Yun Zi’s done a lot of growing since his 3rd birthday.
Panda Yun Zi, now 3 1/2, has been off exhibit while his new artificial tree is created. Keepers report that he is enjoying his time off exhibit with all the extra attention he gets from them! As you may know, Yun Zi has access to an enclosure that is next to the north exhibit where his younger brother, Xiao Liwu, and mother are during the day. This has provided great fun for Yun Zi!
In this off-exhibit enclosure, Yun Zi can scamper up a climbing structure high enough to peek into the north exhibit to see his mother and brother. And, he can peek at them and sniff them through the doors that connect the two exhibits. This is very exciting for Yun Zi but is not appreciated by his mother! While he is up high or at the door, Yun Zi calls to his family members with soft, friendly bleats. These are answered with barks and chomps from Bai Yun, basically telling him to back off. After all, Bai Yun’s priority is to protect her newest cub from any intruder, even if that intruder is her older son. Yun Zi takes these reproaches in stride–no harm done!
Many of you have been wondering about snow day(s). We are hoping to have the first snow day sometime next month, on a day that has not yet been finalized. When we have a firm date, we will post it on the Panda Cam page. More good news: thanks to generous donors, enough money has been raised to provide Xiao Liwu with an additional snow day on his birthday!
Debbie Andreen is an editor and blog moderator for San Diego Zoo Global.
Is there an Artist rendition of what the new climbing tree will look like wen it’s completed ? Tank-You
Moderator’s note: We do not have a blueprint of the climbing structure to share. But it should be finished in the next few weeks for all to see!
Thanks so much for the update on Yun Zi and I was wondering – does Xiao Liwu
notice Yun Zi also, and if so, has he had a reaction to his older brother?
Debbie responds: Yes, they sniff each other through the connecting door.
That’s gotta be cute … too bad we can’t see any pics/vids of those little encounters!
That must be lovely to see. Yes it is a pity we can’t see photos or a video of this encounter. I, too, miss Yun Zi and his antics. Any idea when his tree will be finished and in place? Thank you, Debbie, for this great information, and renewed thanks to the ever patient Moderators!
Debbie responds: It should be ready by the end of this month, depending on how long it takes the concrete to set.
An encounter through a door might go something like the photo and captions below, and the next four after it. It was Yun Zi, with Su Lin on the other side of the gate.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/4403332790/in/photostream
thanks for sharing the story of Yun Zi. that’s too bad Bai has to warn Yunnie off. not sure why but I was surprised that he was calling Bai and Xiao Li Wu. is this the first time Yunnie has had visual access to Xiao Li Wu?
off topic, I like to catch Bai and XLW’s play sessions. I feel like XLW usually instigates play by chasing Bai and trying to bite her. then they might play for a time. play for Bai seems to include administering a baff. at that point, it seems like XLW wants to run away but Bai usually gets her way and gives him a baff.
Debbie responds: Yes, this has been Yun Zi’s first sighting of his little bro.
thanks Debbie for the response. then maybe Yunnie is saying, “Hey mom, who’s that little guy?” Bai is responding, “This is your new little brother. You better not even think about rough-housing with him.”
Poor Yunnie! He’s used to being loved. Wow, being rejected by your own mom!Hope that doesn’t change his bouncy personality.
I know I’m attaching human emotions to them but I found that sad too
If you think like a bear, it’s not a “rejection” since he hasn’t been with Bai for more than a year. I don’t think his feelings were hurt.
Thanks for the update on Yun Zi’s activities. We have sorely missed that lovable guy!
I was wondering if Bai Yun would have been more receptive to Yun Zi’s friendly calls if she didn’t have Xiao Liwu, or are the maternal ties pretty much severed after weaning?
Debbie responds: She might think she’d have to share her food again, and we all know how Bai Yun feels about that!
Somebody needs to try to explain something to Bai. Yunior would come with a full supply of bamboo, she might end up with more!
Wonderful newsy blog .. glad to hear our laid-back Yun Zi takes his mother’s barking in stride and he’s enjoying a change of pace & environment in the off-exhibit yard. So much to look forward to, seeing his new tree, and the snow days!
