After months of cool, cloudy days and nights, a mere peep of sunshine along the coast every few days, and San Diego Zoo guests sporting new fleeces and sweatshirts, the weather abruptly shifted to very un-San Diego-like heat and humidity within just a day or two. This sudden change has slowed everyone down, including our well-furred giant pandas. It causes a shift of routine for the keepers as well, as the formerly unnecessary misting fans were cleaned and activated, and ice- and water-based enrichment items moved to the fore. Ice blocks and fruit- and veggie-sicles are replacing dry or land-based treats, and Yun Zi’s favorite “surfer pad,” the rectangular Boomer block, appears in the pool.
But, alas, for the pandas it’s been a lazy time, at least during the morning hours. Mother and cub napped most of Friday morning as the sun continued to rise in the sky, shifting position as the temperature rose and the shadows shifted. Su Lin disappeared into her cool, quiet corner, and even Zhen Zhen was subdued. Along with these changes came our guests’ weather-related questions about the pandas; so, lest you be concerned about the well-being of our bears, I’ll answer some now!
Yun Zi
While pandas now live at elevations above about 4,000 feet (1,200 meters), their historical range covered large areas of China, including temperate areas, so they are pretty adaptable in the wild to warmer weather, moving to shadier or higher places to stay cool. Here at the Zoo, their enclosures at the Giant Panda Research Station are deliberately located in a cool canyon to catch the breezes on a daily cycle. In addition, they have their pools, the misting fans, and even air conditioning, should the need arise. The keepers monitor them carefully throughout the day and provide the cooling enrichment items mentioned above.
Pandas are covered year-round with 3 to 4 inches (7 to 10 centimeters) of thick, coarse fur and do not shed appreciably in the warmer months. They also do not sweat, so a higher respiration rate and panting are employed to dissipate some of the excess body heat, similar to what your dog would do on, well, the “dog days” of summer. And like your furry pets, they just plain slow down in the heat and humidity, tending to get more active as the sun drops below the tree line above Panda Canyon. A good tip for visitors: 9 a.m., if the weather is warm, or late in the day are the best times to see some activity, but there are no guarantees; just like us, the pandas’ appetites can drop off in the heat and even a chilled bamboo “salad bar” can lose its appeal. But remember that there’s always the air-conditioned bedroom option available to these rare and precious creatures.
Ellie Rosenbaum is a panda narrator at the San Diego Zoo.
Chilled bamboo salad bar! Love it. : ) Thanks for keeping us informed on the pandas’ warm-weather behaviors.
I remember last year going to the SDZ shortly before I moved away in the hot heat of late August. Su Lin and Zhen Zhen were cooling off in their air conditioned bedrooms and I remember thinking life was good for these pandas- I didn’t even have AC in my apartment!
Ellie, thank you for the informative blog about the changes that the Keepers make as the weather changes in San Diego! And Karen, I look forward to reading Part 2 of “Panda Keeper’s Day!” The SDZ excels at providing interesting and timely information to their readers and watchers
Cuteness overload alert!! (Yes Bobbie, I got it!) Yun Zi and Bai had a playdate Sunday and it included the tire (the donut)! If you missed any of this, here are the videos!
2010-07-18 Yun Zi, Bai and Mr. Tire!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_6u-UPpPPM
2010-07-18 Yun Zi: “Rut Roh, Mommie isn’t Happy!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAZ-qhFM3fY
I had a great time on Friday when we had the chance to see all 5 pandas at 9 am. No lines or crowds. Even Su Lin was up in a tree, although she slowly descended and took a sip of water, then retreated to her cool corner, almost out of sight. Zhen Zhen was busy eating her bamboo, quiet for a change I presume. A gap in the walls allowed us to see mighty Gao Gao napping. Bai Yun was sitting facing the visitors, eating culm, and Yun Zi was sleeping high up the tree.
The day before when we arrived in the afternoon, both Bai Yun and Yun Zi were napping, their backs to us. However, a furry panda cub butt is adorable, IMHOP! Before we left, as the line had to keep moving, Yun Zi gave us a thrill by starting his nursing session. Big smile!
Just want to say how much I respect the keepers, handlers and volunteers who work at the zoo. We visit the Zoo and Park about twice a year, since it is a distance for us to drive. We have always found them receptive to questions, informative, and friendly. Their patience with the visitors is admirable. Even on the hot Thursday afternoon, all questions were answered politely. Although they have heard the same comments and questions many times over, they are never rude or impatient.
Thank you to these people who not only care for the animals in the zoo but seem to care almost as much for the visitors!
Your blog was so timely Ellie. Lately I have seen Zhen Zhen standing still, panting and wondered why. I don’t have to ask now as you anticipated my question and beat me to it. Thanks.
Thank you for the above information Ellie. At least I know all the Pandas are staying cool as well as all the animals at the zoo.
Welcome back, Ellie.
Conversation with Su Lin #10
Tourist: Hello, Su Lin.
Su Lin: Hello, Mr. Tourist.
T: Hey, nice fuzzy rabbit ear slippers.
S: Oh, they’re imitation ermine, webbed toe style a la Gao Gao Fashions.
T: Hey, there’s Zhen Zhen in the tree.
S: Hi Zhennie, great looking teal feathers!
Zhen Zhen: Yeah, my favorite boa, gift from the ducks.
S: Any more humming contests?
Z: Oh, we’re practicing for Qixi (Lunar Night of Sevens 7/7) Love Festival for 8/16/2010.
T: The ducks are practicing, too?
Z: Yeah, they’re tweet, tweeting away.
