Gao Gao doing what he does best–eating!
I was motivated to attempt my first blog post after seeing some comments and questions in the giant panda blog about “taking a blood sample” to ensure that our pandas our healthy. What a great opportunity to share with our panda fans the work we do in the clinical labs at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park!
Our veterinarians determine when blood (or urine or feces) should be collected from animals, such as the giant pandas. Reasons could be for a health checkup or before anesthesia or to investigate a potential health issue. One of the analyses performed on the blood sample is called a CBC (or complete blood count). The sample collected from Gao Gao during his exam last month was sent to the Clinical Laboratory at the Zoo’s Jennings Center for Zoological Medicine to be analyzed.
This is a photo of one of Gao Gao’s healthy white blood cells, surrounded by normal red blood cells.
The CBC includes a careful look at the white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets, and packed cell volume. White blood cells are the cells that protect us from disease and foreign materials. The number of white blood cells counted in the blood can help determine if the animal is fighting an infection. Red blood cells transport oxygen throughout the body, and a low number of red blood cells may reflect anemia. An adequate number of platelets ensure that the body’s clotting mechanism is normal. The packed cell volume (PCV or hematocrit) helps the veterinarians determine if the animal is dehydrated, fighting a disease, or is losing blood somewhere.
The laboratory technicians also put a drop of blood on a glass slide and smear it out to make a nice thumbprint shape. After we put the slide in a special stain, we are able to look at the cells under the microscope. We then report to the veterinarians what we see. Certain cell shapes and colors can indicate whether or not the animal is healthy. We can also see if there are enough platelets present and if there are any parasites in the blood. Data from these tests, among others, complete the CBC.
All of this information helps our veterinarians quickly assess the health of an individual animal. During Gao Gao’s last exam, his CBC was normal for adult giant pandas, and he was returned to his exhibit a happy panda!
Niki Zarcades is a clinical laboratory technician at the San Diego Zoo.
Very interesting! I was wondering about the pandas’ blood samples myself, and that pic of Gao Gao’s blood sample looks pretty good to me! I’m glad that Gao is a very healthy, happy daddy who just loves to be the eating machine that he is! Handsome guy!!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Yay happy to hear Gao (or as I like to call him “Big Daddy”) is a happy and healthy panda
Chari, have you heard anything about our sweet Su Lin or precious Zhen Zhen?
LJ, not too much news about Su Lin and Zhen Zhen lately. I do know that Su Lin is still taking care of her cub right now, but that’s all. Hopefully, Pandas International will find out about these 2 girls and let us know what they are up to at Wolong, China. Or, maybe our intrepid, information seeking Moderator can find out about Su Lin and Zhen Zhen for all of us! Hope so!!
Chari
I heard my nephew Yun Hui was in panda kindy and is now shifted elsewhere. He was with his half sib Yun Dao. WOW, my nephew is older than me. YAY.
Papa bear seems to be having a very hard time biting off his bamboo. I feel so sorry for him as he use to be a real eating machine. I know they did dental work on him but sure hope it gets better for him.
I have enjoyed the Panda cam now for months. I also wonder how mom gets all of the nutrients she needs from bamboo. Is that her main source other than treats? If I worked there It would be hard for me to not go into their home and squeeze and kiss that baby. She is just so adorable right now. I love the cams from all over the world, so informative and wonderful for children as well. Thanks, Minnesota
Moderator’s note: You might enjoy reading Wild Food vs. Zoo Food.
now i know why the gao man is always smiling, he is a healthy, happy, well fed guy.
hugs and scrinches to all our pandas.
joan
I read an article that said Panda blood is good to help humans…it is better than antibiotics. The article came out in January this year. Fact?
I’ve never heard of that!
Google it…the articles will come up.
I heard of that too. Scientists have apparently found a naturally-produced antibiotic in pandas blood, which kills bacteria and protects this species against the diseases. This seems to explain why pandas are rarely ill despite their poor and exclusive bamboo-based diet.
You can google “Giant pandas hold new weapon in fight against superbugs” to read more about that.
Pandas rock, and we love them!
Gao Gao you are so brave!!!!!! You are such a handsome panda bear and your six months old son Liwu is gorgeous like you and his Mom Bai Yun, I Love your panda family♥
Thank you – now I’m a happy human because he’s a happy panda.
It’s good to hear that he is one happy healthy bear
Gao Gao, I’m very happy for you that your blood test was good!!!!!! I wonder where they drew the blood on your handsome body????? I also hope it didn’t hurt too much when the Veterinarian did that to you……..I wonder what kind of needle must be used to draw blood on your beautiful body?????? Lots of questions I’m asking……maybe someone will tell me who read this……..
Danielle, the moderator reported that last month they did some dental maintenance on GG to help him eat. Bamboo files their teeth down as they eat and it is monitored by the zoo to be sure they receive their nutrition. All vets, including SDZ’s, do a blood work up before anesthesia to make sure it’s safe for the bear before they start the work. I’d imagine this blood result is from that panel and they are sharing the good news. GG had a couple of patches of hair removed off the left side of his belly, which he didn’t seem to miss and he’s chewing lots better now. I don’t know the link to the blog, I think it was in December, though. Hope that helps.
Thank You Rebecca! It’s something I must have missed last month…..
Gao Gao will slide a forelimb into a metal “sleeve” for his blood draw. Then a 21- or 23-gauge needle (with a butterfly tubing set and syringe) is used to get the sample from the cephalic vein. This is the same size (or smaller) needle used when adult humans have their blood drawn! And it doesn’t seem to hurt him at all; he willingly presents an ‘arm.’
He seems to be astonishingly compliant for a bear. I suppose he gets some little reward.
A tour I took at the zoo explained that all the animals are trained in simple behaviors that lets the keepers do things like weigh them and take blood without having to put the animal under anesthesia. They use positive reinforcement training, so yes, he gets treats, and if he didn’t want to put his arm in the sleeve (like if he remembered pain from a needle), he wouldn’t do it and they don’t force them. They jsut try again.
The fact that he complies tells me that a little prick doesn’t hurt a bear’s tough skin as much as a puny huan (and they don’t have psychological fears of needles like us!).
The panda are trained to put their arms into “a sleeve” (a metal sleeve thing) for a blood draw
Hi everyone. What I’m totally convinced of is that this fine father-bear is here because of the excellent health-maintenance care he receives. Pandas in the wild don’t have the advantages of vaccinations and dental work (if only there was a program, as such!) This probably accounts for their longer life when living in a reserve, or a zoo such as SDZ–if their teeth are going bad at age 20, that will definitely affect how well they can eat, and that has a profound effect as to how long they live. Plus the chance of infection from bad teeth, which can spread, and there are no antibiotics available in the wild. Gao Gao’s a smart bear who wanted to stay with people. And everything that happened in his life led him to where he was needed most–with Bai Yun in San Diego. I wonder if his son Xiao Liwu gets his attraction to us from Gao Gao. All the panda cubs born at SDZ (or anywhere) are most dear, but I’ve never seen one who loves his keepers the way this one does. And I’m genuinely happy for the staff at SDZ that you are having this experience. You deserve it!