Here are 3 really adorable videos from Thursday, today:
2013-02-28 Xiao Liwu: On his Pillow with his Bamboo
http://youtu.be/52YwtUpJZ98
2013-02-28 Xiao Liwu (finally) gets to His Ball on His Hammock
http://youtu.be/cCvweJY3_6s
2013-02-28 Xiao Liwu: Unpredictable, Fearless, Adorable …
http://youtu.be/W1rVfFpsOao
I’ve been doing a lot of videos but didn’t post the links until earlier today in the previous blog’s comment section. Good luck finding them
Thanks again Doxie Mom / for the cuteness of our Cub / what a charmer he is.
I did not see how he got so dirty in that last video … he’s certainly a rough & tumble little guy. Love seeing great big mommy butt and little bitty baby butt
Thanks again Doxiemom & SDZ
These three videos are smile makers and breath-holders
Thank you, DoxiMom for every single video moment you share!!!
Mr Wu isn’t a chubby cubby anymore. I notice how long his body is getting; just growing into a big boy.
Dear Panda Team:
I have a few questions for you, please:
A) Was Bai ever a wild panda?
B) I know in the wild pandas are lone animals; what would happen if all the ‘domestic’ pandas got to co-habit? The only dangerous element to little Wu is Mom with her biting, dragging, dropping, and strong reluctance to nurse. Would his sibling attack him? Or her? Or vice versa; would Yun Zi choose to attack her?
In China videos I see large numbers of pandas interacting and using bottles all in a cluster on their backs for their milk (so darling)! I don’t know if its a rule, but I read that panda moms of twins won’t raise/nurse both so they switch them (to fool her). When they are older than very young, they get fed milk from bowls lined up side-by-side on the floor. They can get along. Perhaps at a certain point later on they are separated – I haven’t yet seen that in the You Tube videos of orphans and captive-born in China.
Just seems rough for ‘domestic/captive’ born pandas to be so close and kept separated. Any info you can pass along will be appreciated. : )
Panda Team responds: A) Bai Yun was born at Wolong. See our Meet the Pandas page for her bio. B) The staff at Wolong have been very successful at transititoning pandas from the group nursery as first year cubs to housing 2 to 3 sub-adults together and eventually housing them separately as young adults.
Thank you SOOO much for your great response to my questions. AND, for the suggestion of the Meet the Pandas page; sorry to admit I had never even noticed it before. Lots of info there.
Even though the SDZ has a protocol to protect the Zoo staff from injuries from the various animals, I pray God will watch over both your charges and yourselves. You are doing a tremendously important service for the planet! Thank you for that!
Is the way Bai Yun told Yun Zi to back off common in Pandas. Do you know what would happen if they ever came face to face with one another.
I feel sorry for Yun Zi but I’m sure that’s what it would be like in the wild if another panda approached a mom and her cub be it a strange or familiar panda
Debbie responds: It is common.
Once an older cub is seperated from it’s Mother, does she forget that it was her’s? Or would she remember it by it’s scent?
Debbie responds: We can’t know that for sure, but her keepers feel she knows who Yun Zi is.
Thanks Debbie! You’re an awesome moderator, very patient and always do your best to answer our questions.
Debbie responds: You are most welcome, Daisy. We do our best here at moderator HQ!
What she REALLY knows is that he’d want some of her food. That’s not going to happen. She might have to give him an old fashioned (oh never mind) that’s not kosher any more is it? Wouldn’t put it past her. It’s her job to keep him in order.
She remembered her mothers scent years later, so she knows
I am glad the tree will be finished soon so Yunior can play more
! That was so sweet for Yunnie to have a friendly “Hi” bleat to his family… that lovable boy… ever so endearing! I hope he’ll get a chance to meet Wunior in the howdy gate someday. I know Mei Sheng seemed to be interested in seeing his Daddy Gao in the howdy gate at one time but Papa Gao was mostly interested in his Boo..
So excited to see Yunnie play with his new tree!
That’s how it was with the NZ pandas. Back when Tai Shan was small, he could see daddy Tian Tian through the howdy gate and showed immense interest in Tian. Tian, however, did not show the same interest in his son.
Thanks for the update Debbie. I will be watching for the upcoming snow day and am very pleased to hear that Xiao Liwu, and Bai Yun too, will have another snow day on July 29, 2013.
Would be nice if Snow Day #1 was during Pandamonium (March 22 or 23). Just a hint and nudge.
