The Rotation, Revisited
Posted at 8:29 am February 27, 2006 by Suzanne Hall
As part of our research activities, we often develop projects and studies for which we utilize our San Diego Zoo bears to answer some question about panda behavior. You may recall we started a rotation study back in December in which we have Gao Gao and Mei Sheng (pictured) swapping pens once a week. So far, it seems both of the boys are doing pretty well with the rotation, and the results thus far are telling us something important about the bears.
We first ran this study a few years back, when our study subjects were Hua Mei, Shi Shi, and Bai Yun. We rotated the pandas weekly for 12 weeks, and found that in the early stages, the process seemed enriching for the animals. Upon entering a new pen on the rotation day, the bears spent a fair amount of time investigating the scent of the previous occupant. They sniffed everywhere and often scent marked several times in response to the scent they were exploring. They spent several minutes checking out the layout of their new enclosure, climbing and exploring. Commonly, they would perform these behaviors before they had even depleted their available food”¦ so you know it had to be important to them!
As the study wore on, the bears seemed to acclimate to the scent of the other bears, and spent less and less time investigating on rotation day. They grew accustomed to seeing new places and didn’t respond as enthusiastically to their changes in scenery. Towards the end of the study, we saw something a bit unexpected: some of the bears started to show signs of increased agitation. Was it somehow stressful for them to be rotated in this manner? Or was there something else going on? We ended the study early because of our desire not to contribute to such behavior.
We opted to reinstate the study with Gao Gao and Mei Sheng for several reasons. First, these two bears were not in the original study, and adding them to the data pool would be beneficial. Second, their personalities differ a bit from some of the bears in the previous rotation study, as they are both more easygoing than their counterparts in the earlier trials. They may demonstrate more flexibility with a schedule of frequent rotations. Finally, we would like to know more about what kinds of rotations work for these animals so that we can devise optimal viewing schedules that will work for the bears during the summer months, when the Zoo operates for longer days.
So far, the boys are showing a similar trend in investigating their new exhibits and the scent of the former occupant when compared to the other bears. Early on, they were very active in exploring their new areas, but they have become more nonchalant over time. Mei Sheng still seems to prefer being out front where he is visible to our guests; is he being social, or does he just like that exhibit better? Fortunately, we haven’t seen any signs of increased anxiousness in these pandas so far.
This study will continue for a few more weeks, and then we’ll be able to look more closely at the results. Until then, look for the boys to be maintained on their regular Tuesday rotation.
Suzanne Hall is the panda research technician for the San Diego Zoo’s Office of Giant Panda Conservation.
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February 27th, 2006 at 10:44 am
Thanks, Suzanne, for the great update – that’s so interesting. Just a few thoughts from an uneducated Panda non-expert. Maybe our beloved bears aren’t much different than us. Let’s say here at work our boss decided to move us from cube to cube for awhile. Well, at first it might be fun working in a new space with a different view (hey, not all walls look the same) and different set-up, but after we got used to the other cubes and nothing was changing or different, we would wonder why they even bother to move us. Maybe our furry friends are thinking the same thing. As long as they were interested in the different scents and surroundings, they were happy, but as soon as it all got old to them, they were frustrated being moved when one place was like the other. How’s that for an uneducated guess
)
Please keep the great updates coming, Suzanne – we can’t get enough info on our furry babies!!!!
February 27th, 2006 at 1:06 pm
Suzanne, I agree that Mei Sheng does prefer being out front and he loves the contact with his adoring public. However, I feel the more important factor is that he is adjacent to his mother and can climb the trees and see her.
February 27th, 2006 at 1:09 pm
Hi! I was wondering, do pandas carry a distinct odor or smell in their fur?
February 27th, 2006 at 1:41 pm
Hi Suzanne, I have noticed that the pandas at the NZ eat fruitsicles very often, almost everyday.. and that the pandas at the SDZ don’t get to eat them nearly as often. Is there a reason for this? Thanks!
February 27th, 2006 at 1:42 pm
Thanks for the update. I wonder why you decided Bai Yun should not take part to this study? Would it be stressful for her to be rotated as she raises her cub?
