When you see certain animals every day, it becomes difficult to notice how big they are getting or how much weight they are gaining. Well, after being gone for a month and returning to the Giant Panda Research Station at the San Diego Zoo, I can honestly tell you that Yun Zi, at 55.8 pounds (25.4 kilograms), is growing!
On my first day back, I also noticed that our beloved keepers are beginning the process of training him to go inside his bedroom without going in with him. At first I was surprised that they were starting this training so early, but after seeing one of the keepers stand next to Yun Zi, I understood. He is getting a little taller, and all that extra fat that he used to have and that we lovingly joked about has disappeared. Instead, a very muscular, strong little bear has appeared and is taking the crowd by storm.
Something even more interesting is to watch his activity level; he used to sleep a lot, but he now runs more and chases after Mom! When doing keeper work, we don’t often get the opportunity of being able to watch our cub for hours; it’s closer for us to check him on the monitors in the back. But working as a panda narrator once again has allowed me to watch more of his antics and play sessions with Mom, something I have to admit I’ve missed in the last month!
Yun Zi has also begun a slight weaning process with Bai Yun; or rather, she has started it. Several times now I’ve seen Yun Zi approach her to nurse; he goes right for that belly. But Bai Yun quickly pushes him to the side and almost redirects his attention. We are seeing more teeth coming in, and he has been chewing on the thicker bamboo, but he still is really only eating the young, thin bamboo.
Come see him soon—he’s getting bigger every day!
Anastasia Horning is a panda narrator at the San Diego Zoo. Read her previous post, Mini Horse Memories.
That is so cool … I did notice him the other day finally out sitting next to Bai and somewhat harassing her while she was eating. It seemed he was almost always in his hammock sleeping most of the time.
Proposition: If we send webcams packing along with Zhen and Su Lin to their native home in China, would this perhaps give the Panda habitat keepers there the hint that we (worldwide Panda followers) would like to see our US born pandas? That way, they never really leave us! Just a thought …..
Thank you Anastasia, he is getting to be a big boy. Great post!!!!
We’ll be there in November! I too noticed how busy he was yesterday, and I chuckled how Bai Yun fended him off when he was trying to play with her while she ate. She’s so skilled at that backhand move; he really went rolling!
Welcome back, Anastasia! It’s wonderful to hear that our adorable, little boy is growing big and strong but also sad to know that he’s getting closer to that day when he will be weaned and before we know it, you’re announcing that he’s head to China. Boo hoo! Here’s hoping that Bai will be up for another cubbie or two! We are so blessed to have a panda pair that does such a good job in that area!
And doubly blessed that you share it with us on the cam and blogs!
Our baby boy is growing up fast!
BTW, moderator, any update on ZZ and Su Lin’s viewing hours?
Moderator’s note: The Panda Team didn’t get back to me on that. I’ll politely ask them again
Thank you Anastasia for the great blog. Yes, Yun Zi is growing up. He sure is moving about more. I also hope Bai Yun is up for one more little one in the future.
Hi Anastasia!! Thanks for that great review of Yun Zi. I wish he would have been that active for the Black and White Overnight a few weeks ago….Need to get there to see the lil Big Guy…
Thanks. That is so cool. Do you think that Bai is going to wean him earlier than the others? I mean she is older and far more experienced now and perhaps she feels that Yunior could go sooner rather than later. Or perhaps she just wants her food time to expand and nursing interrupts that.
Well when it is time for Bai to turn Yunior away from his lunch or other meals we will see it happening. Saw her with another early baby on video and she has a special way to discourage. As always not by just pushing him away but subtily offering him a more ample food supply. And then moving way, knowing he has nothing more. It was so charming, and motherly of her! Of course, not that she doesnt give him a whack or two to discourage him, at times but she gives him a closer loving. I think she “speaks” to him, and holds him nearer. I loved watching that behaviour.
I cry over the separation videos, and will do it again when Yun Zi establisheds his on quarters.