S: Yup, getting ready for romance in the river.
(In Gao Gao’s yard)
Gao Gao: Zzzzzz (You’ll be my Weaver Girl, I’ll be your Cowherd…)
Tourist: Hello, Gao Gao.
G: Uh… And I’ll be in Scotland afore ye. Oops, uh, hello, Mr. Tourist.
T: Dreaming again, Gao Gao?
G: Oh, it must be my planning the 7/7 Love Festival.
T: Ah, yes, the Lovers’ annual evening meeting on the Magpie Bridge.
G: And I’m practicing the great salsa dances of the century.
T: I noticed your limbs flailing.
G: Did the syncopation light up a fire?
T: Yeah, but they looked more like Celtic step dances.
(In Bai Yun’s yard)
Yun Zi: Mama, Mama, wake up!
Bai Yun: Why should I wake up, dear?
Y: You were rolling all over me, Mama.
B: I was?
Y: Yes, you were.
B: Well, you woke me up from a dream.
Y: Really?
B: I was splashing, dancing and rolling in the river.
Y: Was I in it, too?
B: Then along came the Magpie Bridge and my knight in shining armor.
Y: Wow!
B: And there I met Sir Gao Gao, Order of the Golden Unicorn.
Y: Was I in shining armor, too?
B: No, you were the shield bearer and golf caddy.
6:30pm EDT (3:30pm PDT); was on the pandacam! Just watched Yuni doing 2 things—watching a lady keeper working in his yard, and playing with a bamboo stalk while sitting in his hammock. He has been a very good little boy staying in his hammock and not bothering the keeper while she cleans up the yard and gets the bamboo out for Bai to eat, and maybe Yuni eating some himself. Don’t know who the keeper is on the cam, but she is doing a great job.
I think that this week is the zoo keeper appreciation week, and all of the zoo keepers in the USA are very much appreciated in the very hard work that they do to make sure that all of the animals in their care are taken care of, fed, watered, and keeping them entertained and interested in their surroundings everyday of the year. They do love their animals very much! The article about a day in the zoo keeper’s life was very good. That gave all of us a very good idea of what these zoo keepers do for their animals everyday in their zoos. Enjoyed reading about the panda keeper’s day. Alot to do every day for these black and white, fuzzy bears that we all love so much!
Well, gonna go and get something to eat. I’m hungry!!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Thanks to doxiemom for those pictures. Mom sure pushes him around. I have a question.
The panda in china, the 16 cubs, are they still with there moms or are the weaned now?
They sure have fun with each other and when the keepers were feeding them.
Thank you for the info about the heat on them.
lu
Thank you so much DoxieMom, #3 for that great video. I would have been very upset to have missed it, and I’m sure all the other bloggers feel the same way. I wonder why Bai seemed to not want Yun Zi in that tire. She was sure being one strict momma, and he knew it. #2, Lauren, how are the bloggers going to know who’s who since we’re both Laurens?
Bring on the iced fruit buffet! It has been sooo hot in New England! Oh, it would be worth the trip- a table, a throne, or a hammock for 3, please.
I loved the videos from DoxieMom……Yun Zi really likes that tire.
As for the heat….suppose to get hot again perhaps this weekend. Right now its cool and lovely along the coast.
I am watching Molly the owl, sit on her new clutch of eggs…but its hot in that owl box which is in San Marcos, north of San Diego and inland a bit.
Pandafans, I forgot that some of you don’t do Facebook so you did have a chance to watch an adorable capture of ZZ in her pool! She spent a good deal of time in it, splashing around, and just totally enjoying the water. Here is the clip:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2F2wmelv8&h=38044
Enjoy!!
COME ONE COME ALL IT IS FREE, FUN, AND MOSTLY ONE OF A KIND. Yes Rita Petita put up some more photos of Yun Zi’s weekend with a new keeper escapades. Be sure to go all the way to the seecond page, they show his quick ZZ style dismount that he did to get a quicker drop on the keeper. I do not know what they teach them in keeper school—-but the one shown learned her lessons of nannykeeper well. If you want to know what he thought and how he grumbled you have to click on the photos so you can read the notes and comments. He even threatens to have his mommy come out and bite the “hoomans” on their “hiney”. Now I do not pretend to know if this stems from his terrible dream last week where the whole zoo had to help keep him safe from the “bad hoomans” who were trying to steal him from the exhibit…..Do Panda’s get a “silliness” plea like we would get an “insanity” one????
Everybody please go take a look and let us know what you think. In just 17 days out baby will be a year old and no keepers will be allowed to be with him without protective fencing between them. Maybe they willl move that deadline up a bit. I guess the boys are expected to be rougher and more tumbly than the girls….if so he his holding true to form. If Bai knew what he was saying and thinking would she do it, or punish him for threatening the nannykeepers????? Here is Rita’s Flikr link—enjoy yourselves http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/
SO ELLIE……FROM WHAT I READ IN THE LAST PARAGHAPH OF THIS POST, if you say something to our Pandas and they reply “No Sweat”, they actually mean it…….right??? This is a nice way to be…until we get the nasty summer days. I live inland between Alpine and El Cajon, without much in the way of breezes when it gets this warm…..sometimes the front porch gets as hot as Death Valley. I got smart and bought a couple of battery, and/or electrically run fans and a spritzer botlel—determined to not be caught in a blackout with no way to cool off this year.
I love the great training the new keeper was given, and she was ready to use it when Yunior tried to move faster than she thought…..she seemed (from the photos on Rita Petita’s Flikr pages) to take control right away. Do they train with stuffed Pandas before going into the cage????
