Yun Zi
Fifty panda lovers (all readers of this blog post) gathered together for the first time at the Zoo Saturday morning. What fun it was to meet them in person, a delightful group of people who share a contagious passion for our black-and-white bears! A while back, one of our readers mentioned it would be fun to meet other contributors to the comment section, and soon Black and White Obsession 2010 was born. Working with the Zoo’s event specialist, they put together a fun itinerary for the day.
It was easy to pick out members of the group: many were wearing blue T-shirts with a cute panda mother and cub image. That same image also adorned canvas tote bags each participate received. Everyone had a cute panda button name tag, and it was fun to watch as people who have conversed through panda blog comments got to meet each other at last and put a face to a name.
Two Zoo educators took the group to the panda exhibit to see Su Lin, Bai Yun, and little Yun Zi before ushering them into the off-exhibit classroom area to see Zhen Zhen. The group then climbed aboard a double-decked bus for a private guided tour of the rest of the Zoo before gathering in our Treetops facility to meet one of our panda keepers, Juli Borowski.
Juli took any and all questions posed to her during this special chat, sharing a typical day, the challenges of working with pandas, and the personalities of each one. She even brought plaster castings of Mei Sheng’s paw prints, taken when he was just six months old. Deputy Moderator Wendy Perkins joined me as we answered questions about moderating the blogs (not nearly as interesting a topic as chatting with a panda keeper, but the group made us feel just as important!).
I hope those who attended will share the adventure from their point of view here in this comment section. And I’m sure some will be posting their photos on the Panda-Fandom Worldwide Facebook page. On behalf of the San Diego Zoo and the Panda Team, I thank everyone who has shown such an interest in pandas. We still have so much to learn about these charismatic creatures, and it’s so nice to know we can all share and learn together!
Debbie Andreen is an associate editor and blog moderator for the San Diego Zoo.
Here’s a link to a photo gallery taken by our local paper of the panda fans…
Can we plan another gathering for June when I can be there??! I am planning a trip out there after school lets out. : )
How about a teacher tour around June 15ish…??
Wow, this sounds like you guys had such a fun time!
Sounds great!!! Wish I could have been there, but, I am all the way over on the other coast, the gulf in Florida. So glad to hear all the news. Appreiate the correspondence from your zoo. Thanks, keep it up. I have one question. What was hanging over the den and under Yun~Zi’s hammock yesterday??? Was it for exercise for him???? Curious!!!!!
Oh that must have been awesome, I would have loved to have been there, I am hoping to be in San Diego later this Summer or fall, so look forward to seeing our special bears.
Shirley, Florida.
I looked in on BAI YUN and Prince Fluffy-Butt at 9:37 a. m. to find Bai trying to make the best use of the hammock she can. She has draped herself over the lower branches of the tree behind the Stone Throne, and put her head in the hammock….she must miss Yunior. The camera is almost missing it-had I not seen her moving around to get itno position I surely would have missed it…but it isnice to see her seek out Yunior instead of trying to avoid him……Love Grammmie
I hope this becomes an annual event and then I could plan to attend next year!
i wish i’d known about it : (
One question for all that attended… Did our little HAM show out by waving to all or was he shy to his true fans? I just can’t see him being shy for anyone… but he is still young… who knows! My local zoo Here in Greenville, SC just got a male red panda for their female. I went to see them and as normal they were sleeping and hiding… I did get to see the brand new baby monkey and others they had. I was shocked to learn some of our wonderful animals came from San Diego! Thank you for all you do, even when we don’t know you do it! Now if we could just get a female elephant that would be cool!
That is great that SDZ look such time with the GPFs. I am only a little jealous. lol And moderator you are important to us. All the blogs that are posted fill our need for more information on our favorite bears, especially those of us on the east coast. I never really followed the pandas before Yunnie but I am trying to make up for lost time. He has become a source of great pleasure during a very difficult time and that would not have been possible without all the great efforts from SDZ. He is the first thing I see when I bring up my web browser and I look forward to a new blog. So, thank you very much.
California is often very overcast in June (called June gloom). I would love to come to the event but August would be better for me. When ever it is..I will be thrilled for all that can attend!!!
First of all, what a great picture of little cloud “high fiving!” Great shot, ower of the picture!!! Next, I am so
envious of this group of 50!!! I am sure they couldn’t have had a better time in the midst of their greatest loves,
our beautiful pandas!!!! Again, soooooooooo envious!!!
One of these days, soon…..I’m finally going down there to see these scrumptious bundles of fluff and cuteness.
Until then….SDZ love all you do and appreciate all you do to take the best care of Zhennie, little cloud, mamma, pappa and the sibs..
xox
I say same time same place, next year!!
I am so jealous even though I did get to see Bai, Yun Zi and Su Lin the week before. I’m not on Facebook, but maybe I will need to be in order to stay up-to-date on these events.
Doxie Mom thanks for posting the hammock incident on Youtube.
Glad everyone had a good time. Black and White Obsession would be a great name for a vanilla and chocolate ice cream concoction, or maybe a cheesecake with a rich, fudgy swirl.
Another great pic of Yun Zi waving at his fans. What a sweetheart!
Wow! I did not even know about this event! When and where was the invitation? It would be nice to have one the last week in June/early July as I’ll be there too!
Moderator’s note: The event organizers started inviting all readers of the panda blogs back in January, in the comment sections of each panda post. They kept readers up to date from that point on and provided an e-mail address and the Facebook account for those interested in finding out more info numerous times in various panda post comments.
Debbie, Thank you for the fine description of the First Panda Convention at the SDZ! The Panda Fans had a perfect weekend to attend, and I know they all are simply thrilled to have had this experience!!! And…I am certain they also enjoyed the Wild Animal Park on Sunday!
What a great treat! If this became an annual event maybe, those of us who are from out of the state/country can plan in advance to attend. You guys are awesome and do such a wonderful job with these ADORABLE pandas!
I would love to go net time! I can see how fun and interesting it was. I am too a fan of the Panda Bears!
As I read this, a whisp of sadness came over me, as I realized I was one of the first to suggest this get-together, way back in December. Little did I know that fate had other plans for me this spring. Kudos to those who had the get-to-itivness to pull it together: Liana comes to mind first, but I know there were others. Thank you for your brainpower. I surely could not have done all you did.
I could tell you all had a great time, and I look forward to reading your comments and experiences. I could conceivably be there for a June gathering, after everything coming up in April and May is over. I need to see the Little Cloud before he grows up! I trust everything is as it should be in Panda Canyon today. The Memphis Panda Cam was actually up today, and I got to watch Lady Ya Ya make short work of a whole stalk of bamboo, leaves & all in about 5 minutes! 
Too sad that she wasn’t able to carry her baby to term. Mei Xiang hasn’t started a birthing nest either. My hopes are dimming, sadly. But she is sleepng a lot lately! So…..
I am so tickled for all of you who were able to take this trip. What a hoot for everyone!
Thanks, Debbie for this great account of some of what happened for this “Pandavention”. I’m sure there was so much more, with too little space, to tell about. I know all the readers turned just a little green with best intended envy.
Here’s to a great week for everyone, and a bright Monday! As for me, the tax-man calleth. AARRGGH!
I’m so jealous of those who got to see the beautiful bears! Were those attending not able to see Papa Gao Gao? I just love that cute little guy!
I am so envious of the group that got the Grand Tour. I have been to National Zoo many times when I visit my daughter and enjoy the pandas there. Will miss Tai when I visit next week. I would love to visit SDZ but doubt that I will ever get that far except as a stop-over changing flights now and then. And that isn’t San Diego. Keep up the good work with all the pandas. That is the first web site I seek when I open the puter in the morning. Due to the time difference, Yun isn’t usually awake so I check on him during the day. Your zoo sounds fantastic. Thanks for the Cam so we can keep up. j
I am spying on Prince Fluffy-Butt at 11:15 a. m. Yunior time—he is in his hammock having his own private little “foot party”. There must be some reason that boy loves getting his feet in his mouth. Does California dirt taste that good??? Love Grammmie
I hope I could make the next one.