Thank you Anastasia! I know for sure that Yun Zi has outgrown his baby look in just a few months! Back in May when he tended to sleep most of the time, I was lucky enough to see him descending from the trees, getting out of his hammock, chewing on flowers, and moving around in a very easygoing way. He seemed like a laid-back baby bear who knew how to enjoy himself.
Now I see an action-packed little bear that cannot get enough of whatever he can get his paws on! I kind of feel sad to hear Bai Yun has somewhat started the weaning process. Soon Little Cloud will be a big boy and will be separated from his mom. However, I am sure he will grow up to be a handsome bear just like his big brother.
Yun Zi, I know you cannot stay “little” forever, but please, please remember to never lose your “cuteness!”
Awww! I wish I could see him so badly! Hopefully I can go and visit before he leaves for China in 3 years! He is growing so incredibly much! Does he have most of his teeth yet? You know pandas have the largest mulars of all mammals!
Anyway, I just hope Bai had a good bearday the other day and Gao, Zhennie and Su Su are doing well! Are Zhen Zhen and Su Lin probably leaving this month or next month? I hope not soon, because then I can see them on the Panda Cam and know exactly how they’re doing… I guess they will have to leave SOON. Sigh. That’s so sad. Ah well, I’ve gotta go and catch up on Lucilla’s stories- i haven’t read the 3 most recent ones….
Yunior was starting to get quite active and even spent hours on the ground (out of the trees) when I was there last week. It surprised even the Narrators when he would come down out of the trees before 10 AM.
I was amazed how awake he was on Bai Yun’s Birthday and how much he kept trying to nurse and play “Let’s Bug Mom” and how patient she was with him. She would be trying to sleep and he would pounce on her, bite her, pull her face around, and do all sorts of things to keep her from her beauty rest (even though she didn’t look a day over 15!). Until, she finally moved to another spot.
A few times during the week I did see her nurse him. That was great to see. One time was down right in front as the visitors paraded past. The other time I saw was at night and he was in the Hammock. That time Bai Yun woke him up to nurse. Maybe she wanted a few hours of peace and quiet without her son climbing on her and biting her and her ears being pulled around.
Yunior is also experimenting with the bamboo and holding it, biting it, smelling it, just exploring what Bai Yun has left behind. I got a few shots of him as “mini-Bai”, with them both sitting in the same position (side-by-side) and him imitating with she is doing with the bamboo… sooo adorable! It’s interesting to imagine that in just 4-5 months he will be weaned and living mostly on bamboo. The time will fly by!
Joy
I don’t think Little Cloud should be weaned and taken away from his momma any sooner than his siblings were! He should get just as much quality time with her as any of them. He’s gonna be ripped out of her arms soon enough……
Sorry.
What can WE do as family to Little Cloud, to help the weaning process? Can we donate more enrichment toys? Can we help build a window between Bai and her son so they can view each other? I don’t want his little heart to break in a few months. They are so close even if she is now pushing him away, I know Bai would never want to lose her son’s companionship, given the choice… Remember, even animals have emotions, we’ve observed this so much, right here….remember the day Little Cloud was born, I’ll never forget how she looked down at him on the ground, scooped him up and buried him in her arms, just like any human mother…instinct yes, but she possesses emotions to, look in those big brown eyes….
‘Papa! Papa!’ yells Yunnie as he bounds into Gao Gao’s enclosure.
‘Yes, my son, what can do for you today?’ asks Gao Gao still chomping on his boo.
‘Can you read me a stowy please?’
‘Is Mama busy?’
“Yes, she has gone to the spa and told me to come and look for you.”
‘Gone to the spa eh? She deserves a lovely treat on her bearday.’
‘Yes and after she ate the iced cake that nannykeepers brought for her, it had approws, carrots and boo on it.’
‘Yup, your Mama always loved those apples! She thinks they are the reason for her fluffy cheeks.’
‘Can you read me a stowy, Papa? Please?’
‘OK, since it is almost time for the Mid-Autumn Festival, let me read to you this tale of Chang Er the Lady of the Moon. How about that?’