Thank you Ellie for the story…that’s why i saw lots of Bai and Yunie’s activities during the night.
@Lee – Vancouver – I hope u enjoyed ur last visiting at CMZ please come back to see LP and her family again.
@Liupan – LP’s weight has been above average since she was born. The extra formula was just being added to her diet a month ago and the daily amount they feed her is only 200ml (100ml twice a day). Like i said before they only wanted her to be used to the formula and to be prepared for the weaning process. The formula is a mix between one half of baby formula + one half of puppy formula.
@Marie – It’s 3 days. There’re many more of her video living with animal. The one with red pandas is also cute.
@Dianna – Ohio – I agree with u about ZZ. And for the most handsome cub it has to be Xi lan. (watch his happy day video and gotta love him.) I’m sorry Yunie, but u’re my most adorable panda cub, okay? And the funniest one is my (not so) little LP. If any of u watched LP on Sunday morning (Thailand’s time), she was a maniac, especially when she was with keeper Ple (Mr. Jittapong – a keeper who has a porcupine hair style). LP clearly sent her message to Ple that she’s a boss around the house.
@Grammmie – Thanks again for directing me to Rita’s photo page. I checked them out. Wonderful pictures, i’m starting to recognize some of their uniqueness.
Lu #9: The 16 cubs have been separated from their moms for several months now. They get the special milk formula and they love apple slices at this age. For apples, they will play with you and sit nicely in a swing with you — after you pay the reserve for the privilege.
Here are some pictures of me playing and sitting. http://www.flickr.com/photos/kkshaw43/sets/72157621830119906/
Enjoy.
Teacher: Children, today we have a special visitor to our class. He is a Panda Ambassador. Let’s give a cheer for Yun Zi!!
(The children clap and some call his name. Yun Zi trots up to the front of the class and waves to all.)
YZ: HIYAH! I am Yun Zi which means Son of Cloud. My Mama’s name is Bai Yun which means White Cloud. My Papa’s name is Gao Gao which means High High. I guess I am son of a really high cloud. Hee Hee.
I am here to share about Pandas! There are only about 1,600 of us left in this world. This means there are more people in this building than there are Pandas in the world. Scary isn’t it. I hope that all of you will help to make sure the forests where Pandas live don’t disappear.
(One girl raises her hand and blushes.)
Shelly: Mr Panda sir, why are the forests so important?
YZ: Hee Hee, you can call me Yun Zi or Yunnie. The forests are important cos they are bamboo forests and Pandas love bamboo. We hardly eat any other type of food. I have to eat 20-30 lbs of boo a day, burp. Hee Hee. I do like apples too.
Barry: Can you speak Chinese?
YZ: Ni hao mah? How are you? That is all Mama has taught me so far. She and Papa are born in China but I was born in San Diego so I speak American English. I will go back to China and there I will learn Chinese.
Terry: Are you Chinese?
YZ: Yes, I am. All pandas originate from China. We are an endangered species and protected. So we are all Chinese even though some live in Mexico, Vience, Japan, Australia…I hope as an Ambassador I can travel round the world…Hee Hee
Nicole: Do you have brothers and sisters?
YZ: I have a half sister named Hua Mei and a brother named Mei Sheng who both live in China now. I have 2 sisters named Su Lin and Zhen Zhen and we live in SDZ with our parents.
Mark: Do you have your own room?
YZ: Now I am in an enclosure with Mama as I am not weaned yet. I have my own tree which I love to climb. I also have my own hammock too. Real cool.
Lisa: Yunnie, how come you have 6 fingers?
YZ: To help me hold my bamboo to eat. That is what the scientists think.
Larry: What do you like to do everyday? Do you go to school?
YZ: Weeellll, I am home schooled. Mama teaches me all I need to know to be a good Panda. I really like to play. I like to play with my Mama, She is so funny. I like to bite her and crawl all over her. I like to play with my nanny kweepers and their booties. I get some cool toys too given to me by nice aunties and uncles. I have a round raft, a doughnut….fun. Come and play with me some time.
Melissa: When you grow up, what do you wanna be?
YZ: I want to be a good eco-warrior and stop people from destroying our earth. It is the only one we have. My Mama and Papa tell me I have to be a good Panda and have other Panda babies.
Kirk: So you have a girl friend?
YZ: *blush* No, I dont. When I go back to China, I will meet a nice Chinese Panda lady. I am sure she will be lovely.
Teacher: Now class, this is all the time we have today. Yun Zi lives in the San Diego Zoo and we can go visit him. Shall we show our appreciation and love for him?
(The class claps and then they gather round to hug him and play with him.)
To all the keepers who take such extraordinary care of the various critters in their charge, thanks for all you do.
Happy Keeprs’ Week!
I just LOVE that pic of Bai Yun eating!! She is the most beautiful Panda Bear on this Earth!!!
Great Videos, DoxiMom
I do enjoy your work!!!
Thanks for the Panda Days update, Ellie. With a little bit of luck, the perfect weather will return.
PWong: Fine conversation!
Jesylyn: I’m going to have to check in with Molly! I didn’t know she had a new project in the works!
Weegee, about the Rebecca clips that you sent us on the previous blog: is there a Japanese reality show about living with pandas? Is this a regular topic? Where do the bear cubs come from? How are the participating people chosen?
