Su Lin
We have spent a good part of the summer gearing up for the departure of our beloved young female pandas, Su Lin and Zhen Zhen. The news of their imminent departure hit us all hard, and even though we knew it was for the best, no one was looking forward to saying goodbye. Well, August has turned to September, and Su Lin and Zhen Zhen have not yet left on their voyage to China.
A twist of fate has extended the pandas’ time here at the San Diego Zoo: they were scheduled to travel through Shanghai, but we have since learned that the overlap of their scheduled arrival with the Shanghai World Exposition would not be feasible given the necessary logistics of ensuring security for the pandas at the heightened security level for the Shanghai Pudong International Airport. This delay and trying to rework the travel plans for the pandas has certainly been a challenge for the folks here at the San Diego Zoo who are responsible for the logistics of their trip, but for the research team, keepers, Zoo visitors, and Panda Cam viewers, it has been our good fortune to have some extra time to spend with these bears and to continue to collect data for the hearing study.
We will keep everyone updated regarding their departure.
Megan Owen is a conservation program specialist for the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research. Read her previous post, One More Thing Before They Go.
I am happy to hear the Panda Girls are still here with us in San Diego, I need to try to get there to see them one last time….Thanks for the info Megan
Thank God for the Shanghai World Exposition!
Well, I guess I’ll just have to wait until next year to see the girls. Their safety is first and foremost. At least now we know the reason for the delay.
Megan, I see that the Shanghai world expo goes through Oct 31. Does this mean that Su Lin and Zhen Zhen will be in San Diego until after the expo or that they will fly to their destination thru another city?
Thanks
We trust you explicitly with ‘our’ pandas. We will just enjoy them for as long as possible. Thank you for the update.
YEAH!!! I for one am happy for whatever extra time we may be blessed with. These young ladies are going to be missed sooo very much.
This certainly could be good news for all the panda-fans
The Expo continues through the 31st of October! Of course, a different travel agenda might be in the works, but we can dream, can’t we? 
Mabe we will get to see Su Lin knock falling leaves from her trees as she decorates for Fall 
Perhaps we will be able to see Zhen Zhen celebrate Octoberfest by rolling a pumpkin down into the moat
Can’t say that I’m upset about his news, let’s hope that exposition is such a success that they extend it and the girls stay home even longer
Great news, except we know that the day will come. But at least we have until the end of Oct, I hope.
Thank you for keep us update.
lu
This is good news. I think the weather in November will be more comfortable for their trip anyway.
Megan, thank you for the update! For some reason, I actually feel better knowing that the girls are still here.
Are the girls still on exhibit now that the trip is delayed? If possible, I would love to visit them one last time.
Moderator’s note: They are still on exhibit. Come on by!
sorry for china– Yay for us!!
Happy to hear there is a delay in their departure to allow everyone to visit the girls and wish them Bon Voyage. It also gives them more time to get accustomed to their travel crates. Similar delay for Mei Sheng because of the fires in CA two years ago. Strange how unexpected delays happen that way, but have a silver lining for all involved in the end.
Moderator: Do we have any idea if this is going to be just a short delay, or might they actually be there until some time in October. I have a week’s vacation in October and can think of nothing I would rather do than visit San Diego and the San Diego Zoo to see our little celebrity pandas!
Moderator’s note: Our Chinese colleagues are obtaining renewed permits and are working with Chinese security personnel to reschedule this move.
And maybe Zhen Zhen & Su Lin will get to enjoy new climbing structures once the crane is rented.
Wishes, prayers – and it turns out all it took was a silly exposition
Oh my goodness…Moderator, say if we wanted to plan a trip down to SDZ, before our beloveds depart, do we have an “at least through…” date? If we planned, say, in 2 weeks, do you think that would be safe?
On another note, I don’t want any problems with their comfort or safety or others on the other side not giving them their UNDIVIDED attention due to other events taking place!!! Our girls deserve only the very, beary best care and concern and handled with kit gloves, err, golden gloves!
What wonderful news about our girls!! Unfortunately I am not able to see them during the week as I have no access to Panda Cam at work, and live in another state, so visiting is out right now. We just did the Black & White Overnight, so will not be able to get back before the girls leave. (So thankful we got to do that!) Is it possible for the zoo to videotape some of their last days with us? I, for one, would be happy to purchase a DVD of the girls whether they are doing anything “interesting” or not! Love those wonderful bears and do not want to give them up!
Thanks, Megan, for the little update! The girls are leaving this month though, right? Also- sometime before Zhennie and Su leave, we should have a Panda Chat again!! That would be so fun and absolutely GREAT!
Peace, Love and Pandas CIAO
Lucilla (previous post) – Cute story! I can’t wait for Bai’s birthday, I hope she’ll get a cake this year!!
I’m sure all in pandafandom are happy to hear that we will have the girls for a little while longer. The extension would also allow them to have more training. There really is still a good window for their move. I know that the cooler months are preferable as they need to be protected from the higher temperatures of spring/summer, so they could go anytime between November and March.
I was on the cam a few minutes ago. It’s 7:46 p.m. SD time and Bai is chomping up a storm – she’s a hungry mama tonight. The ‘prince’ is sweetly slumbering on his hammock.
Awww, I am sad to hear these pandas must go. I have never been to San Diego Zoo before, but I am a Panda Cam viewer, and I remember them talking about these pandas. Oh well, when they leave – I hope they go together, not seperate!
I am so pleased to hear about the girls staying in San Diego a little longer since I was very concerned about the weather on each continent. But I thought the Chinese made the travel arrangements for the return of their pandas and they are paying for all of the expenses. Was I misinformed?
Is it safe for them to go to China right now ? What with all the natural disasters happening ? Just asking.
More time with Zhennie–yay!!!
I’m not any closer to being able to visit personally, but I will continue to relish her appearance on the cam and in Rita’s pictures.
Thank you Megan for the update on the girls. Personally, I thinks the states and the SDZ should have a serious conversation with China about having another permanent Panda Conservation and Research Center in the states. With the climate, the environment, the financial support and the know-how panda team, these should be enough reason for the China to agree and send a few male pandas for breeding.
Am sooooo elated and thankful that the girls are still here! Thank God for the delay and am looking forward to seeing the girls in less than 2 weeks from today. Thank you for the update. I will now have closure once I’ve seen them. I just can’t get enough of them…
Hi everyone, you guy must check this out. It’s Lun Lun in the pool, and she seemed enjoy floating in the water. Very lovely……don’t miss it;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEIuHZFhajo&feature=player_embedded#!
SL: Hey, did you hear Megan saying our trip has been delayed?
ZZ: Nope! Why?
SL: It’s the security issue due to the World Expo in Shanghai.
ZZ: But I want to see the World Expo!
SL: Don’t you want to stay here until Halloween? Our last Halloween?
ZZ: Halloween? I love Halloween!
SL: Me too! I will also miss Thanksgiving…Christmas…
ZZ: Not again, sis!
SL: I can’t help it! Well, want to plan how to celebrate our last Halloween if we stay that long?
ZZ: Count me in! What do you have in mind?
SL: Ummm…we’ll help Daddy carve pumpkins?
ZZ: And decorate the yards?
