Breathtakingly adorable! Click on image for a larger view.
This morning, at about 7:15, we had our first opportunity to examine Bai Yun’s newest cub. For the past week or so, Bai Yun has developed a regular habit of leaving the den to get breakfast in her sun room. Today, we took advantage of Bai Yun’s breakfast outing to get our first real look at the cub. The exam lasted only 3 minutes, but in that time our veterinarians were able to determine that the 25-day-old cub is healthy and weighs in at a robust 704 grams (24.8 ounces or 1.55 pounds). For comparison, Yun Zi weighed 1,259 grams (2.8 pounds) at 29 days (see Baby’s First Exam), Zhen Zhen weighed 1,020 grams or 2.2 pounds at 26 days, and Su Lin was 618 grams (22 ounces) at 22 days. The cub was quiet at the outset of the exam, but soon enough gave us a great display of its strong lungs!
Veterinarians were able to do a quick, yet thorough, exam of the cub’s limbs, mouth, ears, and more, and we’re happy to report that everything looks good! While it may be a few more weeks before we know what the cub’s sex is, or whether or not it has webbed toes or a spot on its tail, today was an important step in confirming that this cub has the most important quality that a panda cub can have: good health!
Bai Yun also showed us her best maternal behavior. She began eating her breakfast away from the cub, in the sun room, as usual, when the cub emitted a loud squawk during the exam. Bai Yun made it clear that she wanted to return to the den to be with the cub, so the exam was halted. Her maternal behavior continues to be exemplary and, clearly, she is doing a great job taking care of her latest cub. We are all so lucky to see this amazing mother in action!
Megan Owen is a conservation program manager for the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research. Read her previous post, Panda Cub: True Colors.
Note: See more exam photos on our Panda Photo Gallery.
Great news! But no surprise from observing what certainly appears to be a thriving cub!
CONGRATULATIONS!! It must be super rewarding to have been part of such a happening. It will be great to watch another baby panda grow up!
Congratulations! I can not wait to see the pictures. Mom sure was pacing outside the den for sure!
I’ve been a regular visitor to the PandaCam and it’s exciting to be in on the development of a new cub from day 1. Thanks for confirming what we all expected…the baby is growing by leaps and bounds. Way to go!
Thank you for the update, its a little cutie, thanks to you all for all the care you give these precious animals.
Great news. Can’t wait to hear the sex of the cub but this is a great start. It confirms that we have another healthy cub from the best mother in the world. Can’t wait to see the video.
So reassuring to know that the cub is thriving. Can’t wait for future exams and videos. Thanks so much, San Diego Zoo, for all of your efforts in saving this majestic species!
Good news!!. Bai Yun is a great mother. Good luck !!
All I can say is that you are the luckiest bunch of people to get to be there and see the baby in the fur. All the panda fans are green with envy.
So glad to hear the #6 is in good health and thriving. Honestly, how could it be otherwise with Bai Yun at the mother.
I agree with Lee, I too envy the staff I will be at the zoo the middle of Sept. What a baby
lu
So glad all is well with cubbie. Finding out the sex can wait for another time. Don’t want to have another “Mei Lan”incident!! Congrats to all at SDZ from Scotland.
Just for your info, Tian Tian, our female is 9 tomorrow.
thanks for sharing the comparative data (weights of previous cubs). very informative. also a question,
“when the cub emitted a loud squawk during the exam. Bai Yun made it clear that she wanted to return to the den to be with the cub” …
what did Bai Yun do? did she make a motion towards the den door? did she vocalize? how could Bai Yun hear the cub in the exam room (was it outdoors)?
Does anyone on here remember Tai Shan {National Zoo} when he got his first exam? The cam was on his mother Mei Xiang eating her bamboo when he let out a squawk!! She dropped that bamboo and was at the door in a hot second, rocking from one foot to another and letting out very loud grunts. The exam was over.
I remember that…Mei Xiang was most upset
I remember that too! When Tai squealed, Mei Xiang quickly & anxiously ran to the door then started pacing back & forth till the cub was returned. She quickly went in and scooped him up. Like Bai she was very protective of her cub.
I don’t think Mei ever really stopped being a “type A” mom with Tai. Until she was satisfied he could do something on his own, she was always right there watching him, sitting behind him, or climbing behind him. I remember the first time Tai was put out in the indoor exhibit on a bed of straw after an exam, Mei was NOT happy! She dragged him back into the den by the scruff of his neck! The NZ nannykeepers quickly realized they had to operate by Mei’s schedule for Tai and only Mei’s!
I remember that too. Mai Xiang was upset and looked like she wanted to crawl through the small window to get to her baby.
If you go back and watch the video, where Yun Zi gets his first shot, and turn the volume up, you will hear a bang, and that is Bai Yun letting them know that she wants her baby back.
Healthy cubbie is a very good thing. It seems the little one is keeping up with the siblings.
Did Bai Yun get to finish her breakfast a bit later after getting reassured that her baby was still hers?
I am so happy to hear how big the baby is getting. I hope that the cub is a little girl. I can’t wait to hear more updates.
Cub is looking great! And a good set of lungs too. This one seems to be growing up so quickly.
Look at little cutie squawking and trying to stand up–Bai Yun, you’ve done it again!
Thanks Megan, What a Little Sweet Heart. Thanks so much for the video. I love the little yelps.
What a sweet, sweet video. The vocalizations were amazing! Growing so big, but still so tiny! Thank you for all the hard work and letting us share.
Finally the first exam. The cubbie looks so tiny next to Bai but in this exam footage he’s much bigger than I expected. Cubbie looks great and so happy to hear the exam went well. Can’t wait to find out if it’s a boy or girl.
Curious as to how many inches long the cub is.
Moderator’s note: The team didn’t have time to get that measurement. Perhaps at the next exam?
The video is fantastic. Thanks so much for getting it up so quickly with the picture.
Amazing how much bigger the baby looks when the mom isn’t around. She yes I think it is a she
is beautiful!!! Thank you for sharing this with us!
Aahhh.. Kathy had the honors of being the first “hooman” to touch the little fella…since she and Bai are so tight, it’s only right!
Looking forward to more cubbie exams… they are always entertaining!
It always amazes me how large the cubs are in real life and how tiny they are compared to Bai, like so many others have mentioned today and in the past! What awesome lungs this little one has! No wonder Bai can hear it through the walls! Do you think they are completely blind at this point or do you think they might see some light, some shadows?
Yay!!! Sooo happy all is well. Of course Bai is the best momma one could ever hope to have. She Rocks!!!
Saw the vid and read your update about the cubbie’s first vet check. Yep, he does look very healthy with a very full stomach! Sorry that you couldn’t determine a gender on the cub yet, but hopefully by the next vet check you can. I’m hoping for a girl! We haven’t had a girl baby in a long while since ZZ! Just saw the pandacam, and the cub is very nicely nestled in between Bai’s two big arms sound asleep. So adorable! I loved that squawk that he gave out during his exam! That’s the first time we all have had the chance to hear his voice!
To all of you gorilla fans, there’s some news from Atlanta Zoo about a couple of their western lowland gorillas. You can go to the Great Apes comment page for a short summary.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Am so glad our little chubby cubby is healthy:) Loved the video…cub sure looks robust
Thanks
I can’t get any work done because I so fascinated with the panda mommy and baby. What an opportunity to be able to watch them – watch her as she takes care of it. I am amazed and delighted every day.
Thank you! I am so glad the little one is healthy.
Oh yeah! I bet Bai gave her baby a good cleaning with that big tongue of hers after he got back with his mom. Just saw Bai on the cam again, and she was twirling her cub around again doing some more cleaning on him! This cub is getting a work out by his momma!
Gonna go for now!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
I am so shocked!!!! I thought I read that Bai Yun wasn’t having a cub this time around. I have not been watching the site and today checked in and found out there is a new cub!!! Is Gao Gao the father? I am so happy.
Moderator’s note: Gao Gao is the proud father.
Tanda…..Bai Yun has not been allowed to date around for years now…..it is Gao Gao or Bye Bye…….glad you are back on now, and not missing any more of the fun we are having….Love grammmie
What a Cutie!!! We may not know which gender the cubby is; however, we do know that the cubby is a ‘verbal’
Therefore…I’m thinking female 
Thank you for the update, exam, and video!
