Zoo InternQuest is a seven-week career exploration program for San Diego County high school juniors and seniors. Students have the unique opportunity to meet professionals working for the San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, and Institute for Conservation Research, learn about their jobs and then blog about their experience online. Follow their adventures here on the Zoo’s website!
On Thursday, I went to the Zoo not only with the InternQuest program, but also with my biology class. The field trip was specifically to visit the Zoo’s collection of insects, but we were eventually given a worksheet and allowed to drift about sightseeing. My group and I tried to visit the newest panda baby, Xiao Liwu, but were thwarted by time constraints and the dozens of panda fans waiting in Panda Canyon.
While we didn’t get to see the purportedly adorable Mr. Wu, we certainly had a front-row view of the “panda-monium” that has helped bring the species back from extinction. People of all ages and backgrounds were eager for a peek at the famous black-and-white bear. On their way out, many of them stopped in the shop to purchase a plush panda toy, a T-shirt, or any of the dozens of other panda-themed items. My friend bought a panda-patterned lanyard, and we didn’t even see the baby! We were surrounded by evidence that the conservation efforts focusing on giant pandas are going strong but, as Senior Research Technician Ms. Suzanne Hall told my fellow interns and I later that day, it wasn’t always this way.
Fifteen to twenty years ago, the habitat fragmentation of the giant panda was such that the species was right on the precipice of extinction. Humans struggled to help the species. In the past, every time a pair of twins was born in captivity, one of them would die because the demands of caring for two cubs was just too much for the mother panda. “When I started working with pandas back in 1998,” Ms. Hall said, “we didn’t even know what we should do to change what we were already doing….” Obviously, things have changed. The public can now bask in the presence of the San Diego Zoo’s sixth panda cub. But what, exactly, was it that changed? How did we go from the aforementioned precipice of extinction to crowds of panda fans coming to pay homage to the Zoo’s “little gift,” Xiao Liwu?
While pandas have always held mystery and magic for some, it seems to have started when China had the foresight to send its furry ambassadors around the world to different zoos. I am of the opinion that when the most innovative minds around the world can collaborate and share research and ideas, almost anything is possible. For example, in the event of the birth of twins, a mother panda will only care for one baby. Slowly, humans have learned to be excellent pseudo-mothers to the unlucky twin. Now, an incredible 95% of these twins survive. A sustainable captive population has been achieved, zoos around the world have had successful panda births, and scientists in China are working on reintroduction of individuals back into the wild.
Speaking of successful panda births, “even after six cubs, it’s still amazing,” Ms. Hall says of watching panda births at the Zoo. The first panda born at the Zoo, Hua Mei, was also the first to survive to adulthood in the United States. She has since gone on to have nine cubs of her own, including three sets of twins! Ms. Hall keenly remembers Hua Mei’s birth. “The mood here was euphoric. Everybody was so excited to be a part of that process.”
And this, the euphoria and excitement, is the driving factor behind “panda-monium”; it’s just so amazing to be a part of the process of saving such an awesome animal! People can really connect with pandas. Again, in the words of the eloquent Ms. Hall: “You conserve what you love, and you love what you know.” If you don’t know about a species, if you never have the opportunity to form a connection with an animal, why would you care if they were to go extinct? People know about pandas thanks to outreach efforts from organizations like the Zoo, and they care. This gives me hope for the future.
So, do you care about pandas? All species, pandas included, need not only your heart but your dollar behind them. If you really care about these fantastic animals, start asking questions! Ask the manufacturer if that nice bamboo shelving comes from sustainably harvested sources. Ask your favorite food brands if the palm oil in them is produced without the destruction of habitat. Ask about everything, and use your questions and your money to support a future where your children and grandchildren and great grandchildren get to wait in line to visit these creatures, too. Not only will they thank you for it, but the children and grandchildren and great grandchildren of Xiao Liwu will thank you, too!
Cameron, Conservation Team
Week Three, Winter Session 2013
Cameron,
What an excellent writer you are and I so enjoyed your article and the observations you have made about our future.
Thank you,
Hi Jeslyn,
Thank you so much for taking an interest in pandas, conservation, and my article! I’m glad you enjoyed the article.
~ Cameron
Cameron, you need to send this insightful blog to Chris Packham ,a British “conservationist” who recently said (again) that giant pandas should be allowed to go extinct. I will refrain from airing the full measure of my disgust about Mr. Packham and his viewpoint here since this is a family blog, but just let me say if people like Mr. Packham were to become “extinct” we’d all be better off.
Let me specify. By extinct, I don’t mean to die, but for the viewpoint to become extinct. Mr. Packham needs to be rehabilitated. Maybe if he were to go to Bifengxia or Chengdu and interacted with pandas, he’d change his mind. It’d be a miracle, but miracles happen!
I agree!!!
So do I!!
I agree also. So we’re doting on pandas and spending money on them because we think they’re cute. So what? It’s our prerogative.
Hello Barbara Ross,
It’s totally your prerogative, and I encourage you to keep it up. You might want to check out the sun bears, too, if you’re looking for cute!
~Cameron
Hello Deb E. ,
You are totally welcome to send this article to anyone you think could benefit from reading it.
~Cameron
Mr. Packham needs to live 24/7 with our Panda babies and see for himself why saving the Panda is worthwhile!
totally agree!!!
I agree totally!!!!!!!!!!
Deb, I wish there was a “like” button on this page. Good job!
I really agree with you and because we all love the panda with their amazing good looks and appeal they have been at the forefront of campaigns for conservation The dollars and pounds we all spend at zoos where there are pandas go towards conservation for all species. I am always happy to spend money at zoos knowing of the wonderful work that is being done by all. xx
Susanne, ‘Thank you for the article and the reason for pandamonium .Our beloved bears. It is always the right thing to remind people about their existence and the difficulties of their lives. And to share our thanks with the Chinese who have sacrificed to give the Pandas a home, and many homes, and loving friends.It is never often enough to tell that story , and remember how many twins were saved by panda lovers in China and throughout the world. Who cared so much.
Hello,
Thank you for reading the article! Also, thank you for remembering all our fellow panda lovers in China. We can’t forget that the wonderful progress that we’re seeing is the result of the actions of the Chinese as well as the Western scientists and panda fans!
~ Cameron
‘Not only will they thank you for it, but the children and grandchildren and great grandchildren of Xiao Liwu will thank you, too!’ reads Li Wu out loud from the SDZ blog.
He turns to his smart older brother Yun Zi, ‘Ge Ge, will I have cubbies?’
Yun Zi smiles, ‘In time to come you will. You will find a lady panda like Mama and then you will have cubbies.’
Xiao Li Wu thinks hard on this, ‘Oh, I thought you can go and buy one from Mr Stork. Mama said the stork brought me in a little bundle of cloth.’
Yun Zi looks at his iPAW and calls up a video, ‘Here is the day you were born, Wu Wu.’
Wu Wu peers at the images. He starts when he sees his little pink self emerge from his Mama.
‘Wow, I was soooo little! Hairless too. Hee Hee. I wook wike a worm, hee hee.’
‘And here is a summary of your first few months of medical examinations!’
‘Oh, there’s Debbie. And Auntie Kathfie. And Uncle Mr Dr Vet. I never felt the sharpie….hee hee, they told me you screamed…hee hee.’
Yunnie blushed, ‘I was surprised by the sharpie. I was sleepy then.’
