Meanwhile, on the Other Side of the Research Station…
Posted at 7:16 am April 25, 2007 by Ellie RosenbaumAs promised, we were open for panda viewing in our alternate, or Classroom area. Her mother’s daughter, Su Lin is spending most of her early and late morning high up in the tree, difficult to see. This is typical behavior for a cub of her age, taking to the treetops to rest and continue to grow in safety. She did spend nearly two hours down on the ground though, eating, investigating keeper sounds behind the wall, and generally charming the crowd. Mei Sheng surprised me by not appearing up in the poplar trees in his area for more than a few minutes, and that only to check on the keepers’ activities. I had so expected that all the traffic in the classroom would stir his curiousity, but not this morning. He’s been spending less time up in those trees, but at three and a half years old, he’s approaching maturity. This could be an early sign of behavior more like that of an adult panda.
It can be frustrating to not get to see the panda of one’s choice. But once mating season is over, pandas may be moved from area to area with little or no advance notice. We appreciate everyone understanding that these few special days a year are very important to an increase in basic knowledge of panda behavior””and we hope to have the added bonus of adding to the captive population as well. As the plan is now, public viewing will be confined to the classroom area this morning as well. After that, well, it’s all up to the bears. (Isn’t it always???)
And, three cheers for the Zoo’s Meerkat Volunteers, who’ve been manning the Panda Cam and giving so many of us an up-close and personal view of the mating activity this year! Wow!
Ellie Rosenbaum is an educator and panda narrator at the San Diego Zoo.
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April 25th, 2007 at 7:23 am
Thanks, Ellie, Meerkats got some great shots of Su Lin yesterday, and Bai Yun today. Bai was just near the fence, my guess near the Howdy gate, but I didn’t notice Gao. Have they mated this morning as well? She seems to be still in Estrus and somewhat restless wandering around, so that hopefully is a good sign for the patient Gao.
April 25th, 2007 at 7:51 am
P Wong has a hit again. What a happy panda Gao Gao must be. He is very busy yesterday and today, so his bamboo can wait until his ” business” slows down. While his lady is ready the ” iron” is hot.
April 25th, 2007 at 8:53 am
Yes, very big thanks to the Meerkats! I love watching all of the pandas and am glad to have the opportunity to do so so am not picky on who I get to see. I love them all. but I must admit, yesterday in the morning when I was watching Su Lin, that was a treat. I sometimes think she knows she is on camera and enjoys it. She was eating and moved to grab something. Then it was like she realized her back was to the cam, and she turned around so we could see her face. That was very cute.
April 26th, 2007 at 9:02 am
Speaking of Mei Sheng…National Zoo recently announced an arrangement with China allowing Tai Shan to stay in DC for another two years. I wondered what impact this has on Mei Sheng? What are the current plans on his return to China. Can he also be given an extension on is visa (so to speak.) It seems that with the population explosion at Wolong in the last two years they may not need Mei Sheng as much.
April 26th, 2007 at 10:33 am
Were Gao Gao and Bai Yun loud enough to reach Su Lin and/or Mei Sheng? I know they can hear what we don’t. If they did, did they react at all?
Now that the big spring event is over, is Mei Sheng coming back on exhibit for the Bear Awareness Week? I suppose it’s too much for Su Lin to be back on exhibit with Gao Gao’s scents. Any special events planned for the pandas?
April 29th, 2007 at 8:11 am
What a delightful surprise at 8:00 a.m. to find Su Lin on the Panda Cam. There she was sitting on a branch and eating her bamboo. It has been a long time since I have seen her. She looks like a very happy panda bear. Thanks for getting her on the panda cam!
April 30th, 2007 at 2:04 pm
I am planning a trip to San Diego in July to see Mei Sheng and Su Lin. Will they be in the primary exhibition yards in July?