Panda Babies Here in San Diego
Posted at 2:14 pm August 27, 2005 by Kay FergusonI can remember when the two pandas were gifted to America from China in 1972. We were so excited about these beautiful, mysterious animals, now part of the American culture at Washington, D.C. We watched with little understanding as the babies died and we cried for Ling Ling and Hsing Hsing. What was their problem? We now know there were health issues with the infants, even though Ling Ling was a very caring mother.
I’ve also learned that panda cubs are high maintenance. And panda babies are loud! So loud that if mom listens, a healthy cbu will most likely survive. We are so fortunate to have a mother panda that listens to her babies. Bai Yun is a fantastic mother. I have been here for all three birth and it is amazing to watch this panda with her babies. The first birth we were all on pins and needles with our thoughts on delivery day. Never before had a female panda given birth in sunny Southern California. This was a first on the West Coast of America. Would it be successful? Only Bai Yun could give us the answers. We all know that Hua Mei survived and we treasured every moment of her four years with us. She will always be the first. She holds the record for the first to survive in America longer than four days. What a female! Even in China she is outstanding, having had twins in September 2004.
The next birth on the West Coast was the first male panda to survive and once again Bai Yun proved her mothering skills; so many panda mothers are unskilled at rearing a cub, but not this female! She continues to amaze us.
The personality of Mei Sheng is so different from Hua Mei; he is quiet, she was wild and crazy, always ready for adventure. Now a third baby is born and Bai Yun once again has the fourth baby panda to survive in America. The third was the panda baby born in Washington, D.C. on July 9, 2005. What will this new baby of Bai Yun and Gao Gao be like? Only time will tell. So let’s all watch her on the Panda Cam. I’ll chat with you next week.
Kay Ferguson is a panda narrator at the San Diego Zoo’ s Giant Panda Research Station.
View Bai Yun and her cub on Panda Cam
See our slideshow images of the second exam
See video of the cub’s second exam
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August 29th, 2005 at 9:39 am
Please explain in a future blog why the ” den” door closes from time to time.
August 29th, 2005 at 10:14 am
Would you briefly explain what WERE the health issues with the two cubs that died? Many thanks.
August 29th, 2005 at 12:29 pm
It amazes me that panda moms know how to care for their cub–if they don’t have the opportunity to view other panda moms care for their young. Is it all instinctual or have they been shown how-to video’s, as someone commented earlier.
In two years, I wonder, will Bai Yun be up to another baby at age 15?
August 29th, 2005 at 2:12 pm
What zoo were Ling Ling and Hsing Hsing gifted to in 1972? I am so glad that these other baby pandas have been surviving. You all do amazing work by having these pandas live healthy lives and produce healthy cubs.
August 29th, 2005 at 4:29 pm
You go mom! I am so proud of you! I always knew that you would be a writer one day! You’re the best… No one could love these animals more than you or write with love for them like you!
August 30th, 2005 at 4:27 am
Has any thought been given to the possiblity of mating San Diego’s newest baby girl to the National Zoo’s new baby boy when they reach reproductive age?
August 30th, 2005 at 8:44 am
Hey Auntie Kay it is wonderful to see you using your gift that God gave you. Care for the animals is definitely your thing. I’m proud of you and I love you very much! I have a few questions; how often do pandas reproduce and how long is the germination period?
August 30th, 2005 at 2:00 pm
Thank you for giving us our first on-site introduction to the giant panda and making its world so enchanting and special with your insightful narration. We will forever be panda aficionados.
September 1st, 2005 at 1:04 am
I know the answer of Cinda’s question , Ling Ling and Hsing Hsing were gave to National Zoo , Washington DC 1n 1972, and the First Lady Pat Nixon was present in the welcoming ceremony, I think she was a panda fanatic too.
September 1st, 2005 at 3:35 pm
Sep 1, ‘05
To; San Diego Zoo Personnel (& The Pandas Too),
I believe that ” Precious Princess Panda” ; now 4 weeks old, is a wonderful addition to the Panda Population. She is so bright, beautiful & vigorous (as you said)! She has a good Mother too. What I love about Pandas is that when they are born, you could swear that you are looking at a white rat. It is almost as though the Baby Panda is saying, ” Can you guess what I am?!” . Then after 2 weeks when the markings start to show, comes the answer, ” Surprise! I’m a Baby Panda!!” .
Thank you & Signed, Dawn
September 1st, 2005 at 8:05 pm
I JUST READ ONE OF THE COMMENTS ON HOW HUA MEIS’ CUBS WERE TAKEN FROM HER AT 6 MONTHS AND IT MAKES ME VERY SAD…ESPECIALLY IF NATURE WEANED THEM APART AT 18 TO 24 MO.???? I REALLY BELIEVE THAT THESE ANIMALS MOURN AS WE HUMANS DO. I REMEMBER LING LING AND THE DEATH OF HER CUB..AND YES WE CRIED FOR HER AND FOR OUR LOSS,TOO. I GOT TO SEE HER A COUPLE OF TIMES. BECAUSE WE NURTURE, ENCOURAGE, STIMULATE AND LOVE THE PANDAS WE HAVE BEEN LOANED DO YOU THINK THAT PLAYS A ROLE IN THEIR MATERNAL LOVING? THEY SEEM TO HOLD THEIR BABIES EVEN IF IT’S NOT TIME TO EAT UP CLOSE BONDING WITH THEM. I’VE BEEN WATCHING MEI XIANG AND SHE’S GREAT. I WATCH HER ALOT AND MOST OF THE TIME THE DEN IS VERY QUIET BUT YOU SEE HER COME TO HIM, PICK HIM UP AND HOLD HIM EITHER IN HER ARMS OR AGAINST HER FACE..” LOVE” …SO THESE MAMA PANDAS HAVE HAD OUR WESTERN CARE HOW LUCKY FOR THEM AND HOW GREAT IT IS FOR US…QUITE A GIFT AND A BLESSING OF LIFE. THANK YOU CALIFORNIA AND THANK YOU WASHINGTON FOR MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO SEE THIS, FOR IN THE WILD WE WOULD NEVER HAVE GOTTEN THIS MUCH INSIGHT, SO NEAR, FIRST HAND..THANK YOU FOR THE CARE OF THESE BEAUTIFUL ANIMALS…IT SHOWS IN THEM AND THEIR BABIES….