Thank you all at SDZ and DoxieMom for making this XL Gift feel all mine (and yes, I’m sure he is “all mine” several-times-over around the globe). Thank you for bringing the joy of Pandas this troop (not sure what a group of pandas (pandi) are called) has brought my family.
In China where there are groups of young Pandas it is called a panda kindergarten, I believe. They house the youngest that way to allow them contact like they would have with a mother. Here we try to use normal times for separation, at around 18 months, then the cub no longer needs the mother, and is eating bamboo and snackies. Yun Zi is about the same size and weight as momma if they were to meet and fight – they both would get hurt. And we would all be saddened.
Mama bears will be mama bears. Living in an area with black bears practically our next door neighbors, every year sees young confused sub-adults roaming around that have been run off by their mothers. Bai Yun is only doing what she thinks is right to protect her baby from what she perceives as danger from Yun Zi. Right now, the best way for Yunni and Wu to interact is through the howdy door although I’ll bet Bai doesn’t like that either!
Thanks Debbie for the update. I am glad that Yun Zi got to see his little bro thru the gate but sad that his mom was upset by this. I can understand that Bai is protecting her latest little one and that Yun Zi just took it in stride.
Debbie responds: I don’t think she gets upset; she’s just letting him know he needs to keep his distance.
would you open the howdy gate for the brothers to meet after Wu has been weaned.
I remember Su Lin and Zhen Zhen met through the gate
Debbie responds: We don’t yet know if Yun Zi will still be here next year.
he has to stay, bring in a girlfriend for him
I understand the agreement with China about cubs when they are a certain age, but dear me! I can’t imagine SDZ without Yun Zi. We NEED them in the US.
I sure hope Yunnie will stay longer though… He is just a sweet boy!
Can’t SDZ just request for Yunnie to be here a little longer… maybe till after Wuzi is weaned so he can say hi to his little Brother in the howdy gate… Well, if it were upto the panda fans, we want all of them here but such is the contract… I will just miss Yunnie so much with his playful personality.. So maybe SDZ can make a “gentle request” to have Yunnie here a little longer… He has to enjoy his tree to the fullest
)
wow!! Is Yun Zi that old already? busy, busy bear! I wish sometime their could be a ‘family portrait’ of such of all of them. They probably wouldn’t get along very nice though.
Cindy,
Computers can do wonderful things with pictures. I bet they could put together a composite picture if needed.
All we would need is a genius and photo shop, the portrait would be wonderful. In fact if somebody had the “right” photos saved we could start with one of Shi Shi, Bai and Hua Mei, then with Gao and Sheng added, now add on Su Lin, next year ZZ, Yun Zi and finally our “Little Gift”. What a treat that seat of family portraits would be. We could all line our favorite rooms with our favorite family. Love grammmie
How about a family portrait being done and then it being available for sale as a fundraiser? Would something like that be possible?
I could see it being successful, since all of us would buy one for ourselves, and one for someone special we love, but does not read the blog. The two closest ways we have it is a gift to Rita Petita with each baby, for Mother’s Day for her by a friend that looks like a “Card” , before knowing there would be a number 6. The others are individual portraits of all of of the family, with the same background. They might be from Shi Shi and Bai Yun down, or Basi and her fellow on down, but they are in the online grouping of the special edition for November 2012. How lucky we are! ! !
It s 3:40 p.m. here in San Diego and I have the pandacam on. I thought the panda I was watching was Bai Yun but if baby Wu is “off exhibit” and they are not separated, then this can’t be so because I see zoo guests taking pictures. Whom have I been watching in the afternoons?
Debbie responds: It’s Gao Gao right now (4:07 p.m.).
Thanks Debbie. So, when Mr. Wu and mommy are “off display” and we see Panda on Pandacam, then it’s daddy ?
Debbie responds: Not necessarily. Panda Cam can show Mr. Wu in the off-exhibit garden room. It just depends on what the cam operator feels is the most interesting or which panda is most visible.
So nice to hear about our dear Yun Zi — sure miss seeing him on cam! But it’s good to know he’s contented and receiving lots of attention and also being able to see Bai and Xiao Liwu. I asn’t at all surprised to hear that Bai Yun warns him off, and was glad to hear that he takes it in stride. Looking forward to seeing him and the new tree soon, not to mention a SNOW DAY!!!
