Panda Playtime
Posted at 10:39 am July 24, 2007 by Ellie Rosenbaum
The many days of waiting for word of a possible pregnancy have become easier to “bear”! As was planned several months ago, the door to the introduction area at the left-hand enclosure was opened on Sunday, and Su Lin and Mei Sheng (pictured) were able to get up close and personal with one another. This is the first time in the U.S. that sibling cubs have been formally introduced to one another, and while it’s still early, the situation holds lots of promise.
As subadults (cubs who have separated from their mother but are not yet sexually mature), pandas in the wild and in captivity are gregarious, seeking each other out for often rough-and-tumble play. Adults are solitary outside of breeding season or when a mother is raising a cub. This explains why people see photos of many cubs playing together at the breeding centers in China: these are groups of subadult cubs. This social play helps reinforce the lessons taught by mom, helping cubs build strength and skills to help them survive in the wild.
Mei Sheng and Su Lin were aware of each other’s existence and when off exhibit in adjacent areas would occaisionally “visit,” vocalizing to one another and watching one another from separate trees in their respective enclosures, so this new ability to get to know each other better is a great enrichment opportunity for each of them. Because of their age, there is no danger that they will reproduce, although there was great interest and interesting vocalizations on both sides of the mesh and Plexiglas barrier.
In the meantime, these interactions give us all something else to intrigue and even entertain us, allowing Bai Yun and Gao Gao a much-deserved break in the quieter back area after April’s mating season. Virtual visitors may recognize this introduction area (or “howdy,” as it’s sometimes called) from mating seasons. Actual guests may find it difficult to see Mei Sheng, since he’s been following his father’s lead and napping in the passageway between the two exhibits and can often not be seen from the right-hand side of the viewing area. If this is the case, keep walking, return throughout the day, persevere! A glimpse of the kids interacting is a rare and precious sight that few people ever get to see. Can’t wait for another day of panda watching!
Ellie Rosenbaum is a panda narrator at the San Diego Zoo.
New images of Mei Sheng and Su Lin have been added to the Panda Photo Gallery.
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July 24th, 2007 at 11:09 am
What a beautiful pic of Mei Sheng! He is absolutely a gorgeous bear.
July 24th, 2007 at 11:09 am
That’s great, Ellie. I hope to see them playing together soon. Thanks for letting us know.
July 24th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
Thanks, Ellie. With all the excitement going on at SDZ, ya’ll must be ready to burst at the seams!
It must help with the stress level, and anxiety, to watch Mei and Su interact and get to know each other. Are there plans to gradually let them into the same enclosure? Hopefully that will happen, and they can enjoy each other’s company before Mei goes off to his solitary life in Wolong, or elsewhere. It is fabulous that you have the opportunity, and the option, for this great enrichment, and scientic observation and research.
Mei and Su are so precious, each with their own personality. It has been wonderful reading about their ” conversations” from high up in the trees, and to hear about Mei Sheng peeking through the crack to see who was next door. Which of them seems to be more interested in seeking out the other? I read that Su seemed to be pacing, but that also seems to be a natural panda behavior when waiting for something to happen. From what I have read Mei seems to be more outgoing with keepers so it will be interesting to see how he reacts to one of his own kind.
I look forward to ” catching” Su and Mei at the ” Howdy” gate on the Panda Cam. I think I just missed it this morning as she was walking away.
This enrichment is priceless, and is something that Tai Shan may not get to experience since he will not likely have a sibling living independently prior to him going to Wolong, or elsewhere, in 2009.
Any truth to the rumor that Albequerque is looking into keeping one of the male US born cubs here? It might be more likely that it will be Tai Shan since he is not as genetically ” valuable.” Whether the males remain in US or go to Wolong, it would seem logical that their breeding usefulness would remain high as more panda females come here from Wolong and Chengdu to make room for more cubs born there. Perhaps in North America they can provide further genetic mixing between Chengdu and Wolong blood lines (which can’t happen in China).
Unless China plans to build new housing facilities for many of the cubs from the past three years, they might be more willing to partner with world-class zoos in North America to house the sub-adults until sexual maturity, and perhaps even keep some of the breeding adults here. It would help in their overall success rate of breeding, bearing, raising cubs to conserve the Giant Panda.
