Yun Zi's on the lookout for his fans!
Panda fans are gathering for this year’s PANDA PALOOZA, March 23 to 25! The event is put together by panda enthusiasts who participate in our panda blog. Below are the details from the Panda Palooza organizers. We hope all of you can come!
Details are finalized for PANDA PALOOZA 2012! It’s time to get your reservations made at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The deadline for our discounted rate is Feb. 22. The phone number, as well as an online link with the discount code, are included in the invitation. Just email pandaconvention@yahoo.com for your copy! There are a limited number of rooms available with the discount, so make sure to get your reservation in right away.
Friday evening, March 23, we’ll be getting together for an informal Meet n Greet in the bar/lounge area at the Crowne Plaza. It is always fun to greet old friends as well as meet new panda fans who are coming for their first time.
On Saturday, we go to the San Diego Zoo! Our Zoo Experience includes your Panda Palooza Pass, EARLY MORNING with our PANDAS before the Zoo opens to the public, a buffet breakfast in the Rondavel Room followed by a special talk with a panda keeper, and our private Zoo tour. Plan on joining us for a fun-filled Saturday with our beloved pandas at the Zoo alongside panda fans you’ve “met” on the blog. It is quite an experience to meet Bai, Gao, and Yun Zi for the first time “in the fur.” And just as delightful to come back and say “Hi” to them again with all the panda fans.
Saturday evening will be our Reception and Panda Celebration. We’ll have appetizers and a no-host bar and lots of panda fun. There will be awards presented, and all will have a chance to enter. We’ll have door prizes and quizzes to test your panda knowledge. The Best Black & White Attire is always fun; just dress in your best use of black & white for a chance at the award. We’ll have the Best Handmade Panda Project award again. Get your crafty side in gear and enter a personally handmade item. There are more awards we’ll share in future posts and some we’ll keep for the reception.
We’ll once again be venturing to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park on Sunday. What celebration is complete without seeing all the new baby ellies?! And, of course, the cheetahs, giraffes, rhinos, and all the other animals at the Safari Park. It is another great day to spend with new and old panda friends.
The T-shirt for this year is posted at the pandafandom site on facebook. It can be ordered in traditional mens’ and kids’ sizes and in a ladies style as well. Same tees, same price as last year!
All the monies paid to the Zoo for our Zoo Experience go directly to the Panda Research Station!
I am eagerly looking forward to seeing EVERYONE at PANDA PALOOZA! Make sure you get your spot reserved so you can join the panda fans!
Diana S.
Awww………love the photo of Yun Zi. Thank you so much, Moderator, for posting this blog about our convention. NEXT month we will be seeing all of you in Panda Canyon!! I am so excited!!
Papa Gao is right up front and center now on the cam. He is loving his fans!
Moderator’s note: You’re welcome, Diana S. I hope to be there for part of it!
I was thinking the same thing. Great photo of Yun Zi looking for us! And Moderator–we hope to see you again as well!
WooHoo great news, Moderator! We look forward to your participation!
Love all your sites but just wanted to let you know that there are leaves right in front of the cam for the pandas. Can’t really see any thing.
Moderator’s note: We’ll notify our Horticulture crew to do some trimming.
‘Mama, they are coming again this year!’
‘Who, dear?’
‘Our fans!’
‘Ah the Annual Panda Convention. Yes, it is so nice to see our dear friends who love and care for us.’
‘Mama, I have an idea. Hee Hee, I have several ideas.’
‘That’s what I was afraid of. Yes, son, what might they be?’
‘Maybe we can do a video link to BFX so my ge ge and jies jies can join in the fun? Also maybe you can do a talk on Female Panda things and Papa can take the group for his Gao Gao Power Exercise.’
‘What Female Panda things?’
‘You know, like what is Spring Salsa and how you prepare for it? Maybe you can do a spa session with the hooman ladies?’
‘And what will you do?’
‘I thought I can take them for an adventure trek! And then I can teach them to drop and roll. Also maybe we can have a Scentsational Fun time and let them smell our favourite smells and play with us in wood shavings.’
‘Son, not all the hoomans are cubby age. Many of them are closer to Mama’s age.’
‘And you are such a happening Mama! And maybe we can have the hoomans dress us up as their favourite Movie Star?’ I bet they will dress you as Elizabear Paylor! I think I am more Bear Pitt and Papa is Humphrey Beargard, Hee hee hee hee.’
‘Well, this happening Mama will think about it and let you know.’
‘Please, Mama, let’s have some fun!’
‘We will see, now go and get me a nice fruitini please from the fridge.’
‘Yes, Mama.’
Thank you for the comments story Dear Yun Zi. I am hoping that ZZ and SweetSu get to visit real soon for a festival or Party. I imagine You and Papa Gao Gao will take over Your nephew and Gao’s first Grandson—-perhaps you will get to check to see if he got Papa’s webbed toes 2 and 3 on the left foot. You and all of your brothers and sister got them, and I wondered if there might be a way that a GaoBai grandchild will some day make it through the release program to the wild. Wouldln’t that be something to have a Gao Grandchild to go back to the wild, after Gao coming FROM the wild to to help make sure there are great Pandas to help continue their species. I have a feeling that he caught sight of your MaMa on a Laptop and volunteered to come half way around the world to marry her so you could lbe part of a great Panda family. He just knew they were meant for each other, and would not settle for all of the Lady Pandas in China~that it had to be yourLovely Queen Mother or no one. I think he was right to wait for Mama, or we would not have our Darling Yunior to fall in love with.
