Two’s a Crowd
Posted at 1:34 pm January 28, 2007 by Panda Research Team
As you may have read from our blogs, weaning time is among us here at the Giant Panda Research Station. From a keeper standpoint, this couldn’t have come at a better time. I mentioned in my last blog that Su Lin’s appetite for bamboo has grown considerably. Her consumption has increased greatly and has actually resulted in frequent bouts of food aggression between mother and cub. This aggression causes some stress and is a concern for managing the pandas.
Typically, we like to have Bai at a healthy weight of about 220 pounds (100 kilograms). However, nursing a cub for so long becomes quite a drain on the fat reserves of the mother. Over the last couple months, we’ve notice that Bai’s weight has actually begun to drop to the low 200’s. This is a result of several factors in addition to lactation. First, since they are still living together, Su Lin and Bai Yun share one diet. We have been increasing the amount gradually as Su Lin’s appetite has grown. But in this current situation, other than increasing amounts, we have no control over how much each panda is eating. Once the girls have access to both exhibits, this will allow us to provide several different feeding stations, and as doors begin to be closed, Su Lin and Bai Yun will each start to get their own, regulated diets. In addition, Bai often tries to ” defend” her bamboo from Su Lin by constantly moving pieces around which leads to burning an increased amount of calories, also contributing to her weight loss. Since access has been given to both exhibits, we have been able to provide several feeding locations on both sides. Observations have shown us that with this new arrangement, both girls spend more time eating alone and with a more relaxed demeanor.
Many have also expressed concern about Su Lin losing the comfort of her favorite tree. However, it is most likely that once weaned, Su Lin will not have an opportunity to be back in Bai’s exhibit for some time. As a result, sooner or later, Su Lin is going to need to find comfort in new surroundings. This, in turn, is exactly what we have been seeing during our process. So far, both girls seem to be spending the majority of their time in the new exhibit. Although Su Lin has occasionally gone back to ” her” tree, she has also found comfort in the nice poplars that her brother Mei Sheng likes so much. We have also observed that she spends several hours a day alone, exploring the new exhibit while Bai remains on the original side. In addition, most overnight activity also takes place on the new side.
With everything we have seen thus far, we are positive that Su Lin is right on track with being ready for the weaning process. She is increasingly comfortable on her own and enjoying the new exhibit. She has learned all she can from Bai and will soon take those next steps towards independence.
Posted by the San Diego Zoo’s giant panda keepers.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Scroll to the end to leave a comment. Pinging is not allowed.
January 28th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
Thank you for keeping us updated on Su Lin’s weaning progress.
I find it interesting that as technology improves – better cams, blogging opportunities, etc. – we are getting more information about a panda cub’s development, including the weaning process. Blogging opportunities also mean readers can provide feedback about how they feel, both good and bad. This has led to views from both sides of the weaning ” argument” , with the more vocal ones coming from those who don’t agree Su Lin should be weaned this way.
As a panda lover who has watched SDZ’s cubs since Hua Mei was 6 months old, I remember not having access to so much information when she was nearing her time to leave mummy. It was more one way, there was no opportunities to voice my opinions. Not that I have any, or many.
SDZ has been blessed with 3 panda cubs – may you have many more! – and with each cub, you learn a little more. Plus you are in communication with Wolong Centre. I have absolute faith in the SDZ’s panda team, that you know what you are doing with Su Lin.
Keep up the good work!
January 28th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
Thanks for the update, and kudos on the process so far. There is a great shot of Bai Yun eating quite contentedly in her space, with Su Lin asleep in ” her” tree overhead. They both look very peaceful. It will be an interesting week for all. Do you start closing the door tomorrow?
January 29th, 2007 at 11:30 am
Su Lin does seem to be getting more comfortable in her new surroundings. However, with respect to the weaning process, I wonder why SDZ staff seem more regimented with this process than other zoos. For instance, Tai Shan, who is older, still spends a lot of time with his mom and the blogs at the National Zoo recently haven’t indicated that a concerted effort was made by zoo staff to separate cub from parent. Am I missing something? Thanks for enlightening us!
P.S. I really enjoyed my time at the zoo last September visiting the pandas and know that you are providing them the best of care!
Mark
January 29th, 2007 at 12:04 pm
Great, great shots of Su Lin this morning – in what seems to now be her favorite spot to hang out. She is lounging in the trees/small wooden platform – just having a grand old time. Rolling on her back – smiling and waving into the camera (really!). She is just the cutest, fuzzball ever. What a treat.
January 29th, 2007 at 12:56 pm
Margaret #2,
We did indeed begin the separation process today. Observers collecting data on the separation noted that both bears were very calm and relaxed throughout the morning, feeding on bamboo and resting well. One observer noted it seemed to be ” a non issue” for Su Lin. So far, so good! Look for dam and cub to be reunited about 1 p.m. daily for awhile.