We look forward to updates about Mei and Su as we all anxiously pass the time in the next 2-3 weeks waiting for Madame Bai Yun to reveal her surprise(s).
Meanwhile, Papa GaoGao is enjoying his peaceful and quiet respite with his beloved bamboo. He can munch, sleep, and ponder his next rendezvous with the female chosen to be his next ” mate.”
July 24th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
I have just read that Mei Sheng will go to China in October because he is a valuable addition to the breeding program.
Sad news… I’ll miss him…
July 24th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
Just saw the press release of Mei Sheng’s departure. Provided, is he going to be on exhibit until his departure?
July 24th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
Beloved Mei Sheng has to leave us…here come the tears…….
July 24th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
Boo Hoo, we’ll miss you, Mei Sheng. But may you be as happy and prolific as your sister Hua Mei, and may whatever you learned from your mother and your father carry you through your journey to your new life in your mother’s Panda ” homeland.” She may be coming behind in you in a couple of years, and may be there when your first cub(s) are born.
Enjoy your ‘play’ time with your sister while you have a chance to have some company. You are blazing a trail as the first male panda born in US to go to China. Make your ” daddy” GaoGao proud, and follow in his great breeding footsteps. He may be ” small” but he can do a tall handstand!
I remember well the whispered message from PandaClaws to you in Dec 2006 that beautiful young girl panda(s) are awaiting your arrival and looking forward to ” meeting” when it is your turn to be introduced to the ” ladies.”
July 24th, 2007 at 2:02 pm
I have a great shot of the two siblings nose to nose. Su Lin approched Mei Sheng ever so careful and
he was a gentlebear about the whole thing, never showed any agression just eager anticipation.
It was a privilege to witness and photograh the event. Ellie you did a great job as usual describing what took place.
Miss Mollie
July 24th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
My friend and I would love to come and see Mei Sheng sometime in August. Is there any way to know for sure if he’ll be out in the exhibit the weekend of August 11 or 18??
July 24th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
P. Wong – I’m sure you have been privy to some of the conversations between big brother Mei Sheng and little miss fancy pants Su Lin – so would you privilege us with a recap or two – please! I’m sure going to miss the big guy – but thank you Margaret for reminding me about what PandaClaws said last December – Mei Sheng is going to make some lucky panda girlfriend very happy.
July 24th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
Ohh…how sweet! It’s wonderful to hear about our ‘babies’ interacting. Mei Sheng is such a gentle bear and a great big brother – I’m sure Su Lin was excited to ‘chat’ with him up close!
Thanks so much and please keep us posted!
I will miss Mei Sheng when he goes back to China…he was my first panda baby.
July 24th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
San Diego is 15 hours behind Malaysia so usually, when the SDZ pandas are most active, it’s middle of the night here and I’m sleeping and missing the action. Any chance of pictures of Su Lin and Mei Sheng together being posted on the site or blog? Thanks!
July 24th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Happy news and sad news! It’s exciting and awesome to know that Mei Sheng and Su Lin will have the chance to get to know each other before Mei Sheng departs for his future in China. We will miss his adorable smile and wonderful gentleness. All of the pandas are a constant source of joy and San Diego Zoo’s care for them and the knowledge you share with all of us is greatly appreciated. I hope we all get to see Mei Sheng and Su Lin interacting on cam! I’m hoping Mollie Rivera might post the photo mentioned above on Flickr??
July 24th, 2007 at 5:26 pm
Ellie, do Mei and Su have access to the gate all the time, or only for limited periods of time? I notice on the time-lapse that they appear to go to the gate in the early AM and mid-afternoon. Otherwise they appear to be occupying themselves with eating, sleeping, and climbing. Can they see each other from the trees in the front exhibits as well as they did in the back exhibits? Which of them seems to seek out the other more? Since Mei is older, and more outgoing, he may look for Su more than she does for him.
From watching the time-lapse, which is comical at the fast speed, Bai Yun looks like she is enjoying her sleep, but also appears to be more restless than usual. She also seems to be enjoying building her nest. Someone asked on the previous blog if she has built a nest in pseudo-pregnancies as well as real ones. I don’t recall anything about Mei Xiang building a nest before they determined she is not pregnant. YaYa I think started building a nest, but might have stopped when she had the miscarriage.
I will keep checking to hopefully catch Mei and Su interacting at the gate, and even more exciting possibly in the same exhibit.