‘Oh goody, I love Chinese Fairy Tales!’ and with that Yunnie slides next to Gao Gao and rests on him. Gao Gao reaches out to his bookshelf and picks up his copy of The Compele Book of Chinese Fairy Tales for young Pandas, compiled by Loo See La.
‘Once upon a time in Ancient China….’
‘Papa, were there pandas then?’
‘Yes, my son. We Pandas have been around for many years. In Ancient China, there lived a famous archer named Hou Yi. He was incredibly accurate….’
‘Wowie, I want to learn archery too. TWANG, I want to be able shoot a bow into an approw on Mama’s head.’
‘I don’t think she will let you do that but you can learn when you are stronger. Hou Yi desired to be immortal.’
‘What is immortal, Papa?’
‘It means he wanted to live forever.’
‘We don’t live forever do we? I read of some Pandas who passed away at 20. Mama is 19. Does that mean she is going to die soon? What happenes when we die, Papa? I dont want Mama to die!!’
‘All living things die because we grow old and our bodies cannot continue. Our hearts stop and so we die. Some pandas die due to illnesses, accidents and injuries. Mama is healthy and she can live for another 11 years or more. Don’t worry.’
‘What about you Papa?’
‘Well, if I remain healthy, I will also live as long as Mama. We hope to grow old together. We Pandas believe that when we die, our souls will go to be with the Panda God in the sky. There we will be free from pain and suffering forever. So death is not frightening. On earth, we have to do our best to be good and help make the world a better place. OK?’
‘OK, Papa, I luv you,’ Yunnie hugs his Papa.
‘Hou Yi found a the pill of immortality. And he was going to take it so that he could rule the earth forever. His wife Chang Er knowling he will be an evil king, grabbed the pill from him and swallowed it. Immediately she flew up to the moon. To this day she remains. On the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, we can see her in the moon. Her constant companion is a rabbit.’
‘No panda?’
‘Nope, no panda. The rabbit is supposed to help her find cures for illnesses and to help people. So on this day, Chinese people eat moon cakes filled with lotus or bean paste and carry lighted lanterns.’
‘Can I twy a moon cake?’
‘Sure. Mama is making a batch of boo filled moon cakes and the whole family will gather to eat them. I bought lanterns for you, ZZ and Su Lin already.’
‘YAY! I can’t wait. Papa, thank you for the stowy.’
‘Anytime, son, anytime. Now I need to eat my boo. Its time for your nap, isn’t it?’
‘Hee Hee, yes, I am a gwowing cub and I need to nap so I can be big and stwong like you, Papa. Bye Bye.’
And with that Yunnie trots back to his enclosure and climbs into his hammock and dreams of bows and arrows, moons and cake.
Joy #12 — Loved your input on Yunni’s behavior since you were able to observe him in person. He does seem so much more active these days, and it is adorable when he strikes the same pose as Bai Yun munching on the boo! Also, it’s hilarious for those of us tuning in (although maybe not for Bai) when he goes into the “let’s bug mamma” act. She is so patient with him to a point, but the she let’s him know “who’s the mamma”!!! Gotta love it! Thanks again for your post…
Steve #1–great idea! Let Zhennie and Su Lin carry their own cameras to China! Still have to have cables run and stuff, but maybe SDZ can add that to their training before they leave the US.
Joy #12–I know someone in the last blog asked how you came to be so lucky as to spend 8 1/2 days with the pandas but I’m not sure I saw an answer. How wonderful to be able to do that!
Our “very muscular strong little bear” (watch out, girl pandas–junior studmuffin on the way!) seems to be sleeping a lot today–perhaps another growth spurt?
Bai Yun is the soul of patience with her rambunctious son! Recently, I’ve seen Yun Zi really go after her while watching the Panda Cam, and he’s gotten quite rough with Bai. Of course, she takes all she can stand of his “abuse” before disciplining him. I have a feeling Bai will be quite relieved after Yunior is weaned, and she’s back on her own, knowing she’s done another great job of mothering! AND, she’ll get some peace and quiet!