Yeah, Bobbie, you are probably right! We females do have to “squeak” louder in order to be heard! I, too, think that it is a female.
Just saw Bai Yun looking outside. When does Bai Yun take the cubbie with her when she goes out of the den?
Moderator’s note: Usually not until the cub can walk a bit.
Love the picture, what a cutie. I have many memories of watching videos of Kathy carrying the other cubbies in for their first exams. Can’t wait till the gender is announced.
Thanks for the video and pictures she looks awesome!!
It is only fitting that Kathy was the one to bring the cubbie in for her first exam.
Thanks for everything you do.
Notice I personally think this cub is a girl, but I won’t be disappointed if its a boy!!
Can’t wait to find out.
OMGOODNESS! What a little cutie patootie! Too precious! Thank you for all your kindness and care to our panda’s and to our new lil chubby cubby!
Awww..Just saw Bai Yun go out for a min or two, then come back in, like to check that lil chubby cubby was still there, checked em’ out then went back out! Good Mommy Bai Yun!!! <3 xo
I can’t believe it’s been three years since we went through all these fun exams. Seems like yesterday. I know it’s too soon to tell but maybe this one is going to be smaller like it’s dad. Thanks for the video!
What a darling little cub. Good pair of lungs on him/her too. I love the videos showing the exams. Can’t believe I’ve been on your site since Yun Zi was born. Bai Yun is the best mother ever. I’ve been watching her twirling her babe and it’s so cute. Thank you staff of the SDZ for all your updates and all you do for all of the animals in your care.
GG: Hey, Yunior, guess what? The little bud passed the first exam. Woo Hoo, that’s my kid, healthy and hearty!
YZ: YAY! Hmm, according the stats I was fatter when I was 4 days older, hee hee. Hey buddy, eat up, Mama’s milk bar is the best.
Cubby No 6: There was this blue boat that bwought me awoss the way. Then one blue lady picked me up. She must be an angel, she had golden hair. Then one blue lady put a cold medal on me. Eeeeek, I swaked. Mama, I hated that. It was not warm and soft like you.
BY: Its OK, darling. It is to see if you are healthy and strong. Mama was told that you are OK and everything is fine. We can celebrate.
Cubby: Oh goody, can you twirl me awond then? I like that. WHEEEEEE, my own fewis wheel.
GG: Yes, sir, that’s my girl, go for the close up.
YZ: Ay Ay sir, How’s that?
GG: Good, good, lets get a couple of screen grabs of the liddle one and Mama for the family album and then we can let go get some boo. I can smell fresh boo from here.
YZ: Papa, you can smell frsh boo anytime and anywhere.
GG: That I can. Let’s go Yunnie, breakfast time.
Darliing Yun Zi:
Thank you so much for letting us know about the 1st exam excitment from your side of the enclosure~it must be hard to keep all of the “Hoomans” in their places…Lots of love toyou all….grammmie
p. s. Please share with us what you can when you are in ouch with other family members around the world.
Does panda cub has tail?
Moderator’s note: Yes, but it will slowly get smaller as the cub grows.
That’s a funny line if you read it without thinking! The tail won’t actually “get” smaller, just smaller relative in size to the rest of the bear – it just doesn’t grow as quickly. :0)
Tears of pure joy while watching this video! So happy to see another cub in the small, round pillow again! Simply wonderful! Cheers to all at SDZ and of course beloved Bai!
XOOX
Bai Yun and the newest little star are better than cable! Question: does a panda mother, especially one as seasoned as Bai Yun, ever become a little more relaxed as she has more cubs — like a human mother? Or does the panda maternal instinct remain at pretty much the same level during every cub-rearing experience? I don’t remember her leaving the den as often when Yun Zi was this young. Thanks so much for your fabulous and informative coverage.
Moderator’s note: Bai Yun has learned much over her cub-rearing years and doesn’t fret all the little stuff like she did with her firstborn.
Thanks for the extreme close-up picture of the cub and the videos of the first exam.
From me too. Love grammmie
Just a few questions…Was it reported that bai yun was not expecting after her last breeding? Did she have another estrus? Sp? I still love yunnie boonie and drove from north Oregon to see him. Good job Bai Yun and Gao Gao. Zoo staff…you are great.
Moderator’s note: We never said she was not expecting this year.
Tanda~it was in 2011 when Gao andBai danced the “Spring Salsa” but had no baby, they practiced for this year, and behold a Chubbie Cubbie.
CUB#6: “HEY! You is not my mommy! I wants my mommy! I’s gonna cry an’ den you be sorry! Mommy tum an’ get me! HEWP!!”
ROTFL
I forgot how old the cub has to be to be named. Do you think this will be Bai Yuns last cub? Bless her heart, she is one special bear. I love yunnie boonie boo, glad he is doing so well.
Moderator’s note: We try to schedule a naming ceremony at around 100 days of age.
What a cutie! So happy all is well. Good job Bai Yun!
Thank you Megan for the update on the little cub. He is so cute and has a good set of lungs. Can’t wait to find out if it is a boy or girl but just glad that he/she is healthy.
YAY!!! Little cubbie is healthy AND LOUD! I loved when it “reared up” when it squawked!! Like it scared itself!! I hope we know soon if it is a girl or boy…so we can start thinking of an appropriate name!!! The naming contest is SO much fun!! THANK YOU SDZ keepers! You are AWESOME!!
This is wonderful news! A perfectly healthy cub – I’m so happy to hear it. I love the video. The cub is so adorable. Thanks for sharing the video with us. Your description of how Bai quickly wanted to get back to her cub was very heartwarming. She is truly a wonderful mother.
I wish to express a heartfelt thank you to everyone on the Panda Team for
their wonderful love and care of these beautiful giant pandas. Everything that
you do is greatly appreciated.
I don’t remember the other cubs lunging on their hindquarters on their first exam. Does this one seem to have stronger development in its back legs?
Conversation with Bai Yun #37
Cubbie #6: Mama.
Bai Yun: Yes, dear.
C: I had a weird dream today, Mama.
B: A dream?
C: There were many different smells.
B: Smells?
C: Not like bamboo, not like plywood.
B: Not like the den?
C: There was brightness and some shadows.
B: Brightness?
C: There were also indistinct voices.
B: Well, your eyes and ears are not open yet.
C: Why were you not there, Mama? I called for you.
B: You must have had your first physical exam.
C: Huh?
B: You smell like surgical gloves and scrubs.
C: What?
B: And you act like you were cubbie-handled.
C: Cubbie-handled? But there was no spin-cycle.
B: Well, the spin-cycle wouldn’t be part of the experience.
C: No licky licky wash cycle, either?
B: No wash cycle, else you might end up smelling like Italian pizza.
C: No milk bar?
B: No milk bar.
C: And the breath streams…
B: Was there peppermint mouthwash? Ooh, one of my favorites!
C: And then there was this plush cushion.
B: They must have weighed you.
C: Weighed by a plush cushion?
B: Maybe not quite that way.
C: So how does this fit into the scheme and meaning of life?
B: Well, it calls for further contemplation.
C: I vote for life by Mama’s chin though.
B: Well, that’s a good move for now.
C: Thanks, Mama.
Too cute! More, please. Thses are so wonderful!
More favorites for me to love………….TY so much……..grammmie
P.Wong — you’re my absolute favorite!
Thank you for the sharing you are doing…what an amazing experience this has been and it’s not over !!
hi and congrats again to all, the keepers, vets , mods. et al.
i am betting y’all know the gender cuz yoluve been there so many times before.
hoping, hoping for a baby bai.
joan
I’ve been watching Bai and cub a lot … she seems to handle him/her very roughly at times or move/spin/reposition repeatedly for no apparent reason. Is there a reason other than cleaning (I do see her lick the baby sometimes after moving it around)?
Of all the Giant Pandas born and reared in captivity, what is the total number? I thought I read somewhere that it is 300 or so. Does anyone know how many are male and how many are female? Considering the survival of the Giant Panda species, is it better to have more females and fewer males or vice versa? Obviously one male can breed with many females for more cubs, but then there is the need for genetic diversity among a relatively small number of Giant Pandas. Not all are old enough to breed, of course. Sorry I don’t know the scientific terms for what I am trying to ask! I imagine lots of thought goes into this subject by the professionals.