She wants them kept separated, I think she knows what kind of trouble two boys of hers might get into. Neither one is “bad” but imagine the trouble they might get into……love grammmie
What great videos today! How cute it would be to have a video of the two meeting and talking to each other. I wish we had sound to hear mom Bai talking to Yun Zi. Can not wait for Yun Zi reaction when he sees his new tree!
Glad to hear that Yun Zi is getting his tree soon. He will be a happy Panda. Think it is neat that Yun and Wu get to sniff each other. Bai is just protecting Little Wu. It would be neat to watch that. The videos that Doxiemom posted are great. I still don’t like seeing Wu fall but he sure takes his falling great. Glad that Bai is close by when that happens. I sure wish I could come and see them. Maybe in June I will be able to come. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Oh no, don’t say that we may lose Yuni Zi next year. He’s so much fun to watch and he was the 1st panda I saw being born and watch him grow up. I know we lost ZZ and her sister, that was a sad day. But what will be will be.
Poor Yunnie!!!!!! XXOO to him! We welcome his friendly bleats anytime!
As sad as it sounds, it is the recipe for survival. If they were out in the wild, what would happen if one bear harmed a young cub, whether is was their sibling or not? I wonder if Yun Zi remembers that Bai is his mother…probably…and curious about the new one. Or if they are simply bears nearby that he is curious about in general. Who knows! But together it would not be good, so happily just a distant view and short chat and soon he will be busy with his new tree!!
Will any of the pandas be released to the wild in China.If they do remain in zoos do u think over time pandas could become less solitary animals?I love watching and Wu is where I started but YunZi ses very special to me Thank everyone for this priveledge
Reading you say yun zi might not be here next year.. Its extremely sad. His our boy. I will be sad to see him go even if it is for a good reason. He should stay …. They all should.
Love these blogs! Thanks so much for always keeping us panda fans “in the know”.
A big thank you, too, to Debbie/moderators/panda team for taking the time to answer so many questions! Very informative, very much appreciated!
Yun Zi must be happy to know he is not alone anymore. That family is nearby.
I thought it was previously posted that snow day is March 19th. I have written to folks to make sure they watch the fun.
Has it changed now? Lets hope its not as dry and hot as its been this week.
Debbie responds: That date is not longer absolute. Be sure to check the Panda Cam page for a posting of the scheduled snow day.
The further adventures of Wu Wu the Adventurer
“Whizz” and the lasso flew through the air and snagged one perfectly round panda ear. The lasso tightened which caused the owner of that ear to stop eating some delicious boo shoots. It is a rare moment when she stops eating for anything.
Queen Bai Yun looked around. The young adventurer Wu Wu the Small grinned at her as he sat on his pretend horsey, his inflated doughnut.
‘Good morning, Mama Ma’am,’ he greeted her. He sheepishly went up to her to remove the lasso. ‘I guess I need more pwactise.’
‘Wu Wu, why do you have those leaves on your head?’ asked his Mama, the Queen of all she surveys.
‘Oh, this is my special hat. I am Wu Wu the Small and I am your personal pwotector!’ and with that he jumps up and brandishes a small boo stalk. He slices the air above his head but in doing so he knocks all the leaves off.
‘Oops, there goes my hat. Never mind, Wu Wu is here, Mama Ma’am, I am here to do as you command,’ and he does a deep bow. He has been practising under the tutelege of Sir Yunior the Extra Fluffy.
‘Would Wu Wu do me a big favour?’ purrs Queen Bai as she sits demurely on her garden ledge.
‘Yes, Mama Ma’am, just say the word and Wu Wu the Small will travel the world and the seven seas for you. Your wish is my command.’
‘Mama so loves you foot rubs and you are sooooo good at them. Can you give Mama one now?’
‘At once.’
And soon Wu Wu was biting and kneading his Mama’s feetsies as she eats her boo. Once in a while she giggled as he tickled her soles. Later he stood before her. He had replaced his hat with some flowers. He still carried his bamboo sword.
‘Kneel!’ commanded Queen Bai. He did, albeit a bit wobbly.
She used a long lance of boo and tapped him on his shoulder.
‘For providing brave and dutiful service, I name thee Sir Wu Wu the Small, Defender of the Boo Queen. Arise Sir Wu Wu.’
And with great pride, the Wu self stood to attention as his Mama gave him the lance. He ran off with it and brought it to his platform and there he played with it all day, happily leaving Queen Bai Yun the Wise to catch up on her beauty sleep and her perfectly round ears free from cubby molestations.
