Yun Zi eyes his next activity.
There was much to see at the San Diego Zoo’s Giant Panda Research Station on Independence Day. Yun Zi was being his busy self, playing with enrichment and lounging in his hammock while snacking on some bamboo. The keepers gave him a box filled with herbivore biscuits. At one point, he picked up the box with his front paws and began to spin it around with his back feet, on a mission to pour the biscuits onto the ground. He succeeded after several attempts.
After an afternoon nap, he climbed down from his tree and into his hammock. Surrounded by a large amount of bamboo, he began to feast on some large bamboo stalks and leaves, delighting all of our guests. What a way to spend the Fourth of July!
Alyssa Medeiros is a panda narrator at the San Diego Zoo. Read her previous post, Yun Zi: Busy Panda Boy.
Wonder if he got the “spinning with his back feet” from Mama Bai? Remember how she used to do that to him? Love it!!!
Did anyone take a video of Yun Zi’s acrobatic feat with the box because I missed it. RATS!
Gee I hope someone got some video of that! I missed seeing that! Too bad
Who ever worked the camera that day did a fantastic job on zooming in on Yun Zi activities. I sat for hours watching him & the box. Thank you!
Helene C.
Hmmmmm… I’m really sorry I missed the feat with the feet! What an ingenious and playful young panda our Yun Zi is — also VERY entertaining since you never know what he’s going to do next. Gotta love him!
Just want to wish a very Happy Birthday to Hao Hao (Hua Mei’s daughter) and to Su Lin’s as-yet-unnamed son.
Strange they haven’t named the baby yet. Do you think it’s because they plan to release him into the wild when he gets older?
What you described Alyssa is very similar to what Bai Yun has done with her babies. I have seen it a couple of times but of course the cubs stayed horizontal all the time.
Have you ever thought of mixing different shapes with differnt scents together? To see if there is a reaction to each different one? Like a bag, with a box, with a f0ldedl paper filledm with a scent. And and or go from one simple excercise to addding each time one or two or three together with differentshapes? It could be fun and really interesting to see if they not only discern shapes but if it is the shape or the scent which they see as different. Or start with one shape , no scent, to another shape with scent, and a third shape with two different scents. I think Yun Zi is slightly bored, and that would be a puzzle for him to figure out. He may ignore it at first but fter a while I think he would get interested. he is very very smart! Imagine whirling the trick in the air with his feet? Blows me away!!
Moderator’s note: Your question has been forwarded to our Panda Team.
We love providing enrichment for our bears. We do try many different spices, scents, and perfumes for the pandas, but we have to be careful about how much we give them at one time. Their nose is extremely sensitive, and if we overstimulate it, we can cause stress to the bear. We do offer boxes and paper enrichment on occasion (with many different packing materials), but we have to be careful that they don’t consume the materials and cause a stomachache. We have a list of approved items we can offer the bears so that they are safe for the animals.
HI!! I know! I haven’t written too much in the last month or so. Been busy with family stuff, appointments, other things around here. I have also been monitoring Mei Xiang’s gestation progress, but the NZ panda keepers have not written a new update about her since their update about her 2 AI procedures. She’s about 2 months along in her gestation period; will get a day count later.
What’s been Bai Yun up to lately now that she’s in her very quiet soon to be maternity area? I’m sure that she’s enjoying some peace and quiet, eating her boo for hopefully 2 of them, and getting her much needed beauty rest. Give her a big “hug” from me when you all see her!
Read that Gao Gao has been doing very well since his medical upset from last year. He’s a pretty tough guy anyway, so I felt that he would recover from that pretty quick. He’s still the eating machine that we all know and love!
Read about Yuni and his box full of snackies! He’s being his usual playful, lively self! Just got on the pandacam to catch either Gao or Yuni, but all I saw was a huge green hammock with a bunch of boo piled on it for Yuni. I’ll check the cam later to try to see one of them.
Well, not too much going on right now. Will be back later on. Oh yeah, can one of the panda keepers write up a new update about Bai Yun and her progress on her gestation, please? I also want to know if you have started ultrasounds on her yet, especially those newer procedures that you used on her last year. Keep us informed, ok? Thanks!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Oh yeah, speaking about Yuni climbing trees! What’s the latest on that artificial tree that you are planning on putting into one of the panda yards? Have you raised enough money to get it yet? Let us know about how that’s coming along!
