Watching and Waiting
Posted at 8:07 am August 23, 2007 by Ellie RosenbaumIt’s been nearly three weeks since we welcomed the arrival of the newest panda cub and it has been a joy to watch Bai Yun’s gentle mothering and nurturing yet again and to see the cub grow darker and rounder as the days go by. From a skinny, hairy, be-legged white “worm” to a pear-shaped miniature of Mom, no one ever seems to tire of watching them together. Bai has been exposing it in the early days for us to see, perhaps due to the hot and humid weather San Diego – and the Zoo – have been experiencing. The temperature dropped a bit today, a breeze came up, the humidity’s down, and once again, Bai had that little one snuggled up tighter. Hmmmm …a question for future research?
We’re all anxious for a physical, of course, if only to answer the question, “He or she?” It does get a bit awkward to refer to the baby as “it” (hardly appropriate for such an important little baby!), “the baby” (there are several equally charming babies in the Zoo), or “THE CUB.” And remember: we may all have to wait until the baby is 100 days old for a name to be announced.
How will the name be chosen? That has varied with each panda cub. Hua Mei’s name was chosen by the Chinese and presented by their ambassador Mei Sheng’s name was arrived at by discussions between the Chinese and Americans, and Su Lin’s name was chosen from a list of many by an online vote. What will the procedure be this time?
Keep watching this Web site for further news and information as it becomes available. After all, this is the time for watching–and waiting.
Ellie Rosenbaum is a panda narrator at the San Diego Zoo.
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August 23rd, 2007 at 8:28 am
I love panda cubs !
Not to be Selfish but I hope its a girl !
But for some reson i think it most likely will be a boy!
And I cant wait to see wut His o sorry its name will be!
August 23rd, 2007 at 9:03 am
I hope that however the name is chosen that ” Bright Star” will be suggested by the staff to the Chinese.
August 23rd, 2007 at 9:04 am
Thank you for your update. I have been trying to imagine how it would be to raise a baby, that was so small compared to me, with oven mitts on. It really is amazing how nature takes care of their own. We have it easy.
Is Bai getting any treats or biscuits now that she is eating again? Do you supplement her with vitamins? Just curious.
Thanks for keeping us up to date.
August 23rd, 2007 at 9:45 am
Ellie,I think that all the Panda keepers and panda narrators should get to pick the name this time and I know that the name , AHEM, Bright Star will be on the top of the list right.
August 23rd, 2007 at 9:48 am
Lee (#3) I love your analogy about the oven mitts. I guess for a human mother the proportion would be a baby the size of 1/2 a stick of butter.
Ellie, I guess you know that we pandacam addicts have already picked ” Bright Star” as the cub’s name, suitable for either sex I think. I have always loved Bai Yun’s name, ” White Cloud” . It is so pretty in both English and Chinese. Of course, sometimes I think the name ” Earth Mother” would be more appropriate. She is truly an amazing mother.
August 23rd, 2007 at 9:51 am
20 days and counting…! When Bai left her cub a short time ago, I had high hopes that this might be the opportunity for which the SDZ staff has been waiting; to give the cubmuffin it’s first exam and to let pandaholics worldwide know it’s sex. We are growing weary of calling Bright Star ” it” ……! I know, we must be patient and let Bai’s signals tell staffers when she is ready for us to find out; it is still hard to wait, however, but wait we will!
The cub grows more adorable with each passing day, and Bai continues to be the most wonderful, attentive panda mom with her little one. Mother Nature is truly miraculous; I am envious of those of you who will one day be able to interact with another precious panda!
Again, kudos to everyone at the SDZ for making this possible for all of us to share; Thank you for the wonderful camera work and the updates, too…!
August 23rd, 2007 at 9:58 am
After watching this cub for 3 weeks, I will NEVER complain about food going straight to my hips again! LOL
Good to see though, in her/his case.
August 23rd, 2007 at 10:46 am
Bright Star – Bright Star – Bright Star – Bright Star!!!!!
Bright Star – Bright Star – Bright Star – Bright Star!!!!!
Bright Star – Bright Star – Bright Star – Bright Star!!!!!
Bright Star – Bright Star – Bright Star – Bright Star!!!!!
Bright Star – Bright Star – Bright Star – Bright Star!!!!!
The happiness of seeing it lights up our days!!!!!
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:02 am
HUGE thanks to the meerkats this AM (just before eleven SD time) for great shots of the Princess Su Lin. When I ” tuned in” , she was in the pool, with a large ball. The cam followed her every move to the front of the exhibit, where she grandly sat down and enjoyed the bamboo.
Several tourists apparently got great pictures!
Thanks to Ellie also for the update on Bai and Baby!
Appreciate all that the SDZ staff does….
Moderator’s note: And images of Su Lin’s newest sibling are now posted on our Panda News page at http://www.sandiegozoo.org/news/panda_news.html
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:11 am
Saw iit, thanks to SDZ staff. Great job. I guess it is a boy.
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:13 am
Baby cub exam pictures are darling!! Any news on the sex of the baby?!?!