July 24th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
Has anyone documented the behavioral affects of the change from the pampered life at SDZ to the more austere life at Wolong? Since Hua Mei is the only US born cub to go to China, there may not be enough observational evidence to compare with Mei Sheng when he goes. I read that she had her own air-conditioned ” suite” while she was in quarantine to help her adapt to the changes.
I am planning a trip from East Coast to SDZ in September in the hope that I can see Mei Sheng before he goes to China. Is it likely he will be on exhibit most of September, or do you have to move him to the back for quarantine and crate training, etc? I read several months ago that you had started training him differently, more like they do at Wolong. How has he adapted to these changes? He is a laid back guy like his dad, Gao Gao, so I am sure he will go with the flow and take his journey in stride. If we were emotional basket cases when Su Lin was weaned, I hate to think what we will be like by October. The pending birth of cub(s) makes it easier to think about. I can just imagine the bitter-sweet reaction all of you are having too. You want to see him grow up and continue his dad’s genes in Wolong progeny, but I am sure you will miss his warm nature too.
I wonder if male bears by nature are more laid back or it is just individual personality traits. When I read about GaoGao, Mei Sheng, Tian Tian, LeLe, and Yang Yang, they are all described as laid back ” sweet, gentle, etc.” They are all fun loving bears who like to play with their enrichment items, climb their structures, and eat their beloved bamboo. The only one who is not described as playful is GaoGao, and that may be because he is older, more mature, and was a breeding age adult bear when he arrived. Besides, he is the only one who has experienced life in the wild.
The blogs around the time of breeding this Spring described Gao Gao as patient gentleman softly chirping to Bai Yun. From your description, it sounds like Mei Sheng is acting in a similar way toward Su Lin. Let’s hope he has inherited his father’s great natural ways with the ” ladies.”
July 24th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
I thought he was a subadult and not ready to breed. How are they going to fly him home? Hopefully, it will be first class and not as a piece of cargo below the plane. If cost is a factor, please speak up now! I am sure many people would donate to see that Mei Sheng is comfortable on his flight back home. I will be the first to do it.
Is there a way that SDZ would ever get to keep a panda? It sounds selfish but his ” natural environment” is in Sunny San Diego.
Do the pandas get the same great treats to eat in China?
July 24th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
I am so happy that Mei Sheng has the opportunity to meet Su Lin, but oh so sad to learn of his departure in October. I must make it out to the Zoo in September. I am going to miss him so much and know that the tears will fall when he leaves. Everyone at SDZ has done an incredible job of raising and loving Mei Sheng. This may seem like a silly question, but I was wondering if Mei responds to spoken commands and if those spoken commands are in English and/or Chinese Mandarin (or Cantonese)? I will miss him terribly.
July 24th, 2007 at 7:56 pm
Thank you for the wonderful photo of Mei Sheng. He is such a handsome, appealing, sweet-faced bear. Some lucky lady panda awaits him in China. It’s sad to think he will be leaving SDZ but children have to leave their family to be able to have a life of their own. I’m so glad I was able to see Mei Sheng when I was at SDZ 18 months ago. I’ll never forget him and look forward to hearing about his adventures in Panda Home Land.
Thank you to everyone at SDZ for taking such marvelous care of this special boy. We’ve so enjoyed watching him grow and thrive on pandacam.
July 24th, 2007 at 8:11 pm
Mei Sheng is turning out to be a gentleman just like his Dad and will probably be just as lucky with the ladies!
July 24th, 2007 at 10:23 pm
I will miss you Mei Sheng
He was my first baby panda that I followed and he has always been really special to me,I have been fortunate to see him twice and I wouldn’t have missed that for anything.I think we all knew the day would come when he has to go but it has come around too soon,he was not a baby for long enough.October will be a sad month.
July 25th, 2007 at 3:19 am
It was such a thrill for me to visit with Su Lin and Mei Sheng this past week. I miss them already.
Mei Sheng had such funny antics.
One time he finally found the ” right bamboo branch” from his pile of breakfast, and brought it up to his log jungle-gym. 2 or 3 bites and it falls to the ground.