‘If I have a cubby, can I hewp wook after it and play with it?’
‘That’s what I am hoping to do, be a paws on husband and father.’
‘Good, me too. I want to play more with Papa too. Mama’s a girl so I can’t be too rough with her.’
‘Ooooh, are you saying you are being gentle with Mama?’
‘Yeeeess, I am a polite little cubby. i wespect ladies, hee hee.’
very clever!
Thank you for a most interesting article, Cameron, and sorry you did not get to see baby Xiao Liwu. I know I have learned so much, and derived immense pleasure from the San Diego zoo, the panda cams, polar bear, elephant and koala cams, and from all the interesting information given to us by the panda specialists. San Diego zoo really is the best in my opinion. A huge thank you to all.
Hello Maria!
I’ve seen 小礼物 in plenty of pictures and on the panda cam, and I hope to see him “in the fluff” soon! I love the fact that technology allows us to share experiences even when we live many thousands of miles apart. Hopefully you, too, will soon have a baby panda in Scotland thanks to Tian Tian and Yang Guang.
~ Cameron
Cameron, Great essay and love the information
Thanks for reading, Sue Anderson!
Just comment if you have any questions.
~ Cameron
Well done Cameron! Congratulations to all of the students who are participating in the career exploration program–what an amazing opportunity for you! These are exactly the programs and partnerships needed in order to inspire students to pursue professional careers that they will ultimately enjoy — which is the key to doing well. The pursuit of undergraduate and advanced degrees takes dedication and discipline as you go through the process, but it will ultimately reward you with more than you can now imagine. Beginning the process to build your CV has begun — It’s important to take advantage of programs available to you, internships, and it’s imperative that you participate in volunteer opportunities to get an idea of what may perhaps be your future career. You may not have already thought about a field until you get to see what it’s about, and it may unexpectedly trigger your interest — even if you think you’ve already made up your mind! Keep up the great work!
IS a nice story
Awesome blog! Cameron what an experience to be part of this program. You expressed your thoughts and gave an outstanding summary of your day at the zoo.Sorry you did not get to see Mr. Wu.
Thank you for the great article. I have been watching Mr Wu and family since He was born last summer. I have learned so much about panda.Thank you SDZ for such great experience. God Bless you all, Pandas included.
Outstanding, Cameron! Your research, your topic and your application of how pandamonium personally touches my life, touches pandas to come is all exceptionally well written! The concept that what “you conserve what you love and you love what or whom you know” is a deep truth in obvious sight. Thank you for putting words to who and what we know so that we can join together and be proactive for the future. What good does it do to invest in zoo pandas if their habitat continues to be destroyed because people are not connecting the dots that their fancy bamboo floor is destroying the giant panda habitat?
Xiao Liwu is truly a ‘little gift’ to both the giant panda as well as to the human because he has a special charisma that reaches through even the photograph and touches the heart of those who see him. It is delightful to watch him because everything he touches is done with such a soft, gentle manner and everything in his world is new in wonderment to experience and enjoy. We can learn so much from our animal companions and friends.
Thank you for taking the time to write your article and good luck in your career! You are well underway toward having a positive inpact on our society.
It is my understanding that bamboo is a fast growing plant. The bamboo used for flooring is not grown in China,
Yes bamboo is indeed fast growing and a member of the grass family. It grows underground for most of the year, by way of rhizomes and only sends up new shoots for 2 weeks a year. The fastest growing and tallest is the Moso variety and in a mature grove a shoot can grow up to 47″ a day. Once the shoot, now called a culm, has reached its mature height after about 90 days it will not grow any taller for its lifetime. Which makes it ideal for privacy and green fencing. Lop it off at the height you want and that is where it stays. After 5 years the culm is mature and can be harvested for use. Natural height of the many bamboo species ranges from a couple of inches to 75′
I have 5 different kinds growing and, although it can be an aggressive grower, I take care of shoots where I don’t want them by one of three ways, eat them, stomp them or mow them. When rhizomes come above ground in a direction I don’t want them to go (so-called jumping) I hack them through and pull them up. Bamboo stabelizes the soil by way of the matrix it builds underground and as I understand it (though not quite prepared to test it) a bamboo grove is the safest place to be during an earthquake. End of bamboo 101
Thank you, Maureen, for your input because it made me go research the issue a little deeper. The online encyclopedia as one reference has a very informative article on bamboo flooring and they state the majority of bamboo for flooring comes from (southeast) China. The preference for bamboo flooring was because they could cut the strips from harvested bamboo while leaving the root to re-grow, which it does quickly. However, this wasn’t good enough so they are now clearing the land of established trees and replanting them like a crop so they can get more production from an area of ground which they do using pesticides and fertilizers. What this does is destroy the original natural habitat for the panda in preference for generating money from high production crops. It is only the thin strips (which the panda peels off) that they use to make the flooring by adhering it with glues and formaldehyde to a particle base to keep it insect resistant. The strips are used while the pulp that the panda eats is thrown away. Bamboo flooring was then promoted as coming from a “green renewable source” which didn’t destroy forests taking trees 40-50 years to grow because the bamboo root base was re-grown into more bamboo. The problem is that they stopped there. To multiply their profit they destroyed the natural living quarters of the wild panda.
I don’t believe the purpose of Cameron’s article, nor my reply, was to argue the use of bamboo for flooring although much can be said on that topic. I think the purpose is to do just what this reply did, that is to cause us to think about our planet’s resources and the “cost vs profit” of how we use it. True enough, the more we know or research about both the panda and their original habitat, we begin to care about them and the better and smarter we all become in making the best choices for those we love, such as the giant panda.
Thanks again to Cameron for opening a dialog and to SDZ for making it possible to come to know, understand and love the panda and to help all of us any way we can to put our heads and hearts together to make their futures more secure.
You are absolutely right Rebecca. Theree is absolutely no need to destroy a bamboo forest simply for profit. The beauty of bamboo lies in its fast growth and regeneration. There is no reason whatsoever not to have particular bamboo plantations meant for harvesting only, just like any other crop. Another great fact about bamboo is the enormous amount of greenhouse gasses it can convert back to oxygen. Way more than your average forest. But…..we must not destroy the existing bamboo forests. Unfortunately even waiting just 5 years is too long for many people and an instant profit to be found in an already bamboo stand is very appealing. We are doing it with the Amazonian rain forest as well. You can now buy bamboo product made from sustainable stands and without formaldehyde. Just look at the labeling.
I SURE misspoke. Thanks for all your research.
Interesting story, and very informative. I enjoyed it very much. The last paragraph makes you really think about items you purchase for your home, and making sure you are not helping taking away the very food that many animals eat. Cameron, sorry to hear you didn’t get to see Mr. Wu. He is an awesome panda, and full of enjoyment. I also have never seen him in the flesh, but the panda cam is wonderful, and I am totally hooked on it.
Well done, Cameron. You have a gift!
well written article-thanks!
Cameron, what a wonderful blog about the precious Panda. You gave us a lot of information and hope for the future of this species…and hopefully the many hundreds of others mankind has brought to the brink of extinction, like the assault on Rhinos in Africa. Your love and respect for these and other animals came shining through in your words. I hope you have found your path for the future.
You certainly gave us some great pointers (that I really hadn’t heard before) of things to think and ask about when we make our choices of products we purchase.