Last night I wanted to see what the pandas in Atlanta were up to before the pandacam went off the air. I got quite a surprise. Xi Lan was running around like crazy, throwing himself in the hammock and somersaulting around the place. It was just so funny to watch, he looked as if he was having so much fun. I hope someone will have caught it and will post it. As I was checking today for a video of it, which I did not find yet, I came across one video of Xi Lan taken on Sunday morning; his was in the teepee room. It looks at time as if he is trying to defy gravity…
“Xi Lan” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1L4t91-228
In my search I came across videos of Xi Lan’s mommy and daddy posted by lundell4.
The video of Lun Lun illustrates a recent post from their keepers: “Lun Lun’s Enrichment Day” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbVQ8ruLRF8
And the video of big daddy: “7/19/10~Good Morning Starshine, Yang~2.18min.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiL6yeKLUK8
After dinner last night I checked on the pandas in Thailand and it looked as if it was madhouse there too!! The difference was that Lin Ping was not just running around and somersaulting around her enclosure by herself, she was with her keepers and playing/attacking them… One keeper even lost his sandals in the process… I soon realized they were playing videos, that it was not live, and I found the videos.
Lin Ping Daily Hi-Light#1-190710 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EOQNcvd1B4
Lin Ping Daily Hi-Light#2-190710 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrSzEKR0v8s
The third video I found shows some training and also shows when Lin Ping is drinking her supplement from a bowl. As I have seen several times, she carries HER bowl around before she finally agrees to give it back, some days she fight much harder before agreeing for a trade for treats… Lin Ping Daily Hi-Light#3-190710 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uF-GXwgBOzE
She is getting too big and powerful for that kind of close interaction if you ask me, and after watching these videos you will better understand why the SDZ has a rule about no direct contact with the pandas after they turn 1 year old…
# 22 Anne
Japan has a famous program about animals, and they had made several(more than 5, I think) shows of panda in Sichuan. People lived with pandas were usually celebrities in all areas, such as actress, sportsman, and so on.
You can check these links to see the show:
A girl with pandas part 1: http://video.sina.com.cn/v/b/7284349-1036084484.html
part 2: http://video.sina.com.cn/v/b/7284349-1036084484.html#7284856
part 3: http://video.sina.com.cn/v/b/7284349-1036084484.html#7285227
part 4: http://video.sina.com.cn/v/b/7284349-1036084484.html#7285483
#22 Anne – NYC – It’s not a reality, just a weekly TV program. Becky, Japanese actress’s one of the co-hosts, she was sent to complete the mission for the show. The set-up was at China Panda saving research shelter… in Si Chuan. The show’s called tensai shimura dobutsuen.
#13 pandafan-north – Thanks for the link to the video of Zhen Zhen. If you want to access it directly on YouTube: San Diego Zoo ～07.17.2010～ Zhen Zhen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnCINkxNYbU
The same person also posted two videos of Yun Zi and his mommy, Bai Yun, the first one is very funny especially after reading this blog from Ellie, it seems that Yun Zi disagrees with Ellie and thinks his mommy might be too cold and in need of an extra blanket!!: San Diego Zoo ～07.17.2010～ Bai Yun & Yun Zi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebkAJst-JzQ and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVQDj-EAPmg
Wow… lots of videos to watch… I tuned in to watch LP last night… the only thing I saw was the “green screen”… I’ll today…
Loved the pictures of Nannykeeper and Yunnie… Is that Anastasia? Did you all notice that submissive move she used on Yunnie (pushing him down on the ground with her hand) is almost identical to the correction that Bai used when Yunnie was biting her? He has a little attitude going for the past few days doesn’t he?
Weegee: I’ve seen the guy with the spikey hair!! So he’s one of the 7 keepers for LP?
#23- Danielle – looks like Zhen Zhen isn’t the only panda with the gymnastics gene!
Danielle #23 – thank you for posting the Lin Ping highlight #1. I used to check LP every once in awhile since her birth but that video has convinced me not too. OMG they treat her (more than before) like a personnel pet and she still hasn’t been taught anything. Pandas are trainable!
I enjoy watching the videos of Lin Ping, however, I do hope they don’t keep her in that little pen for most of the day. She’s growing so big and getting more rambunctious and needs room to run and play.
Grammmie – Thank you for the warm welcome to the boards. I’ve been watching for about 9 months, but know you panda veterans can teach me a lot.
i have a question regarding the NZ pandas in DC. For the past week the keepers have opened the outdoor gates separating the two pandas. At first I thought it was because the female was in estrus. She had been restless and sitting in water which made me think that may be the case. However, the DC site states “This is also the time of year when we give our pandas the opportunity to socialize. Introductions will begin over the next week, on hopefully much cooler early mornings. The direct interaction provides both mental stimulation and physical fitness, as play translates into exercise.” I was wondering if this is done in other zoos. I thought pandas only got together for mating purposes. The DC pandas are fun to watch as they don’t seem interested in each other yet they keep within a few yards of each other, to keep an on what the other is up to.
Weegee – thanks for answering my questions. I won’t worry about the bears being overheated. I know your caring staff won’t let any harm come to your wonderful pandas. I enjoy hearing Tor read his animated letters, even though I don’t understand Thai!
Jeslyn – I too like watching Molly the owl. Glad Carlos is broadcasting the second clutch.
Moderator’s note: Each zoo has it’s own management style for their pandas.
# 13 pandafan-north: Thanks! A Zhennie video makes my day!
# 16 weegee: Do you have the link to the happy day Xi Lan video? I can’t seem to find it. Thanks.
# 17 Mary in Brooklyn: AAAHH! Lucky you! Great pix! I especially love the one of AA smiling up at you.
And now onto the rest of the videos….
