Yun Zi continues to thrive and finds new excitement every day!
Breeding season is here, and the pandas have been as active as ever. The keepers continue to switch Bai Yun and Gao Gao’s exhibits, so the pandas are investigating their “new” areas vigorously. Bai Yun has been scent marking and bleeting like crazy. When she’s not walking around the exhibit she is either eating or napping. On Saturday, she napped for a few hours on top of the rock structure in her exhibit, and on Sunday she was staying in her bedroom for a while. I was surprised she was in there because the keepers had just replenished her food supply.
Gao Gao has also been active in his exhibit. He spent a lot of his time in the tunnel, where he napped and called for Bai Yun. At one point she did come over to the gate, where they sniffed each other. On Sunday, Gao Gao was entertaining Zoo guests when he found a gopher and decided to play with it and tossed it in the air. Fortunately, the gopher scurried back into its hole unharmed.
It has definitely been an exciting few days at pandas, and I’m sure more excitement is to come!
Alyssa Medeiros is a panda narrator at the San Diego Zoo.
Wow things seem to be running at a fast pace – I guess with such a small window of opportunity it has to move fast.
Great job on keeping us updated.
Cheers to you!
Did anyone catch a clip of Gao playing with the gopher?
Maybe Rita did?
Sadly I was stuck behind a family of 5 and a stoller.
The gopher hole is just outside the howdy gate and the gopher was going in and out while Bai Yun was in there. She did not bother him.
Gao on the other hand went for it, I think he has been watching the gopher from the other side of the gate not just Bai Yun.
Oh well, I am sure our imaginations can fill in the blanks
Excitement to be sure! Thanks for another great post updating us on Gao and Bai, Alyssa. I’ll be keeping an eye on the cam for sure again today!
The excitement it killing me! All the subjective findings are present but that isn’t good enough. Knowing that the timing must be perfect, I can’t imagine how hard it must be for you not to want to move forth too quick! Luckily you are the experts w/the data to make these decisions. Patiently waiting! Who am I kidding, I don’t do anything patiently!!! I can hardly wait!
Hurry up but make sure to get it right, okay? Thanks, sooo many of us would appreciate it.
OMG! Would have loved to have seen Gao Gao and the gopher. How in the world did he even get that close to it? I bet that tunnel is blocked now (by the gopher) and he has made a new one to the new Takin habitat.
Re the Panda Breeding Season. We are all waiting for the good news from the staff that it has taken place.
are we going to hear the pitter patter of little paws in the coming months
The suspense is killing me
Just watched our favorite little boy tear around his enclosure, roll around in his pool, play with his ball and climb very high up in his treee, guess Mom and Dad aren’t the only ones that are excited right now. It’s so great to see the little guy again, he’s the highlight of my day sitting at work.
did anyone get any video of Gao Gao with the gopher
The cam has been on Yun Zi all afternoon. That fact alone makes me wonder if the panda dance is going on right now. OOOOOH!! The anticipation is getting to me.
Wow, I just finished a session of watching Yun Zi running around his enclosure with wild abandon. What a little character. He is perpetual motion. It is great watching him on the Web Cam. He enjoys climbing and running through his little pool.
What a great little (big) panda!
Just like his sister Zhennie. He reminded me of her today when he was lying on the side of the pool. He’s getting to be such a big boy now. And what a big fluffy behind he has. LOL
Yunnie was not the only moving panda yesterday. For those of you who didn’t get a chance to tune into the AZ pandcam, Baby Po spent enjoyed hanging upsidedown from the hammock while using his front paws to play with a toy that looked like a braided rope. That boy is certainly growing like a weed!
Is that Mister Gao laying on the ground, in the sunlight, planning out his romantic “date” with his true love, or dreaming it, I bet. I remember on his last “date” with Missy Bai, he was so sweet and such a gentleman. They make a perfect pair…maybe it will happen on Good Friday/Earth Day, what a special day to make a new bundle of joy…plus it’s my birthday!!! What a present!