Thanks,
Chari
Moderator’s note: The funds have been raised for the tree, but we are waiting to learn if Bai Yun is expecting. If she is, we will keep things quiet at the Panda Station, including the construction of the tree, until after a cub is born.
I do not have a Twitter account, so i must this forum to comment:
Thank you so much, San Diego Zoo, for placing Panda Cam on the web.
I don’t know what it is about Pandas, but I log in often just to see them.
Michael Hobbs
Golden Valley Minnesota
Moderator’s note: You are very welcome, Michael!
And—I hope everyone enjoyed your July 4th holiday with family and friends! I read about that monster fireworks bang in or near San Diego on the news! WOW!!! That had to be a sight to see! Hopefully, all of the zoo animals are used to all of that loud noise that comes along twice a year (July 4th & New Year’s Eve)! Give the pandas some love hugs!
Another question–Has a date been set for Yuni to go back to China yet? Just wondering. I got my Pandas International monthly email newsletter, and there’s some great news about Wolong! The brand new Wolong panda centers will be opening up in August and September, 2012, and all of the pandas that were transferred out of the old Wolong facility after the 2008 earthquake will be going back home from Bifengxia, Chengdu, and all of the zoos and sanctuaries that have given the pandas temporary homes for the last 4 years! They are extremely excited about this, and consider that a huge milestone in their conservation efforts for the pandas. Also, Cao Cao and her son, Tao Tao, are in their third stage of wild training in the semi wild area in Wolong Nature Reserve. Tao should be released into the actual wild habitat by next year. That’s another milestone for the keepers and researchers in China! The Bifengxia panda nursery got some more panda milk formulas that were sent there by the PI staff. Don’t have any numbers on how many panda moms have given birth to baby pandas this year yet. Should get another newsletter about that later this summer. But, there are some improvements and milestones that were accomplished at Wolong this year after 4 years of hard work and dedication!
Well,. I’ll be quiet for awhile, but had to add that important news for you all! Making up for lost time! Anyway, I’ll be back later on!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Moderator’s note: There is no word yet on Yun Zi’s move to China.
Hahahaha! He’s just too cute as always! Any news on having a new sibling for Yun Zi yet? Would be the greatest news this year!
A new panda was born at the Ueno Zoo in Japan on July 5, 2012. Saw this
posted on Pandas Live On.
Yunzi is eating his dinner right now,
Dearest Susie,
Mama is writing to send hers and Papa’s love to our grandson, your Bao Beh. He is a treasure and I thank the Panda God that he is strong and healthy. ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY DEAR BOY! Grandma and Grandpa love you so much.’
I am glad to hear that you havereceived the presents we sent him last week.Hee Hee, I enjoyd knitting thos booties for him. Yes, the brown fur trim was a nod to Grandpa. I also sent some tonics for you to keep you healthy. The story books are from Yunnie who wants his nephew to learn to read good books. It is about a cat who likes to wear this top hat. Yunnie says it is very funny and will help Bao Beh learn English.
Bao Beh is so active. I watched all the videos you sent Papa. He giggles and says ‘That’s from my side of the family!’ especially when the little one flips over and naps on the ground. Do make sure he does not catch a chill by lying on wet grass. The air in the mountains can be quite cold.
I do hope you can come home for Thanksgiving this year. Mama is planning the menu now. I am planning to make your favourite stew and pie. You know Mama misses you, Sheng, Ah Zhen and Ah Mei so much. Hao Hao is coming. That sweet naughty girl sent me a cheeky text the other day, ‘Are you with child yet? I wnat another uncle!’
Did you hear? Shin Shin in Ueno Zoo had a boy, her first. The zoo’s first in 24 years. Woo Hoo. It was caught on video and you can see her surprise when the baby popped out and how it looked like a tiny pink sausage. She said she was surprised at how hungry he was. I sent her a baby blanket and some onesies to keep him warm for now.