There are currently about 300 giant pandas in captivity; most of these are in China and reside in conservation breeding facilities. I will have to look at the data to tell you what the ratio of males to females is, but I do believe it is not far from 50/50. Generally speaking, males and females are equally valuable to the conservation of the species; however, because males are more likely to have “breeding problems” in captivity, the effective population of breeding males is likely smaller than the actual population of adult males. A caveat to this is that artificial insemination can allow males that don’t breed to become fathers, as was the case with our original male, Shi Shi.
I hope this addresses your very interesting question!
Thanks for the response. I want to ask one more thing about this subject. Since it sounds like it is about 50/50 population of captive males/females, which gender’s birth would be more valuable to the breeding program at THIS point, factoring in the male breeding problem and ability for AI? Do we need more males or females to keep the gene pool healthy–? If you answered this question in your response, I don’t think I understood it.
Every panda birth is valuable, and all pandas that ultimately contribute to the panda population are of value. Luckily, we’ve developed management tools that allow us to keep the genetic diversity of the captive population high.
Love the photos, the video and the blog post! Thank you, Megan. I’m so happy to hear that all is going well. Bai is just the most wonderful mother.
Video quote: “But I can say it’s either a male or a female.”
That’s a priceless line from Meg (Assoc. Director of Veterinary Services). She sounds so factual, I will bet she even said it with a straight face.
I bet you are right~~but I think she usually smiles after the serious face…she seems to be full of happiness and good cheer.
Grammie, you’re probably right too. for the record, any comment I make about people is not intended for offense. I was just saying that the quote was funny. but I guess anything can be misinterpreted over the internet so I’ll be careful what I say re: others.
I think the “Sly Shy” sense of humor to be amongst the funniest. Like when people try to be funny~but aren’t, then crack us and themselves up when we/they least expect it….Love grammmmie
I bet Bai Yun gave her little one a thorough bath once she got back together with it after the humans had handled her precious bundle!!
At least she does not reject her babies once they have been ‘tainted’ by humans !! But, I bet by now Bai Yun knows that the humans are there as her friends and helpers 
Wish I knew when it was…I would have loved to have watched her on the Panda Cam at that time
When I tuned in yesterday morning after 7 A.M. and saw that the cam was focused on Yun Zi’s area, I thought, “I bet little cubbie is having its first exam!” So I wasn’t surprised to see this post. I am so glad you were able to get at least a quick check. It certainly seems healthy on the cam, and so adorable I can hardly stand it!!!
Looking forward to more exams and info down the road…
It such good news that you confirmed that cubbie is healthy. And how fun for all of you who got to be a part of the exam. Thank you so much for the update, Megan.
And I love the cubbie “frog-fur.”
Thank you Panda Team for the wonderful report, videos and photos of the cub’s first exam. The best news of all is that this cub is healthy.
While the cub was getting this exam, the Panda Cam turned to big brother Yun Zi who made me laugh with his antics on and with the hammock
2012-08-23 Early Morning with a Frisky Yun Zi
http://youtu.be/02IGMyDFtL8
Bai Yun was nursing her cub in her preferred hunched over position when the Panda Cam returned to the den. Wasn’t that much later that she left again. Here are some highlights from the rest of the milestone day for cubbie #6
2012-08-23 Bai Yun and her 1.5 pounds of clean, healthy Cubbie ~ Day 25
http://youtu.be/69GgfQwbXuY
How fun to see Yunnie! I wasn’t able to catch the entire romp yesterday so your video was a treat! Thank you, DM, as always.
I love your videos because I can watch them while I have the time, and I feel like I’m caught up on everything going on with the cubbie. (Occassionally, I actually have to use my computer for something other than watching SDZ!)
And I think it’s so stinking cute when the cubbie puts his little arms above his head. Don’t know why I find this so charming but I do.
Thanks Mom…………………..
And Linda from Nor Cal I agree with you too…..love grammmie
wow great to see Yun Zi in his glory, running climbing, he sure does make a mess, thanks DoxieMom, video of the little one is great too. thanks so much for sharing with us
thx for the Yunior video. it was Yun Zi’s time to shine. I’m especially tickled when he does his roll. also agree, it’s a surprise his hammock has remained in one piece. I imagine Gao Gao is as stoic as Yun Zi is active.
Thank you DM, I can only repeat what I said last time: What would we do without your efforts and dedication? Yun Zi’s antics are absolutely priceless. Sometimes it seemed as he could not make up his mind what route to take.
Thanks for the video. Love the somersault. I had forgotten about them doing those. Just remembered my human son used to do those too. LOL
So cute! Thanks so much for sharing.
I think the baby’s a girl, don’t know why (but I could be wrong). Boy or girl, I agree that this cub should be named after Papa Bear. Something with Gao in it that sounds good and of course, has meaning. Looking forward to the day!
Let’s hear it for Kathryn…love grammmie
Cubbie #6 should be named Gao Zi – Big Cloud
Hello Auntie Cindy,
Mama and Papa are teaching me Chinese and the meaning of all our names. Yun means Cloud in Chinese. Zi means Child or Son. If I have a sissy, you could call her Yun Gao. Hee Hee. In Chinese, the position of the words are not as impt as the actually meaning associated with the words. For example we would never call a girl Gao Zi as it means Son of the Tall one. Girls normally have those sweet names like Mei (beautiful), Xiang (fragrance), Hong (rainbow) etc. We boys have more ahem manly names like brave, strong etc.
Panda Hugs,
Yun Zi
Thank you for the lesson on Chinese language and names Prince Fluffy Butt….Love Grammmie
By the way my lovely Yunior~~~are we supposed to send gifts for naming day???? Did you get lots of gifts on your naming day??? Love grammmie
Thanks Gao Zi.
Thank you!
I had just finished viewing the exam video with ABC Evening News on in the background. At the end of her show, Diane Sawyer played ‘the video’ of our little panda..including his/her squeaky protest. Twenty-nine days old and a TV star!
Thank you….I missed that…….do you think Cubbie Cubbie can get us into the emmy’s?
Is it possible for the zoo to put up an external link for the camera in Yun Zi’s exhibit so we can see Yun Zi? Its been so long and we miss seeing him. The main panda cam can still be Bai Yun and the cubbie, but Yun Zi can be viewed through an external URL for the fans. Thank you!
Moderator’s note: Your request has been forwarded to our Web Team.
I like this idea, too. If two feed cannot be given out, how about letting the user switch to the camera they want
I wouldl bet Dollars to Donuts that somehing like that is very expensive and quite out of reach for the zoo at this time.
The NZ has 2 camera feeds (and sound but no blog),,,,but the zoo is also part of the Smithsonian and as tax supported
I can also bet if the SDZ had 2 camera feeds there would be some still not happy 
Please just be grateful foir what we have.
Thank you for the movie is Yunnie Boonie Boo. He is just as funny as he was when he was smaller. Love you Yunnie! What a little show off you are.
I believe this is the most beautiful animal behavior I’ve ever seen : – )
I second Cindy’s request for an external camera link so we can see Yunni PLEASE!! Thanks.
Web Team responds: We don’t have plans currently to have more than one cam at the exhibit available for viewing.
Before Bai Yun had the cubbie, all of the exhibits were available for viewing and the volunteers would switch the camera once a while. I don’t understand why one cam at the exhibit can’t be available for viewing anymore. An external URL for Yun Zi’s camera can just be posted on the blog.
I just watched Bai put her baby through the spin cycle! Now baby is clean and they’ve settled down for bed. Sometimes it looks like Bai is just trying to toughen that kid up for the rough play time that’s yet to come! And, although there’s no volume, it didn’t look like she(?) was protesting, too much. This cub is showing great strength & progress. I know it’s really early but it seems like this cub will be crawling around in no time. With Yunior we were cheering him on to roll over, and scooch around. Getting up, and out the door was another story. Remember how he’d just sit at the door? We’ll just have to wait and see. With so many nanny keepers tracking all the research, they’re sure to keep us informed. Thanks for all you do.
And Bai Yun is certainly going to be put through the wringer when it comes to her cub’s play bouts down the line! More than once I have felt sorry for her, but she takes it all in stride.