Kudos and I’ll look forward to following the Conservation Team’s activities!
Very nicely stated. Thank you!!
Where’s Mr Wu this morning? I see momma but no cutie pie son…I miss seeing him in the mornings..Thanks
Geat article! All species need recognition and protection.
Cameron, your blog was well said and understood. My heart aches for all species deprived of their natural habitat so the success of the pandas is very thrilling and comforting. Much like the success stories of the peregrine falcon another favorite species of mine. The pandas though have captured my heart! Thank you for this good information.
Cameron,
What a great article. Thank you for taking the time to write about the pandas we all love! I’m visiting San Diego in 28 days (not that I’m counting!) and am so hopeful that I’ll be able to see Mr. Wu. I’m only sorry that you didn’t have the chance to view him. Keep up the great job!
Thanks for the insightful writeup, Cameron!
Everyday we impact our planet with the things we buy and consume. Little steps to helping our earth will hopefully be in the right direction to harmoniously co-exist with other living things in this ecosystem. At times it is hard when our choices are limited to that which harms our environment, but with consistent effort to try and do our best, there could possibly and hopefully a chance for every creature in the future.
Bai is asleep and Liwu is nowhere nearby.. So went to the panda toddlers cam at explore.org and saw Liwu’s “cousin” cubby climbing precariously on a very tall tree… Hopefully, it will be Ok.. The HD cam is spectacular…
Do you have a link you can share with us? I thought the directions given were great, but somehow I am having trouble getting there. It could be my tablet that is the problem, but not sure. Thank you…..love grammmie
HI Grammie,
Just read your request.
here it is, I hope it works for you
explore (dot) org/#!/live-cams/player/china-panda-cam-3
I read some comments in this website and one said that Yun Hui (one of the toddlers) is the grandchild of Bai Yun and Gao Gao.
I do not know which one he is, they all look so adorable and playful in their big playground. Unfortunately, no snapshot capability.
Enjoy, Grammie!
I believe that would be Su Lin’s son, from her first try at breeding, and he was a twin. His tiny sister, I think, was poorly developed. I can hardly wait to find out how ZZ does on her first try. Somehow I don’t think she will be a nervous mother. That is not based on any observation by me, but what I have read things you guys have written about the two younger girls over the years, she seemed more flamboyant and easy going. Thank you for the link, I am going to try it on my tablet in a few minutes. Love grammmie
I am so glad it is working for you Grammie… Right now, at 10:27 Am, 2 cute toddlers are up in the tree!
Working great on my tablet, any time now I will figure out how to find the names etc., but that takes me time so old grammmie will actually remember how….thank you…love grammmie
Cameraon, this is an excellent, well-written blog. I’m sorry you didn’t get to see Mr. Wu, but you’ve reminded us how much has changed in the past 15 -20 years, and how we can contribute to the survival of the Giant Panda. While the Panda Cam certainly can entertain us, it is also a fantastic way to form a connection with these bears, and the SDZ Blogs are a fabulous way to learn more about the species.
Here’s one more video from Tuesday:
2013-03-05 Don’t Mess with Momma, Xiao Liwu!
http://youtu.be/MtxXjasYjKs
Persistence does have it’s payoff………but our Little Gift got a payoff he was not prepared for. Mr. Wu still has lots of learning to do. Great video D-Mom, thank you…….love grammmie
Now that kind of discipline I can handle…LOL
Master Wu reminds me so much of Tai Shan who used to bug his mother, Mei Xiang, in exactly the same way! Those were the days!
I’m watching lil Xaio Liwu ~ um ~ is he stuck up there? It looks like he can’t figure out how to get down
i hope he doesn’t do it the hard way! yikes!!! can someone help him????? just concerned…:)
OOps! now you see him and NOW you don’t! Is he ok??????
There is a lot of pushing and biting and knocking over today between mama and cub. Are they playing or is he learning how to defend himself?
This could be advanced combat training. I guess he is getting to know that even the females can, and do, pick fights. Love grammie
Are you serious? Doesnt seem like anything I saw with one of her babies before. Combat training??????
Yes!
Grammmie, you are funny!
Where did the cub go? Did you take him out because Mama was in a bad mood today??? Poor guy she was quite rough with him this morning
I am very impressed by what Mr. Wu just did. If you were around the first day we saw Yunior outside, he fell a couple of times from a cross branch, you would impressed too. Mr. Wu not only hung on, he swung, he used all four paws a to hang on, and before his tiny fall he hung by one front paw as if he intended it, and did it for much longer than big brother did. These bouts with mama are making us a very strong little panda! Love grammmie
Or a very, very mean none!! Abused children are never happy and ,well balanced and Where these ideas of meaness to a baby child came from, I hope they did not arise from our trainers or from China. Chinese babies are happy, well adjjusted and get along types. And their keepers are lovely with them. Maybe we should adopt that way of feeding our babies from here on. Better adjustment perhaps? Combat training??? Never heard of it.
Virginia, I would like to suggest that you please read the following article written by Suzanne Hall which was posted and referred to many times on this site. It will give you the opportunity to learn about the behavior of pandas who are wild animals — not human babies.
http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/2013/01/25/through-the-bear-lens/
I think the SDZ keepers do their best to allow for natural panda behavior, which may not APPEAR to be “nice” for unsuspecting humans, but is nonetheless, natural and ensures that the gene pool will retain the “wildness” (rather than pampering) it needs to survive re-entry into the wild. After all, it is our hope that, in the future, pandas won’t only be zoo residents, but will thrive in their natural habitats with robust and powerful behavior that will facilitate species survival. I’m sure if intervention is actually needed, the keepers will intercede; otherwise, I am supportive of their hands-OFF approach.
I was watching Mr. Wu all by himself for a few minutes on the panda cam, overcoming his small size with strength that he has gained by much climbing and play. I am not sure how this was offensive, or translated to abuse. I was comparing his obvious physical strength over that of his closest brother, nothing more. Each cub seems to have it’s own special gifts that we see over time, and I was complimenting his growing strength. Grammmie
I for my part didn’t find it offensive. Maybe Virginia was a bit overreacting.
That does happen to the class clown sometimes. Be sure to catch the photos that I did not take, but did post of Yun Zi and Mr. Wu a few comments below here…..they are really cute! Love grammmie
Dear Virginia,
I think You forget Xiao Liwu isn’t a child but a panda cub. Surely he must grow up a panda and not a human being.
And it seems to me he’s quite a happy cub.
Yeah, toddler Wu tries and tries to get a feeding and they end up fussing with each other and sometimes, more and more frequently, it turns ugly for our little guy, and he needs to run away from Mom. He bites at the paws that keep him from her nipples and Mom puts up with this for only so long. This is hart to watch. (sigh). They are animals, I keep telling myself. Maybe she is teaching him rage and how to fight and “Don’t count on me as a feeding source for much longer. Think BAMBOO.” I DO hope he gets bowls of milk sometimes.
What an excellent report Craig. Disappointing that you did not see Xiao Liwu but meeting Suzanne Hall & learning from her is a fantastic experience. Hope you can spread the word about Giant Pandas amongst all your high school friends and their families. Don’t forget to watch SDZ Panda Cam & try out our cam in Scotland at Edinburgh Zoo to see how our pandas are faring at fast approaching breeding time.
