s Mom deserve some sort of sainthood medals. Those are two ornery cubs. Today I watched Ping climb all over her mom (including her head) while Mom was trying to nap. I’ve watched the videos of Xi Lan and how he just launches himself at Lun Lun while she’s eating. Can’t wait to see how “bad” Yunior becomes as he gets older.
I’m pretty sure I know the answer to this question but want to make sure: Gao and Bai are the only 2 pandas in the US who have had the most cubs?
Moderator’s note: Yes, together they have produced four cubs.
Looked like Yun Zi was either rubbing his fluffy rear on the top post in the garden room or marking it. Do they mark at this young age?
Rain last nite and today…..so we have muddy cub.
How often does “Yunior” nurse everyday, and for how long?
I saw Zhenny on the cam this early afternoon. She must have liked the back part of her “tree island,” as she was pacing back and forth, coming into the cam’s view every 2 seconds or so. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to see these animals without having me travel from Chicago to San Diego (I can only imagine the cost, pricy pricy) I also saw Yunior and Bai today on the cam as well. They were a couple of lazybones at first, then they started being energetic for a while, then they calmed down. Nice to see Yunior’s progress. By the way, whoever came up with the nickname “Yunior” is a comedy genious (I made up Zhenny). Keep going along the difficult trek to natural successful panda breeding, SDZ!!
Moderator’s note: My “deputy” moderator came up with the nickname!
I’m watching ZZ outside eating her boo in the rain with not a care in the world…….WTG ZZ!!!
Thank you cam operator for showing her and SuLin alot today. I miss them both…
Suline currently not leaving , happy to know that.
# 58 TINY I thought that was a good idea—so I called the Panda Station after hours to chat about it. Her mother Bai answered the phone and told me she was not going to be a free babysitter all the time.
That aside I bet since she is the offspring of a rare natural breeding couple, with a half sister who has already added 10 cubs to the group in china and 3 of those twin births-my guess would be that they will want her back, unless they are concerned that there are enough of Bai’s decendents in the pool already. When they get enough Pandas I think they aught to let each pandaholic take one home-don’t you?????
MODERATOR re: # 61 Claudia…….
# 61 CLAUDIA I skip a step, when I get to the “postcard page”, with the cursor on the photo, I simply click the right side button on the mouse so the menu will pop-up or drop down, choose “save picture as”, use my left side mouse button to activate it, type a title for the picture, and click save at the bottom right side of the “picture save page”. If I am in a hurry, so I do not miss one in a series, I will just assign it a number or letter for the “save as” line, save it, and go right back to the web-cam page for the next good photo op. I can fill in the titles later by using the “rename feature” on the saved files or picture pages. I hope that helps you and anybody else wanting to speed things up. I do suggest you practice during off times so that when you get to the good action you will be so used to it it will practically do itself….and you will not be fumbling around and looking for things, or trying to read this while going for speed. Remember on the web-cam page you must first click the “send postcard” to get to the postcard page to then use my shortcut to work really fast. If I glance at what I have saved and it is not what I wanted I just go right back to the web-cam page, when you osave another it will push aside the one you do not want-no waste.
# 63 JOSEPH They get them back on the dates aggreed on or when they pry them from our cold dead fingers—we have a Navy here in the harbor for goodness sake. Of course they will be going home when they have to, but we will be very sad to see them leave–they have made so much history here–maybe they will let them retire here too–that would be so awfully nice. Okay, have we planned a facility for that?????
# 65 DANIELLE Great update and reminder to see the German site–wonderful photos and videos.
# 67 JILLIAN How soon is your birthday? I hope it is a long way off….it will take the Pandas at the San Diego Zoo a long time to learn to sing Happy Birthday to you. Then there is all the time trying to teach them to stand in a nice line, and I bet Yun Zi uses all of the Pandas for climbing toys—he will be the hardest to train-not becuse he is not smart, but because he thinks he is so smart, and he does lots of silly things.
# 69 BARBARA The Washington Post sounds like a good idea too…..where was my brain? Does anybody else have any suggestions, and/or an Atlanta news outlet we should try too for more coverage of Mei Lan??? Maybe since Tai Shan is a bit older it was less stressful for him, and he may be loking forward to being a groom more than young Mei Lan is looking forward to being a bride.