Mei looked at it (he seemed to be saying, ” Huh?, What just happened?!!” ),
sighed (” Shoot, it fell down, and it was the only piece of the right type of bamboo they gave me this morning!!” ),
tried to reach it from where he was (” Maybe I can get it from here” ),
looked at it again (” Why did it have to fall down? And everyone is standing there watching me!! Mmm, ‘Hi people… I meant for that to happen!’ ” ),
looked all around (” Is there anyone else who can help me get it back? Where’s that little sister when you need her?” ),
then he came down and played with his enrichment ball (Oh, forget it, I’ll just have the leaf-eater biscuits for breakfast!” )
It was all too funny! The look on his face and feeling his frustration. It had taken him over a minute to pick out that piece of bamboo from the breakfast assortment.
I hope China takes good care of him!!!
–Joy
July 25th, 2007 at 6:20 am
I have no idea what’s going on, but Bai is in her den and acting very strange. Could it be time? She isn’t acting like she is very comfortable.
July 25th, 2007 at 8:06 am
Mollie #9, can you post your picture of Mei Sheng and Su Lin somewhere, where we all can see it? I missed their ‘meeting’ on the cam (if it was on it) and the time lapse is too fast to really see anything.
It is sad that Mei Sheng will leave us. I’m sure he’ll notice the change, as the US panda ‘homes’ are REALLY nice, compared to what you see on the cams from China. I’m sure Mei’s main keeper/handler will be awfully sad, too; moreso than we pandaholics. Good luck, Mei Sheng.
July 25th, 2007 at 8:08 am
Nice close up of the pandas yesterday morning : THANK YOU, Meerkats !
July 25th, 2007 at 9:23 am
Let me just say how bummed I feel about Mei Sheng leaving. before, I get all the comments telling me how he belongs to ” china” and its only natural, let me say it still does not make me feel better. I am becoming disturbed about reading reports that say its harder for us zoos to get access to Pandas because China is not so easily interested in the big money as they are getting plenty from the millions of dollars we are paying to ” lease” the pandas. Pandas are beautiful animals and should not be used as a means of asking for millions of dollars to only have the panda returned back. Is the US even being thanked for helping with the research that all the men and Women are doing? Mei Sheng was born in thanks to the wonderful SDZ staff. Tai Shan was born here as well as Su Lin, hua Mei, and Mei Lan. Im not saying we should have them all but where’s the thanks in the zoos having to pay the big bucks, get these beautiful cubs born and then having to send them back? I was happy to see Hua mei and her babies. but how many babies has she had in how many years? I am concerned she is just becoming a breeding machine and that something will happen to her the next time.
July 25th, 2007 at 10:57 am
I’m so sad. Mei Sheng was my first panda baby too. I have pictures from the Panda Cam all around my desk of him as a little one – little Susie too! At least we can be thanful that Mei WON’T be one of the unfortunate bears that is released back into the wild. He hasn’t been trained for it so he’ll be safe and sound – thank God.
Rachel – I agree!!!
I may be way off base, but it seems really convenient that China decided to let Tai Shan stay in Wasington another 2 years about the same time as all the contaminated food and lead-paint toys issues hit the fan over here – are they maybe trying to placate us – especially Washington?!?! Whatever the reason, I’m glad Tai will be with us for 2 more years.
You’ll always be my favorite Mei because you were my first. I’ll miss you sweet boy!
July 25th, 2007 at 11:04 am
Rachel – #25 – you said it perfectly. Just the way I feel.
July 25th, 2007 at 11:34 am
Does anyone think it would be a good idea to send Mei Sheng goodbye postcards featuring our hometowns? Maybe they could go with him and it would show the Chinese how much people from all over the world care about his future. I’m so sorry to see him go…
July 25th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
I really liked the birthday cards from last year. We learned that both Su Lin and Mei Sheng are very polite. It would be nice to have those this year too.
Now, I have to save up more miles and $$$ to go visit Mei Sheng and his sister. And find a sponsor for the Pooper Cam – Live from Wolong – All Mei Sheng All the Time!
July 25th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
Rachel #25,
I hope this bit of information helps alleviate some of your concerns… the money sent to China in fulfillment of the loans is not simply given as a payment or thank you or money that is never again seen. In fact, the money is used for purposes which are clearly documented and accounted for in audits, and the use of the money must in some way benefit the pandas as a whole. Money has been used to increase the size and capability of staff inside of reserves, to facilitate their ability to monitor pandas and encroachment in reserves, and to fund the education of people working with pandas. The ” thank you” that U.S. zoos get is increased capacity of the Chinese government to manage wild populations of pandas, so that they can continue to exist into the future. At the end of the day, that alone is very worthwhile.