Hi Lynn-I was fortunate to see “your pandas”on the panda cam about 10am ETD. Have a question or two – one was eating bamboo under a tree like canopy overlooking what looked like a lake> Hubby said panda was fishing
Then cam switched inside where it looked like panda was eating loaves of bread 
Can you tell us more – thanks ::)
Baby Wu??? Where are you???
Did I hear Yunnie tell Baby Wu Wu- “If you hide in the bushes,,mama can’t find you and so she will give up and go to sleep.” Maybe not.
Virginia, do you have older brothers??? I had two of them, and they would tell my older sister and I things I cannot believe I believed them! I think Yunior knows when mommy is on a mission involving a cubby nothing, not even hiding in a bush will deter her. Love grammmie
For those of you that did not see the above mentioned article about the Pandas as shown on NBC Rock Center it is online in it’s full 10 minutes :
www (dot) nbcnews.com/id/21134540/vp/50915638#50915638
Thank you, Dennis, this is the first time I have seen the whole thing start to finish. Love grammmie
Dennis: Thank you so much for posting the link to this video. I missed it when it was originally on and thought I wouldn’t be able to see it. It was so wonderful to see Tai Shan especially, and Mei Lan and Po. I wish NBC had included some info about San Diego Zoo’s very successful breeding program.
It’s okay Betsey, I think we told everybody, a lot. It’s not that we brag……
Love grammmie
Thank you for posting this link. I just watched it and did not realize that a panda they released, 10 months later was cornered in a tree during breeding season, fell, and died. How very sad.
It was incredibly sad, but before the new wild release program they have started with mom and cub together until she weans him and tries to run him off. Each enclosure, through 3 steps, is larger, and interaction with humans is minimal, with them in panda suits, acting like pandas. They are hopeful that this new method will give the cubs a more normal start in wild life. During the 2008 earthquake one female escaped to the wild. Later she was recovered, pregnant by a wild male, and seemed to be okay. As I remember reading it she did not have any wild training, but I have no idea if she was born wild. Gao Gao was born wild, rescued in poor health, and the last time they released him after the wild training available then, he came back and was found waiting at the gate for the first keeper on duty to unlock it for him and get his breakfast……he volunteered to stay. He hit the jackpot…..travelled half way around the world, was given a lovely playful wife, who was willing to have cubbies with him. Love grammmie
Grammmie, what a poignant story about Gao Gao. How fortunate that they found him when he was wounded…think of what we would have missed!!!
What we would have missed is really unbelievable. I think he was around 10 yrs. old when he got here, and had not participated in natural breeding in China. However the representatives saw his scent markings high on his walls, proving he was doing hand standing marking, very special for breeding. Females want the biggest, strongest males to father their cubs, even on an unconscious level. I am not sure if her daddy had to do that, he is huge, her mother was small and lower to the ground. He looks for a healthy female she for a strong male, and since Scotland’s male has hand standing in his bag of tricks I hope they get their first cubby this Spring/Summer, he just needs to stop before he scent marks her face this year. It would be so nice for other zoos to have the kind of success that we have been so blessed with here. If there will be no more cubbies here in the near future we need other web cams to get our fill of cubby frolics, so good luck to all other zoos in their breeding programs…love grammmie
Perhaps all Wu needssis a good nursing time. But Bai does not seem to allow this. Older mamas in China have extra milk feedings for their babies. Wu could use a snack or t wo of milk formula.I think it was many more months before Bai refused Yun Zi . Time to get keepers and vets involved.It is too soon to let BaiYun refuse a feeding. Are her breasts sore? .Mybe she needs more snacks. Yunnie never ate her snacks at this age. And she had a lot of them. Wu could use some maybe?
The reason the Chinese cubs have bottles then bowls of milk is that they are removed from the moms at six months of age, so that the moms might come into season again and have a cub every year instead of every two years. In the wild most cubs are weaned at around 18 months, and the female will not usually have a pregnancy window until those 18 months are up, and she has had a bit of rest time. The breeding numbers were so low I believe they were trying to get their numbers up before it was too late. Also twins are born 50% of the time, this has been a useful way of getting two healthy cubs instead of only one. I hope this helps understanding. If Wu needs something his NannyKeepers will see that he gets it. The Panda Team not only has heads, it has hearts and will not allow Wu to suffer. They are checking up on the nipple condition since Bai SEEMS to not feed from the left upper nipple. Love grammmie
I’ve seen Mr. Wu nursing quite a bit lately, for long periods of time. He’s gaining weight and is healthy and strong, and funny as all get out. I’m pretty sure the SDZ staff know what they’re doing since they’ve helped Bai Yun successfully raise six cubs.
why is bai resisting Wuu from eating? How many times can he keep trying and she keeps pushin him away? Can you let us all know since many are concerned?
Moderator’s note: He is obviously growing and gaining weight from the milk bar, as he know weighs 24 pounds (10.9 kilograms). Remember, the Panda Cam can’t show you what happens at night.
Is that another shaved spot on Gao’s tummy. Such a guy. I’d make a heart if I knew how.
Moderator’s note: Same one.
Hey SA~~
I LOVE Poppy Gao too! ♥
Here’s how to make a ♥
Turn ON the Number Lock on your keyboard.
Press and Hold Down the ALT key and press the 3 key on the right side of your keyboard.
Release Both and you have made a ♥
To make a music note ♫, repeat the above but press 14 (the 1 and 4).
puppygirl
Thanks – now we all make hearts to show our love with Mr. Wu !
OOPS DIDN’T WORK
lets try again ♥
Cameron, thank you for your well written blog. Very insightful!
Linda / Nor Cal I saw Yun Zi way up on a tree on Sunday looking at his baby brother and his Mom and he looks great….then, he climbed down , and I could no longer see him……
how’s Yun Zi, miss the big guy, love him to bites
Moderator’s note: He’s doing great!
Have a nice look at him, not enough let me know. Love grammmie
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/8503969582/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/8502877433/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/8503975446/in/photostream
Thanks Grammie.. He is such a handsome boy!
Thanks Grammie, he looks great, he has a special place in my heart
You have a special place in mine. I have lived most of my life right here in the Greater San Diego Area I was born in Toronto and am still a Canadian citizen……love grammmie
I am glad I didn’t see anything today because of work. It sounds like Liwu had a rough day with Bai, again. Poor baby. My heart aches for him sometimes.
She is sure different with this little one.
Aw the little Joey is out of the pouch tonite and playing with the branches.
Crawled up on Mom’s shoulder.
Its 6 pm Tuesday San Diego time!
The further adventures of Wu Wu the Little Explorer
Wu Wu stood in front of the mirror and started trying out kung fu moves.
‘Waking up stretch, hiyak! Grab bamboo from Mama, hiyak, the double paw Mama block, hiyak….And for the win, grab for pillow elbow swing, hiyak…’
‘Wu Wu, where are you?’ called out Ge Ge who was babysitting as his Mama went off to her much needed spa date.
‘Here, Ge Ge! What are we going to do today? Can we go get some ice cream? I have been practising my kung fu and boy am I hungry.’
‘Mama may not like you having so much ice cream!’
‘It is dairy and I needs my clacium, hee hee.’
‘True, true, Dad’s waiting for us outside in the car. We are going to the mall.’
While Gao Gao parked the car, the boys ran ahead into the mall. Wu Wu enjoyed looking at all the displays in the shop windows. Yunior enjoyed checking out the pretty lady pandas hanging out at the mall. As he was still a sub-adult, the lady pandas did not give him a second glance.