I could see he was getting bigger when he tried to crawl and bite at mom. But she is a good mom and tried
to get him to go some place other.
Glad your back and thanks for the update.
lu
The two young pandas that are expected to move to Macau this year finally got their new names from a local naming contest. Please note that Cantonese is widely spoken in Macau.
Mandarin: “Kai Kai” and “Xin Xin”
Cantonese: “Hoi Hoi” and “Sam Sam”
http://news(dot)xinhuanet(dot)com/english2010/china/2010-09/10/c_13489732.htm
http://www.macaudailytimes(dot)com(dot)mo/macau/16763-Pandas-named-Hoi-Hoi-Sam-Sam.html
“Is that too hard, let me know, OK?” asks Gena the Gorilla solicitiously as she massgaes Bai Yun.
‘No, no, this is bliss. Keep going.’ and soon Bai Yun is snoozing as she feels so relaxed. She was slathered in mud which helped to remove toxins and then given a papaya body wrap which she found a little ticklish. And she was tempted to munch on the papaya bits. But now the massgae was heavenly and the years rolled back.
Gena’s expert hands found all the kinks and sore muscles especially those used to haul wayward cubbies. Bai Yun let out a soft groan.
‘Oops, sorry, you just hit the right spots, thank you so much,’ purres a content Bai Yun.
‘Now, Miss Bai Yun, can you step into our hot tub and I will cover you wth our special flowers of jasmine, roses, hibiscus and marigolds. These flowers will help cleanse your system,’ and Gena was soon covering Bai with the most lovely flowers.
And then Glenda the Gazelle came along with some chamomile tea for Bai to sip as Franny the Flamingo started to wash her head fur with a lovely tropical fruit shampoo.
After the hot tub bath, Bai was brought under a cocomut shower and wonderful spakling fresh cocnut water rained on her and then she was spalshed with fresh mountain spring water.
She was dried off and dusted with lovely scented talc. Then a team of lady lemurs started work on her paws, shaping the nails and painting them with the lovely shade of Bamboo Passion while Franny did her styling magic on Bai’s head fur.
Glenda reappears with several lady kangaroos carrying lovely gowns and accessories.
“Later, Rita Pawtita has been specially commissioned to take your portrait as well as your family’s. We want you to look like the Queen that you are. Please choose which gown you prefer and we will get it ready for your photo shoot later.’
The gowns were made of silk and chiffon and lace. All of them looked so magical. Bai eventually chose one made by Beara de la Panda – a gold gown of the finest Thai silk. And Bearffany’s was providing the diamond accessories.
When her hair and nails were done, she was helped into the gown and accessories. And she was brought to the private studio where Weeta was setting up her equipment.
‘Hello,’ smiled Bai shyly,’I am not used to so much fuss.’
‘You’ll do fine. Just be your natural self,’ smiled Weeta reassuringly.
And Bai Yun proved that she was born for a moment just like this as she struck pose after pose and twirled and swirled away.
‘HEY, GORGEOUS!’ and Gao Gao enters the studio. He grins and is stunned by his beautiful wife. The children come in. Zhen Zhen has her signature red bow on. Yunnie has his fave tux on too.
They gather round Bai and the family portrait of the year was taken.
‘It is so lovely to be a Queen for a Day!’ declares Bai.
‘But you are my Queen every day, heh Babe?’ declares Gao Gao.
He grabs her for a kiss which unfortunately was not recorded for posterity by Weeta but was captured on a young bear’s Aprrow phone. It might be uploaded one day, who knows?
‘Hee Hee, look at Mama and Papa, aren’t they a little old for the kissy bits?’ grins Yunior. Zhen Zhen gives him a playful spank,’By now you should know, Mama and Papa are the ones writing the rule book, and for them there are no rules and limits to Panda Love!!’
‘Hee Hee, I know. But I am still waiting for my lesson on the birds and the bees. Is that a Chinese Fairy Tale?’
‘NO! But watch Mama and Papa, and you may learn something!’ grins Su Lin who is thinkling what beau awaits her in China.
