Bai Yu shows off a paw adapted for bamboo holding.
This summer the San Diego Zoo’s gates stay open a little later, and guests have the opportunity to hang out with their favorite animal friends longer than usual. Our Nighttime Zoo theme, China Celebration, offers a great opportunity to explore the inspirational adaptations of Chinese plants and animals. The process of studying biology in order to gain inspiration to be applied to human design is known as biomimicry or bioinspiration.
Starting with the most popular ambassador of China that we have at the Zoo, our giant pandas are quite the anomaly of the Animal Kingdom. Though their digestive systems and taxonomic classification hint that they should be carnivorous, they are instead so famously partial to bamboo. They even have a specially adapted “thumb” to grasp bamboo stalks as they strip the leaves. This “thumb” is not really a thumb at all but a modified wrist bone, giving pandas the odd appearance of having six fingers on their front paws. Astronauts, with their puffy space gloves, can’t grip nearly as well as our furry black-and-white bears. Just think how effective a robotic panda paw would be when repairing structures in space.
Almost as interesting as the pandas in the realm of biomimicry is their staple diet item, bamboo. Bamboo is a sustainable wood resource AND a source of inspiration for stability in structure. The round, hollow tube of bamboo provides support that allows the stalks to grow very tall and thin without snapping in half. As bamboo bends, the circular cross section bends into an oval, allowing flexibility in order to keep the stalk intact. Bamboo, unlike other plants, has a unique site of photosynthesis. While most plants use leaves as their solar collectors (bamboo included) bamboo plants also have chloroplasts on their stalks. Taking hints from bamboo’s strong structure and efficient use of space can provide inspiration for the design of future buildings.
Another creature from China, just as important to the ecosystem but significantly less cuddly than the panda, is the Mang Mountain pit viper, which will soon be exhibited in the Zoo’s new Panda Trek habitat. This venomous snake is part of a subfamily known and named for its infrared-sensing tissue contained in pits located between their eye and nostril. The Mang Mountain pit viper is a beautifully colored snake with alternating ragged bands of green and brown with the last ten inches or so of its tail a very light blue, an adaptation used to lure in prey. Once prey is unfortunately close (from its perspective) the pit viper strikes and pierces its prey with its almost inch-long fangs. Vipers have astonishing control over their venom secretion, a beneficial trait to conserve a precious and energy-intensive resource. They can release venom through the left fang only, the right fang only, both fangs at once, or none at all. They do so by flexing a muscle near the venom sac that expels the liquid out of the sac and down a tube ending in the fang. Snake locomotion has already inspired several different robot prototypes, but studying venomous snakes and their venom injection system could also inspire new responsive, resource-conscious liquid dispensers.
There are many other inspiring animals from China and from around the world at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Who knows, maybe for your next invention you will be crediting a panda as a consultant!
Dena Emmerson is a biomimicry research assistant at the San Diego Zoo. Read her previous post, Nano-inspiration: Small Size, Big Potential.
Be sure to visit our Biomimicry section for more information about this exciting field of study.
That is a lovely photo of Bai Yun to start the article…..but then has she ever taken a bad photo????
How very interesting, like I’m getting a science class and a class in China’s animals and enviroment , Thank you for the info, really did enjoy it. You learn something new every day.
lu
I just saw one of the stories on the bottom of the page, where the four photos appears, was “Bai Yun Trough The Years” by Senior Keeper Kathy Hawk. Even if you remember it from Sept 7, 2010, it was every bit as wonderful as the first time I read it, so you might enjoy it again, or for the first time.
Okay-next I saw another box—leading to “A Yun Zi Story”, by Heidi Trowbridge-February 23, 2010, describing Yuniors first “real” rain day…….and what the keepers went through. It is a Hoot, and has some dandy photos in it. None of the Photos are in the rain, but if you need to see a really wet Yun Zi as a baby I can steer you to a great photo session by Rita Petita-just let me know.
Just so you know just how much we enjoyed it then–there were 249 comments written after it. It was so enjoyable I decided to cruise the Messages—and not more than 1/3 of the way down found a Lucilla-writing on behalf of “The X-Man”, “Princess Lin Ping” and “Yunior”. It reads just beautifully, and I am going to check the rest to see what we have.