‘Yunnie, can you buy me that??!!! PLEAAAASEEE!’ yelled Wu Wu who spotted a colourful kite in the toy store display. Yunnie turned red as many heads turned round to see the source of that yell.
Gao Gao happened to enter the mall. He rushed to the boys as he was worried Wu Wu was hurt.
‘Papa, see that lovely colourful kite! Can I haaaaaaaaaaaave it, pleeeeaaaasssseeee!’
‘WOW, your brother knows how to yell, hee hee,’ laughs Gao Gao, ‘Hmmm, maybe we can go to the park later to fly some kites, I missed doing things like that when I as young.’
‘Papa, why?’ asked LI Wu.
‘Papa lost his parents when he was little. I had to learn to fend for myslef in the forest so I never got to play.’
‘Oh Papa! Let’s play then!’ says Wu Wu and grabs his father’s paw pulling him into the toy store. Ice cream all forgotten. Soon all three had chosen a kite. Wu Wu’s had a rainbow kite, Yunior got a Kung Fu Panda themed kite and Gao Gao got one shaped as an eagle.
At the park, the 3 pandas had so much fun. Wu Wu ran around as fast as he could as the wind lifted his kite higher and higher.
‘Papa, see my kite!!!! I wish I was a kite and I can fly high in the sky! Ge Ge, Ge Ge, your kite is great!!!’
‘Hey, guys, check out my eagle!! Woah!’
Wu Wu was soon tired and all three flopped on the grass. They lay there looking at the clouds. Soon Wu Wu laughed out loud.
‘Papa, Ge Ge, see that cloud, doesn’t that one remind you of Mama?’ grinned a little cheeky bear.
‘And why do you think so, my little Wu?’ asked Gao Gao.
‘You know when Mama is up a tree and you wook up, and you see her…hee hee!’
The 3 men giggled.
‘Out of the mouths of babes!’ smiles Gao Gao.
Hey Yun Zi~~
Thank you for writing for us!
We Love hearing about yours, Poppy Gao and Li Wu Wu’s adventures ♥
Sounds like ya’ll had a Great Fun time!
Am sure your kites are Beautiful !
We LOVE YOU♥~~
puppygirl
I know many people didn’t have the joy of having animals around; if they had, they wouldn’t worry so much about Bai Yun and how she treats her cub. She is a good mother and knows what she is doing and what she needs to do. As animals get bigger, they suck harder and faster, and it doesn’t take much time to eat. Bai knows she has to control her milk supply and how to do it. As far as her not letting the cub stop her from eating, she has to eat all that bamboo to produce milk, and it is a slow process to eat that much a day. Give the gal a break.
amen!!! I mean his gaining weight .. she has raised 5 other cubs people!!!!!
I agree. I just watched a Mother jaguar at another zoo push her cub away when he tried to nurse. They have their reasons. But obviously these babies are thriving. No need to worry.
During early last century, museums competed to procure prized pelts of giant pandas, to serve as stuffed exhibits. In 1928, the Roosevelt brothers (Theodore Jr. and Kermit) acquired the dubious distinction, of being first westerners to intentionally kill a giant panda in China. World’s attitude has dramatically changed since then, and giant panda serves as a conservation symbol for World Wildlife Fund.
My father was the expedition guide and interpreter for the Roosevelt expedition as noted in their book “Trailing the Giant Panda.” It’s true that the “Bring ‘em back alive” mentality was not foremost in the early panda expeditions. However, after my mother shot a black bear during a 1934 expedition she was guilt-ridden and campaigned successfully to bring only live specimens back in the future. The first live panda brought to the US was named Su-Lin in her honor.
Jolly Young King,
Thank you for your input. People back then didn’t know that Panda’s where going to be extinct sometime in the near future. Back then, people were even more compassionate than people are today I believe. It just one of the things that everyone was aware of at the time. Your mother did the right thing. There must be a in between somewhere between different species being done away with and enjoying the fun of the time. We’re getting there. There will always be those who will overstep the boundaries though. Isn’t it a miracle you were on this blog and could respond.
There’s an Explorer’s Walk Exhibit at the Memphis Zoo Panda Enclosure which honors 3 explorers that opened the East to the West: Marco Polo, Pere David and Su-Lin Young. There’s an interesting walk through story board with several hands on exhibits: how big is a baby panda when it’s born, what does panda poop look like, where are pandas born in the wild….
I read about your mother, Adelaide ‘Su-lin’ Young’s obituary in 5/18/2008 San Francisco Chronicle; and 1934-35 Young (Jack, Su-lin,& Quentin) Expedition to western Sichuan.
For ones who want to do some extra reading:-
1) Theodore Jr. & Kermit Roosevelt, ‘Trailing the Giant Panda’, 1929.
2) Michael Kiefer, ‘Chasing the Panda’, 2002.
3) Vicki Croke, ‘The Lady and the Panda’, 2005.
4) Chris Cattan, ‘Pandas’, 1990.
5) George Schaller, ‘Giant Panda in the Wild – Saving an Endangered Species’, 2002; ‘Last Panda – with a new afterward’, 1994.
The above books should be available through your local public libraries.
Feature articles on Su-Lin apperared in many major newspapers around the world including the Washington Post, Boston Globe, Contra Costa Times, LA Times, Asheville Globe…The best was the full page article in the London Times. There are many pictures in Chasing the Panda which is mostly about the Young Family influence on capturing pandas. I was part of the research team that retraced the panda expedition paths with Vicki Croke – for her book Lady and the Panda. I even got photo credit for her picture on the jacket. Members of Vicki’s research team (all women) were related in some way to participants in the original panda expeditions. We spent six weeks in 4WD and hotels, the original expedition was 10 months on foot in tents
My 3 favorite photos this week, in order of appearance……
Mr. Wu seems to really be thinking things over high in his trees…….
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/8528654426/in/photostream
A special smile for Auntie Weeta…………
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/8529679445/in/photostream
And this, at the END…………so far…………….
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/8535070749/in/photostream
Everybody loves a baby, and us Pandaholics are worse than most…love grammmie
That second photo, Grammie! He looks like he’s shy, but waving.
Can’t wait to see him – four more sleeps.
Gammie these pic are so cute
Dear Grammie,
These pics are priceless!!!! Isn’t he adorable THANK YOU!
A n d—–A big thanks to Rita for the pictures. Wonder if she’s there every day?
How noble he is in the first picture. And the third….
Thank You for links.
I agree that Rita Petita is very talented, but she does not spend every day there, just whenever she can.
Cara I love his smile in two.
Tina, I will make sure she knows, there are many greats, she is my favorite.
Ditto to. Lindsay and SA
And Kristina they came in that order into her photostream.
You are all very welcome, Cara I have no idea how you CAN sleep. I wish you great travel, and many Panda Sightings of all, but Mr. Wu most! Grammmie
Rita Petita is very talented. We love her photos. Grammie, are YOU Rita Petita?
No, Daisy, I live only thirty minutes from the zoo, but have never gotten to see them “in the fur”. Health issues prevent me from getting out much, except for my Dr. appointments I am pretty much at home. I met Rita here on the blog, admiring some photos of Yun Zi that just cracked me up we were able to get in touch with each other, and I found out just what an incredibly kind person she is, and this panda family is part of her life. She is devoted to them…..love grammmie
Totally love all 3 pics, but the first one is my favorite. Would totally love that on my wall with my other pandas, whom I don’t even know. Thanks for sharing. He is soooo cute.
