Yun Zi
Many of our blog readers have commented in recent weeks that they are concerned that they haven’t seen giant panda Yun Zi on Panda Cam or in person. Some have expressed concern about his apparent disappearance. I thought I would take a moment to explain some of the factors contributing to his absence and to reassure you that Yun Zi is just fine.
As you know, the San Diego Zoo has new HD cameras that have vastly improved your Panda Cam viewing experience. No more grainy, foggy, or blurry images online. Instead, we have clear, enlarged images that help you get a better feel for the pandas and their enclosures. However, not every one of our facility’s 30-odd cameras was replaced with the HD system. Several of our areas are still serviced by our old, standard cameras. However, the old system is not compatible with our new HD service. That means that when a bear is in an area with an old camera, he or she will not be visible on the Panda Cam.
So why not simply rotate a bear outside where he is accessible both to the visiting public and the Panda Cam? We would do that, under typical circumstances. However, we have a few other factors at play that are influencing our decisions about panda placement. For one, the panda gift shop is being rebuilt. During the construction, we are watching the bears very closely to document their response to this disturbance and ensure the welfare of our animals throughout the process. We are in a current holding pattern of minimizing all other transitions for the bears to further reduce any potential stressors. That means we are keeping animal rotations to an absolute minimum so long as the bears seem comfortable.
We are also creeping close to the breeding season for our adults. The main viewing exhibits are the home base for Bai Yun and Gao Gao once estrus begins, and the place where any breeding would occur if the two were inclined to copulate. Bai Yun has been doing a little scent marking lately, although she is likely weeks away from beginning her estrus. Even so, this is just another factor in play when we make determinations about which bear will be in any given spot on any given day.
Currently, Yun Zi is being housed in an area with the old cameras, which is why you haven’t seen him. He spends his days with access to behind-the-scenes bedrooms and off-exhibit outdoor areas, including our “classroom” exhibits. If he is high in one of his trees, a Zoo guest can catch a glimpse of him when strolling past the facility or riding the moving walkway to the landing near Owens Aviary. If Yun Zi is on the ground or in his bedroom, all areas fitted with older cameras, he is not visible to the public.
But even when he is out of sight, he is clearly not out of mind for our readers. You’ll have to be content to know that we are taking great care of our young male, and he is happy and healthy and content. Soon enough, when the time is right, he’ll be back in view in the exhibits. And if Bai Yun mates again this spring, she will eventually be pulled off exhibit for an extended period as we watch her for signs of pregnancy. Yun Zi and Gao Gao will be our panda ambassadors, but many will ask: when is Bai Yun coming back on exhibit?
Suzanne Hall is a senior research technician for the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research. Read her previous post, Changes for Gao Gao.
Thank you very much for your explanation and hopefully this will educate those that are withholding their donations “due to the poor panda cam options”. It’s not all about “them”, but about the welfare of the animals. I, for one, appreciate everything that the San Diego Zoo is doing. Just wish I lived closer so I could visit more often.
well said
Well, it is their money that is allowing the zoo to stay afloat so I guess they can express their opinions if they want and inquire about a particular panda that they have dished out money for.
I also agree with you. Wish I lived closer, like you I live in No part of the state.
I tell everyone I know what a nice place to visit and the people that work there are great. You can tell that all of the animals at the zoo are very well taken care of and loved. What a lovey place
lu
If it was about the welfare about the pandas, the zoo would have a bigger place as their habitat. Move them to the wild animal park if its about their welfare. They would like that because it would be more like their natural environment and they can roam freely like they do in China. Also, if you have noticed, the panda exhibits are tiny and the pandas end up pacing back and forth due to lack of adequate space.
I am travelling from England to see the Pandas in April I hope I see all of them as I have watched Yui Zi since he was born and just can’t wait to see him. I do miss watching him on web cam as he plays and climbs alot.
Moderator’s note: We look forward to your visit, Deborah.
Is there a link to a website where we can view the areas where the old cameras are?
Moderator’s note: No, sorry.
Conversation with Gao Gao #98
Tourist: Hello, Gao Gao.
Gao Gao: Oh, hello, Mr. Tourist.
T: You’re singing again.
G: And we continue to improve our ballistics capabilities.
T: Oh, with Madame Bai.
G: Yup, our through the barrier atom smasher waft exchanges.
(So Gao and Bai sing as their fragrances fill the air…)
Ol’ San Diego had a zoo,
Ee i ee i oh!
And in that zoo there’s ample Madame Bai.