SL: We’ll help Mom make candy apples, the best candy apples – honey dipped!
ZZ: Yum!
SL: Maybe also ask Mom to bake boo-flavored pumpkin pies for us to bring to Hua Mei and Mei Sheng?
ZZ: Great idea! Next?
SL: Take Yun Zi trick-or-treating!
ZZ: What about the costumes?
SL: We’ll make them…how about a polar bear suit for our little brother?
ZZ: Ha ha ha! Maybe I will dress as a brown bear?
SL: Ok, I will go as a panda…that will make us The Three Bears-keteers!
I am due for my annual visit from England on September 10th, will the girls still be on exhibit then please?thanks
#1 DEBORAH M. BREWER Does this mean that Princess Lin Ping will be able to fly in for more reherals of “The Panda Girls”? They are a great act.
2. Deb E. You would have thought the folfs might have thought of this sooner—-I have known about it from MC in ShangaHai about the Worlds Fair for months—does anybody know when it started? It runs for a year.
4. DONNA FROM AZ Just as long as they do not send them dressed as Pumpkins—or Turkeys.
11. GRACIE It also gives the floods in China time to go down. We are are so blessed that we have had great weather.
Wonderful news. The more delays the better!!
Thank you for the update Megan. I am happy that their trip is delayed. Even though they are still on exhibit, can you still see them on Panda Cam? Either I have missed them on the panda cam or they are not shown on the Panda Cam.
Moderator’s note: The Cam is on Zhen Zhen’s exhibit as I write this.
I don’t think we should jump to conclusions that the girls will be here until November. That being said I am glad they are here for an extended stay however short or long that may be. It is great to still be able to see them. Any extra time we get with them is a bonus in my opinion.
Thanks for the update! I am glad you get to spend more time with them! Though I am not there to experience the joys of working with the girls, I have to say I smiled knowing there is a delay. Yaay is what my insides said.
I do wonder, though. Will Bai Yun know when they are gone? Will her senses pick up on it?
Just think…soon, Yun Zi will have his own space. I still enjoy him playing with mom though. Way too cute.
Megan, thanks for keeping us in the loop! Shanghai World Exposition runs until Oct. 31st. So we will be
able to have one last visit with the girls. Am planning a trip as we speak. This made my day.
Thank you Shanghai World Exposition. I guess this means I need to book a trip to San Diego. What fabulous news.
Megan, thanks for the update. It is a good feeling knowing that Su Lin and Zhen Zhen are still with you and still being able to enjoy the excellent care given to them by all of you.
I am particularly glad because I am at the SDZ this week and so the girls are still here!
Yeah!
I prayed that they would be able to stay, still be on exhibit, AND that no one or nothing would be hurt to have that happened… looks like my prayers were answered. No epidemic, no earthquake, no one hurt… just a travel plan issue.
Yeah!
I know many people are happy they are still here. I keep hearing things from the people in the crowd that they know something about pandas leaving. And they are happy to find out that they had the rare privledge to see 3 young pandas at one time… it’s only happened for a few months in the US and they are there to see it.
I know I am thrilled and am spending as much time as I can with them.
Joy
When I say the title of the blog, I thought, “Oh, no! — that there was a solid date for their leaving.” But you started my Friday off with a smile. All those you are fortunate enough to see them before they leave, tell them how much they are loved by so many people.
Any one following the lions at the NZ, they have put up a camera in Shera’s den, so you can watch her and her cubs.
Amen to that one! I hope they get to stay through next year so that I can come see Zhen Zhen next year. I was here in April but did not get to see Zhen Zhen.
I am happy that fans will continue to see the girls for a while longer. My regrets are even deeper, since I was unable to attend the ‘Panda Convention’ earlier this year. And I won’t be able to get there before they leave. Is the weather (heavy rains, mudslides, etc.) also a factor in the delay? I don’t know what the exact conditions are at Wolong/Bi Feng Xia, just that construction at various sites are being delayed.
There is an excellent article about Su Lin and Zhen Zhen on Pandas International from yeserday’s email update. Also some really sweet pictures. They also posted a picture of Tai Shan, and the resemblance between Su Lin and Tai Shan is remarkable! Their beautiful round faces and eyes are much the same.
Everyone please have a wonderful holiday weekend. Always be aware, and be careful out there. Be safe.
I am so happy to hear that the girls will be here a little longer! Even more time on pandacam; and more crate training; and more time for the hearing study. As Linda A. said – a great way to start the holiday weekend!! Thanks for keeping us updated, Megan.
I hope the girls don’t leave before the climbing structure gets put in afer all it was a tribute to them. things happen in mysterious ways
So glad to hear that we have a little extra time with ZZ and Su! They will be missed soooooooo much!!
Do you think that you could keep us informed on how they are doing in china?
Moderator and panda team
Do you have the exhibit hours for ZZ since she was on limited viewing hours throughout the summer. It would be greatly appreciated. Thx.
Moderator’s note: I’ll find out.
Happy day for the Exposition! Good job Expo! We can keep our girls a few more ?? Whatever will keep them around! thanks so much for the news Megan! You re a treat for us. What a joyous day fo all of us panda lovers! Such dear little girls!
xxxooo kisses and hugs from all of us for the news!
Aww…I could lie and say I’m sad that they’ve had to stay but everyone would know it’s a baldfaced lie!! Yay, more time with my favorite girl, Zoooooooommmmiiieeee!!! Muah! Big Kiss for her!!!
Rejoice! The panda girls are still here! Now we need more cam time for them.
Great news that the girls get to stay with us a little longer so we can see them on the cam even if we can’t visit the zoo.
I have a question they had said that there would a cam set up before long so we can see Tai Shan again. Has anyone heard anymore about this?
#51 Pam T.
There has been a delay in the Tai Shan cam due to the weather/mud slides, etc. in China. They are still working on it.
WAS HAPPY TO SEE SU LIN ON PANDA CAM 2 THIS MORNING…
YES! Still safe and well loved in San Diego which is precisely where they belong and need to stay!
Thanks for the update about the girls. When I saw the title, I thought they were stuck in an airport somewhere. I am glad to see that a potential problem was avoided and that the safety of the pandas is taken so seriously, as should be.
#108 Ruth from Austria from the previous blog – Thanks for the update about the newborn in Schoenbrunn. I am glad that cub and mom are doing well and that Yang Yang is relying on the experience she acquired with Fu Long to relax a bit and take time for some short breaks. The first color picture of the cub can be seen on www(dot)zoovienna(dot)at/news/neuigkeiten-rund-um-das-pandajunge/
and don’t all laugh, at this stage of the development, color makes a difference as the cub is more pinkish-greyish than black and white…
#110 weegee from the previous blog – I suspect than unless there is reason for concern, the keepers will leave Yang Yang and her cub alone and it might take a while until the sex of the cub is determined. They are very much hands off, as it should be.
Since Su Lin and Zhen Zhen’s stay is extended, the SDZ has recruited a Chinese tutor to help the two sisters get a jump start in their Chinese language training. After just a few hours of instruction, Su Lin and Zhen Zhen are more than ready to show off their language skills. Let’s take a look at their short speeches waiting to be delivered to the big crowds in China:
Hello everyone! Dajia hao!
