Yun Zi. Click to enlarge photo.
Tuesday morning, January 18, was exciting here at the San Diego Zoo’s Giant Panda Research Station: it was the first day that Bai Yun and Yun Zi were allowed access to both sides of the main viewing area, an important step in smoothing the transition to Yunni’s final weaning. The steel door at the back of the separating wall was opened, Bai and Yun released into “their” left-hand enclosure, and in short order both moved to the right to investigate this “new” space.
Yun Zi had never been in that area, and it had been a long time and a major renovation since Bai Yun had been in there, the last time being spring, 2009, during breeding season. There was much to see, explore, smell, and scent mark for our mellow mother bear as she slowly wandered, marked, and inspected the area. After a rather short period of time, she settled in to eat some bamboo (both sides having been lavishly supplied), and then she strolled back over to climb up onto her lair and nap in her favorite spot. So comfortable is she in her Zoo home that she appears to be taking all of this in stride.
It was very different for the cub, however. Imagine being released into your own, private, brand-new playground for the very first time. So much to see, so much to climb, every inch to be carefully investigated, with only an occasional glance at Mom! It was a treat for him and a delight for any who happened to be there for his non-stop hour and a half of exploration. Up and down, around and across, through and under every log, bush, rock, and tree. With the scent of his father still so strong, the hollow tree merited special investigation, both inside and out. It was especially gratifying to see him climb horizontally across the section of climbing structure that had been Su Lin’s favorite elm tree before she collapsed and uprooted it, now re-purposed into an aerial pathway for her little brother. He is still a youngster, however, and it took a lot of energy to begin settling in, but our intrepid little guy chose to nap independently on the left side, on the now-familiar climbing structure, away from Mom. Sigh! They grow up so fast.
Gao Gao was, of course, moved to the North Exhibit to allow mother and cub extra space, so it was a big day for him as well. The scent marks of pandas can linger up to three months, so he, too, had to scour the area and lay down his marks. It can take, as we’ve seen in the past, a few days for giant pandas to become comfortably acclimated to a new area, so it would not be unusual for these exploratory behaviors to continue over the next few days. It would be a good time to visit the Zoo or watching Panda Cam to share in the activity. Our main viewing area is open regular hours, and Gao Gao can be seen in the North Exhibit in the mornings and early afternoons.
Ellie Rosenbaum is a panda narrator at the San Diego Zoo. Read her previous post, A Panda New Year.
Ellie:
When do you expect that Yun Zi will be weaned from Bai? Our little panda boy is just growing up so fast. I remember two years ago when I first saw the video of his birth. Time flies by so quickly……………
Wow What a great time for YunZi, all these new cents and things to play on.
Did he seem to be alittle lost without mom around all the time,.Its amazing how fast they grow up. He will probably due just fine during the weaning. Why not
he has had a great mom and the staff to help in the move. I watch alittle the first
da y and they both had a good time.
Thanks for update and how he is doing.
lu
The SDZ Shuffle family members seem to be taking all the “home in motion” activity in an extraordinarily peaceful stride. That is a huge reflection on all the backstage assistance from the superb staff at SDZ. For those of us who eye the cam, it truly sets a tone which brings out the best of “happy” for us! THANKS!
Flying to San Diego tomorrow to see the Pandas! And the rest of SDZ of course
Yun Zi is growing so fast and soon he’ll be on his own. I can’t wait to see how much he has grown since the summer. Thank You again SDZ for allowing guest to continue viewing Papa Gao. I’m very excited to see him!
Moderator’s note: We look forward to your visit, Amanda!
Just read the article! Ellie confirmed what I thought Yuni would be doing in the new yard–exploring, smelling, climbing, scent marking, investigating, finding a new favorite napping spot! Like I said, nothing will get past this curious little guy! It’s like a toddler getting his own bedroom for the first time away from mom! Anybody ever get vids of Yuni and his new yard fun? Hope so!
Read the update from Atlanta Zoo for today, Fri., 1/21. Lun’s cub had his vet check yesterday, and the only thing that they wrote in their update was his weight:
3.72kg=8 pounds.
