Comments on: Shifting Gears http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2007/08/17/shifting-gears/ Mon, 15 Mar 2010 23:22:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: barbara http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2007/08/17/shifting-gears/comment-page-2/#comment-59667 barbara Fri, 24 Aug 2007 13:55:48 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/shifting-gears/#comment-59667 Ruth #63 look what happened you move to Austria and the Vienna Zoo has a new panda, the first in 25 years how lucky for you right in your back yard . I know where you are going to be spending alot of time. Ruth #63 look what happened you move to Austria and the Vienna Zoo has a new panda, the first in 25 years how lucky for you right in your back yard . I know where you are going to be spending alot of time.

]]> By: Lisa Anderson http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2007/08/17/shifting-gears/comment-page-2/#comment-59524 Lisa Anderson Fri, 24 Aug 2007 03:39:30 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/shifting-gears/#comment-59524 So pandas are a lot like humans, in that the girls grow up faster than the boys. Margaret, thanks for reminding me of Su's infamous Mud Day, 2006. It brought a big smile to my face! So pandas are a lot like humans, in that the girls grow up faster than the boys.
Margaret, thanks for reminding me of Su’s infamous Mud Day, 2006. It brought a big smile to my face!

]]> By: Suzanne http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2007/08/17/shifting-gears/comment-page-2/#comment-59389 Suzanne Thu, 23 Aug 2007 19:44:59 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/shifting-gears/#comment-59389 To clarify forr those who have asked: Female pandas mature at about age 5, while males mature a few years later. Several females in Wolong have given birth at age 5. To clarify forr those who have asked:

Female pandas mature at about age 5, while males mature a few years later. Several females in Wolong have given birth at age 5.

]]> By: barbara http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2007/08/17/shifting-gears/comment-page-2/#comment-59358 barbara Thu, 23 Aug 2007 17:03:35 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/shifting-gears/#comment-59358 Margret#83, I always get tickled when I see Tia acting crazy, rolling and tumbling,but i also noticed that alot of times when Tai goes potty he always runs to the water as if to wash his bottom. He is becoming a wild and crazy guy. I believe the change in the weather lately is making the animals act a little crazy, as i mentioned i'm going to D.C.on Sept 13th to see the family. Margret#83, I always get tickled when I see Tia acting crazy, rolling and tumbling,but i also noticed that alot of times when Tai goes potty he always runs to the water as if to wash his bottom. He is becoming a wild and crazy guy. I believe the change in the weather lately is making the animals act a little crazy, as i mentioned i’m going to D.C.on Sept 13th to see the family.

]]> By: Margaret http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2007/08/17/shifting-gears/comment-page-2/#comment-59335 Margaret Thu, 23 Aug 2007 14:21:53 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/shifting-gears/#comment-59335 Boy was I wrong. It is Mei Xiang, who is a great climber. Tai Shan is running around like a maniac rolling and somersaulting down the hills. That brings to mind several quesitons I keep meaning to ask about Mei Sheng and Su Lin. In addition to climbing trees to survey the area, what activities does Mei Sheng like to do? He seems to be awake when he is up in trees, whereas Su Lin often naps when she climbs. What activities does Su Lin like to engage in other than eating, sleeping, climbing very high, and playing in the mud to get covered in mud when she can? Boy was I wrong. It is Mei Xiang, who is a great climber. Tai Shan is running around like a maniac rolling and somersaulting down the hills.

That brings to mind several quesitons I keep meaning to ask about Mei Sheng and Su Lin. In addition to climbing trees to survey the area, what activities does Mei Sheng like to do? He seems to be awake when he is up in trees, whereas Su Lin often naps when she climbs. What activities does Su Lin like to engage in other than eating, sleeping, climbing very high, and playing in the mud to get covered in mud when she can?

