Panda Pregnancies
Posted at 8:53 am May 25, 2007 by Suzanne HallMany of you are anxiously awaiting information to confirm or deny whether or not Bai Yun is pregnant. Truth be told, we do not know the answer to that question…yet. I thought I would take the opportunity to discuss the course of a panda pregnancy and what we might expect over the next several months.
Pandas are thought to experience one ovulation event each mating season, unlike some other bear species for which evidence suggests multiple ovulations occur. During this ovulation event, the female may release more than one egg to be fertilized. Once conception has occurred, the egg(s) develop slightly to a stage in which they comprise a small number of cells. They then enter a phase of embryonic diapause (also called delayed implantation). During the diapause stage, the fertilized egg doesn’t develop further into a panda fetus. It simply bides its time inside the reproductive tract, waiting for the cue to begin growing into a panda cub. Some bear species, such as the sun bear, are thought to have very short windows of diapause, on the order of 10 to 25 days. In a panda, the delay in implantation takes something on the order of 3 to 6 months.
Shortly after breeding, the panda female’s progestin hormones will show a bit of a rise. This is her body’s way of preparing itself for pregnancy. We can measure this rise in progestin by looking at Bai Yun’s urine. Unfortunately, at this point it cannot tell us if Bai Yun is harboring fertilized eggs somewhere in her body, because even pseudo pregnant females (ones that don’t ultimately give birth) have this same progestin profile.
So we wait. At some point, a trigger occurs that signals the fertilized egg(s) to implant and begin their growth. To date, we don’t know what that cue is. Is it time, food availability, or photoperiod? We aren’t sure, but photoperiod is a likely candidate.
The progestins rise dramatically about 45 days prior to a birth. We suspect this rise occurs around the time implantation is occurring, though that has not been confirmed. However, even pseudo pregnant females experience a rise of this sort, so we still can’t rely entirely on hormones to tell us that a cub is on the way. We would expect that Bai Yun’s behavior will begin to change once the large progestin rise occurs, as she becomes more interested in denning up. Again, similar behavior changes are observed in the pseudopregnant female.
The first confirmation we will likely have that Bai Yun is actually gestating a panda cub or two will be via ultrasound. Veterinarians have been able to see supporting structures surrounding a fetus about 17 days prior to a cub birth. That’s when we will know for sure that Bai Yun is not pseudopregnant.
However, even seeing a fetus via ultrasound doesn’t guarantee a panda cub birth. We know, based on past ultrasounds, that Bai Yun has twice been pregnant with twins. However, she has never given birth to twins. Her body reabsorbed a second fetus each time twins were discovered. It is possible that this may be very common in pandas.
Stay tuned to find out more about Bai Yun’s progression through the birthing season. I will let you know when we see the major milestones of a pregnancy/pseudopregnancy. But be aware it will be quite some time before we can say for sure that Bai Yun is pregnant!
Suzanne Hall is the senior research laboratory technician for the Giant Panda Conservation Unit of the San Diego Zoo.
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May 25th, 2007 at 9:21 am
Suzanne, It is amazing how much we do and don’t understand about the miracle of life and conception. What a fragile and amazing thing this is. This is truly a mystery of nature, it is surely a frustrating waiting game and I am sure just when you think something is right it’s changes and ends up surprising you. Bai has and always be the #1 mom and wether she does or dosen’t have a cub this time i am sure that she has given you a great amount of information on being a panda mom. I can’t begin to tell how much I (we ) have learned from all of you. Thank you for taking the time to explain everything.
May 25th, 2007 at 9:46 am
Would Bai Yun have made a conscious decision to reabsorb a foetus? Possibly thinking she couldn’t care for more than one based on her experience with Hua Mei or is that something we couldn’t guess at?
May 25th, 2007 at 10:16 am
Ellen #2,
No, the ” decision” to reabsorb is likely made by her body as a function of millions of years of evolution. Her body responds to environmental cues and, within the confines of what the panda is genetically preprogrammed to do, it either commits to rearing her young or ” gives up” on a fetus that may not otherwise make it ” on the outside.” It could also be the case that the reabsorbed cub had some type of failure to progress, deformation, or was simply too small because of a later implantation than the first, and so it dies off and the mother’s body simply clears away the debris.
May 25th, 2007 at 11:55 am
Fascinating information Suzanne. Many thanks for sharing and educating us.
If it is photoperiod induced, how does the early estrus of females like YaYa in the Winter months and presumably therefore earlier Summer birth occur? By photoperiod do you mean daylength of light or cumulative days of light?
It is also interesting because of the differences in environment between the dense bamboo forest of their natural habitat in China and the relatively open and lighter environment in specially designed zoo exhibits. All of the US zoo exhibits have built a pseudo-den environment in a ” maternity suite.” From what I have seen of new mothers in China with tiny newborn cubs, they seem to be in relatively small cage-like spaces with no special places to ‘nest’ or ‘hide.’ Yet their young are born in the same way as those in the US, and maternal instincts immediately kick-in the same way to care for and protect them. Have any studies been done to measure the stress levels, and stress hormone levels of mothers in the wild vs. Mother’s in zoos with pseudo-dens and birthing suites vs open cage-like enclosures at Wolong? It would be interesting to compare the length of diapause stage in all three environments. When Wolong built the newest facility to expand their breeding station, did they incorporate any of the so-called modern breeding and birthing suite ideas into it? Or, is it barebones like the original Wolong reserve?