Mama will end now as it is time for my ultra sound and the nannykeepers are coming to get me. Hee Hee, I am excited as you know Mama loves that gel. Hope they lather on loads so I can self-anoint, hee hee hee.
Love,
Mama Bai
I can almost tell by behavior which is yun zi and which is gao gao…..that yun zi is very very active and reminds me of a puppy “looking to cause trouble”
gao gao is quieter it seems and eats all day long in various places in his area. The camera volunteers are to be commended as watching them throughout the day is wonderful for me 
. Also, by watching I learned that Pandas have a definate tail and Gao’s is very long it seems.
Happy Birthday to Su Lin’s baby boy, he is a year old now. Moderator, why doesn’t he have a name yet? I thought it was Chinese tradition to name after 100 days. Well, it’s been 365 for the cub and still no name.
Moderator’s note: We don’t know, either.
Conversation with Su Lin #11
201103: Mama?
Su Lin: Yes, dear.
2: When will I have a name?
S: You already have a name, Sweetheart.
2: Sweetheart?
S: No, it’s 201103.
2: Oh, you mean it’s convertible to EBCDIC, ASCII, hexadecimal, octal, and binary?
S: Yes, and much more.
2: Wow! Great!
S: And Happy Birthday, Little One.
2: Thanks, Mama.
Thank you P. Wong!!
P. Wong, you’ve done it again – made me laugh out loud. I love the reference to the numbering models!! Poor cub – do we call him by number or can we each name him ourselves? I hope he doesn’t suffer from identity complex in the end.
I just wanted to “Thank” the person in charge of the Elephant Cam for today’s spectacular show with this one elephant playing with the water spout around 1:45 – 2pm on Sunday 7/8/12. It was really cute!
Many of us are wondering about Bai Yun-and we realize it is too early to tell.
A few years back National Zoo posted graphs of Mei’s hormone levels afterr
her AI procedure. They do not do this now, which is disappointing. I cannot
remember if SDZ ever did this and could you? It was so interesting to watch.
Moderator’s note: Sorry, Rosemarie, but we won’t be doing this.
Dear Hao Hao,
Grandma and Grandpa send our best birthday wishes to you and we want you to know we love you very much. I have sent your presents by courier and you should get them today, Many blessings for a pretty lady on her special day!
Love,
Grandma Bai
Dear Grandma Bai,
Thank you so very much a sending me such cool pressies! I’m having lots of fun with them.
Love, Hao Hao
Why can’t we get any information about Su Lin, her boy, Zhen Zhen, Hua Mai????
I caught some small pandas playing and laying on big blocks of ice in China.
I would think Yun Zi might like a big block of ice floating in his pond at least a couple of times a month during the summer. Now that would be fun to watch!
Plus it would keep his shallow pond water much cooler in the heat.
Oh and they had a slide that the pandas were using. They enjoyed that so much too!
We need to keep our boy a bit busy!
Jeslyn, I agree with you – that YZ boy needs more stimulation! I love the ice block idea. I saw that video too and those cubs have such a great time with the ice blocks.
TaiShan is 7 years old today – Happy Birthday – miss you
Thanks Alyssa for the Yun Zi update. So happy to hear that the little boy is being kept busy!!!
With the Black & White Overnight on August 4th, we will be there bright and early on the 5th for Yun Zi’s birthday!! What perfect timing!!
See you then
Moderator’s note: That sleepover should be a lot of fun!
Yipppeeee, you are coming for my birthday party!!! I want lots of balloons and also candy. Mama says I can go and stay with you in the tents…..hee hee, no she didn’t but she said I can share my cake with all of you.
Counting down!
Love,
Yunz
ps no need to buy me prezzies. Just having my unkas and aunties there will be a tweat for me.
Looking forward to the sleepover on August 4th!!
Not sure if anyone has mentioned this yet, but explore.org has Tai Shan’s camera on their website.
Thanks for the info about Tai – finally
WOW – After seeing his enclosure feel better about his return to China 
Mama, can I have a bearday party when I turn 3?
Why?
Because I want to give a special treat to the hooman cubbies who have no Mamas and Papas.
That’s nice.
I want to find Mamas and Papas for all of them. Can we adopt a hooman cubby? One more cubby won’t hurt right?