It was only a few more posts to find a short conversation by Tiny, SC. As I scrolled some more I found another Lucilla about 2/3 of the way down, so we might as well scan the whole thing. Even Britney got in on the story telling with Pandolympics. Do not miss anything by Bruce in KC, Joseph in Illinois, and do take a look at the photo of Yun Zi laughing his head off by Rita Petita. I am sure I missed somebody(ie’s) names(s)—forgive me, if I missed you—but I cannot read every post and keep up woth currents too….Love AuntieGrammmmie
P. S. there are links there to videos from Doxiemom and more………..
I just watched a Birthday Video from chinas for Panda Birthdays. Did I hear wrong or did it say near the end that Mei Sheng may be expecting his first offspring??????
Panda Team responds: As we understand it, Mei Sheng was not part of the breeding pool this year as China is focusing on males with underrepresented genes.
Errr…son of Gao Gao is not considered under represented? What does that mean for his future and the future of Zhen Zhen ? Can we have them back if they don’t need them
And we can just keep Yunior too!
Kathy–I so agree!
Explain pls -why would China want underrepresented genes.
Especially after did mate him last year 
You’d think the son of wild born panda would be extra valuable
Moderator’s note: But you must remember that Mei Sheng also has Bai Yun’s genes, and she is getting well-represented through her offspring Hua Mei and Su Lin’s cubs. We’ll see what next year’s breeding season will bring for our boy (ahem, young man!).
Well Kathy, I vote yes to our having them back and our sweetheart Yunnie stays. What a day that would be. the Zoo couldn’t hold all the panda fans. We would really have to take turns!!
That is why the birth of Zhang Ka’s twins on Saturday in the semi-wild enclosure at Bifengxia is so important, especially since Zhang Ka and the father of the twins, Bai Yang are both wild-born but rescued at a young age. I suspect at least one of the twins will be kept in captivity to increase the diversity of the gene pool of the pandas living in captivity.
Always very impressed with the level of information provided in these types of articles!
Ever since I became involved in growing bamboo here in Virginia I have noticed more and more mature groves all over town. I have 6 different kinds planted and contrary to popular belief, bamboo (even the running kind) is relatively easy to control. It only shoots 2 weeks or so per year and once, after only 90 days, it has reached its full height you can snap it off at the height you want it and that culm will not ever grow any higher. It is a wonderfully versatile plant and after yesterday’s earthquake here that has once again been brought home to me. The rhizomes stabelize the ground, I had no damage to my deck around which some of my bamboo grows, the deck of the house next door buckled badly and is a complete loss. So, grow bamboo people! The coming hurricane will bend, but not break my bamboo and it’ll serve as a great windbreak.
Btw, you can send a panda if you have extra, but please keep the viper. I grew up in New Guinea and have had more than my fill of snakes tyvm!
Marion, your blog was almost at educational as Dena’s. Too bad I live in an apartment or I would be tempted to grow some.
M e too! I hate snakes! All kinds. My dog threw one in the air and it almost hit me an d I was a b asket case.Just a garter snake but so what!
My brother handed it to me-just a garter snake-it bit me….that done me in, I want no cure for my phobia..
Thanks Marion! I didn’t know all that about bamboo.
I realize this isn’t on this topic, but I am observing Bai this morning and she doesn’t look like she feels well….anyone?????
She’s in the corner of her platform with her head against the wall, breathing heavily. Poor baby.
Moderator’s note: I just checked with her keeper, who reports that Bai Yun is fine. Sometimes, Bai likes to take those dramatic, deep breathes, but if she does get too warm, she always has access to her air-conditioned bedroom. Please don’t worry
Dear Moderator, thanks for checking on Queen Bai, I was thinking on the same lines as Kat, that she was not feeling well. We all worry about the animals, but are reassured by the great keepers of them all. HAGD
Dena, great article. Love to learn something new, ty
She did take a number of dramatic poses this morning. But just now I saw her trying to look through the doorway to see what the keepers were doing and looking like a little cubbie. Reminded me of when Zhennie used to hang onto the wire on the windows to peek inside that room. Still miss my Zhennie.
Thanks for checking on her and giving us the update. We panda fans tend to worry alot when we see Momma acting out of what we consider to be normal.
Moderator you are the best!!!
Moderator’s note: Aww! You’re welcome.