Niki, you did great. A very informative blog. Now I know what a “CBC” is as we always hear in medical oriented TV series
It’s great to know all is well with our papa p.bear, Gao Gao.
What great news for our Daddy Panda. Thank you, Niki, for such an interesting post. I am amazed at how much this looks like a human smear.
THANK GOD! Don’t EVER scare me like that again! I thought Gao Gao was sick! I’m thrilled his blood test shows that he’s healthy and happy.
Amen….in spades! I’m SO relieved that our beloved Gao Gao with his hairy slipper feetsies is healthy!!
Triple Amen!
Now I wonder where to look on a slide to see the determining factor for Sexy, Fluffy, Furry, Feetsies!!! Love grammmie
Unfortunately, we’ll never know and Gao Gao ain’t tellin’!
Very interesting blog Niki, thank you for all the information and the picture. What is in the white blood cell?
This also helps me understand a bit more about anemia, which a relative has.
Inside that white blood cell is the nucleus of the cell. Notice how it appears to have segments? It is called a segmented neutrophil!
Thank you for your answer Niki. We learn so much from the zoo staff and really appreciate the time you take from your already busy day to answer our questions.
Have a great day.
LOl, does your job description include teaching biology to panda fans? THANKS for spending the years learning this stuff and the time you’re spending teaching us!
Thank you, Lee, I was wondering just how to ask that myself….love grammmie
Good to hear Gao Gao is in good shape. How often does he have a check up?
He has an exam at least once/year, and more often if warranted by the veterinarians.
Thank You for the blog on proud dad Gao Gao. We don’t get enough info on him. So glad to read he is a healthy panda!
Thank you for the update on Papa Gao Gao. It’s good to know his health is good. Do the pandas have the ABO system of blood typing as humans do? Just curious! One moe question — the day ends with Gao Gao eating and begins with Gao Gao at dawn waiting for breakfast — does he stay out all night? Does he have the same setup as Bai Yun with a garden room, sun room and bedroom? Thanks for taking care of our beloved pandas and giving us updates!
Moderator’s note: Gao can be outside or inside, his choice. He does have various bedroom options inside, like Bai Yun has, but no den.
Great question! The only animals that have the ABO system (as far as I know) are some of the great apes and humans. Blood groups in dogs, cats, horses, and cows have been described, but I don’t believe this topic has been investigated in giant pandas.
Thank you to the moderator and Niki for your reply! These blogs just get my mind going! lol I love these pandas more everyday. Thank you for all the hard work you do taking care of them and us!
Does Yun Zi have the same number of indoor rooms as Gao Gao? It sounds like Gao Gao and Bai Yun have a 1 bedroom apt. Or does Yun Zi only have a studio
Moderator’s note: Same number.
Well one happy healthy Gao Gao make us all HAPPY!! Thank you for being so thoughtful in letting us know the results and also for explaining it so we can all understand it!!! We are all so lucky to have a team who involve us!!!
Moderator, I’m going to ask a silly question, what is inside the bedroom for the pandas???? I know the garden room, is a garden! We see it on the webcam…..
I saw in China that they make chairs out of logs for the pandas….So, do we have log bed’s in the bedrooms for our pandas here at the San Diego Zoo! just asking, I really would like to know!!!! Thank you in advance, i know my question is not important, I was just wondering………
Moderator’s note: The bedrooms don’t have any furniture other than drinkers and a platform off the ground that serves as both bed and scale and a pile of fresh bamboo for food/bedding.
Moderator,
I appreciate your quick answer, thank you so much!!!!!!!!
Thank you Niki! This was very interesting. As pandafans we want to know everything about our pandas and you added a whole new perspective. I hope we hear from you again!
Thank you for the good news on Gao Gao’s health.I love his routine in the early morning.I especially love seeing him eat when people are watching him and taking his picture.Sometimes he stops for a second and seems to look right at them.Thanks again for all the info.
I KNOW he looked right at me the day we where there
That is good he heathy.He always eating just just like a manalways eating!
I noticed in your article you said in Gao’s exam last month his blood sample was sent off to a lab.
Does he get an exam every month or just when he is going to have some dental or some other kind of procedures done??
GG~~
All of us Love him Very much also♥
You are such a handsome, sweet and gentle guy
We Love You SO Very much♥♥♥
SO Happy you are well and healthy
Hope your dental bridge-work is holding up for you.
Your son, “Wu Wu”, is absolutely Adorable
He is one Cool Cubbie!! He takes after his “Poppy”!
hehe!! His Mom Bai has her hands full looking after him! He likes to climb high and that scares all of us!!
We LOVE YOU~~♥♥♥
puppygirl
I think it’s been mentioned before that Gao and Bai get a physical with a blood draw every year as a routine, but if they need to do dental or if they think something is “off,” they’ll do one whenever they think it will help.
Congratulations on your first blog! Passed with flying colors! That was informative and reassuring. Learnt a lot.
I’m happy Gao Gao that you are healthy. And glad you have so many people that make sure you will stay that way for a long time. :0)
Will the snow day be just for Bai and Liwu, or will Gao and Yunnie get in on the action too? I would hope so. We are getting there with donations, the “wish list” link is on the cam page, thanks to our moderator. Please find it in your hearts to give these beautiful pandas a fun filled snow day.
Wish List Coordinator responds: If we are able to raise all the funds we have currently asked for ($4,000), then we will have enough snow for all of our giant pandas. If we are only able to raise a partial amount, then we may just have a smaller mound of snow for Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu to explore and play in. Keep your fingers crossed!
How much are you short for snow for everyone?
I also read panda blood might be used to treat humans. My big concern about that would be poachers.
Good job on the blog!!
I was concerned about that, too. I think the information shoudn’t have been published.
Glad to hear that Gao is healthy and happy and can continue eat all his bamboo and treats. He sure loves his food.
So glad Big Daddy Papa Gao Gao is in good health!! Sure is a handsome guy… and he really does love to eat!
thanks for sharing. I am not 100% certain but some of the things you check for in Gao Gao’s blood sounds like things that a human’s doctor would check for when we give blood for our checkup’s.
off the topic. Gao Gao tickles me pink when he gets the cam view at the end of the day. he looks pretty content sitting against his rock, chewing on his bamboo. I feel as though if I were to open the cam view in the early morning, he would still be in the same spot, still chewing on the bamboo. (even tho it’s not actually true, he goes somewhere to sleep before the light goes out but he really looks like he could be chewing forever with no complaints)
actually Gao Gao is back at his dining rock eating bamboo again. maybe he woke from his nap or took a drink earlier.
