Bai Yun
All is currently well with the pandas here at the San Diego Zoo. Our not-so-little Yun Zi (who is now considered a subadult) continues to channel his older siblings. Lately, he has been reminding me of Zhen Zhen and her silly antics. I always said that Zhen was our little acrobat. Yun Zi is channeling Zhen Zhen’s gymnastic abilities by turning somersaults, hanging upside down from great heights in his climbing structure, and wowing the crowds by sitting in his hammock and hamming it up while he eats his bamboo.
Bai Yun has been splashing around in her pool in the north exhibit; it is still too soon to confirm whether or not she is pregnant. Perhaps we will have some news later in July. Since the babies are only about the size of a stick of butter at birth, they can be challenging to find on an ultrasound until the cub is more developed.
Gao Gao is always seemingly content as long as he has bamboo and a nice sleeping spot. Keepers say he is an easy-going panda to work with. He has been enjoying all of the enrichment items the keepers have been providing him, like puzzle feeders, Boomer balls, and sawdust.
And how about our hummingbird in the elm tree where Gao Gao is housed? I am happy to report that Charlotte the hummingbird is doing just fine. It seems her first baby grew up and left the nest; she laid another egg, because we saw that the nest was not being used for a brief period of time. And then our mother hummingbird looked like she was turning an egg and sitting for a few weeks. Now we have been observing her feeding again. Go, Charlotte!
As you can see, all things are good in “Pandaland,” and we are looking forward to a summer of exciting changes! We have an Asian-themed Nighttime Zoo, which starts on June 25, and all of our fingers (and toes) are crossed, hoping for another panda cub.
Michelle Penick is a panda narrator at the San Diego Zoo. Read her previous post, Hummingbird Chicks at Pandas.
Happy to hear that all is well in Panda Canyon, Michelle! Just received my new copy of Zoonooz. The cover is breathtaking with the panda face on the cover; the new tour bus is smashing with the panda on the side; and the article on the NEW Panda Canyon is wonderful. I do hope that all is in place by the Black & White Overnight. Go team SDZ!!
And there is also the possibility of a new panda cubbie ~ so I would say that you are right on, all is going swimmingly in Pandaland!!
Moderator’s note: Did you guess which panda is featured on our June ZOONOOZ cover?
Moderator, I tried to figure out which panda is on the June cover but I’d only be guessing. I think it’s Bai Yun.
Michelle, thanks for the fun update. It appears things are as they should be in Pandaland and that’s just fine. It’s been fun to watch our Yunior enjoying himself in his hammock, munching on his ‘boo, and being a general, lovable nuisance!
Moderator’s note: You’re correct: our cover girl is Bai Yun!
@pandafan-north: I left some additional information, at your reply in the previous blog, about a webcam where you can watch Zhen Zhen and Fu Long. However, when it’s daytime there, it’s nighttime here. Since I have frequent insomnia, I get to watch her often.
P. S. user name: panda, password: cnic
I thought perhaps, but you know sometimes, I must admit they look remarkably alike!!!
Mei Lan – Bamboo shoots time:
blog (dot) sina (dot) com (dot) cn/s/blog_49246d3601017sht.html
Thanks Pandafan! What a beautiful bear our Lani has become.
I found this blog just by chance. Why isn’t it listed like the normal blogs on the other page?
I get confused easily……..computers are so not my thing.
Thanks
Moderator’s note: Thanks for letting us know about the listing; it’s been added.
How do I get a copy of ZOONOOZ???
It’s great to hear that all our black and white friends are doing well! They all look content on the cam! You’re doing such a great job looking after them. Can’t wait to hear about a new little one to watch grow. Looks like Yun Zi is done decorating for now. Do you have a before picture of what his enclosure looked like before he decided he needed to change his room around a bit, lol.
Moderator’s note: A 12-month subscription to ZOONOOZ is one of the perks of Zoo membership
Haven’t had too many moments lately to zoom in on the antics… I am just so pleased with the outwardly calm and mellow atmosphere- (usually, Yunnie). The wish list for June looks good for the polars and the pandas. Is there a way people could chip in for the AC for pregnant mommy polar?
Moderator’s note: Great idea, Kathy! I’ll ask.
Did I miss something? Is Chinook pregnant?