#70 LAURIE Thank you for reminding me that I really should not have been looking in a hit and miss fashion (mostly miss) for news coverage of the Pandas. Reuters is now on my favorites list, and my “Cheat Sheet” page so I will not have to remember so much, just go looking.
#72 PAGE Thank you for the great link. From the look of things and the Archive area I will not run out of things to read on the computer any time soon. She not only descibes a subject I love, she does it well….love grammmie
# 68 Carolyn, do you have an “inside” connection or is this news posted on a website somewhere that I’ve missed? Thanks! #70 Laurie, I just watched the video of Mei Lan on Reuters. I’m wondering if Mei Lan’s Atlanta keeper is able to help with her feeding and care – at least until she starts to feel more comfortable in her new home.
#53 Lilarose in Bandon, OR FedEx has several videos of thr trip & tai Shan’s farewell and more at mediacenter dot fedex dot designcdt dot com
Moderator, many thanks for allowing blog activity this weekend. So kind of you.
marcia519 in PA
My sincere sympathy on the passing of your beloved kitty. I know from my own experience that no one can ever take his place. But please consider my advice (if possible) to go to the shelter and find another kitty who needs you as much as you need him or her. It will help you heal. Peace be with you.
Just read here that your East Coast is going to get huge amounts of snow and people have been queuing to stock up with food etc at the supermarkets. Apparently a state of emergency may be declared and people could be trapped in their homes with 30 inches of snow falling. Good grief, that’s exactly half my height!! If that happens, good luck to those of you in that area and keep warm! Hope the pandas don’t disappear underneath the snow.
DoxieMom, what sweet close-ups of our little hero with his apple. He didn’t really have much of a chance though, when Bai spotted it. The way she snaffled it up made me think of a lizard with its long tongue!
#46 Peggy, the most successful zoo outside China to breed panda is Japan’s Adventure World. Mei Mei, the hero mother had 7 cubs before she past away in 2008. One of her daughters, Rau Hin, is still living in Adventure World and has 2 cubs. I don’t know why she is still living in Japan instead of going back to China. Check their website if you want more info. They currently have 7 pandas.
Moderator’s note: Jessy, the link you provided did not work.
That is so cute! Too bad Su Lin will leave later! I’m going to miss her! But I think she will have a nice time there! Maybe she will see Her brother or sister!
Will she be able to see them? Has she ever seen any of them before?
If you could answer these questions that would be very nice! Thank you!
I LOVE PANDAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Moderator’s note: Su Lin saw her brother Mei Sheng a few times when she was high up in her tree looking into his enclosure next door.
Just something I have been wondering about regarding the cubs departure for China…maybe someone can shed some light. It’s been said that Tai’s trip went just fine; and he is, of course, about 5 1/2 years old. Mei Lan was apparently a bit unsettled but Mei is not even 3 1/2 yet. Apparently, there is still no date set for Sui Lin’s departure and Su is just past 4 1/2 years old. What was the big rush to get little Mei Lan back to China if anyone might have an answer. Thanks.
Anastasia, thank you for your very informative and interesting article and the super cute photo, too adorable. Yes, it is so sad that another two pandas had to leave for China, but we all know why… I sincerely hope that Mei Lan is going to adjust shortly to her new surroundings, quite some stress for her. And apart from that the new language she has to learn.
I was pleased to see that Fu Long has found a new friend, Wu Jun, the name was translated as the good looking one. So it seems to Fu Long has adjusted well to his new surroundings, thank goodness.
As always, thanks a lot for the lovely videos, DoxieMom, well done!
Wow, b/w watching our little man and all the pandas here on live cam, and watching Lily and her new baby girl on live cam in her den, and watching a mother hummingbird on live cam……..I have no life now. LOLOLOL……..just kidding. I’m loving every minute of it……………Gotta run to the store again…….it is Super Bowl Sunday!!!!!
On the bright side, the Pandas Live On article about Fu Long is extremely encouraging. Although I was terrified for him at the time, it seems that because he went to China so young he’s fit right in with his two-year old peers and has made a friend with whom he plays. It seems a perfect transition for him. Just at the time he would have been weaned (something they didn’t have the space to do at Schönbrunn Zoo), he’s moved in with other subadults.