#26 Danielle, NY – thanks for posting the videos of Bai and YZ. I saw them last night and thoroughly enjoyed them. I was just enthralled with YZ just doing everything to get his mama all riled up but, being the lady that she is, Bai just took it all in stride and decided, “oh well, the kid wants to play so, we’ll play.” The nursing session was so tender and loving, especially when Bai would occasionally rest her chin on YZ’s head. Sometimes it’s hard to believe that they eventually go their separate ways.
#7 P. Wong – so good to have you back with your panda interviews; they never fail to bring a smile and a chuckle!
#18 Lucilla – another great one for the collection. You know, this one would be something even schoolteachers could use to teach children about pandas. I told you I was compiling your stories a couple of blogs ago; you’re getting close to 60 of these now if my count is right. I think your first one came out in February, am I right?
#31 Leslie
Tian Tian and Mei Xiang at the NZ have been allowed to socialize (outside of mating season) since they were cubs in China. The NZ kept up this practice when they came to the US.
#28 Anne in NYC – Before I started watching the pandacams around the world several years ago and learning as much as I can about the pandas, I never really thought about bears being tree climbers, perhaps the cubs, but not the adults. Since I started reading the blogs, especially the last few months, I also learned more about other bears besides the pandas. I have been following Hope and Lily for a while and learning about the black bears. Last night update has a picture of Hope and Lily up in a tree… bear (dot) org/website/lily-a-hope/live-den-cam/553-back-to-normal-.html
Don’t miss the link to a video of mum and daughter.
As I was looking at Rita’s pictures at the end of last week, I noticed the pictures of the SDZ Andean Spectacled Bear http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/4795853061/in/photostream/ and three other pictures following this one. On Sunday night I watched Nature on PBS and it was about the Andes. There was a short segment about the spectacled bear and they said that they live mainly up in the trees. I went back to check Rita’s pictures and noticed that all the pictures of Tommy, the Andean Spectacled Bear, show in on the ground. Does he spend times up in trees? Or is that part of the SDZ animal plot’s to confuse the hoomans like me….
Moderator’s note: We don’t have sturdy trees for climbing in Tommy’s exhibit, although there is a tall stump where his mate, Miss Houdini, rests at the top. They are elderly bears, so don’t scamper about as much as they used to.
#81 Liupan – previous blog- I agree with weegee, Lin Ping is a big panda, and has been for a long time, she is not fat. As I was looking for a video for her daddy eating on his chair showing off his hairy paws (which I still haven’t found!!!) I noticed that even thought Lin Ping is big; she still fits between her parallel bars and is quite an expert in her routine. Too bad that because of the hot humid weather she can not go outside and climb ups the real trees, which would be a good exercise for her. She obviously has a lot of energy to spend, and not enough opportunities. Both her mother and father are big pandas, so she must have inherited the big panda gene…
#33 pandafan-north – I agree with you, it was a tender moment when Bai Yun kind of rest her chin on Yun Zi’s head. At time you could see that he was trying to avoid it, but it must have been less threatening than when she was nearly sitting on him as documented by Rita’s pictures…
#29 Lee in Vancouver – I agree with you, I have stopped watching several times but keep going back hoping that things have improved… I really hope no keeper will be badly injured. I was puzzled by the training of giving her paws, as it would not be a necessary training for future interactions with her. But recently her keeper followed that with the instruction of lying on her side and he had some success. I don’t understand Thai, so I don’t know what they say, but it sounds more like a conversation with her, not short orders that they repeat over and over until the animal performs. That’s how I trained my dog.
They seem to have better results when both Lin Hui and Lin Ping are in their inside enclosure and the keeper train both pandas at the same times. Lin Ping then does the same thing than her mother. They perhaps should do the same after that with Lin Ping alone in an enclosure and repeating exactly the same training to see if she understands or if she just imitates her mother when she is next to her.
Danielle # 26: Thank You for the three links!! To everyone: Do not miss these! In Fact, anyone of the videos from Ryko123 (I think) are fabulous! If you are one of the bloggers on this site….Your hand is so steady and the captures are amazing!!!
I just found a video of Xi Lan taken yesterday. I recall the 10 or 15 minutes that I watched live as more action packed, but this video will give you a good idea about the prowess of our other dare angel… “7/19/10~Xi Lan Viewing~9.40min.” was posted by lundell4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcyQ_8OVyac
Moderator: Thanks for the info about Tommy, the Andean Spectacled Bear and his mate, Miss Houdini. I guess all the bears are not all that different, as Gao Gao is also staying closer to the ground in his old age. Watching the posted videos of Bai Yun’s other cubs taken when they were the same age as Yun Zi, I noticed that Bai Yun is not climbing high in the trees these days as she used to either…
Moderator’s note: Neither am I
For the multilingual blogers, here is the latest news about pandas in German: pandanews(dot)wordpress(dot)com/2010/07/18/baby-watching-2010-runde-2/#more-2236
#31 Leslie and #34 Laurie in Baltimore – For your information, this article said that since November 2009, the pandas in Madrid, Spain, the female Hua Zui Ba and the male Bing Xing, are spending their days together to have a chance to know each other better and perhaps mate naturally in the future. In April 2010, Hua Zui Ba had an artificial insemination, so the baby watch is still on there. The baby watch is also on in Vienna where the pandas mated naturally in April 2010 despite torrential rain. Female Yang Yang and male Long Hui are probably the panda pair that spends the most time together. They even met on a daily basis when Yang Yang was still nursing Fu Long. But Fu Long was not joining his parents for those gatherings, it would be too dangerous. Fu Long was the result of a natural mating.
Bai Yun and Yun Zi seem to have revived with the cooler weather today.