]]> By: Margaret http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2007/08/17/shifting-gears/comment-page-2/#comment-59334 Margaret Thu, 23 Aug 2007 14:17:19 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/shifting-gears/#comment-59334 On second look, it might be a much bigger Tai Shan who is trying very hard to find a comfortable spot to nap in. He has gotten so much bigger lately that it is hard to distiquish him from his parents on the panda cam. Whichever panda it is, is reaching way out on branches trying to grasp them to move up or down. Glad that pandas are great climbers because it sure looked a couple of times like he was going to fall. Since Tian hasn't climbed a tree since shortly after he came to the US, until this week, he would be more awkward in manuvering. Tai still likes to climb and nap up high, but he is getting pretty big for that. He spends his time in the newest exhibit that opened in 2006 so the trees are younger and smaller. When his parents are together, he is in the older exhibits which have older trees that are taller and have thicker branches. That is a safer place for him to climb at his age and weight. On second look, it might be a much bigger Tai Shan who is trying very hard to find a comfortable spot to nap in. He has gotten so much bigger lately that it is hard to distiquish him from his parents on the panda cam. Whichever panda it is, is reaching way out on branches trying to grasp them to move up or down. Glad that pandas are great climbers because it sure looked a couple of times like he was going to fall.

Since Tian hasn’t climbed a tree since shortly after he came to the US, until this week, he would be more awkward in manuvering. Tai still likes to climb and nap up high, but he is getting pretty big for that. He spends his time in the newest exhibit that opened in 2006 so the trees are younger and smaller. When his parents are together, he is in the older exhibits which have older trees that are taller and have thicker branches. That is a safer place for him to climb at his age and weight.

]]> By: Maryann http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2007/08/17/shifting-gears/comment-page-2/#comment-59332 Maryann Thu, 23 Aug 2007 14:15:11 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/shifting-gears/#comment-59332 Margaret #65: I'm curious about your statement that female pandas are not physiologically mature until age 8 or 9. Our Hua Mei just turned 8 on August 21 this year (born in 1999). She has already had 6 offspring resulting from 3 pregnancies and one year " off" in the past 4 years, which would have made her mature enough for reproduction at age 5. She must be incredibly precocious. Although Ya Ya in Memphis did not carry her cub to term, she was not even 6 ½ when she was inseminated and became pregnant. And Mei Xiang at the National Zoo was just turning 7 when Tai Shan was born and Tian Tian was not-quite 8. It would seem, if your information is correct, that our pandas are being forced to reproduce before their little bodies are mature. Margaret #65: I’m curious about your statement that female pandas are not physiologically mature until age 8 or 9. Our Hua Mei just turned 8 on August 21 this year (born in 1999). She has already had 6 offspring resulting from 3 pregnancies and one year ” off” in the past 4 years, which would have made her mature enough for reproduction at age 5. She must be incredibly precocious. Although Ya Ya in Memphis did not carry her cub to term, she was not even 6 ½ when she was inseminated and became pregnant. And Mei Xiang at the National Zoo was just turning 7 when Tai Shan was born and Tian Tian was not-quite 8. It would seem, if your information is correct, that our pandas are being forced to reproduce before their little bodies are mature.

]]> By: Margaret http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2007/08/17/shifting-gears/comment-page-2/#comment-59331 Margaret Thu, 23 Aug 2007 14:11:21 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/shifting-gears/#comment-59331 #53, Janet, if you want to see something " scary" and " nerve-wracking" watch Tian Tian way up a tree swatting at branches trying to figure out how to get down. Seeing a 10 year old male panda weighing way over 200 pounds on branches in a tree with very small (2-3" diameter) branches is very anxious moments for me. When I visited NZP last Friday, Tian and Mei were peacefully pacing outside or inside eating or sleeping. Others I know caught glimpses of them playing and her swatting at him then him running away. However the only panda in a tree was Tai Shan, and even he is getting heavy for small branches. He broke one last week. It is much more peaceful to watch slumbering Bai Yun in her nice warm snug den with Bright Star. I have seen her smiling several times and can see that she is very happy and content right now. No fending off unwanted male advances or climbing cubs. It is much easier to nurse a newborn than a 1 year+ old that is for sure. #53, Janet, if you want to see something ” scary” and ” nerve-wracking” watch Tian Tian way up a tree swatting at branches trying to figure out how to get down. Seeing a 10 year old male panda weighing way over 200 pounds on branches in a tree with very small (2-3″ diameter) branches is very anxious moments for me. When I visited NZP last Friday, Tian and Mei were peacefully pacing outside or inside eating or sleeping. Others I know caught glimpses of them playing and her swatting at him then him running away. However the only panda in a tree was Tai Shan, and even he is getting heavy for small branches. He broke one last week.

