Panda Visitors in Awe
Posted at 3:00 pm October 28, 2005 by Gary VoylesStanding at the exit of the Giant Panda Research Station often makes me the recipient of some wonderful glances and comments. A fellow with a ball cap and a beard grins and says “Thank you.” A woman in her ECV squeezes my hand and comments, “You must love your job.” I respond that I would do this for free…but don’t tell my supervisor.
The look of awe in their eyes restores that moment I first saw the giant panda. In some strange, vicarious kinda way I experience that moment with them. Someone from Chicago remarks about how many times they have seen the giant panda on the Panda Cam, but never imagined the wonder of looking into their eyes for real. That’s when I get that wonderful moment and that “glance” as they exit.
Gary Voyles is a visitor assistance officer at the San Diego Zoo.
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October 28th, 2005 at 3:08 pm
What a wonderful job! It must make all the work being done behind the scenes even more worthwhile for the whole Panda Team, when you know that all of you have made it possible and that it has such a good affect on both pandas and people, too. I hope the panda researchers in China know how much support there is here.
October 28th, 2005 at 5:27 pm
I grin everyday Gary when I watch the panda cam. I am grinning now and thank you very much for taking care of the panda’s. All of you are greatly appreciated. Paula
October 28th, 2005 at 6:40 pm
What a great story. I’m looking forward to the day I can come and visit the Pandas in person! Will there be a ” naming” party for our growing girl at the 100 day mark? It should/would be a fun event.
October 28th, 2005 at 8:51 pm
Our little Su Lin was very vocal during her last exam on the 26th. It was so cute, I had to listen to it over and over again. I was glad to hear that the sound is working better. I also noticed her nose is developing more color, i.e., getting darker. Suzanne, of all the women that are in the videos, which one is you? Thanks for the tip about your duty shift on Fridays.
October 29th, 2005 at 12:17 am
I can still remember the day when my mum took me to London Zoo to see the panda, Chi Chi that had arrived. I was not aware of how endangered the species was then (about35 yrs ago!) but I knew it was special. I will be returning to San Diego Zoo at christmas and bringing my own children to see the pandas. They realise they are an endangered species and are well aware of their importance, so we will also have that look of ” awe” in our eyes. To see a panda in person makes such a big difference, they look so cute in the photos and on the web cam, it can be hard to imagine they are so big, but one thing doesn’t change..they are still cute in person no matter how big they are! I am sure a lot of people would be happy to work with the pandas for free, I am one of them! You are doing a fantastic job and the reaction of the visitors is proof of that, not many jobs can give you as much satisfaction, well done to everybody involved in the care of these beauties.
Joanne Broughton U.K.
October 29th, 2005 at 3:45 am
I came to visit the pandas all the way from England in 1999, only to find the exhibit closed as Hua Mei had just been born a couple of days before! You can’t believe the disappointment. I would so love to see giant pandas in the ” fur” . I have seen a stuffed GP at the natural history museum. I am saving hard to go to China in a few years to visit Wolong.
For now I have to be content with watching them on the webcams around the world. And visit the zoo near by that has Red Pandas who may come out if you’re very lucky but normally just show their ears sticking up above their tails which they have wrapped around themselves
October 29th, 2005 at 7:35 am
Ellen,
The people in the videos are vets and keepers… I am not involved in the cub exams.
October 29th, 2005 at 9:27 am
We all love watching the Panda Cam and wish that we could be watching them in person too! Sometimes – on the cam – it looks like the Panda Cub is not in the den – is she rolling out or is mom carrying her out?? Just curious! Thanks for all of the fun!
October 29th, 2005 at 9:42 am
I remember the ” awe” and excitement of visiting the pandas shortly after the new panda station opened up. I hope we can do that again soon.