Breaking News
Today, the spokesperson for the Gao family, Ms Gao Su Lin released 2 statements on behalf of her family. The first was from her brother Yun Zi.
‘Hi, I just wanted to explain that recent rumours that I was incawcewated for taking dwugs are false. I do not pwarty with Pawris Hilton and I do not know her. I also do not play with Lindsey Pawhan. On that day captured by the pandarazzi, I was eager to hewp my nanny kweeper with her work. In my haste I fell and it looked like I lunged for her booties. I have since apologised to her and all misunderstandings have been cleared.
I thiank all those who send me kind remarks over the blogs and on my Apporw phone. I have pwomised my Mama to twy to stay out of trouble. I am almost one year old and I ask for understanding as I gwow up. Becawse of your faith in me, I want to grow up to be like my Papa, a studmuffin, and an Eco-warrior, thank you.’
Ms Gao Su Lin addressed the crowd of Pandarrazzi, ‘My Mama Gao Bai Yun wants to refute allegations of cub abuse and that recent photos of her chastizing my brother are just that. Panda Mamas need to teach cubbies manners and also how to fend for themselves. At no time was Yun Zi hurt in any way. Yun Zi is of course nearing his first birthday and he is going through growth spurts and will misbehave. His sister Zhen Zhen also misbehaved…’
‘Oi Oi, Jie Jie Su Lin, you too’ shouts out ZZ from a tree overhead.
‘OK OK, me too. So we thank everyone for their concern and we ask for your prayers that as a Panda family we can help take Pandas off the Endangered species list. Have a lovely day and do come and visit us.’
With that the svelte and elegant young Panda Miss turned and returned to her classroom.
Dear pandafan-north,
Yes, Feb is about right. Wow, 60 stories who knew. I am glad you enjoy them. I was thinking of collecting them together myself so that I can see how to improve them.
Take care.
Lucilla
#39 Danielle and #34 Laurie – Thanks for the insight on putting adult pandas together for socialization. It’s nice to see this. Is this more common in China where many babies grow up together?
I have seen Lin Ping make progress in following commands. The keepers use a verbal commands as well as a hand signals. LP is smart but has the attention span of a youngster. This will probably make Weegee laugh but I think the verbal commands are:
mauw for paw
non for down
aha for open mouth
Weegee how close did I get?
I have been watching all the panda cams for years. I love giant pandas and have seen most of them in the U.S. going back to D.C. when I was a little girl and China gave Mrs. Nixon a panda for the National Zoo.
To #23 Danielle, I can only imagine that you have not been out of the U.S. because you don’t seem to realize that people in different countries have different cultures and beliefs and there is no right or wrong way to bring up these pandas, just different ways. I watch Lin Ping every day, I adore her. She is so happy and full of life and so loved. These babies are never going to be released into the wild, they will always live in a zoo or in China at the panda centers. The relationships they have with their keepers are wonderful and a huge part of a happy life. I have been to China several times and in Chengdu actually went into the exhibit with an adult panda, weighing over 200 lbs and had my picture taken with him. I did not hesitate for a second and neither did any of the long line of people waiting to go in for their pictures. The babies in China are treated much like Lin Ping and I wish I could see Yun Zi playing and climbing with other babies and having so much fun. By the way if you have not been to China the panda centers are wonderful and beautiful and although I miss Tai and Mei Lan and all our other babies who now live there I know they are having a wonderful life.
To Weegee #25. By now you can guess that I love Lin Ping, so much so that I am planning to visit Chaing Mai in the fall to see her. I have been trying to find out if you need to buy advance tickets to see the pandas or if you can just go visit the zoo and see her that day. I am trying to make some travel plans and can’t seem to get this info anywhere. If you have any idea about the zoo I would appreciate hearing them.
Thank you so much for your comments on this blog, I know that many people like to hear about Lin Ping and learn about different countries and cultures.
Dear Pandafan-North,
Thanks. Yes, it was in Feb that I began. Is it over 60 now. Wowee. I need to collate them too. Hope I can continue to entertain you.
Blessings,
Lucilla
#18 LUCILLA Love the “school Story”, it absolutely makes me smile.
I truly want to thank everybody who contributes to our blog.
Since it is NATIONAL KEEPERS WEEK is there a party for them at the end of the week, and do the animals serve as waiters and waitresses…or do they just provide enrichment items????
#31 LESLIE I have not been around as long as you might think….I only started watching the day Yun Zi was born. I have lived in San Diego for the better part of 53 years, and knew nothing about the den cam until Yun Zi’s Day Of Birth. Such missed oportunities….but I am trying to make up for lost time. I immediately got on the phone with my Daughter in Texas and got her started the same day. She dragged a few friends in and so did I…they may not blog but they watch and are learning.
#36 DANIELLE, NY Among other things the Pandas are trained to reach out to grab a bar so that they are in perfect position for diabetes testing/recieving insulin. I am thinking that just extending the paw to the keeper might be a start for that. Let us just hope that “Self Annointing” with ultra sound gel does not spread to a bunch of the girls…..we will need emergency supply of extra gel for them.
Hello again everyone, before i start answering ur questions, i’d like to clarify myself a little bit.
English is not my first language, please accept my apology if i offended anyone by using wrong choices of words, incorrect grammar, and the misspellings.
Danielle, NY and Lee, Vancouver
Please don’t get too frustrated by watching those daily highlight clips. They edited the footage quite a bit just to make them look more entertained. That part of the video was edited to present a short story about Lin Ping challenged Keeper Ple for a fight, Ple kept running away, so LP won the fight. The captions u saw described what LP said to the keeper or to the viewers.
