While his parents prepare for spring, Yun Zi enjoys his new hammock in the garden room.
It’s almost springtime in San Diego, and spring is the time of year when we see many changes here at the San Diego Zoo. Our pandas are no exception to these changes. We are all very excited about the projects going on in Panda Canyon, as the pandas will have some new neighbors (see Panda Canyon Changes), new climbing structures, and something else new to focus on—breeding season. Until the construction projects are completed, our pandas will be rotating on exhibit, so you never know who you will see. On Sunday it was a very relaxed adult female, Bai Yun, on the left-hand side, and in the right-hand enclosure was our adult male, Gao Gao. It was great to see them enjoying the sun and, as usual, kicking back and eating their bamboo.
Many Zoo guests have been asking us if Gao Gao and Bai Yun will have another cub. Only the pandas know for sure. If our black-and-white duo were wild pandas, they would be nearing the end of their lifespan; since they live in a beautiful managed-care situation, however, they could live into their 30s. So how old can a giant panda be and still conceive a cub? This seems to be a popular question. One panda that we know of gave birth at the age of 20, so it is not unreasonable to think that Bai Yun and Gao Gao may produce one more cub. Bai Yun is currently 19 years old (her birthday is September 7), and she seems very active. Watching her play last month with youngster Yun Zi, it seemed that she had absolutely no trouble keeping up. She would wrestle with him in play sessions, and sometimes, when Yun Zi thought he was done, Bai Yun would drag him back toward her for more.
So we are all very optimistic for our panda couple to mate this spring and for Bai Yun to have another baby. The female giant panda is in estrus for only one to three days during the entire year, and she skips a year of breeding if she is caring for her young. This is Bai Yun and Gao Gao’s year—we are hoping for some “romance” in late March or early April.
Michelle Penick is a panda narrator at the San Diego Zoo. Read her previous post, Big Steps Toward Independence.
Thanks Michelle for keeping updated on the Gao’s. If there is noise around from the renovations being done, could this possibly bother Bai Yun and Gao Gao? Would construction be stopped if necessary?
It is quite possible that there could be portions of construction that impact the pandas to varying degrees. Fortunately we do have options for housing to move them further away from the project as the bears dictate to us. There will likely be periods of time that we try to coordinate less-involved construction with sensitive times of panda management. We all want to complete this project in a timely fashion, but certainly ceasing construction is not off the table if circumstances require it.
A new cubbie would be wonderful. I miss watching Yun Zi as a little ball of black and white fur. I will be keeping my fingers crossed that there will be romance in the air for Bai and Gao.
Panda romance, how sweet. I will be cheering you on Bai Yun and Gao Gao
Romance for Bai Yun and Gao Gao. That is so sweet. Hoping for one more panda cub.
A new cub would be great! Yun Zi was my first cub from birth, it was so exciting to see all his wonderful stages, the separation was a little bit sad but he’s such a good boy and looks healthy and happy. She’s such a good Mom.
Moderator: will she be AI or have nature takes its course. Would SDZ be getting a 3D ultrasound machine?
Thanks for the great posts, I love checking in with my little family every day!
Moderator’s note: We’d LOVE to have a 3D ultrasound machine
Sweet Bai- it has been one joy after another for you and your babies. You are an extraordinary panda mommy. Now, it’s nature’s turn, again. Are you ready for one more little Yunnikins?
Thanks very much for this interesting blog and for the picture of Yun Zi in his new hammock!! It is a funny coincidence that you did put up this picture today as it was Wee Lan’s first day in the hammock at the Atlanta Zoo. If you missed the action live, DoxieMom is coming to the rescue!! Don’t miss the videos and pictures, including a nursing session, just priceless.. http://www.flickr.com/photos/pandalover19/
Thank you Danielle for your Web sites. Especially the ones that are ready to go on this blog.
Thanks so much to Doxie Mom for the Precious Po series. And, thanks, too for Yunnie in the tub. I remember that Mei Lan had a black iron tub that she liked to nap in. But, then, she got too big. Looks like Yunnie has a way to go with his tub,
I happen to catch a bit of it. Lun is a whole different kind of Mama… You gotta love her.. The little fella seemed to really like sleeping in the hammock. I read somewhere that one of the keepers commented that Xiao Lan is a reall mama’s boy..