Moderator’s note: We don’t know yet, but we’re hoping she is
I bought a bamboo saw off the June Wish List. Glad to help provide for the ‘boo eating bears! Everyone else, go take a look at the wish list – lots of opportunities to contribute!
Moderator’s note: Thank you, pandafan-north! Here’s a link to our Wish List for others interested in helping our critters…
I also got the zoonooz, loved the piece on the new digs, can hardly wait to see it
in Sept. I can imagine when the keepers come to work in the morning, wondering what the boy has been up to over the nite,. It seem he loves to make a mess everywhere. A very busy young man. Thank you for the updates and my
fingers are crossed for a new cubie.
lu
Thanks for the update on our Pandas at the San Diego Zoo and also about Charlotte the hummingbird. Hoping there will be another panda cub.
Thanks for this update on our happy and active bears! I think Gao Gao is easygoing because he was rescued. He realizes how wonderful everyone is to him in SD. He’s a dear panda, but they all are!
What a lovely update!
Moderator: How often is Yun Zi weighed?
Moderator’s note: Each panda has a scale in its bedroom area; when the panda walks over it, the keepers can record the weight, so daily “weigh-ins” are possible.
Thanks for the update on Pandaland. Yun Zi seems to be such a happy little guy, much like his older sis, Zhen Zhen. If and when (I hope not for a LOOONG time) Yun Zi goes to China, he will have a grand time in their yards. They are so big, and have so many very tall trees. I swear it was Zhennie (but not sure) that they caught on camera, asleep in a VERY tall tree.
Best wishes to all for a great weekend.
The camera is now on Yun Zi’s exhibit but he’s not there. However, his exhibit makes me laugh. With all the rearranging he’s done to his exhibit, his space looks like a typical teenage boy’s room – a MESS! Ah, little Yun Zi, I still love you though, just like I love my teenage son!
‘MAMA! MAMA!’ yells Yun Zi as he enters his Mama’s enclosure.
Bai is relaxing with a cup of boo tea and some leafeater biscuits. She is reading a traditional Chinese classic novel The Dream of the Panda’s Red Chamber.
‘Yes, my dear? Mama is not yet deaf. My perfectly round ears are still in working order and can channel all the sounds around me. I heard you coming through the tunnel ten minutes ago. You must learn Unlce Po’s stealth mode. How will you ever learn to hunt?’
‘MAMA!’ Yun Zi is too excited to notice his mother’s gentle reprimand, ‘I want a birthday party with a theme!’
‘Oh? And what theme might that be?’
‘A 1000 and One Nights with dancing harem panda girls and magic carpets and lots of balloons and boo!!!’
‘Hmmmmm, would you prefer a Pirates party?’
‘Nope, AJ is planning that for Wee Po’s birthday later.’
‘How about a Kung Fu Panda party?’
‘That would be soooo lame as Uncle Po is family and we are Pandas so where is the fun? I wanna a party where we can all dress up and wear disguises.’
‘Let me think about what party theme can help disguise a roly poly subadult panda boy…..hmmmmm’
‘Mama, you are making fun of me,’ says Yunnie crestfallen.
‘Making fun of my dear sweetie pie honey bunny? Nooooo, I wuv you!’
‘MAMA! You are so funny. Maybe we can have a ice cream party and we all make our own sundaes??? We could have a magician and maybe a snake charmer.’
‘And who will you be inviting?’
‘All the zoo kids and my panda friends and relatives of course.’
‘Oh I see, and Mama has to feed all of them?’
‘Weeeell, I thought we could cater.’
‘Ah, what would you like?’
‘Lots of ice cream, pizzas, hot dogs. burgers, veggie burgers too, potato salads, and of course your wonderful bamboo pandan chocolate layered cake with a 2 made from honey and apples clusters on top!’
‘I see you have been planning all of this for some time…’
‘You only turn 2 once in your life. So I want to ‘shake it shake it’, hee hee’ giggles our boy as he wriggles his tushie in front of Mama.
A large Mama’s paw smacks that ‘move it, moveit’ tushie gently.
‘OUCH! MAMA! Hee Hee, I got lots of padding so that didn’t hurt.’
‘I noticed. Well, if you want an ice cream birthday party, then Mama and Papa will see what we can do.’
‘Oh can I ask for an elephant ride round the zoo?’