#27 Dianne – Ohio, Yes, his name is Ple. He’s new to a job and has a lot to learn. Ple is the only one that LP won’t cooperate…. and I’m sorry i gave u the wrong info. Actually there’re 9 panda keepers at CMZ, Thailand.
#29 Lee, Vancouver – LP has been trained for sometime since her 1st birthday. You gotta admit that training wild animal’s not an easy job , and all keepers are doing their best. (and I prey for them.) LP now remembers all commands and she can follow those commands pretty well. (especially when she is in a good mood.)
#36 Danielle, NY – All the commands will come in handy for the physical check up. Asking for hands is used when they need to take the blood sample and the keeper can be sured that the pandas won’t have any wounds on their paws. The lie down command will be useful for the ultra sound process. I hope my answer help solve ur puzzle……
#30 KJ – The best time for the US viewers to observe LP live will be from 10 – 11pm (eastern time) which both LP and LH start their day in the exhibit (not their bedroom.) and they do a lot of playing around.
#31 Leslie – You’re welcome.
Lately I had noticed a change of LP’s daily routine. She slept less and spent more time on chewing the bamboo.(80% of her feces are bamboo, the rest are apple and milk.) And I have a video of LP to prove my words.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mxixzc4bRs
and another cute one to get back her reputation; Let see what Lin Ping thinks of her mommy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6qHFTAp6Fc
#32Marie – Here’s a link to see Xi lan’s happy day;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TGTaHNRvVA&feature=related
and Xi lan feeling frisky video is another must see;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OIuVsSoLyU
Papa Chuang Chuang Show…….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtnE81LTxMo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWmkeNBptB8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fZlQlbIcKk
#37 Bobbie Wood – You are welcome. I am glad I did find those videos and would like to thank you for drawing our attention to the fact that ryoko123panda had posted many more videos. Since the legends of the videos were in Japanese, I thought they were from tourists, but he/she has posted videos of the pandas at the SDZ on a regular basis, so he/she probably lives close by. If that person read and/or posts on this blog, I would like to join Bobbie Wood in congratulating you for the high quality of your videos, I really enjoyed watching many of your videos last night.
Because I love making captures, here are some new ones:
Yun Zi nursing: http://www.flickr.com/photos/greeneyes73/sets/72157624551566278/
Bai & Yun Zi play: http://www.flickr.com/photos/greeneyes73/sets/72157624551446422/
Zhennie in her pool: http://www.flickr.com/photos/greeneyes73/sets/72157624551265262/
Xi Lan: http://www.flickr.com/photos/greeneyes73/sets/72157624420988115/
Yun Zi and his tire: http://www.flickr.com/photos/greeneyes73/sets/72157624415046231/
Enjoy!
Weegee, that is good to know about Lin Ping. I hoped she would have a spacious exhibit to run around in. It’s just that I have seen so many videos of her little face and paws pressed up against the bars of that cage almost like she was saying “let me out” or “come play with me!” I just love her, she is an absolute doll!
So many videos to watch; am I complaining? Definitely not! This is panda heaven. Thank you Lucilla for your wonder stories. Love the bit in the last one about Pawris Hilton and Lindsey Pawhan.
Lucilla – Really cute story…
Wow….. isn’t Yunnie the King of his throne!!! I just watched him sitting back munching on a treat and one lovely lady comes forward and delivers a couple leafcutter biscuits and in a couple minutes, a fresh stalk of bamboo was presented… He doesn’t even have to get up to get food… or…. maybe… he’s worried that if he moves off his throne he’ll be rudely escorted out of the exhibit again!!
Bai Yun’s beach day
Bai Yun looks through the phonebook for baby sitters. She finds a panda baby sitter and books a day at the beach with Mr. Gao no Yun Zi involved. Bai Yun spends the day tanning, and Mr. Gao is making a peach cobbler, and Bai tans. She ends up on Panda Girls Fashion magazine looking great! It is the time of her life, not having her “pesky” cubbie knocking her into the water, (Yun Zi did not mean to knock mom in the ocean according to him). But soon Yun Zi drives up with the baby sitter who had access to a car, sadly Yun Zi makes it down the beach, he slides down the sand, not knowing she was right down below him, he slid right at her face when she took her sun glasses off, he hit her right in the nose! Another nose hit by the fab Yun Zi the panda ladies cheer! Gao thinks more pesky panda paparazzi a-float in the ocean. Gao goes in and knocks down the ppp down right in the ocean and this time not in floaties.
Bai Yun cheers this time, jumping up and down “go Gao go Gao” as she blew kisses to her Gao.
Yun Zi swims all the way down the ocean to catch the ppp, to get his photos made, he thinks that makes some one a star, Yun Zi waves, and just at that momment seaweed floats onto his arms, and he looks like a monster. It ends up on the front page of the Pandas news, and all over the internet.
The End
Yun Zi’s date with Shamira
Yun Zi invites Shamira over for a date, Shamira is in love with Yun Zi.
Yun Zi starts dancing with Shamira, shaking his hips, to latin music. After hours of dancing Yun Zi gets hungry, he calls out his momma, and Mom comes out and sits on the couch as Yun Zi has his fill of the milk bar right in front of his date, Shamira. Shamira thinks of ways to not have to watch this, she says “do you have water bottles?” and Bai points to the kitchen, as Shamira opens the fridge, she sees hundreds of pictures of Yun Zi as a baby in his dipers. She still loves Yun Zi. She grabs her water and sits in the kitchen waiting, for hours and hours Yun Zi gets his fill of the milk bar. Finally Yun Zi is done, Mom leaves, and Shamira kisses Yun Zi but his HUGE belly gets in the way, he knocks Shamira down by accident, Shamira gets back up, and mom and dad watch, peeking out of the window.