May 25th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
Suzanne, Another very informative piece. I have a question or series of questions…
Are you saying that the period between implantation and birth is relatively fixed at 45 days? If so, after the progestins rise and possible implantation is indicated, if, say, 60 days pass and no birth, would you then assume the female is not pregnant? Another way to ask the question is at what point (in terms of days) do the scientists/vets/keepers decide that the female is not pregnant?
May 25th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
Is it possible ” Pseudo Pregnant” is actually a real pregnant and fetus is absorbed later like Bai Yun absorbed one of twins? Since ” pseudo pregnant” has the same hormones, & physical behavior as the real pregnant, why isn’t it more reasonable to say it is real pregnant. But it does not result in birth because somehow panda mom lost the fetus.
May 25th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
Margaret #4,
By photoperiod I refer to the number of hours of daylight per day, but it could be another measure like the cumulative one you mention. As I said, we just don’t know what the cue is!
You mention the difference in dens offered to the bears based on their locale. Wolong used to offer hollowed-out tree dens to their females but found it difficult to manage the bears once they gave birth in those conditions, particularly when they had twins. Open bedroom dens were easier for twin swapping. In San Diego we offer something like a rock or tree den in shape, but it is equipped with two access doors and cameras, all of which make monitoring the female easier for us.
C. #5,
We suspect that the period of cub growth is relatively fixed at about 45 days, give or take a week. Can’t say for sure, though. Now that we know as much as we do about how the hormone profile develops through a pregnancy, after the dramatic increase in progestins we can predict when a female is likely to give birth if she is indeed pregnant (should be between 40-50 days). If she goes much beyond that window, the hormones will drop to baseline and we know that her birthing season has passed.
May 25th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
In the camera view M4 C4 at 2:00 PM PDT there is a box on the other side of the tall wire fence behind the ” cave” which resembles a plastic dog crate with a door in it. What might it be? I am curious because it looks too small for a full size panda to use, and therefore might be an electrical box or something similar. I have seen this particular view of the exhibit before, so I am trying to get my bearings.
May 25th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
Suzanne, many thanks for all the time you have been spending on explaining the mystery of panda pregnancy and birth to all us pandaholics. It is really much appreciated. #1 Barbara, I could not agree more. It is amazing
how little we humans know about the miracle of life and their natural courses, e. g. reabsorbation of one fetus for multiple reasons; just fascinating how nature so simply ” put things right” , if their is a deformation of the one cub or other reasons for not being able to make it later on in life. In any case, Bai Yun will simply follow her instincts and may be surprise us all with twins? We just have to be patient and follow the course….. Good luck and success for all of you at San Diego Zoo for taking such good care of ” our” beautiful pandas! I am looking forward to hearing about the progress of Bai Yun.
May 25th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
Thanks Suzanne! Since joining the panda addicts I have learned so much and appreciate the information that the U.S. zoos provide, each of which has a unique approach! After learning of Ya Ya’s pregnancy in Memphis, I am looking forward to much pandacam time as the U.S. potentially has 3 new babies! If, as Bai progresses, there is an ultrsound confirmation of pregnancy, would you share that on the blog with the sac highlighted? I am still amazed at how small these cubs are at birth. GO BAI YUN !
May 25th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
#8 Margaret – Maybe you saw the ” Cool Zone” box. There’s a fan above that, and a mist comes out when it gets too warm.
Bai Yun’s been walking in and out of water a lot. And she seems to be still on a skinny side, too. She’s a woman of mystery this year.
May 26th, 2007 at 5:32 am
Very interesting blog, Suzanne. Mother Nature is one awesome gal!
While watching the pandas on the cam, I find myself wishing I could scratch behind their ears or rub their long noses, pat their heads, handle their paws, etc. I have devised a way to do this – I take my mouse pointer and ” pet” the pandas. And they just lie their and enjoy it! (If pandas can have pseudo pregnancies, why can’t we have pseudo pets?)
May 26th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
I was interested in #6 CH’s question as the same thing was going around in my head. Is it possible that the psydo pregnacies are real ones that don’t go to term, that the mother reabsorbs?
May 26th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Thank you, Suzanne for presenting the information for us to learn from and discuss and for anwering out quesiton. It’s fascinating to see it happening in real time on the web cam, rather than just learning about it from books and videos, although they’re worthwhile, too. The ” photoperiod” is something I’ve been wondering about as a factor in determining the timing of implantation, along with availbility of food and other factors. This is a like having a front-row seat in Mother Nature’s classroom!!!!
I’m hoping to be able to visit ” our” pandas in the early part of June. It’s always special to be there in person and enjoy seeing them up close!