As Mei Lan is only three, let’s hope she also will find comfort in her same-age panda peers once she settles in. There does seem to be an advantage in returning the pandas at a younger age: they find playmates. They certainly know what they’re doing with pandas in China. I’m sure they’ll help dear Mei Lan settle down and be happy there.
Hi, you all! Pandas Live On does have a big article and pics of Mei Lan and Tai Shan’s arrival in China.
Checked all of the outdoor animal cams on the NZ website, and boy, there’s a ton of snow on the ground there! National Zoo is closed again today while they work to clear off all of the walkways and other vital areas of the zoo from all of that snow. DC’s snow totals are all over the place depending on where the heaviest snowfall was at. Snowfall totals ranged from 17.5 inches to over 30 inches in the DC area! WOW!!! The animal cams showed a very nice layer of snow in those yards. The gorilla cam had a snowdrift that covered half of the viewing lens, but I checked it again and it’s showing icicles! The pandacam showed a little of the snowy panda yards and panda tracks on the edge of the snow by the sidewalks. Both Tian and Mei had been outside, but they were back inside. DC will be up against it later on this coming week with more snow on the way. Now, DC is on track to break their season snow total for this winter!
Just looked in on the SDZ pandacam, but didn’t see a panda on there. Will keep checking the cam.
Gonna go for now, but will be back later.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Doxiemom, I did see your video of Yuni and the apple! He played with it a little bit, but he was a little bit sleepy. Then, here comes Bai, and within one second that apple was in her mouth and gone! Yuni didn’t have a chance to even smell and taste it! Oh well, he will find a bunch of ways to keep HIS treats from Mommy Bai soon enough once he gets a little bit bigger and quicker on his feet!
Gotta go! Will check in later on!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
I just saw a small bird flying in the indoor room area of one of the NZ Pandas…it was cam 14 that I saw it on. Perhaps somebody who has watched the site for a much longer time than me (just today)j can help me find out which Panda’s room it was inthank you….Love Grammmie
Just read a funny article about Tai Shan on 12-23-2009 dozing off in the sun then slumping forward and doing a perfect somersault from the patio into the grass. They said he looked very surprised when he woke up after he landed in the grass. Search on “Head over heels! The Giant Panda who did a roly-poly in his sleep” Somehow I never heard about this one before. It is accompanied by a cute photo taken by a zoo visitor who caught it on camera. Sorry I missed that one as I went to visit him one week later to say goodbye.
Carolyn, #68, where did you get the news about the keeper saying goodbye to Tai Shan. I am not surprised, because I remember how hard it was on Lisa to have to hand over caring for Mei Sheng to his new keeper. I also remember how thoughtful Mei’s Chinese keeper was when Angie went to visit him in China a month after he arrived. I hope that Tai can charm his new keeper into treating him special for at least a few days.
I can’t imagine the heartache that would follow the joy of accompanying a panda you have cared for since they were born. At least when you are human and you let go of your “child” you know that you will be able to visit them in the future. When you leave a panda in China it is so far away that you do not know if you will ever be able to visit them again. And, even if you do, you will not be able to get close to them like you did previously. I will always be touched by how the Chinese treated Angie and how they let her care for Mei Sheng some of the time while she was visiting. She even got to give him a back scratch which he enthusiastically accepted. She was surprised to see how big Hua Mei had become and got to see one of her cubs up close. Hopefully Nicole will get to see Tai’s grandparents, and Mei Sheng and Hua Mei. Seeing them in their surroundings in China, and how well they have adapted will ease some of the anxiety of leaving Tai Shan. It will help to know how his predecessors have adapted, and how he will also in time.
Apparently a local auto company has already “adopted” Tai Shan for life. They will pay for his annual upkeep, food, medicine etc. for his lifetime. They hope it will help them get a foothold for an electric car they hope to sell in the USA.
I found the rest of the article funny. Tai was so well prepared that his journey didn’t phase him. That was the last pear he will be eating for a very long time. Chinese only feed pandas apples.
Too see Tai Shan’s suite – google Panda tai shan villa = there is video showing his elaborate quarters – large house complete with 2 lakes
Anastasia, thanks for this marvelous update. I love it when there is such a wealth of info about our marvelous “adopted” bears!