Part one of 2
Lucilla, you did it again! Love the clarifying statements on recent panda behavior. Can’t have all these rumors floating around about our black and white pals! And, would not want to see them on the cover of the National Enquirer.
When I watch DoxieMom’s wonderful videos I’m reminded of the fun that can be had jumping on Mom’s head, having her nuzzle your belly and just rolling around together in the dirt. I’m not sure that can be replaced by living with a group of other young pandas and a human keeper, no matter how loving.
#42 LUCILLA Please do not improve on your stories…..I might have to give up reading all other novels, and I think my family would be too astounded. Your stories are just wonderful, and I am in awe of you.
#44 JANE Very well said. I, too, believe that there are differnt ways that do not make them wrong and us right……we have so much more to work with here that we forget other countries do not have our resources. Things done at the San Diego Zoo works super well for it, and we are lucky to have devoted keepers, and staff.
I hope you get to make a connection with WeeGee. Will the Moderator try to put you two in touch with each other if you are both willing???
# 47 WEEGEE English is my first, and except for high school requirements, only language. I bet you manage to read mine with every mistake in spelling and typing. Anybody who is offended by mistakes could just skip us. I bet we all can figure out your meaning—-so no need for apoplogies from you……Love Grammmie
#44 Jane, I agree completely with #23 Danielle about limiting human contact with the pandas after they turn one. In September I’ll be taking my third volunteer trip to BFX and we never are in the same area with the older pandas. It’s called protective engagement. If we are with the one- or two-year old pandas for picture taking or panda washing, there is always plenty of staff around to make sure nothing happens.
In my opinion, SDZ has it exactly right and mimics the natural life of the panda as closely as possible within the limits of the zoo setting. The proof is in the 4 cubs that Bai and Gao have produced; also the reproductive capabilities of Hua Mei. Still have not heard whether Mei Sheng will be a daddy this year.
However, that said, each zoo is free to choose its own path in panda care.
#55 AND #56 BRITNEY Thank you so much your stories may be short but every bit are delightful…Love Grammmie
THERE IS LOVELY TRIBUTE TO ZOO KEEPERS AROUND THE WORLD at the link I will provide. There are 6 visible photos (the first one has a red x in the corner), is the 5th visible down of “our Zoo” and “our Yun Zi”?
feeds (dot) feedburner (dot) com/PandasLiveOn
Weegee #16. I absolutely loved the Chiang Mai Zoo. It is beautiful and there are lots of animals. Of course I went there to see the pandas but had so much other fun feeding the hippos and giraffes and seeing some animals I had never seen before.
You certainly stay in shape at the zoo as it is all vertical, up the side of a mountain. I didn’t know about the shuttle busses until it was time to go and by then it was to late to use them. It was also nice that the staff told us if the pandas were awake or asleep when we went to buy the tickets.
I went in January 2008 so it wasn’t too busy. The gift shop has lots of stuff to buy. I ended up buying some pandapoo paper, a t-shirt, LH and CC fridge magnets and lots of postcards. All for me. I would love to return as I love Thailand and all the wonderful people there.
# 7 P. Wong – How I’ve missed you!! I love your latest conversations with our B&W family — charming as ever — welcome back!!
My dog wasn’t eating as much during the heat wave either — but now that the cooler weather is back — he’s much happier. Thank you for the update on my favorite bears (shhh… don’t tell Kalluk, Tatqiq or Chinook!)
Weegee: You write pretty well for English not being your first language.
Do you know if Lin Ping ever went down the slide in her exhibit? I seen Lin Hui slide down.. I think she enjoys it..
I was watching some of nulilly’s video’s. LP and LH were in their exhibit and at one point, LP’s head was beside her Momma’s… about the same size head and LP definitely inherited her Momma’s pretty face..
LH was trying to get a drink out of the pond and LP decided to lay on top of her…. Good thing LH is a big girl herself… what is it with these cubbies using Mom as a climbing post?
#46 weegee – Thanks very much for all the information you have provided and for the links to the videos, especially the videos of big daddy Chuang Chuang, I believe that Lin Ping has inherited many of her daddy’s trait of character. When he plays around of his swing or structures, he looks pretty much like what Lin Ping is doing.
I know the keepers have a lot of training to do and it is only the beginning. She is still a very playful cub and probably wants to play more than to train…
Don’t worry about English not being your first language, it isn’t mine either. I have lived in many different countries on different continents, I am multilingual with friends around the world and from around the world, coming in all sorts of shapes and forms, and colors and flavors, I have no problem at all understanding you.
#58 Bonnie A and #60 Mary from Brooklyn – I totally agree with you.
Missed you P. Wong! Thanks!!
And thank you all for pics and video links!
#20 Heather – I totally agree, Bai Yun is the most beautiful bear ever! I love watching her alone or with her cubs. It may just be me but she appears to have a smile on her face when she plays with her babies! I find it quite endearing.
Loved your story Lucilla, it was almost like a panda press conference!
Grammie, thank you. I am still making money off my Giant Panda Museum, I almost got all my mom’s money.
Thank you for the post, it was great! The weather seems not like San Diego, but I know the pandas are fine. Zhen Zhen isn’t being as active, but thats ok. Its good to be back on the panda blogs!
thx so much for the storys!
I love reading about how the pandas are doing and I love to watch little Yun Zi and mom!