I sat watching her one day, she looked to be in pain. One hour later, I decided she wasnt going to have her baby. I was worried that she would have a still born or something. She can reallly look uncomfortable! But Bai didnt hear my encouragement or the love I was sending. Too bad huh!
What a wonderful post today, you have taught me so much about our precious black and white friends. Thank you SDZ for taking such good care of them and educating us. Wish we knew whether Bai is pregnant or not, she keeps us guessing and hoping. What a wonderful job you do.
Thanks Dena for the blog. I, too, learn so much from them.
The next time I am at the zoo I will definitely check out the Mang Mountain pit viper. The colouring alone will be a sight to see.
Moderator’s note: They are “strikingly” beautiful animals!
Moderator –
Moderator — Groan!!
Me too Mary…
Moderator – 9 out of 10
I just did a quick check on the previous blog’s comments…..I am glad I did, since I would have missed a note from Yun Zi all about his “Cubbies Only” Bearday Party. There were tons of fun and lots of gifts, so be sure and read it before it gets forgotten……Love AuntieGrammmmie
‘Empress Bai, thank you for teaching me your moon cake recipes!’ says Lady Precious Jade as she presses the pastes into the different shapes.
‘My pleasure! I always love to teach and pass on my recipes so more people can enjoy them. Now we will put this batch in first to bake, then Ah Ping’s and yours.’
‘Can I add some decorations?’ asks Lady Lin Ping who has a creative streak, ‘I want to make some small toppings to the cakes.’
‘Well, we don’t normally as there is already a pattern on top but you can always add your touches. Here are some extra dough to make shapes.’
‘Cool, I want to make a bird, a star, a tree and a cat, hee hee,’ exclaims Lady Lin Ping.
The 2 young panda ladies then set about clearing up the kitchen as the smell of freshly made moon cakes fill the air.
‘The Emperor Gao Gao likes the one with nuts and orange peel. Yunnie and Sheng like the lotus paste ones and the girls like the bean paste ones. I think I made enough for the family and the staff as well,’ muses Empress Bai.
‘Can I learn to make ‘piglet in a basket’?’ asks Lady Precious Jade.
‘Ah, that is easy. Just take this leftover dough and twirl it this way. See?’
‘Oh, Empress Bai, you make it so easy,’ giggles the 2 ladies.
‘Girls, you are such frequent visitors to the palace and close friends to my children, please don’t stand on ceremony. Call me Auntie Bai.’
‘Em…Auntie Bai, can you give us some regular cake making lessons? Yunnie always talks about your cakes,’ asks Lady Precious Jade.
‘Does he now? He consumes quite a few of my cakes too. Sure thing. Before we go to Cloud Lake Villa next week, I want to make a batch of cakes to bring along. We can make some banana cake, bamboo twists and maybe a yam ring fruit cake for the journey,’ suggests Empress Bai as she watches Lady Precious Jade attempt to remove some moon cakes from their moulds.
‘Yes, yes, flip them out and lay them on the wooden board to cool. Well done. You have a good wrist action.’
‘Thank you, Auntie Bai.’
Lady Lin Ping flipped her cakes out and her cute toppings were quite successful.
‘Yes! I can bake. Wait till Mama sees this.’
‘Take some extra to Lady Lin Hui and tell her that I miss our chit chats, If she is free, she must drop by for tea.’
‘Sure thing. Mama is now busy running a panda cub orphanage.’
‘Yes, I heard that and she is doing a lot of good. I should go visit the orphanage with some cakes for the children,’ remarks Empress Bai.
‘Shall we? That would be a good thing to do,’ suggests Lady Precious Jade.
‘Yes, let’s go!’ says Lady Lin Ping.
‘Hahaha, I will ask the helpers to pack the cakes up and we will make new ones for our trip. You 2 are such kind hearted girls. Any Panda man would be glad to have you as wives,’ comments Empress Bai.
Lady Lin Ping immediately nudges Lady Precious Jade who almost falls off her stool. Empress Bai picks up her baskets and pretends not to see the pink colour rising on those fluffy cheeks.
‘Come, ladies, help me fill these baskets and we’ll go visiting.’
(The End)
A great big HOORAY for a story well told. I hope you start a new thread of one about what happens at the lake house—surely they will have some fun, and perhaps Mei Sheng will have a romance????