For the rest of you, and any one else interested in our Panda Convention in March- there is only one week left to sign up and get your “order” in for all the marvelous events we’ve got planned. In case you haven’t seen the Facebook page, we will have a “behind the scenes” private tour, and meet and greet with the keepers and moderators. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Go to Panda Fandom Worldwide here: http://www.snipurl.com/PandaConvention to read about our “Black and White Obsession Convention.” We already have lots of people signed up and it will be a blast!
#66 KC,
I remember seeing a story about Mei Xiang first arrived National Zoo in DC. She climbed to the ceiling and holding some vent hole upside down. Zoo keeper looked all over for her and could not find her and thought they lost her on the first night of her arrival until they looked up. I guess it is “normal” for female panda climb high on the first night of a long trip. Remember Mei Lan’s trip is even longer than Tai Shan since she has to fly from Atlanta to DC first. I’m sure she’ll adjust well in a few days. After all, I think panda is more resilient than human.
Zhen Zhen looks beautiful today……
Any news on the two Panda’s that went to China and how they are doing now?
#76- It looks like Mei Lan is pretty anxious to get out of that jail cell…
NATIONAL ZOO ALERT: To those of you who live in and around the Washington, DC area, I just got the note on the NZ website that the National Zoo will be closed again tomorrow, Monday, February 8. Apparently, there is so much snow on the grounds in the zoo that they needed to have another day to get it in shape for people to come there. Plus, all of the animals that usually go outside will be indoors because the temperatures are too cold for some of them to be outside. Hopefully, they will have the zoo ready for Tuesday, Feb. 9, and be able to reopen it for everybody. So, hang in there, you all! At least the NZ website have the indoor animal cams to watch those animals, including the pandacams, and on the outdoor cams, that wonderful white wonderland!
Just got on the SDZ cam, and saw Yuni taking a nap on his favorite spot, the platform. He’s just like a fuzz little ball when he curls up!
Well, the Super Bowl has started, and I’m watching it! Will be back later on!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
I found it interesting that Tai seemed more unfazed than Mei. One theory I read may have to do with Mei being female, which made me wonder about the only other American-born female panda to return to China–Hua Mei. Can anyone tell me how her transition went? Did it take Hua Mei awhile to adjust to her new home?
Danielle, #76
The video is roughly translated below:
After she entered the new home, she showed sign of nervousness and stress. She didn’t eat any bamboo or apples that her keeper prepared for her.
(The reporter then interviewed an expert in Chengdu Base, Mr. Wang)
He said:” I estimated it will be alleviated tomorrow.”
The reporter: “Will she have her first meal at home tonight?”
Wang: “I guess at late night/early morning when it becomes quiet, she might get down from the wall and eat something. But she won’t eat much. However, it’s normal and is still within our control. ”
The experts in Chengdu Base and the staff accompanied Meilan from Zoo Atlanta will keep observing on her. The keeper who’s assigned to take care of Mailan will accompanied Meilan for the whole night. The first night of Meilan at home is a little worrying. But experts say it’s a normal thing for pandas after the long trip. We hope Meilan will gradually get used to life here after two or three days adjust.
Okay, I know the pandas in this country “understand” English. The zookeepers and vets talk to them all the time, as well as the public that visits with them in the zoos.
Question(s). How long does it take them to “adjust” to new surroundings when they are removed and sent to China? How long does it take them to learn to understand the Chinese language? Do they get frustrated? Do they grieve for their former keepers?
I am missing Tia Shan and I’m curious as to how long it will take him to “adjust”.
Dear Danielle (No. 76) and all other non-Chinese speaking Panda fans,
I may not be the best translator but here goes:
Lady Newsreader : Mei Lan (ML) the Giant Panda has returned to her old family (this is a Chinese term to mean home of her ancestors) after a more than 14 hour long journey and has demonstrated some anxiety on her first night home.
Voice/Over: ML’s arrival in Cheng Du was greeted by many cheering children and adult fans. She is seen as a treasure (.This is a term used to refer to anything that has national or regional significance and is seen as precious/well loved by the local people). When she arrived she showed signs of stress; climbing up and down her enclosure. She did not eat even one mouthful of the specially prepared bamboo and apples.