This cubbie has to be the cleanest panda cub ever. I saw so many “spin cycle” baths yesterday and I honestly don’t recall Bai Yun giving Yun Zi that many!
Thank you for all the great closeups Friday. Amazing to see this wee one scooting around a bit now. Here are some highlights from yesterday:
2012-08-24 Bai Yun and Cubbie ~ Highlights and Closeups ~ Day 26
http://youtu.be/Q8sajuYcwYQ
DoxiMom,
You are truly the very best person! Every single one of your videos are fantastic, and this one is so wonderful! Thank You!!!
I wonder if the spin technique is performed by all or most Giant Panda moms to clean their cubs or if this is Bai Yun’s invention! I think there needs to be a study done on this among the Giant Panda moms worldwide! Maybe a “spin-the-cub” contest!
I’m fascinated with pandas’ hind legs. they seem to be way more flexible in their hip sockets (if pandas have these) than human legs. whether used for climbing or Bai Yun’s resting positions, those legs are pretty intriguing.
Does Gao know you are watching Bai’s hips??? He is quite fond of them you know.
just watched the clips from friday. You can’t help
but smile when you watch Bai and chubby cubbie. Thanks
I watched a video of a giant panda in China giving birth today. I am so thankful that Bai Yun has a private birthing den and is allowed to care for her cub the way she sees fit. Of course the breeding centers in China have contributed to the dwindling population and this is a good thing. I just couldn’t help but feel sorry for the mother panda as she scooped up her cub and tried to get some privacy in a place that offered very little of that commodity. Then the cub was taken away from her within minutes of birth; this just isn’t natural. I hope the panda population soon gets to the point where confined panda moms are able to live more like they do in San Diego and aren’t disturbed in the rearing of their cubs.
Did they give the baby back to her? sigh …
Unless the cub(ette) or the mother are ailing they go right back to mama. In the case of twins, the strongest ususally stays with mom, the other to the nursery, then they are switched ever 3 days (as long as everyone is healthy) until around 5 months, then everybody plays at once. They were leaving mom at 6 months so she could mate every year, but with the success rate thay have due to improved breeding and lots of healthy twin cubs I am hoping that they get to stay longer with their mama.
The momma of the year award should go to Bai Yun. Just watched her feeding the cub and it was visible and she had one paw on top and one on the bum to keep it in place. I could almost swear she gave it a pat. What a wonderful miracle to watch mom and cub. So excited to be able to watch this one grow!
I can’t thank the san diego zoo enough for having this cam on bai yun during the upbringing of her little cubbie. It is the most precious site to see, and we are all so lucky to be a part of this even if only by video cam. I can’t seem to stop watching her, she is very talanted with her little one. You are all doing such a wonderful job, keep up the good work and thank you.
Thank you Megan for your speedy report and the lovely video. This cutie has definitely got a strong voice. I guess it is a little girl.
Jia Jia: Can or Cannot lah? What like that? Like that meh?
Kai Kai: What on earth is going on?
Jia Jia: I am learning Singlish; the SIngaporean version of English.
Kai Kai: But we can speak Chinese right?
Jia Jia: Yes, but our accents may be too strong for the locals to understand us and I want to be able to order my boo. One basket of boo, can or cannot? Really shiok ah.
Kai Kai: Aiyoh!
Jia Jia: Yes, that is right! Aiyoh and Ah doi are exclaimations we need to learn.
Kai Kai: have you packed?
Jia Jia: Oh ya, I need you baggage allowance. I need my sunnies, hats, bikinis and sundresses and then my lotions and sun screens. You men only pack T shirts and berms.
Kai Kai: We have the whole plane to ourselves, no need to worry about baggage allowance. And we are flying SIA.
Jia Jia: Oh yay! I can watch movies. I want to watch Katie Beary’s documentary. I hear it is very sad when her marriage to Russell Bear ended.
Kai Kai: I hear the nannykeepers are coming with us.
Jia Jia: Great, that means we will get our boo and treats.
Kai Kai: I think SIngapore is growing them for us.
Jia Jia: But I hear the food in Singapore is shiok (great) and sedap (tasty).
Kai Kai: Can you speak Pandarese please?
Jia JIa: Here! Auntie Lucilla from Singapore sent us this book The Illustrated Singlish Dictionary for Pandas. I am learning lots.
Kai Kai: Ok, pass it over. I want to learn how to order boo shakes and cuppy cake.
Jia Jia: Auntie Lucilla says there are lots of cuppy cakes in Singapore.
Kai Kai: Woo Hoo. What are we waiting for?
Jia JIa: Two more weeks and we’ll be there. And a Minister will meet us at the airport.
Kai Kai: Hee Hee, to marry us?
Jia Jia: No not that type of minister,
Kai Kai: Nevermind, so long as he brings us some cuppy cakes, I am happy.
Kai Kai: Me too!
Darling Yun Zi~~Prince Royal Fluffy Butt:
Auntie Lucilla has been helping you with your writing again I see. I bet she is a very patient and kind teacher. I look forward to reading something every time I re~skim the comment sections.
Perhaps this week’s exam for the Chubbie Cubbie will tell you if you have a baby brother or sister. I know you will love and take care of Chubbie Cubbie every chance you get~you are a good Panda Teenager. Don’t let your friends party too loudly in your bachelor pad since it might disturb Mama BY & CC. Love You Bunches~~ Your Grammmie
Happy 4 Week Birthday, Cubbie
I’ve decided to do something special today, incorporate one of Pamela G.’s poems, “Bai Yun’s Lullaby” (originally posted on the June 6th, 2006 Blog titled “Surprising Su Lin”), with some footage that I captured Saturday morning (8/25/12). Those of you who have read the SDZ Blog for awhile know of Pamela G.’s stunning talent as a writer and poet using pandas as her subject. Sadly, she is no longer with us, but she lives on in her poetry and panda interviews.
2012-08-25 Bai Yun’s Lullaby by Pamela G.
http://youtu.be/iIHC25cBbdc
Moderator’s note: This is so beautiful and touching, DoxieMom. Thank you. I sure miss Pamela G, but I think she would love this interpretation!
Beautiful…the tears are streaming.
All I can say is “WOW”… that was beautiful DM…
How sweet …
Doxie Mom, funny you should put your fantastic video to one Pam G’s poems today. I was just thinking about Pam G; how we all miss her. After watching your beautiful video, I re-read some of Pam G’s poems. And sat here and cried. Thank you for the lovely to tribute to Pam G’s amazing talent and to our super mama and cubbie. It was all beautiful.
Does anyone remember the poem/lullaby that was the the Pandas Live On website on the right hand side of the home page? Which one was it? Was it the one on weaning?
Go to “Pandas Live On”…right side of page and sroll down, I believe you will find that they have most of Pam’s work either in it’s own pages or in their archives.
This is beautiful, DoxieMom. Pamela G will be forever in my memories. I still very fondly remember when she wrote this for Su Lin. You’ve started my day with panda smiles and tears of joy. Thank you, Doxie!!
wow brought tear to my eyes, beautiful video and poem. what a beautiful tribute to Bai Yun and all her cubbies
DoxieMom,
Thank you for all your clips on BaiYun and her cub. I have saved each one!
Bai Yun’s Lullaby by Pamela G. brought tears to my eyes.
THANK YOU Doxie Mom!! Absolutely Precious!!
That brought tears ..Pam G was so talented.
This wonderful video with the beautiful poem and lovely music made me cry.
I wonder if this is what Bai Yun is thinking as she so lovingly raises this cub, probably her last, knowing that they will be separated at some point. When I see her tenderly holding her baby so tight, it makes me cry again. She’s certainly the finest mother on earth.
Thank you for making this video.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful poem DoxieMom. My eyes are tearing up from reading Pamela’s beautiful words mixed with your touching footage. This is a tribute to all mothers.
thanks for sharing. I did not read Pamela G. before but that was a touching collaboration. I was impressed you were able to edit the video to time well to the poem. also that camera angle of Bai Yun and baby is probably my favorite.
seems Bai Yun sleeps a lot.
Beautiful DoxieMom! Thank you so much for this beautiful tribute to Pamela G and to Bai Yun.