Mark #3,
The NZ blog today indicates that they have been separating their dam and cub for several days now. And I would describe our process as ” methodical,” reflecting our years of experience with this and other panda management issues. We have developed a solid process that has some built-in flexibility based on the bear’s behavior, and is rooted in the natural order known to exist in the wild.
January 29th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
I just read on the National Zoo website that they have started the weaning process. The reason it’s transparent to us is because it doesn’t involve opening up new areas to the pandas; their current spaces are large enough to start separating Mei Xiang and Tai Shan. They seem to think Tai is independent and confident enough to make the switch but they want to make sure he will get enough nutrition from bamboo only.
January 29th, 2007 at 3:27 pm
It is interesting that both Su Lin and Tai Shan appear to be at the same juncture. Both are mostly independent and confident on their own. They both only nurse occasionally. It appeared to me over the weekend that their play interactions appear to be more the need of an adolescent bear to have a ” playmate.” In Tai’s case the only one available for the job is his mother. In the case of Su Lin the possibility exists of letting her play with her brother Mei Sheng. It would provide interesting viewpoint for researching the diffences in the weaning of Su Lin and Mei Sheng if they are allowed to interact in their own ” juvenile” bear space. Documentation of the effects of this interaction on both cubs at different ages, and stages, of the weaning/development stage from the same dam, Bai Yun. I can imagine the fun they would have, and the enjoyment their keeper family would have from seeing how they interact. So far in the USA the only ” play” that has been observed has been between carefully selected breeding pairs who arrived a couple of years prior to their breeding age. Once they reached the breeding age they were separated as they were then adult bears. Since this is a very rare opportunity to provide valuable research and observation, I hope that it works out so SDZ can utilize the precious time Mei Sheng has left with you to interact with his sister, father, and possibly his mother.
It is great that the weaning process is going well on both US coasts, and it is interesting to compare notes to see how both cubs are reacting in similar ways.
January 29th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
I am very appreciative of San Diego Zoo’s panda personnel’s efforts to keep the public apprised of the weaning process. The blogs have been informative and you have been very generous with your information. You have managed your bears and you have managed our expectations extremely well. You have anticipated our concerns and provided answers before we even ask them. You have given us little reason to speculate about events that occur and your wisdom in your decisions. Thank you very very much.
January 29th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
Ditto C. Johnson #8
How do you go about separating Bai Yun and Su Lin in the AM if they have access to both outdoor exhibits 24/7? If I understood a clarification made to me last week, they have access to the exhibit from an outdoor bedroom. Are they sleeping in the same bedroom at night? If so do you call Bai Yun into Exhibit 1 (hers) and Su Lin into exhibit 2 (hers)? You mentioned last week that you are doing the separation in the AM when the shifts start so observers can monitor both bears actions and reactions, stress, etc. From the latest information it would seem that you are also monitoring eating very closely. So, it is curious to think of how they start their mornings in separate locations, or during the morning after ” breakfast” when they seem to naturally go their separate ways for a nap, that is when you may be separating them. Do they look for each other around 1 PM when you open the door again, or do they just kind of wander around later in the day and go between the two exhibits? Which of them seems to have gone looking for the other after the separation today? Did they notice that the door was closed and their access to the other exhibit was temporarily blocked. From the comments that it was a ” non-event” it would seem that Su Lin did not notice, or care, during the time that she was not able to physically get to her mother.
January 29th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
Su Lin looks tiny, but grown up sitting up on top of her mom’s favorite rock all by herself munching away on her bamboo. Bai Yun must be eating elsewhere or gone to bed for the night already. Su Lin and Tai Shan seem to be like teenagers and stay up later than the ” old folks.”
January 30th, 2007 at 7:24 am
Several of our friends here are suggesting/hoping to see Su Lin and Mei Sheng put together. I’m questioning if the zoo has any plans to do that. After all, Mei Sheng is almost a 200 lb. bear. It’s easy to still think of him as a cub, but he might be too much for Su Lin……..
January 30th, 2007 at 8:48 am
I thought both girls did mighty fine Monday morning. They seem to be lovey duvy when they’re together (which is a limited amount of time of the day), but most times, they seem to keep certain distance from each other. Even when they’re in the same yard, eating from the same pile of bamboo, they keep some distance from each other.
Since it’s Tuesday, I’m also curious to know how the ” big cub” is doing in his new yard.
January 30th, 2007 at 10:42 am
Thanks for setting Panda Cam on Mei Sheng from time to time. He seems to be adjusting well to his new ” digs.” He looks very happy either exploring or munching on his bamboo. It helps to keep up with him when we can see him in his new environment. The girls seem to be quite content this morning. Su Lin was out early munching away.
January 30th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
What a rainy day in SD! It was interesting to pan back and forth from Bai Yun who was blissfully sleeping through it, to Mei Sheng who appeared to be looking for cover to eat under, and Su Lin who searched for her mom, climbed really high in a tree, then came down, grabbed a thick piece of bamboo and climbed up to her favorite climbing structure perch and munched away. She seemed to be ok that she couldn’t get through the door to her mom. Once she realized it was no use trying she seemed to have decided to eat, and has been munching in different spots since then. Maybe all that climbing and searching made her hungry!