Deputy Director, Mr Wang Zhen Tong of the Panda Research Facility: Taking an educated guess, it wont be till the day after tomorrow, late at night, when all is still , that ML will calm down. She will then eat something, not too much. This is normal bahaviour based on what we have observed here at the research facility.
Reporter on site (in red): Although there are reports that ML is showing signs of stress, experts at the Panda Research Facility say this is normal. We too hope that is 2-3 days’ time, ML will be able to adapt to life here.
(Hope this helps)
On Feb 14th, it is Chinese New Year. So HAPPY NEW YEAR to all our Pandas.
Peace,
Lucilla
Singapore
pandasliveon.com has a report with video’s on Tai shan and Mei Lan.
Panda leaves for China video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzZjXZig-9M
# 97 Margaret – Thanks for that info about the Head over Heels article on Tai. I searched in Yahoo and the first link that came up was from a UK site. It has 8 pictures of his roly-poly adventure. I don’t think I’m allowed to post the link, but the site is dailymail. Do a search. It’s worth it!
Unfortunately, the pandas are the property of China so they would have to give them to other countries in order for those countries to be able to keep them. I was reading somewhere that a long time ago they would give pandas away, but they stopped doing that and started loaning them out. It’s too bad. I would love for the US, Canada and other countries to be able to keep them and start their own breeding programs.
By the way, that story about Tai can’t be from Dec 2009. He looks way too small in those pictures.
Hello everyone – it is my first time post here.
I’m fan of the pandas – Tai Shan, American-born is my first one. I visited him several times during his 4 1/2 years at DC zoo. I still miss him after he left for China. I saw him on the last day before he left next day. I’ll never forget him and as well as other American-born pandas (Mei Lan, Hua Mei and Mei Sheng). I always wanted American-born pandas to stay here forever because they born here. They can send to another zoo in U.S. Other U.S. zoo wanted to have pandas but it take long time to make the agreements; they can’t get or give up due to financial reasons.
I thank God for the pandas here and we learn about pandas. By the way, I watch on panda cam sometimes on Yun Zi – wow, he’s growing up fast!
From DC Metro area, give him our love. 
P.S. maybe you notice my language writing is different – I’m hearing impaired. I use American Sign Language first then English second – I wanted you to know. 
I truly enjoy to read your comments. Moderator: thank you for allowing me to write this. 
#90 Pat in Milwaukee
Just a small correction–Tai Shan is 4 1/2 years old.
I believe Mei Lan went back to China at a younger age because ZA does not have enough room to keep 4 single pandas. It is time for Xi Lan to be weaned so they did not have the room to keep her.
In the latest article posted on Pandas Live On, there were two update videos on Mei and Tai’s first day in China. The one on Tai Shan was in Chinese and it said Tai’s first breakfast started at 8am. The Chinese keeper WU Daifu provided him with an apple, two carrots, and a loaf of bread (specially made at the Bingfengxia Base). Tai finished the apple and carrots quickly but didn’t touch the bread at all. The keeper explained that it’d take time for Tai to adapt to the Chinese diet. We know in the US Tai was fed biscuits. Apparently the Chinese bread is quite different.
After breakfast, Tai walked around in his new home. He observed the surroundings carefully. The keeper said although Tai was adjusting pretty well, he was sensitive to sounds. He’d try to hide himself when he heard something unfamiliar.
The video on Mei Lan was dubbed in English. The Chinese keeper said Mei hadn’t eaten anything since she arrived. She had some water though.
On a side note, someone asked why the female adult panda (Mei mei’s daughter) wasn’t sent back to China. I think the reason has something to do with mei mei passing away. Her daughter became the only productive female at the zoo and therefore can stay longer. It’s funny though that the daughter’s husband (Yong Ming in Chinese) is actually her stepfather. Her biological father (Mei mei’s first husband) didn’t go to Japan. Mei mei got pregnant in China before her trip to Japan. I don’t think either the Chinese or the Japanese knew that she was pregnant. Then she delivered in Japan. Later they sent another male panda Yong Ming there. When Mei mei’s daughter had grown up, she apparently “fell in love with” Yong Ming. Isn’t that hilarious?
