Su Lin
Keeper Angie Fiore took time out of her busy day to give me an update on our popular panda family, so here goes…
Everything is status quo with Gao Gao, our adult male panda; he is healthy and seems content. Like most adult pandas, Gao prefers spending time on the ground, rather than up high in the trees, eating and resting. However, the Panda Team hopes to train this gentleman bear for participation in the on-going panda hearing study (see post Su Lin: Hitting the High Notes).
Keeper Juli Borowski has been working with Gao Gao on the beginning stages of training for participation in the study, but Gao has proved to be a “challenging” student. I got to see Gao’s training area, and Angie explained that Juli is teaching him to place his chin on a small metal shelf they call the “chin rest” that is placed in a section of the chain-link tunnel Gao normally walks through to get from the bedroom area to his outdoor space. Apparently, Gao doesn’t like to sit too long in one spot, but he is making progress! The next step is to learn to touch the red target, located next to the chin rest, with his nose.
Zhen Zhen spends her time next door to her father in what we call the “classroom” exhibit and is having a blast! Angie says everything is a game for this busy two year old, and Zhen has been enjoying some of the new toys purchased by panda fans (see post We Tried). She, too, is being trained for the hearing study and is proving to be a quick learner (no surprise!).
Zhen Zhen can be a little brutal on the vegetation, and a tree-trimming crew worked on her exhibit just a few days ago. Apparently, Zhennie found the crew just as entertaining to watch, and although she was in the back area, she dashed through her tunnels and bedrooms to view the action and “flirt” with the crew. Size-wise, Zhen has almost caught up to her father: she now weighs 148 pounds (67.3 kilograms) compared to Gao Gao’s steady weight of about 163 pounds (74 kilograms).
I hate to bring this up, but we all know that Su Lin will be moving to China sometime this year (no date has been set yet). In preparation for her move, keepers have started Su Lin’s crate training. It’s so important that an animal is comfortable in its travel crate before a move, and of course we want Su Lin’s trip to be stress-free. Angie showed me the long chain-link tunnel Su Lin takes from the main viewing exhibit to the crate, which has been placed at the back of the facility (it even includes a flight of stairs!). Thanks to her experience in the small sound-proof “room” used for the hearing study, our star student has had no qualms about entering the travel crate and having the keeper close the door once she is in it. The next step will be for the keeper to make different noises around the crate while Su is inside. Once she is comfortable with that, the keepers will jiggle the crate a bit to simulate movement. The last step in the training will be practicing lifting the crate with a forklift while Su Lin is inside. Between her hearing study and crate training, Miss Su, now at 183 pounds (83 kilgorams), is one busy panda!
Yun Zi and his mother, Bai Yun, continue to thrive and delight both keepers, Zoo guests, and Panda Cam viewers! Now eight months old, Yun Zi weighed 33 pounds (15.1 kilograms) on April 6 and, according to Angie, is getting to be quite a handful, as he views his keepers as play objects during exhibit-cleaning time! He is still nursing, but is also mouthing bamboo and has even ingested some bamboo leaves, as seen in the “deposits” he leaves behind. Bai is such a great mother and really seems to enjoy playing with her little boy (she is not nearly as playful when by herself).
And speaking of play, Angie showed me more of the new toys the pandas will receive as we attempt another photo session later this week. There is never a dull moment for pandas and their keepers, and Angie and the rest of the panda keepers thank all of you for your support!
Debbie Andreen is an associate editor and the blog moderator for the San Diego Zoo.
Thanks so much Debbie and Angie for all this information. It’s always great to hear how wonderful our beautiful bears are doing. I’m a little bummed that Su won’t be around next March wheni visit the zoo, but I’m happy that I will, hopefully, get to see the proud papa bear.
Thank you for this update. We’re always interested in all of Bai Yun’s babies, and their father. And though we don’t like the idea of Su Lin’s moving out any time soon, still, she’ll have the chance to be a mother in China, like her sister Hua Mei. And good people are waiting for her there, who have no doubt loved her from afar via the Pandacam these past 4 and a half years. Even though we missed Hua Mei when she relocated to her ancestral home, everyone derived great joy in hearing the news of her twins being born, 3 times in a row, and then a 7th cub last year. I’m certain we’ll all feel just as much happiness when Su Lin’s babies appear, and we see their pictures. So keep your spirits up, and we’ll do the same. Only good things are ahead for all of these pandas.
I enjoy the information about the panda’s so much! What great work you do and the knowledge you have is amazing. Thank you for sharing. If I come to SD can I meet any of you in person?
Moderator’s note: You can always meet one of our knowledgeable panda narrators, and the keepers are often setting out food for the pandas, so you just might watch one of them in action, too!
I have recently seen Bai lift Yun Zi up in the air to play while she’s on her back. Thirty-three pounds is a lot to lift! They always seem to play and/or nurse in the early evening. They must say to each other, “Let’s wait till the humans are gone”.
Thanks for another informative and welcomed update on our pandas. I’m not surpirsed the Zhen Zhen is a quick learner. She was very active as a cube and I loved watching her learn to do the simple things like climbing out of the den, or even learning to crawl. She didn’t give Bai much time to rest.
Thanks for this wonderful update on all the pandas. So nice to know that all is well and to have these little glimpses into each of their lives. My life has been so enriched since discovering the panda cam with the birth of Yun Zi – now I can barely survive a day without checking in to see him. I have made it my homepage. He has gotten to be such a big boy – just looking at him up in the tree now. I am surprised he is still only 33 lbs (though glad as well – he still has a lot of growing to do
)
I love the description of Zhen Zhen rushing to check out and “flirt” with the grounds crew. Was she in the same space as them, or was she watching from a separated area?
Btw, there are some fanstastic photos of the pandas with enrichment items on Rita Petita’s flickr stream – if anyone has not discovered this yet. And some new shots of the pudgy baby looking not so babyish these days!
Moderator’s note: Zhen was in the back area while they worked on her exhibit. Remember, although she is cute and fun to watch, she is a bear
This is great, having an update on what all the pandas are doing. I was surprised to read that Gao Gao doesn’t seem to like taking part in the hearing study. When I saw him two years ago he was only too willing (many times over) to show us how the keepers took blood from his arm so I thought he’d be the ‘easy’ one. As for ZZ, she is totally crazy! I wish you lots of luck trying to get some video of them with their new toys.
I just want to reach into my computer screen and grab that fuzzy little body!!!!! Oh, Little Cloud,
I AM IN LOVE WITH YOU!!!!!!!
Awwww!!! I cant belive Su Lin is leaving this year!! :’( I didnt really know much about her, but she is fun to watch on the Panda Cam.
I sure am gonna miss her. :’(
Moderator, a question for Angie. have you heard anything from Mei Shengs keeper as to how he is doing. I know we all miss him so much and would like to hear some news.
Thank you so much for all the wonderful info on our fabulous pandas. They are truly a national treasure.
I wanted so bad to get to see Yun Zi on my trip to visit my daughter a few weeks ago, but she wasn’t up to a trip to the zoo after her surgery. I’m sure the next time I can come out there, he will be a “grown up boy”.
Moderator’s note: We hope your daughter is feeling better now!
I love reading updates on the panda family and want to second the request for and update on Mei Sheng. He was such a happy, sweet panda and I would love to know how he is doing…for example, will he be allowed to mate this year? Thank you for keeping all us panda fanatics informed.
I finally made reservations to see Yun Zi, May 18-23. Can I ask, do you suggest I spend two days at the Zoo, so I will be sure to see the little guy? Are there still lines to see him? Are we being moved along in front of this area? Is there a link to see how it works?
Thanks!
Moderator’s note: We look forward to your visit, Yola. There are only long lines on busy weekend or vacation days. Otherwise, the panda narrator lets guests stay as long as they like. If there is a line, it goes fairly quickly, so one day at the Zoo should cover you for pandas…and another day to take in all of the other animal delights
Thanks Debbie! Wonderful information on our beloved bears. Am planning to be there to see Yun Zi tomorrow, but am hearing the weather is to be terrible!! I hope that’s wrong, because I NEED to see Yun Zi!!!!
Moderator’s note: Rain is indeed in the forecast for Wednesday, but the pandas will be out and about and you should have the place to yourself! Come prepared for wet weather and enjoy this special time with Yun Zi.
Thankyou for the update on our panda family. We pandaholics thrive on any and all information that you provide about these marvelous creatures.
I am very sad to think Su Lin will be moving to China, but she must fill a very important role in the preservation of this endangered species.
Any updates on Mei Sheng would be greatly appreciated. He will always hold a special place in my heart as he was the first panda I watched from birth.
Thanks
My friend from Chicago and I (from Atlanta) were at SDZ March 27-April 2, and found a couple of secret Panda viewing areas; if we were lucky, we could see either/and Gao Gao/Zhen Zhen while in the Sky Tram from Polar Bear Plunge. Then we found that by going up the moving sidewalk at the end of Panda Canyon and then back across from the Aviary on the boardwalk, before you head up to Albert’s or Alberto’s, we could look over and down into the two back enclosures (which are next to the Panda Canyon shops) … My friend now can say that she had photos of ALL THE GIANT PANDAS IN NORTH AMERICA (and most of the Red Pandas, too)! We were able to view Zhen Zhen in the classroom and then got great TELEPHOTO shots of Gao Gao from the Sky Tram and the overlook. WHEEE!!!! We are loving all our photos!
#184 Marie from the previous blog – Dong Dong was born in the wild, she was captured in Baoting in March 1990 and moved to Wolong where she gave birth to Bai Yun in September 1991. It is estimated that Dong Dong was born in 1984.
You can see a short video of “Great grandma Dong Dong” on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJY4vgyz2X8
The last news I read: Dong Dong lives at the Panyu Safari World near Guangzhou, China
http://www(dot)chetscorner(dot)com/chatter/2007/10/among-pandas-dong-dong-at-panyu-safari-world/
I noticed Mei Xiang on NZ’s panda cam is in her den acting a bit peculiar. She keeps tossing the bedding material around and acting pretty restless. Is this the behavior of a panda soon to give birth?
Thanks Angie and Debbie for the update. It’s good to hear the family is doing well. It’s really the best time for panda watching when it’s raining. Su Lin and her brother Mei Sheng (now in China) love the rain. They love to play in the rain. Don’t know about the others. Also, there will be fewer people in line and so more time to watch the pandas. Wish I could be there.
Thank you both for another wonderful article on our beloved Pandas! What kind of toys did you buy for the bears and when will that next “try” at photo shoot be held?
Moderator’s note: These are more of the toys purchased by our fans from the panda baby shower. We were hoping to do the photo shoot this week, but other things have come up, so we’ll reschedule. We have not forgotten
Danielle #18–thanks for the info about Dong Dong. I looked up Baoting–it’s part of Hainan, which is an island towards the southern end of China. Does anyone know if it was unusual to find pandas in Baoting when Dong Dong was found? Are there pandas there now? It seems so far away from Sichuan and the areas I usually see designated as “panda areas.”
Debbie–thank you and Angie and Juli for catching us up with the whole family! I especially love hearing about Zhennie and she seems so active and playful these days.
Yun Zi is having a real feetie party while Bai Yun dines nearby…so cute.
Thank you for the family update. Had a feeling you are preparing us for Su Lin’s departure this year. Was able to see her in March. She is a beautiful Panda and will be a wonderful addition to the breeding program in China.
Questions for the panda team:
I was very interested in the steps that the SDZ Panda Team take to see that the pandas are not stressed by the travel. Do they need to be sedated for the long trip to China, or are they OK once they have been conditioned to the crate? Will Su Lin make the trip to China in one long flight? or do they have a stop-over for feeding etc?
See the more information you give us, the more we want to know – thanks for being so very informative.
This is a photo of MEI SHENG but I have no date….ONLY AN EXTRA NOTE THAT the baby was a girl.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bartyork/3858046818/in/photostream/
Here is one showing a birthday party-nice to see those go on….
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bartyork/3835960527/in/photostream/
One coming into the inside area…. http://www.flickr.com/photos/bartyork/3454930221/in/photostream/
He eats like Daddy too….. http://www.flickr.com/photos/bartyork/3318910646/in/photostream/
King of the tree…………. http://www.flickr.com/photos/bartyork/3362944940/in/photostream/
I saw this somewhere same photos saying it is Mai Sheng…I guess it is. If you follow the stream in wither direction you will see some absolutely delightful photos…among many of furniturem feed and such….just skip through those quick. Some have no title or name…..but if you consult the “comment” below the pic it will give you clues often.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bartyork/4496364011/in/photostream/
Don’t tell anybody I was here…….Love Grammmie
That would be FURNITURE FOOD AND SUCH…….guess I was in a hurry and did not proof it well………..
Thanks for the (as usual!) wonderful update! I’m not surprised Zhen Zhen was flirting–I’ve always said she had Bette Davis eyes, & she uses them to full advantage. Those of you enquiring about Mei Sheng–check out Anita’s photostream on Flickr for some wonderful pics! http://www.flickr.com/photos/bartyork/
Anita was at the airport when Tai Shan arrived in China, & has photos of him as well. She is a wonderful friend, & updates us thru Flickr as often as she can.
# 18 Danielle – Thanks! I loved reading the blog and seeing pictures. That Ming Ming is a cutie, too. I love seeing pandas “smile.” Also, loved the video of Dong Dong. Hua Mei has the same ears!
Speaking of photos………..when I visited Rita Petita’s Flikr Page last night I found 3 new Yun Zi Photos….putting Daddy Gao into fourth place…….I still was not here….or on any other of these Panda Blogs today….Love Grammmie
YUN ZHI’s DIAWRY
Dear Daiwry,
My skedole for today is:
1) Morning – Wake Up, Play – Play with feetsies and flowers.
2) Supervise nannykeepers, help them clean my area, place my toys and take Mama’s tweets.
2) Find Mama and climb on her, hee hee.