Perhaps later on one of ZZ’s or Su’s babies will make it trough the program. I bet that Bai and the girls will find time while you and Papa play with the new royal baby, to catch up on all of the gossip, and I am sure Bai will have gentle words of wisdom on marriage and cub raising. This needs to happen soon since I think this is the year that ZZ will begin dating. I know Su went right to marriage and motherhood perhaps ZZ will follow in her footsteps and choose young motherhood, like many of us do.
Keep us posted on upcoming events and parties so we can enjoy the fun along with the world’s probably favorite Panda Family~and their extended family around the world. If this one includes gold medals I hope Gao Gao gets the highest toss of party goodies~~~~is it cheating that he always gets to choose the bottom branch of the tree, so he has to toss the farthest to reach everybody with their presents and food. We need lots of more stories, I can hardly wait to find them in the comment sections of all of the blogs I have to go back and read now that I am able to be on the computer again. A Super Duper Buckeet of hugs and Kisses to you all…Love 3 M Grammmie
This will be my first time attending the Panda Convention! Palooza here we come. Looking forward to seeing the pandas in “fur”.
Diane of Lincoln Ca., you will have such a great time!! Looking forward to meeting you.
and if Yuni has anything to say it should be a bearly good time
Looking forward to meeting you Diane!! NEXT month!!
Hi Diane Of Lincoln CA .This is such a fun weekend . Looking forward to meeting you. Sandy and Jack from Orangevale Ca
I am coming from Australia to the San Diego Zoo a month too early Feb 21-24, including the Backstage pass again. I so wish I’d known about this event it sounds fantastic. I will be back in Adelaide that week – working as Zoo volunteer tour guide (have to talk to Wang Wang and FuNi) before I go to Bifengxia to do my fifth trip to volunteer with the pandas.
I am so sorry that we will miss you, Rosemary! Maybe you can come back to the SDZ for the 2013 Convention?! Please email pandaconvention@yahoo.com to get your name on the list for next year.
How exciting that your are a tour guide at your zoo. And you are going back to BFX for a 5th visit!! I’m very envious!
Diane—Thank you for the link….I had a reat time going up-stream and down-river, and got my chance to see Bai Yun’s cute “Heart on Her Bottom” photo she had taken for Gao Gao as her valentine to him. Gao Gao-keep up the excercise for Spring Salsa time. Since he was somewhere between 6 months and 18 months of age when he volunteered to travel the world for his perfect mate he was not trained at the beginning to get extra leg excircizes-he just acts naturally, and loves his Bai Yun.
Rosemary- Since you will be in BFX perhaps you can see Su Lin and her adorable baby and find out what his name is. Hard to get info there.His picture was taken in 2011, November and he should have a name now. He looks like GAO GAO!! Anyway, I think he is the image of his grandpa. Lucky you, wonderful area. hAVE A MARVELOUS TIME, AND SEND NEWS.
Rosemary, I saw you at BFX in 2010, but don’t think we actually met.
Rosemary!! Since you will be at BFX we know yu will see our Sun Lin 1 adorable little GAO GAO! ~ We should all give a “shout out ” for you when you do.We will wait and wait for the news, and we all will be happy SDZ panna FANS.Does anyone knowwhy the Chinese call them PANNAS?
I see by the Wolong Panda Club that you adopted a bear. Did you adopt a cub or a grown animal? Let us know how you get to see it and feed it etc. Most of us don’t know what the rewards are other than knowing you have one of your own for awhile. Thanks
virgnia
Interesting news from ZA today.. they do not plan on weaning Po.because he was born so late in the season (Nov) he will not be 18 months until May (usual weaniing age) but Lun will have missed her cycle. ZA says Cubs in the wild may spend 21/2 years with their mom. So ZA will study how Lun & Po react ( but no new cub this year)
It will be interesting to see how Lun and Po react to this.
I am looking forward to the 3rd annual Panda Convention.
The zoo staff are always so friendly and welcoming – making the previous conventions really special.
Yayyyy!!! Looking forward to visiting with you again, AuntiJackie!!
So excited you’re joining us again! We have a great program planned this year – can you believe it’s our Third annual convention!
took ages to work out the ears in the bottom corner of the panda cam were a child wearing a hat
It’s about 12:20 pacific time & on the panda cam are close-ups of visitors
who are quickly moving along. Where are the pandas?
Rosemary-it seems the Pandas had to take over for the volunteer Meercats, they decided it would be fun for you to have some action shots, so they giggled a lot, and turned the cameras on the Hoomans who must scurry by if the line is really really long. I think they send copies to the other San Diego Pandas no longer here so they can enjoy seeing some of the Hoomans who visited them regularly.
Dear Unka Yunnie,
It sounds like you and your mama and papa are going to have a wonderful time with all of the hoomans who are coming to see you in March. Will be thinking of you. Maybe you could tell some of them to come see me in Guangzhou. I’ll even play my drums for them!
Love,
HH
Hee Hee, I will tell them where they can find all the bears and say please make a special trip to visit my cheeky niece in Canton!
Where is Yun Zi? We want to Yun Zi.. I have been seeing the panda cam everyday and don’t see him anywhere!
Hiding.
Hee Hee, I am in the classroom, not because of a Time Out but because I am planning something special for the Panda Palooza. Its a SECRET, k?
I wonder why Yunior Flly Butt thinks that we think he is in trouble just because we cannot see him……does he get “time out” often?????
Gao Gao is really chowing down as usual on the PandaCam. Will see him and Yun Zi (I hope) Monday.