All you need is love, per the Beatles…. =0 )
Ooooh, I think that’s Missy Bai laying in the sunlight, not Mister Gao….SHE must be dreaming of their perfect date and saying…..hurry up, cutie, what are you waiting for?!
Very exciting! Looks like they are right on schedule with the 2009 breeding season. Hopefully good news is just around corner.
I am looking at cam 1 and I dont remember seeing that opening before. Did a gate get opened so the panda can enter and exit and most sleep there
?
Has the howdy door been opened?
Moderator’s note: The howdy gate has been opened on Gao’s side, and he’s been going in and out of the “hallway,” but the gate has not yet been opened on Bai Yun’s side.
Dear Unkas and Aunties,
I AM SOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED! I think it is time for me to be a big brother real soon. I hear Mama and Papa talking and hee hee, some of their patter make them sound like teenagers in love. Papa says I need to learn how to address a lady, so I am scrambling around taking notes.
Papa has taught me scent marking is important, the higher the better. I am trying to bulk up now. Hee Hee. Maybe the whole lot of us X Man, Po, Po and De De and yes, Fu Hu can be like the Panda 5 and form a rock band. Then we can attract some cute panda ladies. Hee hee.
And the nannykeepers are helping to keep an eye on Mama and Papa. They record stuff and watch Mama to see if she is ready. Mama has been singing a lot. It is a traditional Panda love song. One of Papa’s favourites so he is getting really excited too.
Last week, he waited for Mama at the Howdy gate but Mama told me a real lady never rushes these things. She greeted Papa but she did not go out with him. I think this week she just might do that. AND THEN I WILL BE THE LIDDLE ONE no more. YAY! Hee Hee.
Love,
Yunnie, the not so little subADULT
I lnow just how you feel, Yunnie—-I was “and this is our baby” for 14 years—-then Mom and Dad had a baby girl, their fifth child—-I was the “baby” no more. I hope you are able to help mama with the baby if she decides to have one—good practice for you to be the “hands on papa”, when you get married to your “forever princess”.
You are looking so good, and growing up so well, thank goodness the nannykeepers help out by taking care of you when mama needs rest in case she and papa decide you need a little brother or sister. Let us know how things are going from time to time….love grammmie
Good to hear from you Grammmie… Hope all is well with you.
Thank you Dianna—some days are better than others. I do not know if I am up to the breeding excitment—-but got back on line just in time to find out.
Alyssa, you mentioned that Bai and Gao sniffed each other through the gate, so are you saying they can see each other now? They have access to, at least view each other? Is this all day, if they are interested?
Thank you.
Moderator’s note: When Gao Gao is given access to the “hallway,” he can see Bai Yun and vice versa.
Here are some pictures and a video of Bai Yun and Gao Gao’s encounter at the howdy gate http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/5613390374/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pandalover19/5619382129/in/photostream/
Wow! Bai is really playing it cool! Moderator: do they vocalize at this stage?
Moderator’s note: Yes! Prior to the first breeding, I heard Gao Gao bleating continuously (sounds like a hoarse horse!), and Bai Yun made chirping sounds every so often.
ps Please pray wid me that I get a liddle brother as I have 3 sissies already. Thanks and may you have a boo-tiful day!
Yunnie must be catching some of the excitment that hovers above the Panda like a cloud.Bleeting is so good to hear. She is calling Gao Gao? How do you know the exact time to open both gates?
Soon I hope.
Moderator’s note: The gates will open for the pair when Bai Yun’s body language indicates she is ready for her suitor.
Moderator: How long will the gate remain open? Will they be seperated after they mate once, or will they be together for a few hours or longer?
Moderator’s note: It just depends; the Panda Team will observe what happens and make decisions accordingly.
Is there someone at the zoo available to open the “howdy door” 24/7 or is the welcome mat only open during daylight hours?