3) Bite Mama’s ears
4) Dwink milk from the Milk Bar, maybe I can get a stawbely milk shake.
5) Afternoon – Sleep Sleep Sleep, Nap nap nap
6) NIght – Practise singing and dancing. Skipe Xi Lan Ke Ke to see how he is doing
7) Play with Mama!
Sleep Sleep Nap Nap
Bye Bye,
Yunnie
Dear China; Su Lin can not attend your country this year as she has an affliction called HER FANS LOVE HER HERE!!!. We hope this lies within your “approved absense” guidelines. Ok…well it worked in high school. They are all too precious to lose
wuvs you Su Lin
AND SPEAKING OF 3 NEW YUN ZI PHOTOS……there are now two new Su Lins as of 7:30 p. m. today. Now remember—I am not here—-I was not here today, and probably tomorrow too—I will let you know…..Love Grammmie
KC: Mei Xiang is nest building. She does this every year, cub or no cub. You might also have noticed a dark object nestled in the bamboo. That’s Mei’s practice cubby, or pseudobaby, a kong toy. You will see her pick it up, cuddle it, lick it, and act moony over it. She might also rip her other “cubby”, the drain grate in her exhibit, out of the floor and add it to the nest as well. The “aliens” have definitely invaded once again! So, don’t worry, this is normal behavior for Mei during her pregnancy or pseudopregnancy watch.
I can’t believe Su Lin is leaving this year! She was supposed to go last year, I think. But, there was a big earthquake in China. Anyway, glad we got an update on all of the pandas. Seems like they’re all doing well and Gao Gao is working hard. Hope everyone had a great, panda-licious day!!
Peace, love & pandas. CIAO!
P.S.
Today in my ballet class, we were all stretching. My teacher told us to think happy thoughts to forget about the slight pain. Obviously, I pictured cartoon pandas surrounded by giant bamboo, munching away like there was no tomorrow
Since I am not here I might as well say whatever I want to….nobody will read it—-right????? As I was gazing at these photos of Su Lin http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/4539083425/ it occurrs to me to me that when Su Lin finally joins her brother and sister in China she will be near or over 5 years old. She is already grown up by 2 breeding seasons, so she will be ready to start looking for a husband as soon as she gets there. I hope that with her “Family Connections” they have twice as many candidates to choose from—–we are giving her hints like—”Don’t just go for the pretty boys………Make sure you choose a good father and provider…….OMG—-I can see the next “reality” bravo tv program….”Panda Wives”……….here it comes…..They will go about their business and we will all try to tell them what to do or what they are doing wrong to catch a husband—not one taken already is key. Who wouldn’t cast this Pretty Bunch and their other American Panda Cousins….Love Grammmie
Really enjoyed the update on the family’s, Its hard to see YunZi getting in his perch, looks like he out grew
it. I enjoy watching Zhen Zhen play around, she really has a cute face. I will be at the Zoo the last week of
June.
lu
Is that normal that Miss Su weighs more than her poppa? I thought she’d be more comparable to ZZ. Also, it seems Bai’s weight was missed from this update… This is as it should be: a monthly analysis of everyone in the Black & White Crew! Thank you both, Angie & Debbie, for the valuable, informative, hilarious antics of these precious Chinese gems.
I watched Lin Ping and her mommie monster (lol) for over 30 mins last night. I decided to make some captures cause it was too funny. Hua Lin must be related to Lun Lun. View them in order.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/greeneyes73/sets/72157623776129961/
Thanks so much for the update. It’s nice to see that the Pandas are doing well. I don’t know much about Su Lin but it will be sad to see her go. But she needs to go and be a a Mommy too like her own Great Mom Bai Yun. Bai Yun is one great Panda Lady. She really loves her babies. It’s a shame that Gao Gao doesn’t get a chance to see any of his babies. Bai Yun doesn’t see them once they have grown either but I guess that is just the way it works. I am still so in awe of our little Yun Zi and the progress he has made. Great job SDZ!
Blessings to all!
Thank you for this wonderful update. When I was there this past weekend, walking through the exhibit I felt like I knew so much about Yun Zi and Bai Yun. I spoke with each guide and they filled me and I too gave them information that I knew about. Watching the Panda Cam everyday is a real treat. I love what the SD Zoo and China do for these wonderful animals. I see all of the personalities you describe. I will miss Su Lin but I know she will prosper and SD Zoo will give us updates!
it truly is such a joy to see yun zi so active out there the last couple of days i wish that i could go out there and see him i just live to far my wish one day is to go to sd because i have never been to cali before and to go to that wonderful zoo and see him in person… hes just grwoing soo fast
Just one quick question: what are the current exhibit hours for Yunzi?
Moderator’s note: He and Bai Yun are in their exhibit space from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
We went to the zoo on Monday – 4/19 – and Zhen Zhen was NOT on exhibit!!! Why? And if she won’t be on exhibit, could you please update the panda cub update section under the pandacam? We were so excited we thought we could see 4 bears up close. We did see Zhen Zhen from the SkyFari, though, so that partially made up for the fact we thought the classroom exhibit was going to be open.
Moderator’s note: The classroom exhibit is only open until 2 p.m. each day.
Staying on top of every move of our panda clan no doubt keeps the great staff of keepers and vets very very busy. It is so entertaining just watching Yunior play around and climbing into his hammock which he undoubtedly greatly loves. There are two somewhat sad periodic events that occur in the Giant Panda conser vation cycle there: the first is when the cubs are weened from their Mom Bai Yun, and the second is when one of the young adults leaves to go to China. The weening is a very necessary part of the process and the staff do an excellent job of preparing them for it. Both events are just part of the cycle and we no doubt greatly appreciate the Chinese for allowing us to enjoy their national treasure.
I MET BUTTER DUDE TODAY!! It was such a joy. I haven’t been to the zoo in years…probably since they started having the pandas here. I live in So Cal, but I’m a good 2 hours away. We decided to wait until Spring Break was over. It was a beautiful day and we spent about 5 hours in the panda exhibit. I saw Kathy Hawk and Angie. It was such a thrill. I felt like I was viewing celebrities and not just in the pandas.
A big shout out to Kay, our educator. She was AMAZING!! We watched Bai & Su LIn feed 3x. Butter Dude (who Kay calls Chunky Monkey) was sleeing when we arrived….waaaay up in the trees, but he climbed down and entertained us with his roly poly ways. He was just so adorable and I had forgotten how close we are to them at the exhibit. It seems so much larger and father away on the camera.
The crowds were not bad and we were able to linger 3 different times of 1.5-2 hours each. I’m exhausted. It was the BEST!!
Thank you wonderful staff at the SDZoo. Love you all.
SOME MORE GREAT LINKS OF HUA MEI AND CUBS, AND OF MEI SHENG TOO……..Love Grammmie
HERE IS THE UNCLE OF Bai Yun”s Brood….I found it while looking for something else.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bartyork/2340114364/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bartyork/2381977174/in/photostream/ TWINS
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bartyork/2445958636/in/photostream/ BAI’S BROTHER
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bartyork/2706970358/in/photostream/ HUA MEI DANCING QUEEN
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bartyork/2759317297/in/photostream/ ONE OF HUA MEI’S KUNG FU CUBS
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bartyork/3672134552/in/photostream/ ONE OF HUA MEI’S SONS
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bartyork/3788727638/in/photostream/ CUB ON RIGHT IS HUA MEI’S
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bartyork/4000268179/in/photostream/ HUA MEI AND CUB
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bartyork/4075327552/in/photostream/ HUA MEI AND CUB
WHILE I WAS ADDING the last comment we had a lovely 4.3 aftershock from our April 4th earthquake. Those will go on for years…most of them we do not feel, and had I been asleep I would not have felt it. It was located between 90 and 100 miles from the zoo, but only about 75 to 80 miles from me. Shake, Rattle and Roll……It must be time to dance. I hope the Pandas slept through it…..Love Grammmie
Thanks for the update on the fam…. Who does Zhennie take after? I haven’t seen Bai or Gao doing zoomies around their exhibit like she does…
Back to the bamboo post.. I always felt sorry for LP’s mom because part of her dinner would be a bunch of what I called sticks(culm?) to eat.. come to find out, the Panda’s like this the best because of the stuff inside… and yesterday I saw Bai choose a big stick over leafy branches…
I now why Yunior sleeps in the afternoon…. he follows Bai around in the morning as she paces for her breakfast… he’s right on her heels and sometimes takes a detour up the rock throne, tries to snag her back legs… falls over… typically cubbie behavior… poor little fella needs a nap after all that!!
Oh, I knew it was coming, but I’m still not prepared for Su Lins departure to China. =( I’m feeling a little uneasy what with all the earthquakes there lately. She was my first baby panda. She’s still my screen saver on my computer. I knew it was coming. It’s just hard to hear ! Thanx Debbie for the update, and for preparing us in advance. Anyway we can get some more screen time with Su Lin before she goes ? Is she also going to be included in the photo shoot ?
Many thanks for the update about the pandas and also about the very informative one about bamboo. Each summer I buy bamboo – to grow in a large pot – just because it reminds me of the pandas. Does anyone know why the National Zoo is not posting Mei’s hormone chart – as was done in previous years?
Thanks for the update on the Gao Family. Please give them a message for me – take it easy for the next 2 weeks – as I’m off on holidays and don’t know when I will be near a computer in the wilds of Costa Rica. I seem to miss so much when I’m away but I need this break.
No offense but these zoo blogs stink. The panda blogs are great, but it has been ages since I have read anything about the other favorite animals at the Zoo and WAP (Frank being one of mine). The field research blogs are fine but please note how few comments there are. Zzzzzz. What about the hippos, gorillas, lions, etc?
Moderator’s note: We’ll see if any of those keepers are willing to write some blog posts about those animals.
Can’t we get Su Lin a contract with MGM Studios, and keep her in the USA?
She is so beautiful and would make tons of $$$ posing for the cameras.
It will keep her in Boo for years…
Sweet Su will be missed…dreadfully!
Mei Xiang is showing signs of nesting — let’s all hope and pray that she has a cubbie this year — please!
KC #19, Yes it looks like NZ is at the beginning of baby watch 2010. So exciting. I hope they hear the pitter patter of itty bitty panda feet this year.
#32 Deb E
LOL–Yes, Mei Xiang has started her yearly “practice cubby raising” with her Kong toy and I’m sure that she will add her usual “fraternal twin” the drain grate!!
She cracks me up but it is also kind of sad when she doesn’t get to put all of her practice into use!
Hopefully, this year will be different and she can again be the wonderful mother that she was to Tai Shan !!!
How that boy tried her patience!
Thank you so much for the information. I like reading about the Pandas. I love watching all the Pandas.
#22, Frances in NYC – I believe it may be Baoxing County in Sichuan Province where the panda was found.
#37 Marie: Thanks for the pics of LP and HL… I’m glad to see they get out into the exhibit together… I recall from a previous post someone had a story about the new exhibit and I guess there were glitches… Would love to hear the story….HL is so funny… Have you ever seen her sleeping…she isn’t very “lady-like”..
Unlike Lady Bai, she just sprawls all out… I was trying to see Adelaides panda cam but I haven’t figured out the best time to see Wang and Funi. When I finally was able to see something, it was just very dark…
Thank you for the latest with the Family….Zhennie is my first baby, and now Little Cloud, but I just can’t BEAR hearing about beautiful Su Lin….this is the hardest part of loving these amazing creatures…losing them. Reading about the practice before the real day of leaving us, is heartbreaking….I always say I am too sensitive for this blog, but it is sooo hard to stay away and not watch these beautiful, amazing fluffy butts. I will start weening myself away in about 6 months as that will be about the time to tear myself away from watching Little Cloud get ready to leave momma. How does anyone here coop? Someone tell me to SNAP OUTOF IT……please.
Thank you.
Thanks for the update on all the San Diego Pandas. Please let us all know when Su Lin might be leaving I’d love to see her one more time before she travels to China. Thanks again, I am glad I had a chance to visit in late March
I believe I saw the infamous drain grate in Mei’s den this morning along with the kong toy and a ball. She’s beginning to gather all her “practice cubs” around her….
#32 Deb & #52 Laurie…Mei does have the drain grate in her den already!
She was rolling around and kicking up the bamboo in her nest this morning and she picked up the grate, looked at it, retrieved a small strip of bamboo from one of the grate openings, and then ate the bamboo morsel. It looked like she proceeded to lick the grate once or twice and then she set it down. Mei also has a ball that she’s cuddled and groomed a couple of times. It’s so sweet to watch her care for her inanimate objects as she would a cub. Hopefully she will have a live, squealing, pink baby panda to mother soon and Yun Zi can have another cousin. 
Thanks for the Gao family update. Also enjoyed the primer on bamboo varieties in the last panda update.
I just checked the National Zoo webcam. They have a new post about Mei but I don’t understand it:
“Although her behavior is not providing consistent cues, her hormones are indicating a familiar pattern that indicates we are reaching the end of this pregnancy event.”
1. Does that mean she isn’t pregnant because she’s reaching the end of her cycle?
2. If indications point to the end of her cycle, should they be able to see something on the ultrasound?
Mei likes her gelly belly… does Bai like to anoint herself with the gel when she gets ultrasounds?
Thanks, P Wong #54–that makes much more sense.
kat w #56–SNAP OUT OF IT…please!
It was so funny seeing Yun Zi up in the tree this morning with all four legs hanging down, just like Su Lin. Miss ZZ seems to keep more contained and only dangles one or two legs most of the time.
I love that update. Well, not the part of Su going to China but I love the care given to her. You don’t know how many times a day I think about being there for the Panda Convention, and what a perfect time that was. I long for that feeling. For the feeling of walking down to Panda Canyon, and how beautiful and quiet it was. For the feeling of seeing Su Lin, my first in the flesh panda; then walking just a little and seeing Bai, big, beautiful and HUNGRY, and Little Mr. Fuzzy Butt in the hammock. It truly was breath taking. And then watching ZZ, and all her cuteness and beauty, FLIRTING with us for about 30 seconds.