They didn’t mention any other measurements on the cub, but I’m sure that they will get them for us later. He’s gained about a pound since last week, so he’s really getting alot of milk into him. I saw the little cub on the AZ pandacam just napping away in the den while Lun was out eating and getting some of her ME time. This cub is so fuzzy!
Checked in on Mei Xiang and Tian Tian on the NZ pandacams. They were both outside doing their walkabouts in their yards. I don’t think they know that they will not be making any moves for the next 5 years. They will be doing their normal usual routines in their current home. DC missed out on a big snowstorm this week. That whole storm system totally missed DC, and they had a very nice sunny, but cold, day today. Mei and Tian took advantage of the nice day to stay outside for quite awhile.
Well, that’s all for now. Will be back later!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Thanks SDZ staff for facilitating this. I saw the videos by Doxie Mom and Yunnie was zipping here and there, looking pretty excited that he had a new playground. I guess in time to come, it will be he who may not want Mama around. After all a cool dude has to have his own pad to attract the panda ladies. His face is also losing the cuteness of babyhood and has some of the handsomeness of dudedom.
Congrats, Bai Yun, on raising another great cubby! How do you do it?
YZ: MAMA! MAMA!
BY: What? Why are you shouting?
YZ: Sorry! I was just trying to get your attention. Mama, I was reading online about speed dating. Is it a new sport? Can I try it?
BY: HAHAHAHA! It is a new sport, if you want to call it but I’d rather you stick to your current sports like tree climbing, surfing and sleeping.
YZ: MAMA! Sleeping is not a sport, silly Mama!
BY: Weelll, from the way you behave I thought you are planning to take part in the London Olympics in the Sleeping in a Hammock sport. The only bears to give you a run for it is Sid the Koala and Graham the Grizzly.
YZ: So, what is speed dating, Mama?
BY: It is like you go on dates with ten or twenty ladies at one go and then you decide which ones you want to get to know better.
YZ: Hee Hee, that sounds like something yuckie! I want to go on a date with one panna lady and then I will buy her a bouquet of boo…
BY: A bouquet? (Her eyebrows are raised in amusement.)
YZ: Papa taught me that a bouquet is a nicer more sensitive way of saying a bunch and panna ladies like it.
BY: He did, did he?
YZ: Eerrrrr, yes. He sent you a bouquet recently right?
BY: Yes! How did you know?
YZ: Oh, heh heh, lucky guess. You know, since he loves you so much.
BY: ANd he does, doesn’t he? (She is blushing now.)
YZ: And I luvs you too!
They grow up so fast. I remember when Zi was the size of a ‘stick of butter.’ I believe that is how his size was referred to on this blog. And now look at the size of our little sport.
Thank you for the post, Yun Zi is growing up so fast! I can’t believe him and Bai will be separated soon and living on their own! I hope Bai Yun will have another cub, but I know she is getting to be quite old. Anyway, I’m glad all is well at the Zoo and I appreciate your time and effort to write these posts!
Peace, Love and Pandas
Annie Panda
Step by Step our little boy is coming into his own. Thank you for the update. You are so good about preparing us for the weaning process. Saw Yun Zi yesterday on the cam, jostling his Mom. He is getting to be a strong little boy…a handful for Bai.
I am happy that they are spreading out, and that Yun Zi is becoming such a big, independent boy!!! It’s been a long time since I have posted here, but wanted to remind everyone that the 2nd annual Panda Convention is a big GO and will be held the weekend of March 26th. More details coming soon on the Pandafandom facebook page and hopefully here too.
January 20th was a simply Perfect Day to Visit the SDZ!!! Yun Zi seems very content in the new exhibit and Bai enjoys it as well. Gao Gao is very happy in the classroom.
The Polar bears were also in fine form that day 
Here are videos of The Bears:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlyTQKpcfpU
http://www.youtube.com/user/GRAMMABOBBIE1#p/u/1/_PbopAEZzkM
Thank you, Bobbie, for sharing your visit with the bears. As someone else mentioned, Yun Zi is sadly losing his baby face. They all were enjoying their ‘boo, but no one eats with the gusto of Papa Gao! I loved the close-ups of him.