New updates on Mei Lan and Tai Shan on Pandas Live on – Good First Day video of Tai Shan exploring his new surroundings. He has a hearty appetite so the people at Bifengxia decided it would be best for his keeper to hand over complete care of Tai Shan to his Chinese keeper. So she is trying to see Mei Sheng and Hua Mei and Tai’s grandparents before she returns to USA next week. Something tells me it is going to be a very long week for her. Mei Lan’s keeper and Chinese keeper are the only ones allowed in her area. Both women are doing whatever they can to help Mei Lan through the transition as quickly as possible. Chengdu authorities think it is very important to help Mei Lan through the process as quickly as possible for her health and well being.
#78 JESLYN I saw him practicing the same thing in January in the den…so it may well be. Perhaps he is just making the motions—I have no idea….maybe the keepers could let us know.
#92 PAT You do have a life-you are just living it with animals and a computer screen.
I only wish I had discovered computers and we had breeding Pandas before my hubby passed away….he would have loved them and learning all about them. We spent many days over the years at the San Diego Zoo—-even with many people there there are lovey trails and peaceful spots–when you take the time to find them.
#76. In the video, they were saying that precious Mei Lan returned to her home town after more than 15 hours flight. She was welcomed by Chengdu Panda base staff and children wearing Panda costumes. She showed signs of anxiety and was restless the first night, climbing up and down. She didn’t eat the bamboos and apples left in her room by her handlers. The deputy director was saying that it was quite normal after such a long flight. When asked if Mei Lan would eat later. He answered that when late at night with nobody was around and no noise, he expected Mei would eat something but not much. He expected that in two to three days, she should gradually return to normal. Chinese and Zoo Atlanta staff will monitor her overnight. At the end the report said “we are very worried about Mei Lan’s reaction the first night after she returned. However the experts assured us that these are normal reactions after a long flight. We sincerely hope that she would acclimate in two to three days”.
GRAMMIE NORMA, #12–So sorry! I’ve been a little under the weather, so I’ve been watching the cams, but not keeping up with the blogs. Try http://www.flickr.com/photos/bartyork/
Bonus–Anita just today posted a photo of Tai with his new pesonal keeper, WuDaiFu–he looks GREAT!!!!
Access to Lani is currently restricted to her keepers while she adjusts. IMHO, I believe she’ll be fine with a little time & TLC. I imagine the flight was a lot noisier than she’s used to and therefore more stressful.
Uhhh, I meant Tai looks great, although Wu does also. If I were only 20-30 years younger……..
All news I am getting about Tai Shan are from various news reports posted on the Pandas Unlimted web site. There are photos of his NZ keeper saying goodbye to Tai and hugging his new keeper. He seems to be adapting pretty good so far. Tai by the way is only 4 1/2 years old. We aren’t getting much on Mei Lan yet as she had a longer trip and is still adjusting, they are only letting her new keeper and her keeper from Atlanta with her. I think the year difference in age is a big factor in the way the two are adjusting, but it could also be a male/female difference. Maybe since SDZ has sent both a little girl and a little boy to China they have some insight as to wheather males or females adjust better, or it could just be the personality of each panda.
Bobbie Wood #41 – Glad you like my sense of humour.
Vancouver is a beautiful city but having a warm winter though this year. Crocuses are up and in full bloom now and the daffodils aren’t far behind. About 6 weeks early. Everything is all set to go for the Olympics though. I’ll wave at everyone if I see a camera.
I have been a panda-holic for years……….I am really sad those beautiful bears had to leave us. It would be nice if we could keep them forever. Our zoos do such a great job with them….we can be so greatful.
I cannot get on the panda cam at the Memphis zoo…anyone else having trouble?
Thank you for the great updates. Yun Zi is me first panda, i love him.
Doxie mom thank you for the videos from Bai Yun and Yun Zi.
# 102 Janan go reuters dot com and search pandas. You see a video from Mei Lan.
Greetings from vienna and thank you San Diego Zoo for the Pandacam.
Two great new videos on PandasLiveOn. One of Tai Shan and his Chinese keeper who is feeding him apples. The reporter says that Tai Shan’s keeper speaks English but one of his first tasks is to teach Tai Shan Chinese. Tai is a quick learner so he will do well, and seems to be doing great in his new home.