Am so happy to hear an see that the cub is doing well…. I cant wait for my family trip out there in October an to be able to see the cub in person… I too think that the cub is a girl dont know why just have a feeling….. An If the cub does turn out to be a Girl will she be shipped to china for breeding???? An if it’s a boy will he too get shipped or get to stay???? Just some questions running through my head the smorning as I sit an watch as bai yun sleepes with the baby
Moderator’s note: Gabrielle, we look forward to your visit, but please know that the panda cub will not be available for viewing until it is 4 to 5 months old (around December).
All the cubs go back to China when they are around 3yrs old. It won’t be long now until Yunzi is off.
Moderator’s note: These days, there are no hard-and-fast rules about cubs born outside of China moving there when they are three.
In Germany they ship when they are 2 years old, and from Spain the twin babies went back with the Chinese Nanny Keeper who came out to see that everything was okay. long before they were one. If I am incorrect please tell me. I read about these things on other blogs…so if the facts were wrong I would be passing on disinformation.
I was surprised at how ‘big’ the baby is. It is hard to judge the size when seeing it on a tiny screen with mom – easier when one has a person’s hands to gauge against. What a cute little bundle!
Just watched Bai munching on the little one like an ear of corn. She kept nibbling the poor little thing and had it going in every direction. Bai also kept looking up at the camera. Showing off maybe?
I’ve only seen Bai look at the camera once and that was the other day when she came back in the den, got ahold of chubby cubby, turned to sit down, herd the camera turning too and looked up at it! That was so cool with those big black bedroom eyes. I think she knows we’re all watching sometimes. A little ham maybe?
While Bai was denned up with Yunior I saw her gazee at the camera often,but one night she stood up on her hind lelgs and growled in thedirecton of the camera~~I have no idea why. I know where there is a copy of that photo if anyone wishes to see it, just let me know.
I was very happy to see the wee one on the morning news yesterday. The first exam has captivated everyone!
sooooooooooooooo cute!
thank you!
Doxie Mom :
Thank you / you are making so many people happy with your awsome daily pics of RainMan (I call him that) he sure is movin alot now / the mover and shaker/rocker and roller and now a ROCK STAR. Saw him on National T.V. My My what are we to do with this baby. He was in view quite alot on Sunday. I wonder if Bai is sleeping more this time ? Hows Dad ?
I’m quite interested to know if Bai Yun goes through any tests or exams after she has given birth?
Does she have veterinary check ups to see if her eyes, teeth, ears and all internal organs are still firing 100% ?
Moderator’s note: We wouldn’t want to pull her away from her cub to examine her unless the Panda Team felt something was very wrong. She did have a pre-breeding-season physical.
Thanks for the reply
Yes, that is what I meant…a physical, but of course, not whilst she is nursing
She looks magnificent, so healthy and happy! So I bet you would know if she was in pain or if something was ailing her. Thumbs up to the team, I wish I could be there too!!
Hello all ‘pandaphiles’ out there! I’ve loved pandas since I was a child, went to see our new visitors in Edinburgh this April and since then have come across your wonderful site and pandacam. SO amazing to be able to see your lovely panda family from my laptop in Britain! It was very exciting to come on and see that Bai Yun now has a cub! Keep having sneaky peeks. I can’t get the postcard option to work though – it doesn’t seem to let me type in my email address. Do I need to log in or is it US only – any tips? Jacquie
Moderator’s note: Welcome, Jacquie! Your question has been forwarded to our Web Team.
I had the same problem the first day I tried. If on full screen I had to copy and paste the addy in (in my case the same in both boxes since I was doing them myself). But then I also found that if I pasted on either size it was faster and I could get more shots per minute. I keep a notepadd with my address and some other things on it in my files and open in in another corner of the screen for quick use.
just been watching a lovely mother and daughter moment (convinced it’s a girl) Bai was grooming Baibee who was rythmatically tapping her right foot. Like mother like cub
Hi everyone – greetings from Australia again. Just to give you an update from our pandas at Adelaide Zoo. Unfortunately we did not have a successful mating with Wang wang and Funi – just a fun weekend for 2 very good friends!!. Now we need to wait another year and hope for added maturity, So thank goodness this pandaholic can watch Bai and her beautiful chubby cubette.
Moderator’s note: We are sorry to hear that, Jan.
There is always next year!! I would be so happy if our zoo just had a pair, cubbie or no cubbie!!
Jan, have the vets & keepers at Adelaide Zoo consulted with one of their Chinese colleagues about artificial insemination for the female panda yet (sorry, forgot her name!)? That could be another option for her and then hope that she does get pregnant and have a cub. They’ll have to wait until next year for that, tho. The best time to do an AI is for the vets and keepers to watch the 2 pandas for any mating/breeding behavior, then if that does not happen, the vets need to do a semen collection on the male panda and then insert the sample into the female panda as soon as possible within 24 hours or less after the last mating try between them. National Zoo, Washington, DC usually does two AI procedures on Mei Xiang after seeing no breeding/mating behavior between her and Tian Tian. It was successful once in 2005 when she gave birth to Tai Shan. So, just thought I would give you that idea for the keepers the next time you go back to Adelaide Zoo. Then, you can give us an answer on what they said about that option. We all would love to see these 2 pandas be successful either way when it comes to having a baby panda cub at Adelaide Zoo! G’day, mate!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Hi Chari – Thanks for your comments. Yes the Adelaide Zoo is seriously considering A.I next year although this year they were happier with the behaviours of both pandas which were more aligned to pre mating behaviours. The problem is that they are both very even tempered and gentle pandas and very good friends. the Zoo vets also engaged a human fertility clinic team to make sure that had the timing of oestrus correct. So, hopefully next year
Jan I could use a link for the Panda Cam in your area~~~I lost a lot to a computer virus and have not located replacements.
Grammie – just type in Adelaide Zoo Panda Cam – that should get you on to the website
Thank you so much I will try it.
Strange Panda cam picture at 6.46am your time – very blurred.
OK now.
Do you have a link for the Panda Cam at the Scotland Zoo that you can share with us???
??? What has happened to the cam this morning…looks like it got “slimed”!!!
I have been watching mommy and baby.The baby is getting bigger and cuter. They are so fun to watch.
Ahhh, Bai has her paws over her eyes sleeping. Looks like the light is bothering her. Very cute!
There is no light in the den as far as I’m aware, we can see because the camera is designed to be able to see in the dark, like a night scope binoculars.
Well, then, she was just being incredibly cute then!
Always!!!!!
Bai has been taking some college classes in her spare time. She is majoring in teaching cub raising and minoring in cute!
Why does Bai Yun juggle that baby all the time? She almost never stops.
Moderator’s note: She is nursing or cleaning or assuring her cub. That’s why she sleeps when she can.
She doesn’t start the actual juggling moves until it is 2 1/2-3 months old, when she seems to start reguardiing the cub as her own black and white plush toy, that she has to feed. My only experience was Yun Zi, but it seemed to me that she was practacing a juggling act in case she were to run away to the Circus. It seems she has a date with Gao and then forgets to run away.
Boy was this baby a hit a the laundry this weekend. They have 6 tv’s and all were on channel 7 when they showed the clip of the exam the whole place went crazy. We took a poll for the sex and Girl won out, there were also a few boy votes. When the baby reared up that did it, Say it loud say it proud girl.
Hysterical! I can just picture everyone putting down their folding and glued to the TV.
Thank you all so very much for your kind comments regarding the “Bai Yun’s Lullaby” video. It was truly a collaborative effort using the talented Pamela G.’s words, the incredible closeup captured by the Panda team on Panda Cam, and of course, our Hero Mom Bai Yun nurturing her 6th cub.
For those that are following the daily highlight videos, here are the weekend editions. Saturday’s is all closeups, Sunday’s is a celebration of Bai Yun and her cub’s 4 weeks in the den
2012-08-25 Bai and Cubbie Closeups ~ Day 27
http://youtu.be/oqjcqrGwITM
2012-08-26 Bai Yun and Cub ~ Day 28 in the Den
http://youtu.be/Df-xOzc4k-k
sometimes Bai Yun reminds me of a giant teddy bear cuddling a tiny teddy bear. I don’t tire of watching her care for this baby even though I generally know what to expect. I wonder if watching the mother child bonding causes an oxytocin release in us viewers?