Po is just adorable. I can Atlanta is in love with that little guy.
lu
Thanks, Danielle, for the link to the vids. It’s amazing how the little guy really got going, once he got his legs under his little fluffy body. It really looked like he was having fun going over the nest box dividers, (slipping and sliding!), and finding what was on the other side. They were all priceless, especially how mommy covered him with boo, then went over him to get out of the hammock. I had to laugh, when he was sleeping…he looked like a rag doll, with momma Lun moving him around. The hammock looks small on camera, but it is big enough for at least 2 humans. Pretty soon he’ll be climbing the logs to take his naps on top.
Well chill the champagne, lower the lights and start playing Bai’s favorite CD!
(love is in the air . . .)
Thank you for the interesting update on the Bai-Gao romance. We can only hope that our wonderful Queen Bai is up for raising another youngster. She is so great at it. How long does a giant panda carry a cub before giving birth? I am sure Bai could use a rest after Yunior, although he was quite the independent little guy. It is nice to see little Po (not sure I like the name) starting to move about. It was adorable to see him in the hammock today, reminds me of Yun Zi, my favorite little guy of all!
Thanks again for your great posts and updates on these beloved bears! Although the seperation of mom and cub made me sad, they do seem to be just fine! It is exciting to tune in daily and see the new posts. Any news on the girls?
Moderator’s note: Panda gestation is about 45 days, but the female can delay implantation for up to 6 months or longer.
Po: Hello, Yunnie Ge Ge.
YZ: Hey, Wee Po Man, what’s up?
Po: Mama take me to a big thing in a twee. She says good for me to get sun.
YZ: Ah, that would be the big hammock, great fun.
Po: Many funny smells dere.
YZ: Hahaha, must be your Ge Ge Xi Lan.
Po: Oh Oh, he sent me a pwesent….a stuffie to cuddle when I sweep.
YZ: Awwww…..you can learn a lot from him….
Po: And fwom you too.
YZ: My first advice to you is sleep and dwink as much mewk as you can so you will grow faster and stronger.
Po: OK, I can do that. Mama’s Milk Bar is always open. Yunnie Ge Ge, can I ask some thing?
YZ: Sure.
Po: I thot my Mama’s name is Lun Lun but I heard someone call her Mommie Monster. Yikes, is she a monster?
YZ: Hahaha, no she is not an ugly monster. She likes to play with all her cubbies and she has to teach you right from wrong. Your Mama is fierce so she is called a Mommie Monster.
Po: Whew, I think my Mama is bwetiful and wuvly. I wuv her lots and I like it when she cuddles me and holds me close to her heart. I heart Mama!
YZ: Hee Hee. And the first lesson in Being a Cubby 101 is Always smile for the uncles and aunties who come to visit. Lesson 2 Wave to them. Got it?
Po: Yes, Ge Ge. Xi Lan Ge Ge also told me the same thing. He says when the aunties and uncles go,’Ooooh and Aaaahhh,’ it is a good thing.
YZ: Yes that is a good thing.
Po: But how can I move to get a good look at them? Now it is vevy hard to move in that hamm thing. I wants to take pictures of them with a magic box.
YZ: When you get stronger, you will find it easier. Maybe when you are older, Xi Lan Ge Ge will get you a magic box.
Po: Hee Hee, goody, goody! Ok, I go to sweep now. Thank you for answering my questions. You are the best, Yunnie Ge Ge! After my own Ge Ge of cawse.
YZ: Take care, Cubby Cadet!
This is cute….Move over Xi Lan… the hammock now belongs to Po Bear..
‘You sigh the song begins, you speak and I hear viooooolins, its magic….,’ and with that Sir Gao Gao waltzes through his compound.
‘Hey, Daddy-o, wasssup?’ yells Yunnie as he strides into his Papa’s enclosure.
‘In a few weeks it is Spring and that’s when every young man’s thoughts….’grins Gao Gao.
‘Turns to bamboo! I heard from one of the keepers, we may get new bamboo in Spring, Papa!’ declares Yun Zi with delight.
‘Well, you are 18 months old and not quite a young man yet so you won’t fully understand this….In Spring a young man thinks of amour…and music is the food of love…and I want to dance with your Mama…’
‘Papa, what is amour? Is it another type of boo? And when I hear certain types of music like hip hop they make me hungrier.’
‘Son, amour is French for L-O-V-E!’ and with a flourish, Gao Gao pretends to be embracing Bai Yun.
‘Oooh, well, I love you and Mama!’
‘But the love between a man and a woman is a different one. It is one that can split mountains, cause rivers to flow and the stars to explode!’
‘Wowie. And this Spring you are going to show Mama how much you love her?’