They are, and they are the same things a vet would check in your dog or cat or guinea pig. We’re all mammals!
Another question. Are Pandas right or left pawed?
Panda Team responds: There has long been discussion that all bears are left or right “pawed.” None of it has ever been tested with scientific principles. It would seem, though, that just like people, some bears favor right paws, some left, and some use whichever is closest to what they want!
From my observation, Gao Gao is a leftee, Bai Yun is a rightee and Yun Zi uses whatever is handy
We are glad you were motivated to write this! Look forward to more info of this nature from you.
Niki, Thank you for this information about a CBC and what you look for to determine the panda’s health! Great information! I can’t wait to hear more about other animals at the zoo. One question, Do you give GG a treat after he gets his blood drawn?
Moderator’s note: Gao Gao does not work for “free.”
He has that BIG family to support!!! Love grammmie
And Papa needs to keep his size. Hee Hee
Wu Wu
I only suspect he supports only himself, as a Panda-Dude should.
kristina……..I wanted to cruise your photos again, but could not find you using your name, w/ small “k” nothing about pandas came up……what is your link or you flickr account name again??? Love grammmie
Dear Grammie!
The link is
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kristina_a/
and my flickr-name is kristina a2013
Enjoy the pictures!
Kristina
Some of red blood cells, on Gao Gao’s peripheral blood smear, appeared to have spikes at their edges; almost resembling schistocytes seen in hemolytic human red cells. Was it just an artifact from smear preparation, peculiar to giant pandas, or does it signify Gao Gao has a blood cell problem?
Great question! Schistocytes are smaller fragments. Some of Gao Gao’s red blood cells are crenated, which is a normal artifact we see in many mammals.
Thank you very much for the information about Gao Gao. We are so very glad he is happy and healthy.
So the blood test is only as needed? They do not actually get annual physicals? Since they mostly are vegetarians, they could not possibly get high cholesterol conditions like humans do? And since they are only given sweet treats like yams and carrots sparingly, they probably would not have high sugar in their blood… so, really, they have a very healthy lifestyle
… and since they seem to pace around, move around, and play a lot, they are really fit! Really wonderful and very interesting creations!
Gao Gao has a dental problem, requring a dental procedure, performed under general anesthesia previously; and is now on a modified diet, to decrease wear & tear on his teeth.
He has an exam at least once/year, and more often if warranted by the veterinarians.
Looks like I am still here?W ell. Just for you- Yun Zi did not appeciate the snow in his habitat, in his hammock, or just in general.Remember? MAybe soft pedal his interest by not writing about it.
Isn’t it a lovely day,Virginia!!??
YAY! My papa is healfie wike me! Thank you for the good news.
Love,
Wu Wu
Great news for our beloved Sweet Daddy Gao Gao… thanks for taking Beary Beary good care of him, he is such a sweetie!
Was any other testing done on Gao Gao’s blood? I am so glad to hear that Daddy Gao Gao seems to be in good health. He sure has helped to make some healthy babies.
Thank you so much for this informative article.
There are many potential tests that can be done, including radiology procedures! All testing requests are determined by the veterinarians. The Veterinary Services team (that includes the clinical lab) coordinates closely to accomplish all needed diagnostics.
So glad that Gao Gao’s CBC was normal, Niki, and that there is a quick way to assess a panda’s health. No wonder pandas are trained to do a blood draw.
Xiao Liwu had another fairly relaxed, lazy day on exhibit Tuesday. In fact his feet touched the ground only briefly the whole time he was on Panda Cam. So it was not a surprise to see him active in the Garden Room late Tuesday afternoon. Here are highlights from 2:30pm – 4pm PT:
2013-02-05 Xiao Liwu: The End of a Lazy Day
http://youtu.be/4CXde9Lnpog
Thank you D-Mom, another lovely video. Nice to see the padding of boo leaves where he was tumbled off. I think part of it was the big branch that he had tumbled off, after Bai had brought it up for a snack…love grammmie
I just checked the cam to see who is “up” for the day. Mr. Wu is napping in his hammock, H I H Bai Yun is munching on her breakfast…..all is right with world. Love grammmie
I just checked the total donations, so far, for the “snow day”, we are more than half way to the goal for all 3 enclosures, for all four Pandas in residence, to enjoy a snow day. If you can, just $10.00 more will help things along. Love grammmie
Where can I donate for the snow for our panda bears? Glad that GG is doing fine. He is a cool bear just like his son.
Moderator’s note: Wish List
Mr Wu, where are you? Cam operator can’t find wu.
Pandas are cute! Gao Gao is cute!! Even his blood cells are cute!!!
I’m taking A&P now and the last chapter covered was on blood, so this was of special interest. You explained things really well, Niki. Thanks for an interesting report and keep them coming! There’s no such thing as “TMI” when it comes to pandas!!
Niki this was a very interesting and informative blog. Thanks for addressing this subject. My question is about the comment regarding ABO typing. Is there a typing system for pandas? If so, what is it. Also, if the pandas need blood for some reason where would you get it from?
This is the post from Niki regarding my question about ABO typing:
Posted February 5, 2013 at 4:40 PM
Great question! The only animals that have the ABO system (as far as I know) are some of the great apes and humans. Blood groups in dogs, cats, horses, and cows have been described, but I don’t believe this topic has been investigated in giant pandas.
Thank you Sara for your post. It was actually Niki’s reply to your comment that got me wondering if there was a typing system for pandas since they weren’t typed using the ABO system.
There is not a typing system for giant pandas. If there ever was a need for a blood transfusion (and this has never happened!), the veterinarians would determine the best course of action. Perhaps another giant panda would be a blood donor. Then the lab would make sure this blood was compatible before it was administered.
Thank you so much for your reply. It is fascinating to see how different departments of the zoo work with each other.
Just curious as to how laborious it was for keepers to “baby-proof” the outdoor exhibit before allowing Mr. Wu access? I’d probably be worried about every little twig that could poke the little guy! And when I see him mouthing the biscuits sometimes I get scared he may choke just like when a baby–toddler starts to nibble on solid food. Does the staff watch his moves closely or not so much?
Moderator’s note: At this stage in his life, keepers don’t need to watch him as closely since he is doing so well.
Did anyone ask the snow making company if they would like to contribute to the acquiring on the snow for the Panda exhibits. Maybe????
It woul be great publicity for them, making them many new friends. Even a partial donation would help. Do any fans have an inside track to friends with snow, or friends of friends??? Love grammmie
Do Bai Yun and Gao Gao get close to one another now?