THE END
Oh dear, Rita took a picture of Yun Zi scent marking on Bai’s head! Haha, what a crazy little guy! Anyway- how are the girls doing? There was an adorable picture of Zhennie on Flickr from the other day! Also, it was Yang Yang’s (thirteenth) birthday the other day. Yang Yang is from Zoo Atlanta and his mate is Lun Lun and they are the parents of Mei Lan and Xi Lan. You know, there is another panda named Yang Yang in Vienna (I think it’s in Austria) but she is female and her name means “Sunshine”. The Zoo Atlanta’s Yang Yang’s name means “Little Sea” though. Hmm…
Well, have a Panda-ful Day everyone!
Peace, Love and Pandas CIAO!
Annie Panda ♡
#5 Susan H.
Zhen Zhen is out in the north exhibit most of the time, but there is no set schedule for viewing as we continue her training in preparation for her move to China.
Lucilla- Great story! Sounds like Bai Yun had a great Spa Day and photo shoot! To me, she is like a Queen Panda.
Will a keeper or keepers close to ZZ and Su stay with them for a time once they land in China? I hope so. I remember how agitated & jet-lagged ZA’s Mei Lan was before she got settled in to her new home. I’m sure that is expected after such a long flight and they will be prepared and make the trip as stress-free as possible for the girls.
Since the National Zoo doesn’t post updates about the pandas anymore, or very rarely, I was looking for pictures of Tian Tian’s birthday. He turned 13 on August 27, and I came across this Flickr site with quite a few pictures of Tian Tian and his lovely companion Mei Xiang, Tai Shan’s mother. It seems that they are spending times together again and are enjoying each other company, eating their bamboo sitting side by side. Quite a touching couple. They are also often given fruitsicles, which they seem to enjoy very much. http://www.flickr.com/photos/dan-lem2001
Thanks, Lucilla, for the spa story. It realy rang a luxury bell and reminded me that the best massage I got ever was in the Sheraton Hotel spa in Shanghai. And there were rose petals there too! Bai certainly deserves the best.
Moderator: The pandacam is constantly flickering for me. Is the cam broken, or is there a workaround for this problem?
Moderator’s note: Our Cam provider has been notified and is looking into the problem.
Anastasia, lovely report on our great, gorgeous, growing, boo gnawing bear Yun Zi, thank you! He certainly is not a baby any more. So it is quite understandable that momma Bai will push him aside once the tries his growing sharp teeth on her. Yes, he will grow fast and be weened as all Bai Yun’s other babies. I don’t want to think about it at this stage. So, let’s enjoy Yun Zi’s stages of life becoming an adult beautiful bear.
#14 and 20 Lucilla, what a sweet story again! Why don’t you try and have your stories published? There are not so many panda stories around, are there? I am looking forward to the next story!
No update of panda diary in Schoenbrunn, yet.
Great news, Ya Ya gave birth to a female cub, 155g (5.5 oz.) on Friday, September 10 in Chengdu. www(dot)panda(dot)org(dot)cn/china/news/news_view.asp?newsid=572
It is particularly interesting because Ya Ya was born on August 24, 1990 in Chengdu and therefore just turned 20 years old. Besides her new cub, Ya Ya has given birth to 12 cubs, 11 of them survived. She is Yang Yang’s mother, Mei Lan and Xi Lan’s paternal grandmother. Yang Yang was her first cub, and Yang Yang’s twin is the only Ya Ya’s cub that did not survived. She had 3 other sets of twins and 5 single cubs.
Ya Ya’s mother, Qing Qing, was born on September 9, 1984 and still lives in Chengdu at the respectable age of 26. She had 13 cubs and 9 of them survived. If the information I found is correct, she gave birth to her last cub when she was 17 years old. It seems that those genes are really good!!!