How great! Thanks to SDZ and bloggers who put this together! Sounds like a fan-tastic time!
#21 Dianne — Don’t be disheartened about Mei Xiang! She didn’t start shredding bamboo in her den very much until the third week of April last year. Since her AI was one week earlier this year and since her pseudopregnancy last year was relatively short, she still has lots of time to prepare her nest, especially if the duration of a possible pregnancy is towards the 120-140 day range. Today is Day 76 since her second AI. Keep those fingers crossed and keep thinking positive thoughts!
Sounds like everyone had a fantastic time. It would have been lovely to be there. Looking forward to all the stories.
Diane#21 I’m so sorry you were not able to make it to SDZ to see our lovable black and white friends. I remember reading your post about getting together as a group. I hope you will be able to make it another time. I was not able to go either, but I’m so grateful to be able to hear the comments and see the photos that were taken. Thank you, Debbie, for the wonderful description of this event; and, thank you to the 50+ fans who were able to go and taking the time to include those of us who could not be there by posting here and on facebook. It gives a great new perspective on the experience of visiting in person.
I’m bummed out I wasn’t there : ( I didn’t hear of this meeting til now..I hope to be there next year or whenever
Moderator: I was pleased to see that the clock had been corrected but now the date is 19-Nov-09!!!
Moderator’s note: Ooops! I’ll alert the Panda Team to make the correction. It must be done on their end, so give ‘em a day or so.
Debbie, thanks for such a great post! As one of the organizers, I can’t even begin to thank you and all the other zoo folks for all the help you provided us… and of course, the time and information and special treat of seeing FOUR- count ‘em! FOUR – pandas in one morning! It was beyond awesome, and truly gives meaning to that word once again.
Here’s what I can tell you about this crazy group of people. You know how when you take a tour, there’s always someone late, or someone who needs the bus window open, and the other person wants it closed? Bicker, bicker, bicker. NONE OF THAT with this group. When we all met for the first time, it’s as though we’d known each other for ever. I believe the shared love of pandas and the deep interest in conservation and preservation, principally of pandas but also all animals, was the glue that holds this phenomenal group together.
I know that we could not have done any of this without the zoo’s support and encouragement and willingness to allow this crazy bunch in to see their beloved pandas. We were first in line, so we got to enter the zoo before anyone else. We could spend unlimited amount of time just oohing and aaahing over Bai and Yun Zi. Yunior was asleep in the hammock, but regal Bai put on her show. Eating bamboo in her sitting position, she glanced at the crowd as if to say, “See? I do everything with ease and grace.” Then she lay down on her back, while still gracefully munching away on her bamboo. Periodically she’d tilt her head to make sure we were all adoring her – natch!! – and then continued eating bamboo.
We found out that while we were all gathered at Albert’s for lunch, Yun Zi arose from the hammock and nursed, and we missed it! Most of the panda fans did the “panda loop” repeatedly, in hopes that Yunior would wake up again. But even seeing what little we did was wonderful!
And then, as if seeing Su Lin, Bai and Yun Zi weren’t enough, we got taken behind to see Zhen Zhen! Oh my! She’s a character! She was at the gate, making little noises, then she waddled over to the other corner and began to play with a pine cone, tossing it up in the air, and playing with it as if it were a ball. She really knows how to entertain herself and put on a “show” for the crowd.
As for Gao, Mr. Stud Muffin, the only place to really see him is from the moving escalator ramp. There is a spot where you can see into his enclosure, and provided there aren’t a lot of people on the escalator, you can keep moving back to look into the enclosure. if the escalator is crowded, it’s blink and the moment is gone. So most of the panda folks didn’t get a chance to see Gao. For those of you coming at other times, you may get a chance to see him.
We are already planning to meet again next year. We considered other zoos, but San Diego is the one leading the pack in research and care, and while the other zoos have great pandas too, our zoo is the one with the babies, our one and only Stud Muffin, and of course, with Yun Zi, otherwise known as Mini-Muffin. So count on the Second Annual Panda Convention to be here in San Diego next March again.
Why March? It’s absolutely perfect weather. Not too hot, not too cold, and most importantly not too many tourists. June and July is not only apt to be grey, but we’ll be overrun with tourists and the experience won’t be as personal. And that’s not because of the zoo’s endeavor to cooperate, just that the zoo is mobbed. We had the best of all possible worlds – few people and fabulous weather!
Even if you’re not on Facebook, you can still explore the Panda-fandom worldwide site. We’ll be posting hundreds of photos from our convention there, and information on next year’s event. So start saving your pennies so you can enjoy our event next year! And just think, with Su Lin gone back to China, Yun Zi might have his own enclosure and be the silly goofy boy he is!
Again, thanks to the moderators for talking with us on Saturday, and to Juli for sharing all her experiences and knowledge. And most of all, thanks to the SD Zoo for all the support you gave us! We may love pandas, but you guys at the zoo made this possible!!!! Wowza! Thanks!
Moderator’s note: It was our pleasure, Liana! I still smile just thinking about the wonderful people I met that morning
Dear Camera Operator: PLEASE zoom in. Its very difficult to enjoy Yun Zi when the camera is so far back from that cute little face. Thank you.
I am glad everyone had fun! I am excited for everyone who got to see Yun Zi and his family in person. A back stage pass to see Zhen Zhen, is totally cool. I just want to thank representatives of SDZ for always speaking highly of all of us panda fans. It makes us feel appreciated. I hope the people who work at SDZ know that they are appreciated too. By the Grace of God, we will visit SDZ during summer vacation. I am excited!
i think it is fantastic that sdz took the time from their busy schedules to do something like this. i would sure like to know if ever you do something like this again. awesome even though i was not there i think it is great. thanks again for all the care you give the pandas
I hope I am not the only one enjoying the heck out of Yunior sleeping on Mama’s back right now…too cute!!!
I wish I could have been there but I am fortunate enough to live close by the zoo. I’m hoping to take my sons cubscout Den to the zoo soon and perhaps give them a “cub to cub” lesson
Maybe I will get lucky and you will have another one of these in January 2011…my husband and I just purchased tickets to return to S.D. right after the new year and I have already informed him that a return to the zoo to see “my” baby panda is in order!!! I am so excited I wish it were closer to time but I don’t want to wish away the summer..since here in Michigan the weather is just starting to turn nicer!!
Thank you for the update…as always you guys ROCK the panda world!!
OK – I’ve broken down and now have a Facebook Account – how do I find you Pandaholics?
Moderator’s note: Here’s the link: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=272470520621
Glad to hear everyone that was able to attend had a wonderful time. I’m still sad I couldn’t be there I love those Black and White furball so much. Not a day go by I’m not checking up on all of them I can, here in the US zoo and overseas. I hope someday I can get back to one of the zoos to see them in person again.
I did not know about this event. I am glad everyone had a great time and was able to see all the Pandas. Yun Zi is so much fun to watch.
How could I have missed such a thing?!?!?
Sure wish I had the luck to be there for the tour, etc. Luv those darling black & white pandas.
I am glad that everyone had such a great time, and wish I could have been there this weekend. Every time I’ve been to the SDZ has been a wonderful experience. The pandas never disappoint! The first time I was there Mei Sheng was asleep in a tree high above the classroom area. It was early on a weekday, and there were very few people in the zoo. I said his name, and Mei Sheng not only woke up and grinned at me, he proceeded to show off! Talk about a Kodak moment….
I have had similar experiences with Su Lin and Zoomie. Su lin was in the back of the left-hand exhibit eating her morning bamboo when I said her name. She immediately stopped eating, looked right at me, and grinned. This photo is now on my credit card.
Last time I was there, I was the only one in the viewing area, and Zoomie was in the “cubbie tree” closest to the walkway. When I started quietly talking to her she changed positions to look at me, and started showing off as well. Truly priceless moments.
I never cease to be amazed by these bears’ intelligence and wondrerful, unique personalities.