I am Su Lin, Wo shi Su Lin,
five years old [this year]. jinnian wu sui.
I have four siblings: Wo you si ge xiongdi jiemei:
one older sister, yige jiejie,
one older brother, yige gege,
one younger sister, yige meimei,
one younger brother. yige didi.
Thank you! Xiexie!
Hello! Nin hao!
My name is Zhen Zhen, Wo de mingzi shi Zhen Zhen,
three years old [this year]. jinnian san sui.
I love to eat bamboo, Wo xihuan chi zhuzi,
climb trees, pa shu,
make new friends. jiao xin pengyou.
Thank you all! Xiexie dajia!
Finally, Su Lin and Zhen Zhen have a special message to all their fans in North America:
Happy Labor Day! Laodong jie kuaile!
I was just checking the pictures on Flickr and there is a series of pictures from Rita Petita of Yun Zi and Bai Yun that is so funny, don’t miss it http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/
I was also looking for pictures of Xi Lan and Yang Yang after reading today’s update on the Atlanta Zoo’s website saying that Xi Lan is looking quite a lot like his daddy. I am not sure I agree with that, I think Xi Lan doesn’t quite have his daddy’s ears. His fur also looks more like Lun Lun’s. I found some recent pictures of Xi Lan taken on his birthday by bob2cleo. http://www.flickr.com/photos/58141177@N00/sets/72157624719574531/
Bob2cleo has quite a few sets of nice pictures of the pandas in Atlanta http://www.flickr.com/photos/58141177@N00/
YAY more time with Zhennie.
If only I could win some money so I can fly down to SD to see her!!
around 5:30 today I clicked on the panda cam and its pretty dark but i know its not dark outside.
This has happened before to me. I can barely make out bushes so its still on but not viewable.
Thanks
Moderator’s note: I’m afraid that happens from time to time. Sorry!
#26 Weegee: I agree with you… China receives alot of money from other countries including the USA from the “leasing” of the Pandas and the zoos, especially SDZ have had such success with reproduction… Let’s keep our Pandas here…
On another note: Weegee – just how many wipedowns does LP get in a week? I was able to watch her on her Live TV this evening and she was getting anothr wipedown from the keeper with the spikey hair. Also, I’ve noticed that sometimes HK and CK will wear protective gowns but the other keepers just wear the zoo “surgical” type tops… Do you know why that is? She seems to get alot of stuffed toys.. I’m thinking she can rip those apart pretty easily? When will she be able to go to her outside exhibits to climb trees?
She is getting so big… her nose is a grey color instead of black,she has a hairlick on her forehead, but she has al the good looks from LH and CC and her own unique personality… She is a pretty neat bear. No other bear has the Stevie Wonder moves that she does…
#56 Gracie: Okay… this is Chinese, right? This is not an easy language to learn… How are you and Lucilla so proficient at it?
#58 Danielle: Really nice pictures of Xi Lan… He is such a cutie… Thanks for posting..
‘Hurry, Papa, have you memorized the words?’ asks Su Lin
‘Hee Hee, girls, Papa still has it in him, don’t worry,’ assures Gao Gao as he puts on his reading glasses and pulls out some song lyrics.
‘OK, Yunnie, hit it!’ commands Zhen Zhen who wrote the music.
And with that the Panda Grrls plus one swing into action as they accompany Gao Gao who is rehearsing for his wife’s birthday surprise.
‘Papa, you gotta swing a bit more, move your paws a bit more…..let me show you…’ advises ZZ
‘OK OK, Zhennie, I got it, hee hee, Papa’s still rockin and rollin. I’m saving up for the big day!’
‘Papa, can you come and help me finish my present for Mama?’ asks Yunnie, ‘I just got a bit more to go.’
‘Sure, boy and you are doing a fine job.’
‘Does Mama suspect?’
‘Nope, I told her I would take her for a bamboo treat that’s all, hee hee,’ grins Gao Gao, @I can’t wait, she’ll be so pleased. At 19, she still the only one for me. Boy, next time find yourself a good woman like Ma and stick with her. No regrets, you hear?’
‘Yes, Papa. And I want my wife to have Mama’s nice ears!’
‘Ah, Yunnie, those ears are rare and combined with those fluffy cheeks and…..I cna’t wait till next Spring!’
‘What’s happening next Spring, Papa?’ asks Yunnie trying to look wide eyed and innocent while his 2 sisters are giggling in a heap/
‘That’s when bells will ring, ting-a-ling-a-ling, that’s amore, and Mama and I will fly to the moon and sing among the stars, hee hee! Ahem….here she comes, watch out, boy, she’s your Mama!’
‘And what is my darling family up too?’ Bai Yun asks looking a little suspicious as ZZ and Su Lin cant stop giggling.
‘Papa is trying to teach Yunnie about the birds and the bees!’ says Su Lin in another giggly outburst.
‘AND what has Papa taught you, hmm, young man? demands Bai Yun.
‘He taught me about moon, stars and pizza pies, fun. I can’t wait to fall in love!’ declares Yunnie as he starts to play with his feetsies.
‘IT wont be for another 4-5 years and then I pity the poor girl who has to sire your cubbies!’
‘But I pwromise to be a hands on Papa! I will do diaper checks and pway with the babies. And if we use bwottles, I can feed the babies too! YUN ZI, best hero Panda Father, that’s me!’
‘Chip off the old….’ and Gao Gao stops mid-sentence as Bai is giving him her Stare of Solid Icicles.
TO BE CONTINUED
#56 GRACIE—love your conversation by the girls……their speaches are a delight. I love when we get little lessons in Chinese and Chinese culture. Lucilla includes them in her writings too, just a little learning a little at a time. A little cultrual and language understanding can bring the people together. I love watching some funny Panda Videos in other languages……because laughter sounds the same in any language.
So all of you writers out there who can add some culture and langujage to enhance our visits wih you “go for it” a lot of us are ready for more.
#56 Gracie- Cute speeches! I can just imagine Su and Zhennie saying that stuff… Happy Almost Labor Day! Laodong jie kuaile!
#55 Danielle – Thank you. I just finished watching a panda Fu Long documentary on TV, now I’ve got the idea how the Austrian keepers handle their pandas. By the way Fu Long was super cute when he first stepped out of his den. It may take a while until the next documentary of Yang Yang’s second cub to be broadcast.
#107 Linda luvs pandas and #109 Marie from Previous blog – The reason the Chinese separates 6mth-old cubs from their mama only because they need those mama pandas to get back to their estrus cycle asap. Breast feeding will stop the estrus in female panda.
Quick update on Schoenbrunn’s panda cub. Is keeping very well and black markings are more obvious. Seems to be a happy baby. The zoo has installed two video cameras showing videos of the den but not live since the baby is almost permanently covered by his mother Yang Yang in order to be kept warm. The panda diary as well as the first photos of the cub can be seen on:
zoovienna (dot) at/news/neuigkeiten-rund-um-das-pandajunge/
Fu Long’s 3rd birthday was celebrated in China with banners featuring happy birthday wishes for Fu Long. I also sent a wish to him. Then he was treated with cake and bamboo and other things which pandas like.