‘Exactly! Every woman panda needs to feel loved and cherished. First I will write her love letters. Then I will send her flowers. And then I will serenade. And the final touch will be dinner under the stars…..’
‘Papa, I didn’t know you were such a romantic!’
‘Hey Yun ZI, Papa will tell you a secret. I am Secret Agent XXXX7. I was sent to woo Mama and to have cubbies with her. Of course I fell in love with her too. I am now Commander Gao. If I can get Cubby No 5, I will become General Gao and I can retire with full bamboo rations.’
‘WOW, my Papa is a secret agent!’
‘Sussh, not so loud. Mama knows but not everyone else. Because I was wild born, they felt they could harness my energy to help increase the panda population. Now I have used my scent marks and written in code all my secret steps for the Spring Salsa in the Classroom. This is my legacy to you. Please learn the steps diligently. It is steps passed down through the ages from the first Panda Sifu. You must continue the legacy together with Mei Sheng Ge Ge.’
‘Papa, me? I am so young and so unschooled in the world!’
‘Don’t worry, Papa still around. Also many Panda Ge Ges around. Most important is to find good woman like Mama. If Miss Panda Universe 2008 has good qualities so what if she is an older woman? If you think she is the one, pursue her with all your might. Women like a decisive man or so your Mama tells me, hee hee.’
‘Papa, I pwomise to be a good disciple and learn the steps of the Spring Salsa well. I will also learn all your other moves so that I can pass on the legacy to my sons, hee hee!’
‘Good boy! Now come, Papa will show you how to get buns of steel and a six pack…only thing is Papa now has a barrel, never mind Mama has more to love, hee hee!’
And the 2 pandas trotted out into the yard as Gao Gao showed Yunnie how to strengthen his back legs and to increase his muscle tone. There were many gleeful shouts and yells. From the corner of her massage room, Bai Yun raises her shades from her eyes, ‘Wonder what Gao is teaching Yunnie now? That rascal…’ and then a knowing smile appears on her lips, ‘And a darn handsome rascal he is and a great Salsa dancer!’
thanks for the posts and picture. again welcome back grammie,missed you while you were gone.
Make sure Gao does his back leg exercises so he’ll be in tip top shape for the Spring Salsa!
Thanks Michelle. I am also optomistic that the Yun Gaos will procreate and gives us another loveable bundle of black and white joy.
The new HD web cams for the Elephants and Polar Bears are so wonderful….are there any plans to update the Panda and Ape Cams to the same thing.?
Moderator’s note: Yes.
Thank you for the answer…now the next question is of course, when?
Moderator’s note: We hope to have HD cams for pandas and apes by mid-June.
GM moderator, I don’t want to come across as rude, but is there a reason we can’t have our Yun Zi on camera? I understand the changes and that you all are focusing on Bai and Gao, but a Yunior “fix” now and then would be great. I really miss seeing him, as I am sure alot of others do also. Thanks and have a great day.
Moderator’s note: We have only one camera in the area Yun Zi is in, and he’s not always visible, as he has several rooms to choose from. I’m sure you’d rather see Bai Yun or Gao Gao than a wall, right? Please remember this is just a temporary thing as we make positive changes to Panda Canyon.
Thank you and I do understand
Ha ha!
I agree! Walls are definitely less interesting than Madame Bai, or Mr. Gao Gao. I like seeing Yunior every now and then, but I love seeing the older two eating or enjoying a peaceful nap in the sun.
Love the post!
so cute♥
Oh, I wish for a new cubbie too! Has Bai showed any signs of going into estrus? Those coming to the Panda Convention the end of March sure hope
to get the “behind the scenes” tour and see all three of them!
Love all the camera time Gao Gao is getting! Really cute close ups
I’ve been a pandaholic since way before there was a webcam. I am so grateful for anything I can watch. Thank you.
Do you think Yun Zi will be out for public viewing in July? My granddaughter is coming from Iowa to Calif to see him. Thanks
Moderator’s note: You bet!
BY: HELLO, Lunnie! How’s the WeePo Man?
LL: Aiyoh, he is so full of energy and now he has learnt to move, I can’t seem to keep track of him. I am worried he is going to bang himself or fall….
BY: Woah, we all know they won’t, our cubbies are well protected by the nannykeepers, there is nothing dangerous…
LL: I know, I know but I can’t help but feel I need to keep my eyes on him 24/7. I wish I could have a traditional confinement helper….sigh…
BY: Yes, the good old days when we had a confinement lady to cook special tonics for us, massage us, give us body wraps to get into shape and help put baby to sleep…
LL: Don’t remind me. The other day I picked Wee Po by his feetsies just to keep him near by and immediately people on the web started calling me Mommie Monster! Not fair. I am trying my best to be a good mommy!