I had a great time at the Panda Con on Saturday. Thanks Liana, Juli, Debbie, Wendy and all involved. Since I arrived Saturday morning and departed Saturday afternoon, I didn’t participate in the Friday evening, Saturday evening, and Sunday festivities. It was great to see the SDZ panda family up close and personal. I really enjoyed the tour and keeper talk too.
Moderator’s note: You’re very welcome, Marilyn!
It seems that Yun Zi likes the top of the cave almost as much as Bai Yun does. He just climbed up the log with a piece of bamboo in his mouth. I guess he is going to munch-taste in the top of the platform.
As I read the update about training Xi Lan to stay outside in the rain like he will do in China, I was reminded about one of the spring rituals in USA panda land for the past 5 years. It seems that as we are watching the fresh spring frolicking of a new cub, another is becoming independent and on their own for their second spring of life. Just as last year we were watching a young adventurous Xi Lan with Lun Lun, and Zhen Zhen becoming an independent young female, this year we are watching the zoos in reverse. Yun Zi is experiencing his first spring, and Xi Lan is having his second spring but as an independent sub adult. Now we await the mating season for Lun Lun and Yang Yang. Hopefully next year the cycle will swing back the other way and it will be SDZ turn for independence and ZA’s turn for new cub.
Sounds like everyone had a great time at the Black and White Obsession.
Awww, man! I wish I had known about the big gathering. I met a few other who were there Sunday, but would have loved to have been a part of the larger group activities! How do I find out about upcoming Panda meetings like this one?
Moderator’s note: Just keep reading these comments. This event was reader-generated and organized; the Zoo was merely the host.
#44 BRUCE IN KC Your experiences sound as great as your wonderful stories. Maybe you will be able to come to the next “Happening”. For anybody who missed out on this trip it sounds to me like they are going to start planning one for next year already. Good luck to all of you…..and you could borrow Bruce to get each bear to look right at you or perform for you…..Love Grammmie
Bruce, #44, sounds like you have a special way with the pandas. Do you speak “Pandarin?” I smiled reading your accounts of your visits with each of these special animals and their smiling responses to your voice.
Would love to see pics of all of you fans who attended. I looked in facebook and saw cute pics of Yunior. I wish I were at the zoo right now. Yun Zi looks like he is putting on a good show high in the tree.
Awesome post!! Thats cool how you had a little meeting. How many people came? Its sounded like a fun day full of pandas!! I wish I could have went but I don’t live very close to San Diego. I hope everyone had a great time!
Anyway, I am very excited because…
I am going to the SDZ in April!!! Which is quite soon and I can not wait! I hope I will get to the see the pandas running around and I am very excited to see Yun Zi!!! He is absolutely adorable and precious. I am also looking forward to seeing all the other pandas!!! I am going to have a FANTASTIC time!!
I wanted to share with you panda lovers a limerick (type of poem) I wrote at school:
Climbing the trees, what a lovely bear
handling the baby with love and care
pink nose and black white
cuddling at night
stepping out in the soft evening air
#24 Grammmie: Yeah, Yun Zi is sooo cute! He was eating dirt?? Though I do live in California, I have never tasted the dirt. I do not plan on it…
#32 Liana in San Diego: Sounds like you had a fabulous day!! I wish I could be there! You had a very long comment.
I wonder how long the longest comment for panda posts is??? By the way, when is Su Lin moving to China? Hmmm….
Well, I hope everyone had a Pandalicious day!! I wore my panda shirt today which always makes me happy! Peace, love and pandas CIAO!
#44 Bruce in KC: Thats truly amazing how the panda’s looked at you when you said their name! Seems like you have a special connection with pandas. The SDZ pandas are very unique!
Also for the moderator: When is Su Lin and Zhen Zhen moving to China? Do you think Bai Yun will have more babies in the years to follow?? I hope so!
Moderator’s note: We don’t have a date for Su Lin’s move yet. And we hope Bai Yun can have another baby some day.
As mentioned many Thanks to the Great team at the SDZ and my Fellow GPF “Global Panda Fans” Family and Friends for keeping our Virtual seats as I had hoped that Lynn would have been released from the Hospital in time to attend, but we are hoping she will be home for her Birthday in late April as she has been in the Hospital now for 15+ months now….. All of your get well wishes and prayers have kept our spirits up and we will be there next year and hope to get there possibly for Yuniors Bearthday Celebration ….
We can’t wait to read about all the fun all of you had and the pictures and videos as we are truly a caring family and yes, My name is Dennis , and I’m a Pandaholic…… LOL…. And Lynn is as well as we can’t wait to make our next visit to the Panda Research Station and see our favorite members of the Bai Gao clan of Bears…
” Panda Peace on Earth , Goodwill to All Living Things …..”
I had a minor but painful surgery few days ago, once I read this blog, see little Yun Zi’s pictures, I have to smile. Yun Zi, you are too adorable. The Hi picture, this high-five picture, the laugh picture … enough, I declare possessed. Thank you for easing my pain.
The convention is very attractive, I hope I can overcome a problem and be at SDZ next year. Thank you SDZ for taking care of these very beautiful animals and thier fans.
#51 PANDA ANNIE He doesn’t eat dirt (that I am aware of), but his feet are on the ground a lot, and if you check out this link you will see in the 4 “dirt rolling” photos, http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/page2/
at least the bottom of his feet are often dirty-they should be black but are partly brown with dirt. Bless Rita Petita for getting such good photos. For several months he has been putting his feet into his mouth every chance he gets—and uses the front ones to help get the back ones in. He has little “foot parties” every day, and can amuse himself for long periods of time with those feet. I just wondered if the taste of our dirt is what compells him to get those feet inside……Love Grammmie
Aw poo… I wish I could’ve come! But I’ll be in San Diego next week! I can’t wait to see Yun Zi and all of the other pandas!
Hey, Liana… those of us who ran back for one more go this morning got to see ALL 5 OF THEM!! On our way down, we got onto that walkway that kind of parallels the moving walkway going up. Right above and below the corner with the round trash can there are good vantage points. On the way down, we saw Gao Gao eating boo, and then walking around.
Then, of course, we saw the 3 bears on exhibit, complete with a little wonderful cute-i-tude on the part of Mama and Baby.
Then, on the way back, we went to that same walkway section, bumped into some of the others–and Gao was no longer visible, but Zhen Zhen was playing trapeze artist, swinging from a tree branch and hanging upside down. So that was a very, very fine way to end a MARVELOUS weekend!
i bet they loved meeting you!!!
and they were happy to love to see the panda’s
We had an AWESOME time! It was great to be inside before the Zoo opened. Because it’s a research center, it’s the only enclosure at the zoo that’s not an open exhibit, and therefore, there’s usually a pretty long line to stand in before you get to view the panda bears, and then you must keep moving. So we were able to get right in, and take our time. Bai is, as usual the “perfect” bear. Yunior slept THE ENTIRE DAY, he did stretch in to a really cute position w/his tail hanging over
I’m sure someone will post some. Next we went behind the scenes to see Zhen Zhen. She was gorgeous! Although she was playing coy at first. She was funny, too! I wish we could have gone in and played w/her! You could tell she was starting to get excited. The pictures I took of her were awesome. She is every bit as beautiful as her mother. Right as we were leaving, she’d found a pine cone, and took it to the back of the enclosure behind the den w/the sawdust to play with it. I wasn’t able to get a pic, however, I did see some trying hard so hopefully we’ll see some posted. I could have stayed, and watched her all day.
The weather was perfect for a ride on the upper deck of the bus. Our driver was very informative. I’m afraid, however, there might not be many pics posted from the bus ride since the driver didn’t stop for pics. The best we got was a slow roll by. I got a few pics that were okay but there were definitely some great missed photo opportunities. Luckily, I’m a native, and have a lifetime of zoo photos. Anyhow, it’s a great excuse for everybody to come back.