#60 Dianna
My interpretation of the NZ post is that either there will be a cub soon or it will be the end of her pseudopreganancy. Cubs are born at the end of the cycle, if there is a cub, and I think that is what they mean by reaching the end of the “pregnancy event”.
Many, many thanks to Grammmie for her posts and Danielle for the info on Dong Dong. She’s a beauty! And to Marie for the pix of Ling Ping who certainly has a mind of her own! You guys are so generous for sharing.
Thank you for this wonderful family update, I always enjoy reading your blogs! You all have the greatest jobs, are you hiring??????
Moderator’s Note: We love our jobs! You can find out about job opportunities here.
# 56 KAT Please go put on your Panda Suit, mouse ears and all. Curl up with your softest stuffed Panda, close your eyes, and try to think good Panda thoughts. When the time comes we will gather folks like you together and have you watch videos of Pandas for about 20 hours a day. There will be a doctor and nurses on hand to care for the ones who become real basket cases…….but remember “Project Bamboo” that Bruce in KC writes about will have her flying overhead periodically, looking out for us mere “HOOMANS”, that should bring you some comfort. Then we get to celebrate every time she has a baby…..and by then hopefully there will be webcams up where she is staying. She is going to get the first pick of all the best male Pandas available….she will be happy fufilling her part of saving her species…..Love Grammmie
I enjoy watching the Panda Cam at the San Diego Zoo. I live in Washington, DC and since Tai Shan left on February 4th to his homeland in China i really miss him. I miss him but i know he is happy. Now i have discovered your Panda Cam and i watch it every day. I watch our two Panda’s and your Panda’s too. You now have a new friend.
Just in case there is a little brother or sister arriving soon, Tai Shan has volunteered his services to “help”. He has got all of his surgical stuff on – face mask, surgical gown, and a surgical cap. Since he does not want a repeat of his grand entrance into the world where he bounced off of the den wall, he also has his Rawlings Major Leauger catcher’s mitt to catch any flying cubbies. The photo can be seen here: www(dot)flickr(dot)com/photos/45944933@N00/3502670805/
THE “REUBENESQUE” STYLE PHOTO of Yun Zi and Bai Yun not only can be seen as the 10th Photo in the first gallery to come up from the home page, but also in the blog “Panda Care”, Februaary 15, 2010. Yun Zi looks very chubbie. There is a photo almost the same as it in the Flikr Stream we used to get the Hao Hao, Mei Sheng, and Hua Mei’s photots. It is very close to the same but Hao Hao os leaniong against Hua Meis right leg where Yunior is leaning against Hua Mei’s right one. If we can find the seconf one I would love to see them side by side. this link will get you to the “stream” go forward or backward to look…I know I saw it in the stream. http://www.flickr.com/photos/bartyork/3318910646/in/photostream/ ….Love Grammmie
# 58 Dianna – Welcome! HL does like to sleep with her legs spread open. LOL. I guess she’s comfy. The best time I find to check out the Adelaide cam is starting at 8pm ET, which is 9:30 the next morning in Aussie, according to their panda cam clock. I caught the bears last night around 10:00ET.
# 67 Anne – You’re welcome!
Since I only started watching pandas last August just before Yunior was born, I’m not too familiar with how the female panda acts during her cycle. Do they all use items to “cubbie practice?” Did Mei do this before Tai was born? I wonder how they know that they might be carrying a cubbie. I guess it’s instinct. Looks like Mei is asleep in her den right now (6:40PM ET). Two mins ago she was stuffing herself. I have yet to see her play with this Kong toy or a drain grate yet…. OK… and I just checked on her and she’s awake and has something black in her mouth. She’s biting the heck out of it. Gosh I hope she gives birth this year!
Loved the update on the family.. SDZ you “all” should be so proud of yourselves for the wonderful job that you do each and every day with these beautiful bears.. If not for you all, we would not have this wonderful window of opportunity to watch them grow..
No worries Lee, #51, I’ll send lots of postcards to your inbox… Just make sure you have an Imperial Beer In Manueal Antonio for me…
Is anyone else having problems with Adelaides panda cams? I get a multi-color view and then it like melts into a greyish view… I went to it via their zoo website and also tried through Pandas Live On… I also checked in on LP and her webcam is very grainy….
#70 Cassandra Duster: Welcome to the wacky world of Pandaholics… We have some great/fun blogs going on here and of course, the cutest pandas you’ll ever want to watch!!!
#22, #61 Frances in NYC and #54 P Wong – Sorry for the mistake. I get a lot of the info about the pandas’ family connections from the pandanews website. After reading your messages I did more search and crisscross information and it is true that Baoxing makes more sense since it is close to Chengdu. I noticed that many pandas are listed on the pandanews website as having been captured in Baoting. I tried to send an E-mail to the pandanews website without success. http://www(dot)pandanews(dot)info/the-pandas/358_dong-dong
#38 Marie – Thank you so much for posting the pictures of Lin Ping and Lin Hui (not Hua Lin). I saw that episode live as well. The first time I saw Lin Ping on top of the structure holding that ladder must have been 3 or 4 days ago. And it took her forever to figure out how to come down, she was turning in all sort of positions and was trying to put a paw on the step but she is still too small for that. They were really zooming on her and I had the impression that she started to panic. I was expecting someone to go in there to rescue her. But eventually she managed to climb down. She really looked tired after that and went to lie next to her mother, probably trying to get some comfort. Well, mommy had other plans and started a play-fight even though Lin Ping didn’t seem to want to fight or was too tired. It took quite a while for Lin Hui to get the message and leave Lin Ping sleep. I was surprised when I saw Lin Ping climbing to the same spot again night after night and managing to get down much faster. But when I saw her up there last night and saw Lin Hui coming to attack her, my heart nearly stopped!! I am so proud of Lin Ping because she managed to fight her mother and get down on the ladder at the same time. I think she fell only a few steps. I am not sure what the surface of that enclosure is made of and if Lin Ping would be hurt if falling form the top. Fortunately there are no rocks under that spot.
#71 BRUCE IN KC Great work as always. I can give you a time saving hint—–if we are sending Flikr account links we do not have to replace dots. I got to read about the policy in this, or one of the 2 preceeding blogs—–it does not allow us to pass on links to other blogs unless we alter them as you did yours for Flikr. Comment # 46 above has quite a few unaltered links, all for Flikr pages………Love Grammmie
Hoping all of your home zoos get blessed the way we do every two years, we want more cute cubbies to spend too much time with.
#73 MARIE I believe the way a Panda knows she may be pregnant is the same way we first know if she is “In Cub”, the changes in hormone levels. Even our reproductive actions are triggered by hormones….hormones make the world go round…without them guiding us we might all go extinct. I have not heard of other Pandas doing “Practice babies” but I only discovered the panda web cam the day Yun Zi was born.
#70 CASSANDRA DUSTER If you go to this Flikr steam of photos you will get to see photos from China of the American born Pandas….which will include Tai Shan if it does not already. You will also get photos of foods, places, other Pandas too, if you are in a hurry just skip them…otherwise enjoy….. http://www.flickr.com/photos/bartyork/3318910646/in/photostream/
#56 DIANNA IN OHIO After a time you will see that Pandas are all pretty much “careless sleepers”, and during warm weather they get less shy about it too. Since their hind legs can be stretched straight out from the hips it seems to only get worse. Welcome to this wonderful group of panhaholics.
Thank you moderator, but on 4/19 we were at the zoo from 10 am until 2pm and the classroom was closed the entire time. There was a line for the main exhibit, which was made longer with picture taking right before you entered the exhibit, but the classroom was closed.
Moderator’s note: Thank you for letting me know. I’ll check to see if the viewing schedule has changed.
No worries, Danielle–thanks for passing the info along–and learned something more about Chinese geography.
Bruce #71-LOL!!!!!
#76 DANIELLE NY Thank you so much for the link to pandanews website. I sent them my e-mail address so I will get updates….and if you want information on a particular panda do you just put the name in a hidden search box????? For example DONG DONG….when I used the link you provided I found her on the first page when it came up…how did you do that????? Once I left that page I did not know how to get back to it except by just typing in the link you gave us in the first place. If they need any photos of the San Diego Five in residence I would reccommend the Flikr account for Rita Petita. She gets such great photos almost every week at the San Diego Zoo it would be hard to go wrong. The “Anita” person who seems to live and work in China seems to be a pal of hers also….giving us a good chance to get great photos of the American Born Chinese Pandas…not only from SDZ but Atlanta and National Zoos too. There are also a few more folks in the area of the zoo in Austria who I bet would be helpful in getting photos for them too. What would be the best way for me to let them know about whom and what is available if they want the help???? Or perhaps it would be best if you let them know about the folks available to help out if they want it, since you have been around a lot longer with their website. I have lived for the last 50 years in the Greater San Diego area, but knew nothing about the web-cams and such until the day our baby Yun Zi was born. Let me know what you are lthinking…..Love Grammmie
#71 Bruce
That is AWESOME!! I am still laughing!
I hope he has a chance to catch the flying cubbies!!! LOL
I don’t think I can stand another MeiXiang pregnancy watch this year – it’s heartbreaking to see her cuddling her kong toy, her world famous grate, fluffing her piles of bamboo seeming to be in labor & so on only to have no cubbie
with Tia Shan, Lani already in China & Su Lin heading there soon we need another cub at the NZ 
#71 – Bruce in KC – glad to hear Tai is standing by – his birth was scary to watch – let’s hope Mei Xiang has a “ground cubbie” Those that watched Tai birth will know what we mean
Hi, you all! Loved the Family Update article! That was a very good roundup of all of the panda family at SDZ.
Got some updates from both Atlanta and National Zoos. At AZ, the April 16th update was about Lun Lun. Lun’s hormone levels are still at baseline, so she has not hit her estrus cycle yet. They are still watching, waiting, and doing hormone analysis every week to monitor her hormones. It also included a chart of where both the estrogen and progestagen levels are at right now. On the April 21 update, Xi Lan is doing very well. Yang Yang and Lun Lun stayed indoors because of the rain, but Xi Lan was just loving the rainy weather. He went outdoors, enjoyed the rain, ate his boo, and found a dry spot to take a nice, very long nap in. Xi nows weighs in at 43.3 kg=95.5 pounds! At NZ, the April 21 update was about Mei Xiang’s progress in her pregnancy. She has started to get her nest started in her den with a lot more of the shredded boo stalk in there, along with the kong toy, a ball with holes on it all in the den. Don’t see any signs of that famous small grate iron door in there, tho. Mei has been having her ultrasound tests done every week, and she just absolutely loves that gel on her stomach. Once the vet is done with the ultrasound and the keepers let her out of her checkout area, Mei got after that gel and rubbed it all over herself, including her ears! She was really enjoying herself covered in gel! Mei’s perfume for the day! Just counted Mei Xiang’s day’s since her AI, and it is at 101 days as of today, April 21, 2010. We’re still waiting, Mei!
Gonna go and get to bed, and will check the SDZ panda family tomorrow.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Su Lin looks so pretty in her pictures. I did not want Su Lin to go, but after seeing her going through estrus, I see she is ready to have cubs. I want her to be happy. By the Grace of God, Su Lin will have lots of cubs and be happy with her cubs, like her mom. I will cry when Su Lin goes to China, but I want her to be happy and being a mom is a happy thing. Grammmie, thank you for links to pictures of Mei Sheng, my first panda love. Grammmie, you have a neat personality.
IF YOU HAVE BEEN GOOD TODAY and are ready for a treat, trip right on over to Rita Petita’s Flikr page and see the lovely new photo of Bai Yun she took last Sunday. What the heck we are all Panda lovers here—-everybody go-treat yourselves well….. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/ Love Grammmie
I FINALLY FOUND THE PHOTO mentioned in # 72 above. It took hours last night and tonight, but I think we will agree it was worth the effort. When you see both this one and the one of Bai and Yunior you will wonder if a special photographer posed them Both cubs look rather chubby (like the women Rueben painted) but also very happy and sharing love with their mothers. The link here is for the one of Hua Mei and daughter Hao Hao. the other link is in comment #72 and shows Bai Yun and Yun Zi Check them out and let me know what you think…..Love Grammmie
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kkshaw43/4209069349/
Dear Santa Panda Paws,
I knows it is early to wite to you about my Christmas present, hee hee. But I pwomise to be a good cubbie. Can you bwing me a climbing struture like the one my cousin Lin Ping has in Thailand. It has a cool slide and loks like a slide and jungle gym. I can then swing and slide and lbuild up my mussels, eeks, I mean muskles, (thanks, Mama) muscles.
(Hey Mama, stop reading my letter to Santa…oh no, now Mama is laughing…at least I made her smile
)
And can you bring a basket of special tweets for Mama and a whole bamboo grove for Papa. Zhennie could use a trapeeze or a trampoline. I want to send Su Lin some special flowers, a whole bush please.
I have a good boy and I smile at all the hoomans who visit me and Mama. I also help my nannykeepers with their work. I even raked some leaves too. So please send me my climbing structure.
Love and Hugs,
Master Gao Yun Zhi aka Yunnie aka Yunior
Moderator: What kind of things does YunZi do to the keepers besides wanting to use their rakes? Does he try to catch their legs as they walk or pounce on them? I did see him come down from high up in a tree when he saw them around the stone throne… I guess their training worked!! He knows keepers are a good thing!!
Moderator’s note: All of the above
What a joy to hear about all the panda’s! We were so fortunate to make it all the way from Canada to see Bai Yun and Yun Zi on April 8 first thing in the morning. Bai Yun was definitely having her bamboo breakfast, while little Yun Zi slept in the tree, both caught on video tape! It was an amazing sight to see. We also enjoyed talking to the zoo interpreter who was talking as we walked through! We loved the entire Zoo and hope to come back soon! It was one of the highlights of our trip to San Diego. Keep up the good work.