Moderator’s note: Not at all! She would consider him a threat to her cub. She even honks in warning if Yun Zi is near.
Thanks for the explanation. I bet you have something else to do besides answer my dumb questions.
Dear SA Wallick!
I dont think it’s a dumb question. That is bear-typical behavior and it is certainly very interesting for many readers to hear about it. Thank You Dear Moderator again!
That is wonderful to hear, that she is protective of Xiao Liwu, but when would Yun Zi get to close? Could it be when they are moving through the tunnels to their exhibits?
I don’t know what SDZ has done, or I have done, but I love the full screen size of the cams today. The clarity is fantastic and I simply love it. Thank you.
Lee, they high deffed us, making such a clear picture that it can be enlarged without to a full screen without loss of clarity, isn’t great??? Love grammmie
off topic but I think the koala joey may be peaking out now on the koala cam. much of the view is blocked but I see a smaller whitish furry thing against the adult koala’s chest and under her chin. I know it cannot be the adult’s tummy.
I could be mistaken. maybe the white furry parts are the koala’s knees? koalas seem to like to bunch up their arms around their feet and ball up to sleep.
no joey. it was the koala’s tummy or knees. the koala was just sleeping in a very balled up position.
Made my donation, can’t wait to see the Snow Play Day!!! Now feel I can watch our little cubbie legitimately!!! Hope you raise enough !!!
Moderator’s note: We thank you, Lindsay!
Since Bai Yun is older, will SDZ get a new female one day?
Moderator’s note: We don’t yet know what the future holds.
Oh dear….I cannot begin to fathom SDZ without Bai Yun…or Gao Gao, for that matter!!!
I say we keep them all and bring in a girlfriend for Yun Zi, SDZ can do research on caring for the elderly pandas
Hey Kathy from Ottawa Canada~~
Good Idea !!!!
I Strongly believe we should bring in a “girlfriend” for Yun Zi AND AND AND Li Wu Wu !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
puppygirl
Girlfriend for me too!
Wu Wu
Hey Sweet, Precious Wu Wu~~
What do you think about that?!!
You think you could go for that??!!!
You know there are LOTS of ladies here who watch you every day and LOVE YOU more than you know!! ♥
You are definately in my heart ♥♥♥
You are such a precious little darlin’
I L.O.V.E. YOU~~
puppygirl
I would tend to agree with your suggestion Kathy, but I know that SDZ will make any final decisions along with the Chinese.
We should start a “keep Bai & Gao here ” fund now so we have enough money to pay China’s rental fee
Wwll, if we can’t raise enought funds for snow, I think it would be hard to raise at least a million dollars each year for each panda to stay here!
These pandas do not come cheap. Plus we have to feed and maintain them along with the rental fund per bear.
And we pay for cubs too, from the day they are born until they go to China to fulfill their destiny, but with their antics and rarity to be seen outside, and inside China, they do generate income too. I have no idea at all how that balances out, but we are lucky to have the gifts we do. Our parent pandas are proven but older, I truly hope they get to retire here. Our Zoo is also proven in animal husbandry and facilities are always seeming to improve, those things are in our favor. Now lets all cross our Pseudo Thumbs and think good thoughts. Love grammmie
I just checked the snow fund. Correct me if I am wrong but with 100 donations to go we are 3/4th there in less than a week, or about a week, that is not bad for this time of year. If one third of the donors can come up with $10.00 more we will be there. Or perhaps we can get 100 new donors to each send $10.00 and a news caster can say……it snowed in San Diego today……maybe a newscaster can do a little collection at his or her news station……and be first to know………………love grammmie
Dear Maureen in Michigan~~
With LOTS of Tears flowing, I’m asking, May we add precious Li Wu Wu to that fund???
The thought of that sweet little darling not being here and not seeing him absolutely breaks my heart and hurts SO bad.
That he will not be here is bad enough but the thought [that] he might be put out “in the wild” is more than I can handle!
Like I have posted before, doing that to Wu Wu would be like me putting one of my puppy dogs out on the street and telling her “Have a nice life. See ya”!!! YIKES!!!!! NO WAY!!!!!!
IMHO~~they should send Li Wu Wuuu a “girlfriend” and they could have babies! ♥
Good idea, don’t ya think????
puppygirl
Fortunately Mr. Wu is not a pet, although he is lovely. He’ll be totally capable of panda life in China or elsewhere when the time comes and he’ll enjoy it. So don’t be sad for him but happy!
Hey kristina~~
Thank you for your reply.
I watched the Smithsonian video “Pandas in the Wild” and their life is Totally unlike the Pandas at the zoo.
Couldn’t be better Anywhere! 
As we know, at the SDZ they are taken 100% + the Very Best Super Terrific Care!!
In the wild, they are Totally on their own.
For food. Certainly NO medical care. Have to watch out for predators. Have vicious fights for females to breed with.
Thank Goodness, at the zoo, they are taken care of like we take Excellent Care of our pets.
What comes to my mind is what happened to Poppy Gao and his Mom! Poor sweet baby:(
Anyway, just cannot see sweet, precious Wu Wuuu out there dealing with that harsh lifestyle after being loved and cared for at the zoo.
Wish I could think differently about the possibility of this happening to Li Wu Wu but my heart will not allow it!
Please don’t get me wrong. I don’t want his life to be harsh at the zoo to prepare him for the possibility of going into the wild!
lol Just look at his Exams! I love watching those! SO sweet, playful and gentle:)
IMHO, the Panda Keepers, Nannies and Vets couldn’t be harsh with any of the Pandas or other animals b/c they Love them.♥ That’s why they do what they do
I can’t handle seeing him fall !
I Love seeing him being Loved and Super Well Cared for!♥ And all of us Love seeing and watching him every day! ♥
Please excuse me getting emotional about this. Like I said, this sweet, precious darling is in my heart♥
I L.O.V.E. YOU, Wu Wu~~♥♥♥
puppygirl
Because our Wu Wu is zoo raised he WILL NOT be put into the wild. He probably be in a breeding program. His children MIGHT GET to live in the wild through the special release program they are working with now. His own nephew was in this program, but because of early handling problems with mom Su Lin he is now in the future breeding program, he may get to a zoo somewhere else in the world. He is safe. Non of the cubs born to either Bai Yun, Gao Gao, or her first hubby Shi Shi will ever go into the wild, but a few might be in the wild release program as parents. A lot depends on the mothering skills, since she teaches “BE A BEAR”. Of course any youngsters that do not meet the criteria for wild release will not be released. In another comment I mentioned a female that was an escapee after the 2008, (I think) earthquake, from a breeding center was re-acquired a year later, pregnant, so even some that were never prepared for release have survived. When Sweet Daddy Gao Gao was, I think 3years old, he had been trained in wild survival, but he came back and waited at the gate, so the tale goes, for the first keeper to arrive and give him breakfast-I am so happy he volunteered to be a daddy we get to know too. Love grammmie
Dear Dear Grammmie~~
THANK YOU SO MUCH for your post!!