Moderator’s note: Ruth, just so you know, we do not allow direct links to other sites, other than social media site such as youtube, so the (dot) was added to the URL you provided.
So glad they get to stay for a while longer! My only regret is I was unable to see Yunior in person because I didn’t get there this year and don’t see it happening before they leave. I visited San Diego and the Zoo for the first time Feb last year and got to ‘meet’ Zhen Zhen and have been in love with the pandas ever since. I hope my plans for me to relocate to CA works out and I am able to visit them often!
Just back from a mostly internet-free summer, catching up with the pandas.
This must have been asked before, but is there a chance the SDZ will get another (additional, I mean) female from China (or elsewhere) to breed with Gao Gao? Or is he to remain monogamous? It seems the zoo will have room, certainly has an experienced staff, and Bai Yun won’t mate for another year, if then. “Nobody does it better” than the SDZ!
Moderator’s note: I have not heard of any plans to obtain another female panda at this time.
It is great news that Su Lin and Zhen Zhen are staying a little longer. Su Lin and Zhen Zhen had met at howdy gate; it was very interesting how they interacted. Is it possible that Yun Zi meet his older sisters before they leave for China, since he will be a couple of months older? Can it be arranged when mom, Bai Yun, is in her bedroom? It would be interesting to study with a follow up in the future to see if they still remember one another, from their meetings and/or scents that might be similar.
I hope September turns into October. I am coming to see them the end of September so please do what you can to keep them there until then
The first panda cub born in the semi-wild training base is one-month old. Take a look at him:
chinapanda (dot) org.cn/news/show_art.php?id=839&hl=cn
Please go to the site and vote for his name.
Panda Fan #72–thanks for the link to those pictures of the cubbie! The English site seems to be very behind–couldn’t find those pictures or the place to vote for his name anywhere. What’s Chinese for “Born to be Wild”? LOL!
BE SURE NOT TO MISS GAO GAO IN HIS GARDEN AT Rita Petita’s Flikr account…lovely Panda Pics,Lovely bear.
http://www (dot) flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/
To repair the link remove all spaces and (dot) and replace with a period.
I would like to share my video of the keeper trying to pick up Yun Zi this week
He is so cute and looks like fun to us watching (noticed Danielle, NY) posted some
flickr too. I don’t see my post from this week so will try again
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sharonlower/4949298523/in/pool-sharonskorner
thank You
Sharon
#60 Dianna from Ohio – Re Lin Ping and her Stevie Wonder moves – Mei Xiang at the National Zoo in D.C. does them every time she wants to go outside and the keepers are slow to open her door. At one time, she and her cub Tai Shan would do the “stevie” together when they both wanted out – too funny!
#67 Ruth from Austria – thank you so much for sharing the news and photo of the new panda cub at Schoenbrunn. Great to know that the little one is doing well. If possible, could you please check into something for us panda fans? The zoo website screens have a label on the upper right that says “Choose your language”. I assumed this was a translator; however, when I clicked on it and then clicked on the US flag, I got the Visitor Information screen and not the screen where the daily panda reports are shown. Last year, I remember being able to see the reports of Fu Long’s progress in English; it would be great if we could do this again with the new cub. Thanks, Ruth.
#72 Panda Fan – Thank you very much for sharing the link to the photos of the new cub in the semi-wild training area. So exciting to see the mother and cub in such a natural setting! They both look very well. I wish them all the best, and best wishes to the other bears who are waiting for their cubs to be born. I’m so hoping the program will be a success.
#60 Dianna, Ohio – LP gets daily clean up twice a day; before going into her exhibit and after getting back to her enclosure. CC and LH usually have their wipe down mostly in the morning.
About the top the keeper wearing, the pullover is for the keeper who’s on duty, and the long gown is for anyone who has a short visit at the enclosure area.
The plush toys you saw were from fans all over the country. Yes, LP could easily tear them apart but mostly she just snuggled and nuzzled those plush animals. Keeper used them to draw LP’s attention so the keeper could do the jobs like clean up the room or wipe down LP’s body.
If the winter came sooner, we would see her at the outdoor exhibit around November.
LUCILLA I JUST WENT OVER THE COMMENT SECTION AND FOUND your wonderful start of a story. Keep up the good work and we will buy you a nice pen and paper for being so creative. There will be about 50 of us to come by-and we will need you to find us a place to sleep (free) and we will need a couple of meals…..then off to China to see more Pandas. Oh silly me, I forgot I cannot afford a trip at all…..good luck on getting paper and pen…we will see what we can do…..Love Grammmie
I have question about Gao Gao. Why cant we take pictures of him? Do we have to pay China Residuals or something, like when someone uses someone’s song? I got to go to the Zoo today, and the misters were on and for the first time in years I saw Gao Gao, but only the tip of the nose and maybe a paw. What ever. Clue, stick your camera OVER THE TOP OF THE WOODEN FENCE and take a picture.
Moderator’s note: It’s just that Gao Gao is currently in an off-exhibit enclosure.
Fu Long’s little sibling, born August 23, 2010, is doing pretty well. This video shows Mummy Yang Yang and the cute cubbie, 12 days old: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fD1DbzlElo
I don’t want to see Mister Gao having an affair with another woman….Bai and Gao are meant for each other!
On the other hand, Bai has given us wonderful children, shouldn’t she be able to relax now and rest on her laurels?
She has delivered the most excellent, beautiful children possible, both she and Mister Gao. Does SDZ have to keep Bai preggers in order to stay in the program with China? She is almost 20 now, isn’t she? Just curious…
#28, Weegee-thank you for the site, Lun Lun is adorable in her pool, flapping her little paws in the water, how sweet is that?! Hope everyone checks this out!
Moderator’s note: There is no stipulation in our loan agreement that Bai Yun is to keep producing cubs.
Here is the address you may either vote or provide your own name:
chinapanda (dot) org (dot) cn/topic/20100902/
They are all in Chinese. But I am sure it’s OK to give an English name as long as the translation sounds nice.
#70 Lee
The other bear meetings occurred with weaned animals. We won’t separate him from Mom for something like this. Not to mention that he is much younger than the other bears were at their encounters; it could be stressful for him.
Not going to happen; Bai Yun would have a fit
#105 Frances in NYC from the previous blog: Little Cloud is just way too cute! Let’s hope he keeps up with his promise of being more photogenic (no more front or back end only, please).
Many thanks to Rita for all the great pictures!
Panda Fan #83–maybe you–or some of our other Chinese speakers could translate some of the top names for us? My translator converted the first name to “steel Beng children” which I’m sure must not be a very good translation…
Great new pictures from Rita Petita (as always), lots of good info about the new German cubbie and eagerly awaiting the next part of Lucilla’s new story. Thanks, everybody!
Now if only my thought waves could persuade someone to sneak into the control room and find us some pandas to watch on the cam…
Interesting article about Tai Shan from a Chinese news site. Very cute drawing of him, too!
news (dot) xinhuanet(DOT)com/english2010/indepth/2010-08/14/c_13444699.htm
#61 Dianna from Ohio:
Yes, it’s Chinese! I started with Google’s translation tool to get “pinyin” (a romanization system). To double-check accuracy, I used various online sites and asked someone for help.