I watched the other day when Bai was eating her boo and Xiao tried crawling over her. She pushed him away with her feet and he eventually played with her feet. I didn’t interpret it as Xiao trying to nurse, I interpreted it as Xiao wanting to play and Bai wanting to eat and I don’t blame her. She’s only setting boundaries as we do with our children. I’m also not sure that this has to be her last cub, she seems to enjoy being a mom!
I think this should be Bai’s last baby. He has another year to be with her, and it looks like she is annoyed with him just being there, at times. She is 21 yrs old I believe, and will be 22 by the time Liwu weans. To wait for another estrus cycle, then another 1 1/2 with a new cub would put her at about 24. She can’t handle his annoyance now, what would she be like 3 yrs from now. It wouldn’t be fair to a new cub. Liwu has things being done to him that she has never done to her other cubs from my understanding. Example, I saw Bai on his hammock one day as usual, and he was there also. She tried to knock him off and he held on, then she picked him up and swung him off the hammock to the ground. Now don’t everybody get mad at me, and jump down my throat, this is only my opinion. Not denying she is and has been a good mom, but just maybe she is getting to old and has no patience at certain times.
If you go back to Yun Zi’s footage at the same age you’ll see Bai refusing to nurse him while she’s eating, pushing him away when she’s trying to sleep, and knocking him off branches. Yunzie has turned out fine. Though I agree that this should be her last cub – let her live out her days in the spa – she’s certainly earned it!
Oh, as far as nursing, I think he’s doing just fine. Just because we don’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not happening. The mod said he was 24 # now, so no worries there for me.
And the pushing away and such is just teaching him not to interrupt mama while she is sleeping or eating. I understand that as well.
I don’t know if you have already answered this and I hate to b that person who asks a question that keeps getting asked, but do you know when will Xiao Liwu be out all day? I am sure it will happen before May but we are coming the end of May and I can’t wait to see him!!!
Moderator’s note: Sooner rather than later, but no exact date is available as yet.
Xiao Liwu is at the age where their play sessions are so much fun to watch
Here is some footage from the play session yesterday … this includes Bai Yun lifting her 24 pound cub up to the hammock, Xiao Liwu chasing after her, and then they moved on to the pool, where Bai Yun was a bit goofy 
2013-03-06 Let the Fun Begin, Xiao Liwu!!
http://youtu.be/BwYHhrJY4zY
I watched the entire play session and didn’t see anything that I considered harsh, and Xiao Liwu kept going back for more which tells me he was enjoying his playtime with his mother
Bai was so funny trying to fit her huge tush in that box in the pond.
I have never seen her wash herself around the head before in all the watching I have done. It was liks she was applying perfume at times.
Wu is so on to her now. He won’t get near her if she is in the pool.
He was romping like a puppy does at times and teasing her just out of reach.
Thank you for the video! So enjoyable!
I, too, thought Bai looked like she was self anointing with the water. I have seen hours of the cam and videos and have only ever seen her do that with dry things. Bai may get offended, and while I do not recommend offending an Empress……the big old Toushie in the box….well attempt……was even funnier than trying to stay dry on the donut, while dunking that sweet little gift. Thank you. Love grammmie
Haha . lifting a 25 lb panda cub cannot be easy
This was too funny and as usual Bai shows she’s a great mom 
thanks, that was very funny. I’ve never seen a panda groom itself (herself) so lovingly. when Bai looks in the mirror maybe she sees an image more like Twiggy.
LOL!!!! A girl can dream!
I think that little box was made for Mr. Wu, Bai Yun looked so cute in the tiny box…. maybe next time she can get Mr. Wu in the pool
These are good times for Xiao, he looks like he cherishes his time with his mom and mom with Xiao. So sweet to see.
We have to remember it is us humans who judge by looks, not the other animals. Theirs would only go as far as picking the healthiest specimen available to enrich the gene pool. Another animal picks on fitness rather than looks, but it is fun to apply some human emotions and values in the stories and observations we make of them…..love grammmie
Thanks for the video DoxieMom.. Bai is the biggest kid of all! She knows how to have fun in the box!
OMG! That was such a cute play time between mom and baby. I was laughing so hard when Bai got into the pond and set in that box. I was waiting for her to stand up and have that box stuck to her rump. LOL They are so cute when they play together.
LOL….love grammmie
I was cracking up watching this. Especially when Bai Yun gets in that little box and sits up “grooming” herself and little bit comes to watch but the minute Bai Yun makes one move toward him he scampers off. He “knows” mommy wants to dunk him. So precious. Liwu is VERY intelligent.
While Bai Yun was in the pool, Xiao Liwu did not want to go near her. Otherwise, he would be dragged in for another round of swimming lession. Nonetheless, just like his older siblings, Xiao will eventually master swimming.
Is snow day March 19th? I need to write it down huh? lol Thank you.
Moderator’s note: Yes, it was just confirmed this morning.
Oh noooooo! I have an appt. that day. Why oh why?
Will they make a video of it?? Please say yes. And will it include ALL of the panda’s with their snow? I’ve so been looking forward to this.
Moderator’s note: Our videographer will be there to record the fun.
Oh thank you! Can’t wait to see them all! You guys are the best!
Mom is soooooooooooooo soft!!!!!. Just 10:30 in the morning and found a perfect place to take a nap.
Bai and little Wu have been asleep all morning on the mini hammock together. Darling. Her rubust rump is taking up most of it though lol
Oh My baby must be exhausted, wedged between the back of the tree and his head resting on his hammock, so cute!
Where those brown slippers i saw on Xiao Liwu’s right foot just now?
I just want to rub that chubby Mr Wu belly! He looks pretty darn content with himself, up on his shelf, chewing on boo, watching the world upside down! Too cute for words!!
All our little gift needs is a cowboy hat..with that piece of straw hanging out of the corner of his mouth he’d make a perfect western cowboy. YeeHaw!
I have got a photo of our little cowboy on my Flickr site.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kristina_a/8538085607/in/photostream
Kristina, I have to laugh because I saved the same photo. With his leg resting up on that tree, he just reminded me of a little cowboy. Thanks for sharing.
That was funny. Howdy!
Kristina I was hoping somebody got a nice photo of the cowboy action. I realize it has been some weeks since I took a look at your account. Would you post a link for a favorite photo every week until I get into the habit of checking up regularly, please?
While working through what I have been missing I have to disagree with one caption…..it says the world is upside down….I think it is a two headed panda myself…..love grammmie
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kristina_a/8503612113/in/photostream
Like mother, like son…heehee
It’s 4;30est and I was watching Mr. Wu. he was leaning back and mouthing a piece of Bamboo. It was like looking at Gao Gao but alittle younger. He is truly his fathers son..I have a feeling he’s going to be a ladies man like his father, with him up in the tree outside the research station where all the ladies can see him from the window he put’s on quite a show.
Peek-a-boo Wunior! At 1:49 PST you are playing with your boo on the platform behind the tree… ‘cannot see you
….Come out and play with your aunties and uncles 
Liwu is nursing as we speak, in the garden room on her platform.
heehee!! Talk about covered up in boo!!! and smacking away!! LOL!!!!