OKAY School time again……..oxytocin….Definition or expaination. I am kind of guessing pain relief, but am not sure I am correct…TY
Grammie–oxytocin is the hormone that produces that feeling of happiness and warmth and closeness–that “I love you” feeling.
Kind of like us ladies liking the feeling after eating chocolate??? Thank you.
Hiccups again … too cute.
Panda cam just zoomed in on baby’s err… parts and there is something there that wasn’t last week…lol! I almost fell over. Could we have a boy after all or was it the cam playing tricks on us??!
Yep I saw that too. Looked to me like little boy parts!!
I just compared an old photo of Yun Zi at about 3 weeks of age and I think boy now!
I was sure it was a girl! But if ..they confirm Thursday it’s a boy, I bet SDZ will be excited as they will have another male to compare data on.
Seriously? WOW!! I’m excited. But then I’d be very excited if it’s a girl, too.
I am still thinking girl, but only time will tell. I sure hope we get the confirmation either way this week.
Boy or girl, I think it should somehow be named after Gao!! Gotta start thinking about that.
From the weight comparison with previous cubs, I thought this one might be a girl even though I secretly wished it to be a boy. I thought having another boy by Bai Yun would balance out the gender of all her offspring. I hope we will soon get our confirmation from the vets at our next exam!
(Boys–Mei Sheng, Yun Zi, and new cub; Girls–Hua Mei (by Shi Shi), Su Lin, and Zhen Zhen)
For those that didn’t see what Kathy and Charlene saw on Panda Cam, here is the brief zoom in on Cubbie #6:
2012-08-27 Cubbie 6, Boy or Girl? (Closeup)
http://youtu.be/1RLHuErl2c4
even the zoo wants to know. poor cubby :..no privacy
and I had hoped for a little girl. I never saw ZZ or Su Lin as cubbies.
Maybe wait for confimation but we are all very inmpatient.(least i am.)
It is after all a healthy cubbie.
Thank you DoxieMom for capturing the close-up on Cub #6′s tail area around 5 p.m. ET, and a big thank you to the Panda Cam operator who went in for the close-up! Talk about taking advantage of a prime opportunity! I think Yunni has a baby brudder, but after the Mei Lan sexing snafu you never know!
I looked and I still can’t tell! Maybe the vets can tell by that video closeup or it will help them. Whatever, we will know in due time and we can then hold a great baby shower knowing what colors to use for the theme….oh, black and white?
Deb E….From your computer keys to “The Panda God’s ” ears.
The tail on the panda born in Japan is long and skinny – Bai Yun’s baby’s tail is a short little stubby thing. Are they two different types of panda?
Moderator’s note: As the cub grows, the tail “shrinks.”
How interesting!!
I find it so interesting that a bear having such a small cub struggles so much giving birth, like a whale does. Isn’t that amazing? Bai Yun is such a good mother, she acts like she really loves her job. Good job Bai Yun.
I have a question, when Yunzi was born, wasn’t there a Kathy that was a worker there and if so is she still there?
Moderator’s note: Keeper Kathy has been with Bai Yun since she arrived here from China!
Keeper Kathy is awesome… it’s been a long time since she wrote a blog about Bai… maybe if she ever finds the spare time, she could share another Bai story?
I got to meet Kathy and Jenn when I was in San Diego in May. They are both very cool gals.
That’s awesome Mary…. I bet Keeper Kathy has really good stories…
Actually, I just ran into each of them on the road near the exhibit. It was more of a chance just to say hello.
What a wonderful mother Bai Yun is. How fortunate she and her cub are.
Well, these are belated birthdays for 2 pandas–Lun Lun and Tian Tian. Lun Lun in Atlanta had her birthday on Saturday, August 25. She turned 15 years old, and I hope she was able to enjoy her special day without Po trying to snatch her bday goodies and icecake from her! Tian Tian at National Zoo had his birthday yesterday, Monday, August 27. He also turned 15 years old, and everyone that knows about him are hoping that he will be a daddy again real soon when Mei Xiang has cubbie #2! Another panda, Xi Lan, Po’s big brother in Atlanta, will have his big birthday this Thursday, August 30. He will be 4 years old on that special day for him, and I’m sure that the AZ keepers will have a big icecake and bday snackies for him. No date as yet as to when he will go to China, tho.
Just remembered that Bai’s baby panda is 4 weeks old, so a very happy early birthday to her cubbie! His bday present is his mom and her delicious milk that he is thoroughly thriving on by looking at his very full tummy!
That’s all of the panda birthdays for August. Now, we go into September for 3 more panda bdays to come for us to celebrate!
Watched pandacam a little bit earlier tonite, and little cubbie was on his mom’s big arm sound asleep where we can see him, then a little bit later, Bai had him covered up with her other big arm. They look so good together!
Be praying for the north gulf coast states–Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama–as they get ready for tropical storm/hurricane Isaac that’s coming their way, especially New Orleans. This Wednesday will be the 7th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, and I sure do hope that Isaac is not going to be as destructive as Katrina was.
Be back later! Gotta go and check the ellie page to see if Swazi had her second baby ellie calf yet!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
The cam is dark? Do I have a computer problem? Or MAYBE an exam is happening?
Moderator’s note: It’s working for me. Please try again.
It started working about 15 minutes later. Odd; but thank you.
Chari:
We have a /Girl /Ellie this morning / Swazi is up and walking and so is the baby. Too darn cute.
Thanks for the great news, Maryjane!!
I was about ready to get on the ellie page to see about Swazi anyway! Now, we need to think about a girl name for this new little ellie calf! Any ideas??
Got on the pandacam, and Bai has her baby panda all covered up with her big arm again! Been trying to get on the cam more often, but have been monitoring Hurricane Isaac and the RNC along with trying to catch little cutie cubbie today! This is to all of the pandafans in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama—PLEASE stay safe, dry, and ready for Isaac’s onslaught today and tonite! All of us other pandafans are praying for you all!
Well, gonna go and see if I can catch Swazi and baby on the ellie cam!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
PS: Did you all in San Diego feel all of those swarms of earthquakes during the last week? I read and heard about that on the news, and I was really surprised at the number of quakes in that area of SoCal! WOW!!! That’s got to be unsettling for you all! Chari :}
Moderator’s note: I did not feel any of them.
I am inland from San Diego in the suburbs, we felt them more as jiggles, and trhey did not disturb me like they usually do.
Chari~can you have more than one screen on the moniter at a time??? I usually check on the Chubbie Cubbie, then shrink it down to one corner taking about half the height and 1/4 to 1/3 of the screen width….then I can go about my other things, keeping an eye loosely on the Cubbie square. You get to where you remember to refresh every now and then, and quickly go to it if any action starts. That is when I get some of my best postcards to send to myself. another small part of the screen has a notepad page with my computer adddress on it so I can copy and paste to the email spots on the postcard….much quicker than typing it in each time. It is the only way I can get the emailing postcard feature to let me put in addresses on the full screen version. Let me know if I can help in any way….love grammmie
Everyday I look at Bai Yun and the cubbie, the little one is bigger and bigger. I totally enjoy when mom tosses baby around. It’s hilarious. When the kid is waving his arms and legs, can’t you just hear the kid saying, “Please, enough, MOM!” or “Not another bath!”
Bai treats her baby like her very own panda doll.
Conversation with Bai Yun #38
Cubbie #6: Mama.
Bai Yun: Yes, dear.
C: I think you are beautiful.
B: You think so even with your eyelids still closed?
C: Yes, Mama.
B: How is that?
C: When you nap and hold the lower part of my body in your cavernous mouth…
B: Mmmm.
C: I can feel your molars, left and right, top and bottom.
B: Hee hee.
C: Such symmetry.
B: Thanks.
C: Then there are those canines, like stalactites and stalagmites.
B: Ooh!
C: And your soft palate.
B: My, my!
C: Your deep throat.
B: Hee hee.
C: Your long, long tongue.
B: More to lick you with!
C: The warmth and moisture, reminds me of my previous life in your womb.
B: Ah, but this mouth experience will change though.
C: Huh? (whimper of disappointment)
B: You will soon get too big.
C: You mean your mouth will not grow with me?
B: No, but I will still use it…
C: Huh?
B: I will use it to grab the nape of your neck.
