What’s in a Name?
Posted at 10:10 am November 28, 2005 by Megan OwenOne of the great pleasures of working on the giant panda project is getting to know the various volunteers that offer their help in our office or by doing behavioral observations. Over the past 3 years I have had the pleasure of getting to know Shirley Busch. Shirley is 88 years old and has been volunteering for the Zoological Society of San Diego for the past 23 years. In the days surrounding the naming of Su Lin, Shirley told me of her personal experiences viewing pandas in the USA, including having seen the first Su Lin at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago over 68 years ago! I asked her to share her thoughts and memories of the first Su Lin because I felt her experience was a special one.
“The births and namings of first Hua Mei and then Mei Sheng were signposts marking the ability of the Giant Panda Team to successfully raise these adorable cubs.
When the newest cub reached her naming day, her name “Su Lin” evoked long-dormant memories. I had seen another Su Lin: the first panda to be brought to America in the 1930s. Trying hard to recall, I realized it must have been the summer of 1937 at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. Because we lived at the other end of the city I don’t believe we could have visited more than once. I have not been successful in capturing more than a vision of walking from the parking lot to join a long line of people viewing a bundle of black-and-white fur sleeping.
Why did I remember now? I was in Washington, D.C., in 1972 the day Ling Ling and Hsing Hsing were uncrated in their indoor exhibit and I enjoyed seeing them many times until I left for the West Coast in 1982. Then there was the short visit of the pandas from China in the 1980s. Even the arrival of Bai Yun, Shi Shi, and Gao Gao didn’t jump start my memory. But with the naming of the second “Su Lin,” I recalled my experience from 68 years ago.”
If any other readers saw the original Su Lin, please share your memories with us!
Megan Owen is the research coordinator for San Diego Zoo’s Office of Giant Panda Conservation
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November 28th, 2005 at 11:44 am
What wonderful memories. Thank you, Shirley and Megan, for sharing them with us. I think of my grandkids’ many visits to our zoo and the wonderful memories they will be able to share with their own grandkids. At the zoo this morning I saw Mei Sheng asleep on a log, Gao Gao happily munching bamboo, and, on the giant Panda Cam in the enclosure, Su Lin even more happily having her tummy rubbed by a keeper. Beautiful!!
Another Shirley
November 28th, 2005 at 11:44 am
There was a book written about how Ruth Harkness smuggled the first little Su Lin into the US. It looks like an interesting, but perhaps dishearting read, since there was so little known about these wonderful creatures back then. Interesting stuff, indeed. Thank-you, Megan for sharing Ms. Busch’s experiences with us.
Holly
November 28th, 2005 at 2:45 pm
Whether it was permissable or not, I voted (frequently) for the name ” Su Lin.” I knew the historical significance but was swayed more by the meaning of the name. After reading of Shirley’s memories, I’m more convinced than ever that this little cub was properly named. She is a cute little bundle of something special and I’ll be down to visit her soon after she goes on exhibit with her doting mom…not to mention visiting her brother and dad.
November 28th, 2005 at 4:33 pm
Thank you Shirley for sharing your memories with us!!!
Barbara Daniel
Montgomery, AL
November 28th, 2005 at 5:33 pm
I have no way of knowing this, but Su Lin seems very observant–whether she’s resting on the threshold of the den–looking out at the world beyond–or watching her reflection on the walls of the den and (I like to think) trying to figure out how to get to the other baby cub. Like many human babies, maybe she’s more of an observer at this point than a mover. Whatever she’s doing, she is absolutely precious.
November 28th, 2005 at 6:02 pm
Before people start to comment again about the bad treatment of the first cub, Su Lin, by Ms. Harkness, I think we should be grateful to Ms. Harkness for introducing the panda cub to us. Yes, those were different times–big game hunting was at its peak. But these beautiful creatures had been seen only by a handful of people, and I for one appreciate Ms. Harkness’s dedication, if not her methods. We know our Su Lin will have a good life–this is our opportunity to get it right this time.
November 28th, 2005 at 10:12 pm
Thank you Shirley for sharing this wonderful story with us. I know this Su Lin is in great hands and well taken care of. She is very blessed to have so many loving admirers and fans who think so highly of her. The 23 years that Ms. Busch has volunteered for the zoo clearly shows the dedication and commitment its volunteers have. I commend you and thank you for your support.