Our “meet & greet” w/Julie, Debbie & Wendy was the highlight of my day, anyway. Juli started by taking us through a typical day. We were like little sponges, firing off questions. Who would have thought after all this time, we didn’t already know it all? Juli was great! Except I think she flat out lied about never having kissed the baby. She just would not admit that she’d ever loved on that bear! Not once. Not even a face to face/cheek to cheek lovey! Whatever, Juli. Hearing about the individual bears personalities was pretty funny. Apparently Bai has quite an attitude about her!
That was pretty funny. We could have stayed all day but she had to go take care of those silly ‘ol bears.
Debbie & Wendy made us all feel so special. They appeared more grateful than we were! They expressed the SD Zoo’s appreciation for what the “Pandaholic’s” have done as far as raising awareness & contributions towards the conservation of pandas. They really have seen an increase. They were surprised how we all just stepped up when they needed a cooler for the bamboo. I felt good knowing I helped make a difference.
Okay, it’s taken me a week to admit or confess this (embarrassing story)… I was sooo excited for this day that I showed up on the 13th, a whole week early! I was about 2-3 minutes late, and frantically searching for the group, almost in tears, and nobody at the zoo had a clue what I was talking about! You would have thought I’d lost a child. I was frantic! I had that place jumping for me, trying to find the group. They had people coming out from all over w/their walkie talkie’s, checking their computers, calling down to every different facility, classroom & tour group. All the tour groups had limited space, had all been booked, and they weren’t expecting any “Panda Convention”. They called Kathy down @ the panda exhibit, and I could hear her tell them she didn’t know what I was talking about! I wanted to tell her, “Kathy, it’s me Aunt Nancy! Sure you do! Look at the blog! I was devastated that she didn’t think of each and every pandaholic as a personal friend, and/or remember any of our discussions! If they’d just look at the blog, I told them they’d see that it was TRUE, and even Kathy would remember. She must have just forgotten. So I’m fighting back tears big time thinking how much of the tour I’m missing, and that when I do catch up THEY’D BETTER LET ME TOUCH YUN ZI to make up for this! Everybody was very kind, and patient w/me but I didn’t have a ticket or confirmation that I was part of any so called special tour. Let alone one that they should know about. What were they suppose to do? They almost had me convinced I had been scammed, that I had sent my money to some stranger over the internet. Finally, they said I could check my email, and show them my letter of instruction for this BIG day. So I pull it up to show them and, that’s when I said, “Wait, today isn’t the 20th? Is it?!? OMG!! I was sooo embarrassed!! They didn’t seem to mind. Just a little excitement to start their day. I can’t tell you how close I was to having tears! I found myself literally having to hold them back! That embarrassed me, too! I guess it shouldn’t have surprised me but it just caught me off guard.
So I spent the whole day at the Zoo by myself. I had such a great time. All the animals were very active. Yunny & Bai couldn’t have been more perfect. Right when I arrived, Bai woke Yunior up to nurse. It was very sweet. She had her back to us, w/one arm around him. I took some great pics. Then the keepers cleaned up and brought in lunch for Bai, hid some treats, and gave baby Zi an apple. Of course, you snooze, you lose. Guess who ate it? He never completely came down off the hammock, almost though. Guess who I met while in line? Rita Pettita (sp)
She has an awesome camera, hence the awesome pictures she takes! We couldn’t have asked for a better photo op either. It was a great day after all.
Sorry this was sooo long!
PS. Debbie, or Deputy Moderator Wendy, if you’re reading this, please consider me for the moderator position you were telling me about! I have many applications on file, for many positions that I’ve applied for. Call me! Please?!?
Moderator’s note: It was so fun to meet you, Aunt Nancy. So glad you had TWO nice days at the Zoo! There are openings for bus driver/guides right now and that is how the moderator and deputy moderator got their start at the Zoo…
I hope someone got pictures of Zoomie with her pinecone!
I have just this minute walked in the door from the airport after having left all of my new closest friends, who also happen to be Pandaholics!! I must tell all of you that we had an absolutely fabulous time!!! I cannot even begin to tell you how much we enjoyed the convention!
We SO APPRECIATE all that the SDZ did for us. They went all out for us and made us feel very special! I am not sure if this is a good thing or not but all of the Panda Narrators began to recognize us from our multiple Panda Loops through the queue line!! They even let us stay longer for viewing instead of “gently prodding” us along with the rest of the crowds! 
Thanks to Debbie and Wendy, our blog moderators, Juli for our Keeper Q&A time and to Sarah who was our guide for the bus tour and was also the Panda Narrator on Sunday and recognized us immediately from the Saturday morning tour. She made us feel very special when she saw us in the Panda line!
A million thanks to Liana who did a WONDERFUL job organizing this event locally and to Janan who made the contact with the Zoo!
Please plan to join us next year, as we are already talking about the Second Annual Panda Convention!! I guarantee that you will not regret it!
Oh and, guess what!!!??? We got to see Gao Gao this morning by going to the “secret” viewing spot high above his enclosure! That was a special treat as well!. Yes, I was one of the ones who made a quick trip to the Zoo first thing this morning before my mid-day flight!
Moderator’s note: On behalf of the Zoo, you are very welcome
Thanks so much for sharing. I wish I could of been there but the distance is too great & financially…
I am so glad you all had a fun time. Cannot wait to see some pictures and hopefully any videos. Thanks again.
Blessings,
Dawn
I have a completely off-subject question for the moderator (maybe not completely, it does relate to pandas!)… What is Yun Zi’s hammock material? It looks exactly like my Harveys Seatbelt bag!
Moderator’s note: I’ll try to find out. I know that in the past, hammocks like these were made of old fire hoses.
Like the rest of the people, I wish I was there. I will watch for the next group date and hope I can come.
Yun Zi is so much fun to watch. I also enjoy seeing Su Lin and Zhen Zhen, they look like such sweet girls.
I plan to be there at the zoo the last week of June. Hope to see all the pandas then
Thank you for all the info.
Lu
I was one of the lucky ones who attended the panda convention. There will be many blogs from the attendees describing the events and the pandas. However, I will not get into that but will say this instead: In our lifetime, we will meet all types of people, most of whom we do not have anything in common with, or do not fit in, one way of another.
Let me tell you about this amazing little group of 50 + Panda-fandom Worldwide members that attended this convention. We all had a connection, fitting like pieces to a puzzle. What I found was a group of intelligent, interesting, warm, concerned, and loving people that I would probably not have met had I not attended this convention. If this little group represents even just half of all the panda lovers worldwide, then I can definitely say that we “rule,” and that the pandas have nothing to fear.
To the event organizers and to the SDZ panda team, kudos to all of you.
Lee from San Francisco
Moderator’s note: The pandas indeed have some awesome folks looking out for them, fans and staff alike
Hello ! Summer time: Panda cam 4 Date 20-Nov-09 ??
Moderator’s note: Someone from the Panda Team will fix that today.
While it was quiet on the cams I took Jeslyn’s advice and found the San Marcos barn owl cam. We have barn owl cams in the UK with sound but at the moment they are not in colour. I was astounded at the colour quality of the cam and even got a peek of baby Max. UK barn owls haven’t even laid their eggs yet – too cold – although they have paired up and the females are busy telling the males to go and get a take-away! Thanks Jeslyn, something to keep me occupied when Yun Zi is having one of his very long sleep-ins.
Bruce #44, I can only imagine how it made you feel, when not just one, but all of the pandas at the time responded to your voice. There’s a very special job waiting for you somewhere with pandas.
Oh.. I want that T-shirt!!
an article named published in 《nature》on January 21, 2010.The research shows the diversity of genetic is fine.So Panda will not be extinct due to genetic factors.But
The number of pandas in captivity must be maintained in the more than 300.So far this number is 294.In China, the researchers have successfully bred a baby panda birth will be 50,000 yuan reward.If the number of pandas in captivity in China, more than 600, I believe the chinese policy of overseas Panda will de changed.
I read the blog”Cuddling a Panda Cub”with Amy hold a panda cub.Here you can see the whole process
www (dot) lookpanda (dot) com/PandaVideo/PandaVideo/2009/1118/3630.html
I suggest that shaved hair,before you visit there.hehe
“Hi!let me play just one more time ,PLZ!!”
