2nd Cub Exam
Posted at 6:36 am August 24, 2005 by Megan Owen
A few minutes ago one of our veterinarians (Dr. Geoff) completed the cub’s second exam. He was able to get a good long look at the cub because this little bear is amazingly quiet during exams. This long look at the cub will help them to conclusively determine its sex.
Beyond determining the sex of the cub, veterinarians also listen to the heart and lungs, check the mouth, and take various body measurements. The first information collected is body weight. This little cub weighs in at 21.8 ounces (618 grams)! Not bad! The cub has basically quadrupled its weight in three weeks. They also measured the length of the cub, from nose to the tip of its tail, and it is 11.6 inches (29.5 centimeters).
As soon as the cub started to vocalize the vets concluded the exam and returned the cub to the den. Bai Yun also returned to the den immediately, picked up the cub in her mouth and positioned it for nursing. Now, a few minutes later, mother and cub are resting quietly.
Megan Owen is the research coordinator for the Zoo’s Office of Giant Panda Conservation.
View Bai Yun and her cub on Panda Cam
See our slideshow images of the cub’s second exam
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August 24th, 2005 at 7:24 am
I watched during the exam, Bai Yun was so calm, just sitting there and eating. You can tell she really trusts her keepers. I can’t wait to find out the sex. How does the cub get its name-does someone from China call you with a name? Who gets to do the naming? Thanks!
August 24th, 2005 at 7:25 am
I sure hope that you are going to let us view the exam video. How exciting to be a part of that. You sure are lucky to have picked the profession that you are in. I am sitting here doing Internet/Office stuff and you are getting to determine a baby panda’s sex! Wow, I envy you:) Have a nice day.
August 24th, 2005 at 7:26 am
Thanks Megan – sooooo, what is the sex?!?!?! And can I ask a favor? For those of us who weren’t taught metrics in school (and have been too lazy to learn it on our own – hee hee), can you please give the cub’s length and weight in pounds and inches as well as metrics. Thanks so much
)
Jeannie
August 24th, 2005 at 7:26 am
So what is the cub’s sex already? You are keeping everyone in suspense.
August 24th, 2005 at 7:27 am
i would like to know if you have ever chosen the name for the baby panda even if we don’t actually know the sex but maybe you have to think about a name if it is a girl or a boy….
noémie from paris, france
August 24th, 2005 at 7:33 am
I just want to say the picture of Bai Yun and her cub sleeping are the sweetest sight. She is such a loving mother! I watch them throughout the day and I am awed by her caring ways.
August 24th, 2005 at 7:55 am
How exciting that we may know the sex of the cub soon! I can’t wait to find out. Your constant updates are just so wonderful and I can’t thank you enough for keeping us ” addicts” informed of what’s happening. You’re the greatest!
August 24th, 2005 at 8:05 am
I read with interest the information regarding the cub’s 2nd exam, he/she is certainly a thriving youngster, Bai Yun is a very capable and caring third-time mom, and appears to have the attitude of been there – done that!
If vets were able to ‘exam’ a newborn cub shortly after birth – is there a possibility they could sex the cub at an early stage? Obviously it would not be advisable as the mom would be extremely stressed if they removed a newborn cub. I mention this because when a cat has kittens, if you are present at the birth, an experienced person can usually determine the ’sex’ of the kittens – however after two or three days it is no longer possible and you must wait a few weeks to accurately determine the sex.
Thanks to everyone concerned. Bai Yun has a beautiful cub – to see that the cub is happy and healthy is all that really matters.
Hazel Turnbull
England
August 24th, 2005 at 8:18 am
Thank You, Thank You for sharing Bai Yun and baby with us and all of your fantastic and endearing weblogs. We’ve had an office pool going for the last week on whether sweet baby is a boy or girl -A baby boy is in the lead with odds of three to one. My choice is a baby girl, Id love to be right!
Many thanks to you ALL!
Holly
August 24th, 2005 at 8:24 am
I was reading the little write up about Mei Sheng and it says he is learning basic commands to help his keepers take care of him-what are these basic commands? Thanks!