Judy, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Moderator’s note: Thank you for visiting our Zoo!
I was looking at the link that Danielle (# 76) sent. I was checking Mei Lan’s page and it says that her parents are Mother: Hua Hua and Father: Jiu Jiu. Are those different names for Lun Lun and Yang Yang?
http://www(dot)pandanews(dot)info/the-pandas/649_mei-lan
# 75 Dianna – Ohio : I cant see WangWang and Funi .I got only a black screen..
Panda.Days–A documentary produced by NHK.Sorry,I did not find a version with english subtitles.
http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTMxMjAzNTI0.html
http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTMxMjA4MDI0.html
Darlene #74 – Will do when we are at El Avion for dinner. I’m holding you to the updates. Remember, I know where you live.
Dianna #75 – LP’s inside cam has been like this since they open her new place. Maybe they spent so much on the building that new cams will come when they can find some more money. I love the toy busses they have for her. They both say “school bus” in English. Would have expected to see it in Thai.
I’m going to miss all the pandas while I’m away as they bring a smile to my face each morning. What a wonderful way to start each day.
#91 Lucilla: LP AND HL love that climbing structure. I was watching a bit last night and HL is right there with LP… LP still can’t navigate the swinging ladder very well.. She did a somersault over one of the rungs and plopped to the ground… I also saw her uproot a small tree… I wish I understood Thai… CK was talking when all this was going on so I’m curious about what he was saying.. Haven’t seen LP on the slide, but did see HL on it a couple times the last couple weeks or so… head first down the slide. She is an overgrown cub..
Well the National Zoo has announced that they are in the final stages of pregnancy or pseudopregnancy watch for Mei Xiang,as she is now shreddin bamboo for a nest and carries her kong baby replica now….Let’s all hope this is the real deal and we soon will have a baby Tai Shan replacement to watch…. We also hope that Zoo Atlanta and Zoo Austria have success as well with their expected matings…. We appreciate any anformation we can get on the lineage of our SDZ Panda Family and keep looking for any information on Pan Pan who is getting on in years as well as Bai Yun’s mom who due to public outrage was finally given the respect and care she deserved….. Yunior amazes me every day as he explores his world and becomes more independant as he approaches his 9 month bearthday….. Also love seeing Gao Gao and the darling sisters Lin Lin and ZZ Top as at times they both look like mom Bai Yun and dad Gao Gao…
To all my GPF Family and Friends we are getting closer to Lynn hopefully getting released within days from her hospitalization and she already is talking about wanting to see Yunior in person as well as say goodbye to her second love Lin Lin before she joins her brother in China….. Every time my cell phone rings at work I hope it’s Lynn telling me to come and pick her up from the medical facility in Ithaca,NY before her birthday on Saturday as I have the day off in hopefull anticipation as we have only had a telephone relationship due to my work schedule and the 4 1/2 hour drive to ithaca….To all my GPF F&F also having medical issues I look at it as we are not getting older but in fact are becoming better with age like a fine wine….LOL…..I remember hearing others tell me that before you know it all of us baby boomers will have the time clock catch up with us but still believe that aging is just a state of mind as we all deal with daily changes to our health ….. Hopefully we all will be able to attend the 2011 Black and White Obsession as we all share a common love on Earth Day for all living things as well as those that care for them…..
“Panda Peace on earth , Goodwill to All Living Things….”
#94 Marie – I know, it is confusing but if you go to the “meet the pandas” page from the Atlanta Zoo
you will read that Lun Lun’s birth name was Hua Hua, Yang Yang’s birth name was Jiu Jiu.
Marie #94, on Zoo Atlanta’s Meet the Panda page they indicate that Lun Lun and Yang Yang were originally named the names you mentioned, but someone adopted them and changed their names to their present names.
#83 Grammmie – When on the pandanews website, click on “The Pandas” tab. The pandas are listed according to their study number, given at birth or when they were captured. To get to Dong Dong, it is relatively easy. You open Yun Zi’s page, then open Bai Yun’s page and from there you can open Dong Dong’s page. I don’t think there is a search feature on the website, at least not one I found. If you know when the panda you are searching was born or captured, you can go to different pages and go by the pandas you know. At first it took me time, now I am use to it.
It is also not completed, for example, only 10 cubs are listed for Pan Pan, and we know he must have had many more. But they are still building the site and it is a very good beginning.
I will be coming to San Diego in May and am planning to visit the zoo especially to see the pandas. I’ve been following those lovely creatures daily on the Panda Cam ever since I found out about Yun Zi’s birth. I can’t wait to see them in real life! Is there a time of the day that is best to see them up and around? (Seems as if they are often snoozing when I check in on the camera.) Or is it best to just spend a day at the zoo and keep checking back on them? And, by the way, just wanted to say that you guys do a great job with those pandas!
Moderator’s note: I recommend spending the day and checking back often, as you never know who will be awake when or what they’ll be up to!
New TOP SECRET photos from Project Bamboo continue to trickle out from under the veil of secrecy. Today a photo of commander “Sooperpanna” Tai Shan preparing to board the space shuttle Discovery on April 5 for the launch of STS-131 / Bamboo 11. Commander Sooperpanna was joined at the controls of Discovery by his cousin and fellow panda astronaut “X-Man” Xi Lan from Zoo Atlanta. Also seen in this photo is a member of the Project Bamboo special pad closeout crew who’s identity will remain a secret to protect the guilty
The link to the special TOP SECRET server in an underground fortress under a non-descript building near an undisclosed zoo is: http://www.flickr.com/photos/45944933@N00/4542478426/
Only those with TOP SECRET clearance, anyone that has been cleared personally by a panda, or anyone who is a panda fan is authorized this image.
Your nation’s TOP SECRET Pandas In Space Program is depending on you!
#98 Dennis and Lynn: Fingers crossed that Lynn gets her birthday wish… Good Luck!!
Bruce, this is tooooo funny! Thanks for sharing. Are you going to be on the Pandalympics Planning Committee?
Just watched Zhen Zhen up in the trees bouncing on the branches. It’s funny that all the pandas seem to like this. Maybe we can buy a trampoline for them to share?
Zhen Zhen seems uneasy about something. She is pacing in circles now, and take brief stops at the pod. Time is 12:35pm. I wonder if there was an earthquake or if she is anticipating some action by the trainers.
Here’s a question I haven’t seen asked or answered (although that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been).
Every time I see Bai Yun working away at her bamboo pile, she seems to be favoring her right paw for holding the bamboo she’s eating.
Do bears have a “dominant paw” like humans have a dominant hand?
#103 Bruce…. thanks again for the special “Top Secret” picture.
Has NASA commented on the leakage of such sensitive information??
Thanks Danielle and Dee. I knew there had to be a good explanation.
#109 AuntieJackie: I haven’t heard anything from anyone in NASA, the DOD, or anything from the various zoos about Project Bamboo, although I’m guessing many have seen it, and enjoyed it as much as I have enjoyed putting it all together. It’s been lots of fun trying to find photos that would work for this project.
A friend of mine found the “official” crew portrait with all six pandas posing in front of a globe mural in their launch and entry suits on a Chinese website – so the photos are definitely getting around. This whole thing is an outgrowth of some of the stuff I started putting together when Tai Shan was a little cub – I could see the “Calvin & Hobbes” in his personality, and I created a bunch of adventures for him that any little kid would dream up. He has been everything from a scuba diver to a mountie, fighter pilot to a race car driver. And of course, what kid hasn’t used a bath towel for a cape and pretended to be a superhero? That’s how “da Sooperpanna” came about.
The greatest compliment I have received so far on all of the Project Bamboo stuff is “This all seems so real!” I strive to make all of the circumstances surrounding each image as realistic as possible.
# 76 DIANNA – OHIO The links are working well for me—-but I did have to install “Quicktime”
#88-89 GABRIELLE TEXAS So happy that you enjoyed the link….try it again and you will see Su lLin sunbathing on the same day, near the same time. I would say that all five of our Pandas seem content and at peace with the world. My daughter and her family lives in Texas too….
#91 LUCILLA I am quickly running out of things to say….wouldn’t that be a treat for the bloggers. I guess we might as well start a Christmas countdown for Prince Fluffy-Butt now as any other time…..his is a start. I wish I had the knowlege of how to send some of these things any other way….but since I don’t everybody must put up with me……………
#92 DIANNA – OHIO They do whatever the moderator says—–she knows so much more than I do, but also keep up practice in stealing the keeper’s shoe, so they are ready in case that one poor guy ZZ plagued a couple opf years ago, happens to show up…….
#94 MARIE Do you suppose they shift names just to be sure we stay on our toes??? The switches would do that for us……
#95 MC IN SHANGHAI Hello my friend—-I will be watching the videos you sent later…..in the meantime …Thank you for keeping us entertained, and/or educated. It seems like every day you send us something to keep our brains working…..
#97 DIANNA – OHIO I know what Cute Keeper said……..He wanted everybody to know that he is very interested in meeting Dianna – Ohio, and wonders if he is cute enough for her……..
#101 DANIELLE NY Thank you for helping….it is good to know many of us will read and be able to better follow our pandas from these instructions………………….
#103 BRUCE IN KC To know our Pandas now visit the stars, as well as have them in their eyes is the best news ever……please help us to stay informed—we love our pandas…..
#106 LEE IN VANCOUVER What a great idea. As soon as they learn some sort of control they can sail over their enclosure walls, then let the keepers guess which ones decided to take over another’s place. There could be point system to decided the winner, who could keep the trampoline for 4 days straight. Surely there are better competative ideas out there—-you have to tell us……..
Okay time for me to fix my omlette and perhaps take a Panda nap….I am sleepy right now….Love grammmie
#108 Carolyn
There has long been discussion that all bears are left or right “pawed.” None of it has ever been tested with scientific principles. It would seem, though, that just like people, some bears favor right paws, some left, and some use whichever is closest to what they want!
Lucilla, I enjoy your stories. Bruce in KC, I enjoy your project. Is that you with Tai Shan in the latest picture? Dennis, I wish you and Lynn all the best. I am happy that things are working out good for you two. Back to Project Bamboo, Bruce, thanks for not sending Mei Sheng into space.
#102 Deborah…..by watching the time on the videos that DoxieMom puts out….Yun Zi seems to be busy between 12:30 AM and about 1:45 PM……its taking a chance if he is moving but those are the times that show up the most often.
I think, when I was there at noon….the keepers were out cleaning up the exhibit with him sleeping at that time up in the tree….if he interacts with them now, perhaps you might try that time too……you just have to check in on them around those times.
A TAI SHAN FAN ASKED IN THE LAST FEW DAYS FOR MORE FROM HIM in China. If you go to the blog “Pandas Live On” there is always lots of stuff about him currently and in the archives. Every week or so he publishes his current diary writings telling you what he sees, hears, thinks, or even about his younger neighbors that he thinks he must speak with so they will not treat each other so harshly. There are always lots of photos too, check back every fefw days for updates. The updates come as the person writing has the time to work on them.
Also the Flikr photostream I have been urging folks to the last few days also has photos of Tai Shan in it too. If you just go to http://www.flikr.com you shouldll be able to do a search for photos of him from many areas. That was how I finally found that one special Hua Mei-Hao Hao photo last night….I figured it would not hurt to try since I had exhausted everything I tried up until then…..imagine my surprise when the very photo I wanted was a thumbnaile on the very next page. Good luck….Love Grammmie
Cool, Grammmie, I saw Su Lin, Bai Yun, Zhen Zhen and Mr. Gao. I also saw pictures of Yun Zi looking macho already. I saw a panda high up in a tree on a skinny branch. I got the impression that it was Yun Zi from the comments below the picture. Could that be Yun Zi, high up in the trees, balancing on a skinny branch? He looked like he was copying Zhen Zhen’s antics, and bouncing on tree limbs. Oh my!!! I need to come to SDZ, stand under the tree and tell Yun Zi to get down from there. Grammmie, I am in Austin, Texas home of Longhorn football.
You guys remember seeing the dude who lived with wolves. I don’t know if it was at a zoo or what. The wolves were fenced in. He even had his girlfriend out there living with the wolves, till one bit her. I am surprised that some wild and willy person has not decided to go live with the pandas. A lady lived with the apes, and another lady lives with, I think it is, the orangutans. I am being very silly (I rode my bike today, so I am giddy.), but in my daydreams I would like to build a tree house next to Mei Sheng. (I daydream about pandas since I don’t watch tv.) (Also, when my man is home from overseas, I will be focused on him. Not on living next to Mei Sheng and feeding Mei Sheng panda bread all day, but until then…) I admire everyone who gets to be near the pandas they are so cuddly looking.
I just had a worrying thought; if Zhen Zhen gets a trampoline she could frighten people on the Skyfari by bouncing up to them and waving her bamboo. I wish I could draw, because that would make a great cartoon picture.
Happy 5th Birthday to You-Tube.
First video?? in front of the elephants at our San Diezo Zoo!!
(where would us pandaholics be without u-tube….)
Just received an email from the NZ regarding their pandacam and Mei Xiang’s potential pregnancy. They announced that they have begun 24 hour monitoring of Mei Xiang by volunteers and the panda cam will live stream any birth of a cub that may occur. (Bruce, I assume that Tai Shan has been put on 24 hour watch as well, so that he can catch any flying cubbies with his catcher’s mit!?
) While they have been unable to confirm a pregnancy, they remain hopeful that she is, in fact, pregnant.
So, the waiting begins…
Oops–slight correction to my prior post regarding Mei Xiang at the NZ. They will begin 24 hour monitoring this evening! Tai–get your catcher’s mitt ready!!
I’m glad my trampoline idea is getting a response. Grammmie & Susan, both ideas would definitely bring in the crowds. All we want is for the pandas to be happy. Maybe this way Gao Gao could get to see his true love more that every 2 years.