‘Su Lin Jie Jie, can I help you with your baby?’ asks Lady Precious Jade as she chances on Princess Su Lin playing with her son.
‘Sure, he is quite a character,’ remarks Su.
‘Like his uncle Yunnie!’ butts in Princess Zhen Zhen with a loud guffaw.
‘Yes, Prince Yunnie has a strong personality,’ replies a calm and collected Lady Precious Jade.
‘Jade, take him and carry him like this…..yes, that’s right….hold him tight or he will squirm….’ as Su Lin passes her bearbino to Jade to carry.
Jade and BFF Lady Lin Ping were playing happily with the cubby while Su Lin out her feet up. Her sister Zhen Zhen gave her a shoulder rub.
‘I don’t know how Mama does it. 5 and counting….I have one and he is such a handful.’ sighs Su.
‘Jie Jie Hua Mei has got more!’
‘Yup, and wait till it is your turn, ZZ!’
‘Well, I will make a pretty different mother and I will teach my cubby to climb and fly…’
Su Lin’s cubby was happily trotting from one Aunty to the next to be cuddled and tickled. He bleated his pleasure. His eyes had opened and he was still surprised by the world.
Precious Jade took him into the garden where his eyes took in everything with delight from the butterflies to the brids and the worms on the trees. He wanted to grab everything. Soon he wanted his Mama.
As Su Lin took her cubby to nurse, she turned and asked,’ So Jade, how many babies will you like?’
‘I would like a large family. Maybe 6, hee hee,’ she answered honestly.
Princess Zhen Zhen grinned,’ Looks like pandas will never go extinct.’
Lin Ping looked up horrified, ‘I hope not. Extinct is forever.’
‘Exactly. But we Pandas will be around with help from our friends and allies, right?’ mused ZZ.
‘Yes!’ chorused everyone.
[The End.]
Bonus! Two great stories–thanks, “Yun Zhi.”
Dear Auntie Frances,
You are welcome! Hee Hee. Can I come and visit you in the Big Apple?
Panda Hugs,
Xiao Yun
Yunnie–of course you can come and visit me, but you probably better wait until the hurricane is over. I’ll start stocking up on boo!
xoxo
Auntie Frances
Good strategy, Lady Jade. It’s always wise to make a friend of your intended boyfriend’s sister.
Darling Yun Zi:
How nice that you had 2 stories to tell us–and a new word too, how did you come up with “Bearbino”??? That was a sweet story about Ah Ping and Precious Jade with Su LIn’s new baby. It was very hard for her at the start with him, but now all is well. I think maybe that is what is meant when it is said “Alls wll that ends well”.
You and some of your fans share with us a great talent for story telling—–I had heard that The Chinese People are wonderful story tellers, so I guess it is part of your heritage. It must seem strange to you Pandas, but your little corner of Asia on a bigger scale in the past, has beeen the only place where Pandas ever grew, until you honored us with your presence and you love and babies. All of us Pandaholics find it hard to believe that we could love any other animals like we love you. In a different way we love our cats and dogs and other pets in our homes—-so we call them our “Fur Babies”. Some of us have had the last pet that we can care for, so instead we have pets like you on our computers to keep us smiling and to keep us company. A long time ago I used to watch you and your Mama play in the den very late at night/early in the morning hours, and eventually watched you tumble around the enclosure a lot in the late nights playing all over. I had to stay away from my computer for a few weeks, and when I got back you were all grown up into the fine young PandaMan you are becoming. There is an entire world, the moon, the solar system, and even the Panda Universe to enjoy, dream and write about. Perhaps you can research and tell us more about how the many inventions that started in China came to be. Some things start out to be one thing, then end up becoming something else. Even Mr. Nobel-who was working on synthetic Pool balls, so hunters might not take so many elephants out to use their ivory, started the Nobel Peace prize because he felt so bad that his invention turned into dynamite. There are prizes for more than Peace, but I think it is the most important one he made…..let us hear it from Chinese inventions…..Love AuntieGrammmie
Love you, Grammmie!
With so many twins being born, and not one for us, can we have one of them here? Imagine what a day that would be! A return on our bears going there. We have cuddly keepers and great sun rooms and new outdoors for learning , why not? We are tops in bear life.And imagine what the baby (ies) would have to learn all about America. English first though! Or better yet our own kindergarten. they could pay us then!