C: Whee! Cool!
B: You will enjoy life with new experiences.
C: So do I still suckle on the 2 juicy spigots in the milk bar? Will they grow?
B: They grow maybe a little, but you do get 2 more.
C: Woo hoo! Hot digity dog! So do I get a spin cycle now?
B: Yeah, sure. Why not?
LOVE! I love her too… but for completely different reasons obviously.
P Wong, you are soooo good!! Love this one that you wrote! This one was too hilarious! Please keep these conversations coming a little bit more often, ok? Don’t be too much of a stranger! Enjoy watching baby panda and baby ellie!
Chari
Cheryl and Chari said it all……..
Sweet and fun. Thanks P Wong.
I thought it when you did these for Yun Zi, and I still think it….you should be writing children’s books. Too clever!
Chari: I felt the quake/ I was getting ready to sit down at the computer to view our PANDA and the monitor was dancing. We get quakes you get hurricanes /stay safe.
Maryjane, fortunately, we only got some of the east side of Hurricane Isaac during the weekend around Pinellas County, Fla where I live at, but we’re not done with hurricane season yet! Have you seen the new baby ellie yet? She’s cute!! Hope you are enjoying watching the new panda baby on the pandacam, if you can catch Bai uncovering the little cutie long enough for you to see him/her! And, I hope your computer doesn’t dance around the table anymore!
Have fun!!
Chari
I just saw the cutest thing little baby was tapping its foot against mommy’s arm
I missed that, Deb S! That was probably baby’s way of getting his mom’s attention or maybe dreaming?! That sounded adorable! Next time I’m on the pandacam, I’ll try to catch this little cubbie doing his foot tapping thing!
Nite!!
Chari
PS: Anybody got a video of the cub doing that foot tapping?
Moderator, I have noticed that Bai has been breathing pretty hard, is everything ok with her?
Moderator’s note: Yes.
I found another one of Pam G’s beautiful poems August 18th, 2007 at 8:13 am
Lullabye for Number Four Child
Hush, hush, my baby. Mama is here.
There’s nothing to cry about, nothing to fear.
I’ll keep you clean and I’ll keep you well fed,
And I’ll share my warmth on our fine bamboo bed.
For I am Bai Yun and you are my fourth child,
And though I can”t give you a life in the wild,
I will give you a life that is healthy and strong,
And I will teach you all of our Panda songs.
The Song of the Trees, and The Song of Bamboo,
The Climbing Cub Song, and the Wrestling Song too!
The Song of the Water, The Song of the Earth,
The Song of the Wind; these are all yours by birth.
And it won’t be long, baby, before you are grown
Enough to know that you have songs of your own.
So sleep now, and listen, because until then,
Bai Yun will sing you the Song of the Den.
Thank you Maureen, It’s nice to have theses memories repeated now and then. We all miss Pam very much. She was a special voice that was silenced way to soon
Agreed. Simply beautiful. I like to think that wherever she is now, she has a baby panda to play with!
I think she went over Rainbow bridge
That is one of the first Pam G.s I ever read and I think so far my favorite.
If you want to see a gorgeous Black and White head shot of Papa Gao Gao, just go to this link
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/
Rita Petita’s Flickr Stream. Right now it is on the page you encounter from the link, and third down. If you have to dig deeper for it on the second page that is okay since Rita adds new photos as she can. This is the kind of photo that if enlarged could be the focal point of the whole room it is hung in….Love Grammmie
Happy 1 month bday to our sweet cubbie!!! So proud of mama Bai and her excellent parenting <3
This morning I saw Gao Gao. He looked so handsome eating his boo.
Moderator: Did we have a 2nd exam on the cub?? TNX
I may have told you already…to see a great Black and White photo of Gao Gao at Rita Petita’s Flikr link…..copy an paste if clicking doesn’t work
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/7861101586/in/photostream
but for her stream start it is
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/
The photo of Gao Gao is on the second page for the time being. She is always adding on new photos so eventually it will move off second page, but is at top right now. If Bai could have a mutral paited on her bedroom wall I would pick this one, with small ones of all of the cubs included. Her site ges back to all of the cubs~~if I am not mistaaken…go enjoy.
Happy Birthday Chubby Cubbie and many more to you!
Did cubbie have another exam
Does the fact that, after Bai Yun left the den, the camera switched to an outside view mean that the baby got its second exam this morning? We’ve been anxiously awaiting word (and placing bets!) on the little one’s gender.
Moderator’s note: No.
I just adpoted Bai Yun and chubby #6.
I never noticed before that the last place the fur grows is on their back, close to the head. And those teeny tiny claws are so cute! It was also very nice to see that Keeper (Auntie?) Kathy got the privilege of transporting “Daughter of Cloud” for her frst exam. Why no pink blanket? heeheehee
Thank you SDZ for including all of us, and allowing us to be part of this tiny miracle…
Since the end of last week, I’ve noticed that Bai Yun is not having to hold her cub while they’re resting. The cub has enough fur to keep warm, but still likes to be in contact with his/her mother at this point and vice versa.
And while Bai Yun went off to eat her breakfast, we saw the cubbie make his/her first circle, pivoting on his/her back leg and using the strength of his/her front legs to propel him/her around 360 degrees plus some.
Then we saw Gao Gao eating breakfast until Bai Yun made her return to the den.
Here are the highlights from this Wednesday morning:
2012-08-29 Bai Yun’s Cub: Independence, a Circle and Daddy
http://youtu.be/PSN2SWmlccA
It’s also nice and warm here in SD — so the temperature outside might also be keeping the little cubbers warm too.
Cheryl~~~Nice and Warm here in San Diego????? I must be way inland from you~~It is HHHHOOOOTTTT between El Cajon and Alpine (small surrounding, mostly connected towns around SD). It is not getting really cool at night like it should, so I m having to A/C my Bedroom day and night.
Baby is getting restless, wants to leave the den and see the world. Bai Yun wants to sleep, and when she does, baby wants to wiggle and squirm. Things are heating up for Bai Yun! She’s had it easy for a month, now here we go!
WOW — you don’t see the cubbers in a couple of days — and BAM — we have a mini-panda. The little one seems to grow really fast… like if you stare at the screen long enough, I think you could actually SEE it grow before your eyes. Absolutely, undeniably, so stinking adorable!!
Can there be sound with the mom and her cub? Maybe this has been asked before. I have not read all the comments in here. Would love to hear them.
Thank you!
Moderator’s note: The cameras are not configured to stream sound.
Happy “one month” Birthday little one!!!
I guess Bai Yun is planning on changing the den as she seems to have brought new stuff in with her after her jaunts outside.
I noticed with Yun Zi 3 years ago that she brought more and more into the den, so she could snack and not be away. Since Yunior was my only other cub to view ca somebody tell me if she did this with her other cubs????
There was a nice article posted in the New York Daily News yesterday about SDZ role in saving the Panda from extinction. (Note that the article says that there is currently 11 Pandas in the US. This is incorrect as there are currently 12.) www(dot)nydailynews.com/news/national/giant-panda-cub-birth-san-diego-zoo-garners-love-concern-endangered-species-article-1.1146573
Because of Doxie Mom’s beautiful video to Pam G.’s lullaby, I remembered a mention of “misty mountains” in one of the lullabies. In “Panda Tales”, there was a song “take me to the misty mountains and let me run” or something like that. I was wondering if Pam G.’s poem inspired that song?
And for those who have not seen “Panda Tales,” I believe you can still buy it. Is it in the gift shop? It’s so much fun watching Zhen Zhen’s first year. It was so well done — and tons of fun. She was just a ball of cuteness. And Bai looks stunning.
Moderator’s note: Yes, it is available in both our Panda Shop and the Zoo’s main gift.
What would we ever do without Doxiemom? I send thanks to her so much since I cannot sit here all day viewing the den,
Also I noticed with Yun Zi as a cub, that Bai Yun would place the large bamboo around him so he couldn’t climb out of what looked like a triangle.
Does she do this on purpose to keep cubs in one spot?
Plus I have forgotten when the cub starts to get eye sight. is it soon?