‘Oh, we’ll have to ask Auntie Sumithi or Auntie Devi will oblige, won’t we? If you are a good boy I will go ask them, OK?’
‘MAMA!’
‘Yes?’
‘I is always a god boy, hee hee.’
‘I will have to ask the nannykeepers especially when you redecorate.’
‘Hee Hee.’
‘Yunnie! Come here.’
‘Yes, Mama, what happened?’
‘Mama has something to tell you.’
‘Yes, Ma.’
‘Grandma has passed away. She is now free from pain and aches of old age. Her soul is with our ancestors in the Bamboo Heavens.’
‘Oh…..MAMA!’
‘She was a Hero Mother and my hero!’
‘Oh….Mama….’
‘She loved me and Lin Hui very much and taught us everything she knew.’
‘Yes, Mama.’
‘I will miss her very much. I had hoped to see her when I retire to our ancestral land.’
‘Yes, Mama.’
‘Her spirit and our memories will keep Grandma Dong Dong in our hearts.’
‘Yes, Mama.’
And with that, Yun Zi went and gave his mama a hug to show her how much he appreciated her and loved her. A tear rolled down his cheek as his mother’s shoulders heaved as she sobbed for her mama.
Lucilla, Thank you for writing this.
Dong Dong gave us the best gift ever in her daughter Bai Yun.
I will be spending the day with Bai Yun tomorrow.
Thanks ….:(
Lovely tribute to a hero mother Lucilla. I still remember the blog here where Bai Yun was given pieces of board with scents of various pandas and she showed strong interest in the one of her mother Dong Dong. I know we will never know if she remembered but I’d like to think she did.
That blog is here if you’ve never read it.
http://blogarchives.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2006/03/27/panda-perfume/
Thanks Mollie. It is comforting to know that you will be with Bai Yun tomorrow. Seems to ease the pain a little and you and Kathy Hawk know her so well. I’m sure she will be glad to see you.
Lin Hui is Pan Pan’s daughter, but she is not related to Dong Dong.
Danielle–isn’t Long Hui, Fu Long and Fu Hu’s father, Bai Yun’s brother?
Frances, sorry for the late reply. Fu Long and Fu Hu are related to Bai Yun through their mother Yan Yang, Yang Yang’s father is Da Di, Bai Yun’s brother.
This was so ~ I can’t even think of the right words ~ but thank you, Lucilla
It’s a sad day for panda lovers. Let’s be grateful for Dong Dong’s legacy as her children and their children continue to enrich our lives.
So sad to hear of Bai Yun’s mommy Dong Dong passing away. She gave us many beautiful children and grandchildren.
Yes …so so sad….but she’s in Heaven now….she will be dearly missed!
Its a sad day for all panda fans and keepers when one of these BEAUTIFUL bears passes away. My heart is heavy for all of us.
Thank you very much for so good information about all residents of Pandaland! I hope to became an adoptive mother again and soon!
Dear Michelle and the whole Panda-Team: I “hold my toes” what means in Poland the same as ” to cross the finger “.
Your fan from Central East Europe, Aleksandra.
Moderator’s note: Keep “holding your toes” for us, Aleksandra!
In French we touch wood!!
We recently enjoyed a trip to the zoo with some out of town guests. While the line to the main panda exhibit was long, we were pleased to notice the doors to Madame Bai’s garden were open! We nearly had her to ourselves, with the exception of a squirel who ventured down from the wall to steal a biscuit — brave creature!
In the course of our discussions with our friends, one of them commented that he thought pandas were marsupials. I confidently corrected him, based on my years of reading this blog, saying scientists have confirmed that pandas are indeed bears. However, I would love to find one of Suzanne’s blogs on this topic to send to him. I’m not having luck searching the archives. Can anyone help? Thank you!
Moderator’s note: Good for you, Lisa, for sharing your panda knowledge! You can direct your friend to our panda fact sheet: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-giant_panda.html
Moderator, thanks for the link!!
Thank you, moderator. I appreciate the link to the fact sheet. I also have a memory of an excellent blog I thought Suzanne did about this topic some time ago and how they have determined that Pandas branched of the ancestral tree a little earlier than other bears. I wondered if anyone could point me in that direction. Thanks again!
Moderator’s note: Try Brother Bear: Ursidae Family.
That’s it; thank you!