#118 Susan(UK), Thank you, I love your image of Zhen Zhen bouncing on the trampoline waving her bamboo. Too funny.
Where in the UK do you live? I have relatives over there. My mother is from England, used to live in Buckinghamshire. And my father’s family moved there from Ireland when he was a kid.
#118 Susan(UK) – LOL – oh, what a picture that would be!! You gave me a chuckle – wonderful imagination you have. I can just see that ZZ with the most mischievious look on her face waving her bamboo branch at the startled, but lucky people in the Skyfari cab!! Maybe some artistic pandafan can take up the challenge of putting this image to paper and posting it on the Pandafandom Worldwide facebook page. ROFL!!
Hey! I just noticed that it no longer says we can visit Zhennie in the classroom! WHAT HAPPENED????
IS she OK???
We are going on MOnday and I am worried. Please let me know how ZZ is!
Thank you!
Moderator’s note: Zhen Zhen is fine! Her exhibit area was just open for spring break crowds, but the Panda Team is looking to keep it open on other days as well. We’ll update the Panda Cam page as new info is available.
I can absolutely see Zhennie having a blast on a trampoline. That’s right up the furry acrobat’s alley.
I keep watching Mei. She looks so beautiful. I’ve convinced myself that it’s a “pregnancy glow.”
Did get to the zoo the end of March but little boy was high in the tree asleep. The excitement for someone from Iowa was the earthquake, at least we have wornings for storms in the midwest..
121 Laurie in Baltimore: Will one cam be dedicated to Mei? I can’t tell the Pandas apart when they’re just sitting around eating or sleeping. Does Mei have a little den like Bai? I wasn’t watching Pandas when Tai was born…
GIVE YOURSELF A TREAT—–go right to Rita Petita’s page on Flikr and see 3 new photos of Miss ZZ, the fourth is Rita Herself on a special Tour behind the scenes meeting some animals….Love Grammmie
HERE IS THE LINK http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/
As of 4:26 pm Eastern time both panda cam links on the NZ’s website are focused on Mei.
#117 GABRIELLE IN TEXAS So glad you got to see lots of your favorite Pandas. If you were in the photo stream with Hua Mei, daughter Hao Hao, etc; the bear in the branches is Mei Sheng. In one version he is wishing Papa a very HAPPY BEARDAY—But when it was first brought to my attention it was just as a photo to enjoy of Mei Sheng. I will put the link here so you can compare the photo to see if we are “On The Same Page”.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bartyork/2804487881/in/photostream/ Mei Sheng in trees
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bartyork/2804487829/in/photostream/ and another view.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bartyork/4496364011/ Mei Sheng in a tree—-is this the one you mentioned in# 117 ??????
As for folks living with Pandas—–I think it is the Panda that makes the decision.
#118 SUSAN (UK) Great idea—-how many points would she earn if exicuted properly, and does she get more points for surprising more guests in the same skyfari gondola?????
#119 AUNTIE JACKIE That speaks so well of the San Diego Zoo. I thought Youtube has always been—they seem like they are old friends.
#121 LAURIE IN BALTIMORE It is a good thing that Tai just finished a Project Bamboo Assignment, he could head straight for mama from Florida.
#122 LEE IN VANCOUVER Happy to put in my 2 or 3 cents worth….and glad the goal is happy Pandas…it is what we all want in the end. Will the trampolie be part of the Summer Pandalympics? We know Z Z is ready for Moat Fishing, Tree Arobics, and Bungee Jumping….(If you want links to photos let me know)…so with Trampoline we would need onlly one more to make her a Pentantholete. Plelase keep us advised. (Her grace and artistry in Tree Arobics and Bungee Jumping almost guarantees gold metals, both individually and team challenges I only hope that the games are held before she makes her trip to China to fufill her destiny, so she can be on the American team. Is Hua Mei scheduled to be on the 7 babies are easy team???? Will she be hoping to be a pentathalete too?????
I was getting a few close-up Photos of Prince Fluffy-Butt—including THE Fluffy-Butt—-but it seems his Foot Party has wound down into a nap. He is going for Captain of the U S OLYMPIC SLEEPING TEAM–I see Gold metals in his future too.
Yun Zi is such a goofy man!
Grammmie #131 – I am going on holidays tomorrow for 2 weeks so I’ve decided to elect you as the Chairwoman of the First Panda Olympic Summer Games. It sounds like you have half of the events already invented and they are excellent choices. I know pandas like the water so maybe you could include some swimming or kayaking for the girls who don’t want to get their hair wet in case it make their hips look bigger. Anyways take care and I will expect a full report when I get back.
#128 Dianna & thanks #130 Pat in NY
At 5:47p.m. EST both cams are still on Mei who is not in her den but lying down on her side eating bamboo in her indoor enclosure.
The email from the NZ did not say whether one or both cams will be focused on Mei.
Mei does have a den although not quite like Bai’s den. It has a raised platform and, sometimes, depending on the camera angle, the bars along one side can be seen. The bars have a door/opening that is permanent, I believe. I have never seen signs of something that will allow it to be closed off. Although, I do believe the entrance to the den area may be able to be sealed but not the den itself. Anyone else know for sure?
There is also a pile of bamboo that Mei has brought into the den and placed on the floor around the raised platform, as her nesting material. Hopefully, you can recognize the den area from my cryptic description!
If the panda on camera is not in the den, the only way that I can tell is if you can see the panda’s eye patches. Mei’s are oval and Tian’s are shaped like kidney beans. Also, Mei’s tummy is shaved but that is difficult to see.
Hope this helps!
#134 Laurie from Baltimore: Thanks!! That helps alot… I’ll go out to NZ’s website and see if I can tell them apart… So does this mean that someone will watch Mei 24/7 but they really don’t know if she is with cub or when she may give birth? How long will they watch her and at what point will they decide it was a pseudopregnancy?
Grammmie: You’re silly… I’m old enough to be CK’s mother!!! Or cougar… Oops!! Did I say that?
There is one thing that concerns me. I have wondered about Mei and the grate she was known to pull up out of the floor. This probably sounds dumb, but could she have her baby and it would fall down the hole where the grate was? Hope I am wrong!!
Moderators.
Thank you since I inquired about Goa Goa you have given more info. and more time on the cam. Very nice of you. MC. such sweet videos. Thank you.
So, my friend -x- (I can’t say her real name, becuase she’s a spy TOP SECRET SPY!!!) loves pandas too. YEAH!!
Here is a message from -x-:
im on a mission right now! here it is : grammmie, how old are you??? second: SAVE THE PANDAS!!!!!!!!!!
-x-
Hope you like her “extravigant behavior”. I know this doesn’t really have to do with pandas, also doesnt make sense but for now i hope our “little” (big) secret is
:-O
SAFE WITH YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
P.S.
Please make a new blog if you can. PWEASE?!?!?
Dear Panda Staff: Pleeeeese let us watch Zhen Zhen play in the classroom!!!! Goodness me
I was planing on filming her on a visit this coming week 
(Wednesday) I’ve got new Mozart for our Mover and Shaker 
Thank you Debbie for the wonderful update on all the panda family! I have just caught up on all the blog activity and I’m working my way through DoxieMom’s videos. Thank you DoxieMom for giving me the opportunity to see what is happening with the little guy! Yunior has grown so much! Turn away for a couple days and the little ones grow by leaps and bounds. Fingers crossed for the next photo session.
Loving the adventure, Bruce! And the picture of Tai waiting to catch the “flying cub”!
Laurie from Baltimore – right there with you waiting and waiting…..Oh I so hope for Mei to have a cub.
Trying to figure out how I could get down to SDZ before Sweet Su leaves…….she was my first baby panda.
It’s 4:17 on the west coast. Did anyone else just see that Wang Wang was let into his cleaned enclosure and his keeper was just walking through the door too. The keeper very quickly backed out and pulled the door with him. Now Wang Wang is looking at the hose that is in his yard filling his pool up with water. Then the cam went off.
Now it is back on (after 2 minutes) and Wang Wang is missing, the hose has been removed and the keeper is just leaving and shutting the glass door after him. I would say that that was a close call.
As we learned in the previous blog, bamboo is indeed a versatile material.
You can check out the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York City) web site to see an installation of a monumental bamboo structure, ultimately measuring 100 feet long, 50 feet wide, and 50 feet high. It will take the form of a cresting wave that bridges realms of sculpture, architecture, and performance. Visitors will witness the continuing creation and evolving incarnations of Big Bambú as it is constructed throughout the spring, summer, and fall by the artists and a team of rock climbers.
This is a growing and changing sculpture―a vast network of 5,000 interlocking 30- and 40-foot-long fresh-cut bamboo poles, lashed together with 50 miles of nylon rope. It will continue to be constructed throughout the duration of the exhibition.
check out http://www.flickr.com/photos/metmuseum/sets/72157623898253288/ for amazing photos
#133 LEE IN VANCOUVER I kept meaning to ask if it was if that Vancouver was in Canada or Washington….but no need now….us Canadians talk about going on Holiday…….The Americans I have lived among for 50+ years Go On Vacation. Like me you are Canadian. I may be an expatriot—but I know which side of the border I was born on.
About the chair——-I wil take temporary lead, and keep notes….but health keeps me from doing too much at one time. I will keep the think tank going….and if need be we will have a flexible pentathalon for the Lady Pandas, they can choose their own events—especialy when it comes to the size of their hips……but I think they are all lovely to look at, and I do not hear the Men Pandas complaining. They do not chase anorexic bears either….they want a gal with enough girth to bear and feed and comfort the cubs and cubettes.
There is a photo in circulation that may guarantee a gold medal for ZZ, when the other Panda Ladies see her grace and aristry they do not want to even try for a medal. If you see this photo it is clear why…..have a great holiday…and write as soon as you get back…Love Grammmie http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/4507131152/ Tree arobics with aparatus http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/4507130774/ Concentrating on equipment check for bungee jumping
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/4506483339/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/4506482927/
2 are moat fishing moves….hard to beat that concentration—-And is cheap since they use the same blue cord as bungee jumping. ZZ has much grace and agility and will bel hard to beat in her chosen venues.
#135 Dianna
#136 Judy
Dianna–yes, volunteers will be watching her 24/7 and they don’t know for sure whether she is pregnant or not. They continue to monitor her hormone levels and once they reach a certain stage, either birth will follow pretty quickly or there is no cub. After her hormones reach that level and she doesn’t produce a cub(s) pretty soon after, then they know she had another pseudopregnancy.
Judy–the grate is from another area and not from inside the den. No worries, the cub(s) won’t fall into the hole!
.
SPEAKING OF THE CAMS AT NATIONAL ZOO—–they are not quite in sync at all times, being 1 or 2 seconds off giving the illusion of two bears rather than one….but with practice you get to where you can keep things straight. I am watching, waiting, and hoping with the rest of you. Tai is on his way from Florida in case he is needed—good thing he flew his “baby kit” on the shuttle with him to save a trip back to China to pick it up. Most of you are much more familiar with this mother and how she is right before delivery——-or non delivery as the case may be. If you think of anything I should know as I watch through most of the night I will be around…..Love Grammmie
Grammmie, hi it was the link you left on #89 on this blog. On Rita’s pictures, after Su Lin sunbathing, it said,”Where I left him Sunday afternoon”; “Where I found him on Sunday morning”. April 21, 2010 photos. I really think it is Yun Zi in the photos. The pictures of Mei Sheng are very nice. I wonder how the pandas find laying across tree branches comfortable.
#135 DIANNA – OHIO And I am Old Enough To Be YOUR Mother……So I know it is okay to check out the menu even if you are on a diet…..so get your eye candy while you can-eye candy is on any diet….and I think should be on all menus—-except the person you are crazy about—–they get no menu at all…..
#136 JUDY IN TEXAS That does give us food for though, but hopefully the folks in charge are way ahead of you.
#137 BRANY NY It is nice to look forward to seeing Gao Gao for a bit almost every day…..Love Grammmie
Thank you for all the information. I always enjoy reading about all the Pandas. I will miss seeing Su Lin when she goes to China but then she will be having babies while there so it will be a good thing for Su Lin. She will make a good Panda mommy.
Thank you Panda Team for all that you do. I love watching the Pandas and all the other cams also.
Check out Daniel’s Panda Cam site if you haven’t already…..both of his National Zoo Cam panels are focused now on Mei – it’s fascinating watching the behavior of a hopeful-mama panda, and if you’re lucky, maybe see the birth of a new butterstick!
3123 Dee and #118 susan. I am from england, many years ago. I am from Northamptonshire, which is next to Buckinghamshire I grew up in a little village, and would go with my Mum to Buckingham to shop. Small world eh!!. Most of my panda watching is with N.Z. right now. My daughter gave me her old laptop,so i have it on my night stand, when i cant sleep. I watch the pandapaws web cams and they stay on most of the time. keeping my fingers crossed for Mei to deliver a cub, but nothing definite yet. They now have volunteers manning the cams 24/7
Outside the jazz club, passers-by could hear the sultry voice of the famed local song bird Gao Su Lin as she sang, “Ebony and Ivory” accompanied by her multi-talented sister Gao Zhennie tickling the ivories. IN the one corner, Big Daddy Gao sits looking inscrutible as he scans the club floor for trouble. He was ready for action. Not for nothing was he best pals with Po, the Kung Fu Warrior. He smiles, all is well in Panda Town.
At the back, Gao Yun Zhi, the latest talent, is doing hios stretches as he prepares for his number ‘Pandas in the Moonlight’ followed by a pas de deus with cousin Lin Pin on “Shake YOu Groove Thing.”
Suddenly the club is hushed as through the bamboo curtain out steps Her Royal Highness Gao Bai Yun in her splendid sequined red ruby gown. She walks across the dance floor and Big Daddy’s heart skips a beat. Compelled by some magic, he moves towards his babe. They meet snout to snout on the dance floor.