November 29th, 2005 at 5:40 am
Yes, Barbara (#6) I totally agree. Thanks to that adventurous woman (Harkness) we can all enjoy and learn about these magnificent creatures. We had to start somewhere! Who knows, if she hadn’t awakened such an interest in them, they might even be completely extinct by now and we’d never have known. This little Su Lin WILL live and grow up to have her own babies for the world. Kissies to her and a moment of silence to that first little guy, Su Lin, for the part he played (however unknowingly).
November 29th, 2005 at 6:37 am
I was born in 1939 and was probably 2 or 3 when my parents took me to the Chicago Zoo to see the pandas. There were two of them at that time. I fell in love with pandas then and still love them. How fortunate we are to be able to watch your precious little cub grow up.
November 29th, 2005 at 8:47 am
The first time I saw a panda was in 1981 at the Shanghai Zoo. I was a musician on an orchestra tour and on an afternoon off we had three choices of how we could spend our time–well, to see a panda was clearly the ONLY choice for me. Since I was a student at the time, I really had no clue as to the vulnerability of the species and so forth, but I did know how fortunate I was to see this gorgeous animal. Thinking back to that particular day has given me even more appreciation for the enormous amount of work that’s been done worldwide by scientists, vets, keepers, and fellow pandamaniac supporters to bring us to where we are
today. I trust that the best is yet to come!
November 29th, 2005 at 8:51 am
Su Lin followed her mom out of the den at least once last night. They are so active at night! Can’t wait for the day when they are just as active during the day.
November 29th, 2005 at 10:03 am
What an amazing story… thank you to Shirley for sharing, and Megan for sharing with us! It’s a pleasure watching this Su Lin grow up, and I hope Shirley will be able to watch and remember those fond memories as well.
November 29th, 2005 at 10:11 am
The first time I saw a panda was only a photo from the Reader’s Digest (not quite sure) when I was a kid, I thought it might be a cartoon character like Mickey Mouse, I never thought that a real creature could be so funny in appearance. No wonder when Pere Armand David first sent a skin of a giant panda to a museum in Paris, the biologist asserted that it was a fake animal skin.
November 29th, 2005 at 12:53 pm
Hi all. I have a question as to the temperament of giant pandas. I saw a special on pandas in China and the keeper there feeds 5-6 pandas at a time with him standing right in the middle of all these beautiful bears! I was really surprised. My question is, how do you handle these bears? Are they dangerous? Can they be as dangerous as say, grizzlys? Or are they much more tame because they don’t really eat meat?
November 29th, 2005 at 2:25 pm
I, too, am Chicago born and bred. I had many trips to the Brookfield Zoo as a child, which resulted in many stuffed animals and toys. It was from these early experiences that I love the Zoos and the Animals, especially the Pandas. The Zoos are an experience that no child should be denied…in turn the child will grow up to be a staunch supporter and their children in turn will carry on the tradition. For all Panda lovers, and lovers of animals of all types; we thank the cities of the U S for Zoos. They bring us the pleasures that last a lifetime.
November 29th, 2005 at 5:23 pm
I’m from China , Sichuan province, where we have 300 pandas in the wild and zoo, and I’m so happy so many people love pandas! Pandas are our human’s common babies!!!
November 29th, 2005 at 5:30 pm
Yeah!! Thanks for letting us watch mother and daughter in Bai Yun’s room.
November 29th, 2005 at 5:40 pm
I just saw Bai Yun and Su Lin out of the birthing den, up to their playful tricks and the bath time ritual. How exciting. When Su Lin wanted to go back into the B-Den it was as if Mama blocked the entrance and wanted her baby girl to come a enjoy the evening with her out in her big bedroom. They are so wonderful to watch. I went through a very difficult day on Monday, and to end the day with a smile, not a tear, I watched Bai Yun and Su Lin together as I feel asleep, laptop in hand. Thank you SDZ for helping me make it through that and the coming days!! Carol from Novato, California
November 29th, 2005 at 5:55 pm
Comment #14, Grizzlys are fundamentallly different from giant pandas. Grizzlys are built for the kill , they kill for a living , and giant pandas live on bamboo foraging. Of course people should be cautious to handle an animal weighting more than 200 pounds even if it is a household animal. As far as I know, the dangerous pandas are mothers caring for their cubs.
November 29th, 2005 at 7:19 pm
Bless the zoos that help preserve this severely endangered species, and the individuals who contribute to their cost.