I definitely think we should get Zhen Zhen back, and let Yunnie stay here and let the SDZ panda family continue to grow here!
I’m with ya there Frances!
I think Bai and Gao should spend their retirement years here where they are loved. I think they would be loved wherever they retired, but we already love them and all of their “kiddies”. Any of the children staying here cuts off their chance to enter the gene pool altogether—-and as nice as their presence would make us would it be fair to cut off that portion of their lives???? Can you imagine getting married then finding out you would NEVER have kids, by the choice or somebody else???? Goodnight everybody…Love AuntieGrammmie
Agreed! Or at least let us keep Yunzie and they can send him a lady friend
Can she be Miss Panda Universe 2008? Hee Hee.
I guess Pan Pan (Bai Yun’s Big Daddy) was far too good at his job too, he is the bases for much of the Captive Born Pandas there in Chinese Breeding Centers…..That is why they must be sure to not overdo Bai Yun’s line. But imagine-Gao was wild rescued, Pan Pan and Dong Dong were also wild captured, so it might seem like that is the best way to diversify, but Pan Pan got so many good breeders from his line that it is making a “bottle neck” in the family trees. I only wish there were natural enviroments around the world to have them released in…..just so there could be a lot more in the world……Love AuntieGrammmie
Hope this is not too far off track, but from the last posting: can anyone tell me what a Takin is and where it’s from? Never heard of them.
Moderator’s note: Takins are goat-antelopes from the bamboo forests of China, which makes them panda neighbors! You can read more about them in our Animal Bytes section: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-takin.html
Dear Zhennie Jie Jie,
Thank you for the lovely box of toys you sent me. They are amazing and I am so touched as they were all made by your lovely self. Wah, my jie jie is so talented.
I am working on re-decorating my enclosure as I want to stamp my personality on my space. I am planning a Yunnie shaped jacuzzi where I can lie down and allow all my cares to melt away. It would be great if I can work out a conveyer belt to bring me food straight from the kitchen. I could sit and drink a few boo shakes while eating bamboo canapes.
What do you think of a waterfall? Cool, eh? It should be filled with boo cola and ice cubes.
I have been learning how to break dance but Jie Jie, you are my ‘idol’. I am practising the drop and roll. Have you tried parkour? I heard it is really fun. Mama says you need to calm down and start to think of starting a family. Hee Hee, any cute male pandas in Woolong? Let me check them out for you, hee hee. If they can take my jokes, then they can go to the next level of interview with Mama and Papa.
Zhennie, do write home more often cos I love reading your accounts of life in China. I try to imagine what it can be like.
Love you lots,
Yun Yun
Yunnie–
I hear that Auntie Weeta has spent a lot of time with Zhennie, so I can’t wait for her to share her pictures with us. We have all been missing her a lot.
xoxo
Auntie F.
Is Bai OK? She was on the shelf earlier and the last couple of hours the camera has been looking at the empty shelf.
Moderator’s note: She is fine, but apparently wants some “alone” time. But those biscuits look tasty, don’t they?
At what point in time is Bai going to be declared not pregnant?
Moderator’s note: We continue to monitor Bai Yun for a possible pregnancy.
I wonder if she (Bai) expected to have a cubbie as she had after other matings, and now she is depressed?
Could it be that the timing of all the construction in Panda Canyon created an enviroment that caused her body to feel this was not the right time to have a cub? She just doesn’t seem to be acting “fine.”
Dear Aunty Lunnie,
My Mama and Papa and me want to wish you a belated blessed bearday. Mama says our prezzies are being brought over by special friends and she hopes you will find time to enjoy them.
And I hope that you will be blessed with long life and good health.
Love you lots,
Yun Zi
the panda cam screen is black – cubbie news
Dena, thank you for the very informative article. I have been learning so much via all these blogs. It is really a pity that I am living so far away from your wonderful zoo. This Mang Mountain pit viper seems to be a very interesting snake. Although being a bit scared of snakes I do find them to be fascinating animals. When living in South Africa for 16 years I only came once across a venomous snake, i.e. a puffadder which was lying on the path, yet dead. Luckily I had never an encounter with a venomous snake despite the fact that my husband and I very often had hiked and walked in areas where one could have come across a snake very easily. And the spitting cobra always aiming for the victim’s eyes is a snake which one has to very aware off. Therefore, I definitely prefer the cuddly type of animals, i. e. panda bears of course.