It is much more peaceful to watch slumbering Bai Yun in her nice warm snug den with Bright Star. I have seen her smiling several times and can see that she is very happy and content right now. No fending off unwanted male advances or climbing cubs. It is much easier to nurse a newborn than a 1 year+ old that is for sure.

]]> By: barbara http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2007/08/17/shifting-gears/comment-page-2/#comment-59330 barbara Thu, 23 Aug 2007 14:07:09 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/shifting-gears/#comment-59330 My friends just got back from Memphis and brought me a few things The pictures of YaYa and LeLe are beautiful, I can see why the Chinese believe that a fluffy face is special, Ya Ya has the most round fluffy face her muzzle is shorter and her ears are closer together and perfectly round . LeLe has a long muzzle an his ears are farther apart and they stick straight up. I haven't had time to watch alot we are having serious issues at work so I am relying on the pandaholics to keep me up to date. I will be sneaking a peek why I get a chance. I am going to D.C. next month to visit the family My friends just got back from Memphis and brought me a few things The pictures of YaYa and LeLe are beautiful, I can see why the Chinese believe that a fluffy face is special, Ya Ya has the most round fluffy face her muzzle is shorter and her ears are closer together and perfectly round . LeLe has a long muzzle an his ears are farther apart and they stick straight up. I haven’t had time to watch alot we are having serious issues at work so I am relying on the pandaholics to keep me up to date. I will be sneaking a peek why I get a chance. I am going to D.C. next month to visit the family

]]> By: Sharon http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2007/08/17/shifting-gears/comment-page-2/#comment-59311 Sharon Thu, 23 Aug 2007 11:03:37 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/shifting-gears/#comment-59311 Thank you again for the many wonderful views of Bai Yun and her little one. It is such a pleasure to watch these two. Bai Yun seems very relaxed which I'm sure is partly due to this being her fourth baby but also has a lot to do with her comfort with her environment. You are doing a great job of making sure that Bai doesn't get stressed by other things happening at the zoo. Your consideration of the animals and their needs are really impressive. I was so fortunate yesterday to actually see the little one nursing! The baby is really thriving. On another note, I was reviewing the bios of the individual pandas and noticed that you have chosen the adjectives " curious" , " unpredictable" and " mischievous" to describe Bai Yun and " rambunctious" , " inquisitive" and " alert" for Gao Gao. I was curious what behaviors of the pandas lead you to use these particular words to describe them. Suzanne, it would make several great iZoofari chats to hear about each individual panda and how they react with you and the others working with them. Is Gao Gao different to work with because he was a " wild" panda? I know you are very busy at the moment but thought it would be nice to know a little more individually about the pandas and what it is like for you to work with them (besides the obvious of providing bamboo and providing bamboo........) Thank you again for all the enjoyment you spread worldwide with all the animal cams! Thank you again for the many wonderful views of Bai Yun and her little one. It is such a pleasure to watch these two. Bai Yun seems very relaxed which I’m sure is partly due to this being her fourth baby but also has a lot to do with her comfort with her environment. You are doing a great job of making sure that Bai doesn’t get stressed by other things happening at the zoo. Your consideration of the animals and their needs are really impressive. I was so fortunate yesterday to actually see the little one nursing! The baby is really thriving.

On another note, I was reviewing the bios of the individual pandas and noticed that you have chosen the adjectives ” curious” , ” unpredictable” and ” mischievous” to describe Bai Yun and ” rambunctious” , ” inquisitive” and ” alert” for Gao Gao. I was curious what behaviors of the pandas lead you to use these particular words to describe them. Suzanne, it would make several great iZoofari chats to hear about each individual panda and how they react with you and the others working with them. Is Gao Gao different to work with because he was a ” wild” panda? I know you are very busy at the moment but thought it would be nice to know a little more individually about the pandas and what it is like for you to work with them (besides the obvious of providing bamboo and providing bamboo……..)

Thank you again for all the enjoyment you spread worldwide with all the animal cams!

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