November 30th, 2005 at 7:34 am
Thank you Megan and Shirley! I know that there are a lot of Panda People out there who are very envious of you both. Thank you for sharing your memories, Shirley. I can’t help but believe that what you do every day keeps you young in spirit and heart. You must look forward to each day and what new wonderful adventures it will bring. Dedicated volunteers like you are such an essential part of all the knowledge we gain about our Pandas and other special creatures. Oh the stories you could tell! Continued good fortune and happy memories to you and to Megan. I remember when I was very small my grandmother and mother walked with me in a stroller to the SD Zoo almost every day. This was in the 40’s and my father was in the Army Air Force in the Pacific. And to this day whenever I hear a peacock, there I am back in memory-time-and place. As a child for me the Zoo was more exciting and wonderful than Disneyland and I cherished every visit–just as I do now. Thanks to devoted people like you I know that my children feel the same and my grandchildren and I spend many wonderful days both there and at the WAP. Love to You All, Judy J
November 30th, 2005 at 9:11 am
I saw or read somewhere that there was a keeper at Wolong (or one of the other panda preserves) that actually could walk up to a mother and newborn and she would let him take the baby away from her. He always brought it back, but she seemed to know that he was an ok guy. I just think that would be the coolest job in the world. Well any job working with animals is the coolest.
November 30th, 2005 at 10:12 am
I was watching one of the keepers around 6 am CA time petting Su Lin. I was SO jealous!!! You guys are all wonderful, thanks so much for allowing us ” pandamaniacs” to be a part of your world.
November 30th, 2005 at 10:34 am
Sometimes I worry a lot because I think that Su Lin looks rather weak, compared to Tai Shan, the Washington panda cub. Is she all right?
November 30th, 2005 at 10:34 am
Thank you so much for turning on the cam outside the birthing den and on the inside area (C11) available to Bai Yun. It was a real treat for this pandaholic. I also tuned in later and they were still there but it was too dark as there was no lighting in C11. Then I tuned in about 12:00 or 1:00 a.m. PST and both Bai Yun and Su Lin were back in the birthing den and playing. It was so heart warming to see the interaction. Su Lin was very active crawling all over mother. Again thank you, thank you, thank you.
November 30th, 2005 at 10:47 am
I watched the video of Tai Shan’s media debut. He seems to have bonded with the handler and as she put him down, he wanted to follow her and play. He is such a darling, not so rolly-poly scamp. He was just his usual cute self climbing and going around as if he knew he was on stage. Lots of darling pictures are available. Su Lin will soon be at that stage and I look forward to spending more time with her also.
November 30th, 2005 at 12:39 pm
Hello Megan,
Thank you so much for sharing with us the recollections of Ms. Busch. What a wonderful way to pass her time now too, working for 23 years in the care of the wonderful animals and becoming a ” member” of staff.
Different days with different ways I know from Ms. Busch’s earlier recollections but the love for all of the animals at the zoo shines through from you all.
I have been absent for a while from these blogs, but not from watching Bai Yun and Su Lin. They still make my day worth facing !!
Valerie Warburton – UK.
November 30th, 2005 at 3:49 pm
I’m hoping that the staff will post daily updates on Sweet Su Lin as they do at the National Zoo. They had an entry today describing the texture and length of his fuzzy fur and how it has a pink tint from his Mommy Mei Xiang’s saliva.
Su Lin is a little more active than a week and a half ago. I think she’s going to be just as active if not even more than Tai Shan in the coming weeks! It is a joy to watch her and Bai Yun play. Bai Yun is a fantastic Mommy!
November 30th, 2005 at 4:58 pm
Ming, when she arrived at the London Zoo in 1938, was the one to introduce me to the Giant Panda. At the age of 3 I was given a plush Panda toy and have been a pandamaniac ever since. I lived in Scotland then but by the time we moved to the London area WWII had begun in 1939 and when I visited the zoo the pandas had been evacuated. The panda cams and all this year’s blogs have brought me full circle but not until I read this blog did the memory surface. A Google search confirmed the dates and name and Ming lived until 12/1944.
Thank you all for enriching our lives with the day to day events on both coasts. Living with panda families in cyberspace certainly reduces stress!
Bernice W. California
November 30th, 2005 at 8:29 pm
Su Lin is adorable! I fancy that I can tell she is a little girl, that she looks feminine compared to Tai Shan! I watch Tai Shan more often because the picture is brighter and easier to see. Perhaps it’s my computer, but Si Lin’s cam is usually very dark and I can hardly see her. Is it me, or does anyone else have that problem? I very much enjoy the video clips of her exams. All of you at your zoo do such a good job and your love for your little girl is very apparent. Thank you all.
November 30th, 2005 at 9:40 pm
Is it possible to show a schematic of the areas, of the birthing den, Bai Yun’s enclosed area, garden, open public area, etc. so that we can orient ourselves what is what and which area is next to what area. I’m so confused.