The answer “NOPE”
www (dot) lookpanda (dot) com/PandaVideo/PandaVideo/2009/0901/512.html
Hey panda lovers, I hope everyone has a pandalicious day! I think I’ll wear my panda earrings today…
This is my first comment – EVER- on the Web. What could be more inspiring than those gorgeous pandas! I watch the panda cam at least 3 times a day. Hey, I am a retired teacher and this is a great use of my time. On Monday, my 29 year old daughter and I are making a special trip to San Diego to see Bai Yun and Yun Zi – I am very excited.
We will only be there 3 days, but I am planning on spending most of it at the zoo. Hoping Yun Zi and Bai Yun will give me some good shots! I am so grateful to all of the caretakers and bloggers at the zoo – what a great gift to all of us to be able to share this phenomenal experience!
Linda
How lucky you all were to have such an incredible opportunity to not only meet and share with each other but
to also meet with those people who tell us all about the pandas. Like many of you, I check in each day to see if there is any “action” but I always look to see if there is new information about about the pandas. I am black and white with envy that all of you got a “behind the scenes” tour…..you are a very special bunch of panda lovers!
Can’t wait to see the Pandas today!
Aunt Nancy #59 – Thank you so much for telling us of your troubles. I can just imagine how devistated you were but as time goes on you will be laughing about it as I did when I read it. Remember we are laughing with you not at you. Take care,
MC – those videos are priceless; also bittersweet seeing Wolong before the earthquake. Thanks for sharing.
I’m going to start saving so I can attend next year.
For those who were there, someone mentioned that the staff was describing each panda’s personality. I’d love to hear what they said. Many thanks!
I’m so looking forward to coming to San Diego next Tuesday to be with my daughter for a week. I hope we can make a trip to the zoo to see Yun Zi. I look on the website every day hoping to catch a glimpse of him. Panda’s are so adorable!
I only have a minute, but I want to echo what all the attendees said above. SDZ went WAY BEYOND anything I thought was possible to make us feel welcomed. It was such a treat to meet our dear moderators, Wendy and Debbie. Juli, the keeper, was funny, informative, and an absolute doll. Sarah, our greeter, then the narrator on Sunday was GREAT. She was so kind to us on Sunday — allowing us a little extra time with the kids and her. EVERYTHING was so appreciated by all of us.
To those who organized everything, and you know who you are, THANK YOU A MILLION TIMES. Everything was perfect!!!! Down to the dessert on Saturday night!
To all those who attended, I am so grateful to have met you. I know this sounds weird, but you too were perfect. I couldn’t imagine meeting nicer people — and we all got along SO well. I believe our friendships will last a lifetime.
I told Liana on the bus back from WAP – (WOW is all I can say about that trip) – it was truly magical walking into Panda Canyon Saturday morning. It was quiet, lush, and green. I can’t tell you how moved I was. I’ve watched panda cams since Tai was born, and NEVER, EVER, EVER, did I think the pandas would be that beautiful. When I saw Su (she was in the first enclosure), I was in awe. Then seeing Bai and Yun Zi, I was stunned. I’ve dreamed of that day, but didn’t think it would ever happen. Bai is stunning; Yunior is amazing. Then, ZZ; man, is she perfect. It was so, so special to me.
SO ONE BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE (AND OF COURSE, THE PANDAS) FOR MAKING A DREAM COME TRUE FOR ME.
Moderator’s note: This is so fun to read! We’re glad you had a wonderful weekend with panda fans.
The AWE still remains from our weekend trip to the Convention! We returned late last night. I had a chance to remain at the zoo until about 3:30 yesterday. It was a cloudier, cooler day and the animals seemed to take advantage. Yun Zi was actually AWAKE, and I got some great pix of Sweet Su. I had so hoped that she would look my way and it was one of those magical moments that many have spoken about. I knew that I could not return to the zoo before her departure; the next time we’d meet would have to be in China. I was speaking to her in the faintest of whispers telling her good bye, I’d see her again and it was as if she did hear, she turned my way and I got my pictures and gave her my love. She’s been my girl since birth. AND in that same trip through the Panda line, Yun Zi was awake! He was playing on the tree structure and came out to the furthest branch and sat & looked at his admirers. What an adorable little beauty. I still haven’t downloaded my pictures but will hope that they came out and will share soon.
It WAS a wondrous trip. The SDZ was so gracious and everyone there welcomed us. The panda narrators added us to their comments during the day. And Sarah our tour bus operator was abolutely thrilled when I saw her later & told her Yun Zi had been awake! She had been so hoping he’d become lively while we were there.
Ok, this is getting long and I don’t mean to take up too much space. Debbie, you will be happy to hear however that I did see more of the zoo! I have some wonderful pix of little Frankie and Azizi. Paul Donn had rolled a head of cabbage down a hill with his foot as he was chewing on a branch of something as if to say “cabbage, what? no thanks”! I have some funny, funny video of an organgutan, I really don’t know which one it was–a large guy, playing peek a boo with a burlap bag. And baby Miah the koala….and on and on.
Thank you to all who contributed to this wonderful event!!! I will not forget it.
Moderator’s note: I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed some of our other animal friends as well. Little Frank, the gorilla, has a special place in my heart!
Liana, I don’t know if you knew this but there was an article on the front page of Yahoo news Sat. 3/20 w/a nice picture of you w/your Panda ears! It’s really cute, and the picture of Bai… well that’s the back of my head (thank God!) When I got home, I had a message on my answering machine telling me they saw my pic, and sure enough it was. I couldn’t believe the article was posted before I got home! Then again, the reporter entered the zoo with us.
I really wish you all could see how beautiful Zhen Zhen is. She is PERFECT, simply gorgeous! I wasn’t able to see Gao-Gao because the moving walkway was closed but I’m happy to know how I’ll be able to sneak a peek in the future.
For all you panda fans who plan on visiting in the future, I will always try to remember to carry my Black & White Obsession Canvas Tote, and wear my Panda button w/Yun Zi’s picture & my name on it (Nancy Hall) so if you’re visiting, you can know it’s safe to reveal yourself to another pandaholic. Perhaps, you’ll want some tips on what to see, where, when, etc… Better yet, hopefully, I’ll be driving one of those buses giving you the grand tour! I did apply for the position. That, and many others! I could be sweeping trash, selling tickets, pitching tents. Who know’s? I’ll do anything they want. All they have to do is CALL ME!!
Gotta go check out my polar bears. Can’t wait for the grand re-opening this weekend! It’s gonna be a ZOO!
I wrote in my comment yesterday (#27) that it was Day 76 since Mei Xiang’s second AI but as I sit watching her now, I realize that I miscounted. Yesterday was Day 71 (even better!). Today is Day 72. Sorry for the miscalculation.
Good to read some of the comments from the participants in our first Annual Panda Convention. I had a blast getting to meet everyone, and it truly seemed as though I’d known everybody forever, not just meeting them for the first time.
For those of you who haven’t been to our Facebook page where we post all the info on the convention, just know that our SECOND Annual Panda Convention is already scheduled for March 25-27, 2011. So start saving your pennies, and gear up for vacation time then. I’m guessing with Su Lin off to China, Yun Zi will take over either her enclosure or they’ll move Bai in there – of course, after Yunior has been weaned!
#59 Nancy, so sorry I didn’t return your frantic calls – occupied with clients and couldn’t get to it till late at night. We had a laugh together when you told me about your escapade! BUt it all worked out and you were indeed there finally on the right date!!!
Again, can’t thank the zoo enough for all the support and help they provided us. It was truly way beyond magical!
What a wonderful time we all had at the convention. I echo all the thanks to the organizers and SDZ personnel. All the panda fans were really nice, caring people. Not a cross word from anybody. The food at the hotel was to die for. I’d like to pass on two bits of information we heard from Keeper Juli: She hasn’t heard Zhen Zhen hum, but our girl does sigh when she wants to be fed. In response to my question about the intelligence of pandas compared with other animals, Juli said she believes pandas are smarter than dogs.