If Li Wu Wuuu leaves us and goes to China is bad enough but even the thought of him being put into “the wild” is absolutely more than I can handle!!
Your post has relieved my mind of our sweet baby being put into “the wild”.
Thank You♥
That Poppy Gao came back to the gate and waited for the first keeper to get breakfast for him shows how smart he is!
Poppy is such a “love” ♥ Am SO happy he is here with us:)
Li Wu Wu is smart also. IMHO, he should “father” Fantastic cubbies
at the SDZ.:)
Geezzz, I L.O.V.E. Li Wu Wuuu so much♥
Thank You, Grammmie~~
puppygirl
Xiao Liwu does much rubbing of his whole self on the branches…sometimes more rubbing than actual climbing. He rubs his tummy, his face, everything! Is this some type of scent related behavior, does it satisfy a sensory need to be ‘petted’, or is it just a way to wiggle? So curious! It seems like the rubbing causes more tumbles than the actual climbing. Thank you!!!
This might sound like a silly question, but when Mr. Wu climbs as high as he can is there any possibility that he can jump to the outer rim of the enclosure? The camera makes it look so close. I was also wondering if you ever get any snakes or lizards in the garden area? Debbie, thanks again for the great work that you do and for making the exam of Mr. Wu come to life, and to all who participate in the care of these beautiful animals. Made my donation to Mr. Wu’s snow day ($30.00) hope we make our quota so that the entire Panda family can enjoy it. Again, thanks to all.
Moderator’s note: Thanks for your donation toward snow for pandas (and be sure to watch Polar Cam on their snow day this Saturday morning!). The cub would not be close enough to the exhibit walls to jump out, we made sure of that. I have not heard of any reptilian visitors.
When eating bamboo stems, how do the pandas locate the tough outer layer to peel so that they can eat the inner layer of the culm…do they see it or feel it when they put the culm their mouth? They are so fast at taking a bite, then peeling, and then eating more…can’t quite figure out how they locate the outer layer strips as they are sometimes very narrow to my eye.
Perhaps it is from good eye-boo coordination? Or perhaps it is learned during this time of watching Bai Yun fix her pieces of boo. I can hardly wait for the day she lets him prepare himself a nice big piece of boo, only to steal, quietly, the prepared result. I cannot say why it seems so funny, perhaps the mischief on her face and in her eyes…….they both seem to take it in stride, and he learns to be less open while eating. Perhaps it is an important message, they seem to act like they could step into the wild and survive. During the 2008 terrible earthquake one of the females in the breeding program got loose. She was recaptured a year later, pregnant by a wild male……maybe these life lessons make that possible…..love grammmie
I have often wondered about the same thing. They are so fast they sometimes look like some kind of bamboo-peeling machines.
Nap time for two in the garden room.
Many have asked about the cub nursing these days, and a movement yesterday reminded me about something to look for. Yesterday as Bai was called off exhibit, but a few minutes before she went she had invited Mr. Wu to nurse. They were both on the hammock, when she reached one paw up to hold on to a branch overhead. Her back was to the cam, and before he could react, she had lowered her front paw to react to the request that she go inside so cleanup and lunch could be arranged. So watch for her to hold one or the other arm to be held up, but remember he eats much quicker now than when he was pink….love grammmie
Hey “Poppy” Gao~~
Just checked on you. hehe!! Am sure you are a Happy guy as you are busy munch, munch, munching!!
You are SO sweet and handsome
Just wanted to say “HEY” to you!
You and the camera go SO well together♥
I LOVE YOU~~
puppygirl
yeah, only 125 more $10 donations and all of out pandas can have snow. Good going everyone, keep it coming. Yesterday it was 252 more, so we are doing good.
how cute, just watching little wu trying to eat boo, using all four paws just like a big boy, does he actual digest any of it. Just to cute for words.
There are some pictures of him keeping busy with bamboo on my Flickr-site that you maybe would like to look at.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kristina_a/
The photos are just adorable (and I’ve forwarded the link!!), but I do question the fact that he was mouthing bamboo. I happened to be watching at that time, and I had the feeling that he was chewing on some of the shrubbery…he kept pulling on it and it appeared to be attached to the big plant by the tree. Well, we all know that nothing is safe with a teething toddler. lol
Thank you Lou!
Maybe You are right and the plant was something else. To me it looked like something the keepers had put on the hammock so I thought it was bamboo for Bai. Would our Moderator know?
TY for the reminder of your Flickr name so I could check it out again. I particularly love the “flat panda” pose. I love when they totally relax on their backs so their whole bodies seem to loose all of their bones except in their heads. Love grammmie
4:45 PM….it’s the funniest thing: Mr. Wu in on Mom’s favorite platform playing with a multi-branch fork of something. Bamboo? He’s not quite sure how to handle all the pokey-ends, and he even brings his feetsies into play. Oh, dear, this is terminal cuteness!
Yesterday I donated for the snow for the pandas…..I wonder what Liwu will do when he touches the snow with his beautiful paws…….I get the biggest kick when I see Mr.Wu (as You call him), when he climbs on his mother like she was a mountain!!!!!!!! So adorable!!!!!!!! he is just sooooooooo cute!!!!!!!!
Will you go for Snow Day Danielle??? Love grammmie
I L.O.V.E. YOU, Precious Li Wu Wuuuu ♥♥♥
Nitey Nite, little darlin’ and Sweet Dreams~~
puppygirl
Check out PandasLiveOn site www (dot) pandasliveon.com/ for the entry dated 2/6/13 regarding the Chinese Lantern Festival in Texas. They had panda lanterns made of silky cloth, glass, and porcelain. Would be an event to go to, if only it were closer…
Also, you can volunteer at Bifengxia Panda Reserve www (dot) pandasinternational.org/volunteer.html . That would be one heck of an experience. An adventure of a lifetime.
There was quite a story last year, 5 special lady Tai Shan fans paid to volunteer, then managed to convince somebody that they were to work with him………and got to spend most of the week there with him. The center they were at must have been above the cloud line, because they were walking on clouds every time they got close to Tai, and they even got to feed him some snackies between the bars. It was quite an experience for them….love grammmie
There was another reason I wrot a reply here, but got to reading and writing stuff, even here. I have watched the Temple Grandin video, not to be missed!!! For an Autistic she made leaps and bounds in understanding autism, and explaining it to others. Just as there are many types of people there are many types of autism, I would say an expert in the subject. When I saw the movie I was blown away……she is a Phd and a professor at a college in Colorado I think, specializing in animal behavior. I will watch the other video later. Thank you, Betty for pointing out the link to us…love grammmie
Is anyone ever in touch with China to find out how Bai’s other children are doing? I have been reading some blogs about all of them and was wondering how they all are doing. I read Mei Sheng became a daddy, naturally, is that true? And I really wonder about Zhen Zhen, and Su Lin and if she is caring for her own baby now and not the surrogate. Hua Mei, I know has a cubbie 1 month younger than Liwu, was it a boy or girl and what did they name it?