January 30th, 2007 at 12:17 pm
Although Su Lin has been described as ” small,” in the photo that accompanies this post she looks quite big and
confident and ready to take on the world. Good luck, beautiful girl!
January 30th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
Is it my imagination or was Su Lin just banging/climbing on the mesh trying to get her mother’s attention and to get to her mother? She seems to be pacing on the wall near the door a lot in the past half hour or so. Since the panda cam has not showed Bai Yun in an hour or so, one would assume that Bai Yun is not having the same anxiety or interest in seeing Su Lin that Su Lin is having to see her mom.
January 30th, 2007 at 6:01 pm
If I’m not mistaken the keepers are behind the mesh, not Bai Yun. Maybe she’s looking for fresh boo or treats. Just saw another food fight between Bai and Su followed by Su sitting alone expertly handling her boo, looking just like her mama.
January 31st, 2007 at 8:52 am
How do Bai Yun and Su Lin react when reunited after several hours of separation. Watching Su Lin yesterday afternoon, although she seemed anxious in the morning, she climbed high up in a tree in her new space and peacefully slept there for hours. It was difficult to tell if she went that high to feel safe, see her mother, or just because she enjoys being up high in trees. She stayed there for much of the afternoon, and was still there when I left work at 2 PM PST. When I check around 6 PM PST she was nowhere to be seen on the panda cam in use.
February 1st, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Please give us an update on how the separation is going. I have not seen much of either bear since Monday. Bai Yun seems to be having very long peaceful naps. And when Su Lin is visible she seems to be enjoying exploring, or napping in her new tree, or munching her bamboo as she is doing right now. Since Bai Yun appears not to have shown any concern or anxiety and the food aggression has been seen by some Panda Cam viewers, my guess is that the separation is progressing on schedule.
February 1st, 2007 at 4:30 pm
What a beautiful picture of Su on this blog-she looks so mature!
February 2nd, 2007 at 11:04 am
For #16- What you saw was indeed Su interacting with keepers on the other side of the mesh. The area behind the exhibits is a keeper service area. Often times, we use the mesh area to perform some basic training work such as ” stationing” and ” mouth-opens” . Also, when we are working in the back area, the bears will often watch us or as #17 suggested- hope for a little treat or back scratch.
Also, many of you have asked about what it is like when Bai and Su are reunited at 1:00. It also has proven to be pretty uneventful and seems to be more dependent on which bear searches for food first. On the first day, Su Lin wandered over to Bai’s side after about 20 mins. and then sat down to eat bamboo with Bai. In contrast, yesterday Bai was first to wandered over to Su’s side after about 1 1/2 hours. She sniffed Su’s bamboo and then headed back over to her side until about 4. Su Lin remained on her side for the entire day.
February 2nd, 2007 at 3:52 pm
Many of you have also asked how we separate the bears, so here is a basic routine:
When ready to service the exhibits, the keepers will call the bears into their bedrooms. It doesn’t really matter where the bears are when this happens. Ideally, we like to bring the bear into the bedroom that corresponds to the exhibit we are going to put them back into, but this is not necessary. If both girls on are one side, then we can bring them both in to one bedroom. The bedrooms/exhibits are connected to each other behind the service area. Using a system of corridors and slider doors, we can then move the bears into which area we would like. Behavior training also helps and some of the first behaviors bears learn is to follow the keeper. They also know commands such as ” IN” , ” OUT” , and ” OVER” that aid in management. In addition, although the bears have access to their bedrooms at night, they are generally not used except during wet or overly hot weather. Hope this helps!
February 3rd, 2007 at 1:19 pm
Since they do not use their bedrooms at night at this time of year, where do they go at night. They can both be seen at times eating bamboo in one of Bai Yun’s favorite spots until 8-8:30 PM. Then they disappear off camera. In the past Su Lin might be seen up in the tree next to this area, but lately that is not the case. She is either the last one seen eating bamboo, or she is out of camera reach. The big rock Bai Yun likes to sleep on is also in the camera view, and she does not seem to sleep there at night. Where does she like to go if it is a cool/cold clear night? I presume that Su Lin may be spending some of her recent nights up in one of her new trees or up on the sleeping platform that they all like. Do they ever spend the night on top of the tree house?
February 3rd, 2007 at 1:21 pm
It is 12:15 PM PST Saturday and both Bai Yun and Su Lin are in the same exhibit. Did they get separated earlier today, or are they back together earlier than the usual 1 PM? How many hours are you separating them now. I know you said you would start at 6 hours and gradually increase that amount by 1 or 2 (?) hours a day. Has that increased yet, or is that for this coming week?
Has the food aggression become less of a problem with them separated more of the day?