May 26th, 2007 at 6:11 pm
Hi! I’m keeping up with your updates about Bai Yun’s possible pregnancy. I’m also keeping up with updates on 2 other panda moms at National Zoo and Memphis Zoo, Mei Shiang and Ya Ya respectively. They are waiting for signs of pregnancy in both of them right now. Ya Ya at the Memphis Zoo seems to be closer to that point because they have her 24/7 watch at this time. Wouldn’t it be just great that all 3 panda moms have babies this summer?? At Atlanta Zoo, Lun Lun is doing a great job raising her cub, Mei Lan, who is now 8 months old and growing. She’s a cutey and fun to watch on the zoo’s panda cam.
Any more news about Shi Shi? I read your last update about Shi Shi possibly passing away in China, so I’m hoping that you all will have more news about Shi Shi real soon. Let us know, ok? I’ll keep checking up on the webite about Bai Yun’s pregnancy progress.
Thanks,
Chari Mercier
St. Petersburg, FL
May 29th, 2007 at 8:50 am
Thank you so much for the update. I read the blogs often in hopes of word on Bai’s progress and whether or not another panda baby is expected. It is wonderful to think we may be baby watching in all four zoos very soon. Either way, Bai Yun is a beautiful bear and has brought so much joy to my life. It has been such an education to watch her and see her raise her cubs and then separate from them as she would in the wild. What a privilege it has been to be a part of this via the internet. Amazing what technology has brought to all of us panda cam viewers.
Thanks again!
May 29th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
Chari #15 – read last blog about ShiShi – he is alive and well, and there are recent pictures available of him for you to see for yourself.
I am so excited! Princess Su Lin is once again on exhibit and seems to be enjoying herself. Did she show any initial reaction to being back in the exhibit she inhabited for the first 19 months of her life? She looks right at home now, kind of a miniature version of Bai Yun just hanging out.
May 29th, 2007 at 1:42 pm
P.S. Did she climb up into her old ” favorite” trees or did she explore the exhibit more like an adult and check out the scents in the area?
May 29th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
It is really hard to get any work done this afternoon with all the excitement being shown on panda cams! LunLun and Mei Lan are really actively play fighting, and wrestling. LunLun keeps going after Mei Lan and dragging her off the climbing structure then licking and wrestling with her. Then I tune into SDZ and Su Lin is being her usual cute self exploring and doing panda girl stuff. Tai Shan was ” chillin” out with the fogger blowing on him in ” his” corner while he napped by the glass. The zoo visitors must be ecstatic this afternoon with all the activity they are getting to see first hand.
May 29th, 2007 at 4:41 pm
It looks as though the pandas are dancing again — from place to place! Thank you for updating the Pandacam identification info. Bai Yun appears to be getting some well deserved off-exhibit time and Su Lin is back in her old comfortable exhibit area. Does this mean the ” official” introduction of Su Lin to brother Mei Sheng will happen soon?
May 29th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
How AWESOME to see Miss Su Lin at 5PM Pacific time today. It has been a long while since she’s been on the cam! She’s grown so much and is eating bamboo like a proper young lady! I hope Su Lin and her big brother will get to meet soon. Thanks for all the pregnancy info- it’s fascinating!
Went to Zoo Atlanta over the long weekend and took photos of all three pandas there. Yang Yang was the most active and he’s HUGE. I’ll put them on Flickr- just search for Zoo_GA on Thursday/Friday.
May 29th, 2007 at 9:44 pm
Thanks for the info about panda cubs – here again we find giant pandas are a special species. Like all of pandaholics we are awaiting the possible births of cubs in Memphis, Washington & SanDiego – imagine 3 cubs in a year!!! Wow!!!
May 30th, 2007 at 10:28 am
Tuesday morning while Su Lin checked the yard thoroughly (you know how she is), did she look for her mom? Bai was in the yard until about an hour or so before Su moved back in.
Interesting to see how Su Lin sits and eats just like her mom.
And I’m looking forward to see more Gao Gao’s kids that he doesn’t know about.
May 30th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
It’s so nice to see Su Lin in her favorite tree again, although much lower. It’s late there (8 p.m.). Are there keepers around to take them in at some point? Here’s to YaYa to bring us fanatics a cub in the next 2 weeks! (And to Bai while she enjoys private time until she has the next 1 or 2!).
May 30th, 2007 at 9:24 pm
Thank you so much for allowing the mating and fertilization process happen naturally. I still recall the tragedy that happened over here a few years back when we lost our beloved Ruby, our majestic Asian Elephant who was taken from us after a tragic mating when she was obviously not ready or interested.
Bai has proven herself three times now to be the worlds greatest Panda Mother, and if it’s time for her to gift us with yet another miracle, you have made the right choice to allow it all to happen naturally.
Keep up the good work, and give our girl a good scratch behind the ears for us.