Wow, I didn’t even recognize Yun Zi in that picure. He looks so much like an adult now, and not the baby, we still want him to be.
On Saturday afternoon about 3:30pm camera 3 was not working very good.
Just to let you know.
lu
Moderator’s note: Thank you.
Love you, good luck, Little Cloud…
Thank you Ellie for easing us into the transition. They have so much space to explore now, that it is a challenge to catch both near each other.
Question: Will you wait until February to start closing the gate for short periods?
Thanks!
I was watching Yunni zoom all over the place that day, what a precious little guy he is! I’m so going to miss him and Bai together, she’s an awesome panda mom and has the patience of a saint!
Thank you for holding our hands through the weaning process, as everyone says – it will be far harder on us than them.
Bai is such a great mother!! But I’m sure it will be harder on them rather then us
DEAR MISS KATHY IN CANADA
While it is kind of you to show your concern, and call me saitly……I am far from it…….you do not see what sometimes must go on behind the scenes when Yunior has been battering me all day, and will not settle down for the night. I am glad the little cloud has so many “Aunties and Uncles” to watch over him when he is on his own.
As for next Spring’s Dancing Season—-I have still not made up my mind how that will go, besides it is best to keep the fellas waiting to find out sometimes……..in that case waiting is a good thing….Love Bai Yun
I am waiting for the real separation day. As feisty as Xi LAn was with Lun Luen, his first 2 days of real separation made made me cry for him. Like a lost soul , wondering where Lun was? Sad, sad. I am hoping Yunnie will be less lost. tears will flow again if so. I am sure that Bai has little left to teach her son, but this separation is the last one I suppose. He is on his own now, and we are going to witness, his new life. but I have a box of kleenex ready anyhow.
‘MAMA! PAPA! Quick, come, I have an idea!’ yells Yunnie from his hammock. From the dark recess of the classroom where he was getting some shuteye, Gao Gao ambles over. Bai Yun rushes out from her secret magical kitchen where she is baking traditional Chinese New Year cookies.
‘This better be good,’ she growls.
‘Mama, Papa, I was planning the Panda Convention. You know the one where we host the hoomans and teach them about Pandas, right?’ asked Yunnie, his eyes bright and agog with delight.
‘I was thinking…’he continues and then dissolves into giggles.
‘Your son is getting me worried,’ murmurs Bai Yun in a low growl to Gao Gao. Gao Gao gives her a feigned innocent look, ‘Hey, my boy’s a genius, what can I say. Chip off the old block, hee hee!’
‘Old blackhead, more like.’
‘Now now hun, not in front of the children,’ Gao takes her left paw and plants a kiss on it.
‘Mama, Papa, I was wondering if we could do a montage on the history of pandas and then we do a skit about a panda legend with Papa playing the Panda Emperor and Mama can be the swinemaiden….’gushes Yunnie.
‘Son, I think you are mixing your folktales. It is the cowherd and the swinemaiden,’ corrects Bai Yun gently, not wanting to be a Tiger Mama.
‘OK, maybe we can do the Butterfly Lovers?’ grins Yun Zi.
‘YEAH, floats like a butterfly and sting like a bee, when you want a cubby, call me, call who? Call me, yay, me, the Gaoster, yay!’ raps Gao Gao and he grins as Bai fixes him with a steely glare.
‘Hey, Daddy-O, that’s cool. You can do some rap, Mama can do her torch songs and I want to try some hip hop. Maybe Hao Hao can come and play some drums…’
‘We will see! Oh crikey, my tarts and pudding…we will talk later,’ and with that Bai runs off to rescue her pastries.
Yunnie and Gao Gao high five it and Gao Gao punches Yunnie on the shoulder.
‘Hee Hee, good one, son, did you see your Mama’s look of horror? Wait till we tell her what we have really planned for the Panda Convention. Hahaha!’
‘Ya, hey Papa, Bearno of U4 says they can do the gig. I wonder if Lady Pan Pan will come….Shall we go for a snackie and some root boo beer and discuss this?’
‘Sure thing, my boy. Priceless. I wish Auntie Weeta Pawtita was here to capture your Mama’s face just now. Hee Hee!’
Can’t wait to see what Yunnie and Gao have planned for us at the Panda Convention!!