#63 Grammmie:
Thank you! I suppose the girls will have to learn standard Mandarin with an infusion of the Sichuan dialect. It’s a big task, but I am sure the smart sisters will get the hang of it in no time.
#64 Annie Panda:
Thank you! I can imagine the girls saying the speeches in Chinese but with an American English accent!
By the way, I found a slightly different way of saying Happy Labor Day. You can use either “LaoDong” or “LaoGong” for the word Labor.
Laodong / Laogong = Labor
Jie = Holiday
Kuaile = Happy
Dear Moderator (#82): Thank you for this information. It may have been covered before, but obviously I missed it. This is good to know. Bai’s health is so important, obviously. I would rather her live to a very healthy ripe old age.
Hugs to momma Bai! I love you Bai, you are sooo beautiful and have given me so much joy over the last 3 plus years.
Hail to the Gao family and SD Zoo, you are just the best. You help me through my down days, you always lift my spirits. I am forever indebted to you all.
Gosh, it’s good on the eyes to see my Zhennie, but she sure doesn’t look very comfortable in that tree right now…trees for pillows…..oooouufff! I wish I could be your pillow, Zhennie. I would make myself all soft and fluffy for such a princess…..
I will enjoy some other cam of Zennie and Su thanks to Shangai Expo! Thanks God.
this make me more ready for the leaving of the girls
Does anyone have the Tai Shan video about his “cool stuff” and that baby pool he was dragging around? I tried to search for it on youtube but didn’t get the right video… it’s probably my all time favorite cubbie video… thanks!
Weegee: thanks for the answers… when LH and CC get their wipedowns, are they in a crate? What is our girl weighing?
Time to catch a nice set of photos of Bai Yun And Yun Zi are enjoying a nursing session. He may think he is all grown up because he is a year old, but this will remind you he is still our BABY. Just click on the link below for her Flikr page and turn pages until you get to a photo you have seen,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/
Enjoy your time at Rita Petita’s photos since they go back as much as 11 years…..and see whenever she gets a new camera…..Love Grammmie
Be sure to read the comments below the photos whenever you have time—they are often a gas, and often show the awards she wins.
I am happy to hear the panad girls will be staying but i will miss watching them on my computer, I watch them forever.
#81 Jola, Austria – thank you very much for the link to the video of Yang Yang and her new cub. The little one is doing very well. Another cub to watch and keep track of is great!
Wouldn’t it be more logical and cheaper for China, to send a male over here for our girls?
Plus they make money off of us breeding their pandas in loan fees.
We would just have to slightly enlarge our exhibit area for him.
Panda Team: Thanks for helping us appreciate why there cannot be a meeting of Yun Zi and his sisters. When will Yun Zi be weaned from Bai Yun? We get so much joy from seeing him and Bai interact so playfully that I’m sure it will be another sad (albeit necessary) event for us pandafans… Thanks for you loving care of our adorable pandas and sharing your insights with us.
Moderator’s note: Usually at 17 to 18 months of age.
BREAKING NEWS FROM PROJECT BAMBOO, THE TOP SECRET PANDAS IN SPACE PROGRAM:
The TOP SECRET Bamboo 15 mission, the first all-panda space shuttle flight, is underway with an unannounced launch from Pad 39-A at sundown tonight.
Space Shuttle veteran astronauts Commander “Sooperpanna” Tai Shan and Pilot “X-Man” Xi Lan are accompanied by first-time panda fliers “Lanibear” Mei Lan, “Fooey” Fu Long, “Honeybear” Su Lin, and “Zoomie” Zhen Zhen.
Liftoff occurred on time at 8:30 PM National Zoo Time, and the specially marked Space Shuttle Discovery was in orbit nine minutes later.
Project Bamboo has released the following Bamboo 15 mission images:
Self-portrait of Space Shuttle Commander “Sooperpanna” Tai Shan en-route to the Kennedy Space Center in his NASA T-38 jet for the historic launch: http://www.flickr.com/photos/45944933@N00/4906175431/
Group photo of the entire crew in front of the simulator in Houston: http://www.flickr.com/photos/45944933@N00/4894925944/
Photo of the historic liftoff, taken by remote camera at the perimeter of the launch pad: http://www.flickr.com/photos/45944933@N00/4962465424/
Stay tuned for more information as details on this TOP SECRET mission are released. Project Bamboo, your TOP SECRET Pandas In Space Program, thanks you for your continued support!
#81 JOLA AUSTRIA Thank YOU and ANYBODY ELSE that gave us access to see the video of Fu Long’s new brother or sister. Your links are faster and easier than trying to figure out what words to look for when searching. I can state right now that the cub looks big, healthy and every bit as cute as any Panda cub I have ever seen…..Love Grammmie
#82 KAT WILSON I thought another way to double cub with a second wife to breed the years that Bai was busy rearing her cubs……But another wife in that family was not thought to be practical since Bai is a bit jealous and stated something about rest…..I think it goes “REST–I WILL GIVE YOU REST”. As for Bai being tired…..she has been chasing Yunior around to get him to play for an hour or more…..even sticking her head in the hammock and making him wake up. The flashing from the night zoo cameras are going at it pretty good as the bears put on their show for he folks.
#81 Lola Thank you so much for the video of Fu Long’s new baby sister or brother so adorable.
#60 Dianna from Ohio and #76 Pandafan-North – I also noticed LP would do the Stevie move, whenever she wanted something or scared of something. CC did it sometimes but never occurred to LH. When LH wanted more food or snacks, she would slam or shake the enclosure’s door and would stop doing it when got what she wanted.
Rita posted some great photos of Zhennie and her little snacks and Yunnie & Bai. So adorable! I hope everybody has a great Labor Day tomorrow! Also, tomorrow is Mei Lan’s birthday! Mei Lan is from Zoo Atlanta and she will be turning 4 this year! She lives in China now though… She went on the flight with Tai Shan! Anyway, Have a Panda-ful day!
Peace, Love and Pandas CIAO!
Annie Panda
#77 pandafan-north, I will gladly find out for you. I did try it myself but it does not seem to work. However, if you look up pandaworld (dot)de you will find the panda diary in English, too.
Grammie, I noticed that you sent congrats to Vienna Zoo. And Jola, Vienna Zoo advised the link to a video of the new panda baby. So the networking seems to be working well. I mentioned to Schoenbrunn that I am more or less the “middle woman” between SDZ and Schoenbrunn. So let’s carry on with the info channel!
‘SOOOOO LIN! ZHEEEEEENIE??? YUNNIEEEEE? Where are you? I want to go to the mall to buy some special yams for the Mid Autumn Festival Celebrations this Sat! Where are you, rascals? Ai, why is it sooo dark?’ mutters Bai Yun as she stumbles along the path in her enclosure.
‘SURPRISE!!! Shen Re Kuai Lei! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!’ yelled Su Lin, Zhen Zhen, Yunnie and Gao Gao.
Hanging from the tree was an eight foot long scroll of rice paper with a bamboo brush painting of lovely Bai Yun, amongst a glade of bamboo drawn by Yunnie, supervised by Gao Gao. And there was a couplet written in Chinese that said (in translation),
With one look, my heart was stolen
A beautiful cloud, my love forever!
