Yun Zi, still at home in the trees, on the trees, around the trees, tearing up the trees...
Whenever I think of fall, trees come to mind. Changing leaves start falling from their lofty branches down to earth as Mother Nature prepares the world for winter. Pandas are arboreal as youngsters, but as adults they are primarily ground dwelling. Still, each member of our panda family uses trees in different ways.
Gao Gao, our daddy panda, does not climb high trees very often, but he does like to use a tree as a backrest as he tears through his bamboo with Zen-like concentration. He also is famous for his handstands. Gao Gao does a handstand to put his scent mark as high as he can on a tree to let everyone know he’s been there.
Our mother bear, Bai Yun, has been climbing especially high in her tree lately. She uses it as a perfect lookout to see what the keepers are up to. You see, it is very important to know where the bringers-of-all-things-good are at all times! Bai Yun also loves to use her climbing structure in the middle of her exhibit as the perfect spot for a post-bamboo nap.
Yun Zi has many uses for his trees. He does love to sleep up high most of the time since he is still fairly young, but that’s the mellowest activity you will observe from him. Yun Zi has been romping around in typical teenager fashion, to the delight of our Zoo guests as of late, and this includes hanging upside down from his climbing structure, scent marking branches, and flopping his whole body atop the small elm tree in his exhibit, which has barely been able to withstand his destruction. Yun Zi also takes delight in ripping branches from this same elm and transporting them to various other parts of this exhibit. He reminds us of his older sister, Su Lin, whom we affectionately called “the redecorating diva.”
And then there is the artificial tree. The Zoo is very close to having enough funds to construct a new cement climbing tree in Yun Zi’s enclosure. We are just a few thousand dollars away from reaching our goal. If you enjoy watching our pandas in the trees, just image watching Yun Zi romp in a new, Yun-proof tree. Now that is something I am really looking forward to!
Michelle Penick is a panda narrator at the San Diego Zoo. Read her previous post, So Long, Summer.
If you’d like to contribute $10 (or more) toward that new tree for Yun Zi, please visit our Animal Care Wish List.
Great post! “Yun Zi, still at home in the trees, on the trees, around the trees, tearing up the trees…” That Yuni! He’s soo bad, but we all love him so very much!! And of course Bai and Gao Gao are adored too! Thanks SDZ for sharing these wonderful bears!! xo
Thank you Michelle, that blog made me giggle
Do the Pandas ever fall out of the tree? Bai Yun is a big girl! I am surprised there isn’t more falling when they have drifted off to sleep! Ouch!
Moderator’s note: Cubs may fall out of a tree as they practice their tree-climbing skills, but Bai Yun’s got the hang of it
Yun Zi the Tree Terminator!
I was at the zoo on the 23rd and had a great time. All of the panda’s were out and doing there thing, Bai Yun was pacing, waiting for the door to open and getting some new boo.
Also heard that she would not be out after 2;30, so I was lucky to see her. Gao Gao was
doing his thing that day sleeping, but could see him. And then there was the BOY he was
eating his boo and having a great time, so did I, He’d get into a bunch and pull out what he wanted and start in. The lady talking said he was about 150 lbs. She said that it looked like he was taking after his mom. Will be a big boy. I really like what was done in the panda trek, a very nice job. Had a great time and hope to be back in March.
Thank Lu, from Sacto.
Moderator’s note: We’re glad you enjoyed your day at the San Diego Zoo!
This blog is funny and I remember how Bai Yun likes to hang upside down to surprise her cubbies. Her grin is so wide you know she loves hteir surprised look to learn that Mama is Bat Woman.
tHANKS FOR ALL THE iNFO! YUNZA LIKES HIS AREA SPRUCED UP-OR SHOULD I SAY ELMED UP! We will be down for Halloween! John is working a lot so after two days we have to leave! Looking forward to seeing our family! Sorry that the shop burned down. But I have the cup of Bai and Yunnie so i am content with the calendar and the postcard of the babies and that will hve to do. I have my ten dollars earmarked for the tree. Hope you can find some of those red flowers and lamb’s quarters to try.