Tony Morales
Phoenix AZ
May 31st, 2007 at 6:13 am
Xiang Xiang’s death finally made it to the world media. It is sad that a somewhat defenseless human accustomed animal had to die alone in a wild state he was not well prepared to handle because of international political challenges. To put defenseless animals in that position is unconscionable. He needed medical care, and his ” handlers” knew that, but were unwilling to admit a failed attempt at release into the wild. How can a human really really teach a captive born animal survival skills for the wild? A wild born animal such as Gao Gao or Shi Shi could teach such skills because they have had to use them, but a captive born and raised panda has not. It seems logical to me that putting a wild born panda into a position is much more likely to succeed. Is there a way to allow a wild born panda now in captivity to interact in a large reserve setting with a captive born one ” trained” in survival to allow them time to ” practice” their survival skills and confrontation skills in a somewhat limited fashion prior to shoving them out the CAGE DOOR? The fact that they actually mention in the press releases about his death that he ” hesitated momentarily before ambling off into the brush” should give many people pause for thought.
It is true that the panda breeding success, and resultant population ” explosion” of juvenile panda cubs presents an opportunity to release some of them into the wild. However, unless the process is more refined and defined for greater survival success, they are just sacrificing them for political gain. How much research is going into the study of survival skills training and development of cubs to allow greater success for captive raised cubs to be released into the wild? Even Gao Gao, a wild born cub was released into the wild after some medical care and healing and he came back into captivity and has remained there. Since wild born genes are more genetically valuable due to their relative rarity than captive bred ones, how likely are cubs born in captivity to wild born mothers likely to be released into the wild.
Are studies being done on any differences between captive born mothers raising cubs and wild born mothers raising cubs? Since all cubs are removed from their mothers at 6 months in China, how would a wild born mother have enough time to instill survival skills training in her cub? All 4 adult females in the US zoos were captive born, so the females that have access to their cubs for the normal length of time do not have the experience of being raised in the wild themselves. Therefore other than their innate sense of survival, which is the majority of the skill base, they don’t have prior knowledge of some of the details that a wild born mother would have.
May 31st, 2007 at 6:23 am
CH #6,
What you suggest is possible. The truth is we don’t know. Only Bai Yun has been able to provide such routine, clear ultrasound images to panda researchers. Future work with other bears should answer your question.
Dorothy #10,
The display of ultrasound images on the blog will be up to our vets. However, in the past, such images have been released to the media so it is a good bet you’ll be able to see them at some point on our website.
Sayuri #11,
Actually, Bai Yun has been steadily gaining weight as of late. She is now routinely over 100kg.
To all asking about Su Lin’s return to exhibit:
As expected, our youngest panda showed a healthy dose of caution upon being moved to a new area. No doubt it is familiar to her, but there are so many new scents there now (some refurbishing of the exhibits has been done since she moved out, Gao Gao spent some time there, etc.). She spent the greater part of her first morning there exploring, taking in scents, climbing high and low. She did NOT scent mark… this makes good sense for a small bear who doesn’t want to draw attention to herself. after the first initial days, Su Lin is more settled and relaxed in her new space. Once we feel she is well adapted to this transition, we will begin disucssing the possibilty of opening the howdy gate between her and Mei Sheng.
May 31st, 2007 at 8:28 am
Su Lin looks so big now since she branched out on her own,she has blossomed into a beutiful young adult,well done Bai Yun! Very sad news that the body of Xiang Xiang has been found,he died of serious internal injuries,poor bear ,I hope he didn’t suffer too much.
May 31st, 2007 at 9:05 am
I just read that Xiang Xiang, the panda that was released into the wild in China last April died in February. Apparently, he fell from a high tree – they speculate he was trying to get away from other pandas. I have read before where he didn’t really know how to climb very well and had been hurt previously from falling ot of a tree. I don’t understand why the pandas in China’s reserves don’t know how to climb. The pandas in the States learn very young. You’d think the Chinese would know that climbing is very important to a panda’s safety. Xiang should not have died from falling out of a tree – this is horrible.
Don’t get me wrong, I understand that we need to grow the wild population of pandas to ensure their survival, it’s just that he died from not having a basic panda skill – which really makes me angry. And from what I read, he didn’t die instantly from the fall – it hurts to think of him lying there suffering. Rest in peach Xiang.
May 31st, 2007 at 9:09 am
Have you read the news about Xiang Xiang? He was the first human bred panda to be released into the wild in April 2006. He died!!!!
May 31st, 2007 at 9:22 am
Oh I read such sad news today that Xiang Xiang, the male panda released into the wild in China, had died. His body was found Feb. 19, and reports indicate that he died of substantial internal injuries probably sustained from a fall from a high place while fighting. My heart is heavy about his passing, but I hope he enjoyed the freedom he experienced living in his homeland for 10 months. Bless him for being such a pioneer and, hopefully, one day all pandas will live free because of the lessons learned from Xiang Xiang and other pandas in captivity today.
May 31st, 2007 at 9:22 am
Thank you for all the wonderful information on the Pandas. I just loved getting to San Diego this year to see little Su Lin before she was sent off from her Mom. Do you know anything about the Panda that has died in the wild in China after being released by Woolong? I have seen that they have found his body, but not what happened to him.