Yeah, what happened to Yun Zi? I went to the zoo and he wasn’t out. Felt like I wasted my money
Moderator’s note: With the current construction in Panda Canyon, we just have two pandas on exhibit. It was Yun Zi’s turn to be off exhibit for a bit. We hope you enjoyed seeing his parents.
Would like to know what if any info the SDZ staff receive about sisters SuLin and Zhen Zhen. Am especially interested in how new mama Su Lin is doing with her male cub. I know in the beginning she was having some problems with dropping her newborn and the staff had to take her cub for awhile to treat his minor injuries. Hopefully she’s settled nicely into motherhood now and the cub is healthy and strong.
Moderator’s note: We are trying to get info on the sisters for our panda fans.
I’m also looking for news about our girls.
I did learn on this blog months ago that Su Lin and her cub were removed from the semi-wild area because Su Lin was spending too much time playing in the trees and was neglecting her cub. The two of them were placed back into the normal environment at Bifengxia. Haven’t seen a word since.
I miss them, especially my special girl Zhennie. However, I’m convinced that they’re happier where they are. They have large enclosures and snow in the winter, and the keepers there love them as much as we do.
If only the world weren’t so large! Maybe some kind person will post photos!
We need to forgive Su Lin this little quirk-she comes from that “cloud” family and thinks he needs to climb fast. Perhaps later on she will teach him tree climbing and redecorating.
I meant to say Branch Bouncing and ReDecorating.
When is the construction going to end? I thought the facilities that you have for the pandas can house up to six. Why aren’t we allowed to see Yun Zi in the third exhibit?
Moderator’s note: Our panda exhibit is designed to exhibit two pandas at a time. Sometimes we open a third (the north) exhibit for viewing. The construction right now is to replace the panda gift shop that was destroyed in a fire a few months ago.
‘MAMA! MAMA! I got the bestest idea!’ yells Yunnie as he runs up to his blissed out Mama who is resting on her hammock.
‘What idea is that, my dearest?’ murmurs Bai Yun as she smiles at her son.
‘You can teach the hoomans Panda Yoga! And Papa can teach them Boo Eating techniques…’
‘Dear Yunnie, Hoomans do not eat the same parts of the bamboo as we do.’
‘OH…..never mind, Papa can teach them the different Panda languages like Panglish, Pranch, Panese, Pandrican….’
‘Hee Hee, I am not so sure Papa knows all those languages.’
‘He said when he was growing up wild, he learnt many panda dialects.’
‘Yes, dear boy, he did but many of them cannot be taught to polite kind hoomans, hee hee.’
‘Why? Can I learn them, Mama? I think that would be fun. “BLEAT BLEAT ***!!”‘
And with that Bai Yun scoops him up and turns him upside down.
‘MAMA! HEEELP!’
‘Don’t you ever use those words again!!!! Who taught you?’
‘I just heard them….’
‘From whom? PAPA?’
‘No……MAMA….please…..it was AJ.’
‘I should have known. A nice well brought up Panda boy never uses those types of bleats!’
‘Does that mean AJ is not nice and well brought up?’
‘Nooooo, it means Auntie Lunnie has been too busy with Wee Po to check on her teenaged son. I will call her soon. Mama has an idea. Why dont you prepare a nice video on our family and show this to the hoomans when they come? They will like to see the pics you took with ZZ, Su Lin and Sheng. And your cute little girlfriends from the Panda Kindergarten.’
‘MAMA, I have no girlfriends. And can you please put me right side up?’
Bai Yun lets her son down gently. She eyeballs him for a minute.
‘I know growing up is difficult but in our family, understand this I will not accept bad behaviour or langauge. Treat girls well and behave like a gentleman bear always, OK?
‘Yes, Mama!’
‘Now go and fetch Mama a nice boo juice and my apple slices.’
‘Yes, Mama!’
Zhenn Zhen was adopted. Last I heard she was enjoying her habitat and having her usual good time. Su Lin and “baby bear”, don’t know what name he was given at the New Year celebration yet,She looks well fed and her baby is adorable, he looks like GAO GAO to me. Fuzzy, sturdy and short nose. His picture with his mama shows his back and his mama is holding his hands( he is standing up) and she is looking down at him and he is looking up to her. Really sweet pose. If I get a name I will let everyone know. Bi feng Xia I understnd is quite far away from the other areas.Info may be difficult to get.
do you know where can get the pics
Aadoptee on Zhennie and there is a wonderful flicker b y Rita Petita on her visit to China. And you can see Rita too! And our girl is pudgy and sweet as usual. Heard she was happy in her home, butgo to Panda l ives on and other PI’s they may
have more news. Typing fooey today!
Go to Pandas Live on and to China bears Bi Feng Xia. There are photos(littlea boxes in chinese, of the babies. One of them, he has notched eyes, roundish, not long, and he looks just like the photo I have of sweetie no name. there is a link, to see and that baby is there with others, smaller.
I would love to see a picture. Virginia can you provide the site you get your info on, I would like to keep tabs on them too. Thank you in advance.
I too would love to see pics of Su Lin and her adorable cub.
This is the last picture of Su Lin and her cub that I have seen, taken in November 2011:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44341735@N02/6339116009/
virginia – please feel free to put the link to a more recent picture of Su Lin and her cub, as a comment under the picture I posted on Flickr, if this is not the picture you are referring to. That way everybody will be able to look at it.