At 82 I can’t gert too frisky but I will try to see the takins. Not the snakes. OH NO!
Moderator’s note: We look forward to your visit, Virgina!
speaking of Su Lin. Where is our girl and her baby?? He should be runnng aroundish. I miss her so, the beautiful girl and so does everyone else. Can’t we have just one picture taken lately and of her baby?You have the right to keep her in our minds and thoughts, even in China and semiwild! PLEASE!!
I added some more $ to the wish list for Yun Zi’s tree!! It will be so much fun to see the tree and Yun Zi’s reaction to it. I hope we get it funded soon so it can be ordered and delivered. I wonder if there is any way that we can see photos of the process of building Yun Zi’s tree??
Moderator’s note: Thank you for your continuing support of Yun Zi’s tree!
A great idea Diana. I have just donated more too.
Moderator’s note: Thank you again, too, Lee!
I also just put in more towards Yunnie’s tree.
Moderator’s note: Many thanks, pandafan-north!
Thank you, Diana, so much for your support. Once all the funds are in, this tree will be amazing. I will send out a photo, via Wish List, to all who have contributed to Yun Zi’s tree. If you would like multiple photos, please email me at wishlist@sandiegozoo.org and I will send out any and all photos that I receive. Thank you!
Thank you for your response WL Coordinator. A photo will be a great way for us to see it. We know that Yun Zi will love it and I am sure Bai Yun and Gao Gao too if they get switched into that yard. It is a win-win situation for everyone.
Thank you very much, Wish List Coordinator! We would love a photo of the finished tree!
Yunnie does go way back with his 3-D love of trees. This article was precious.
Once all the funds are in, how long will it take to complete the “playscape”? Too bad the donors couldn’t have their names “”carved” in the tree. Any thoughts to that??
Thank you, Kathy, for your comment and for your support. That’s a great suggestion. I left a message with our construction and maintenance manager to ask about how long he thinks it will be to complete this project. I will let you know as soon as I hear back from him. I’ll also ask him about your thoughts of placing donor names somewhere on the structure. Thank you!
Hi again,
I’ve just learned that it would be about a month to create the tree, once it tree is fully funded. It’s going to be built on Zoo grounds! There are so many donors for this project that we won’t be able to carve any names on the tree.
Well, Su Lin has been nicknamed the Redecorating Diva, so I guess Yuni’s new nickname can be the Redecorating Divo! He can be a mess, but he’s a loveable mess! I don’t think Yuni will come out of his redecorating stage any time soon. Su Lin was still doing it right up to the day she left for China! Can’t wait for that new artificial tree to get built as soon as SDZ is able to get the money to buy it for Yuni! That will be a great Christmas present for this 2 year old, won’t it?
I’m a little surprised that Bai Yun is still climbing trees and getting pretty high up in them. I guess at 20 years old, she still has some kid still left in her. Her kids have kept her going and staying in shape thru all these years, and she hasn’t lost any of her climbing strength yet. Bai is always an observant bear and likes to see what’s going on around her alot. Now that I know that Bai is still climbing trees, that explains why I don’t see her on the pandacam at some times of the day. She’s either up in the tree looking at what’s going on or taking a nice long nap!
Gao Gao is Gao Gao, his own man! Loves his boo and naps! I also know that Gao likes to use trees as a big backscratcher! I’ve seen him scratch his back on a tree trunk or brand a few times on the pandacam!
Tried to get on the National Zoo website about 30 minutes ago, and they are experiencing a server problem because it’s not coming up at all. I was going to check the pandacams, especially red panda Shama and her 2 cubs, but they are down for now. Wait a few hours, then try again!
Gonna go for now.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Chari, in case you did not see it, I answered your questions in the previous blog.
OK! Thanks, Danielle!
Chari Mercier
Hello Chari!
We were at the SDZ Sept. 26th and saw all three bears. Gao Gao was napping and Yun Zi was performing for us by going up and down and all around, quite exciting to see the little guy in person. Bai Yun was checking the door for her lunch. She is a very beautiful bear.