The second video is Mommy Scares me and is of Xi Lan eating bamboo when Lun Lun walks up to him and looks at him nose to nose. He screams and jumps as if she scared him. It makes me wonder how good Panda vision is.
Xi Lan is a big bamboo eater, appears to be a bamboo eating machine like both his parents. I notice that he is eating in a place separated from Lun by a large rock. Probably safer from scary Mommie thief. I believe the video was sent by LCNessie, and may have been taken on a visit to talk with ZA panda keepers yesterday. LCNessie is keeping PandasLiveOn updated about Mei Lan.
Was so happy when I read the update from Zoo Atlanta that Mei started eating sunday/monday and drinking good and has stated to sleep more, so, maybe adjusting a little better. Her ZA keeper is still there with her. Tai is a big boy and sooperpanna- he can adjust to anything- but, Little Lani….she is the panda princess and besides, not exactly the same accomodations as we have over here…if I were a panda princess and got put in here new digs, my first response would be…,” ummm,excuse me, there must be some kind of mistake, I’m supposed to get the penthouse suite.”
Good news from ZA–Mei Lan is doing much better!!
(Scroll down to just below the Panda Cam)
http://www.zooatlanta.org/1212/panda_cam
#106 Yan and #108 Lucilla – Thank you so much for your translation. I just read the new update on Mei Lan on the AZ website and the news from Chengdu is that Mei Lan is starting to settle into her new home. Her Zoo Atlanta keeper reported that Sunday and Monday, Mei Lan has started to eat more, drink well, is calmer and resting more. Beside her AZ keeper, a veterinarian from the Atlanta Zoo made the trip with Mei Lan. I hope that will help Mei Lan get over the big changes in her life fairly soon.
#120 dd
I was thinking the same thing…
He looks like a really sweet guy and I’m happy for Tai!!
z.a. just put out an update on mei lan [noon monday] mei is doing a little better. thank god. she has eaten a little and has been drinking. Her Zoo Atlanta keeper said it should take a couple days more for her to start adjusting. . . tai seems to be doing fine, it must be a little more maturity , and a male thing!!!!!!! no news yet on Yaa Yaa at memphis zoo, their cam is working now. saw video of black bear Lily and her cub. cute !!
Wasn’t the other reason Mei Lan went back to China now instead of later also because of money?
As to her problems adjusting, Mei Lan only got her crate on January 19th to train being in it and getting used to it. Didn’t Tai get his much earlier than that and so had a longer period to adjust to his crate.
#101, I just looked on the National Zoo’s website and in the old archives is a story of Mei Xiang hanging from ceiling like a bat when she first arrived.
#127 Rhonda, my sentiments exactly!!!!!!! Poor little girl, hope she has access to outdoors once she is feeling up to it. Glad to hear that she is eating and drinking. I’m sure she will be just fine, but boy its hard to see her there after watching her grow up. I mean I don’t want to be negative about the breeding program as I totally support it, but what a shock to the system to see the different accommodations. I do plan to go to China in 2012, so once I see the breeding Centers I’ll feel better… Plus I have my friend Lee from Vancouver to calm my nerves, shes been through this seperation before with Panda’s… Geesh, I feel like a dope as the tears just come on so often.
On a brighter note, I was in Vegas for the weekend and found the most gorgeous diamond and black diamond pendant of a panda bear… I now am the proud owner of it and I have (please don’t tell anyone in my family they already think I’m nuts lol) named it Yun Zi…..
Anastasia…
Is there a way that I can get pix of Yun Zi to use as Wallpaper on my computer?
Or, if any of you brilliant computer geeks out there in Pandaland can help me I’d be ever grateful.
I am a novice at this part of computer “stuff”.
Though, I have learned how to order from catalogs, to my Hubby’s chagrin…….
My California Grandaughter, 3000 mi. away, usually helps with pix on my computer.
Time to retire my Nittany Lion…till football season…
Thanks for your help !!