No it is not the same. The problem is that the pics were sent too large. The server kept shutting down when we tried to send one to my daughter and one to angel Mary of Brooklyn. That is a problem or I would have sent to everyone, My DAUGHTER IS TRYING TO GET ONE OF HER SUPER DOOPER TECHS TO REFIGURE IT.
Junior is adorable. Sturdy, fuzzy still and looks like Gao GAo to me anyway.
If any of you are fantstic techs, can reduce the size, I will be overjoyed to send you anything I have. Su Lin is so sweet with her baby in their pose.
I am an oldl lady with very limited skills and I little to help sending web sites etc. Cant even type well. I have persis ted looking for info and I send what I can find out. going on 83 with child like skills .
Virginia, you are doing fantastic with your skills…thank you for your updates.
I cant do it. Doesnt work. Not the same as you have.
Virginia
http.//www.flickr.com/photos/44341735@N02/6339116009/
This is the Flikr link I used to see the photo of Su Lin Nursing the baby, and the one I used going up and down the photo stream to find Bai Yuns special valentine on the Bottom Photo for Gao Gao. I was not able to stay and play really long-you find out there are special muscle you use at the computer when you have not been near it for a few months—but I will be back there to see more, and perhaps find out the best page to start on—I do not know if their opening page starts with the latest page, like Rita Petita does.
So Sorry I could not seem to get the green or blue color that you can click on and go, but you can copy and paste this one, or type it into your address bar to view it.
my eyes are dimming, but from his back he looks a lot like his Uncle Yun Zi or as l like to call him…Prince Royal Fluffy Butt.Love Grammmie
Did a look at Chinese
of BFX pictures of a baby. Looks just like sweetie nonname of mine. But you can anyway see the way he looks
follow this-n Chinese,dont know what it says
chinapanda (dot) org (dot) cn/galleryphp?id=/48 little boxes are in chinese I suspect but hou can go with NEXT at cornerof picture. I mean it this baby looks like hers and so you can get an idea.
Virginia
Anyone who has access to this link and DOESN’T go take a look, and work their way up and down the photo stream is missing a great opportunitly to see some really cute photos. I really hope that somebody, every 2 or 3 new blogs will try to post this link at the top of the page of comments so that those who have not seen them gets the chance to go see and enjoy the stream.
You know I am faithful to Rita Petita’s Stream…. but every now and then somebody else gets good shots too. Enjoy.
The “Heart on Her Bottom” a Valentine for Gao Gao from His Lovely Bai Yun appears in this group of photos. There are additional photos of Su Lin and baby and other Pandas we know about or we hear about from other blog/comments NUTS like me. Treat yourself then give the treat the other nuts out there/
I cannot get them. Go to chinapanda.org.cn/gallery.php?id=149=148#
The photos galery I wanted you all to see is of cubbies. pictures. One or two may hve been Su Lins baby. It was Nov 28 2011 .I cannot find it today. Very frustrating. Not getting what I wanted on 2011, there were 28 pics of cubbies. one or two looked like Su Lin’s baby. Shortish eyes had notches just like her baby.. I am so sorry, I configured it wrong for you all.Her baby is short, squatish and very serious looking. fuzzy and very very cute. I wis I could send you mine but the server cannot take the size.
virginia I am sorry I failed you and cant find those pics again. No chinese capability.
Hoping to be there on Saturday!!
Wonderful Deborah!! Looking forward to seeing you again. Are you bringing Elvis bear???
Hi Diana, you know The Great Panda Elvis Bear would not miss the festivities!!! Thanks for asking about him!!
Just watching Gao Gao on the cam, doing what he enjoys and chowing down on boo.
I beleive National Zoo are giving their male panda leg strengthening exercises to do, does Gao Gao get these too? What about Yun Zi, although he’s not going to be breeding would starting exercises at a young age make his legs stonger and therefore make him more likely to successfully mate when older?
Moderator’s note: Your question has been forwarded to our Panda Team.
I’d be interested in why the panda team thinks Gao is so “successful”
wild born, strong legs, a love affair, Bai being in the correct position 
She took one look at his Sexy Furry Fluffy Feetsies, smiled and sighed, then rolled over, and has been his ever since.
pls ask the panda team why they think Goa & Bai are “so succesful” maybe as yuni says is is “panda love”
My Mama and Papa are so in love! That’s all.
If you want to be loved when older you best get to working on getting Feetsies just like Papa’s.
Grammmie,
I am getting some more fur on my feetsies already. If you go look at some of Auntie Weeta’s new photos of me, I have really really large paws. She thinks I am going to be a BIG boy with furry feetsies like Papa.
Love,
YUNZ
The keepers do make an effort to put food on high perches and offer enrichment that encourages physical exertion for precisely this reason.
With the “cloud” family there should be no problem with lots of leg excerccise—-Gao may be a “land” animal, but his babies take after their moma’s side of the family 1
How come on the old panda cam we able to view all three exhibits but now we only see the ones in front? What happened to the camera 28 that showed the third exhibit? We should be able to choose which exhibit we want to watch.
Moderator’s note: Currently, our HD cams are only set up in the two main exhibits and in Bai Yun’s garden room and den. We hope you are enjoying the improved viewing of our pandas.
Gee, Hazel, I agree with you, but I do not think we have the equipment in our homes to deal with those things. The only thing I can think of is that if you want some power, and are a San Diego Local with a bit of time to help us all is for you to volunteer to be a meercat-and send us your schedule so we don’t miss any of your shows…..what do you think????
When are you planning to put Yun Zi back on exhibit?
