Yun Zi
The Giant Panda Research Center was full of activity yesterday, November 1. Yun Zi was being very entertaining for our guests, especially with his enrichment. Our keepers gave him a pile of soil and shavings sprinkled with scent. He gave our guests a show by rolling all around in the soil, rubbing it on top of his head. It was like a kid rolling around in the sand on the beach. Once he was finished, he looked more like a small black bear than a giant panda. He was a day late for Halloween!
Bai Yun seemed very content. At one point she sat on top of some branches while resting her head on the tiny hammock that is attached to her tree. She just looked so silly! And at the end of the day, while Bai Yun was in her pond and Yun Zi in his hammock, both sat happily eating their dinner.
Alyssa Medeiros is a panda narrator at the San Diego Zoo. Read her previous post, Pandas: A Beautiful Day.
Moderator: I have a question for your IT staff. Now that you have gone digital do you have plans for a patch so us iPad panda watchers can see the cam since iPad is not comparable with flash? I am already having panic attacks because I can’t see my pandas……
Moderator’s note: We are exploring mobile solutions for the cams.
Thanks Alyssa for letting us know. Were there any pictures taken of our black panda?
Moderator’s note: Not by our photographers.
Sounds lovely! Is it still possible to watch any of this on time lapse?
Moderator’s note: Our time lapse feature is disabled during our HD upgrade.
I would love to have seen Yuni Zi – but I was VERY busy voting for Bai at least 300 times over a 3 day period –and her percent did go up!!. To get back to Su Lin -I think it was reported that she would be playing in the trees and not tending to the cub. When cubs are born in zoos, aren’t moms & cubs confined to the den for a few months-which would not allow any mom to get near a tree? The experiment with Su Lin is hopefully providing much information about panda re-introduction.
Just like Pooh – Bai Yun is a “silly old bear”! How long did it take Yun Zi to get clean again? What a sight that must have been.
Where was Gao Gao during all this excitement and fun? Is he doing okay?
Moderator’s note: He continues to heal in his off-exhibit area.
Dear Alyssa,
What was the scent that was used? The pandas seem to like some unexpected scents from Polo to cinnamon and the ultra sound gel. And is the HD cam being tested cos the images are so much clearer. Lovely.
THANKS to all SDZ staff for looking after the pandas so well. And CONGRATS to Bai Yun for making it into the Bear Hall of Fame!!! You are an amazing Mama Bear.
Panda Hugs,
Lucilla
hope someone got a video or pictures of this, love to see them
“Hee Hee!” ‘Ho Ho!” “That tickles!” Hahahaha!” – the laughter rang out the mountain side as Uncle Yunnie took his nephew to play in the outdoor playground. Uncle Mei Sheng had built a large play pen with saw dust and shavings. Soon the 2 uncles were teaching their nephew how to drop and roll and play with the shavings. Bao Beh’s gurgles of joy and his happy demeanour showed he was enjoying being with his uncles.
“Mama’s on Skype,” yells ZZ from the patio, “she got inducted into the Bear Hall of Fame!” Soon the pandas were gathered round listening to their Mama and each jumping in with a comment or quip. Then Su Lin called her son to greet Grandma.
On the screen, Bai Yun smiled encouragingly and she blew her grandson a kiss. He giggled and tried to say, “Por Por” but it sounded like ‘Poo Poo’ but no one minded. And when he saw Gramps he laughed and waved, trying to say “Gong Gong!” though it sounded like “Goo Goo!”
The children caught up with their Papa who was still resting up from his procedures. And they were also teasing Mama for being voted into the Bear Hall of Fame with Bart and Smokey.
‘Mama, you have such a huge fan club! Wah, not bad!’
‘Only lady bear to make it! Not bad for a Grandmama Bear!’
‘Hee Hee, Mama still has it in her, kids. She is the most beautiful lady panda bear ever,’ grins Gao Gao.
‘What nonsense your Papa is talking! I am just so happy my fans think I am worth it. I hope by voting me in they will think of how to help save Pandas from extinction….Enough of me, Yunnie, how are you doing in China?’
‘Hern Hao, I am doing well! I love playing with my nephew and helping Jie Jie by eating up her food!’
‘YES, he is very good at eating, Mama!’ yells ZZ.
‘And, Mama, we may marry him off while he is here. What dowry shall I ask for?’ Mei Sheng chimes in.
‘Mama, don’t listen to them. I am a good boy!’ giggles Yunnie.
‘Hahaha, I know I know. Now can I see my grandson again? He has the perfect round ears….hmmm, Bao Beh, Por Por will sing you a little song OK?’ and soon her sweet voice filled the living room and the older siblings smiled wistfully. Hua Mei was mouthing the words as she too sang this song for her babies.
Su Lin was cradling her baby now and she was staring adoringly at him. His eyes were fixed on her but gradually he nodded off. Su Lin sighed contentedly.
‘So Susie, keep him close and warm as winter is coming. Use the woolies I sent. And girl, dont climb so many trees. Leave that to ZZ. Now that you are a Mama too, you need to keep close to him till he is Yunnie’s age,’ advised Bai Yun gently.
‘OK, Mama. You do know best! Love you! I miss you, Papa and SDZ!’
‘We miss you too but this is your new home and one day, maybe Papa and I will retire to China. China is a beautiful place and more and more of us are able to live there. You are part of this beautiful plan, we all are. Susie, you can be a hero mother!’
‘Yes, Mama! Can I keep Yunnie as my Nanny?’
‘Hahaha, I think SDZ wants him back for now. But please make sure he does not break any hearts at the BFX kindy.’
‘MAMA, too late! He has many girlfriends already!!!’ yells ZZ.
‘MAMA, don’t listen to them…please!!’ screams a giggling Yunnie.
‘That’s my boy!’ growls Gao Gao approvingly as the family con-fab ends in laughter.
Are you putting the postcard feature back in after the upgrade? We love to send them and come up with creative captions for them.
Moderator’s note: Yes, the postcard feature will be part of the upgrade. Not sure about the time lapse feature.
Love the new HD camera. It is such an improvement,
This is a great update, upon reading it I am reminded of a song, with some words changed…..Yo Ho Yo Ho A Panda’s life for me…..Yun Zi, Bai Yun and Gao Gao are the best!
Such a happy day in Panda Canyon! Thanks Alyssa.
And add my vote to the new HD cams! Yes, what an improvement!