And on the table sat 19 lovely specially made bamboo moon cakes interlinked with bamboo sticks to form a pyramid. Nestled in the pyramid was the Chinese numerals for 19. These cakes were specially baked by Su Lin and Zhen Zhen as Bai Yun’s special birthday cake. Each individual cake had lotus, yam and bean paste with gingko nuts, walnuts, orange peel and many other yummy fruits. The girls have also embroidered a special qi pao (Chinese gown) in gold and red for their Mama. On it, there was the entire Gao family and Hua Mei’s as well sewn as the central panel down the front of the long gown.
Bai Yun was gobsmacked. She sat down on her haunches and beamed.
Gao Gao places a flute of boo wine into her paw and signals there is more.
With Su Lin on keyboard, Zhen Zhen on guitar and Yunnie on drums, Gao Gao sings Bai’s favourite Theresa Teng song ‘The Moon Represents My Heart’ and then he sings his original song that he has been writing and revising with the help of the Panda Grrrrls (even Lin Ping via SKYPE),
‘When I saw you standing there, beautiful sweet White Cloud,
My heart left and now belongs only to you, my love…’
as the song ends, Gao Gao gets on the knees of his back legs and asks,
‘Bai Baby, Shall we renew our wedding vows next Spring?’
Bai Yun blushed and gently reached out and placed her paw on his face. He reached out and sealed it with a kiss. She giggled, ‘ Not in front of the kids, Gao!’
‘WHAT? WHAT?’ yells Yunnie as he runs forward so as not to miss anything. Zhen Zhen covers his eyes, ‘Not now, Baby Bro, maybe next year we’ll tell ya! Hee Hee!’
‘ARE WE LATE?’ and with that the other bears from SDZ enter the enclousre via a secret entrance. The polar bears came bearing ice cream, the sun bears honey baked custard pies and the grizzlies brought some baked treats.
Then everyone joined in to sing a rollin and rolickin HAPPY BIRTHDAY BAIBEE with the birthday bear jiving along. She still has swing!
And so they partied like there was no tomorrow and if some Panda Friends wondered why the cameras were showing a blue screen, maybe there is an explanation as Xi Lan taught Yunnie a few tricks over the phone. If the screen did clear for a while, you would have seen a panda couple waltzing away and 3 young pandas looking very pleased with themselves.
THE END
I WISH BAI YUN THE HAPPIES BIRTHDAY. I forgot to mention it first thing then decided the upperemost blog so others can be reminded if need be. She had her fifth baby when she had Yunior, I had my first baby when I was 19, but I never had five of them or twins. To every one else in the world I wish a happy day to each and every one of you……………Love Grammmie
Hey, Bruce–welcome back! Glad the girls are still here to take part in another important Pandas in Space mission.
And thanks, Rita, for more wonderful pictures of Zhennie and the rest of the family!
Happy Labor Day, everyone!
Lucilla- Oh wow! Sounds like the ultimate Panda Birthday Party! I can’t believe Bai will be nineteen tomorrow!
Awww-and Lucilla–that’s probably Bai’s best birthday ever!
Re:Translation of Schoenbrunn’s panda diary. Apparently one can use the Google translation tool. I hope it is going to work. The zoo will certainly internationally advise the baby’s gender once known. Otherwise I shall let you know, for sure! I have just read today’s panda diary. Here is the translation:
“Yang Yang has been taking shorter trips more often by leaving the den for about 10 minutes. Since yesterday she has already been four times to the room being located next to the den. There she fed on bamboo and water which is continuously being available to her. However, she takes only short breaks in order to move around a bit, to eat some bamboo leaves and loses her excrements. On return Yang Yang, the caring mother very slowly and carefully approaches her cub and takes it into her mouth before sitting down again. She has to rely solely both on her hearing and smelling abilities in the dark den (which she did choose for herself) in order to localize her cubbie.”
I shall try to translate the panda diary for you every second day, alright?
BREAKING NEWS FROM PROJECT BAMBOO, THE TOP SECRET PANDAS IN SPACE PROGRAM:
The TOP SECRET Bamboo 15 mission, the first all-panda space shuttle flight made a successful unannounced launch from the Kennedy Space Center Sunday evening. Strapped into their seats on the flight deck were veteran astronauts “Sooperpanna” Tai Shan, the mission commander; “X-Man” Xi Lan, shuttle pilot; and first time fliers “Lanibear” Mei Lan, the flight engineer; and “Honeybear” Su Lin, Mission Specialist #1. Seated on the mid-deck were “Fooey” Fu Long, Mission Specialist #2; and “Zoomie” Zhen Zhen, Mission Specialist #3.
After the successful secret launch the pandas changed out of their orange spacesuits and eagerly ate a post-launch meal of bamboo shoots, apples, and pears. Several housekeeping chores were performed before the pandas went to sleep four hours after launch.
Flight day two began this morning with the traditional crew wakeup song, “Happy Birthday” in honor of “Lanibear” Mei Lan’s 4th birthday. The day will be spent performing various panda experiments, and preparing for arrival at the International Space Station tomorrow,
Two more images have been released of Bamboo 15 orbital operations:
Bamboo 15 Shuttle Pilot “X-Man” Xi Lan takes pictures of the large orange external tank as it flies in formation with the Space Shuttle Discovery. The TOP SECRET all-panda mission launched on Sept. 5: http://www.flickr.com/photos/45944933@N00/4964372320/
Just hanging around at 17,500 MPH…..Bamboo 15 Space Shuttle Pilot “X-Man” Xi Lan floats in place in front of the mid-deck lockers aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on Flight Day Two. To his left (photo right) is a sleep restraint used by the astronauts at night when sleeping: http://www.flickr.com/photos/45944933@N00/4676995114/
Stay tuned for more information as details on this TOP SECRET mission are released. Project Bamboo, your TOP SECRET Pandas In Space Program, thanks you for your continued support!
#92 Dianna from Ohio – This is how CC and LH get their wipe down;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omwBB4NLVvA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVpxTqg4WiI&feature=related
CK planned to weigh LP yesterday but the plan had changed. I guess he will try again today. CK tried to lift LP up and carried her to another room. He did complain to himself that LP’s weight must be almost equal to his.
Lucilla #104, soooo sweet. Thank you.
Hello panda team and moderator,
Just checking to see if you have any update on ZZ’s viewing schedule after Labor Day….??? Thanks.
Moderator’s note: I’m still awaiting an answer.
Just in case I am not able to send a message tomorrow I want to wish a very Special Happy Birthday to Momma Bai. She has given us so much over the years. Maybe 1 more cubbie is wishful thinking on my part!
Doesn’t matter she is the best! Hope she gets a special treat for her day.
#92 Dianna from Ohio – I believe the video you are looking for is: “Cool Tai and his Hideout” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkoTwka8dIA
#92 Dianna from Ohio – here is the Tai video you were looking for (it’s my all time favorite Tai Shan video).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkoTwka8dIA
Enjoy!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY dear Mei Lan, “Atlanta Beauty”!!!!
#104 Lucilla – great story~nice ending! Hey, do you know you are up to 88 stories now? Hey, if you come to the convention next March, we could plan to do something around your stories at the banquet!! Have you joined the FaceBook group yet? It’s Pandafandom Worldwide. See you there!