Where is “our” Precious Wuuuuu???!!♥
Thank you for confirming the snow day. Is there a specific time when this will take place? I am considering a drive down to see the fun.
Moderator’s note: It will “snow” before the Zoo opens at 9 a.m.
Would someone pls move the camera??!
Is Wu Wu on the platform??
Thanks♥
Thank you, Camera Person.♥
Where is Li Wu Wu??
Would LOVE to see the Precious Baby!!♥
Thank you♥
Whewww!! LOL!!! Just saw that darlin’ Wuuuu Baby climb on the platform with Mom.
Thanks Camera Person♥ lol Now I can sleep tonight:)
Dear Poppy Gao~
Just wanted to say “Hey, Handsome”!!!!!!! ♥
I LOVE YOU♥~~
puppygirl
Puppygirl……I think it is really nice that you love all of our Pandas, but remember I get the Gao Gao with the fluffy feetsie…..he is mine!!!!! Love grammmie
Cameron, you get an A plus for this wonderful essay!! Great job!! Thanks for sharing with the rest of the class….Suzanne Hall is really great too!!
boy he’s sure working hard on that little piece of bamboo, is Wu eating it yet or just trying too?
Right now he is just tasting, and imitating mama, his harder teeth have to come in for him to try bamboo as a real food source. Love grammmie
Bai still has so much fun and youth in her, she was really having fun in that little tub. lol How sweet. Doxie mom posted a video of Gao Gao washing his face just like Bai did today and it was nice to see Bai clean herself up. What I like most is that she seems to be happy and rested. Little Gift isn’t suffering at all, he is one happy little guy, he plays alone well and keeps his mom on her toes. I imagine at this age mom is starting to teach little gift that he will have to get along alone one day. Good job SDZ.
Dear Panda Team~~
I have 2 (two) questions, pls.
(1) Does Poppy Gao eat 24/7?
Every time I see him, he is eating!
He is such a Sweetheart♥
Just wondered if he ever gets full??
(2) Are Pandas double-jointed?
The contorsions Li Wu Wu does are Amazing!
The way he can bend his little limbs and feet around when he is climbing and when he is wiggling around on the different parts of the climbing structure cause me to ask this question!
He is such a Darling, Precious baby and I can never watch him too much♥
Golly, how I would Love to (((((HUG))))) him!!
He will Always be in my heart♥
Thank YOU So Much for the Care and Love you give the Pandas~~
puppygirl
I can help a little on question one. No–part of every 24 hours is spent sleeping, but most waking hours are spent with food. He is nice enough to stop chewing long enough to pose for photos without his mouth moving. I don’t think Pandas ever get really full. He does like to flop on a pile of Bamboo to take his naps.
I haven’t heard about double jointing in Pandas, but I think it is remarkable that when laying on their backs, fully relaxed, that except for their heads it looks like their bones melt…..love grammmie
Hey Grammmie~~
Thanks for your reply!
LOL!! Love what you said about Poppy posing for pictures! SO Funny!
HEHE!! You think he flops on the pile of bamboo to sleep so he can be sure no-one takes his food while he is snoozing??!!!
You’re Right! They DO look like their bones melt!!
Never thought about that description!!
Darling Wu sure can twist his around ! Thank Goodness!
Thanks again~~
puppygirl
Hi — in the later afternoon, when mom is contently eating, what’s the baby doing?
Awwww, it’s dark outside and sweet little Gao Gao is just sitting there munching happily away on his bamboo still, not a care in the world
I love these panda’s!!!!
Just checked on pandas and it looks like Bai Yun is out in the dark with a big pile of boo just eating away. So sweet. Good night precious mommy.
Thanks Daisy. Guess I still can’t tell Gao Gao from Bai Yun.
Gao Gao is the one with the crooked left ear – from what I’ve read along the way it was apparently ripped when he was in the wild before rescue. I’ve found that’s the easiest way to identify him; I’m still not sure about Yun Zi though when he’s out and about. Enjoy…
There are many small differences to help you identify each of our pandas. If Bai or the cubs are viewed with their left ear turned a bit for listening it can fool you. There is definite differences in head shape, body contours and even the enclosure can give you clues, unless they have just been switched for whatever reason. So far Gao is the only one with Furry, Fluffy, Sexie Feetsies. Many now describe his paws having brown fuzzy slippers. This is not a subtle feature, it is in your face, like viewing his ears, left ear prominent. It is helpful to study many photos of the whole group, you will find you are able to identify automatically. Most good photographers on flickr have a lot of groups, and closeups are a must. Looking through a group of Panda photos is a great way to spend time viewing specific pandas. Love grammmie
Rita tells me that Gao Gao poses even more for a fellow photographer on flickr, her name is NekoMama7
I don’t know if her flickr account is open for viewing, but I bet it is. Just put her name in the search box upper right of flickr pages. Love grammmie
Cameron, thank you for a great blog. You and your fellow-students are the hope of the world and I believe you are off to a great start. Continue to learn and increase in wisdom so the passion never dies within you. The pandas are more fortunate now that you and your friends have a better understanding of their existence.
Just a big thank you to the cam operator(s) today (Thursday)– many close ups of our sweet little boy. It almost felt like you could reach out and scritch that sweet little chin or pat the little fuzzy nose.
Hey Sweet Li Wu Wu~~
You are such a Precious baby!
Nitey Nite and Sweet Dreams~~
I L.O.V.E. YOU♥~~
puppygirl
Is there a special function on Thursday night at the zoo???? There seems to be some lights on very late on Gao’s outdoor enclosure—did you want me to run on down there to take care of him and keep him company??? Love grammmie
oh my goodness, it looks like a small forest sprouted in Gao Gao’s pool. I guess he is eating a lot lately.
Cameron, I am so glad Pam noted on Facebook you are blogging here. What a great blogger you are, I am enjoying all your posts! I worked with your mother in America Reads…so of course I must mention a terrific new children’s book about the panda and how a WOMAN helped to spark America’s interest in this adorable ball of black and white fur! MRS. HARKNESS AND THE PANDA written by Alicia Potter and illustrated by Melissa Sweet is a beautiful non-fiction book for children…and adults! All the best to you as you proceed through this school year.
Hello Ms. Rasco,
Thank you so much for reading the blog! I’ll be sure to check out the book. My family watched a documentary on Mrs. Harkness not so long ago, it’s such a great story!
Best wishes to you as well,
Cameron
And the good news is…….two more photos of handsome 31/2 year old Yun Zi. I sent a note to Rita telling her how much you appreciated getting to see his recent photos and she let me know that there were a couple of new ones she had added. Enjoy….love grammmie
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/8538928238/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/8538915656/in/photostream
Oh, he’s beautiful! And doesn’t he look like Bai Yun!
Cute pic of him brother boy he got big big boy he looks his Mom.
Rita took a photo before Christmas that had a bit of shadowing across his face, making him look a great deal like Gao—his head and face looked very round. I think I will look up the link for you so you can judge for yourself. Knowing it was Yun Zi the photographer had missed the look of that one picture…..love grammmie
Here is the photo I spoke of, note the head shape because of the shadows.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/7838456456/in/photostream
Here is a face shot of Gao, note hard to see claws from long fur on tops of feet too.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/7844866346/in/photostream
After noting our view of the upper photo of Yun Zi she began seeing more of those similarities.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/7891721818/in/photostream
I got to have a good time …..spending time in Rita’s photostream is never a waste. Love grammmie
P.s. there are many great panda photographers out there, Rita is my favorite, but I enjoy others too. She gets great Gao shots, but tells me that Neccomom (very bad spelling, corrections invited so we can play in her photostream too) has better ones and says he poses even better than for her.