August 24th, 2005 at 8:28 am
I’m with the others, what is the sex? I am hoping for a girl. What is an estimate for this cub to be on exhibit? My husband and I are planning a trip to San Diego to see the darling creature and ditto on what a fun cool job you have.
Love the web cam! Traci
August 24th, 2005 at 8:32 am
Wow! How this baby has grown and changed in the last few weeks of his/her life! I also can’t wait to find out if this is a boy or a girl (I’m also hoping for a girl). Thanks for the blogs and the great work you are doing and also for letting us post our own little comments. It’s good to read that so many people around the world are watching this young baby panda under the tender loving care of his/her wonderful Mom.
August 24th, 2005 at 8:50 am
Thank you for sharing with the world… My wife and I love watching the pandas.
What is the heart rate of pandas?? Are the baby’s eyes open yet?
How soon do you think before he will walk ???
Thanks JM
August 24th, 2005 at 8:53 am
We have been watching with eager anticipation since day one of both cubs’ births and thank you for providing us this special opportunity to be witness to the development of these wonderful creatures. Since we still don’t know the names of the cubs, we took it upon ourselves identify each with a special name. We call Bai Yun’s baby ” Dong Dong” and ” Oreo” for Mei Sheng’s baby boy. Hopefully we’ll learn the sex of Bai’s cub soon.
Mahalo from Honolulu, Hawaii
August 24th, 2005 at 9:07 am
Thanks for keeping us all updated! I was wondering about genetics. If this new little panda is a girl, is there the possibility of eventually mating her with the new panda born in Washington, D.C., or are they related? Thanks.
August 24th, 2005 at 9:28 am
Sooo great! But WHAT IS THE SEX OF THE CUB!!!!
August 24th, 2005 at 9:31 am
I have been watching both the San Diego and Washington panda cubs since they were born. I am so addicted. I can’t wait to get up to go to work everyday so I can see them. I envy and admire all the panda reseach teams for they are so lucky to see these miracles day in and day out. Keep up the hard work.
August 24th, 2005 at 9:50 am
Keep up the great work! Your pictures, videos and panda cam are terrific. Please let us know the sex of the little one asap. Also agree w/the comment about inches and pounds vs. grams and centimeters…please convert for those of us in U.S. We really appreciate all your great work…thanks again! (I, too hope for a girl!)
August 24th, 2005 at 9:58 am
I’m trying to figure out the baby’s sex.
Bai Yun’s cub – 618g. and 29.5cm (20 days).
Mei Xiang’s cub- 827g. and 30 cm. (24 days).
Mei Sheng – 539g. and 25.5cm. (23 days).
I didn’t understand. It didn’t work to guess the baby’s sex.In my opinion it is a girl. Elisa from Brazil
August 24th, 2005 at 10:40 am
Soooo when are you going to tell us if it’s a girl or a boy? Personally, I hope it’s a girl. Then Bai Yun would have had girl…boy…girl. This is driving me crazy! I keep checking every few minutes to see if you have put it on the site. You have to understand how excited we all are. This is something that only happens every couple of years. Let us know soon. Thanks!
August 24th, 2005 at 12:58 pm
Thank you so much for all the updates on Bai Yun and cub. I watch off and on all day. I am recovering from surgery and what a joy to be able to watch updates and pictures. Thanks for all your work. She is such a good mother and it is amazing that she is so careful with her baby. Paula Anderson
August 24th, 2005 at 1:07 pm
Sorry, forgot to ask. Who decides on the names for the cubs? This may have been explained earlier but I don’t recall or possibly that info was given before I became a viewer. As the names are Chinese, I was wondering if the Wolong Researchers name the babies or if you are given a choice of Chinese names from which to select. Thanks, Jeanine
August 24th, 2005 at 2:52 pm
We meant ” Ding Dong,” not ” Dong Dong” for Bai Yun’s baby, which is a girl. We were thinking of something black and white and good so thought of the black and white cake. It makes us feel good, just like watching the cubs!
Aloha,
William and Karom Burke – Honolulu, Hawaii
August 25th, 2005 at 5:59 pm
Thank you for keeping us up to date on all that is going on!
August 26th, 2005 at 7:10 am
I can’t stand the cuteness! This wee baby girl is so cute it hurts!