December 1st, 2005 at 4:44 am
My contact with Pandas has been entirely thru the PandaCams but I do remember, as though it were yesterday, visiting the Columbus, Ohio Zoo in 1957 to welcome Colo, the first gorilla born in captivity. Even now, almost 50 years later, I can still remember looking thru a glass enclosure and seeing her laying there, tiny and helpless and cute as a bug’s ear.
December 1st, 2005 at 8:07 am
As I read more of the questions and comments, I still have to pinch myself. I’m watching not 1 but 2 Pandas from their very birth to today. I was so excited to see the article regarding Tai. I cheered at the monitor. Yes, watching Bai Yun and Su Lin in Bai’s outer area (Mama’s bedroom) was such a treat and I love when Su Lin climbs all over Bai Yun and Bai Yun just picks her up and almost like a Dad hoisting a daughter up to play a game…..I LOVE IT!! I’m going to become a SDZ member today to help continue the support of all the zoo’s animals and if we have a Panda Club, count me in on that as well!
Editor’s note: It’s easy to become a Zoological Society of San Diego member http://www.sandiegozoo.org/membership/index.html” >online! And here’s information about joining the http://www.sandiegozoo.org/membership/panda_team.html” >Panda Team.
December 1st, 2005 at 8:51 am
Bernice W. (#29): Thank you Bernice for sharing your memory with us!
December 1st, 2005 at 9:54 am
Can you post the new exam pic of Su Lin on her profile, the one with her mouth open? It’s SO cute!!!
December 1st, 2005 at 10:58 am
Could you update us on Shi Shi, who returned to China a couple years ago?
Thank you!
December 1st, 2005 at 11:01 am
Thank you for sharing Shirley’s memories with us, Megan. I am grateful to all of the staff and volunteers at SDZ for taking such wonderful care of our precious pandas.
Regarding Comment #35, I have to say that Su Lin is the most photogenic panda ever! It seems as though she is aware of the photographer and knows how to give her best pose for the camera. She is exceptionally adorable in all of her pictures! Of course, Tai Shan is a cutie too.
December 1st, 2005 at 11:23 am
Hello all you pandamaniacs. This is the most fun I’ve had in quite a while switching back and forth from one coast to another. I do have to agree with Sheila, Comment #30, that Tai Shan’s cam gives us a better picture. But we shouldn’t complain as it is one of God’s miracles to be able to see these beautiful creatures even from afar. I do stay up later than I should but just can’t seem to turn the computer off when Tai is having another adventure.
December 1st, 2005 at 1:21 pm
I agree that watching Tai Shan right now gives you a better picture, BUT, when you watch the grownup’s outside, SDZ has a clearer picture. I also like the SDZ postcard feature. I have been watching/obsessed with panda’s since Ling Ling and Hsing Hsing. Now I am thrilled to have a baby at DC. I have enjoyed beyond words the stories of others who saw the earlier pandas. It sounds so exciting.
One last thing. Several people have asked about Shi Shi and there has been no update. Could we at least be told that you can’t get an update or you are waiting for one. It would be nice to know. I had a soft spot for him (because of his background) that I am interested like many others.
Thanks for this place for us panda crazies to come together. It’s great.
December 1st, 2005 at 2:57 pm
My husband and I have both lived in the Chicago area since birth. He remembers seeing a Panda at Brookfield Zoo but he would have only been about 4 years old when Su Lin was there so we think that perhaps he saw one of the Pandas that were there in the early ’40s. I was born a few years later than he so I know I didn’t see Su Lin or any of the pandas that were there in the ’40s since Brookfield Zoo had no public transporation available to get there. We had a car but the gas rationing and inability to get new tires for it meant there were very few pleasure trips taken.
I’m enjoying watching Su Lin although I must admit I don’t watch as often as I did when Mei Sheng was born. As I read these messages, I see a lot of people making comparisons between the two panda cubs, which I really think is unfair. They’re two different pandas with separate personalities and a fairly significant difference in age. A few weeks makes a lot of difference in the development of Panda cubs.
December 1st, 2005 at 3:58 pm
It does seem as though Su Lin stands at the door of the den a lot and longs to go out. I do trust Bai Yun to know what’s best, but it seems I remember her taking Mei Sheng out more at this age. Also, the lighting in the den seems darker than with Mei Sheng and Hua Mei. I am not complaining–I totally appreciate getting to observe these marvelous creatures in any way, learning about the work you do, and reading the comments from my colleague pandaholics.