Hooman cubbies are different from us.
Well, I think they look funny shaving off all their fur but hooman cubbies wook wike me I fink.
No, they don’t. I can spot you in a crowd.
That’s cos you are my Mama. That’s your job.
To spot you in a crowd?
Noooo, to love me, silly.
You calling Mama silly?
Nooooooooo, Mamamamama, stop squeezing me, hee hee hee, it tickles. Can I have a special party to celebrate with hooman cubbies?
Mama has an idea. Why dont you have a regular party with your cousins and friends? And instead of presents, we can ask them to donate the munny to the home for the hooman cubbies?
Oh, I never thot of that. Sounds kewl. Mama, I was thinking, it would still be really nice to have a hooman cubby as my baby brother…..
Mama will have to discuss this with Papa.
YAY, I am going to get an adopted hooman brother.
Mama said we will consider…
YOU R DE BESTEST MAMA!!!!
RIP Little one in Ueno Zoo. My Mama, Papa and I send our love to Shin Shin and Ri Ri as they mourn the loss of their little son.
Love and hugs,
Yunnie
Conversation with Su Lin #12
201103: Mama?
Su Lin: Yes, dear.
2: Do you want to see my app?
S: App?
2: It converts from decimal to binary.
S: Oh.
2: Like my name converts to 110001000110001111.
S: That’s nice, dear. Now where are you going?
2: I’ll play over there by the thicket.
S: I’ll call when it’s dinner time?
2: Yes, Mama. Please call me in binary format, OK?
S: (groan)
(Later in the day)
S: 10! It’s time to eat.
2: Mama, it’s not my name in binary.
S: Don’t be silly, it’s your nickname in binary.
2: Oh? OK.
Quick thinking, Su Lin!
P. Wong, this is too funny! I love it!
I am very sad to hear of the loss of the baby panda at Ueno Zoo. Every panda is special. RIP little panda
(.
Such sad news – Japan was so exicted about the cub’s birth – now the whole nation mourns
Susan, you said it perfectly for me too. Each panda truly is special.
So sorry. Was looking forward to following the little fellow as he grew. Each panda baby is precious. Truly a loss.
I am very sad to hear about the loss of the baby panda in tokyo, I sat and watch his mum give birth to him on the web site. This is a very sad time RIP little panda.
My condolences, too, to Ueno Zoo’s newborn panda.
Such a sad time for the Ueno Zoo and the pandas. RIP little one. Your short life touched many, many hearts……….
Hi, you all! First of all, I just now read on my MSN website about the new baby panda’s death in Japan tonite. What a shame! Ueno Zoo and everybody that comes to visit there are always excited when their momma panda is able to get pregnant and have a baby panda, then spend the next 2 years watching that panda cub grow and reach milestones. What I don’t understand is how a small baby panda can ingest and/or inhail mother’s milk and die from that. That’s a mystery to me! My condolences to Ueno Zoo and the Japanese people in this loss. Hopefully the mother panda will be able to mate and have another baby panda next year. I think she was able to give birth and raise a cub a couple of years ago, if I remember right.
Happy birthday to Tai Shan!!! Bifengixia gave Tai Shan a very nice birthday party with Ice cake, presents, balloons, and a bunch of bamboo. Pandas International sent me an email about Tai’s bday on July 9th, and he’s 7 years old this year! Man, how time flies! I’m still wondering if Tai was able to mate with any of the young lady pandas and is a possible daddy to a cub over there! His genes will be well represented if that happened. Oh well….
That’s it for now. Will be back later on!
Chari
St. Pete, FL
HI there! It’s late nite here in Pinellas County, FL, 2:30am. I just got done looking at MSNBC website’s Animal Tracks page, and there was a great picture of momma panda, Shin Shin, with her brand new baby panda on her chest nursing. The baby panda was born on July 6th at Ueno Zoo, Tokyo, Japan. It’s still a shock to me that this little tiny panda died after inhailing his mom’s milk. But, that picture of Shin and her cub will be a great reminder of how tiny and fragile these little babies are. I’ve got it on my Facebook page.
Chari
Maybe the zoo has a video, hopefully they will post it, I loved the part where he was on his back all sprawled out.