Ee i ee i oh!
With a smear-smear here,
And a rub-rub there.
Here a bleat, there a bleat,
Everywhere a splish-splish.
Ol’ San Diego had a zoo,
Ee i ee i oh!
Ol’ San Diego had a zoo,
Ee i ee i oh!
And in that zoo there’s tall Sir Gao.
Ee i ee i oh!
With a handstand here,
And a back-flip there.
Here a bleat, there a bleat,
Everywhere a splash-splash
Ol’ San Diego had a zoo,
Ee i ee i oh!
Thank you, P Wong!
P Wong, glad to see your conversations are back! That was a good one with a take on “Old McDonald Had a Farm”. That was cute! Keep on writing those conversations, ok? Love them!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Xie Xie for the cute conversation with my Papa.
YZ
Wunderbar! Love it.
So happy to hear from you again, P. Wong!
Suzanne: Although I too miss seeing Yun Zi on the Panda Cam, I appreciate your explanation regarding his absence. I had suspected part of the reason had to do with the “season” (breeding), but I’m glad you clarified that. You all do such a wonderful job with these lovely pandas — keep up the good work. And here’s hoping for a new cub this year!!!
Thank you Suzanne for taking time to explain how things work for the people that are new to this site.. You and all the staff take wonderful care of the pandas and we are fortunate that the SDZ has cameras. If something is done, then there is a reason for it.
P Wong, you made me laught out loud with your cute little ditty. It soon will be time for Bai Yun to let us know what will happen this year. But, until then we just hurry up and wait. Right?
We had a nice view yesterday from the Skyfari tram of Yun Zi soaking up some sun while lounging on his climbing structure in the off exhibit area. He is really getting to be a big boy!
Do you have a picture?
No, sorry. I was too worried about hanging on to my daughter to pull out my camera!
Well, I hope that Yuni has some fun time by himself in his own back yard and behaves himself without redecorating anything! I thought that all of the pandacams went to HD when they were put in, but now I know that some of them were not included in the camera replacement. Hopefully, some good money will come along to get those old cameras replaced with these wonderful HD cams very soon! We will all appreciate that alot! Maybe that can be put on the wish list!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Yunior will redecorate to his taste! It is his home andWhy not please himself.Obviously, since Bai did it too, they did not appreciate that lack of climbing. Vienna has nothing but BIG Trees to learn on. Can’t we all get together with one plan for everyone? For the Pandas? How can they understand the areas of China differences.Some are rocky like areas good for goats. Notgood to be bored. But Yunnie goes along the branches and still no greenery?Why is the store going to be there.? That could have been for the bears to roam.Dedicated stores?
Much like Tai Shan at the National Zoo, Po, at Zoo Atlanta likes to spend a
lot of time resting on the drain. Does San Diego Zoo have similar drains?
I don’t think I have ever noticed one of the bears resting on one.
There was a time Yunnie went down to the moat. It was raining and he even napped a little. One of the keepers, braids and rain gear, rescued him, and took him back up.
Rosemarie, SDZ panda enclosures do have drains, and I’ve seen Yun Zi have a nap on the grates. They are hard to see because they are located at the front of the enclosures beneath the rails of the viewing platforms. Moderator, can you confirm this please?
Moderator’s note: Confirmed
There is so much wood, cut off limbs, I cannot see any leafy boughs anymore! What happened to the trees? Zhennie used to climb and dance on the boughs. What a delight. Now There is not Zhennie and no leafy boughs and no bird scolding Jhennie for taking over his/her area. And even Su Lin’s area had trees. Where are they ? In what place? It is so darned crowded now.
But our Gao GAo has his place in front of the visitors where he delights all while eating . Me too. i love to watch him and his antics for the visitors.
Why is it so crowded now? Or is it where the camera is?
Yes, I knew this was the drill from many past breeding seasons.
Well I for one remember when we did not have the cams or blogs, so I am grateful that we have the opportunity to see a panda all day long, every day and know that the San Diego Zoo has, will and continue to do what is best for the animals under their care. No complaints here, just gratitude.
Well said, NancyB! We’ve come a long way from the one camera in the den when Hua Mei was born — and that was such a technological advancement. Thanks, SDZ, for all you do for the animals and for the fans!
Moderator’s note: You’re welcome, Lisa.
I agree being from Pennsylvania and not being close to a zoo I love to watch the cam’s it gives you a nice brake at work. I have been able to get to the zoo 2 times and well be there again in August and it is a great place the people there care about the animals it to clean and they put the animals first. To the zoo staff job well done.