BY: I know, we know what a good Mama you are. Ignore them. They don’t know what pressure we are under to help increase the panda population. It is a miracle that we are even able to have babies.
LL: Yes! I am so happy that I got this cubby. I was hoping for a girl but he is such a cutie. He is going to be a heartbreaker like Xi Lan.
(Background – ‘And like his daddy, Big Daddy Yang eh?’)
BY: Is that who I think it is?
LL: Yup, the man who contributed his genes to Wee Po.
BY: Well you do enjoy dancing the ole Salsa with him.
LL: This year it was more a Cha Cha Cha! Ole!
BY: Hee Hee, I asked Gao Gao whether we can waltz instead this year so we can enjoy the time together.
LL: And what did the Gaoster say?
BY: He said he has started exercising and pumping iron just to tango with me, hee hee. I
LL: Woooo eeeee, someone is in for a tantalizing tempestuous time with her hottie eh?
BY: Please, Lunnie, this is a family blog.
LL: Hee hee, that was the hormones speaking.
BY: How is Po shaping up?
LL: He is doing really good. He is putting on weight and he is growing. And boy, he is teething. His teefies are a killer.
BY: Hey, I sent you some special hazelnut butter cream to help with the dryness and soreness.
LL: Yeah I got it and the cream works like a charm. And Po likes to lick it.
BY: The good thing is the cream is edible!!
LL: Great. I will spread it on bamboo like jam, hee hee.
BY: Well, we mommies must find ways to treat ourselves so that we can have fun too.
LL: I am waiting for Po’s debut so that I can share him with the world. He will bring so much joy to all who see him. I think he is a little like Yunnie.
BY: Thanks, I must say Yunnie is special. He is a real charmer. I am so happy at how well he turned out. I love all my children.
LL: Yeah, they make it all worth it.
BY: Well, I am praying for you to be a Grandma!
LL Hee Hee, and I am praying that you will be a Great Grand Mother! All hail, the Hero Panda Mother of the Century!!!
BY: Aiyoh, please! Hee Hee, yes, imagine me, great grand mama, I can’t wait! You go Tuan Tuan, Yuan Yuan is a nice girl.
LL: OK, gotta go, Wee Po wants his milk shake!
BY: Bye Bye and your turn to call next.
LL: Yup, will do. Thanks for everything, Ta Jie!
Hooray! I have accomplished what I thought was impossible!
I can now tell the pandas apart! 
I have a question! What happens when Bai can’t have babies anymore? Does she go back to China? Will we get a new mother panda?
Okay, that was three questions.
Moderator’s note: Our loan agreement, which was extended in 2008, allows Bai Yun and Gao Gao to remain with us at least through 2013.
Moderator: What reason would there be to send Bai and Gao back at their age in 2013? If the zoo can take care of up to 6 pandas, what diplomatic or “residency” issues would there be with China?
Moderator’s note: Their loan agreement expires in 2013; we can renegotiate it at that time.
Moderator: Are Bai Yun and Yun Zi seem lonely without one another?
SDZ does such a great job looking out for our furry black and white friends, hats off to all of you that make our lives richer for having the opportunity to see them everyday and learn so much about them!
Moderator’s note: There was a period of adjustment, naturally, but both are doing well.
Does Little Cloud know to go to shelter when it rains? Looks like a lot of raining coming our way….
Hope they know to stay warm and toasty, don’t want them catching cold!
oxo
There is a really fine posting on You Tube of Zhen Zhen doing her acrobatic routine!. The video was posted in May 2010. If you are missing Zhennie, you will really enjoy her show!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU8TF08NdpU&feature=feedf
Bobbie–thanks so much for posting!
There’s our daring young panda girl hanging by her teeth and zooming around. I do miss her and hope she’s still playing and flying through the trees in China.
What an energy packed entertainer- making up the moves as she goes along! Thanks for sharing this moment with us! I miss her so.
Amazing ZZ, she was born to be a trapeze artiste!
Thanks so much for this! I miss her something terrible. She is a trapeze superstar!
That was a very cute video. I miss her so much!! I wonder if she shows off like that in China??
If you have been missing Yun Zi, Rita Petita has posted a very nice series of pictures http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/sets/72157626025275519/with/5481055326/
I also came across this lovely video of Lun Lun’s cub. He might have been dreaming at the beginning, he is showing his teeth, and when Lun Lun gets off the hammock, one of her hind leg went through the mesh of the hammock!!