Thanks again for all the happy hours of Panda watching!
May 31st, 2007 at 10:28 am
Xiang Xiang, you deserved so much better. A gentle soul is how I will think of you always.
May 31st, 2007 at 11:13 am
Since many of panda cubs in China don’t have access to natural exhibits like US pandas do, they don’t always have access to trees. Therefore they may not have as much experience climbing trees. If Xiang Xiang was about 2 years old when they started ” survival” training, he may not have had as much climbing experience as was needed to elude rivals in the wild. From watching Tai Shan and Su Lin, both of whom were avid climbers before their weaning, it is apparent that as a cub approaches 2 years of age, they don’t climb as often. True Mei Sheng is almost 4 and he climbed way up in the tree in the back exhibit and communicated with Su Lin who was also in the tree tops. However, I haven’t seen a tree quite as high in the front exhibits where they both are staying at the moment. Nor have I seen them climb as high as they did ” off exhibit.” That may be due to the other areas in the front exhibits that they like better or feel more comfortable around so they don’t feel the need to climb???
It is not hard to imagine how limited Xiang Xiang’s ” survival” training might have been given the age at which it started, the environment in which he was raised, and the availability of natural setting in which to acclimate and train him.
I think I read last year that he was less ” social” or unfriendly/more cautious bear around humans, which is one of the reasons he was chosen to be the first bear to be released. They thought his distance and less familiarity with humans would better equip him for a solitary life in the wild. I hope they are rethinking this training process, as it is obviously flawed somewhere.
May 31st, 2007 at 11:45 am
Suzanne, how much can Su Lin and Mei Sheng see and smell of each other in adjacent enclosures when the Howdy Gate is closed? If they noticed each other in the trees, it will be interesting to see how they react to their close proximity now. Is Gao Gao or Mei Sheng in the second exhibit today? I can’t tell because they are not in camera view. I can see a panda sleeping on the ground, which is how Gao likes to nap, so I am guessing they were switched on Tuesday. If so, has Su Lin shown any interest in who might be next door? It appears from the camera views I have seen that the front exhibits are physically more adjacent through fences and natural plantings whereas the back exhibits seem to be separated more by opaque walls. Is that accurate, or is it just the views I have seen and not reality? If the newer exhibits are more open and natural due to more lush plantings, does that contribute to more sensory opportunities between exhibits?
May 31st, 2007 at 11:57 am
I just read that SDZ has lost another extremely rare animal,a white Rhino named Nadi. It is said that there is only about 13 left in the world. They said she was about 40, I don’t know there life span but any loss is a terible blow to the people who are trying so hard to save the species and to the world who will never get the chance to know these special animals.My deepest regrets to all.
May 31st, 2007 at 12:31 pm
Then maybe China should give their baby pandas access to trees – or delay releasing any more pandas into the wild until they can provide some. As I said, climbing is a survival skill for pandas – how many times has that very statement been made right here in the panda blogs by the keepers at San Diego? I don’t believe for one minute that China can’t provide their little ones with trees to climb – especially ones that they have in the pipeline for release into the wild. This was just a major screw up and poor Xiang is the one that had to suffer for their mistakes. The tree climbing aside, I just can’t beleive they really think they can take a captive born panda and ” teach” them to be wild. They need to find another way to save the pandas and not sacrifice anymore the way they did Xiang.
They should never have sent him back out last December when they brought him in for a week to tend to several wounds – that should have been a pretty good indication that he wasn’t ready for what they were pushing on him. They say despite his death they learned many ” lessons” , well I doubt they learned anything between December and February when he died that they didn’t already know. They should have kept him at the reserve and moved forward with their newfound knowledge. In my opinion, they killed him, not another panda.
May 31st, 2007 at 12:34 pm
For those of you who want to read about Xiang Xiang go to Guardian Unlimited the online version of The Guardian newspaper. There are 5 pictures of Xiang Xiang. The Guardian says that he has been buried at the foot of a mountain about eight miles from the Wolong centre.
May 31st, 2007 at 3:56 pm
Did the Chinese ASSUME Xiang Xiang would develop this skill on his own? As much as the Pandas are revered in China- it’s obvious that fatal decisions were made and this beautiful animal paid the price for them. THIS SICKENS ME about Xiang Xiang- that’s the most non-offensive thing I can say about it. I hope he’s playing in Panda Heaven right now with the Panda from Berlin and all of the others that have gone before him.
May 31st, 2007 at 6:23 pm
I picked up the following from the China Daily news online which appears to have been published on April 23rd. The fate of 4-year-old Xiang Xiang, a former Wolong resident, has added to the controversy. Having had his every need anticipated by a loyal band of caregivers, the baffled bear received the shock of his young life last spring. He was dropped into the middle of thick bamboo forest, making him the first giant panda bred in captivity to be released by Chinese scientists into the wild. Although he had received some survival training, Xiang Xiang soon found he had been left in a very rough neighborhood. In late December forest wardens noticed from his radio-collar tracker that he wasn’t moving. The bear had been bitten by a wild panda in a fight for territory; Xiang Xiang was eventually found, treated and sent back into the wild.