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:18 am
THANK YOU, ELLIE!!!!! (There I go yelling again. LOL!)
I was watching the polar cam for a bit, came back in here and saw your note. OH MY GOODNESS, what beautiful pictures of our Baby. What an absolute thrill to see them.
Thanks again,
Noreen.
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:20 am
Okay, so I took a look at the new photos on the Panda News page – there are three pictures showing the cub (Cub #4) being examined!!! Well? Is Bright Star a he or a she??? Don’t keep us waiting, already!!!
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:22 am
Well, I see pictures of Bright Stars first exam today – but is it a boy or a girl???
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:34 am
I have watched Su Lin in San Diego and Tai Shan in Washington, D.C. and I really have to tell you guys that you rank number one with the reporting blogs with panda updates but run a really distant second in the viewing dept. The panda cams at National Zoo are so much clearer and easier to view and you always see the pandas easily and clearly even when in the yard. Nat. Zoo also did their first vet checks much earlier than San Diego Zoo and it was a lot more fun watching those videos with sound and then knowing when we watched the panda cam that we were watching a boy panda. Another thing I don’t understand about San Diego Zoo is keeping pandas separate. The male and female are together at National Zoo and they have always been fun to watch as they romp together. Yesterday they were both in a tree having a wrestling match for a long time. Don’t know what kind of tree but that’s the kind to have since the branches withstood two full grown pandas. You can say they don’t get together in the wild but I have read a few things that disputes them being constantly alone. And if you watch the two at the Nat. Zoo they play together a lot and can choose to go off on their separate ways because the enclosures are large enough to allow that. Mostly I’ve given up on San Diego Zoo because of these things. Much better to watch pandas at the National Zoo and that pains me because I live in California!
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:47 am
OH – so cute! Really, really beautiful – looks perfect – can’t wait to hear the details – thank you so much for the pictures of our chubby cubby Bright Star!! Congrats again to everyone as the SDZ – it must be a thrill and make you feel so proud! Great job – kisses to the baby and mama!
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:54 am
Just like his/her siblings, what a cutie petutie! What just absolutely amazes me each time a baby is born is how much they change in such a short time. Since it’s been 2 years since we had a cub to watch, at either San Diego or Washington (I can’t get Atlanta’s website at work), I had forgotten how quickly they grow and change. Too cute, too cute!!!
Can’t wait to find out the sex. As long as the little one is healthy though, I really don’t care – but another little boy like Mei Sheng would be great!!!! Did you get any video of the exam that will go on the website? Hope so!
Thanks Ellie for keeping us in the loop!
Moderator’s note: Video will be posted as soon as it becomes available.
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:55 am
Just saw the news! At the Vienna Zoo, Yang Yang gave birth after a 127 day pregnancy. The first cub born in Europe in 25 years!
August 23rd, 2007 at 12:11 pm
Bai Yun and little cubmuffin are all snuggled up again in the den, so it appears neither of them was too stressed by the exam. The first picture definitely looks like a miniature panda. So cute and cuddly, but don’t tangle with ” mom” she won’t be so peaceful if you mess with her youngin.
August 23rd, 2007 at 12:19 pm
those photos are cute. Can’t wait to find out if cub is a he or a she.
I guess whoever chooses the name s/he will always be Bright Star to the fans
August 23rd, 2007 at 12:29 pm
I too adore the name Bright Star, it is so fitting for Bai’s newest lil bundle of fluffy joy! Gotta be getting close to that first exam.
It is amazing to watch mom and babe, and even more so to get all these wonderful shots of lil Star. Great job, Meerkat, you rock!
Ruth, I think you brought luck to Franz and Sissi with your move to Vienna, as they are now proud parents, woohooo!
I imagine your future joy at watching, in person, Miss Yang Yang’s cub grow and thrive, so please keep us updated when the time comes!
August 23rd, 2007 at 12:31 pm
FYI: The Chinese equivalent of ” Bright Star” is Ming Xing (pronounced ming-shing)
August 23rd, 2007 at 12:34 pm
I just saw the picture of the Vienna Zoo cub, it’s so tiny and Yany Yang was holding it in her mouth what a beautiful sight, another new life. Congratulations Vienna Zoo.
August 23rd, 2007 at 12:36 pm
I AM DYING TO KNOW IT IT A BOY OR GIRL.
August 23rd, 2007 at 12:40 pm
OH MY GOSH. The first exam pictures are so cute. Do we know the sex of the cub yet?
August 23rd, 2007 at 12:54 pm
WHAT IS THE SEX?????????!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE CUB WAS EXAMINED AND THEY SHOULD HAVE THE SEX. PLEASE SHARE!! THANKS, JANE
August 23rd, 2007 at 12:55 pm
That baby is too cute , in the one photo the baby sure looked like s/he had something to say. Oh, Bright Star that, my name. our little cubbie sure has grown and got so pudgy, Bai is taking great care of the little one.
August 23rd, 2007 at 1:26 pm
I want a girl but I hope it’s a boy — so it can be girl, boy, girl, boy.
P.S. Can my little Mei Sheng take a web cam with him when he leaves for China? Also, can he take a computer too? How else can he respond to us when we send him birthday cards?