Forgot to mention that at the Black and White Obsession Banquet on Saturday night, we reserved a special seat for the “Virtual Attendees,” with plush panda bear, panda ear hat, and other paraphernalia indicating our friends unable to be there. So you were all remembered!!! Photos to be posted soon and will let you know where they are posted.
And, of course, in all the celebration, we kept thanking the zoo over and over again not only for the wonderful way they served us, but the work they do with the pandas. So I’m sure their ears were burning from all the accolades we were sending their way!
Ditto to #77-Marie… I would love to hear the stories about the Panda personalities…I can only imagine what they are like…
Liana: Thanks for organizing the Panda Convention together. You did a wonderful job. My husband (the guy with the GAO name tag) and I had a very enjoyable time. If you need help for next year, please let me know what I can do.
Hi, you all! Been a little busy as usual, so not much coming from me in the last few days! Anyway, just watched the SDZ pandacam twice in the last 20 minutes, and saw Bai napping on the first watch, then on the second watch, Bai had just woken up from her nap and moved off the stone stump. Didn’t see Yuni in the hammock, so I’m guessing that he’s up in a tree napping! I did check the NZ pandacams earlier this afternoon, and both pandas were indoors. Watched Mei Xiang just munching away on her boo showing no obvious signs of any pregnancy/maternal behaviors yet. Still no update about Mei’s progress either! On the 2nd cam, watched Tian Tian shaking this huge spool with a few holes on it trying to shake some snacks out of it. He was really working it, too!
Sorry, you all!! I couldn’t come to San Diego for the first Pandafan Converntion because of severe financial constraints. I read the update about it, and some of your comments, and it sounds like you had alot of fun watching the pandas and touring the zoo while you were there. I know that San Diego had some great weather this past weekend because I checked the Weather Channel! Hopefully, there will be Pandafan Convention 2 coming up soon! I think this can be a new ongoing tradition at SDZ! Plus, there could be some rotation conventions with Atlanta Zoo, Memphis Zoo, and National Zoo in the near future. Can’t forget about those 3 zoos and their pandas either! They are just as deserving of our attention as well, and we love them!
Got on the Pandas Live On website last nite, and there is a huge amount of pics, vids, and updates about Tai Shan and Mei Lan from China. A couple of vids are in Chinese, but there is written English translations to those vids. There was also a great set of photos of Yuni on there, too! So, check out PLO for some great panda info and great pics! They have done a great job of keeping up with Tai Shan and Mei Lan since they got to China. Oh yeah, Adelaide Zoo will be setting up a pandacam at Wang Wang and Funi’s enclosure sometime soon. They don’t have an online date yet, but they will let us know once they get that info!
Not much else right now. Gonna get back to the pandacams and will check in on the AZ & MZ pandacams tomorrow.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
# 83 Liana – Thanks for the heads up on the date for next year’s convention. I’m coming from Montreal, Canada.
My daughter wanted me to read your story. I have an Aunt Nancy, so I was feeling compassion for you when you showed up a few days earlier than the convention. I don’t know if you are blond like my aunt, if so, you can say it is a blond thing. Thanks, Liana, for having a virtual place for us fans who were not there. That was thoughtful. I enjoyed the convention vicariously. I did. I was excited for you all. Thanks for getting us pictures and stories of the event.
To All who have written about the Panda Adventure: Thank You so much for sharing your stories and memories!!! You All had a fabulous time and I have marked my calendar for March 2011!!!! I know the emotions of “Awe” and Joy you who may have just seen the Pandas in person for the first time
You will never lose the feelings. 
I cannot wait to see the results of your camera moments 
And…thank you for the mention of how to see Gao Gao from the walkway!!! Next visit, I’ll try to see if I can see him also 
And…Nancy…I loved your story about arriving a week ahead! A Perfect example of Panda Mania if I’ve ever heard/read one!
The Panda Convention was just amazing for so very many reasons.
Foremost, of course, were the pandas themselves. When we went through the line the first time Friday afternoon we saw Su Lin first and I was blown away by how beautiful she is and how big she looked. I told my husband she looked as big as Bai — and then we saw Bai. 5 cubs later she is every bit as gorgeous as her lovely daughter and BIG. I flashed back to little Yunior sleeping on her paw and seeing her take huuuge steps over him when she left the den. That trip through he was a fluffy white hump in the hammock. We went through a couple more times and then saw Zhennie Sat morning. What a charming little lady, only thing that could have made our time with her better would have been to make it tons longer. (How greedy does that sound?) We lost count of how many times we went through the line to see Su, Bai & Yunior after that. Yunior is cuteness personified sleeping, stretching, pawing at mom, whatever. Monday morning we saw Gao dining al fresco & Zhennie swinging from her tree by watching from the magic perch that Carolyn described earlier.
Next was the fellow pandaholics. I was expecting nice. Since I’ve been reading the blogs (Sept ’09) there have been numerous instances of concern for the health of family members, pets, etc. This group was nicer than nice and soooo interesting. These are really fascinating folks.
Next was the parks themselves. Lush doesn’t even start to cover things. SDZ is such a great place to live that both the zoo and WAP have volunteer residents. Both mornings we “opened” the zoo there was a male peacock, tail in full furl to welcome us. He also posed for a quick video as we were leaving late Monday morning. Both parks evidenced a respect for the animals in their care that backs up the PR. The bus tour guide knew most of the animals by name. The lady at the koala habitat shared info about each koala’s personality and ages of the 3 babies. Even the security folks were really nice. As helpful as everyone was, the panda types were even more awesome. Juli was very generous with her time even while we peppered her with question about the rock star bears. She brought a piece of bamboo almost 3 in. wide and explained it would not go through a wood chipper. Later that afternoon I saw Bai easily go through one that looked like it was the same size. Maybe we can get her to do a blog about training and what sort of student each bear is. (Hint, hint, hint.) Our moderators were so nice and made us feel so special and valued — and moderating isn’t even their main job. Who knew since they take such good care of us?
Thanks to Liana, Janan, Diana, Velia, Linda, Carolyn – volunteers all sans arm twisting – for jumping in and planning things. It was all kinds of fun.
Moderator’s note: I’ll pass along your hint to Juli
Glad everyone had such a great time seeing our black and white beauties. I am watching Bai and Yuni sleeping on the rocks. Bai seems to keep going up on the hammock lately to see her baby boy. He seems to get more annoyed than anything. He needs to quit being so lazy and get up and play with her. What a great mom. Hopefully someday I will get there to see them, I love them all. I am happy some of you got to sneak a peak at Daddy Gao, he is a sweetheart! Thanks camera operator for some great close ups today of baby on the hammock, he is tooo cute for words.
Doxie Mom or Grammie did Either of you catch Yun Zi climbing over a sleeping Bai Yun to get up into his hammock? It’s about 5:30PM Tuesday. He had been sleeping on the throne rocks and got to stirring around. He was looking for a more comfortable place to sleep, but Bai wasn’t offering any help. He tried several different approaches then decided on using her as a stepping stone to climb up – where he then went right to sleep.
Hello everyone….I finally arrived home and have had a minute to read all the posts. Everything has been said about the Panda Convention that I was going to say. Wonderful new friends, great treatment by the SDZ and really so many special details. Our hotel was wonderful, food great, and that Black and White dinner just very special! Thank you again Liana for all your work. I know you must have left over tee shirts, and if you do, some folks here might want one. I forgot to get the two extra bags that I will buy from you, but will make arrangements. With all this said, we definitely WILL HAVE ANOTHER CONVENTION NEXT MARCH!! I see we already have some dates chosen, so those of you that said here that you didn’t
know about it, please put them on your calendar now! However, I must comment on my photo with the Panda ears in the San Diego paper…not very good, but heck, a nice article and it probably brought new fans to the SDZ website and Panda Cam….hopefully for more donations and support of the zoo. Thank you to Maureen the Special Events Coordinator at the zoo for all you help, Debbie and Wendy, and let’s all keep in touch and share photos.