Dearest Bai Yun,
Happy Bearday to one of the most amazing Panda Mama Heroes ever! May you be blessed with good health and may your family increase, bringing fame and glory to their Mama.
Pandafan-north – Yes, I have joined the FB group as I do have an exisiting FB account. 88 – imagine that. Am glad to see soooo many writers, Gracie, Bruce from KC (Welcome back), Britney, P Wong and Wee Gee….Will see my work schedule next year as we have staff planning next month.
Dianna from Ohio, I think, you asked how I know Chinese. I am a Singaporean Chinese lady. My Chinese isn’t totally up to scratch as I speak mainly English but I did have to learn it all the way through to senior high school (our equivalent). I try to approximate the type of Mandarin spoken in informal family settings when I write my stories.
As I posted elsewhere, Singapore is getting a pair of Pandas and the publicity build up is starting as we are getting short videos of the pair and there is hype about naming them. Because the bears are from China and Singapore is multi-ethnic, everyone is having fun trying to incorporate the two aspects in the names.
However, there are some critics that question the costs; building special enclosures, and the pandas like our polar bears need air conditioning 24/7. Some feel it is cruel to bring animals from a temperate zone to a tropical zone.
I think the educational value of having the pandas for 10 years with us outweigh the costs. Also they will be here as part of larger research programmes into areas like reproduction and diet. I went to Chiang Mai Zoo when I was on a job attachment in Thailand. I saw CC and LH before LP came into the picture. Adorable. Can’t wait for Hubao and Wujie to come to Singapore. Am wondering what their new names will be too!
Hi, you all! Sorry I haven’t written on the comment pages in awhile, but I have read the last 3 articles. Been quite busy with alot of stuff going on here. I’m glad that Su Lin and Zhen Zhen are able to stay at SDZ for a little while longer. I thought the World Expo in Shanghai would have been over with by now, but apparently the Expo is still ongoing for a while longer. That means that the girls will be around for the zoo visitors to see them in person, and for the pandafans to see them on the pandacam for at least a few more days and/or weeks. Take advantage of this small window of time to watch ZZ and Su Su!
Read the latest update about Lun Lun on the Atlanta Zoo website’s panda page. The keepers and vets are still waiting on Lun to show signs of having a panda cub. She is now 85 days since her AI as of today, 9/6, Labor Day. They are still monitoring Lun’s hormone levels, behavior changes, physical changes, as well as doing regular ultrasound sessions on her. They are pretty positive enough to start getting ready for birth watch by getting more people in to help out with monitoring of Lun on a 24/7 basis that will be coming up soon. They are expecting new hormone analysis results in sometime this week. That will tell them where Lun is at on her hormone levels.
Still no news about Mei Xiang and Tian Tian either staying in DC or leaving for China yet. NZ officials are still apparently in ongoing negotiations with Chinese officials about the pandas. Just checked the NZ pandacams, and both of them are napping right now. Now, if you all are crazy nuts about baby animals, there is some great news from NZ about their lioness, Shera. She gave birth to 4 lion cubs very late on Aug. 30th thru very early morning on Aug. 31. They have a lion cub cam set up on the lion page on the NZ website. These 4 cubs are sooo precious, adorable, and very cute, and they are doing very well with their first time mom. No genders yet since the lion keepers are not bothering Shera right now to allow her time to bond with her babies.
Well, I hope that all of you and the animals have had a very nice, wonderful Labor Day with family and friends today. I just did alot of relaxing and watched the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon! Then, I got on the cams to check out the pandas and the lion cubs, and wrote this comment up to let you all know I am still around!
Got other news about pandas but on another comment section from me!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Lucilla #104: Grand ending
Bruce in KC #110: Great photos of the latest adventure!
To All: LCNessie has placed a great trip down memory lane to celebrate Mei Lan’s birthday. Definitely a must see
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuFr_uyupZk
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMA BAI YUN!!
#96 JESLYN I don’t know if yours is the right answer—-but it shows you’re thinking.
#98 BRUCE IN KC We have been asking where you are and what you are doing….you have been gone so long……but now that you are back with your great stuff please be sure to check in every now and then.
I have posted the link to your Project Bamboo so the new folks know what is going on, I will post it again now for those who missed it. Now if we could just find Joseph…………
Top Secret link to Project files going back to the start.
members.trainorders.com/atsf90east/Project_Bamboo.pdf Copy and paste to your browser and remember you need to get personal clearance to be able to open the link, from a Panda they are the best judges.
Was Fooey in orbit when the announcement of his sibling’s birth was accomplished and announced on Fooey’s Bearday? Lots of births this time of year but siblings to have them exactly 3 years apart is very special.
#104 RUTH FROM AUSTRIA I just wanted to add my joy to the rest of the Panda World, knowing how proud you all are. Have any of you offered to babysit when Mom wants a little unwinding time with Dad? If you work a it a bit I bet you could get lots of volunteers. Have Mom and Dad recieved word from Fu Long????? It is possible he was in orbit when he heard, since he was on the Project Bamboo flight 15.
Love and good wishes to all of you and your Panda Family.
LUCILLA I need a dictionary to come up with some new ways to tell you how much we love your stories. For now you will just have to imagine the new words.
I will pray for our girls for a safe trip. ZZ is the first panda that I watched from her birth to now. My mom and I did a trip down to SDZ to see her when we got there she was sleeping. She and bai yin were in the classroom so we could only see her for 9-12 it still great to see her sleeping. I look forward to seeing our pandas that will be staying with us. To the keepers that will be traveling with the girls be careful and stay safe. Will miss the girls a lot.
Hi again! Need to say Happy Birthdays to a few pandas! Happy Birthday to Lun Lun-Aug 25, Tian Tian-Aug. 27, Xi Lan-Aug. 30, Mei Lan-Sept. 6 (today!), Bai Yun-Sept. 7 (tomorrow!), and Yang Yang-Sept. 9. Xi Lan is the youngest of the bunch at 3 years old! Gao Gao will have his special bday later on.
On the panda cub birth news, there have been a few more baby pandas born in China in the last month! At Bifengxia/Wolong, Gong Zhu had one baby panda cub on Aug. 24th, then the next day on Aug. 25th, Gong Zhu’s daughter, Jun Zhu, also had a baby panda cub! Gong Zhu became a mom and grandmom in about 24 hours! At Chengdu Panda Base, Qi Zhen, 11 years old, had twins–one male, one female; the dad is Lin Lin.
So, here’s the latest list of momma pandas that have given birth to cubs this year so far at both Bifengxia/Wolong and Chengdu since July. All of this info came from my latest Pandas International email newsletter. Ying Hua, Zhu Yun, Ju Xiao (twins), Long Xin, Fei Fei, Shui Xiu (twins), Cao Cao, Na Na, Ge Ge, Ji Ni, Mei Qing. Ji Ni at Bifengxia was the biggest surprise! At 17 years old, she gave birth to a female panda cub weighing 125 grams which is defying the odds. Ji Ni also defied the odds at 13 years old when she gave birth to her first cub in a pregnancy that lasted around 324 days! So, there’s hope for Bai Yun for having another cub in another year or so after Yuni gets weaned!