YUN ZI spotting! Today i left the panda exhibit around 12 and climbed the steep stairs near the aviary. I stopped on the landing to take a breather, and looked toward the panda exhibit off in the distance. There was big brother Yun Zi in the north exhibit! I knew it was him b/c the space was to the right of the roof (his usual area is on the left, with GG’s) and I could tell it wasn’t Bai and Wu’s area b/c of the terrain. He was… wait for it…. EATING! Plus, i saw the crew working on his new tree. it looks like they are sculpting a huge tree trunk from a wire mesh, and i guess they’ll pour the concrete mix into it?
Anyway, Daddy Gao Gao didn’t seem to mind… he was also having lunch! Bai was ready for lunch, but Baby Wu had just crawled up from the moat and was dirtier than ever. Surely a baff in his future. All is grand in panda land!
I’ve been wondering what Bai’s been sniffing at and barking about. So now we know. So sweet that Yunnie scampers up to see them both…. but sad to think of him maybe on his way home to China sometime soon.
So interesting to hear about their interactions. I am looking forward to seeing Yunnie’s on his new tree in June. xx
If you could defer it till Wunior’s Bday, you might get a snow treat, too
… that will be a memorable vacation indeed. Moderator, do they have a definite day yet for the “Summer Snow” day? I am thinking BIll and I may be able to go that time as I think we certainly miss this March Snow time frame.
Moderator’s note: I believe it will be on or near his birthday, July 29.
Thanks Moderator… What a treat that would be if it will coincide with his Bday – 1st Ice cake !!! … and another snow treat! One precious cub deserves all the joy
When a bear is off exhibit we miss them, so I thought I would try to take away some of the aches and pains by alerting you to great photos posted, like Yun Zi. Love grammmie
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/8513559388/in/photostream
Here is a great one of Bai and Mr. Wu at the water cooler.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/8515247013/in/photostream
A page full of Gift photos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/
And some of Yunz page………
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/page2/
Enjoy all you can………..
I just read under the photo that he told her he does not play in the water…..does he not know we have all seen hin wash his paws, face, AND HIS TOUSHIE in that very drinker???? I used to think it was a bowl that water was put in by the animals triggering the right thing, I did not know until recently that it was a tubular pipe type thing, that gets rinsed and filled. Just how many Jr. Toushies have been washed in it??? Funi in Australia pointed it out by putting one of her feet and leg down into it during a play session with her special NannyKeeper. I keep learning new things. Love grammmie
Just love Mom and Mr Wu chatting by the water cooler. Whatever she’s saying it looks like he’s all ears.
I just read that the “Summer Snow Day” has been all paid for, I was going to send mine on the first. I guess I need to see if I can find something else to contribute to, or to put it with the money I am saving to buy a used fridge, kit will befit summer when the darned thing self-defrosts a few times too many.
I like to have a working fridge in case some pandas come to visit, we would need space to chill their bamboo! Love grammmie
‘Hey, baby bro, how’s it going?’ asked Yunior as he climbed the tree to sit with Wu Wu on his platform.
‘Ssssshhhhh, beware!’ hissed the little one.
‘Oops, what should I beware of?’ asked the handsome older brother [Hey! I am telling the story, OK! -YZ].
‘She can hear us. She has magic ears that is why they are perfectly round. Saterrite dishes. She picks up all the noises and whispherings. Papa says she is able to know what you are going to say before you say it.’
‘You mean M…..’ Yunnie was prevented from speaking further by a well placed paw.
‘Ssssssh, dont say her name or her title.’
‘Ooooooh, she who cannot be named….hee hee hee,’ giggled Yunnie.
‘I am in my castle. This is MY castle and I am on my throne, see!’ and Wu points to his nice brown much loved pillow.
‘OK and what does King Wu want?’
‘I fink I wike the title Emperor Wu better.’
‘Really? How about Sultan? That has a nice exotic ring to it?
‘Hmmm, nice. What do you think of Dictator?’
‘Thats not a nice one. It means you use your power in an evil way and control peoples’ lives.’
‘Ooooh, no nice, no want. OK I stick with Emperor Wu.’
‘But Emperors need to be emperors of a certain area or people, what are you emperor of?’
‘I am Emperor of the Beautiful While Cloud!’