Moderator’s note: You are so very welcome, Janan. And I thought that photo of you was wonderful
Bai just tried to wake Yunior again and he will have no part of it. Is it normal for a baby panda his age to sleep so much? Bai seems more active and playful than he is. Poor Bai, she just wants some attention!
Moderator’s note: Yun Zi plays hard and sleeps hard, all very normal for a cub his age.
P.S. Aunt Nancy, for a minute there, I thought you were my Aunt Nancy. My Aunt Nancy always has antics. I was not trying to disparage blonds, as I am a blond. I just blame all my antics on being a blond.
**Just wanted to send a GIANT thanks to all the organizers and zoo staff for the fabulous weekend!! It could not have been more perfect!! I am proud to say I am a new panda-holic. (I mean how can you resist those ears??)
…. They were all jealous as we saw the snow flurries outside haha. And the icing on the cake is my nifty button with my name on it, I now have a cool name badge for my lab coat YAY!!! Thanks Again and I’m excited to see everyone’s pictures!
When I went back to work today, I showed everyone my pictures and told them about all the fun people I met and how I won the prize for the “second youngest” pandaholic!! (I even showed them the article online
PS If you google “pandaholics facebook” the first link is for some group (pandaholics anonymous) that is obsessed with Panda Express Orange Chicken… I thought this was pretty funny, don’t think our bears would trade that for bamboo haha
Sounds like your Black and White Obsession 2010 was a HUGE SUCCESS
Wish we could have been there but hubby laid off & Mich. economy in the pits – so please, please, please send any & all photo links. Maybe we can make 2011 – will have more time our pennies
Sounds like all you fellow pandaholics had a blast at the first official panda convention. Next year I’ll be there. The pictures and blogs are fantastic!! Can’t wait for more.
Melissa #27 and Betsey in Md #20: Thanks for your comments and encouragement for Mei Xiang. It is such fun, reading all the comments of the participants of the panda-convention. I knew it would be great fun, having read this blog for a couple of years now. I believe it’s the common passion we all share, with the same goals for “Pandas Forever!” on this earth. What a grand dream, that such a conservation station for polar bears could be established on the pole, so that we could start rebuilding the polar population as well. There are so many varying opinions, everyone has their personal faves, mine being Tai Shan (I’ve never withheld that!), and I think Mei Xiang is the most beautiful. Having said that, and after much observation, both Lun Lun and Bai Yun are also very beautiful, each with that beautifully round, fluffy face, and big expressive eye patches. So we should all consider that all 3 are simply most beautiful and dub them all Panda Beauty Queens. While Lady Ya Ya is also beautiful, alas, she does not possess the wonderful, round, fluffy facial attributes, but is simply most beautifully unique, and has interesting, mesmerizing eyes. All the guys! Well, they are all 4 boo-eating machines, and if put to a contest, it would probably end in a 4-way tie. And they are all quite handsome.
(Speaking of a beautiful bear!!) They are all so much more beautiful seeing them in panda-person.
Bruce, #44. You made an interesting observation. I think the secret to communicating with the pandas is the time you get there. You should always go early, before the crowds. When I went to see Tai Shan, we were there before the crowds, in fact, there were only 3 of us. It was quiet, Tai was sitting midway up the hill, eating. I said, in a normal, quiet tone, “There’s my Tai Shan. Hi, big guy!” He looked straight at me and came down the hill to totally charm the 3 of us. When a Giant Panda makes direct eye-contact with you, there is no description of that impact, except to say “heart-swell”. It is so special. So, Bruce, I know exactly what your feelings were, coming face-to-face with Mei Sheng and Su Lin. The same circumstance was at Zoo Atlanta, to meet Mei Lan. We just called her name in a normal tone, and she took immediate notice, looking straight at us. But she just kept on eating, still making eye-contact!
I know it is late—-but you heard it here first….I just watched Bai Yun climb up on the stone throne, get behind the tree, and put her chin in the hammock with Prince Fluffy-Butt. I think she is attempting to wake him up…the chin is not laying on the paws right now. He has been in the hammock most of this evening, and I only saw Bai when she was having a good time with her bamboo…I guess it is his turn to empty the milk bar tonight. She finally got tired and dragged him down by the scruff, so she either needs to play or feed. Everybody have a good sleep tonight……..Love Grammmie
I’m so enjoying reading all your stories of the Panda Convention. Keep them coming.
Liana #85, thank you for remembering those of us who just couldn’t make it, either for financial reasons or because of the distance. Much appreciated. And, as one of the many people who have been treated like royalty by the SDZ staff, I know exactly how you feel.
Another very happy attendee at Panda Convention. My nieces and I had a wonderful weekend — the zoo, the banquet, the informal get to gether the night before…. what more can I say??
The meeting with Julie, Debbie and Wendy was a highlight. Us panda cam watchers ‘know’ the bears have personalities, but listening to the zoo folks only confirmed it!! The zoo provided us with a wonderful experience.
We have all seen ‘our’ bears enjoying their bamboo meals. A piece of actual bamboo was passed around… I was surprised how thick and heavy it was!
I could watch Bai Yun eat bamboo for hours. What ears!! What a sweet face!! What pseudo thumbs!!
To our convention organizers and other folks that added so much to an enjoyable weekend… a BIG thanks!
There is a video of Mei Xiang’s weekly ultrasound on the “Discovery News” website. It was posted on Monday. No cub to be seen yet. I found the video by doing a search for “giant panda” on Yahoo. I was actually looking for the article and pictures mentioned by #81 Aunt Nancy, but I did not find it. If someone could tell us where those are, it would be much appreciated.
#59 Aunt Nancy – Your mistake with the date for the Black and White Obsession may have been a good advance notice for the zoo employees as to what was awaiting them when 50+ panda lovers would descend on the SDZ!! LOL I am so glad to read the enthusiastic comments of the attendees, and hope you will let us know when the pictures will be posted.
Hey everybody, Happy Wednesday! CIAO
I couldn’t attend the convention but I am literally blown away with the comments from those who did. You guys at the SDZ have done a wonderful thing with this blog; you have created a truly worldwide group of people who’ve come together because of their love for the bears. I feel that I’ve become a part of a whole new social system with people I’ve gotten to know and like and whose shared passions make my life a little bit brighter. (Wow, getting sentimental here). Without your help, I can’t imagine that any of us would have met any other way. Thanks for making this possible.
Moderator’s note: You are so very welcome. It’s our pleasure!
Watching Little Cloud this morning, lying in his hammock, playing with his feet, playing with the tree trunk, rolling around….he looked like a human baby who is fighting sleep, trying not to take a nap! I can remember putting my small children down for naps, and later hearing them in their beds talking to their toys, playing with their feet, staying awake! Whether they are human or pandas, they are just cute! Maybe you all need someone to rock and sing to Yun Zi, when he needs a nap. I’m available!
Anyway…I got a email from Panda News yesterday. Researchers report finding a WILD female panda with a young cub, estimated to have been born AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE IN ’08! They went on to say they had been concerned that, because of the fright and stress of the earthquake, the female pandas may have aborted their fetuses of that mating season, (I’m sure some did), and this is the first proof of a cub from that time period. I just thought that was very exciting, and I hope they find more. Sometimes I think our beloved pandas are just too elusive, but maybe I’m just feeling over-protective.
# 94 Lucy….
What a fitting description calling the arrangement of rocks in the display, “The Throne”.
Just perfect for Queen Bai and the Little Prince!
May they rule forever!!!
We got covered in snow last night in Denver, so I’m home taking a snow day today. Woo Hoo! It’s been great to finally catch up on the panda blogs. It sounds like you all had a great time at the Panda Convention!
I love reading your stories — Aunt Nancy’s is priceless — and I’m also excited about seeing your pictures. But I assume that many of those in attendance do not subscribe to a photo-sharing service, so it might be difficult to share your photos with the rest of us.