According to the article announcing the birth of Ya Ya’s cub, the record for the oldest panda giving birth is held by a panda named “Ice” who gave birth at the age of 21. We will see if our supermom, Bai Yun, can add her name to that list next year…
The update on Yang Yang’s cub in Vienna is good.
www(dot)zoovienna(dot)at/news/neuigkeiten-rund-um-das-pandajunge/
Although for the last three weeks Yang Yang has been spending most of her time in the birthing den, YanG Yang is not bored. Besides eating and sleeping, she is keeping herself busy cleaning her cub and herself. After each nursing session, Yang Yang is cleaning her cub from head to toes, mainly to remove milk residue. She also cleans her nipples and the fur around it, in order to prevent the increase of germs that would constitute a risk of infection for her cub. A closeup picture of Yang Yang and her cub was posted with the update but the protective mommy is covering her cub’s head…
Steve #1, what a great idea.
Lucilla #14 & 20, what more can I say, lovely stories. I really love the way Gao tells Yun Zi a stowy. That was so sweet.
Thanks to all for the news from around the world!
Moderator–About the flashing: I have been in touch with the cam providers and sent them a short video. On my own, I discovered that it only happens for me when I try to skip the Celebration for the Critters intro video. If I let it play through, there’s no flashing. Maybe that will work for others who are having the problem.
Moderator’s note: Thank you, Frances.
Bai and Yunnie were just playing and Bai was being silly (4:10ish EST)..She was trying to pull Yunnie out of his tree and she fell over on her back…
The World Needs More Bears!!
It is too bad that the Lun Lun-Yang Yang’s family belongs to Chengdu as the Bai Yun-Gao Gao’s family belongs to Wolong, because the cubs that Zhen Zhen and Xi Lan would produce would be the most agile and the funniest ever!!! Perhaps when they reach their reproducing age, we could start a campaign to strongly suggest the match to the Chinese authorities. If you need to be convinced, watch this video posted by Lynn, lcnessie15, on YouTube: “Xi Lan – Natural Born GOOFBALL!!” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjoMwAUwjvU
To All: Smileybears has placed a video on You Tube of Xi Lan that is a ‘Must See” You will be smiling all the way through it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QLjHaVuuU4&feature=sub
So cool…Bai just walked through that patch of sunlight on cam 5 and she just ‘glowed’ with brightness…so cool.
If Bai Yun does not have another pregnancy, will she be automatically sent back to China? If so, what about Gao Gao? I think the two super panda parents should be allowed to “retire” in San Diego.
Moderator’s note: Our extended loan agreement with China states that Bai Yun and Gao Gao will remain here until at least 2013.
Gao Yun Zi had a fine weekend so I helped him with his captions from my point of view, please feel free to make up your own. (I would do this from my own Flikr account except I do not have one—-because I cannot figure out what password I used when I opened my Yahoo Account 10 years ago.)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/4984328087/ Link to Rita Petita’s excellent account.
The first four pretty much cover the question of “Should I saddle Momma before riding her around the enclosure with a cowboy hat—yelling YIPEE a few times or no???”
Fifth photo clearly shows he is demonstrating to his Momma what a great hands on Poppa he said he would make, and wanted to be…..(I admire Bai for playing her part so well in this demonsration). Next page he is cleary hugging his Momma in thank you for putting up with him, and in the photo directly below it he has just heard a good joke from his stalker—OUR RITA.
QUESTION – Will Bai Yun know, smell, sense, whne the girls leave for China?
Yun Zi is so fun to watch. I always love the interaction with him and Bai Yun. Sweet.
Latest news of Vienna Zoo. Baby is now 13 days old and not that much covered by Yang Yang any more. As the Zoo’s narrator says, it is about time that the panda’s den will be shown live to the public and not only on videos with pictures repeating themselves all the time, very frustrating and disappointing for visitors visiting the panda house twice. Long Hui is not bothered at all as long as he can munch his bamboo without being disturbed. (does this not remind us of Gao Gao?) If it becomes too noisy for him he will just walk outside. There are videos both of Yang Yang and cub as well as Long hui.
#21 Annie Panda, yes you are right. Yang Yang of Vienna Zoo means “sunshine”.
#29 and 30 Danielle, NY, your German seems to be very good judging from your translations. Thanks for the info about Ya Ya, most amazing panda lady!