Moderator’s note: We don’t have a set rotation schedule at this time.
Panda fans, don’t forget to register for Panda-Palooza! The March 1st deadline for registration will be here before you know it. Still not sure about coming? See what you’ll be missing by having a look at the convention video at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhdNlg46Kr4&feature=youtu.be
See you all at Panda-Palooza!
There are new Panda Cams at Bifengxia provided by Explore(dot)org
Neither Panda Cams are in Zhen Zhen’s enclosure, but Panda Cam 1 is in Shen Bin and Yao Man’s enclosure and from time to time you can see Zhen Zhen walking in the next enclosure and watching her two neighbors!
Shen Bin and Yao Man are two female pandas born in 2009.
I saved the following pictures earlier today:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44341735@N02/6836244417/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44341735@N02/6836245437/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44341735@N02/6836246403/
Panda Cam 2 is normally directed at Fu Long’s previous enclosure where Yao Xin, Yao Man’s twin sister, and Lu Lin, a male panda also born in 2009 are now living. But sometimes the Panda cam is directed at the next enclosure where Fu Long is now living.
I saved a picture of Fu Long earlier today:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44341735@N02/6836247511/
jd-pandas saved pictures where you can see Fu Long’s white sock!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30122602@N00/6833906183/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30122602@N00/6833911705/
Thanks so much for this Explore link. The cams both work!
I note that Fu Long is now in ZZ’s original enclosure, and that they’ve built a new structure in it. The two other pandas are in Fu Long’s original enclosure.
Maybe someday, if they keep playing musical pandas, we’ll get our ZZ back on camera again! It sure was great while it lasted.
Wonderful pictures, Danielle.
Danielle Great pic of Fu Long. Zhennie looks curious and a little dirty. Wow, how we all miss them. But with a panda cam maybe Rosemary can get details on where Su and her “baby behr” are located. Then everyone can see them. Cannot imagine why her baby has no name.
She will be now I think at the Zoo, so someone there can ask for info on our dear ones.
virginiaAnd her adopted behr too.
LJ We cannot provide other e mail sites. It is not allowed due to privacy. Wait for Rosmary. Had tried to send pics but the server cut off they were too large.
Let us all try to be patient and wait for her news. I will contact else and see it I can get some to send. Very difficult .
This is the last picture of Su Lin and her cub that I have seen, taken in November 2011:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44341735@N02/6339116009/
virginia – please feel free to put the link to a more recent picture of Su Lin and her cub, as a comment under the picture I posted on Flickr, if this is not the picture you are referring to. That way everybody will be able to look at it.
Looking at Yun Zi in the tree, I think he needs a bigger Hammock he seems have out grown it.
Carol–that’s Bai Yun in the hammock!
I am off exhibit for now. My Mama likes my hammock as it gives her good support. Hee Hee Hee.
Mama Bai is acting like a young panda
Regarding the panda cam – which is so clear and great!! It is 11:30 a.m.
Pacific time and the camera is showing a large branch -a close-up- but
there is no panda. Maybe, when the camera operator is not there, might
the camera view show a larger part of the exhibit? That way, when a panda
happens to walk around, at least it would be seen. Are the panda cam
operators volunteers?
Moderator’s note: Thank you for your suggestion. All of our animal cams (panda, polar, elephant, ape, and our new Condor Cam) are operated by volunteers. We are so grateful for their help!
Mama Bai is on her throne eating boo…..what a beautiful sight she is……
Love the update to the mobile app! I can get to pandacam quite easily now.
Moderator’s note: Good to hear!
Hey pandafans, check this out for Panda Palooza weekend!
There is still space in the Sunrise Surprise Stroll for Sunday, March 25th!! These are usually sold out by the time I check into them for the convention. But there is still room……just checked. But hurry! It begins at 7:30 am, need to be there by 7:15 am and runs until 9 am. So still time to leave at 9 for Safari Park.
You will need a ticket or membership to get in to the zoo. All the info is at the Special Events tab, find the calendar, keep clicking until you get to the week of March 23rd, click on Sunrise Surprise Stroll on the 25th. And follow the screens from there.
The best part: TWO days in a row into the zoo early!! And of course, the company of all the pandafans that have already signed up!!
Moderator’s note: Here’s the direct link for Sunrise Surprise Strolls info: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/zoo/special/sunrise_surprise_strolls
I’m signed up and thanks for posting that link, Moderator!!
Moderator’s note: You’re welcome, Laurie. It sounds like Panda Palooza with all of its activities will be a lot of fun!
Tried to book this and it was sold out. Is there a way Panda Palooza could make an exception for March 25th stroll?
, Thanks,
Diane
Moderator’s note: We’ll see what we can do!
A few more spots have been opened for that March 25 Sunrise Surprise Stroll. Space is limited due to the nature of this behind- the-scenes tour, so the additional spots are available on a first come, first served basis. Please call 619-557-3963 and mention you are part of the Panda Palooza.
Thanks for doing this SDZ!! I sent emails to those that mentioned wanting to go in their emails to the convention email address, but were unable to sign up previously due to the event being sold out!
Moderator’s note: You’re welcome. And thank you for letting those folks know.
WooHoo!!!! Canada is getting a pair of Pandas!!
The announcement was made in China today!! Calgary and Toronto zoos will share these precious bears!!
Hi, Panda fans!
I will be meeting with you again this year for a talk on Saturday. What I would like from you are suggestions on what YOU want me to talk about. Many of you have been following the blogs for years and know quite a bit about pandas and our bears. What are you interested in hearing about? What topics in panda research would you like more information on? Give me a feel for what you want, and I will try to customize my talk with you accordingly. As always, I will leave time for questions and answers, as that always is a very lively part of the discussion!