Emperor Gao was just settling down into his easy chair to catch up on the latest news with his copy of the Capital Boo Times. Next to him was a cup of jasmine tea and some walnuts coated in honey and sesame seeds, his favourite snack.
Soon his youngest son trotted into the room,
‘Good morning, Papa. May you live long and well,’ greets Prince Yunnie.
‘How are you my son?’
‘Happy, Papa, really happy. Did you have a good rest last night?’
‘Very good, son. Mama bought this new mattress filled with boo beads and they really give you a massage when you sleep. So what do you want?’
‘PAPA! Was I that obvious?’
‘Hee Hee, you are cubby No 5. I had much practice. So how can Papa help you?’
‘Well, you know we are going to Cloud Lake Villa next week. I was thinking maybe we could throw a nice tea party to enjoy the moon, we could have boating, lighting lanterns, eating mooncakes, melon seeds and chestnuts….’
‘And when do you intend to try to hold her paw?’
‘PAPA! Whatever do you mean?’
‘Isn’t that Pretty Jade coming along?’
‘Precious Jade. And she is pretty…’ grins Prince Yunnie.
‘Hmmm, take it slowly. DIdn’t you just meet her?’
‘About 2 months now…’
’2 months?’
‘Ok, Ok, 1 month, 20 days.’
‘Son, women like a slow dance of love, they like being courted and chased…take your time to win her heart…take it from me.’
‘Papa, when do you know when is the right time?’
‘Listen, son, you will know cos she will tell you.’
‘Papa!’
‘No, she isn’t going to say it but there will be the fluttering of the eyelashes and the lowering of the eyes and the sweet smiles and then you will know cos your heart will tell you.’
‘How will I know if she really loves me?’
‘When she is ready to the dance of love that is the dance of our people through the centuries.’
‘Papa!’
‘And that’s when you sweep in…’
‘Papa!’
‘You take command…’
‘PAPA!’
‘What?’
‘Mama is behind you!’
And Empress Bai had padded in quietly and was watching as her husband was acting out his instructions to his son. She had a broad smile.
‘AND it was your Papa’s masculine stance that set my heart fluttering so I fainted into his arms, hee hee hee hee.’
‘Yunnie, I think the party is a good idea. Do invite Pretty Jade’s family to come too.’
‘Dearest, her name is Precious Jade. And the other is Bright Pearl.’
‘Let’s invite both families so that we can get to know the in-laws.’
‘Papa! We’re too young to be…’
‘Don’t worry about it, the earlier we get to know each other the better, Makes negotiating the bride price easier latter. She would be worth a few bamboo groves….’
‘Son, why don’t you go find Ge Ge and help him plan the packing for the trip to Cloud Lake. We will need much rations now we are having so many guests, thanks, sweetie!’ beams Empress Bai.
And as Prince Yunnie trots off, he hears his Mama say to his Papa, ‘Now seriously, what nonsense are you teaching that boy!’
[To be continued.]
Dearest Ms Bai Yun,
Allow me to express my heartfelt admiration for you. I have been watching you since you gave birth to Yun Zi. How do you do it? You have shown great patience, love and care with that lively bundle.
Although many of us humans fretted that he was slow and seemed a little shy, but I guess deep in your Mama’s heart you knew your boy was going to turn out great. I still remember the video where Yunnie was getting his first sharpie (vaccination). He yelped. You almost broke the door down getting to him. You really are protective and loving.
I see you now on your platform and you seem to be enjoying your alone time. Of course, many of us are trying to guess if you are going to have another cubby. My heart goes out to you as I am sure this emotional hormonal time must be trying. Regardless, you are a hero mother in every sense of the word. And I salute you for raising the pantet of Hua Mei, Mei Sheng, Su Lin, Zhen Zhen and Yun Zi. They are the Famous Five.
I hope and pray you and your Ah Gao can retire to a nice villa somewhere to enjoy the rest of your days in peace and love.
Lots of love and hugs,
Lucilla
Amen to that!
well said
Lucilla, thank you for this very touching and heart warming blog. Everything you say about Bai Yun is true. She is a wonderful mother.
Your words brought back many memories, which tugged at my heart.