Sadly for Xiang Xiang, the tough love backfired. In a subsequent encounter with a woods-wise cousin, he tried to escape by climbing a tree. Evidently that wasn’t part of survival training: the bear fell and, from what rangers could gather, probably broke a leg. Rangers haven’t been able to find Xiang Xiang, whose radio collar may have malfunctioned when he fell. Still, Zhang Hemin, director of the Wolong center, insists his charge had to be banished. ” We did not want to keep Xiang Xiang because that would have shown our experiment had failed,” he says.
Maybe producing pandas and then tossing them into the wild doesn’t make sense. According to Jim Harkness, the former WWF chief in China, a range of factors drive the breeding program, notably ” the myth that captive breeding will save the panda.” The program is a source of national pride; plus there’s the fuzzy economics: zoos donate money to China in exchange for the right to display pandas. In the U.S. four zoos, including the National Zoo in Washington, are each paying $10 million over a decade for their Wolong-bred bears.
Zhang denies that the breeding program is aimed at raising revenues. He notes that the government restricts the number of overseas groups the Wolong center can supply with animals, and says all donations are used to expand protected areas and for research. And Zhang insists that reintroducing pandas into the wild will help sustain populations over the long run. ” It is not responsible for anyone to declare that the experiment is pointless,” Zhang says. Maybe Wu Gong should put down that bamboo stalk. A less pleasurable ordeal could await him in the wild.
June 1st, 2007 at 6:38 am
Happier news than the death of Xiang Xiang is the work that Ya’an City is doing to clean up the air and environment around 20% of the wild panda population’s home in that area of China’s panda reserves.
I got a letter from Pandas International today with some great news and a funny story. ” ” Since Sichuan prepared for the inclusion of the giant panda’s habitat on the World Natural Heritage List in 2000, Baoxing has closed down some 30 polluting enterprises and enterprises that could cause pollution,” said Li Lu, an official at the Ya’an Municipal Urban Construction Bureau.
He said Ya’an had also banned hunting in the giant panda’s habitat and relocated some people who were living in it. ” Thanks to these efforts, it is not unusual for wild pandas to approach farmhouses and forest farms. Instead of hurting them, people observe whether they are ill or hungry and see if they can help,” said Li Guilin, a farmer in Baoxing’s Yanjing Township.
One night in January, a wild panda entered a farmer’s pigsty in Baoxing and slept with the pigs for a night. It did not leave until 10 am the next day. ” The farmer did not disturb it and placed porridge near it,” Li said.”
Can’t you just picture a wild panda approaching a pig sty and sleeping with the pigs and then eating porridge and sauntering off in the morning? Reminds be of the Three Bears.
June 1st, 2007 at 7:26 am
Are we supposed to be looking for any type of behavior that might indicate Bai is pregnant?
June 1st, 2007 at 8:55 am
I am also wondering how much the experts of those China’s giant panda research centers know the wild pandas and their lives. They have been criticised in putting most of their resources and efforts in breeding technology instead of site research in the wild.
Regarding the possible meeting of Su Lin and Mei Sheng, I came across a TV clip which was shot in the wild in Qingling and was made by a professor from Peking U. The clip was about a four year old female panda palying with her two year old younger brother in a bamboo forest. It is very touching that it seemed to us that the sister was back to take care of her younger brother who had just left their mother, who was about to give birth to her next cub, and started to live on his own. The professor was curious to know if this was a kind of kinship in the panda’s world hinted. However, he regarded that we still knew very little about pandas.
June 1st, 2007 at 9:53 am
Margaret #41, What a sight it must have been,I can just imagine what the poor pigs must have thought. I am trying to make a mental image it
June 1st, 2007 at 10:55 am
Xiang Xiang Remembered
You will always be remembered my beautiful, handsome boy. Taking those courageous steps into the wild, you took a journey for all the Pandas as well. For the precious time you got to romp, play and roam wherever you wanted, I will remember that whenever I feel tears coming into my eyes. I’ll dream of you roaming in a place where no one can hurt you anymore. You will be climbing the trees and eating the best boo. I thank you for touching my heart so deeply! I will always hold you close to my heart and in all of my dreams! thank you my beautiful boy for the chance to have shared in a bit of your journey. Go free now Xiang and enjoy the life you so deserve. Your memory will always be here for us. Goodbye my beautiful boy. I love you.
June 1st, 2007 at 12:01 pm
Y. H. Ng, thanks for the info about the TV clip of the 4 year old female playing with her 2 year old brother. Maybe that sets a precedent for Su Lin and Mei Sheng. It is worth checking into at least. I plan to search for it and find out more about it.