Cheers,
Suzanne
Suzanne–wonderful news that we will have the privilege of meeting with you again!!! I would be very interested to hear if there is any sort of update on the effectiveness of the pregnancy test developed at the Memphis Zoo. Has it been used and, if so, it’s effectiveness. I know it was too late last year to try it on the US pandas but wondering if it has been used anywhere yet. I know that all eyes are on Mei Xiang at NZ this year and wondering if you know if there is any plan to use it there or in any of the US Zoos this year?
I’m so happy to hear that you will be speaking with us again, Suzanne!!
My thought was the same as Laurie’s ~ pseudo-pregnancies and the new tools to predict whether a true or pseudo.
My other thought was to begin at the beginning. Many of our pandafans weren’t here when Bai and Shi Shi came to the zoo. Where do you begin with a Research Station? What kind of reasearch led up to Hua Mei’s birth. How did you determine that it was a certain kind of bamboo that would get Shi Shi to eat. How did you come up with the formula for hand reared cubbies.
I love the stories about our bears from a personal viewpoint. The one of Bai and her reaction to Dong Dong’s scent. There must be more of those!
Speaking of the experiment of Bai Loving her momma Dong Dong’s scent~have you tried it the other way around~having Bai smell her cubs scents? With offspring right there in the zoo you can get a fresh sample, and if you have samples from her other cub and cubettes more comparisons can be made. I wonder if she will react stronger to the boys than the girls, or if their distance from birth dulls her reactions to them. And you can try the sniff test in reverse since Prince Royal Fluffy Butt is right there. Have you tried letting Sweet Daddy Gao Gao get his nose into the mix? He probably would not recognize his cubs since he only got to be near them in the S D Zoo Underground area, but he may want to try several different samples of his love Bai Yun-in different moods. Perhaps you have done the tests already and did not know we would be so interested in the results……if not it’s “High Ho, High ho, off to work we go……..” Love grammmie
Give Gao Gao a fair warning as to what might happen if Bai catches him sniffing samples from any other Panda Ladies.
Suzanne, it will be wonderful to hear you again.
discussion items…. how are the hearing tests going, training in general (for shots, blood pressure, examinations etc), what are the challenges not only for pandas but other animals as well to breed naturally in a managed setting.
I wanna know how you will find me a girl friend who will be my Forever Princess. I pwomise I will help with the talk.
Love,
Yunior
While I won’t be able to be at the convention, I was wondering how good is the eyesight of pandas? Do they rely more on scent and hearing?
Would like to meet Rita Petita or see her in action taking those one of a kind pictures of the pandas? Does she live in the San Diego area?
Thank you,
Diane
Our Wonderful Rita Petita does live in the Greater San Diego area-she was at the last overnight for adults in the summer 2011, but I have not gotten to my e-mails to see if she will be in person in March. You may want to hang around Sat. afternoon or Sun. Morning, and there are a few photos including her, in her photos stream, copy a couple to help you find her. She is the BESTEST EVER ! ! ! Don’t forget that there is a copy of the Misssing Poster Yun Zi made up while she was off to visit his siblings, in China, and she had not cleared it with him first. I am not sure who’s Flkr stream it appearred in. Good Luck in finding her…..and if you get photos of or with her you have to publish too!
Suzanne ~ I’m thrilled that you will be speaking to our Panda Palooza group. I learn something interestingly new each time I hear you or read your blogs. I’m concerned about our aging couple, Bai Yun and Gao Gao. Does the Zoo want to keep them beyond 2013, when the agreement with China ends for them, to study panda geriatrics? Will there be young pandas coming to continue the Zoo’s panda reproduction program? In other words, what is the future of the panda program at the San Diego Zoo? Of course, the best solution would be if Bai had a new cub this year!
Dear Yunnie,
Tuesday, February 14th is Valentine’s Day. I’m sure a heart-shaped bamboo box filled with tasty snacks would make a big impression on MPU 08. You can’t loose with thoughtful and delicious gifts.
*BLUSH* Sssssh, I will tell you more after Valentine’s Day, OK AUntie Anne? Papa gave me some good tips.
Love,
Yunz
Will the keepers open the howdy gate for Bai Yun and Gao Gao to start the courting as it gets closers to breeding season.
Moderator’s note: We’ll just have to see if Bai Yun is even interested this year
It is amusing that whenever I try for a Panda Convert-when I mention the mating custom of who, where, when, etc. controlled by the Lady Pandas all of the Hooman Ladies suggest it should be that way for all ladies of any species.
I will believe in Santa and the Tooth Fairy again once panda have landed on Canadian soil. Here is the link to what was in the Toronto newspaper this morning.
thestar (dot) com/news/article/1128918–get-ready-for-panda-monium-lovable-bears-will-arrive-next-year?bn=1
I tried the link (removing the [ spaces ] and “word” dot and replacing it with a “.” but unless some of the “-” “dashes” also need replacing I don’t know how to copy it onto a search area that will get better results. If the problem is that you are in Canada, and I am in the USA (Southern Ca.) then there would not be a problem-I am Canadian.
Suzanne- from what has been posted on the blogs-you are going to talk
about very interesting information at the Panda Palooza. For those of us
who are unable to attend, could you please relay that information in postings? Thank you
I cannot believe I haven’t heard of this sooner! I will to do everything possible to attend.