Moderator’s note: Between 50 and 60 days.
how long is it typically before a baby panda might start to walk? on the video, it seems like the baby (cubbie) opens its mouth often while awake. is it usually vocalizing when its mouth opens (making the froggy sound)? now it seems like the cubbie is pretty squirmy even while Bai Yun is sleeping. I feel surprised that the cubbie always remains pretty close to mom, even when cubbie appears to be laid on the ground (not enclosed in arms or under chin).
Moderator’s note: 14 to 15 weeks.
thanks for your info. oh my, I guess it is still a while before walking is expected. cubbie’s legs are kind of small compared to its growing santa belly. it’s a little challenging to envision how its leg strength is going to catch up to body weight.
I love catching Chubbie Cubbie when wrapped in sleeping Bai Yub”s arms, and it pops it’s little head up~~~kind of like a Morey Eel pops out of a hole right before it attacks in water movies.
just watching mother and baby in their cosy circular den and I wondered – what do panda mums do in the wild when they are at this stage? Do they find a cave, build a shelter from bamboo? Would love to know (and apologies if this has cropped up before ) ..Jacquie in UK
Panda Team responds: Pandas prefer dens in old-growth trees, although these days, they are often forced to use rock caves and crevasses. We don’t know if panda mothers bury their cubs in nesting material in the wild, but we have seen Bai Yun do it on numerous occasions. It is possible that this behavior is a way of protecting their cub from predators.
a follow-up question about dens… do the Chinese place artificial dens in the mountains and do the Pandas use them?
I am thinking about other animals such as burrowing owls, bats, bluebirds etc that use constructed houses.
This is actually the next step in some of our research in Foping.
7:40 and little Windy or Stormy is caught on its back like a turtle! Hollered and hollered for Mama! Finally it flipped over. Right about then, Bai cam eand suck her head in to see what all the fuss was about. By then, Windy or Stormy was asleep! CUUUTE! Maybe today you will do another exam so we can see the cuteness up close?
saw this as well. as soon as the cubbie flipped over to its tummy, it seemed to settle down. Bai Yun must have been wondering, what’s the ruckus. but she was tempered and did not rush to the baby.
Baby is SO sweet …. sleeping peacefully while Mama is away. I’m sure the SDZ crew is anxious to get another shot at examining the little one. I can’t wait to find out if #6 is a girl or a boy!
Mama Bai: You done good!!
August 30 *8 ten am. No mama, Where is everyone?? Baby hs been alibe, ent to sleep after exercising legs and arms. But not mama yet? Is he/she old enough to be let alone so soon???
Moderator’s note: This is very normal, and remember: Bai Yun is just outside the den, mere feet away. The cub is not really alone.
As Cubbie Cubbie gets older she will leave it for longer periods of time, if it is anything like Princae Fuffy Butt when he was young….Love Grammmie
at 12:43 eastern time today Bai left cub alone 1:25 still not home would have been a good time to check up the cubbie boy or girl.
I was about to capture a really cute snap of Prince Fluffy But in his yard, laying on a stone, Thursday early morning, but could not get anything but a blank screen on the part of the site where you put in the postcard addresses, then when I went back to the live photo I saw an alone Chubbie Cubbie, with Bai just reaching it, as if they had been separated. I just wonder if the Staff was up very early for the weekly check~up???? It means a new blog and maybe, just maybe a for sure sexual identity??? Everybody should be looking in this afternoon to see if a new Blog is up……Love Grammmie
Do you know the instant difference you can see between Polar Bear Cubs and Panda Cubs???? Polar Bear Cubs are too sleepy to put on their Black Shrugs, Black boots (high ones), Black Eye Glasses, and their Mickey Mousse Ears.
LOL! too cute grammmie! he he he lil’ chubby cubby is soooo sweet….i am just amazed as all get out how Bai Yun is so gentle and knows just what to do! This is my first chubby cubby event and have been mezmerized by it all! I’ve been ‘polar bear’ camming and waiting to see if Chinook is gonna’ have a baby this year! They won’t know at the earliest til’ Oct!…So watching Bai Yun and Chubby wubby cubby has been an experience! I love em’ and hats off to all the zookeepers! Good job!
And it is so nice of the Pandas and Staff to teach us patience, isn’t it???
very clever!
Anxiously awaiting a new blog on today’s exam..just viewed the video and cubbie is adorable and quite the little barker.
It’s also on Facebook which leads to you the writeup on Flickr.. guess we have to wait till the next exam again and hopefully the sex will be determined then
“she” has had a 2nd exam. you can see the video on SDZ’s youtube feed. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m77aBx3z5m0
Oh… so cute!! Sleepy little cubbers looked quite content for awhile there — just snoozing away while being measured. Wow.
I have to say Momma has let us see her little one a lot. It is just amazing how big they are when they are born and how big they grow. The animal kingdom is such an amazing world.
Cub #6 has an attitude! Not only is the cub fat as butter, but it has a GREAT set of lungs. Those barks are loud!
OMG! What’s up w/momma Bai wanting to eat her baby panda tonight?!?! She’s hardly bathing the poor thing! She is just nibbling away, the entire head, all four limbs, etc… Round & round, over & under, inside & out. Just let the baby eat and go to sleep already. It’s (she’s) just a baby. Soon, there will be plenty of time to play.
I’ve watched Bai raise a cub or two, and she’s an excellent mother but tonight she had me worried at how rough she was being… I’m glad it’s over.
Someone said the same thing about Lun Lun (known to her fans as “Da Mommy Monster”) being too rough with her cubs, and I said if you don’t see any blood spurting, everything’s okay! As the cubs get bigger, the mommy bears handle them differently and while the handling looks rough to us, it’s okay with the cubs.
I saw the bit on youtube, yesterday, about the 2nd exam on baby #6! I sure hope we see an updated blog entry on on the ‘particulars’, soon!
She’s gotten so BIG! Such a sweet little squawker!
HEY MOMMY! BAI yUN!! WHEREDID YOU GO WITHOUT YOUR ITTY BITTY BABY!!! bRING YOUR FOODAND GET BACK HERE NOW!! yOUR BABY IS SCREAMING AND SO WORN OUT THAT SHE TURNS OVER FINALLY EXHAUSTED GOES TOSLEEP. GET BACK TO YOUR BABY AND TAKE YOUR FOOD WITH YOU
I must be the last to know about this second exam! I did see the video on YouTube. Baby is sure growing, so alert, seemed to like the stroking which appeared to be calming. Eyes are starting to open!
No Lilarose, I think I am the last to know about second exam. i did see the same thing as Virginia this morning around 7:15am PT when the cub was left alone for at least 15 minutes. Thought it was a great time to pull baby for an exam, but not if one was done yesterday. I keep looking everyday for a new blog report updating baby’s status.
Moderator’s note: We hope to have a blog about the second exam up soon.
Facebook had it on there before it was up here. The last 2 mornings I have checked that first.
Loved the video of the 2nd exam
Suzanne Hall, would you please address the isuue of determining a panda’s sex? i understand that it is difficult to differentiate when they are small. With males it does not seem evident until they reach sexual maturity, and then who wants to mess around with a 200lb panda?
But you do annual exams and blood draws, so why can sex not be determined accurately then? The Chinese seem to be able to do it right at birth. Considering the mix-up with Atlanta’s Mei Lan, it seems US zoos are not as efficient. Isn’t there a way to determine sex accurately from DNA taken from blood or saliva? Or is this method not feasible for our zoos?
We have no way of knowing how many “mistakes” the Chinese might have made regarding the sex.
“Right at birth” might have been the key for determining gender when the accoutrements are more readily visible while the cub is skinnier. I don’t remember when or where I read this, but the explanation for Mei Lan’s mix up was that US born pandas are not examined until some days later when the cubs gain some weight which may obscure and add to some confusion. And btw, since I used to spend time with friends who raised rabbits, I found this to be key for rabbits, too.
What wonderful Panda staff to gently take care of such
“precious cargo” You are all terrific !
I fink…me sees a male what a mawocgi on the 2nd exam
I love seeing the love went into the cub. more handling
with gloves at a tender age, Cute !
Thank You !
Tuned in to webcam at 11:40am PT and cub was alone. Don’t know how long Bai Yun had been gone by then, but watched continuously until she came back 36 minutes later. Wow, Bai must have been hungry. Of course she picked up cub to nurse right away, then they both curled up to nap.