Well, that’s all of the baby panda news for now. Hopefully, PI will announce more panda cub births during this month (September). Let’s all enjoy watching Su and ZZ while we have this extra time with them!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
I have been away and my heart is aching and my tears are flowing reading that ZZ is leaving with SuLin…
I love you girls and am so happy and greatful I was able to visit you this past spring♥ OMG….I’m going to miss you two♥♥♥
Happy Birthday, Beautiful Bai Yun!!!!!! You and your cubbies have brought us endless joy. xoxoxoxoxooxoxoxo
Dear Diary,
Guess what my lao gong did, that rascal wrote me a love song! Hee hee, must admit when he started with Yue Liang Tai Piao Wo de Xing (The Moon Represents My Heart), I almost lost it as I love that Theresa Teng song. Then he went on his knees and sang his composition, I just melted. I knew he was a keeper after we had Su Lin.
I am a blessed Panda Mama. Yunnie, sweet Yunnie, tried his hand at Bamboo Brush Painting. Hahaha, my portrait at least looks like a Panda and it is the best cos it was done with love. Lao Gong’s couplets were so touching, so he is a poet as well as a stud muffin. Who knew all these years? There’s more to discover about him after all……hee hee, won’t that be a fun ride….
AND sweet Su Lin and Zhennie, the girls actually embroidered a dress for me. And they created a silk sky blue underdress to highlight the gossamer silk design on the front. They managed to sew in Hua Mei’s family as well as ours. Wow, I will treasure this dress.
And when the other SDZ bears came and the video conferencing took place with the other Pandas round the world, I have never felt so loved in the world. And many hooman uncles and aunties have been sending me their love and good wishes, I am the happiest bear in the world.
At the end of the day, the most important things in life are family and friends. Coupled with good health, one is able to live a good life and hopefully bless others. My wish is that my babies will grow up well and be useful to improving the lot of our Pandas and be a bridge between hoomans and Pandas.
Today, I think I will treat myself to a lie in. Hope Yunior isn’t going to come and bite my ears. He is getting into the rumbunctious twos very fast. In abt six months’ time, I will have some alone time at last. Thats something to look forward to. But can’t complain, Yunnie is a sweetheart and easy to manage. Heard from Lun Lun, Xi Lan was a toughie and so is Princess Ping. Sometimes we get called Mommie Monsters but we have to discipline the kiddies otherwise the nannykeepers will have a hard time.
Oh, I hear the nannykeepers coming with my boo. Sigh, what more can I ask for? Hee Hee, maybe some apple snackies….hmmmm, and an iced cake?
Bai Bai
I just want to wish the Queen Mother of Panda mothers, sweet Bai Yun, a very Happy Birthday! Thank you, sweet Bai, for all the joy you have given to animal lovers everywhere, and especially to those of us who especially love giant pandas. Keep swingin’, BaiBee!!!!
Hi, just wanted to say a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Bai Yun! I know it’s not her birthday quite yet, but I have school tomorrow and then flute lessons and you know, homework and all, so I’m saying Happy Birthday now because I won’t be able to until later tomorrow night… I hope she gets a fabulous cake and a big hug from Yunnie! Happy Birthday, #1 Panda Mama!!! Love ya Bai!
Peace, Love and Pandas CIAO!
Happy Happy 19th Birthday darling Bai Yun. You get more beautiful every year. Love you.
Happy Birthday, Bai Yun! Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!
Happy Bearday Bai Yun!! Hope your special day is filled with apples and honey and bamboo!!
HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our favorite Momma Bear, the beautiful Bai Yun. May you have a wonderful day and many more to come.
Wishing Bai Yun a very Happy 19th Birthday!! Yun Zi be nice to your Mom today, no biting the ears, no biting at all, unless it’s treats or bamboo.
Happy Birthday Bai, you are a very special panda lady!!
Thanks Bruce for the update on the Pandas in Space program. Welcome back!
Ruth, thanks so much for the udpate on the new Schoenbrunn cub. Will be looking forward to future posts.
And, Lucilla, you have outdone yourself with the Bai birthday story. What a great family the Gao’s are!
Thanks Pandafan North and Danielle. I’ll save it this time. Tai is so cute in this video. And the comments just add to it… I think I read when someone posted it a while back that he played with his pool for like 3 hours… It looked pretty banged up at the end of the video…
Happy Birthday Queen B!! Hope you fluffy butt scratches and a special B-day treat…
Yay!!! Bai Yun got her own ice cake! But she carried it away from where the cam is parked
. Hope someone is getting pictures!
Happy Birthday Bai Yun. See you and Yun Zi Sept.24th can’t wait.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADAME BAI, THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN US. hope you enjoy your special day and you get plenty of treats and attention from the keepers
Happy Birthday Mama Bai!!!! I tuned in to pandacam and there she was with her birthday ice cake. I’m so very happy that you guys take such good care of mama as well as her cubbies!
Thank you pandafan for the link to the baby cubbie in the semi wild. It is so awe inspiring to see this actually happening.
And thanks to Ruth from Austria for the translation regarding Yang Yang’s new baby! I shall look forward to your translations of the panda diary. Thank you!
No excuse for that!!! I have been so occupied with contacting Vienna Zoo re: translation of panda diary into English on their website that I got my priorities wrong.
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, BAI YUN. It is quite unbelievable that you have turned already 19. You have given me so much joy, of course not only you but your whole family, your hunky husband Gao Gao and all your kids one of which has already got babies on her own. You are not only an excellent mother but a example for all the (panda) mums in the whole world. I hope that we will have the pleasure of watching another baby of you in the future since you and Gao Gao are still very agile. I am sure you had a wonderful birthday cake as usually. Bye, bye for now and look after your health!
As suspected, the panda diary at Vienna Zoo is only available in German. So I shall carry on translating it for you. Thanks for your interest in “our” baby.
I just read the news being spread by Vienna Zoo. May be you know already or I am late? In any case, the Vienna panda baby has got competition. Panda female Hua Zui Ba of Madrid Zoo gave birth to twins already on 7th August. However, the had been artificially inseminated by panda bear Bing King. Apparently mum and babies are doing well and practising the same procedure like they do in China, i.e. alternatively leaving the twins with either mama or putting into the incubator. I hope I got it right since my Spanish is not so good. But at least I got the gist!
I hope that the girls will be there thru the of this month and maybe into October as mu husband & I are Zoological members and plan to come to the Zoo later this month. It’s always fun to see not only the pandas but the polar bears too. Can’t wait to see the polar bears new exhibit as it was being worked on when we were there last.
Moderator – Any further updates on the move? With the Shanghai World Exposition through October, wouldn’t it be safer to send them in November?
Moderator’s note: No updates at this time.
Resigned to the fact that Su Lin had to go to China this year,
I assumed that Our Zhen Zhen would remain at San Diego.
(Because Bai Yun deserves a happy retirement… ofcourse it depends on Ba!)
Thinking that Zhen Zhen would find chinese a boyfriend here!
Sadly we have to wait but when Zhenny is gone to pastures new
I’ll still have my beautiful screen saver. She’ll always be our little star!
Moderator: Anything new on their leaving?