I’m super excited! Although I am a (near) life-long Giant Panda advocate and enthusiastic fan of the SDZ, I have visited only twice — the most recent was my amazing, first “in-fur” visit with pandas, which were Gao and Bai. I was ecstatic before even seeing their exhibit; just knowing that they were there and no longer just a species of nebulous symbolism and the hyperfocus of a little, animal-loving girl but a beautiful, unique being that has inspired me to become a Conservation Biologist and helped form who I now am as an individual.
Thank you so much, SDZG team. I cannot truly express how much your work means to me. However, my hero, Dr. Swaisgood, has just experienced my first attempt to do so in person. Lol… I also appreciate how kindly he met my enthusiasm and keen admiration.
*Fingers crossed* I’ll see you all in March. ^_^
If you all go tom the Wolong Club site and check the Panda Center News there is news about the overseas born pandas and their birthdays together. Hua Mei apparently had another baby boy on 2010. Mei sheng, and Su lin and Zhennie and Tai Shan all are litsted as part of the celebration. Also the panda rescued from the Earthquake died from illness. There is a b dAY CAKE PICTURE BUT WHO IS IT??i DONT KNOW.
Speaking of Panda Health~has anyone heard lately about how well the Panda in China that was comatose last year, and survived thanks to the devotion of his doctors and keepers. Whatever was learned might allow some steps ahead for other mamals, including us.
Where did Yun Zi go? Its been more than a month he isn’t in his regular exhibit! Will he ever come back? Did the San Diego Zoo already ship him off to China? I think Yun Zi has had a long enough break. He deserves to be in his normal exhibit. I came to the San Diego Zoo just to Yun Zi and Gao Gao was on exhibit that day too.
WE WANT TO SEE YUN ZI!
Moderator’s note: He’s still at our Zoo, not to worry.
Just be thankful you were able to see a panda in person- we also went to the zoo (from Mi) to see SuLin who was high in her tree but papa Gao thrilled us
When is Yun Zi going to be out? Please let us know.
Moderator’s note: We don’t have a set rotation schedule at this time.
Ji Li and Er Shun are the two pandas that have been selected to come to Canada!!
They will never take the place in my heart that I have for Bai and Gao, but it will be exciting to be able to drive a couple of hours to see them.
Please do not worry~there are kots of us Canadians right here in San Diego Zoo teritory to balance everything out. Once you get to see YOUR pandas you will find that it is really easy to love the ones youo can get closest to. Our dear Rita Petita LOdves them all so much that she made a trip to China so she could visit the ones she has been taking photos of for all of the years Pandas have been here.
If you want a trip through all of the Bai~Gao just put Rita Petita in the the box at the top of the page or use this flikr link http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/
There are many Panda Photographers out there……..I have enjoyed tip toeing through many other pages that other Photographers treat us to….but Rita Petita is always my favorite. Whenever I can I try to make the most special Photos as my screen saver—-when turning off the computer I get to see them screen sized~without all of the little spots covered by our favorite “go to” places. I think I need to learn COMPUTEREEZE all ofver again-I seen to have misplaced my mind….Love Grammmie
Do the cameras cost too much? Why can’t the zoo install a third camera where Yun Zi is? People pay plenty of money to the zoo and the least that you can do is install a third camera. If you tell the cost of the camera maybe people will donate to the camera instead of the fake tree that Yun Zi does not want!
Sheshhhh – well, I for one am grateful we have live cams
And a blog to complain about more cameras 
and for the tree that is for Yuni. future cubs and the horticulture staff 
I’d contribute for a third camera.
Me too! I am on SS but I can save up!
virginia
At Giant Panda Zoo.com there are pictures, large photos, of our bears at the San Diego and all American Zoos plus the foreign ones too. Delightful, large and single photos. So you can see each one well. Even PO is there for the Atlanta Zoo.There is also a site there for the ones on China.And some four cubbies too.
va.
I’ve just tuned into the panda cam and my day has been brightened by seeing my gorgeous Gao Gao munching happily away on his bamboo. Wonderful.
It’s 9:52 PST and Bai is in exactly the same pose when I saw her yesterday. For a minute there, I thought a picture had replaced the live camera. But then I saw a moving branch. Just a fun coincidence.
OkayThis is my third try—I have not been on the computer since the two short times between Sept. and now~~ and have managed to mess up this comment twice already.
I agree that Yun Zi is smart to find a place to show off and look for his fans. Does anybody venture a guess as to how many millions he has gathered to his heart in 2 1/2 years?????
I have not visited him the fur yet but hope to be strong enough soon…..I wiill be the one screaming his name so he will know I am there, and encouraging His Papa with the Fluffy Furry Feetsies to show up looking his sexy self. While lhe is on front and center display I hope you guys will share your photos of him showing his Sexie Feetsies, don’t forget to include his handsome face. I take it that Beautiful Her Majesty BAI is doing extra special spa days, getting ready for THE SPRING DATE With Gao. I sure hope she has not entered PandaPause as was suggested last year.
Love to all….Grammmie
I have a million words to read from the blogs and comments so please be patient with me.
When I am off the puter for a time I go back to the last Blog and comments I got to read and move towards to today’s date, so the comments make some sense to me, I can go to all of the links you post here, etc. Luckily since my eyes have dimmed, I cannot wear glasses, and contacts are not a good choice…….my son has put a 36″ HD tv in my room, that can be hooked up to the computer, so I can just lay back and enjoy reading everything without standing a foot from the tv.