Moderator’s note: There is not a 24-hour watch, but the bears’ behavior is closely monitored from early morning to late in the day. If Bai Yun feels ready to breed, that “feeling” should last 24 to 48 hours.
I was watching today and saw Gao Gao up to gate, rolling around, rubbing up to
wire and etc, I could almost hear him calling is lady. This is the 1st time to see this, I started watching the day that the BIG boy was born. I have learned so much and been a big fan of the Pandas. Also a fan of the Zoo. I’ve been there
twice and will in you area more times this year. Your guys are great.
lu No calif
I wish our handsome Gao Gao – will rise to the occasion!
Everything in your hands Gao and we count on you!
And have a nice date boy!
Aleksandra
This may be the day!! Will be checking the cam as often as possible. It’s been an exciting spring with the humingbirds and now the gopher getting involved with our pandas.
Also, will be checking on Po, he is so cute and fluffy!
Thank you for all the updates,
Love is in the air. How wonderful!
I probably missed this somewhere, but do we know if Gao Gao is a grandpa yet? Did Mei Sheng sire any cubs this past year?
I know we’re anticipating a Su Lin cub this summer – can’t wait to hear news about this!
Moderator: how long after conception will you know if Bai Yun is pregnant? From the rise in her hormone levels, is she almost ready?
Holding my breath to hear that she has conceived!
Moderator’s note: The blog post Bai Yun and Gao Gao answers this question very well. We believe Bai Yun is almost ready, but anything can happen.
Moderator: How much bleating and chirping is going on?
Moderator’s note: A lot of bleating from Gao, and bit of chirping from Bai.
OK…it’s 1:30pm Eastern and it looks like the exhibit is closed as I see no gawkers or voyeuers watching Gao Gao pace endlessly BAI the howdy gate. And where is Queen BAI? Prolly getting ready. Get the videotape ready SDZ!
Moderator’s note: We won’t be videotaping Bai Yun and Gao Gao’s meeting, but our photographer is standing by.
oh btw, the only voyeurs watching are ME..hahaha…
Seems like Bai Yun and Gao Gao need some privacy… Is there a timeline the staff is following to open the gate between their exhibits or what is the reason for not letting the bears be in the same area yet?
Moderator’s note: Pandas can be aggressive toward other bears in their habitat, so to reduce the likelihood of injury to each other, Gao Gao won’t be allowed to have full contact with Bai Yun until she exhibits typical breeding behavior.
The suspense is killing all of us, I am sure, but the Panda team knows what they are doing and decisions which are best for the pandas will happen in due time. (doesn’t make the waiting any less easy for us Pandaholics)
Open, open, open…. we’re ready!!!
This is one of the most exciting times..but Bai Yun is the master of “what’s going to happen next?”..whether it’s mating, giving birth, or taking care of the new cub.
Yes! It has been a very exciting morning, indeed! Poor Mister Gao has been most definitely ready for his “date” with Missy Bai, she has looked pretty darn nonchalant about the whole thing…but then again, you can’t pressure nature. I feel so privileged to watch, er, up to a point, this momentous occasion. The beautiful union of Gao and Bai getting ready to bring another special life into this world, an addition to this very endangered species. These are precious hours right now. I love you, Mister Gao, Missy Bai, Little Cloud, my Zhennie and sibs.
Almost nothing can be as special.
Thank you, everyone!
Auntie Kat
Kat, I second everthing you said, it is a privilege to be part of this special happening.
I think Yun Zi’s tummy is almost touching the ground. He is soooooo adorable! I think Yun Zi is wanting a baby sister.
Oh…… I would love to have a new cubbie to watch…so special!!!! Please make it happen Bi…..
Mama and Papa have done the Spring Salsa! Wooo Hooo! And on the same day I was made! Hee Hee. They must really like what resulted! Liddle bro, please come!
I am excited to hear that there might be another little panda cub running around. I hope she had another one and if she does I hope that it will be a girl and here name would be Lin Lin since I have a chinese friend by that name.