She only cared for the surrogate (1/2 sibling to her baby) for 2 to 4 weeks, as soon as hers bulked up a bit she got him back. Her hubby’s other wife gave birth just 24 hrs after Su Lin. Daddy was a busy boy, but implantation rates vary they were not necessarily mated one day apart. Love grammmie
hi GAO GAO, you handsome cutie! I’m so happy to know you are in good health, esp. since I fell in love when I visited you for the first time last week. You are so calm and gentle, very dapper with much savior faire! You look somewhat taller on screen, but huggable from either standpoint. Bai is a lucky lady! It’s after dark now, but you are still outside chowing down on some boo. Sweet dreams….
Dear Shawn,
Thank you for your lovely note. Am glad you enjoyed your visit. My family and I love meeting our supporters. I do tell Missy Bai she is a lucky lady, hee hee. But I know I got the luck of the draw as she has given me 5 healthy and lovable cubbies.
Come and visit again.
Panda Hug,
Gao
And just how many snackies did you get for suggesting a return visit???? Love grammmie
Hey, Moderator, I know that keepers have written updates and articles about the Takin herd that’s located near the pandas every once in awhile. Well, I found out from the Zooborns website that San Diego Zoo has a brand new Takin calf that was born a few days ago! Unfortunately, there is nothing on any of the comments pages about this new Takin calf on this SDZ website! Anyway you can have someone write us an update about this new calf? We’re all interested and want to know more about how this calf is doing now.
Thanks!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Moderator’s note: A male was born on Feb. 2 to mother Summer and father Lian.
This page is photos taken within 1 hr of birth…love grammmie
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/page2/
aww. thanks for sharing the link. those were sweet pictures. nice of the newborn takin to stand in the light so RitaP could take some very nice photos. guess takin newborns are like elephants and can stand up right away.
Mo…a great many herd animals are that way, they often are born during migration time and need to keep up. Herd animals are almost always not animals that can or will defend themselves unless the trap is already set. Love grammmie
And I always love to share such wonderful photos. There are many wonderful photographers and videographers out there, for photos my fave is Rita Petita. Love grammmie
Wait until you see some groups from the past I gave you guys so you can enjoy them too…
I don’t know if I been tuning in at the wrong time or what but I saw Yunnie this morning for the first time in quite awhile. What a pleasant surprise.
Any word on the progress of his tree? I hope they get it up befor China does a recall on him.
Moderator’s note: It’s scheduled to be built in his exhibit this month.
It’s so darn cute watching Yun Zi doing his morning “shoulder rolls” as he anxiously awaits his breakfast of boo!
I was very happy to make my donation to the snow day today. I wish I could send you the 2 – 3 feet of snow that is predicted for my neck of the woods starting on Friday morning!!!
Now there is an idea, everybody who has snow-send a bucket! Snow is supposed to reach 2400 feet in our little mountains, who has some pickup trucks to fill??? Love grammmie
Snow day this Saturday fun the baby well have fun.I well have to see this
Moderator’s note: To clarify, Tina, this Saturday’s snow day is for our polar bears and brown bears. We are currently raising money through our Wish List to have snow for our pandas.
Hi! I am happy to read Gao Gao is my brother in blood draws this week!
You guys used to give him piles of biscuits and fruit on his little table. It was a joy to see him “pat his biscuits” and push his food together as he seemed to sit at his table. I have noticed you don’t do that anymore. Is it because his teeth are better so he can now eat more bamboo?
Now that Gao Gao’s appetite is back to normal, we are starting to do “food scatters” with his biscuits. You will see several small piles of his food around the exhibit. We will even put some of them in a toy or ball so he has to work for them.
Dear Friends,
Papa has to work hard for his treats as you can see. Am very well. TQ all for the concern, hee hee.
Panda love,
Gao Gao
I just made a $30.00 donation in hopes that all three exhibits will get some snow, but I was wondering if they would stagger the snow application. I would love to be able to see the first reactions of all the pandas, but if they are given the snow at the same time, I’m sure we’ll only be able to see just one camera view. Any idea how the snow will be introduced?
Moderator’s note: Thank you for your donation, Trina. If enough $$ is raised for all three panda exhibits to have snow, it would have to be applied one exhibit at a time, but I don’t think the pandas would be released into their respective exhibits until the snow blower truck (not sure if that is the correct term!) is finished and moved out. We might be able to coordinate Panda Cam with individual releases.
Thank you for your response. It would be wonderful if the cams could be coordinated somehow. At any rate, I am looking forward to their special snow day and hope the donations continue so that they all get their day in the snow!
Trina-if we only started a week ago we are doing great, last total tonight was 100 needed to reach our 400. I think we will finish it in no time. Perhaps some of us only get paid once a month, that being the case maybe at the first of next month we will get there and fly to the end!!! Love grammmie
I see thanks
I watch the pandas every day.mostly all day.mr woo is so cute and scares the heck out of me when he falls or mother gives him a nulge.I can tell how much he has grown and learning ability from mom.I am in tennessee and can not come there .so thanks for all the info and such good care of the pandas
You do have a pair in Memphis, do you get there to see them? Love grammmie
Here are 3 videos from Wednesday: In the 1st we see Bai Yun take over Xiao Liwu’s mini-hammock, only to have him reclaim it. Other scenes where they encounter each other are also included. The 2nd is all close-ups of Xiao Liwu on the Garden Room platform, and includes him doing a head-stand in the corner. The 3rd is mostly closeups of Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu on the platform, and includes Bai Yun lifting him by the scruff and putting him on the log … shortly after the Panda Cam switched to Yun Zi’s exhibit for the night.
2013-02-06 Xiao Liwu’s Hammock: Two’s a Crowd
http://youtu.be/HuQV4O-ZDjM
2013-02-06 BOLO: Cutie Patootie on the Platform
http://youtu.be/iqao3GwcUi8
2013-02-06 Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu: Garden Room Delights
http://youtu.be/PG29wIECpOs
Thank you for leaving the Panda Cam on Yun Zi’s exhibit ~ he went on a tear through his exhibit this morning around 6am ~ it was thrilling to see him having so much fun!
Thanks for the videos again Doxiemom. That handstand was really funny. Those claws of his look real sharp!
Thank you for the hours of fun you provide for us, Doximom. I can just hear Papa Gao Gao, when he saw the handstand, say “Bravo…that’s my little man”. Like father, like son!