Love Grammmie
That’s wonderful Grammmie. Get all caught up and let everyone know what you think
I would also appreciate the news from Sept. forward if anybody kind of has a good idea what happened to our Panda Family and their extended family around the world—especially the USA Pandas. Is Yunior still helping to guide the younger Pandas in the other families? I wonder what will happen to him once he goes too far too fast for the younger Pandas, he is talking about lady Pandas a lot more often now. I suppose he thinks they are all dying of love for him. But then that is what makes a boy panda a Boy Panda
Dear Keepers and Staff…..I am seeing the pandas great new cam with the larger photos. Will we be able to do the “postcard” thing still???? From my sight of the ears I am guessing that at this time Gao Gao is the one on the cam, but I do not see numbers to be able to tell if the ears do not. I should be able to tell the 3 of them apart~but I am out of practice from some months off line…..is there a way besides guessing to know who is entertaining us??? Thank you for your time, Love 3M Grammmie
Moderator’s note: We are working to restore the postcard feature and a way to provide ID for the pandas on Panda Cam. Enjoy the view!
Thank you so much Moderator, for the fast information—I am glad those things are on the table- even if they are not on the plate yet..Love Grammmie
Our little bear PO is not so little anymore. I think he will be just as big as his Daddy!
Unlessyou see him with his mama, it’s hard to tell if he is Xi LAn or PO!
I remember Yunnie baby suddenly got bigger.He still plays a lot and whenhe is on camera he is having a good time . He willbe back and just as adorable as ever.
We need to find him a mate when he is older who is just as dear as he is! What babies they will have!!
China will be lucky to have his genes! Check out Meng Meng , she is at a zoo in China. Just as cute as she can be. Or mayb e Xi LAn?
Love those Pannas!!
A backstage Pass! WOW!! i will save up for that -My birthday is near end of April so I will talk to my daughter about one. And I will tell them that Iwant to have a backstage pass for my birthday present!! Then I can save up for another camera!! Happy days are coming!
virginia
Dont send anyone to China before I get there to San Diego. PLEASE
I hear you Virginia. A dear Panda person has offered to take me to the zoo for a day (we are both locals), so I can see Bai, Gao, and Zi in the fur—-but I keep getting relapses of the infections I was so sick from and added pneumonia to my poor old body, and was back in the wheel chair for a month. I am giving myself a deadline to get to the Zoo before Yunior’s 3rd birthday~since he will have his bags packed and his ticket in paw~he is looking forward to meeting the Royal Panda Ladies in China. And has anybody got news from Princes Lin Ping. I still find it hard to believe that her keepers-especially CK (cute keeper) carried her to the scale until she was a year old–and a great big lovely teen Panda. Do ZZ Su and PLP get together via laptops and cameras to still belt out those great songs together???? How is the dancing Hao Hao doing~I am starved for the news.
The website Explore(dot)org has two Panda Cams in Bifengxia.
Recently videos were made from these Panda Cams
Zhen Zhen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhBoTKJr2Hs
Fu Long: http://www.flickr.com/photos/86799970@N00/6868007057
Thanks for these Danielle!
I watched that cam that day (there was snow on the ground), but I missed seeing our Zhennie.
So wonderful to see her. I do think she’s enjoying her new home, but I wish they’d put her back in her old enclosure (where Fu Long is now) so we can see her more often!
Happy Valentine’s Day to all the pandas, keepers and staff that put up with all of us every day of the year.
Ditto!
From me too. Happy Valentines Day, all creatures great and small.
From me too!! Very well put, Lee!!
We all seem to agree that the Pandas are best if loved each and every day. I am afraid we fell in love with the Pandas first~so the entire Panda Staff came in second. Sorry about that~but working up close with the Pandas of our dreams I bet the Panda staff can understand.
What a beautiful close up of Bai Yun I am seeing about 09.35 Pacific Time. She is asleep but still looks gorgeous. Hope she is preparing for a “meeting” with her husband soon. Fingers crossed.
Would also love it if Suzanne could post details of her chat to the visitors for those of us too far away to enjoy what sounds like a fantastic weekend. Enjoy it everyone.
Bai Yun needs a hammock, she’s just busting out of hers
My gramma loves that hammock. It reminds her of all the healthy cubs she has raised who loved that hammock with her.
Hao Hao
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY, Unka Yunnie,
My mommy and little brother asked me to send you and your mommy (my gramma) and daddy the very best Valentine’s greetings ever. Oops, almost forgot–my Uncle Mei Sheng and Aunties ZZ and Su, and my little cousin also wish you all a great day. Just in — Cousins Tai and Fu said to include them too.
I hope you get a valentine from your dream girl. Did you send her one?? Huh? Huh?
Love from your niece,
Hao Hao
Thanks, Ah girl. Grammy and Grandpa Gao send their love to you all too. As to my Valentine’s plans, why send just one? Hee Hee Hee! Tell you another time.
Unka Yunnie
Has Yunior gotten permission to court Miss Panda International???
Yes, I have Grammmie but Papa has to monitor things. Her name is Hui Ling and Panda Claws gave me her email and contact number for Cwismass, hee hee hee. And she has answered my emails. We are paw pals. Step by step is the best according to Mama.
Love,
Yunz
Have you been swapping about again? It looks like Yun Zi on the cam today.
Moderator’s note: No, Bai Yun is in the left-hand exhibit, Gao Gao in the right-hand exhibit, Yun Zi in the north exhibit.
Ok, will Yun Zi ever be on exhibit again?
Moderator’s note: Yes.