February 27th, 2006 at 2:05 pm
Thank you for telling us about the rotation study, Suzanne. It is interesting to find out as much as we can when you have time to share the information with us. I always check to see if there’s something new! (;-)
When it rains, I wonder how Su Lin will react? Will she still climb high up in the tree? Will she walk around as usual or stay inside? Do the other three like to be out in the rain? I’m guessing that rain won’t matter, since they don’t always have shelter in the wild.
It is a shame that Mei Sheng can’t hang out with his momma anymore, since he misses her. I wonder if that is just because he is nearer to her than he would normally be at this age. Or, is it his sweet, unique personality and her good mothering? Too bad they can’t talk to us.
February 27th, 2006 at 3:45 pm
Jeannie #1: It’s a bit more complicated than that. Since pandas are solitary by nature and communicate via chemical messages, the rotation helps us to understand the effect of messages left behind on the panda that is in a new exhibit. Our thought is that bears who routinely encounter each other’s scents (as they have done when we are deep into the rotation study) have less to learn from other bear’s messages and thus loose interest in exploring for scent.
Carole #2: while we know that Mei Sheng spends time peeking over the divide between himself and his momma, Mei Sheng also has a history of peeking over at Gao Gao when he is the guy next door. Maybe it isn’t so much Bai Yun as it is curiosity about his neighbor- any neighbor!
Gloria #5: Bai Yun isn’t taking part for the very reason you mention. At the inception of the rotation, Bai Yun was acclimating to her new exhibit space, and having her rotate would add a layer of complexity she may not have adapted to well given her status as a mom. Additionally, Bai Yun was one of the pandas who showed some signs of agitation at the end of the previous study, so we felt it best to exclude her. Besides, we already have data on her from the previous trials.
February 27th, 2006 at 5:14 pm
Suzanne,
Could the howdy gate be configured so the panda’s could see through part of it? They have done this at the National Zoo. I know the circumstances there are different, but it would be so nice to have a window for Mei Sheng to look through.
February 27th, 2006 at 6:08 pm
Thanks, Suzanne, for suggesting that Mei Sheng is just curious about his panda neighbors rather than pining for Bai Yun. I found the thought of the young panda looking wistfully towards his mother and knowing that he couldn’t reach her too disturbing.
February 27th, 2006 at 6:57 pm
I think no other zoo in the world (perhaps except Beijing Zoo ) contributes to panda conservation as much as SDZ. SDZ has successfully raised three cubs, among which Hua Mei has given birth to four cubs up to date; China sent two pandas to SDZ and will have a total number of five pandas in return plus four offspring and more to come ! SDZ may negotiate with the Chinese Authorities to let Bai Yun and Gao Gao stay in SDZ permanently as a gesture of successful collaboration.
February 27th, 2006 at 7:00 pm
I mean let Bai Yun and Gao Gao stay here upon the expiry of the loan agreement without any charges or a minimized amount of charges.
February 28th, 2006 at 6:54 am
I always look for new comments about the pandas – and new comments from other keepers. I am fascinated with everything you have to say, and always grateful when a new comment shows up. I know you are extremely busy with all you have to do with the animals directly, but I wanted you to know how deeply appreciated you are by your public, who stay tuned via computer. (I am in upstate NY and unlikely to be able to visit the West Coast in the foreseeable future, but I stay in close touch via my computer.) Thank you!
February 28th, 2006 at 9:13 am
Either Gao Gao or Mei Sheng is in the outdoor ” tree stump” playing hide-and-go-seek. All I can see is bamboo magically floating in the air, LOL. I was wondering how much Mei Sheng weighs now and if you think that he is going to be a bigger bear than Gao Gao. Also, was Gao Gao growth stunted since he was found dehydrated in the wild?
February 28th, 2006 at 10:30 am
That precious Su Lin is climbing around in her tree right now. Who put hair gel on her and then blow dried her hair ? How adorable!!!!
Nancy
February 28th, 2006 at 11:06 am
Su Lin now looks like a walking shadow, after rolling around in the mud. Maybe she can sneak around without Bai Yun seeing her. I guess it didn’t work. Bai grabbed her for a grooming session, but this may take til next Tuesday to get her looking like a panda again! lol
February 28th, 2006 at 11:08 am
Su Lin’s first mud bath!! How cute. I think this is the first significant rain Southern California has received since Su has been going outside.