That headstand is the cutest thing ever – six months old and he’s practicing scent marking, do you think? Would Bai be doing that – is he copying her behaviour?
A hugh thank you, Doxie Mom, for your tremendous work on the videos. I know it takes time to do that and is a labor of love as we all are in love with Wu and Bai. I have you ‘subscribed’ on my smartphone and check every evening because you surely catch things I miss and capture the exact items I wish I could have done. So thank you so much for your time and effort! It’s really appreciated.
Thank You again for Your videos! I appreciate them so much, because it’s night here in Finland while you have afternoon there. And of course because they are so marvellous.
Mama Bai pushed Mr. Wu off of the hammock a short time ago, I noticed that he was kind of favoring his back right leg. Can someone check and make sure that he wasn’t hurt. The camera did not follow him directly after the fall, so I don’t know how far or how hard the fall was. Right after that the caretakers entered to clean the garden. He is now back on the hammock and sleeping. Thank you in advance.
When I have seen the NannyKeepers enter the enclosure the first thing they do is to greet, scratch and feed Mr. Wu…..AND they get paid to do that!!! Of course they also have to clean lots of places, pick up leftover food, drain and clean the pond, and put out fresh food. I bet in between they scratch Wu’s back, chatter with him, tell him how wonderful he is, and give him a few more snackies……love grammmie
The mini-hammock is such a good reference to show how much Mr. Wu is growing. Remember when he barely filled a corner and now he fills half of the space!!! Such a big boy he is getting to be! We love you, Xiao Liwu!
I noticed that too!
Xiao Li Wu did look quite big today. a big surprise.
The NannyKeepers enjoy a good joke now and then…..they switch hammock sizes…..just an optical illusion….love grammmie
Those nannykeepers are almost as tricky as H R H Bai!
Oh, Grammie! Your inside knowledge is priceless!
Only think about the bamboo-cocktails! 
I think what the enclosure jungle gym needs is a second hammock. Then there would be a fewer incidents of falling. It is good to know that he is getting better at catching other branches on the way down. See proof in photo link in second color change down, I replied to Danielle in San Diego…love grammmie
Wheres Yunior?
Hee Hee, in San Diego. Are you gonna come and visit me?
Panda hug,
Yun Zi
Is the surf up??? He may not love the water, but he does like surfing, maybe he took a few days off……..love grammmie
I just saw Mommy Bai Yun push her darling panda cub Liwu off the platform…I know this is not suppose to hurt him the darling, but he kind of looked stunned, and waited a bit then went back up and climbed behind his mom…I know! we were told she teaches him things that way, but he is just a baby, and he doesn’t understand……It’s difficult to see him fall, I hold my breath each time…..
If you find the 3 photos in a row showing the incident it gives an explanation in writing below the photos….I hope it helps….love grammmie
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/page2/
Maybe he just ponderd if he would try again or do something else. I have noticed he takes mommies lessons very in the matter-of-fact way.
Xiao Li Wu must have been tired out by mid afternoon. he looked like he was standing on hind quarters behind Bai (on the garden platform) and he was using her back like a pillow. funny little fellow.
This is what it would look like from the back…. Bai Yun was in need of a little back rub….I guess Gao Gao was sleeping……..love grammmie
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/8451052108/in/photostream
Great link, Grammmie, thanks. RitaPetita manages to catch the best moments, doesn’t she?!
is there something wrong with the cams, all I get is a white screen and a little blue circle with a line through it in the top left hand of the screen.
Hope I can see my pandas before they all get tucked in for the night.
Cute video I like the hand stand he did it was cute
Moderator, I wonder if Liwu the sweet adorable panda cub was hurt from all those falls and he was trying to get close to his mom for comfort, poor baby!!!!!!
I donated $40 to help getting the snow for the pandas, Is there any way to know if we are close to the amount needed????? Maybe the snow will take away any discomfort he has from all these falls…..
Moderator’s note: With generous folks like you, Danielle, we are VERY close to our snow goal!
Since he has no dating commitments this year, will Gao Gao be holding his seminar, “How to Become a Panda Dad the Natural Way” for the clueless Tian Tian, Yang Yang, and Le Le?
Only if they can coordinate their schedules. They love to come so they can help themselves to Gao’s stock of cigars and boo………………love grammmie
I was wondering….ZZ seemed to try to look into other enclosures…..does Yun Zi seem interested in looking into the other enclosures, or is he more interested in his Aunties, Unkas, and especially Auntie Rita???
I have heard that even though Gao Gao gives Good Face he is even more interested in posing for NekoMama7 . love grammmie
How fun will it be to watch our own SDZ pandas doing this in the snow…we can make it happen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNnyA-hmMew
Was the panda building a snow man, or was he killing an existing one???
Love grammmie
Xiao Li Wu’s Essay No 3
Title: My brudders…no, bruvvers….oh.bother….errm, brothers
I have two older brothers. Mei Sheng is my oldest brother and he lives in China far far away. He is there to get married. Mama is still wooking for a nice girl for him.
Mama says in our traditional ways the Mamas will meet and decide before the boy and girl get to meet. I still not sure what marriage is all about but it sounds good since Mama and Papa have been married for almost 10 years. Also Mama giggles every time Papa wooks at her in a funnie goofy way.
My second brother Yun Zi is here in San Diego with me. He is a happy, handsome bear (He told me to wite that, hee hee, but he is.) He is enjoying being a sub-adult. He loves his hammock. Sometimes Yunnie comes to babysit me and I wike chatting with him. He tells me all the funny twicks Mama will play on me. Hee Hee, she is vewwy sneaky. She always comes up softly behind me and then she uses her bum bum to push me off the pwatfowm. Poooh, naughty Mama but I wuv her lots and lots.
Yunnie likes to teach hoomans to love pandas and animals. He is sad when he reads a stowwy about how a hooman hurts or kills an animal. I don’t unnerstand why. Why would anyone wanna hurt animals? I dont wanna hurt hoomans. I wike hoomans, I wike Mr Dr Vet who wooks after me, Debbie and Aunty Kaffie and and and all the other nannykeepers. I wike the pats and scwitches and hugs. I hope I have more eckzams. The last one was so funny. They twickled me and the Wu self nearly wee wee. Not hee hee cos Mama would have been mad.
Yunnie and I wike to go and play in the twees. He is a good cwimber. He says it is cos he wowks out and has muscles. As a ge ge, he is as good as it gets because he wuvs me and wooks after me. I wike it when he swings me in the air. Sometimes he lets go and catches me. It is so fun.
Sheng is coming for Chinese New Year on Sunday. So are all my sissies. It should be fun and I want to ask Sheng about his lady. It is never too eawly to learn about girls, hee hee.