December 1st, 2005 at 4:10 pm
Little Su Lin is so precious, the cutest little panda girl ever.. she is so sweet and delicate… she’s just different from the little naughty boy that Tai Shan is.. I love them both… but sweetie Su Lin just melts my heart every time I see her.
December 1st, 2005 at 4:28 pm
Has anyone else been saying ” go, baby girl, go” to the Panda Cam this afternoon? Is there a ledge at the threshold of the den? I love her weekly checkup video. Such a doll.
December 1st, 2005 at 4:57 pm
I agree with Kim (#39) about the webcams. Each site has its plus & minus features. NZ gives us a daily update and some days SDZ doesn’t have a new weblog. But I have no way to post a comment on NZ’s website, whereas here I can share comments with other pandamaniacs. SDZ identifies the webcams, but I am never sure if it’s Tian Tian or Mei Xiang on outside shots at NZ. The den here may be dark, but we get more video clips and stills of each exam. I just try to enjoy the best features of each site and the rare pleasure of being able to watch 2 baby pandas growing up at the same time.
And what about that Shi Shi update? So many have asked repeatedly for his latest news. Please?
Sharon in Fort Worth
December 1st, 2005 at 5:31 pm
Here’s some interesting news I wanted to share with other pandamaniacs. Since I am closest to the pandas at Memphis Zoo, I was looking at their website to get information. There was an intriguing picture (#6) in Meghan’s Giant Panda Journal – Dan Dan, a female BROWN & WHITE panda from the Foping Nature Reserve. She died in Sept 2000 at the age of 29, and had given birth to a black & white panda.
Has anyone ever seen a live brown & white panda? I never knew they existed.
Sharon in Fort Worth
December 1st, 2005 at 6:08 pm
Kim (#39),
We don’t have any recent information on Shi Shi. Shortly after returning to China, he was moved from Wolong to another zoo in the southeast of China, outside of Hong Kong. This is a common practice, in that moving nonbreeding pandas out to other places makes more room for the booming population at the Wolong breeding center. In any case, we had one update more than a year ago indicating that at the time he was well, but have heard nothing since. We have no line of communication with the staff at his facility, and honestly I can’t even tell you what the name of the place is. I can say that we do think of him often here, and are wishing him well.
December 1st, 2005 at 9:45 pm
I wholeheartedly agree that we are extremely fortunate to be able to watch these precious pandas, even if viewing isn’t always perfect. I think it’s really great to think of the history of our special bears. I mean, Bai Yun was the first succesful birth at the Panda Reserve in China. Her father is Pan Pan, who is also the father of Tian Tian, Tai Shan’s father. And here they are, in America, and we can watch them every day!
Isn’t it wonderful?
December 1st, 2005 at 9:48 pm
Many panda aficionados have inquired about Shi Shi, father of Hua Mei. Through my discussions with several Panda Team members during visits to the San Diego Zoo, I understand that Shi Shi is living at the zoo in Guangzhou (formerly Canton) in Guangzhou Province, China. Guangzhou is one to two hours from Hong Kong. He is in reasonably good health for an elderly (around 30) giant panda.
December 2nd, 2005 at 5:53 am
Yes, Linda (#43) – I was right there with you yesterday coaching Su Lin to venture out. (It does appear as if there is a ledge at the threshold of the birthing den). I am absolutely loving my first baby panda-watching experience, and am looking forward to seeing Su Lin experiencing the outdoor adventures that Tai Shan is so much enjoying!
December 2nd, 2005 at 9:07 am
Comment #45
I had seen Dan Dan in a documentary produced by National Geographic some years ago.
December 2nd, 2005 at 10:35 am
Sharon(#45)/Kelvin (#50),
I have also watched many times the documentary ” Secrets of the Wild Panda” made in 1994 by National Geographic Society, in which Dan Dan was featured. She had redish brown and white fur, and she was one of three such pandas scientists knew of at the time. I am sad to hear that she died; she looked ill but she was a very friendly and good natured animal. It’s an excellent documentary, not only are all the pandas featured enchanting, I am also very much touched by those researchers and people who devote themselves to the study and care of the giant panda.
December 4th, 2005 at 4:29 pm
When Bai Yun was sent to the U.S. I was a graduate student in Beijing University. A professor and Wolong staff gave a lecture on pandas and mentioned Bai Yun going to the U.S. He said Bai Yun was the sweetheart among Wolong staff, very playful, healthy and adorable. ” They got our best kid,” he said. Now she grows up as the best mom and grandma!