Bai Yun is a very special panda.
I received an email from SDZ saying that we have raised over $13,000.0 towards Yun Zi’s tree, but when I check at the Wishlist it says we have over 14k still to go. Can you find out which is correct for us? Thank you.
Wish List Coordinator responds: Yes, it’s true! We have raised over $13,000 toward Yun Zi’s tree. I’ll update the Wish LIst this morning.
Thanks for your answer. What fabulous news. I know that money is tight all around but lets try to get the rest of the money raised by the end of September.
Does anyone know how long it will be it total to order the tree, receive it and install it?
Wish List coordinator responds: We have a bid already from the construction company that will make the tree for us, but we cannot start building until all the money is raised. It may be well into next year before we see the tree, but keep your fingers crossed that we raise the rest of the money quickly and can start construction.
Thanks for checking on the tree, Lee! September is right around the corner; after payday I should be able to do some more. I can’t wait to see this marvelous tree for Yun Zi.
Dear Aunties and Uncles, Cubbies and Cubbettes,
Please join paws with me to send good vibes and prayers to hoomans and animals on the East Coast. Let us pray that Hurricane Irene will be eirene-ful (peace) and not cause much damage.
Panda Hugs and Love,
Yunior
Quick report from the middle of Brooklyn — we dodged a bullet! Took a walk this morning and the worst I saw was a big limb sheared off a tree and partially blocking an intersection. Our electricity distribution is underground as are cable and phone, so that has not been a problem.
Other parts of the city were not so lucky — flooding mostly was the problem. In a few days life will be back to normal. As I write this, the last gusts from the backside of Irene are blowing themselves out. Good luck to the folks in New England, especially in the rain and flooding department.
Lots of folks are coping with electricity outages and flooding and they need our thoughts and prayers.
Can you imagine — an earthquake and a hurricane/tropical storm all in the same week!!!
Mary, I am so glad to hear you “weathered the storm.”
Moderator’s note: As are we all!
Groan!
Lucilla: You always have a way with words…
Well, for the second time in one whole week, since the first closing due to the earthquake, the National Zoo director has closed NZ again this morning due to the heavy rains from Hurricane Irene that went thru the DC area yesterday. The closing allowed zoo personnel and keepers to check the entire zoo for any flooding issues, downed tree branches, infrastructure damage of the animals’ outdoor enclosures, and making sure that all of the animals are safe and secure in their indoor rooms while this hurricane went thru. This afternoon, Sun., 8/28/2011, the zoo was reopened for the rest of today after getting the all clear and will be open tomorrow at their regular hours. Irene is now in East Canada and the Canadian Maritimes dumping alot of heavy rains up there as this storm is finally out of the USA for good! Now, I hope that the whole entire Atlantic seaboard, New England and NE can have a much quieter week this coming week with no upheavals to worry about with the exception of all of the cleanup and rebuilding they will be doing. Mei Xiang and Tian Tian are doing just fine doing their usual things–eating, playing with their toys, napping. Hopefully, the sun will be out tomorrow, and the 2 bears will be able to get outside to enjoy some fresh air for once! SCBI, Front Royal, VA. should be ok, also. Several other zoos in the New England area were also closed due to Irene–Baltimore, Md.; Cape May, NJ; Bronx, NY, and others. They should all be back open for all of the animal lovers in those places tomorrow after they are done cleaning up Irene’s mess.
Just looked in on the SDZ pandacam, and the cam was on Gao’s yard. I think I saw him on that large stump napping! Gao’s usual day for him!
We just about forgot about a few panda birthdays because all of our attention was on the hurricane and the animals’ welfare at NZ and other zoos this week. There are 2 of them that were celebrated this weekend and one more coming this week. Lun Lun (AZ) had her bday on Thursday, Aug. 25, and she turned 14 years old. She is still raising little Po and doing a great job with that even when she does her Mommie Monster stuff with Po on some days! I wonder what she got for her bday presents! Tian Tian (NZ) had his birthday yesterday, Sat., Aug. 27 while Hurricane Irene was going thru DC! He turned 14 years old also, and the keepers will probably be doing a makeup bday party for him sometime this week, so keep checking the NZ pandacam to see what Tian got for his bday. This Tuesday, Aug. 30, will be Xi Lan’s bday at AZ. He will be 3 years old, and I’m sure that the AZ keepers will be having a big bday party for him on that day. Check the AZ pandacam to see what they have given Xi Lan for his bday party this Thursday! In September, there are 3 panda bdays coming up! Little Po at AZ will have his bday in November.