Excellent Xiao Liwu. Loved the essay. Thanks for learning all about reading and writing too.
Excellent Master Wu! I give your essay an A+++!
Happy new year dear little Wu Wu! I bet you’ll be looking extra adorable in you new silk outfit! And Yunnie will practice strutting his panda stuff for his panda girl. Mama and Papa must be proud of you. Happy new year to all the panda family — that includes the hoomans too!
Hey Sweet Wu Wu~~
I LOVE reading your essays!
You do write a Super Good one!
Am sure you’ll have a Terrific time Sunday.
hehe!! Hope you learn somethng about girls!
HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!!!!!!
I L.O.V.E. YOU~~♥
puppygirl
So darn cute. Xiao Liwu is learning to pace this morning. He does need to practice his putting on the brakes though. He keeps running into Bai’s rear end.
Did you notice how sometimes he sat in the bedroom doorway as if to say “I know you’ll be coming back this way”? I loved it when he would occasionally break into a ‘run’. Isn’t he so dear?
LOL!!! That was SO Funny how he would just sit there at the doorway!!
Bless his heart♥ He tries So hard to keep up with her♥
He IS a little darling♥
puppygirl
LOLLOL!!!!! LOVE your post!!!!
Does Xiao Liwu practice his bathroom skills on his own yet?
Bai Yun is still cleaning up Mr. Wu’s fecal eliminations. It will be soon, possibly in the next two months, when we start seeing baby panda poop.
BRAVO to whomever is on the camera this morning – am loving watching the early morning activity of Bai and LiWu…
Dear moderator, Can you tell me what the light yellow stuff on the floor of the garden room was this morning? I saw the carrots in the corner by the door too but I couldn’t figure out what the other pile of food was. Tks:)
If it is light yellow stuff that is roundish, it may be my poop, hee hee. Pandas do not absorb that much from boo so we pass out a fibrous lump.
Panda hugs,
Bai Yun
Oh my! I feel a little foolish now. I’ve seen the droppings before but they were hole pieces. I guess this was trampled through with all the pacing back and forth. At least everything has come to pass as it should. LOL
LUV U BAI OOXXOO
I’m not sure, Bonnie, but I’m guessing it was what the remains of the food after it passed ‘go’. Although the yellow and orange color was a bit different, there was so much of it all around and their veggies are very small servings…hard to know for sure without a sniff test.
I, personally, thought the floor was in need of cleaning. Were it food Bai would have been eating it, not pacing, waiting for more….love grammmie
It was probably Bai Yun’s feces. Some of them are soft and some just look like broken-up bamboo.
To the cam operators, Do you think you could zoom out for the big picture a little more often? While I love the HD cameras, its nice to see the big picture sometimes just like the visitors to the SDZ do. Especially when BaiYun is nearby. My Grandpa used to complain when watching a movie with a couple dancing and the camera had them from the waist up. He wanted to see the footwork of the dance as well. Get the picture?
Thank you 
PS I hope you consider this constructive criticism. I appreciate all of your work and certainly don’t want to upset anyone. Thanks again.
Good idea. It was like when my children and little sister were marching in the Rose Parade on New Years…..the close-ups on individuals were nice, for their moms and sisters, but if we cannot see ours we want to see the whole picture. Same with football 1/2 time shows, closeups mean we cannot see the patterns the bands make. I, too, love the closeups but occasional overall views are nice when there is no action, and the volunteers have time. Love grammmie
Sweet to see our little munchkin sleeping happily in a sunbeam….
Two new videos just posted from the early hours of Thursday and Friday: In the 1st Xiao Liwu shows an interest in the wire ceiling of the Garden Room (cute footage of a very curious cub) … and the 2nd is compiled/edited/sped up footage showing Xiao Liwu playing follow the leader, climbing, and playing with bamboo while he and his mother were awaiting her breakfast. Please note this is at 1.5 speed.
2013-02-07 Xiao Liwu: Ceiling Inspector
http://youtu.be/iDQlL7e2h_c
2013-02-08 Xiao Liwu’s Early Morning Workout
http://youtu.be/UMkuYhSkW2s
Loved the “ceiling inspector” title on the first one, that is what I think when I see him at the tree tops….love grammmie
Can anyone tell me….. why do panda’s sleep with their heads below them…..even the cubs do it…it is like their head is too heavy for their body?
We seem to think (tongue in cheek) the Lady Pandas do it for treating their faces to lots of extra circulation, keeping them so young and lovely looking. When was the last time you saw a wrinkled face on the ladies??? As for the guys…..they learn “being a bear” from their momma’s, so maybe that is why. Okay boys, just what is the reason. Between Sweet Daddy Gao Gao, Yunior, and young Mr. Wu we can get an answer. It looks like poor H I H Bai Yun needs a visit from her sister pandas in the U. S. A……she is surrounded with testosterone. Love grammmie
uh oh. it’s a rainy day and Xiao Li Wu is down into the moat.
It’s pouring at the zoo right now. Bai Yun just sleeps on but little Xiao Liwu got up and went right down into the moat. Or I think he did as he is in the right front corner under the light guard. The cam operator tried everything possible to find him but he seems to be hiding. Hope the rain doesn’t last for too long.
Hi moderator,
I just love to watch darling sweet Liwu when he wakes up from a nap. He stretches his little hind legs ,like he is standing on his furry little paws… He is so darling, what a love he is……….
Hi: Just curious here…How far away from the Pandas are the elephant yards? The pandas are enjoying a lovely California sunshine day, and the elephant yards at the Safari Park have rain puddles all over. Thanks for sorting this out for me.
Marijane
Moderator’s note: About 35 miles! The elephants you see on Elephant Cam live at our San Diego Zoo Safari Park. We also have elephants at the Zoo, but we don’t have an Elephant Cam for them.
Actually, its pouring there right now, (12:42 p.m. California time)
MariJane
35 miles, eh. Well, that makes sense. Thanks. Just a few minutes ago (about 10), the panda cam panned their area and there were puddles there now, too. And I saw steam coming from Bai and cubbie. Here in PA we’re dealing with a Nor’easter…TRA-LA!
MariJane
Would you please post your mailing address again. I would like to send in my ‘Snow Day’ donation and have misplaced the paper I wrote it on. Thank you, Bernice.
Moderator’s Note: Our mailing address is P.O. Box 120551, San Diego, CA 92112-0551. Thanks for your generosity!
In a previous blog, you showed us a close up pic of Mr. Wu’s hind foot. I believe there was something about daddy Gao Gao, having some kind of webbed foot? Is there any way, you could show us a side by side pic of both daddy and Mr. Wu’s foot? I don’t think I’ve ever seen Gao Gao’s foot, the webbed part anyway. I would totally love to see the comparison.