Any chance of an update on the polar bears, especially Chinook. Thanks
Moderator’s note: Our Polar Bear Team will be providing an update soon.
Wow I can’t believe how big he has gotten. I would love to see him in person. I love pandas.
#35 Bobbie Wood – I saw that video, it is indeed very funny. I was looking for a video of one of the panda from the Atlanta Zoo with the half barrel after reading today’s update from the Atlanta Zoo. Kris wrote that Xi Lan has been very playful lately; you can see that from the video I posted on #34. Kris also mentioned that all the pandas like the half barrel, especially when it is filled with ice they go bananas! In the video mentioned by Bobbie Wood the half barrel is not filled with ice but with a very cute Xi Lan.
The half barrel might be a good idea of enrichment for the SDZ’s pandas, it must easy and cheap to get and filled with crushed ice will make the half barrel even more appealing.
#40 Ruth from Austria – I lived in Germany for 6 years where I studied and had to take exams in German. Even though it was a long time ago I try to read and write German as often as I can in order not to forget it all…
Today’s update about Yang Yang and her cub describes the natural habitat of pandas, cold and misty in the high mountains in China. In the wild, a mother would seek shelter in a tree cavity or under rocks. Just as it would be in the wild YangYang must make sure that her cub doesn’t get cold since the cub still has very little hair. In order to reproduce a similar environment for the mother and her cub at the zoo, the area in which the birth den is located is not heated and to have a high humidity, the ground around the den is regularly sprayed.
www(dot)zoovienna(dot)at/news/neuigkeiten-rund-um-das-pandajunge/
I have watched Panda cam from the day it opened. As a teacher I shared this website with my students. Over the years we have watched all the babies grow and thrive. We would start watching together as soon as school started in August – great time to start since a new baby was born every two years. This year we watched with awe the birth of Yun Zi and his growth. On Fridays we would have a special longer showing of any videos, etc., that were available to us. With great delight we watched the naming ceremony – we voted for our favorite name, of course. This last year of my teaching career was especially great. On the last day of school we went back over the videos and pictures of Yun Zi. My students were so impressed with everything SDZ has done for “our baby”. They will continue to love and care for Pandas.
Thank you SDZ for a great teaching tool and an opportunity to teach to the future of the importance of taking care of our precious animals.
Moderator’s note: Thank you for teaching your students about pandas!
Does this mean that I can no longer call him “Little Pudgy One”? I guess “Jr. Studmuffin” (Frances #16) suits him quite well
(he will always be the Pudgy One to me
)
#34 Danielle and #35 Bobby: I read the Zoo Atlanta update on Xi Lan before I saw your links to the videos. Your videos went right along with what ZA had posted.. What a coincidence!!
I agree with you Danielle… I really liked the half barrel idea. Xi was having a good time with it. Can you imagine what Yunnie or Zhennie would do with it?? I’m glad I saw the video because I didn’t have the barrel cut like that… I just thought they cut a barrel in half in the middle and made it shorter..
Lucilla: I liked your stories… My favorite was when Bai refrained from nibbling on the mango mask…
#13 kat w
Enrichment is used to exercise and utilize natural senses and abilities that the animals have. With many new enrichment items, it can also be a hit-or-miss experience for the animal: they may go for it and find it interesting, or they may show no interest whatsoever! Bai Yun is very good at weaning her cubs, and we have complete faith in her to do it again. When we begin to step in, we are really just assisting an already-in-progress situation.
#24 KJ
A staff member from the Giant Panda Research Station will be traveling with the girls to China to deliver them safely into the capable hands of the reserve staff. All animals go through a transition phase when they are moved to a new facility, even a new enclosure. Giant pandas, from studies and observations done, are very adaptable and get used to their new surroundings. The reserves are run by, and worked by, capable keepers and staff that understand what giant pandas need. We are happy that they are going to a wonderful reserve and hope to hear wonderful things about them in the future!
Yesterday, I went to Half Price Books, and looked for panda books, and I found one, I got it. I has alot of pictures of pandas, I am still researching pandas, for my book, ‘Panda Conservation Ways you can help’!