To all of the pandafans on the east coast, and in New England and NE, I hope you will be getting your electricity back up and running so that you can watch the pandacams this week. We will all be thinking about you and praying for your safety as you start the cleanup process after Irene. That’s it for now. Will be back later on!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
‘Hey Ge Ge, what shall be bring to Cloud Lake Villa? I was thinking of bringing some board games and lots of snackies,’ remarks Prince Yunnie as he enters his brother Prince Mei Sheng’s room.
‘How about some comic books and some light reading materials?’ suggests his elder brother.
‘Yeah, I still haven’t read my latest editions, hee hee.’
‘But don’t forget the ladies, you will be busy with them and their parents.’
‘You too. Papa has invited Pearl’s parents as well. Can I be your best man?’
‘Yun Yun, too soon. I just think she is cute that’s all.’
‘Then what is that over there?’ Yunnie points to a small framed picture.
‘Wah, you have sharp eyes.’
‘The better to spot treats. Remember Mama likes to scatter them for me to find. She thinks it gives me exercise. So this is serious.’
‘Well, I think she will make a nice addition to the family….’
‘What does love feel like?’
Prince Mei Sheng grinned at that question. He reached over to his brother and gave him a hug, ‘Has some panda lady stolen your heart? My, you started young!’
‘Oi! SHE is just a friend. SHE is a VERY NICE friend. I like her.’
‘And….’
‘Well when I am with her my heart beats faster and she seems special. She understands me and she cares for me.’
‘Hahaha, Yunnie is in love, Yunnie is in love!’
‘Sssssh! Mama has ears everywhere.’
‘You think she does not know? She has the instincts of a master spy. She always knows.’
‘What shall I do?’
‘I think you should get to know her parents when they come out for a day at Cloud Lake Villa.’
‘What if they don’t like me?’
‘It is their job not to like you. They want to know you are the best for their girl.’
‘SIGH! Jade says her Papa is a literary man and if I have read Journey to the West or Romance of the Four Panda Kingdoms, he will be impressed. Have you seen how thick they are!’
‘My dear brother, there is the comic book version you know.’
‘There is??? YAY, I am saved. Oh boy, oh boy, I am going to score. Hee Hee. TOUCH DOWN!’
With that Prince Yunnie did a cute victory dance where he tried to do a 2 pawed handstand to scent mark the wall.
‘Oi! This is MY ROOM! You do not scent mark my room thank you!’ and with that Prince Mei Sheng chases Prince Yunnie out of his room.
[To be continued.]
Wonderful! Just love this. Yunnie, you have such great stories to tell. And, thanks to Auntie Lucilla for helping you tell the tale. Can’t wait for the next chapter.
My Darling Yunior;
It sounds like you are in a bit of trouble with Big Brother—-but he is so distracted about Pearl that he might get you off his mind in a hurry—so keep moving fast. Please write again very soon so that I get to know some of the results of today’s “messing around”.
I am sorry that I do not have much to say right now—-Grammmie was not able to sleep last night, and right now I am “nodding” off to sleep every 10 minutes or so—especially when proof reading. We will write again soon—Love Grammmie Coooper.
Rita Petita has posted pictures of Zhen Zhen taken at Bifengxia on August 22, 2011.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/sets/72157627409713485/
What a beautiful girl, great pictures
Oh wonderful! Thank you thank you!
I miss our Zhennie so much.
I’m sure Rita will have even more good pics of all our dear ones soon.
OMG Awsome photos Rita / of our Z Z THANKS
Is there any news on how Su Lin and her baby are?
Any news of Bai Yun being a Mom again?
Thanks for the excellent post about biomimicry, Dena. I always learn so much from the SDZ blogs!!
I read the following on the zoo’s page on Facebook:
San Diego Zoo
Well, it turns out there won’t be a giant panda cub at the Zoo this year – our researchers have determined Bai Yun is not pregnant. But the good news is that Bai is back – or will be tomorrow, munching bamboo in her exhibit again so her many fans can visit her. Good to have you back out front, Bai!