July 25th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
Rachel #25
I agree with you 100%. What america gets as thanks for paying millions of dollars and contributing so much to research is the priviledge of having pandas to feed, house, entertain, breed, and then send back to China.
BaiWatch
Absolutely all I’ve Bai do is sleep. How much is she eating daily now? Aside from eating, sleeping, and nesting does she do anything? Like training?
July 25th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
Perhaps Mei Sheng’s offspring will one day have the opportunity to live wild. That would be reward enough.
July 25th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
Mary #32 – Yes – that would be – well said!
July 25th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
Candy #22
I was also on Bai Watch from 6.00am (SD) and agree that Bai was very busy adjusting her nest on C14.
I remained watching and noted Bai’s ‘actions’ on C14 until 11.00am when she decided to go back to her room on C11. – were you viewing at this time?
I will refrain from making any comment at present as it is possible some pandaholics were not viewing at the time – I live in UK which is 8hrs ahead of SD.
I await to read a blog from someone else who also may have been viewing at that time and witnessed the developments…….
July 25th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
It is so sad about Mei Sheng. I know the zoo did all they could to keep him here. One reason I love seeing his mom in her old bedroom is because of all the memories I have of her and Mei Sheng there.
Hope one of his favorite caretakers gets to go with him and stay until he adjusts. Ask China to keep us updated on his status and maybe provide some pictures.
July 25th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
Dear SDZ,
Thank you so much for the fine fun you are creating with the cameras these days. Mie Sheng and Su Lin seem so much alike that I find myself looking for Mei Sheng’s fuzzy cheeks in the panda area where Su Lin is hanging out, and saying, ” Ohmygoodness! The gate is open!” Next I’m saying, ” Nope! That is Su climbing the tree!” I cannot decide. Then we are treated to Bai on her nest! Then back outside! My Goodness! That has to be Su Lin lying on her back in the shade eating her lunch! Then That is Mei Sheng napping! Thank you all so very much for the Grand camera work!
I want to let all of you Pandaholics know that I missed Mei Sheng in his ‘childhood’ as well as Su Lin’s first year. I didn’t know the Pandacam existed. I empathize with all of you who are going to miss Mei Sheng when he returns to China. What we all shall lose, shall be a gain for the future of the pandas on this planet. Mei Sheng is such a beautiful presence of his daddy Gao Gao and his mother Bai Yun. He will be welcomed in China and well cared for. We in the USA have been so blessed by the caring love at all the zoos here in the USA, those beautiful care givers who have have created an opportunity to exault in life through the opportunity to see the pandas. Wish Mei Shen well as if he is one of your own children. For indeed, he is one of your own!
Sincerely,
Bobbie Wood
July 26th, 2007 at 8:14 am
I am glad that Suzanne has clarified the purpose of the money sent to China form US Zoos.
In fact, the former Director of National Zoo, Dr. Lucy Spelman had mentioned in her reports that
all the money from NZ were earmarked for specific purposes.
#16 thomas
I think Mei Sheng will fly home to China by a chartered flight which is usually sponsored by UPS or
Federal Express.
He will be the only VIP on board , accompany by his keeper nanny and vet of course.
July 26th, 2007 at 8:35 am
News of Mei Sheng’s pending departure is a heart breaker. But, China knows he will be important in the breeding program (look at Hua Mei). My daughter was trying to find more information about pandas and was surprised to learn that it costs 1 million $ a year to care for one panda. If a cub is born it pretty much doubles. If (when?) Bai Yun does have a cub, SDZ’s commitment will be immense. I’m betting that with news of Mei Sheng leaving, Bai Yun will be giving us a new cub very soon. In the meantime, tune into Atlanta’s panda cam (10-5pm only) to see toddler Mei Lan. She is a riot. Mom and daughter are adorable, funny and the video lets you rewind!!! Gao Gao will always be my favorite, but Mei Lan will warm your hearts until a new cub arrives.
July 30th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
How long will Mei Sheng’s SDZ keepernanny(s) stay with him in China? I’m assuming that someone will be accompanying him for an adjustment period. Has it been determined yet who it will be?
Thank you