October 29th, 2005 at 1:47 pm
Gary, you are so lucky to be able to see the awe on people’s faces when they first see your pandas. I was so fortunate to be able to see Hua Mei before she went to China and earlier this year got to see Mei Sheng. It was a very crowded day at the zoo so there were very long lines waiting to see him and he was hiding high in a tree but any little glimpse seemed worth the wait…and mom was right under the tree relaxing. They had told us that he liked to hide in the trees and we might not see him at all but we did see a bit of black and white thru the leaves. Well, later in the day after touring the rest of the zoo we made one more attempt to see him and the lines were very short so it took us no time at all to get up to where we might see him…and we did. He was just coming out of the tree and looked at us just like he wanted to pose for a great picture. A dream come true for me and a picture to treasure forever. Can’t wait to head your way in the spring to see your little girl, just hope she isn’t too much of a tree climber like her brother.
October 29th, 2005 at 5:52 pm
Hello!!
Just wondering if there is a certain time that the male pandas are on the WebCam, say for instance from 2-3pm. I’d love to see them!!
Thank you for all you do for these magnificent animals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 29th, 2005 at 7:35 pm
Thankyou all so much for the opportunity to witness such beautiful animals as the Pandas via the pandacam. I am in Ontario Canada and have to check in throughout the day to see how our baby girl is getting along. Such a sweetheart – with such a loving mother! I pray that the Pandas will be with us for a long, long time. One more peek to see how baby bear is doing before I retire for the night. *smiling here.* Bless you all.
October 30th, 2005 at 12:54 am
Thanks for the great job you are doing at the Giant Panda Research Station. My 8-year old daughter and I started watching the Panda Cam a few weeks ago, as her favorite animal is the Giant Panda. What a surprise for me to see mom Panda Bai Yun and the new cub cuddle and play as I have done with my children. Now I am hooked, so several times a day, I check in and see what is going on with the Giant Pandas on the Panda cam. It is easy to see why so many of us are in love with Giant Panda. Keep up the great work and we will be there soon to see the Zoo, and most important, the Giant Panda Research Station!
Karen of Monrovia
October 30th, 2005 at 12:57 pm
Bai Yun just took Su Lin out of the den again. Why doesn’t the person operating the cam change to another cam so that we can see where Bai Yun takes her and how Su Lin reacts to the different surroundings?
October 30th, 2005 at 3:15 pm
How true your words are, Gary. I was so moved when I had the opportunity to visit the Pandas years ago, after Hua Mei was born. I just stood there and cried, I was so happy! It was so worth the journey down from WA State. God Bless all of you, and know that there are SO MANY of us that admire you for what you’re doing.
October 30th, 2005 at 9:15 pm
It’s just after midnight here on the east coast and boy oh boy… the little cub is sitting up and standing while her mother encourages her and seems to be helping the cub steady herself!
November 2nd, 2005 at 10:43 pm
I know the look you’re referring to because I have it every time I see the pandas. What amazing creatures.
November 3rd, 2005 at 9:04 am
I have been watching the Panda Cam almost daily ” forever” it seems and I have always wondered if it would be possible to post a diagram of the Panda layout. As I have watched different cam locations, it would be interesting to know their physical proximity to each other.
November 3rd, 2005 at 9:41 pm
I was surfing the internet and thought of checking sandiegozoo.com.. I saw the pandacam link and clicked on it right away. i was so amazed and until now it gives me goosebumps whenever i see them. so now, everytime i get off at work and reach home..i open my computer and just stare the whole night. i get teary eyed whenever i see them playing. since then, i researched a lot of things about pandas and downloaded every cute panda picture i see. I am just so in-love with them and i want to join your program ” adopt-an-animal” .. I am also looking forward to seeing them in person but i’m afraid i might cry because of the feeling that they’re right in front of my eyes. i love them! i just love watching them! i hope that you would continue that pandacam and hopefully add audio with it so we can hear them too. thank you so much to everybody who’s taking care of all the animals especially the PANDAS in San Diego Zoo. You just don’t know how grateful we are to you guys! Keep up the good work and please kiss the baby panda for me! MWAH!
November 20th, 2005 at 9:44 pm
I am totally in love with your Panda cam! Are these beautiful animals friendly with their keepers?