Anxiously awaiting what these two have in store for us when we all descend into Panda Canyon in March! WooHoo! 60 more days!!!!
U4 is going to be there!!! I hope they play my favorites… Sunday Bamboo Sunday and Zoostation!!!
Lucilla, you certainly have a good grasp of American idiom and culture! How do you ever make the time to be up on so many things?
Hi Anne,
I work in Corporate Comms and with Youth. My interest is in cross-cultural communications and American culture is widely exported. So it is both my own interest and work that makes me this way, hee hee as Yunnie might say.
Lucilla
Thanks so much for the update!
But wont Yunni and Bai miss being together?
We had a fantastic day at the SDZ on Sunday! Yun Zi has grown so much! So nice to see papa Gao and Bai Yun is just a beauty!
Why is it that in the Washington National Zoo and in China Pandas seem to be together and really enjoying themselves? But we don’t allow that in San Diego? Will Bai turn on her baby? Thank you for all you do at the Zoo and for research.
Moderator’s note: The National Zoo’s pandas have been together since they were youngsters; China’s panda research centers house young pandas that are the same age together, but they do not house adult pandas together.
Thanks Ellie for the update. I expect Yun Zi to be putting on shows for his fans when we all are there the end of March. All his sisters and brother loved the attention of the zoo guests so I’m sure Yun Zi will also.
If you haven’t watched it yet… you need to see the Baby Takin video. Takins live in the same habitat as Pandas, are just as elusive and protected by China… The baby is too cute!!!
Thanks Ellie! Yep, he’s growing up……………
Really enjoying watching mother & son eating together. They both want the large stalks of bamboo. Yun Zi just made off with a large green stalk. Wonder if mom will go after it.
Thank you Bonnie for the great video’s, You do very good job, but then look at the subjects, HAHA no really those were great shots. Also enjoyed the Polar bears as well.
thanks
lu
Yunior still seems to enjoy hanging out with mom
— they’ve been so cute together today, and now they are both napping over on the stone throne area. It’s hard to imagine that they will actually go their separate ways in a short time… sigh…
I remember so well the day Yun Zi was born and thinking we had ages before he would be weaned. And now it’s almost here. Did I miss something?
Lol i feel the same way..
Gao Gao trots into his son’s compund and spots Yunior looking dejected in one shady glade.
‘Hey my man, what’s happening? Why the long face?’ asked Gao Gao as he lifted Yun Zi’s face with his furry paws.
‘Mama spanked me,’ he wails and tears roll down his cheeks.
‘Why?’
‘Because of the prank we played on her about the Panda Convention. She was not amused.’
‘Come to Papa!’ and Gao gathers Yunior into his arms and hugs his little boy.
‘Mama has been under a bit of a strain. Some people are saying she is getting old and maybe better off retired in China.’
‘I luv Mama! She is the bestest!’
‘I luv Mama too and I know she is the bestest. The bestest Mama, Wife and Spring Salsa partner. And she is NO senior citizen.’
‘Papa, I am sorry….’
‘Just tell Mama that and get her a nice bunch of flowers!’
‘Bouquet, Papa, bouquet!’ and Yunnie bursts into giggles.
‘Papa, I love you!’
‘Son, I love you and think the world of you! You are a wonderful little Panda boy!’
‘Papa, can you help me find flowers that Mama likes for the bouquet?’
‘Thought you’d never ask, let’s go.’
‘
Anyone who says Bai is old and ought to be retiring in China doesn’t know Bai and hasn’t seen her playing with her little boy!
It’s 10:00ish am SDZ time and our little big man is snuggled all up asleep in his high branches area- with the look of, ” Being alone won’t really bother me…” Oh, the agony of this…….
Gosh… time really has whooshed by — so fast! Before you know it — we will be on baby panda watch — hoping and praying that Bai and Gao will give us one more precious panda. Time will tell.
There is NO WAY our Bai Yun is going to China. No way, no how!! She deserves to retire in San Diego — visited by her adoring fans, basking in the warm sunshine, and enjoying the solitude. She is a San Diego treasure — and I am sure all of her human family wouldn’t let the plane leave the runway.