February 28th, 2006 at 11:12 am
Su Lin has been rolling around in the mud having a blast! She is an all black panda bear!When Bai Yun finally turned around to look at her, she went for her, grabbed her, but Su Lin was able to get away. Just like any other kid, Su Lin likes playing in the mud! Is there a reason for this mud bath or is it just for fun? It was fun to watch!
February 28th, 2006 at 11:17 am
Bai Yun and Su Lin are playing in the trees now, very cute. Is it just me, or has Su Lin been rolling around in the mud lately? It looks like it’s time for Bai Yun to give her a bath.
February 28th, 2006 at 11:21 am
I have never laughed so hard then just right now, seeing Princess rolling in the mud with the happiest of glee!! Yippie for rain….
February 28th, 2006 at 11:28 am
Maybe Su Lin has been reading about our interest in brown and white pandas and has decided to try it out……..YEA for the mud rolls!!!
February 28th, 2006 at 11:33 am
Who knew rain could actually bring the little girl down from the tree! That’s one dirty panda! I loved it! I wonder if rain makes the smell in the yard intense.
February 28th, 2006 at 2:35 pm
Back to the subject of rotation, it’s Tuesday and I noticed that Gao Gao is out again and Mei Sheng is in the back. Does this mean that Gao Gao will be out this weekend?
February 28th, 2006 at 5:19 pm
Thanks for the muddy-bear alert. I checked the Time-Lapse video and saw Su Lin looking like a chocolate-covered bear at a candy store. That answered my question about playing outside.
Did anyone see Bai Yun clean her up? It must have taken quite a long time the way she bathes her cub. (;-) It’s 5:15 PM (Pacific time) and Su Lin is peacefully sleeping in the tree. Since I can see the white areas, I guess Mom did a thorough job. (;-)
February 28th, 2006 at 5:41 pm
Awwww! I missed our sweet panda baby rolling in the mud today. I will have to check out weather.com for San Diego weather reports and make an appointment to watch the panda cam the next time it rains. I bet she was the most adorable baby in the world today. How long did it take Bai to clean her up?
February 28th, 2006 at 7:18 pm
Sayuri, we opted to withhold this week’s rotation by one day due to heavy rain on Tues. The bears will rotate on Wednesdays instead.
March 1st, 2006 at 10:07 am
Thanks, Suzanne, for clarification. Gao Gao didn’t seem like he enjoyed the rain as much as Su Lin did. He sure utilized that little lair. It was interesting to see the difference in each bear as to their reactions to the rain. I saw Gao Gao earlier on the panda cam doing what he does best back in Club Bear.
March 2nd, 2006 at 11:59 am
What a handsome picture of Mei Sheng! Does he still weigh around 150 pounds? In person and on the cam, he looks like he has Bai’s beautiful moon face and nose and Gao Gao’s body. Mei Sheng fans, if you look up his grandpa Pan Pan on the internet (try ” Pan Pan Giant Panda” ) you will find a photo of Pan Pan up in a tree. Looks like a strong resemblance, even down to the sweet facial expression!
March 2nd, 2006 at 12:57 pm
Susan, I too see the resemblence of Mei Sheng to Bai Yun in their lovely faces. I really enjoy that pic of him, one of my faves! He seems such a sweetheart of a bear….of course with Bai Yun and Gao Gao as his parents, what else could he be?
March 2nd, 2006 at 1:04 pm
I found the photo of Pan Pan in the tree….the text is very humourous. It seems that due to his many successful attempts at breeding, they have nicknamed him ” elder hunk” .
He is quite the debonair gentleman!
March 2nd, 2006 at 1:33 pm
#19, Carol: How cute! Su Lin clearly thought we wanted to see a QinLing panda–and made it happen for us! Thank you for a smile that’s lasted quite a while!
March 4th, 2006 at 6:09 am
If Su Lin had so much fun in the rain, can you imagine her reaction to snow! Please, Please, couldn’t you bring some snow for our little girl? You brought in snow for the polar bears. Equal rights, ya know?