I also agree and feel very blessed we can see them at all.
A pra pos habitat. Did anyone miss DoxieMom’s video of Yun theGardner.
It is a must see! Yunnie was hiding from his Mom in an area near the fence. Itwas wildish. And he was enjoying his time alone. Although any time he was out of sight,she would find him,check him out and then leave him alone. He was curious about all of it.The best part was when he climbed a vine and with total delight hung upsidedown! Andhis exploration,small as it was, was also a way he was kind of exploring the scents and appearance of the “thicket” like area. It is a pure delight to watch. He even had some of beloved red flowers to eat.Try it you will like it!
Beginning disapeared?It is about a video of Doxie Mom, named Yun Zi, the Gardener.
Cameras, camera. I am in for buying a third camera and I live on Social Security. It would be great to see them all of course. There are so many animals to care for and people to hire that it would be impossible to do everything. And apparently, San Diego has not donated more land for free. Both sides have reasons, the usual. But isn;t it wonderful that we are able to complain a little?> many countries do not allow any dissent. but we all love the zoo and it’s occupants(even the snakes)
What is Bai Yun’s weight as of 2012?
Moderator’s note: Your question has been forwarded to our Panda Team.
Bai Yun’s current weight is 226.6 pounds (103 kilograms).
Yun Zi might not be on the SDZ pandacam, but if you are lucky you can see Zhen Zhen on the HD Panda Cam 1 from Bifengxia provided by explore(dot)org
Due to the time difference with China, the best viewing hours:
5:30pm – 7:30pm & 10:30pm – 12:30am Pacific Standard Time
I saw Zhen Zhen two nights ago:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44341735@N02/6917535581/
A series of pictures was also posted by freetaishanfreesulin:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/86799970@N00/6914631585/
Thank you for the update! Really appreciate all you folks do for us fans!
I know the contract with China is/has been under discussion– can any information be given as to if there has been a new arrangement yet?
Moderator’s note: No news on a new agreement, but our current one doesn’t expire until sometime in 2013.
Well, I finally found out the names of the 2 pandas in France and where they are located at, thanks to MSNBC’s Animal Tracks! The pandas’ names are Yuan Zi-male, Huan Huan-female. Both came from China back in late December, 2011 to Beauval Zoo in Saint Algnan, France. They are both in their yards for the French people and tourists to see and enjoy them every day now. There was a very good picture of them on the website today. Hopefully, they will be able to mate and have cubs soon when they are old enough.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
So Bai Yun is not on a birth control implant, and there are hopes for a new panda cub??
Moderator’s note: There is always hope.
8:45am Thursday. Moderatior is that Yun Zi up in the tree looking at us?
So Cute!
Moderator’s note: Yun Zi is still in the off-exhibit area that is not shown on Panda Cam.
Having watched the panda cam rather religiously since Hua Mei was knee-high to a grasshopper, I have enjoyed seeing each of the pandas in their turns. I am very grateful just to be able to see whichever one is on the cam, often seeing it from a very different vantage point than the folks see live. I’ve been to the zoo once and loved it. Hope to get back for a day in May if I can work it out. Yunior is the only one of the cubs I have yet to see, but I so enjoyed seeing Gao Gao and Bai Yun with ZZ when I was there before. I’m also looking forward to seeing the rest of the renovated panda trail and meet the takins and reds. Is the snake there yet? I’d also love to see that. Thanks so much also for the new cams. They really make viewing a pleasure.
Moderator’s note: Yes, the beautiful Ming Mountain vipers are in residence in Panda Trek. We look forward to your visit, Mary!
It is nice to see Zhen Zhen going around her enclosure in this video. Shen Bin and Yao Man, two female pandas born in 2009, seem to ignore their next door neighbor!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/86799970@N00/6776428910/
Many thanks to freetaishanfreesulin!
Thank you, Suzanne, for a wonderful explanation of just what is going on with the bear’s rotation or lack thereof. Most of us know that all of you take fantastic care of our bears and we patiently wait to see who we can when we can!
Looking forwad to seeing all of you next month ~ Four weeks from tomorrow you will see the pandafans descending on Panda Canyon!!
Moderator’s note: We love panda fans!
So cute! i love pandas! They are so cute:]:] I am GLAD he is okay! The cam of him is cute,cool,awesome, and nice! Pandas are SOOOOOO my favorite animal. Well, got to go Bye!!!!!
I Love it!!!!!!!