The big band break into “Its Magic’ and the couple sashay like there is no tomorrow,
#134 Laurie,
Thank you. I can’t recognize them by cam.
I hope Mei will have a baby soon.
The National Zoo isn’t the same since Tai Shan has gone to China.
I miss Tai, Lani and Mei Sheng.
#136 Judy…I think the grate that Mei takes into her den is from the large viewing room next door to her den although I’m not 100% sure. (The grate I saw her with yesterday was rectangular and resembled a traditional/generic A/C register cover.) I have pictures of her den when it’s not swathed in bamboo culm and I don’t recall that there is an opening anywhere on the floor of her den, or at least in the area of her den where she would tend to give birth. (I spend too much time panda watching, I think!)
#134 Laurie…There is a barred metal gate of sorts that slides up and down, allowing or denying access to the other side of Mei’s den. The gate has been down for a couple of weeks (at least) which keeps Mei in the front half of her den. The past two years, however, the gate was up so Mei could traverse the entire area of her den.
If a panda is outside at this point, it’s Tian Tian. He has dual access to both his yard and Mei’s yard most of the time right now since Mei stays inside. (The cams in Tian’s yard are 0005-0009. Look in the left corner of the cam viewing window, above where it says “HOLD,” for the cam number.) Tian seems to stay in Mei’s yard most of the time, though, as if he doesn’t want to miss it if she comes outside. He misses her. When he’s inside, his camera numbers in his large exhibit room are 0002, 0003, 0004. The camera number for Tian’s den is 0001. Other indoor cameras are Mei. She is often featured on both viewing cams during the 24/7 pregnancy watches.
I think there is a good chance that Tai will be a big brother this year and that Yun Zi will be sending his best picture posing tips to his new panda cousin.
That’s what I’m telling myself, at least! And my Magic 8 Ball says so. (Just joking about the Magic 8 Ball!) 
Part 2 of Le Chez Blanc et Noir
And suddenly the crowd roars in delight as Big Daddy dips Queen Bai and it can be seen he mouths, “I’ve got you, Babe!” and he then guides her off the dance floor into their private room for a tete-a-tete, maybe they are making plans for next Spring? Who knows when la amour is in the air.
The suddenly Yun Zhi shouts, “Hey Tai!” Heads spin round to catch a glimpse of Commander Tai back on home leave after taking part in top secret NASA test programmes. He strides in, looking every inch a hero. And look who he brought with him, the X man himself Xi Lan. Yun Zhi runs as fast as his feetsies can carry him and all 3 end up in a mucho group hug.
On stage, in her cute pink ballerina inspired Pandatino dress, stands Lin Ping who urges everyone to come on and do the ‘Pandamonium’ with her. Soon the dance floor at La Chez Blanc et Noir is a sea of black and white as pandas just let their feetsies do the talking.
While on paternity watch-for National Zoo-WE NEED A LTTLE HELP WITH PANDALYMPICS SUMMER GAMES…….THE GAMES. We are getting quite a list together for the ladies, and some for the less than one year olds but we need some help with the men’s games. I will give you what we have already—it might help you to think of the ones we can’t. I do hate to metion it but ZZ from SDZ is favored for gold in Tree Areobics with Aparatus, Ladies Moat Fishing-using Bungee cord, and Bungee Jumping. Each Panda competing for Pentathalete does get to choose their five events, so you already know what her first three are. Let us know your Zoo’s gold contenders.
Of course Bungee Jumping and Moat fishing are also for the Gentlemen Pandas both Sr/Jr. Tree Areobics—L Sr/Jr After each on list I will put an G or L or both or a JR for the younger set (over 1 but under 3), T for Toddlers up 6 mos. to 1 year old and NOT weaned yet. (Mothers must allow todders to compete alone—–I don’t care what the food is, or how full the milk bar is at competing time, but we will try to be consistent and considerant.) Pool Soaking—G/L Sr/Jr. Pool Surfing—T (mixed L/G). Beach surfing—G/L Jr/Sr. Polka Dot Bikini—L Sr/Jr (for sunbathing, pool or bikini contests suit must be 3 pieces for Jr and Sr L—must wear 2 tops and one bottom. The middle top piece may be strapless, and includes any time bikini is worn for contests or as spectator, coach, mother etc. You have 4 nipples please cover all 4. Toddlers may all go topless—-nobody will care. Beach Sunbathing for Style—G/L Jr/Sr. Speed food withdrawl from enrichment items—G/L Jr/Sr/T (mixed g/l for T). Best Father Material—G Sr/Jr. Cuteset Cub—G T. Cutest Cubbette—L T. Cutest Twins—M/L T. (mixed sexes). Tree Hanging—G/L T Jr/Sr. Keeper Shoe Retreval—M/L T (Bring a keeper but you may not use your Keeper for contest. The Keepers must certify that they will remain imparial and help with the Staff for feeding times-6 times a day.). Bamboo Stripping—-but not eating— G/L Jr/Sr. Sleeping Team Event mixed G/L, divided by Sr/Jr/T This is Yun Zi’s event along with pool surfing-at the moment-He not only expects to gold medal—he want to Captain the team in his age group. Yard Redecoration—G/L Jr/Sr (this is Su Lin’s Gold Medal Event for sure, both in speed and style). Boo Eating—G/L Jr/Sr (this is Gao Gao’s Gold Medal Event). So far we have one Keeper event for their competition—Hammock weaving and hanging for speed and comfort—G/L 1 T Panda will assist each judge for the comfort part. (Pandas will help themselves to snackies that day.) We have not found a gold medal event for Bai Yun yet—-frankly we are afraid she will get somebody disqualified—or be asked to withdraw herself completely from the games general area, since if she sees or smells treats she will grab and eat them. And if anybody is in question as to what she will do if that happens here is the look she will give the judges….. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/4397174852/ Bai Yun “Who you looking at?” Get back to us…..Love Grammmie
Thank you moderator for updating the website! I guess I have to save my $ to fly back from Hawaii to hopefully see the pandas again later this year!
We’ve already gone twice!
I’m glad everyone likes the idea of a bouncing ZZ on a trampoline. The more I think about it, the more funny it gets. If there is anyone out there, as #124 Pandafan-North asks, that could draw that, it would be fantastic. Any artists on the Panda Team who have a spare 5 seconds during the day?!
#123 Dee, Texas I’m in the county of Middlesex which is only about 30 minutes away from Buckinghamshire, give or take 10 minutes or so. There’s a famous wildlife hospital in Buckinghamshire called Tiggywinkles (maybe your relatives know about it or have visited). We take any injured birds or animals there – too often unfortunately – but it’s nice to know someone cares. I don’t think they’ve had any pandas in yet though. But you can go and look into the hospital and see some of the casualties that are recovering. They have a TV programme which, I think, goes out in the USA on Animal Planet.
It’s going to be nice weatherwise in the UK this weekend so I’m going to check my bamboo for pandas (I think I’m only going to find snails though). Hope everyone has a great weekend.
Dennis & Lynn – Have a very happy birthday Lynn, wherever you are.
Part 3 of Le Chez Blanc et Noir
Yun Zhi sings loudly, “What are you doing, alone in your room? Come hear the music PWAY! Life is a Ca…!”
He wakes up startled. “Mama! Where is your sequined dwess?” “What do you mean, Yunnie? And why were you kicking all your feetsies about?” asks Bai Yun anxiously. “Weren’t you dancing with Papa? And I was preparing to dance in my top hat and tails?” asked Master Gao with sleep in his voice.
“You funny babY! You were having a dream, weren’t you?” Bai Yun realises that Yun Zhi has had another delightful dream again.
“Was it a frightening one?”
“No, Mama. It was fun and you did a dance with Papa. Jie Jie Su Lin was a singer and Er Jie Zhennie was a piano player. Cousin Lin Ping shook her tushie and danced. And and and cousin Tai came by to visit with Xi Lan. We were all at a night club. Papa was wearing this three piece double bwested suit, he looked cool.”
“Sounds like a great dream and how did I look?”
“Like a Queen, Mama, you looked bootiful! Mama! Mama!”
“Yes, my dear?”
“I wuv you!”
“And I love you too!”
Mei Xiang question: Is this the first time since Tai that NZ has bred Tian and Mei or has she had pseudopregnancies after Tai was weaned?
Hi, you guys! I was just checking in on the NZ pandacams, and both cams 1&2 are on Mei Xiang laying down on her back in her den all filled up thick with shredded up boo stalks for her nest! She has also added that big spool in the den with her other “maternal” toys. She is in full pregnancy watch mode, I think! Still waiting to see if she will have a baby panda, tho! Isn’t waiting very excruciating when it comes to pregnant pandas?? Also was on the SDZ cam, and the cam people did a great job getting a very good closeup of Yuni sound asleep on the rock stump, one of his favorite napping spots. Took another postcard pic for myself! It was soooo adorable!
Been reading alot of comments from the last couple of updates, and I spotted one by a person that is suggesting the space program for pandas! That’s a neat idea! With the space shuttle program about ready to be retired after September, all of us space flight watchers will need something to keep us from having withdrawals of space flights after this year! Don’t think that NASA will go for it, tho! But, we can all dream, can we?? Dennis Carney, New Jersey, I do hope that your wife, Lynn, can be home after nearly 18 months in the hospital. I know that she will be very happy to be in her OWN bed for once! Please let us know if she did make it home, and all of us pandafans are still praying for her every day! Keep watching the pandacams, save some postcard pics, and Lynn will have alot to catch up on when she does get home.
Well, gonna get back to the cams and catch up on reading some of these comments. Will check back later on!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Pandas Live On has posted a wonderful video called My Tribute to Tai Shan. It opens with footage of him leaving the NZ for China, on the morning of 2/4/10, and then follows him from his actual birth to adulthood. (Get tissues ready!!)
Hey, I’m back, you all! Just got on the National Zoo website to check in on Mei Xiang, and they have just posted a big announcement since I was on there over an hour ago. THE NZ PANDA KEEPERS, VETS, AND VOLUNTEERS ARE ON DEFINITE 24/7 PREGNANCY WATCH ON MEI XIANG AS OF 4PM EDT TODAY (Sat., April 24)!! Apparently, they had just gotten the latest hormone analysis results, and those results indicate that her progestagen levels are starting to get close to baseline, which means that Mei should be giving birth to a cub or have another one of those dreadful false pregnancies in the next few days. They have 38 cam monitors in their panda house office to keep an eye on Mei, and they are also tracking her maternal/pregnancy behaviors as well. Right now, pandacams 1&2 on the panda page are still on Mei in the den still napping on her thick bed of straw. They have limited cam 1 to five minutes, and I think cam 2 is still on 10 minutes unless it was reduced it to five minutes also. So, have fun watching Mei as she goes thru this final phase and hopefully, she will give birth to a cub! Keep those fingers and toes crossed, you all! I am definitely doing that and will keep on Mei Xiang watch as well!
Dream BIG!!!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
I love Yun Zi so much, I SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO don’t want him to be sent off to china when he is older! I LOVVVVVVVVVVVVE HIM SSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Speaking of family trees Pregnancy watch is still on at the National Zoo…..The family tree at the NZ is Female Mei Xiang whose parents are wild Pandas Xue Xue and Lin Nan ,Male Tian Tian whose parents are wild Yong Ba and Pan Pan….Tai Shan who is now in China is their son…..
The San Diego Panda Family tree is Female Bai Yun whose father also is Pan Pan and mother is Dong Dong ….We all know Bai Yun’s first baby was an AI with Shi Shi sadly deceased ,super daughter and mom Hua Mei 3 sets of twins and a single cub….Super Stud Gao Gao has now fathered son Mei Sheng who joined his step-sister in China and Daughters Su Lin and Zhen Zhen still here and our new little boy wonder Yun Zi….. 
Still looking up the family trees for Zoo Atlanta’s female Lun Lun mother Ya Ya father by AI ? and male Yang Yang mother Bing Bing father by AI ? who have given us daughter Mei Lan now in China and son Xi Lan still here …. 
Memphis Zoo’s male Le Le mother Xin Xing and father Chuan Chua and female Ya Ya mother Le Le and father Ying Ying to complete our USA Panda Family tree and their common relations….. 
Still wishing Lynn was able to come home on her Bearthday today but Doctors are now hoping to have her here with me by Mothers Day…. I wished her a Happy Bearthday Greeting today from all of the GPF Family and Friends and SDZ Staff that have been so kind with their get well and Birthday wishes…Will keep you all informed of her improving condition after 16 months in Medical Facilities…..
“Panda Peace on Earth , Goodwill to All Living Things……..”
#161 Dianna
The NZ has artificially inseminated Mei Xiang every year since Tai Shan was weaned. (Tian Tian and Mei can’t quite figure out how to get it right. I think Gao Gao should provide instructions.
) Mei Xiang has had pseudopregnancies every year since Tai was weaned.
Thanks, Lucilla, for another sweet story. At first, I felt transported back to the time of one of those old movies from late night tv in the past. Yeah, Big Daddy Gao and his hot momma Bai Yun! Thanks for the sweet ending to the story. Delightful!!!
Grammmie, I think Bai Yun should compete in the bikini contest. Except, I can’t picture her with two tops on. I have never seen that before. I think Bai Yun should wear a hot pink sequin swim suit for the competition, if that is okay with the judges.
Why is the panda cam so dark? It is only 6:45pm, should still be light out.
To the Moderators: is there something wrong with CAM 5? It appears very dark, and it is only 6:59 pm.
#142 LEE IN VANCOUVER It makes me wonder who was most surprised—THE BEAR or THE KEEPER? I bet the Bear was innoccent, and the Keeper was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Thankfully he will probably never make that mistake again.
#143 AUNTIE JACKIE Thank you for pointing out this view of Bamboo. I hope no local Pandas find out about the exhibit—they will demand a field trip to see it, and before they leave they would eat it.