Ritapetitas photos really are outstanding. I love especially the ones in which she manages to capture the light in the pandas fur. It’s almost sparkling.
And the pictures with facial expressions are also lovely, very soulful.
Grammmie, thanks for sharing. I’ve loved all the Rita petita pics but the one titled “black and white” of Gao Gao is astonishing. It speaks to some power way beyond “cute”. A wise wildness perhaps. Do tell the photographer how much she is admired.
Nekomama is the name.
I was able to find it in flickr this way….
NekoMama7
Of course if it doesn’t work that way try using it without the 7, or with a small “M”, with and without the 7. Any of the little tricks we have all picked up here and there. I was able to get ” NekoMama7 ” to get her flickr page opened.
Thank you Darling Yunior…..love grammmie
thanks for sharing. Yunnie looks in great form and I liked the close up and angle. his black coat is so shiny. it looks like he has a moat too.
Grammie,
Please tell Rita it’s like looking through the lens of her eye at these animals. Her work is above and beyond nearly all the rest of us.
how majestic he looks, what a beauty, thank you for the pics.
My Gosh! He is absolute perfection! He is so stunning.
Thank you for sharing.. Thank you Rita for these adorable photos of Yunzi and the rest of his family!
WOW – beautiful – he really does look a lot like Bai – is/has his white always been this white and clean? Thanks for catching Yunnie and posting for all to cherish and enjoy… hugs
Yun Zi is all boy, he can get dirty enough to look like a black bear, and he does love playing in the dirt. He seems to maybe have inherited Bai’s Teflon gene looking at him now. It is easy to see that Mr. Wu does not have the Teflon gene, it looks very obvious when he and Bai are together. Love grammmie
I will tell Rita of your enjoyment of the new photos. She is very generous of her time and photos when it comes to our darling pandas. Love grammmie
handsome dude
♥
Looks like little Wu is having a hard time holding onto the trees and climbing with the rain.
Wu Wu grabbed a piece of branch just now and is sitting on a limb with it, you would think he was brushing his teeth!! If I worked in the offices across from that tree I would have to be on night shift as I would be spending my working day Wu Wu watching, what a beautiful boy he is!
Thursday was a fairly lazy day for Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu, and they spent a lot of time together on the hammock. And when the Panda Cam switched to the Garden Room, Xiao Liwu was nursing. Here’s some sweet footage from throughout the day.
2013-03-07 Snuggles, Snoozes and Supper for Xiao Liwu
http://youtu.be/lk4PkJHfB1U
thank you Cameron for the insightful article. I hope the pandamonium does help the panda counterparts in China.
Xiao Li Wu was napping in the upper crow’s nest (near the upstairs office windows). then he thought he should get into shape like papa and do his acrobatics workout. hmm, I’m not sure, Xiao Li Wu, if you should test all the skinny branches up there but you’ll figure it out. kudos to the people working near the windows who can get work done with the show going on outside.
It is like they have control of their own cam……love grammmie
if Xiao Li Wu doesn’t like going into the pool, does he take cover during the rain?
Moderator’s note: Nope!
Hiya im from edinburgh scotland and i live near edinburgh zoo,we have two pandas,a male called yang guang(sunshine) and a female called Tian tian(sweetie).
Anyway i have been watching your cam since “little gift ” was born and i love it.
Hopefully in a few weeks time our two pandas will mate successfully,as they didnt quite manage it last year.
Thank you for giving me the pleasure of watching your cub as it has made me go daft for them.
The whole of scotland and indeed the whole uk will be waiting anxiously as they are the only 2 pandas in the uk so the people of edinburgh are truely honoured.
cheers.
Heather
x
Heather, we look forward to watching your cubbies real soon. Good luck. Love grammmie
I’m watching “your pandas” on the panda cam. Hoping for cubbies for you
♥
Thank you so much..we are waiting patiently haha.xx
Whenever I see Snugglepuff way up in the elm tree doing his amazing aerials, I wonder: Is he unique in wanting to eat young elm leaves? Or do all young pandas sample whatever plants are around them, and then end up preferring bamboo?
Panda Team responds: That is a normal part of the developmental and exploratory process, and we have seen it with all of our cubs.
Cameron, I am so impressed with your excellent writing and expression. I have taught and tutored writing and am now a freelance editor, and I see a lot of bad writing—and did a lot of it when I was your age.
I’m so glad that you get to participate in this program and thank you for sharing.
Melissa
He there on his fav.tree he loved there he plays looks fun for him.He has not fall yet he does good staying on that tree.
I watched a piece on animal planet last night about Rhino’s. We pay 1 million dollars a year to be able to see our beautiful pandas and at the same time poachers are selling the rhinos horn for the same amount. google Phila the rhino and be amazed at the animal who was shot 9 times on two different occasions. the even cut off her horn to save her and even that couldn’t stop them from shooting her. she now is in a secret location. this is an amazing. story. I couldn’t believe how savage people can be. this has shook me to my soul
Sad that the human species have done harm to living things in this manner and continue to do so.
I have seen similar films done on rhinos and elephants – both hunted for their horns and tusks respectively, unnecessarily. If anyone watched “Battle for the Elephants” in PBS, you will see the senseless and very disheartening poaching of elephants still rampant today, some not even 15 yrs of age with nothing more than 2 feet of tusks. Imagine the lives they could have lived.
It is really sad that some people in some cultures think that it is their right to kill these elephants or have them killed in the “name of art”. What is more beautiful than to see the tusks or horns on the animal that wears them, and not on some piece of dead, carved art? or the use of the horns for some unproven belief that it has medicinal values. In that documentary, one person went on to say that the elephants should be happy to give up their lives so that their tusks could be used! I could not believe what i heard! Imagine the young elephant babies who lost their mothers to poaching. Who will teach them the way of survival?
When will this insatiable greed stop? What legacy are we living behind?
Moderator, Today I watch sweet lovable darling cub Liwu way up on his branches of his tree doing all kinds of impressive acrobats……How fortunate the people in the building next door are to have such a excellent view of this famous worldwide cuteness baby panda 7 months old liwu……They must be the most happiest people in the world!!!!!!! I know I would be……Now, since it is raining pretty hard here in San Diego where I live, where does baby darling Liwu go for shelter????????? I did see his beautiful Mom Bai Yun go for shelter, that sweetheart, but where did her cub go?????? Last I saw him he was in his moat getting soaked….. And I also saw his gorgeous handsome dad Gao Gao seeking some kind of shelter up on his hammock….At least it appeared so!!!!!!!!!
My concern is the baby 24 pounds of cuteness Liwu, where does he get shelter in the pouring rain?????????? Just a concern big fan of the pandas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Moderator’s note: He can go in that den with Bai Yun if he wants to, or rest under the bushes. He’ll figure it out.
That must be why is so dirty today
I just checked and found a new photo of Mr. Wu from Rita, wishing us a nice weekend. I don’t know what the weather is supposed to be, but Rita plans to check it out in person….enjoy the photo…..love grammmie
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/8540159203/in/photostream
I wonder how old old the panda is.Go Jayhawks in the big 12!Panda ROCKS