Since I work in the IT industry, I quickly put together a website that you can use for sharing your photos, if you want:
http://www.blackwhiteobsession2010.com
You don’t need to register or anything. Just got to the URL, click the Upload button, enter your name and/or email address (only if you want to), and then click the ‘Choose Files’ button to select the photos you want to share. I hope it works for everyone — please let me know if you have any problems.
Also, I agree with everyone else that the SDZ is awesome for making this blog and the Panda Cam available for all of us pandaholics. Thank you so much for all you do!
#110 – Cheryl from Denver – Wow! how nice of you to set this site up for us. I hope the rest of the fans notice it. It would help if you could post it to the Facebook site, too. Here’s the link:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=272470520621
Will write a longer post about the convention later. Just dashing this note off from work.
Happy day to the pandas and the ‘holics!!
#81 AUNT NANCY The Yahoo thing you mentioned—is there an online posting of it, or is the hardcopy the only source? If there is an oline place to see it–and the photo especially–could somebody please post the link. Just substitute (dot) for the periods in the address…we all know to make it work we simply resubstitute the periods for the (dots). Thank You.
#94 LUCY Sorry I did not get any photos of the movment of Yun Zi late yesterday….I may have been away from the computer during the action. But then there is DoxieMom who seems to get all of the greatest things on video—-I need to figure out how to do that on my computer too. There are many times I wish I could capture videos…but since DoxieMom is so good at it, and gets such fantastic shots, and combines them with her incredible editing skills, I sure could not outdo her. All I could hope to do is fill in the blanks now and then—–once I learn how….Love Grammmie
I entered that above site from Cheryl in my favorites so I hope that you all post your photos in there. I don’t do Facebook….
I also finally got around to reading the Sunday newspaper and saw the article about you all at the Panda convention. I wish I could have attended but I am busy getting my garden in shape for a huge garden tour…..I keep weeding……things are blooming now that will miss my tour…..so I am stressing over it.
I also squeeze in time to watch Molly, the owl….her 2nd egg hatched last nite. The next one is due Thursday nite perhaps. Then there is the bear.org den……with that cub.
That is what Yun Zi gets for sleeping all the time….! I am cheating on him….with other viewings….
# 105 Danielle – Thanks for the Discovery News link. I couldn’t find Mei’s US, but I did find tons of Tai videos that I’d never seen. So thanks!
#110 CHERYL FROM DENVER You are so kind to make a web page dedicated to the PandaVention 2010-I love the photos that have been posted so far. Is there some way that the Pandas name could be added under the photo so we (who could not attend) would know who they are? Oh yes–the people in pictures too. If anyone has not checked out the site it is at http://www.blackwhiteobsession2010.com
Of course there is also Facebook http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=272470520621
but I see no reason that they might not be posted in both albums…..but we would still need names to go with faces. As for the young Mr. Fluffy-Butt, depending on his surroundings, I can usually pick him out….Love Grammmie
Unfortunately, I’m not on Facebook, so I can’t communicate with the Panda Fandom group. Darn! But it looks like somebody posted the link on Facebook for the website I set up for sharing photos from last weekend’s Panda Convention. Thank you!
By the way, I just changed the settings to allow for downloading. You can either download an individual picture or the entire set all at once.
I hope those who aren’t on Facebook or don’t use another photo-sharing site will consider uploading to this site so the rest of us virtual attendees can see your pictures. The ones already uploaded of Yun Zi in his hammock are so precious. I hope we get to see more!
My boyfriend and I flew from Chicago just to see the amazing panda’s first hand since I have been addicted to the PandaCam for months. We were blown away by the entire zoo! I wish I would have known about the group gathering. I would love to attend one in the future.
#117 Yvette – The next annual convention is on March 25-26-27, 2011. Correct me Liana if I have it one day too much…
Everyone, you do not need a Facebook account to go to the Panda-fandom Worldwide site -
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=272470520621 – you just cannot engage in the discussions. But if all you want is to be kept updated on future events, going to the site and not logging in with an account is good enough. By going to this site, you can read all the discussions, events, and look at the photos, etc.
Also, you can have a secured Facebook account so you can participate. You just need to adjust security in your account so no one can see your profile except you.
We now have 290 members, please come join us.
I will be posting this on every blog so no one misses the next “great” event at the SDZ.
Lee from San Francisco
Jeslyn #113
Thanks for the suggestion of putting Facebook address in Favorites.
Great idea! Best invention since sliced bread! Multi-grain, of course.
You were so helpful…you are a genius.
Now.. if the blogs to SDZ could be corrected for grammar errors I would be ecstatic.
My correct spell “gadget” doesn’t work here.
Spelling is a guilt thing from grammar school, I suppose.
Enjoy this Spring Friday!
#119 GEORGIE IN PA You are right-it is guilt from grammar school. My children, in their 40′s, simply ignore proper grammar most of the time. It is hard for me to ignore it. When I first started using this Panda blog, for other than reading, I asked the moderator if it was okay to type in all caps since my arthrittic fingers make the stretch for the shift key painlful…….she said it was okay….then after a while I found that everything I wrote about the Pandas or asked about them was coming out without caps except where they belong—–she was retyping my posts for me. I decided then to just type in lower case and when proof reading use two hands to type caps were they were supposed to be. The nice thing about writing to a Panda is that they do not care how you type, they only care that you love them, and learn about them from this blog. Hooray for the staff members and keepers who keep up this blog for all of us…they are wonderful….Love Grammmie
#120 Grammie
You wrote a lovely note telling it the way it is :
We all came together because of our love for the Pandas…
and our insatiable curiosity about what makes them tick!
It’s amazing that these beautiful animals have created a United Nations..
Right here at the San Diego Zoo.
It certainly has created friendships which can be attested to by the Panda Convention.
The Staff is overly kind to all of us…answering our many questions with nary a grumble.
Pray you all have a grand weekend wherever you are, stay well…
FYI — I added a ‘Welcome’ page and also a ‘Questions’ page to the http://www.blackwhiteobsession2010.com site.
The ‘Questions’ page is to answer some of those questions that I saw on the Panda-fandom Facebook discussion.
My intention is not to confuse everyone with a different place to go for photos. I just wanted to offer an alternative for those who would like to share their photos but don’t have a Facebook account.
#122 CHERYL FROM DENVER If you have not done so a duplicate of your note would be welcomed to the next blog since not all of us go back to check. By the way it is a great site—thank you for creating it….Love Grammmie
#122 Cheryl – this is so wonderful. Thank you so much.
I hope you can join us next year and see for yourself Gao Gao’s little family (opsie, not so little – huge is the word!) and the care and love that they are receiving from the SDZ panda team.
The fun part is the plus part.
Lee from San Francisco
I so wish I could have been there too, but alas! I live across the Atlantic ocean
I have never seen a Panda in real life… but I intend to before I die
it was so cute today to see the 3 keepers cleaning up, they all had to pet yun zi, how lucky they are! how could they resist, for sure.
Is our sweet little prince Yun Zi eating bamboo and apples etc. Yet or is he still sucking them? It looked like he was eating a piece of biscuit on one of the videos. He probably has to eat them fast, because momma takes them away and eats them herself. He has that look on his face like “that was mine” just love watching them. Doxi Mom’s videos are wonderful-upclose and clear. She really gets great shots!
I wish I had been paying better attention because I would have loved to come to this event.
Sounds like great fun. I’ll be there the first week of June to run the SD marathon. I’m thinking of making Team Yun Zi shirts for our group. Love little Butter Dude.
# 125 Heather – Where across the Atlantic are you? You never know, you might be able to come attend one of our convention one day. Or visit the SDZ and see Gao Gao’s tribe.
How much does fluffly butt weight he looks so big ????????
Moderator’s note: Check the Meet the Pandas page for the most recent weights.
Thanks…33 lbs I knew he had gained ..What a wopper he is / so cute to watch
I can’t wait to see them, love everyone’s comments!!
This is such a cute idea! I always read the blogs but I don’t comment enough for sure. I hope everyone had a great time
i wish i could go to your zoo some time!! but i live in NJ so its kind of hard…
it sounds like they had a lot of fun that day! give little Yun Zi a big hug for me!