A big hello in your name was said to each bear.
Thanks so much for the reminder about Yunnie’s tree! That encouraged me to go to the Wishlist page and buy a few “shares” in the tree. I hope that it won’t be long before our now BIG boy has a chance to try it out…
Hopefully it’s something he can’t tear apart limb by limb… 
Moderator’s note: Thank you, Deborah, for helping us toward our goal for that tree!
Dear Bloggie,
Today I sat back and looked at all the twees in my space and thought how can I make the space more me. What is Gao Yun Zi? It got me kinda thinkin’ about what my personality is and whether I am a wild child like AJ, a fighter like Wee Po or funtastic like Jie Jie ZZ…..I dunno…..I think I am a lover not a fighter…..I am more like Papa, laidback and relaxed about it. Papa share with me and I know he is no pushover. I think I am like that.
SO, I think I l like my twees scattered so I can explore and find them. I like to test their boundaries. And if the uncles and aunties buy me a twee, maybe the zoo will give me my own Panda Young Man’s hammock? Eh, not bad, my own love seat in my batchelor den to entertain the lovelies in. Actually my heart still beats faster for that one lovely, Miss Panda Universe 2008. She is an older lady and may be married by now. SIGH.
Because of Lani, everyone wants to make sure I am a boy. Hee Hee, I say I am ALL boy and Mama says I am O boy. Hee Hee. I know she loves me.
I sits and waits for my own twee. Hope it is a tall one so I can keep an eye on those otters, takins and s-n-a-k-e-s. Hee Hee Hee.
Yunz
yes Yun Zi, you are certainly all boy. Hope you get your new tree soon.
OAKLAND ZOO ROAD TRIP 2011
Some of us pandafans are heading to the Oakland (CA) Zoo on Monday, October 10th. If you are in the Northern California area (or if not & want to travel!) and would like to join us, that would be awesome! We will see Pagi, Bulan, and Ting Ting the sun bears. And we’ll be checking in with the zoo on their quest for pandas of their own. Hope they are still into doing that!
Add a “reply” to my post here, or check in with us at pandafandom-worldwide on FB for details. We’d love to meet up with you!!
Can we name Su Lins baby–” A little bit of something precious” or something like
Mei Xi – USA’s Joy? or whomever has some other names so they reflect Su Lin and USA . We should have a right to name her baby! I think since 100 DAYS IS SO CLOSE WE NEED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH CHINA ABOUT HIS NAME!! Before they pick one!! Or SAN something, (for San Diego)or anything. But -he needs to have us somewhere!.We know he is a boy. Don’t know the father’s name. But he is just the semen, Su LIN is the mother.!! Our girl!
I don’t think China will let us name the baby. I just wish they would send some pictures of him so we can see how big he is getting
The only recent information about Su Lin that I found was this China Trip Report from Pandas International. You can see a picture of Su Lin’s den and read that all is going well for Su Lin and her son. You can also see that Xi Xi is now looking after her twins, both at the same time. Su Lin did take care of Xi Xi’s son while the keepers were taking care of Su Lin’s son for a few days shortly after birth.
app(dot)e2ma(dot)net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:1408316.7223101095/rid:5109331154a29433b8b298f2d1d23866
app.e2ma.net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:1408316.7223101095/rid:5109331154a29433b8b298f2d1d23866
In the part two of the China Trip Report from Pandas International you can see a picture of Hua Mei.
app(dot)e2ma(dot)net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:1408316.7223110613/rid:05520e57bb7ad968362273b7d1314ab3
app.e2ma.net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:1408316.7223110613/rid:05520e57bb7ad968362273b7d1314ab3
Su Lin’s little boy’s father is Wu Gang
What happened to Yun Zi’s tree on the wish list for October?
Moderator’s note: Good question! I’ve alerted the Wish List coordinator.
We had to make room for new Wish List items. However, you may still make a donation to Yun Zi’s tree: just send an email request to wishlist@sandiegozoo.org or call 619-231-1515, ext. 4055.