‘I don’t think so!’
‘She’s behind me, right?’
‘Gulp! Yes,’ replied Yunnie with a weak grin as Mama Bai joined her sons on the platform in the trees. Of course, they had to make way for her as she regally placed her extra fluffy butt on the platform.
‘And what are my two darlings talking about?’ asked Her Imperial Highness.
‘We were just saying what a beautiful mama we have.’
‘And that we wuv her vewwwwy much cos she does not baff us very ofen now.’
‘How sweet of you two. Now Mama is going to nap here. How nice of you Wu Wu to lend me your pillow!’
‘NO, MAMA, Not Mr Pirrow!’
But before he could do anything, his Mama lay her beautiful head on the pillow and was soon gently purring away.
Yun Zi grabbed his baby brother and took him for his surfing lesson in the pool.
Bai does have those “mother ears” doesn’t she?
6:30 AM PST – Yun Zi pacing waiting for his breakfast????
That good they see and sniff form each other.The baby panda Mom is good Mom to keep her baby safe from hi brother.
Are they planning to bring in another female for breeding?
Moderator’s note: Nothing has been decided yet.
Our little WuWu is waaay up, dangling upside-down & doing head stands in his favorite tree again. I see what looks like a fan off to the L side at the top of the rock-like wall. Is that for cooling the area?
Can WuWu see Yun Zi from this location?
Moderator’s note: He cannot see Yun Zi from that garden room.
How many of us as mothers had to tell our older toddler to “keep back” from the newborn in the baby carrier?
I had to with my older boys for the first year at least! They are about the same age difference as our panda boys, so I understand. Bai is the best mommy ever.
Nothing gets the heart going in the morning like watching our Little Gift playing in the tree tops. I wonder what the weight limit is on those branches??
My exact same thoughts. He is 20+ pounds. Those branches don’t look that sturdy. All that panda play and growing weight, I am afraid one day, he will do one more reach for that very faraway precious leaf that he MUST have, and then empty panda cam and XL Gift is expressed one-way to ground floor. That will just have to be a lesson learned for him.
I wonder what kind of tree that is because it appears to be a strong wood (for now).
Debbie responds: Elm.
Thank you, Ms. Debbie. I love that good natured boy.
Thanks so much for all the information and updates on the panda family.
Can you tell me why they hang their heads down when sitting/sleeping in the tree’s?
With all the weight they carry, is this bad heart and health?
Debbie responds: We can’t know why, but I think they do it because it feels good! I’m told inverted poses keep wrinkles at bay.
Welcome to our world Debbie.
2 new videos posted this morning … the 1st has clips from last night in the Garden Room when a silly Xiao Liwu did his Yun Zi imitation, rode on his mother’s back and settled in for the afternoon on the platform. The 2nd has clips from this morning when Xiao Liwu was in the Garden Room, then out on exhibit playing on the tree stump and up high in the trees. Lots of close-ups and activity in both
2013-02-28 Xiao Liwu: Silly, Stubborn, and (luckily) Sleepy
http://youtu.be/q7WdmYYRa5Y
2013-03-01 Good Morning Xiao Liwu!
Happy 7 Month Birthday to You
http://youtu.be/M6EzKm0CGSs
Thank you all for your kind comments … wish I had more time to respond to each and every one!
TY. DM. GREAT VIDEOS ALWAYS ! ! !
Wu Wu is sitting on the platform, head on paws, just like his mummy…
Is the Zoo going to bring in another female for breeding?
Moderator’s note: We don’t know yet.
Hello Debbie Moderator, thanks for all the information you give us…….and Hi DixieMom thanks also for the videos, and thanks to the panda team in San Diego…..all of you are wonderful giving videos, and all that information about our beloved Yun Zi, Baby Liwu, Beautiful Bai Yun Mom and handsome dad Gao Gao……Love you all………
Thank you Debbie for the update on Yun Zi. He sounds like he is getting spoiled aplenty!!
It is nature and we have to accept the ways of these lovely creatures…but haven’t studies been conducted about animals having emotions? I don’t think it’s fair to assume Little Cloud doesn’t remember his mom or doesn’t smell a familiar scent from Little Gift, after all, what are scents for? I’m just a human admirer of the Gao clan, but, feel it’s so nice and comforting to know that Little Cloud can experience that they are close and he is not the only family member around.