I just bought a panda figurine from San Diego Zoo shop!
And I also bought a panda diary from San Diego Zoo Shop!!!
#49 Britney: Good for you Britney… I bet you’ll have some good material for papers you have to write for school! The Pandas need concerned young adults like you and Annie Panda to help them…
Weegee? Where are you? LP update is needed!!
I was watching LH suck her thumb the other day when she was sleeping… 
#47 Dianna from Ohio – I was trying to figure out how to explain the half barrel, i. e. how it is cuts, and could not come up with any satisfactory description, so I thought about looking for a video to illustrate it. That’s when I came across the same video as posted by Bobby. I am still surprised that I couldn’t find one with ice in it. I know that quite a few videos were removed from YouTube because some music right’s violations I think. But I am not giving up, I will keep looking. I came across one video of Xi Lan playing in a tray of ice when he was still little and still with Lun Lun, but it was not a rocking container. The keepers might have use that to get Xi Lan playing in the ice without being scared if the trey would have turned on him with all the ice. It is actually a series of pictures on enrichments items http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPMTYQovVF4
Here is Xi Lan’s version of Tai Shan’s hideout!! LOL
9/23/09~Xi Lan, Panda Angel…~3.27 min
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXARsfOLdvA
I found a video of little Mei Lan playing with the half barrel, but still no ice…
6/26/07~Mei Lan Having a Barrel of Fun~6.11min.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cz6NyyMf_28
Without ice in it, you can even fit two pandas in the half barrel, well, kind of!!
5/22/07 Mei Lan & Lun Lun Play Outside 8.08min
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-6ux5dToBQ
Thank you meerkats for switching the cam to Su Lin. She’s just sitting there eating but looks so at peace doing it. So much like her dad enjoying a good feast.
I was watching a bit of LP tonight. She was getting a scrub down by BBK (big burley keeper). He had 2 towels wiping her down and very briskly at that!! The laughing keeper with the spikey hair (LK) was feeding her snackies to keep her occupied. Then LK was giving LP a behavior lesson. She was actually doing pretty good.. .laying down, open mouth, present paw..until LK laid down one way and she went the other… it was pretty cute… I would love to hear what LK was saying because he’s laughing the whole time and is very animated. I think he really enjoys working with LP….
Hi Dianna from Ohio, I’m still here. A Thai fan posted at our Thai community web that you called for LP update. I just spent lots of my times reading the books and gathered some stuff to put in my blog and it’s kind of fun though.
Wow, lots of stories and entries to read for catching up. I’ll post the LP update on the latest blog then.
#35 Bobbie Wood, super video! Xi Lan is soooo cute and the certainly loves to be the centre of attention. This antics remind me so much of a cat’s. When the cleaner started to wipe the glass one of my cats followed his movements sitting on my lap. Being still babies I find that pandas and cats have quite a bit in common. They are both extremely playful.
#45 Danielle, NY, the same applies to me Having lived in South Africa for 16 years I am also trying not to lose my English by reading and writing a lot in order to keep it up. So both of us can alternate in keeping the bloggers up-to-date re: Schoenbrunn’s panda diary.
We are coming to the zoo the last week in September from Australia. Have wanted to come to the best zoo in the world my entire life.I have never seen a panda bear before and my 14 year son who wants to be a vet is so excited he can’t sleep! We are doing a bus tour down from Anaheim and wont get there till 11.30 or so, hope they wont be asleep! Maybe by late afternoon they might be active? Regardless, we are so happy to be coming and just know we are going to have the trip of a lifetime. We love watching the panda cam, thanks for doing fabulous research and conservation. See you all soon!
Moderator’s note: We look forward to your visit!
WOW!!! Thank you, moderator, for passing on to the IT team our issues with the pandacam. Before I could even respond, it was fixed! I can enlarge the picture again! I did email my thanks to the person responding to the issue, but I wanted to state publicly: YOU ALL ARE THE BEST!!!
this is Awesome !!