I did watch the NZ cameras all through the night until noon today, and saw no progress yet. They need not pay for somebody to watch—I bet she is watched around the clock by prople like us.
#147 GABRIELLE IN TX I, too, wonder how they find many things they do comfortable. I have to keep reminding myself they have that thick matt of hair to pad them.
IS ANYONE HAVING trouble with darkness on the Panda cam today?? I was not able to get online until late today, and found I could see better at night than I can today…is it me or the camera? I asked a friend to try to take out the leaf on cam 6 that gets in the way of good closeups, but this result was not what I had in mind.
#152 AND #154 and #160 LUCUILLA—that almost got away…I just found Part 3! ! ! How do you do it???? That was a lovely story…..I saw every bit of it in my mind’s eye. I was surprised that Fu Long did not try to capture the heart of the pink ballerina. Since Tai Shan is his temporary neighbor I would not be surprised if some love letters made a trip to the stars and back before getting to him. Princess Lin Ping is the only girl youngster near the ages of the 3 male cubs…..WELL Fu Long is a bit older…perhaps that is the attraction to her…….
#154 MELISSA Thank you so much for the heads up on the cams for NZ. Now that I have looked at the “hold” and number it makes much more sence. For the NZ I sincerely hope that your possitive feelings are right . It would be so good for our Yun Zi to have a junior cub to pass on all of his wisdom to.
#157 LISA There should lbe something to work out….like one of us go check out your beaches while you check out our Pandas. It sure sounds good to me.
#158 SUSAN (UK) So far, in the last couple of months, I have not been able to scare up a cartoonist or somebody who draws to put the writer’s visions into viewing form. We live and hope. I am not sure how big your Bamboo is….would you be getting regulation sized Pandas or miniatures if they are there????
#162 CHERI MERCIER If you go to this link you can read all about The Pandas in Spacce Program. http://members (dot) trainorders (dot) com/atsf90east/Project_Bamboo.pdf
Nasa does not only approve, after this next phase there will be an all Panda crew. We have since found out that the song ZZ keeps humming is “Fly Me To The Moon” and she and Su Lin are both sceduled along with Tai, Fu Long, The X-Man and LaniBear. It is good reading (by Bruce in KC) and to me of the best patched photography you will ever see. Once you hit the Flikr Photostream go both directions to make sure you miss nothing. On April 1, 2010 news of the Top Secret Project was leaked…it is being investigated by the CIA and the Boy Scouts. There is even knowlege of this in China…..I was not the one who told—I wonder who was. By the way Tai will be the mission Commander due to his vast experience, and the X-Man will be the Pilot. This link will get you to the photo stream….almost to the end…so go both ways http://www.flickr.com/photos/45944933@N00/ . Copies of this have turned up in China too, so we do not know how long we can keep the secrets. There may be some photos in between the first and last Project Bamboo photos…..Love GRammmie
Happy Birthday Lynn from your pandaholic friends from Ohio !!! Hope you are feeling better!!!
Lucilla–great story!
Rita–beautiful pix of beautiful Miss ZZ! I agree she would be amazing on a trampoline (or any other apparatus).
Grammmie–great new events for the pandalympics. Mr. Gao Gao will have to do a lot more planning to fit them all in. I hope P Wong will check in with him and make sure everything is in order…
DEAR MODERATOR Just in case nobody else mentions it there seems to be a problem with the web-cam. When I first got oline, in the late afternoon Saturday, I could see the view was awfully dark for that time of day. I just checked again and found a black screen. Actually it is probably a good thing since most of us are trying to keep and eye out and a hopeful heart with the National Zoo this weekend…..and SDZ’s problem will just get fixed after the weekend. I just wanted to be sure that 20 people did not think 19 others called 911, just to find out no one called….Love Grammmie
Moderator’s note: It seems to be working now (Sunday evening).
AGGHHH – SPENT all day off & on watching Mei Xiang (NZ) – she shredded bamboo, fluffed bamboo, shredded more, fluffed more, cradled her kong toy, laid down & minute or so later would be back up – she just seems so uncomfortable -:(
understand the FONZ volunteers have had hours of training of what to look for (when not if) another cub is born – we know Mei will have another cub this year 
Tai was born July 9, 2005 so this will be Mei’s 4th pregnancy watch 
#151 Doreen – I know Northampton, my husband has a cousin who lives there with his family. That is quite a journey, maybe an hour or more from us.
Lucilla, your stories are wonderful. I really like Part 3.
#156 Grammmie – how about Rake Grabbing? Or Rake Hurling? The only thing I could think of that Bai could enter without being disqualified would be The Panda With The Most Beautifully Kept Coat.
I have discovered that Sir David Attenborough is busy making a new series called The Frozen Planet which will be out in the UK next year. It sounds good and, of course, has Polar Bears.
#117 GABRIELLE IN TX I do not know why I did not address this to you yesterday. I have relatives from my husband’s family in Austin. My daughter and her family lived in Aransas Pass, Tx until they bought some land and put a prefabbed home on it. For special celebrations they go to San Antonio. My daughter fell for Prince Fluffy-Butt on the day he was born too—I sent her the link to the panda-cam, and video of his birth that came out in the news that day here in San Diego. I think she is secretly converting her friends to Panda Obsession too…Love Grammmie
I just started tuning into the Panda Cam, and found little Zhen Zhen climbing everywhere, bursting with energy! My heart almost stopped when she almost scaled the fence. She has been climbing everywhere, even high up the trees. I can now certainly see how Zhen Zhen flirted with the workers mentioned in the earlier blog.
#111 BRUCE IN KC I know how these photos came to the attention of our Chinese Friends……here on this blog we have Chinese Friends who read, and /or write to this blog every day.
TO ANYBODY BOTHERED BY LONG URLs…….I use http://tinyurl (dot) com/ to shorten them. I just used it to make a 497 characheter link into a 26 character link. It is fast and easy to use—-just follow along with what they tell you to do. When Grammmie says something on the computer could not be simpler she is not kidding you. That 497 is the longest one i have convered yet. My record before was one just under 300.
SOMEBODY ASKED ME how old I am—the only timeI lied about it was in my mid-twenties, when I added a year by mistake. I recently had a birthday and turned 64. Reading and writing to this blog helps keep my brain cells alive…Love Grammmie
To Grammmie: You and I have a few things in common – 1) I believe we are the same age from a comment you made a few blogs back; 2) We each have a son living with us (I also have a grandson with me); and, 3) We are both obsessed with pandas. I just wish I could write as well as you. You are so imaginative, clever and knowledgeable. I really enjoy reading your posts. Keep up the good work.
And, something I have in common with many of my fellow posters is that I miss Tai Shan just terribly and am hoping that this time Mei Xiang isn’t having a pseudopregnancy.
Dianna – Ohia #161 – Mei Xiang has had pseudopregnancies several times since Tai was born.
Also, I love all the pandas at SDZ and their keepers. Thanks so much for all the blogs about our beloved pandas.
Hi! Looks like our lovely moderator has taken the day off today (Sun., 4/25)! Good for her!! She needed some time off from reading all of our comments, but we will be seeing her back at work tomorrow putting our comments back online. Was just on the 2 NZ pandacams, and Mei is on eating and sleeping mode. Watched her eating some of her boo a little bit earlier, then checked back on the cams again and she was napping in her den with her half buried under some of the nest. Still waiting, Mei! Just did a quick check on the SDZ cam, and Yuni was in his hammock just napping away! Bai wasn’t around, she’ll be back in the picture eating boo when I get back on the cam again.
Getting some nice rain today here in Pinellas County, Florida! Gonna need it with May coming up in about a week!
Gonna go and check back on the Mei Xiang cams again!
Chari Mercier
St, Pete, FL
Thanks for the awesome update! Sorry that I haven’t commented in so long….I’ve been so busy! Woo hoo! I have panda pajamas! AND they’re lavender!!!!!!!!!! (My fave color)
The training continues…..Panda astronauts “X-Man” and “Sooperpanna” are shown in the latest image leaked from the TOP SECRET files of Project Bamboo. The two giant pandas are shown training with the emergency slidewire basket system at launch pad 39-A, which would whisk them down to a distant bunker in seconds in the event of a major launch pad calamity.
The link to the special TOP SECRET server in an underground fortress under a non-descript building near an undisclosed zoo is: http://www.flickr.com/photos/45944933@N00/4552290045/
Only those with TOP SECRET clearance, anyone that has been cleared personally by a panda, or anyone who is a panda fan is authorized this image.
Your nation’s TOP SECRET Pandas In Space Program is depending on you!
I was just watching Bai Yun playing with Yun Zi. She was having lots of fun. Now do not laugh but it looked like she was getting him ready for a stroll in the park. I use to watch all the time but since moving closer to my daughter and her husband who just had twins and they also have a 17 month old running around I am there a few days a week to help out. The perks of that job is holding my grandbabies. The twins are 2 and a half months old.
It’s 7:15PM SDZ time and I’ve been watching Bai and Yunni have a gentle play session. A lovely way to end a weekend.
About the keeper at another zoo who was in with the panda. I wonder what it would be like to be that close to a panda. I have never been around a panda, yet. Pandas do not seem like other bears, at least from a panda cam distance. I feel wild enough to wish I could be up close with a panda. You guys have made me into a panda fanatic. I have a child, so I have to be reasonable and can’t do this idea. I wonder if this idea is feasible. If someone went to China, found pandas in the wild. If they bring lots of food and treats, would the person over time be able to make friends with the pandas in the wild. Like the two ladies I heard about, were able to be around and observe primates in their natural habitats. Anyway, just pondering.
I had also been picturing Bai Yun in a red sequins gown and Mr. Gao in a tux dancing like Fred and Ginger (from the old movies). I had also been thinking about Yun Zi or Mr. Gao dancing like Gene Kelly from “Dancing in the Rain”. (I love the old movies and the stars from the past.) I can see Yun Zi splashing around in the puddles of rain with his tap shoes on and a tux. What a cutie.
Grammmie, I grew up in Houston, so I am enjoying living in Austin, a smaller city. I think you are still young. I found out that we can live to be 120 years of age, so that makes you only a little over middle age. Aim high in years, enjoy the eye candy for me, while I be faithful to my Soldier. Your mind is sharp, you have a postive hobby, so I would say you are doing good.
Oh, and Bruce, I enjoy your Bamboo Project!!!!
#165 SARAH……I know what you mean. Prince Fluffy-Butt was my first Panda on line, I live in the Greater San Diego area and had no idea until I happened to run across a link in the news on my homepage that we even had Panda Cams. If you begin the work now it might help you to accept, with grace, that we got to have him with us at all. He is not going to China for us to miss, but to fufill his destiny to help his species survive. All you need do, to know how important he is to the gene pool, is look at his family tree. There is no other zoo in the world outside China that has had the incredible good luck (from hard work) that we have had. Every time we have a new panda some of us fall in special love with it—every time one leaves us somebody feels broken hearted. We have all survived everything that has happened to us right up to this minute…..we will survive Yuniors leaving, and rejoice when he has baby pandas.
#166 DENNIS AND LYNN CARNEY (NW,NJ)…..Hua Mei has set the bar rather high for her 2 half sisters and 2 half brothers. Seven babies and young enough for more…that one will be hard to beat. Doesn’t it make you wonder if there had not been that earthquake to interrupt the flow what may have been??? One of our New York blog companions (if my brain could give me the name right now I would use it) has the USA Pandas Family Trees so well researched that she keeps us correct, and does it quick too.
I have been watching the National Zoo cams this weekend too, hoping for all of us that they have a cub. I have not seen a Panda go through birth so I do not know what to look for…..I only saw a video of Bai Yun quickly having Yun Zi….so I do not know the “drill” for upcoming birth. Let us just hope that in the next 24 to 48 hours gives us great reason to celebrate.
Good luck to you both on getting Lynn home soon….you guys could use a good turn of luck too.
#168 GABRIELLE IN TX…..Now is the time to get on the committee to help decide those things. The summer games are a year and a half away. Perhaps there needs to be a change in the Polka Dot Bikini contest—Sequins For Seniors For Competing Grandmothers?????? That just might make it even more exciting for the younger gals that are grandmothers like our Bai.
As for Lucilla’s Story—there has not been one that has not enchanted me. I hope the Keepers spend a little time each day to read them to the Panda Group like bedtime or nap time stories. If the help Yunior gives the Keepers does not free up enough time then perhaps a devoted Auntie or Unkie could spend some time reading to them.
#169 LINDA LUVS PANDAS….There must have been a temporary malfunction–I really did not expect it to be fixed before Monday-but was glad to see things back to normal today.
#173 FRANCES IN NYC….Ah yes, a check in by P Wong would be good. If we go to long without hearing Gaos ideas we can get a little lnuts…..oh-okay-a lot nuts.
#174 MODERATOR…well I am confused as to why the problem “fixed itself” but glad too. I am also glad that there were at leaslt 2 others who wrote so you did not think I am some kind of nut.
#176 SUSAN (UK)….Now you know why I asked everybody to put on their thinking caps. Both of your ideas ring so true. Again anything involving Keepers each Panda must bring their own Keeper, but compete with another’s Keeper. All Keepers must be able to compete in anything a Panda needs a Keeper for, we cannot have 4 or 5 different Keepers for each Panda competitng….they would get to chatting about their charges and never be anywhere on time. Forgive the Keeper who does not make it to feedings on time, because as nice as Pandas are there are limits.
#180 BETSEY IN MD….You are more clever than you think—you just gave us another Summmer Pandalympics Keepers Only Event-FreeStyle Blog Writing (Bring Your Own Laptop). We are trying to come up with a few ways to keep them busy and enriched when the Pandas are taking their naps and are between events that the Pandas need them for….we cannot let them get bored. That happened once on an outing—lets just say we stay away from there on Field Trips now.