Adorable Lil’ Bear! Baby Panda Po – Feb 22, 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37eAqRO85V4
There’s simply nothing cuter than a baby panda! I think Lun uses the hammock like a day care center; drop the baby off and go have lunch. Pick him up when you’re through.
Anne, I agree with you, it seems that Lun Lun is dropping her cub there expecting the keepers and her adoring fans to keep an eye on him while she attends to more serious tasks, like eating!! It is funny and interesting to observe a panda mother’s habits changing as she gets more experienced with each cub. I don’t think she would have done that with Mei Lan. Lun Lun seems even more relax than she was with Xi Lan. Interesting times ahead!
Everyone loves the hammock! What does that mimic in the wild- or are our beary comfortable nappers just overly spoiled?
(I love hammocks, too.)
I miss you sooo much, Zhennie girl….hope you are happy and they are treating you like the princess you are.
xox
any chance that science can step in to ensure *romance*
The large group attending the Panda Convention the end of March is hoping to be able to see all our Panda’s with out special tours. Anyone who has not signed up yet….well, the deadline is March 1st, but can be extended a bit if you are just hearing about it. Read the blog article two ago to find out the dates, and how to receive the invitations. Hope to meet many of you there! Last year we shared blog names, so in the future, you would know who was writing here. Thank you to the blog for promoting us!!!!
On February 14, there was quite an exceptional sighting in the Foping National Nature Reserve, a six month old wild cub was playing with his mother on the snowy hillside and then the cub climbed on his mother’s back and rode like that for about 20 seconds as his mother kept slowly climbing the hill. The patrol staffer moved slightly from behind a big tree to have a better view and the pandas probably heard him and disappeared quickly. But not before the patroller could take 10 pictures. Don’t miss those beautiful pictures on www(dot)pandas(dot)fr/ it is written in French, but you can get the translation by clicking on the “Google Translate” link on the top right of the page and select the first article from February 18, 2011. This is probably one of a kind set of pictures.
Thanks for the link, Danielle–I guess they were finding a way to travel and play at the same time.
Danielle, thank you so much for this great link to the French website! I could have stayed and clicked on all the news it provides on the pandas around the world. How do you find these websites?
You are welcome. I really like that website as well, it has information that is hard to find anywhere else. I discover this website quite a long time ago and French is my native language. I have been corresponding with the owner of the site for a while now. Like him, I am very much interested in restoring and protecting the habitat of the pandas in the wild and to learn as much as we can about those amazing animals.
Thanks Danielle for the link. This morning, I also read a similar article in the People’s Daily Online. If anyone missed seeing the two photos, I have them posted on Flickr at the following link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdrose24/
Again, thanks Danielle for being alert to all things panda.
If you want to know what happened to Lun Lun, Wee Lan and the rest of the Yang Lung’s family over the week-end when the pandacam was off, go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/47022012@N05/ and http://www.flickr.com/photos/58141177@N00/ . You will find pictures and videos.
Sorry, I meant the Yang Lun’s family, or perhaps it is the Lun Yang’s family… Well, I am sure you all know who I meant!!
These are great pictures! Wee Po certainly gets out and about for being so young!!
Oh, those are great photos! I must bookmark these two sites. Thanks, Danielle!
Jutta Kirchner, a photographer at the Zoo in Vienna, just posted 130 recent pictures of Fu Hu and his mama Yang Yang.
picasaweb(dot)google(dot)com/juttakirchner/FuHuNeueBilder02#
Fu Hu was born on August 23, 2010; so he is just over six month old.
Those photos are incredibly cute and you just want to reach in and hug him.
I love watching Bai power eat. She is surrounded by a veritable forest of bamboo and is carefully selecting only her favorite bits. Good diet may just result in one more offspring.
I loved seeing Bai on camera today enjoying her boo. She seems so content. I sure am missing seeing our little guy though. Has he started the hearing study yet? I want to pick up and hug that baby Royal Antelope, what an adorable little creature! I cannot wait to see the baby cheetah cub, hope a video is posted soon. I am getting panda baby fixes watching little Po, he is starting to walk quite well now and even play. I hope SDZ has another one, but if not, I will always watch and love the Bai Gao clan!
My new fave video of Lin Ping and CHK!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM5y0Z4gya8
A new video of little cubbie monster Fu Hu, 6 months old, and his mommie Yang Yang at Zoo Vienna. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9t2-ezN-7s