June 1st, 2007 at 12:17 pm
In doing a seach for the TV clip Y.H.NG #43 mentioned, I came across a fascinating article about filming pandas in the wild during Winter. It has a lot of info about how the pandas continue to eat all through the Winter while their cousins are hibernating. I have read that many bear species bear their young while hibernating, whereas pandas bear their young in the heat of the Summer.
Are there any pandas South of the equator? If so, does the difference in seasons affect their estrus and birth timing? You mentioned earlier that implantation might be affected by photoday length. Would the change in seasons South of the equator affect that? Presumably if there are any pandas in that region they are in zoos???Pandas in 3 of the 4 US zoos are in the Southern part of US. All of them have access to A/C during the day, and have special chilled zones in their outdoor habitats. I can’t imagine how pandas would survive the heat in the Southern hemisphere except for A/C.
June 1st, 2007 at 2:15 pm
Is Bai Yun enjoying her ” vacation?” Has she shown any reaction to being in a new habitat for the first time in 2 years? She has been there before, obviously when Su Lin was small, but that was a relatively long time ago. She is now getting her well deserved low stress break to eat, sleep, play, or do whatever she wants when she wants free from peering eyes of her ever present fans.
June 1st, 2007 at 2:17 pm
Are there pools in the back exhibits like there are in the front? Bai was spending much time in the one in the front exhibit, so I wondered if she had access to one in the back.
June 1st, 2007 at 9:59 pm
Either our stud Gao Gao or handsome Mei Sheng is sleeping right now on camera #2. It’s so nice to watch them lying still and sleeping peacefully…Such is the comfortable life of a panda bear!
June 2nd, 2007 at 12:43 pm
I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am! We are going to be visiting the San Diego Zoo in late July. I have had the opportunity to see Tai Shan in Washington D.C. and Mei Lan in Atlanta this past year. It is a dream come true to visit Bai, Gao, Mei Sheng and little Su Lin at the SD Zoo. I will probably spend alot of time at the zoo that week. Pandas are my passion! From Rhode Island.
June 3rd, 2007 at 9:00 am
#Christine, I wholeheartedly agree with you! It really seems to be a political and economical issue regarding the ” breeding factory of pandas” in Wolong. I start asking myself if breeding so many pandas at the same time, i. e. 16 cubs being more or less the same age, would really be beneficial for the pandas themselves. I doubt that the keepers at Wolong have got enough time to dedicate to the upbringing and training of the pandas in order to make them fit to being released into the wild later on. I can only hope that the incident of Xiang Xiang’s death has taught the staff at Wolong a lesson. It breaks my heart picturing the helpless animal suffering unnecessary pain and all because of a ” matter of pride” and sense of achievement. I am very grateful, however, that so much tender loving care is being given to the captive pandas in the zoos. Thank you for your dedicated work!
Great to know that Su Lin has been keeping well and is developping into a beautiful panda girl.
June 3rd, 2007 at 12:17 pm
Margaret, thanks for sharing the good news about Ya’an city….I love the story of the wild panda sleeping with the pigs, and the farmer feeding it porridge! There are many wonderful stories of wild pandas who have been injured and rescued: Gao Gao, Shi Shi, Basi, and several others. (All 3 who have graced the grounds of SDZ). This news warms my heart!
I am devastated by the plight of dear Xiang. I don’t want to say anymore right now, as I have been very emotional. May he find all the joy and love in heaven that he so richly deserves!
June 4th, 2007 at 7:47 am
At 7:44 AM PDT, Monday morning, Bai Yun is really sniffing hard at some odor in the air. She is quite happy with a pile of bamboo in front of and around her. But, she is stretching her head high in the air moving from side to side obviously sniffing, or perhaps listening, for something that has caught her interest. It is a pose I have not seen on her before. Interesting to see how the pandas react to different stimuli.
June 4th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
Has anyone else seen LunLun and Mei Lan wrestling lately? Lun Lun must be teaching survival skills because she sure is using tough love! She can be relentless in dragging Mei Lan off the climbing structure. She always grabs Mei Lan’s body with her forearms and pulls her toward her, presumably to cushion her fall. She often falls to the ground, gets up, shakes herself off, and starts back up the climbing structure again. They do this for up to an hour or more at a time. Sometimes Lun wants Mei to nurse, but often it looks like they are ” playing” or it is ” skill development” time. After a while either Mei Lan runs off and up out of reach or Lun gets tired and goes off to eating or exploring or napping. Often she will drag Mei Lan into the hammock for rest, or she will retire there by herself and let Mei Lan go on climbing.
I don’t recall ever seeing Bai Yun be so ” rough” with Su Lin. I have seen Mei Xiang try to pull Tai Shan off the trees in his early climbing days, but normally he was the one ” attacking” his mother, not the other way around. If cubs leave their mothers at 6 months of age in China how/when do they get this kind of skill training from their mothers? They don’t seem to do this with each other as they are too close to the same size.
It is a very interesting interaction to watch and see how each of them reacts, and what Mei Lan learns. They have been doing this for about a month now, and the intensity with which Lun Lun pursues it seems to be increasing, so I suspect she is teaching Mei Lan more and more about defense.