I just took a moment to check on Mei Xiang and she is not in any Lady Like Mode. I guess in Labor everyting is permissable. Just a hint for the watchers who do not know…..you can open another window, shrink it down to fit the cam and stick it in a lower corner. That way you can glance at it for a moment or two any time you want, but still get things done without missig the important stuff.
#182 PAN-FAN #2 How did you get a lavender skin—-and were the PJs a gift???
#183 BRUCE IN KC…..Now is the time to tell the truth—-how many times are required for training, and how many more rides did they actually take??? How far away could their “WHEEEEEEEEZZZZZ” be heard??? Is there a way we can adopt this for G/L Jr/Sr Summer Pandalympics??? So many events are crafted from the neccessities of life—in the past. We have ben advised that the toddlers might make a mess of the basket if we let them try it. Along with insurance coverage we just feel that Jr and up are the only really good competators.
Good work everybody, just tonight we have added more new Events for the Summer Pandalympics, one involing their Keeper, and another Keeper event. The Events Approval Commitee will have lots to work with, decsisions to make, and rules to approve. There will be a limit as to the number of Basket Riders to each country—only the best of the best—so get your candidates training now. I have a feelling that this may be the favorite event of the Pandas…..Love Grammmie
OKAY GANG THIS IS IT FOR TONIGHT….unless there is a new cub to celebrate…..I just read Lucilla”s “Le Chez Blanc et Noir” again and it was FOOD FOR THOUGHT. We need some events for the Summer Pandalymics to showcase more of the Panda’s elegance and talent in song and dance—-Get Those Sequins Polished…..Song and Dance can easily be added—so thinking caps on and report your good thoughts tomorrow….I can hardly wait. Better we need to trim away some events than not have enough to keep the Pandas busy between naps. Not all of them want to medal in the sleeping contest…..Love Grammmie
I KNOW….I KNOW I SAID no more tonight, but that was before I checked into the Flikr account of Rita Petita. She has done it again….and you have to go see it….not for me, or her—FOR YOU—you will love the newest YUN ZI photos, and captions….enjoy and be sure to look until you get to some you have already seen, there are some on page two…..Love Grammmie
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/ He has a great “tude” in the first picture—–his little front paws are crossed, like he is going to stubbornly stick by what he has to say.
#171 Grammmie – it’s only miniature pandas at the moment. I am hoping for bigger and better things, both bamboo and pandas!
SORRY TO SEE MORE earthquakes near China tonight, but glad they are further away form the Panda area, and the areas that had so much destruction earlier in the month. One was on the extreme western edge, the other was offshore for the most part to the east of China. Our continued good thoughts are with the Chinese people affected by earthquakes.
MC IN SHANGHAI I UNDERSTAND these things are already making the rounds in China, but in case they missed you I got approval from a most Beloved Shanghai 10 to send this on to you. Part will be a quote copied and pasted from an erlier entry, and the rest from my own saved documents. AFter seeing the photo I only wanted to know how many times they took the ride more than the required training, and how far away you could hear their “WWHHEEEEEEZZ as they took their extra rides……..Love Grammmie (your wife and daughter have been approved too.)
members (dot) trainorders (dot) com/atsf90east/Project_Bamboo.pdf —-copy and paste
http://www.flickr.com/photos/45944933@N00/4552290045/
Rita Petita has added yet two more wonderful photos to her Flilkr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/ and has at least two more to come this week from the weekend. Stay tuned and check back often so you do not miss anything…..love Grammmie
Can someone call me if Mei has a cubbie? I can’t handle watching her anymore. It’s just getting to me. Too memories of the last few years — she is such a sweetie, and I hate to see her going through this. I know — nature is in control, but it hurts my heart!
People have been asking me who my fave panda is. I love all the pandas at all the zoos, but I never had a fave, that is until last week when I decided that Zhennie’s my fave. There is just something about her “joie de vivre” that I love.
I just checked on Mei and she’s asleep, covered in boo. lol
#188 Grammmie: There are seven slidewire escape baskets on the fixed service structure at the launch pad. Normally during the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test the astronauts practice escaping from the shuttle, running across the swing arm at the 195 foot level, and then climbing into the baskets. The baskets are chained at this point so they won’t slide down the cable, but, knowing these two, they rode this slidewire basket all the way down to the bunker, and then raced back to the pad to ride the other six!! As far as I know there has only been one human astronaut to do this, but we’re talking pandas here, and a couple of daredevils to boot!
I’ve been watching Mei all weekend and it’s driving me crazy!! I actually thought I had tuned in at the moment she was having her cubbie… she was staring down at her tummy and licking it.. but then she got up and went about her business…aaaaahhhhh!!!!
I am not even thinking about Junior going to China in the future. By the Grace of God, a non related female panda will come live in the U.S. Perhaps, Yun Zi will get a date with her. All good things are possible.
#194–Linda A.
I’m with you on that! I can’t stand to watch Mei but I keep peeking at the cam, anyway!
# 197 – Dianna -
LOL! Want to hear something embarrassing… I was watching her last week and at one point, I swear I saw something come flying out of her. Then the cam went black. Naturally I thought she gave birth so I was flipping out. I refreshed and she was eating. I’m losing my mind… or eyesight.
#184 KAREN OF CHANDLER Congrats on all the grandkids….while you are not able to watch the Pandas some of us do a little extra time so you are covered.
#186 GABRIELLE IN TX You may want to read this article from Pandas Live On…..
http://www (dot) pandasliveon (DOT) com/giantpandas/2010/02/wild-panda-comes-to-village-to-feast.html
That permalink will take you right to the article. When you are ready to learn more about pandas keep Panda Live On in mind and is a wonderful backup place to the zoo blog. Just type the 3 words into a search box and it should take you right to it.
You are right about me living a long life—my dad was 96, smoked for 30 years and drank heavily. Mom just recently died 2 days before her 90th birthday, her parents at 96 and 85, my dad’s parents at 87, my grandfather at 100, his father before him at 102—both born in Scottland in the 1800s, both were coal miners, ripe for a young passing, but they lived long.
#191 SUSAN (UK) well good for you….mini Pandas would be a good thing too…that way we could have many in one household.
#194 LINDA A./ NORCAL I understand how you feel, this is my first time watching. When it hapens there will be shouting all across the country-I think you will hear that.
#196 BRUCE IN KC I just knew they would ride it more than they had to—-just for fun. We are trying to incorporate it into the next Summer Pandalymmpics. It willl be for Jrs and Srs only, the toddlers are too messy.
#197 DIANNA – OHIO I know how you feel….I have been watching while awake since Friday night. I feel so bad for the poor girl having to go through all of this….especially if she were to not have a cub in the end…..Love Grammmie
Hi! Well, I have been watching and monitoring Mei Xiang on both NZ pandacams all weekend as well. She has been putting me on pins and needles, too! I watched her on one long stretch when she was eating her boo stalks that she had in her den for over 30 minutes! She was stripping those thick stalks down to almost nothing and eating the best parts. Then, she finally laid back down for a nap, even got on her platform in the den and spread herself out on it. Giving us mixed signals?? Oh yeah!! Today, she was sitting by the big door in her indoor enclosure eating a nice fruitcicle. Will keep on Mei watch to see what she will do in the next several hours. Both NZ pandacams 1&2 are on 5 minute time limits. NZ pandacam 2 has audio on it, so if you want to hear Mei munch on boo or hear her vocals, turn up the volume on your computer on cam 2.
AZ’s panda keepers have a new update up about Lun Lun and Yang Yang. The keepers are letting the two of them get a look and sniff at each other thru their mesh howdy gate to help them get reacquainted with each other. They are still monitoring Lun’s estrogen hormones for signs of estrus and ovulation, and once they determine that, Lun and Yang will get together for possible natural mating. Hoping that will happen and Lun will not have another AI procedure, but they’ll see how it goes when that happens. Lun Lun watch is now on at AZ! As far as Xi Lan the Xman is concerned, he’s doing great doing his thing—playing, eating, napping.
Well, gonna get back on Mei watch to see what she’s up to now. Will also keep checking in on the SDZ cam to look in on them pandas, too!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
We are so spoiled. SDZ Panda Cam and blogs are the best. Thank you Panda team.
Dianna, Ohio; Mei Xiang has had AI procedures done every year since Tai Shan was weaned, and has had false pregnancies during those years. It’s been almost 5 years since she has given birth to a cub, so everybody, including the NZ panda keepers, are really hoping that this is her year to give birth to a cub. Keep your fingers, toes, whatever crossed, pray, knock on wood, whatever helps that Mei will have a baby panda this year! Keep watching NZ pandacams 1&2 to keep up with what Mei is doing everyday and nite. Hope this has helped you out about Mei Xiang and her last 5 years of false pregnancies.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Grammmie, thanks for the link. It makes me wonder, if the story is true, why would the panda eat pork bones, as the story said (I know it is gross). And why did the family have pork bones near a pig pen? Do the pandas in that area have access to bamboo or is there limited access to bamboo? That was a very interesting story. Thanks for the link.
Wow, your family does have long life. It is cool that you know so much of your family’s history. I hope you will write it down for your grandkids. I am trying to get my parents to write down as much family history as they know to pass on to my daughter and her kids in the future.
#205 GABRIELLE IN TX I wrote it down and gave them photos too. I know my mom’s dad lived to an old age too, but not sure how far….but I remember when he visited and us kids were there he always gave us each a bright shiny quarter—when a quarter felt like a million bucks. The reason I know so much about them is because I knew them, we saw family frequently. One of my favorite sets of photos is a 3 photo card with my parent for their 50th anniversary, flanked by their parents on their fifthy aniversaries too. Canadian coins have always been so lovely-each has an animal on it-the quarter had an elk I believe. It was hard to hoodwink us with paper money-each denomination had a different color. I wonder if China has Pandas on their currency, and if so how far back that practice goes. Perhaps our Chinese friends could educate us. If we had Pandas on our money it would be hard to get us to part with it, especially if our Gao family were featured on it…..Love Grammmie
#198 GABRIELLE IN TX Lovely thoughts–but he best be his daddy’s son for that to work out.
#200 MARIE That was just the most extreme of our wishful thinking, but very positive.
#202 CHARI MERCIER If folks would like to avoid refreshing their web-cam views they simply go to this link http://home (dot) comcast (dot) net/~dreidel/pandacams/index.html
for Daniels Multiple Panda Cam Feeds….The sound is there, and you can request certain feeds from the drop down menu located at the very top of the page……”where would you like to go”. I am hoping that by using this service I am not overtaxing the indiviual feeds from Zoos just for watching the web cam feeds…… (To use the link simply remove the spaces and (dot) and replace them with a period.)
#203 LUCY The Very Best ! ! ! !
#204 CHAR MERCIER We are all with you and hoping all is just right for a new baby for the National Zoo—-Good Luck.
GABRIELLE IN TX What really got to me about the article was that the Pandas seems to think they were honored guests, and should be treated well. They did not seem to fear the family-and the family did not seem to fear the Panda. It was kind of like the Panda heard the word “festival” and figured he should show up since there would be great food and he would be so welcomed. It kind of makes me think of the personality P Wong has given Gao Gao. As for the bone eating….sometimes animals crave or consume something that will add in what is missing from it’s diet, and Pandas have the physical atributes of a carnivore, and will eat small game when they can get it. I describe their hunting for game this way……if they are laying down in the forest, jaw flat on the ground, mouth open, and a mouse gets on his tongue, builds a home and puts a pool out back, the Panda might just close his mouth and there goes the mouse……Love Grammmie
Debbie and Angie, sorry for the late reply but rather late than never! Thank you for the great report on the panda family. It is so interesting to know the relationship amongst all of them. Su Lin was my first panda to watch on the panda cam which I found out by pure coincidence. By then Su Lin was about 1 1/2 years old. I dread the day when she will have to depart for China. She has become a beautiful bear thanks to her excellent genes. Hopefully she will find an adequate male in China. And then it was Zhen Zhen I was allowed to watch growing up into a charming animal. And now it is Yun Zi we have been watching growing up and developing into an absolute charmer. Gao Gao being the proud father of his daughters and Mei Cheng is such an interesting animal. I regard him as being rather quiet but when “his services” are needed he is very reliable. And Bai Yun, of course, what a devoted and beautiful mother she is! If there was a medal for panda or even animal motherhood she surely would be the one who deserves it!
Gabrielle in TX..#205
You should probably give your parents a little nudge about the Family Tree.
Maybe offer to help with it if possible.
There are some nice books that would help with some queries.
When I was younger I didn’t ask family questions…too busy raising our children.
Now that our parents are gone I regret not doing so…
I thought they would be here forever….wrong!
My children found out some interesting facts about their relatives, (Grandma & Grandpa),
when they were doing “Roots” in elementary school.
I still have kept their school papers and got info from their school work.
Every little bit helps.
It’s fun to know about your background, if possible.
Good luck!
Grammmie, my daughter noticed your comment. What a sweet story about the quarters. Thank you for sharing. I tell my daughter stories about my grandparents and parents all the time. I hope she remembers the stories. Georgie, I did a little bit of research on the internet. You are right, I probably need to sit down and ask my parents questions about my family tree and then write down the information.
I love the updates on all the Pandas. I visit the Panda cam every day. I am sad that one of Pandas
has to leave. I hope they will be well taken care of and loved the way they are here. Do the other
Pandas miss the Panda that leaves or do they not notice?
Moderator’s note: We’ve had two pandas move to China so far (Hua Mei and Mei Sheng). They were both living independently at the time of their departure, but I’m sure the other pandas noticed their absence.
I just LOVE to watch Bai Yun and Yun Zi play!
omg soooo obsessed with pandas!!!
was looking all over for a little something just like this, many thanks for putting it up
Well,this has nothing to do with this,subject. But,I love Panda’s. Everyone at my work,calls me Panda,or PANDANATOR.(; It’s great. I love itt. We make little jokes about itt,here and there. It’s wonderful.