Very happy to read on ZA site that Mei Lan is starting to be calmer and more comfortable in her new surroundings and most important, starting to eat again. She will adjust but it is taking some time. Everything is different and totally new to her. They wonder if her defensive reaction to her arrival may be due to the fact that she is a female and instinctively was wary of her surroundings as she would be if she had to watch out for a cub. Now that we know she is starting to adjust well, I can breath again and have a smile on my face, and hopefully get rid of the knot in my stomach worrying about her. Glad to know that Tai took the whole thing in stride, like Mei Sheng did. Maybe there is something to the male versus female reaction!?
Aww poor Lani.
She’s probably wondering where she is and who these strangers are. I’m glad she’s doing better though.
Tai seems like a resilient panda boy who accepts change easily. Good for him! I’m happy to hear about his new deal. Go Tai!
Zhennie looks adorable sleeping in a tree.
Heh Darlene (#133), it’s still hard but I do have my DS Panda game now. My little ones are named Su Lin, Tai Shan and Mei Lan and I take care of them every evening after dinner. Honestly, this way they stay close to my heart and make we laugh a lot. That’s the main thing. I hope your sons get you one for your birthday.
#106 Yan and #108 Lucilla Thank you for translations.
This video is a couple of days late, but it was too precious not to share!!
On Saturday, it rained in San Diego, and Yun Zi’s platform, the wall, the floor, the logs ~ everything was wet, including Yun Zi! He wakes up and has an adorable, but very dirty face!!
Here’s the link for the video:
2010-02-06 A Dirty Yun Zi Heads to Higher, Dryer Ground!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk0RUokQp40
#132 Dee in Texas – I agree with you, beside the problem of not having enclosures to keep 4 pandas separated, I suspect that there would have been additional cost to keep Mei Lan longer and we know that AZ has already problems to get enough funds to keep the 3 pandas. I am sure more training with the transport cage could have helped. We also should not forget that Mei Lan had an additional landing and take off that Tai Shan had. Mei Lan has also a quieter character, not hanging from the trees and goofing around like her cousin.
I also read the incident of Mei Xiang hanging on the ceiling the day she arrived at the NZ and the keepers thought they had lost her until they looked up…
#133 DARLENE Congratulations on the pendant…you named it well. If your family thinks you are nuts who cares, they will speak slowly to you and be tolerlant when you do something goofy. Buying and naming the pendant are not goofy-no matter what they think, so we just won’t tell them. Before we know it the keepers will be over to your house to help you get down from the tree you climbed too high on.
#119-120 dd I got what you meant—–Wu Wu Wu Wu Wu–great photos. For me-40 years younger.
Where ever you live I hope you have a lovely day. That goes for all Pandas too, not just us pandaholics, Keepers, Staff, Moderators, Vets, Etc. I rained hard overnight a half hour from SDZ–perhaps Su Lin will entertain us with redecorating again…………………..Love Grammmie
P. S. Way to go Mei Lan-they just needed to give you whatever time you needed.
I probably have more than 2000 “post card” shots–but a file full of the first 3 months is missing. My search on Windows 7 may not do what it is supposted to..I used a search one day, using a copy and pasted title and had no luck. If it can be lost on a computer I can loose it, and arrange to never find it again. grammm
It seems like the only animals that restrict nursing are humans
Grammie Norma, Thanks I am gonna try that post card thing. NOW I wish I had that picture of Bai holding Yunior like a human baby, sitting in her door way like you would on the porch, and looking outward. it was a long time ago now, but Doxie Mom also caught it once. It was like she was thinking, baby boy, you will have a lot to learn and soon you will be too big to hold. Thanks I love the way we help each other, and our animals. Happy Valentines Day to everybody and every furry fluffy feathery thing.
#124 MARGARET I had not even thought about sight problems—-I think in his little Panda head he was just day dreamiing and when she suddenly appearredd it startled him. I know about daydreams—I have them myself-but even after someone knows me and how I am for 25 or more years they still don’t understand-and sometimes get mad at me for having a respoindse that scares the dickens out of them.
Lets see what could Panda Boys daydream about-football, nascar, Panda girls cheerleading squad, leaving home so they can date whomever they want to, bamboo, leafeater biscuits, the keepers, enrichment toys, treats….yup-daydreaming is the only thing it could be….Love Grammmie
Love to watch the animal cams to see which panda is up, and like to see the others just to watch the animals.