Greetings from Atlanta! I have finally seen a real giant panda in the flush! I’ve been here since Tuesday with Dianna from Ohio and we saw the pandas on 3 different days, including this morning. It was a magical experience. There are such beautiful and amazing animals. Next year: San Diego!
Thanks for the new blog. Can’t wait to see Yunni with his new tree.
Here is a video of Zhen Zhen. Zhen Zhen seems to keep an eye on her neighbors!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9GB63kUlJ4
very cool, she taps her foot like her momma
I saw that little foot tap too–isn’t that sweet?
Any news about our precious Su Lin and her son?
Moderator’s note: We’re still waiting to hear from our Chinese colleagues.
I have posted a picture of Su Lin’s den on http://www.flickr.com/photos/44341735@N02/6208537610/
Under the picture you can find a link for more information about Su Lin.
I have posted a picture of Hua Mei on
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44341735@N02/6208023947/
Under the picture you can find a link for more information about Hua Mei.
Thank you very much Danielle, glad they’re doing well, love to pic of them, maybe soon
Kathy (Ottawa, Canada), got my Pandas International email newsletter this week, and according to Suzanne Braden and the Chinese keepers monitoring Su Lin in the semi wild area, Su Lin is doing very well with her cub now. No new problems have come up since that first month of her cub’s life. She’s gaining momma experience every day! She’ll be like her momma Bai in no time!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
is that Gao-man eating his ‘boo on the stone throne on Cam 5 or have the pandas made another switch of exhibits?
Moderator’s note: Gao Gao should be on Cam 5.
I believe Bai Yun and Gao Gao have exchanged enclosures. Bai Yun was on #5 a very short while ago. And Rita Petita posted a picture of Gao gao marking the classroom.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/6207911816/
Moderator’s note: I was just about to correct myself, but you beat me to it
Yes, Bai Yun and Gao Gao have switched exhibits.
Thanks moderator!
Hi again! I did watch the SDZ pandacam today, and the cam was trained on the private room that’s full of boo. Looked at the cam number list, and Gao has his favorite room back! He loves that room because he knows he can eat his boo in privacy and even catch a nap in there. He wasn’t in there when I saw the room, but I know he will be back in there soon to get after that lovely stack of boo! I just watched Bai Yun on that big rock stump just waking up from her nap and moving around. She’s probably getting down from the stump to work her legs out and eat her dinner. Didn’t see Yuni on the cam today, tho. Haven’t had the chance to check the other cams today. I did get on the NZ pandacams a couple of days ago, and watched Shama’s 2 red panda cubs walking around close to their den boxes playing with those long stalks of boo that was laying around in the room. They are sooooo cute, adorable, and fuzzy! Both the 2 red panda cubs in DC and the 2 red panda cubs in Virginia are 3 months old, and all 4 of them have their names now. You can get on the NZ website to read the article about these 4 cute little girls and find out what their names are. I forgot them already! Brain drain!
The panda keepers for Mei Xiang and Tian Tian have also written a new update about these 2 pandas dated October 3rd. Both of them are enjoying the cooler weather, even in the rain, are eating more food, and getting a little bit more active.
Gonna go for now, but will be back later!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Me again! Just saw Bai on the pandacam again, and she just got off that big rock just long enough to get a big batch of boo over there, got back on the rock, and the boo is within her reach to get at and start eating her dinner! Smart girl!!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Now, Bai is taking another nap on that big rock stump!!!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
can Bai Yun or Yun Zi see each other from their treetops??
Moderator’s note: Yun Zi could see Bai Yun if he were to climb high enough.
I just watched a video on CNN showing the 2011 crop of twelve giant panda cubs at the Chengdu Giant Panda facility. All twelve very young cubs were together.
Would someone who knows at San Diego Zoo tell me if these cubs were already taken from their mothers? If so, how does it affect her? I believe this is done so she can be bred a year earlier. How does this affect the cubs? Will they lose their natural instincts over time (there could be several this would affect). If San Diego Zoo is asked to remove tiny cubs from a mother, would the Zoo cooperate and hand raise them as they apparently do in China? I will be anxiously awaiting a reply!