June 4th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Pam # 51 – I’m excited for you – visiting the SD Zoo is going to be great fun, and you should have spectacular weather in July – no more ” May Gray” or ” June Gloom” ! Don’t forget to also visit the SD Wild Animal Park – and check out lion cubs! Keep us posted on your adventures and visit with our Panda Family.
June 4th, 2007 at 5:18 pm
Conversation with Bai Yun #4
Bai Yun: Hello, Ya Ya. (communication via cell phone)
Ya Ya: Hello, Bai Yun. Hey, wait a minute. Let me adjust this earpiece…
B: OK. So how are you feeling these days.
Y: Not bad, just a little reduced appetite. No big deal.
B: So is Le Le bothering you?
Y: No, hadn’t seen him for days.
B: I’m sure glad Gao Gao backed off after our big meeting.
Y: Oh, what was it like?
B: It was great. But I was only able to take so much.
Y: You know, I’ve been hearing strange noises lately.
B: Oh?
Y: It’s from my belly.
B: You mean indigestion?
Y: No, it sounds like ” I love you yeah, yeah, yeah…”
June 5th, 2007 at 6:41 am
Margaret #55 i have noticed the same thing and i get nervous when Lun starts pulling Mei down, but as the keepers say the flooring is made from soft materials so at least that cushions the fall.I have also noticed, that Mei can be a big pain in the butt to Lun, Yesterday just before the camera went off Mei quietly slid down off the climbing structure and attacked Lun, feet were bitten as well as head and numerous other body parts. If you look at Lun Lun’s eye you can tell one thing for sure she loves that baby and when I see that a tear comes to my eyes Lun Lun is making sure that her baby gets a good start in life by teaching her survival skills.With mothers like Lun the pandas will have a better chance in this world.
Pam #51 You have been so luckly to see our D.C. and Atlanta families and now the SDZ family have a great time and maybe next time it will be Memphis to see Ya Ya’s baby.
June 5th, 2007 at 9:01 am
I’ve been away from Pandacam for about 2 weeks. When I returned, I tuned in expecting to see beautiful Bai Yun. At first glance, Bai looked a little different and then I realized it was her beautiful daughter. What a treat to see Princess Su Lin roaming around her old habitat and looking just like a grownup panda, though a bit smaller. She is such a beauty. It must give everyone at SDZ so much pleasure to see how healthy, smart, and active she is. And it’s also great to see her big handsome brother more now. Thanks for the new views. I love to see how the youngsters have grown.
June 5th, 2007 at 11:30 am
P. Wong – I love it, yeah, yeah, yeah (Ya, Ya, ya)
Barbara #58, I am less anxious when Mei Lan falls because they said the structure is only 4 feet off the ground on the back side where she spends most of her time. When Lun Lun stands up to pull her off it only comes up to her shoulders, so I know Mei Lan isn’t falling far, and she and the floor are well padded.
I loved watching Mei Lan yesterday afternoon practicing hanging upside down on the straps that hold the hammock. She would fall off and climb right back up and do it over again. Her nibbling of Lun Lun remind me of Tai Shan and how he pestered his mother. Was Mei Sheng like that with Bai Yun? I have read that male cubs are more spontaneous and solicitous of play with their mothers than female cubs. Mothers seem to initiate the play with female cubs. At least that is what I read about Bai Yun last year. I remember reading that ” finally Bai Yun was able to solicit play with Su Lin.” Finally probably because Su Lin was on the ground for a change, and also because she was willing to interact with her mother for more than nursing. I wonder if the differences in levels of wrestling play is because in the wild males have to be stronger and more able to defend themselves for territory than females?
June 5th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
This question has been asked before, but I forget the answer.
Are the two female pandas, who have so far been unsuccessful at breeding, past the age of potentially bearing cubs if artifically inseminated? If not, do you know of any plans to try that route in the future? Since they are the only pandas in the world that do not belong to China, and therefore their cubs don’t have to be sent to China, it would be wonderful if they can still be helped to bear cubs that can remain in an area where they can be researched and cared for all of their lives, and if potentially viable genes in the offspring are appropriate that they could be bred for future generations of pandas outside China.
If the captive pandas in zoos around the world, especially in US, come from Wolong and Chengdu, where did the females in Mexico come from?
June 6th, 2007 at 8:23 pm
It’s interesting to see how each mother reponds to her cub. Tia Shan was handful from the time he learned how to walk – loved hassling poor mom & was into everything. He seemed to insitgate all the play bouts. Su Lin seemed happy in her tree & never saw her playing with mom. And now we have Mei Lan who is under the watchful eye of Lun Lun. Lun Lun seems to want to play more than other moms I’ve seen. Is this because Lun Lun is younger or does it have something to do with the sex of the cubs?
June 14th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
Sad news today 6/14 – the Memphis panda mom had a miscarriage. From what I understand this is not uncommon with first times moms. Also understand the fetus is absorbed into the body so mommy panda does not have a miscarriage as humans do.