August 23rd, 2007 at 1:31 pm
I agree with Liede Amendola #8 (and many others):
Bright Star – Bright Star – Bright Star – Bright Star!!!!!
Bright Star – Bright Star – Bright Star – Bright Star!!!!!
Bright Star – Bright Star – Bright Star – Bright Star!!!!!
Bright Star – Bright Star – Bright Star – Bright Star!!!!!
Bright Star – Bright Star – Bright Star – Bright Star!!!!!
August 23rd, 2007 at 1:57 pm
Those color photos of the cub’s first exam are just precious. It is amazing what difference color makes. I can’t wait to find out the sex, and I hope the public is allowed to vote on this little one’s name. Thank you SDZ for posting these precious photos and continuing the panda cam den coverage. I know watching the little one sure brightens up my days and nights (when I can get my husband away from the computer long enough for me to peek in).
August 23rd, 2007 at 2:06 pm
Just got a great glimpse of the cub. Sure is well fed and looks a lot like mom in miniature. It is amazing how distinct the saddle, legs, ears, and eyes are.
Suzanne and Ellie, when do you anticipate the cub’s eyes will start opening. As I recall it takes a couple of weeks for the eyes to be fully open, but I don’t remember how old Mei Lan was when her eyes finally started opening.
It is amazing that the cub can root around as well as it does with its eyes closed. It even moves around when Bai Yun is not present. And, to ” climb” up on her forepaws is amazing. I remember Mei Lan struggling to get her legs under her for weeks. This cub seems to be crawling already, so I guess it makes a big difference what the surface under them is like. A thick bed of Bamboo straw seems to be the most natural and is working wonders for their comfort and health. Did you bring in specially dried bamboo, or let some get dry and then give it to Bai Yun? Who brought it into the den, Bai Yun or keepers?
August 23rd, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Did Bai Yun suspect what was going on during the examination?
August 23rd, 2007 at 4:03 pm
Thanks for the fantastic new pictures and news of the exam. What a healthy looking cub! I can not even imagine how exciting it is to pick it up that first time! I’m SO envious! You have to be so proud to know you have such a big part in helping these animals!
We will TRY to be patient until next weeks exam to hear what IT is, but it’s difficult. Thankfully it is a very healthy and strong!
August 23rd, 2007 at 6:19 pm
To Miranda #15 – while I agree that the NZ has the best panda cams – somehow they are able to shift to catch any movement by their pands – am also grateful to the SDZ for what they are able to provide us. After all Tai Shan’s was the NZ first live cub after sooooo mannnny years of trying so they provided us with info about every minute of the cub’s first few weeks. San Diego has been fortunate to have 4 cubs – their exhibits are also shaded which makes it hard to see-but thanks to those whose efforts make it possible for us to get a glimpse in the world of the panda.
Also check the izoofarichat that has tons of info about Bright Stars first exam – even though we don’t know the sex yet.
August 23rd, 2007 at 7:39 pm
We just wanted to say that we were so excited to see the newest panda. WE just love them. We log on every day 4 or 5 times just to see if we can catch a glimpse at the newest cub. We were down in San Diego last august for Su lin’s first birthday and got to go behind the scenes and see the Panda’s it was soo cool. Can’t wait to visit agian. Will be continuing to watch daily. Thanks for putting the cam in the den for all of us to watch.
August 23rd, 2007 at 7:56 pm
I just listened to the newest izoofari chat. There is a perhaps a slip at the very end. Maybe the vet gave us a clue to the gender of the cub. As a GA resident I fell in love with Mei Lan and now I’m enjoying watching this newest panda cub. It is amazing how these bears can attach themselves to your heart. Happy panda watching everyone!
August 23rd, 2007 at 8:02 pm
It looks like the cubby is healthy and strong! I loved seeing him/her ” standing” on those front paws and protesting! How delightful it is to know that Bai Yun is such a good mother…her milk sure is making a chubby cubby!!!
To #31 – Mama knows how to make a nest. She brought the ‘boo straw in and kept doing it until she was satisfied with the place for her little one. When I saw how much she had put there, I really felt that she was going to have a cub, even though sometimes, that isn’t the case.
Thanks to all of the keepers and vets for the excellent care you’re giving the cub and to Suzanne, Ellie, and other SDZ staff members and narrators for keeping us up-to-date. We appreciate the time you take to let us share in the information that you have, since we’re such avid panda folks!!! I bet that the keepernanny (that’s what some of us call you) was thrilled to be able to carry the baby. It’s like a reward for a job well done!!!
I enjoy being able to see the pandas 24/7, including time with Su Lin and Mei Sheng when possible. This is a treat for all of us in the balcony!
Many thanks!!!!
August 23rd, 2007 at 8:08 pm
To Margaret #31;
A panda cub’s eyes open at around 50 days – more to watch and wait for!
August 24th, 2007 at 5:19 am
To follow up on Maureen #34, NZ also has the financial support of the Fuji Corporation and one of the Cams is also sponsored by Animal Planet/Discovery Channel. I agree with Maureen, NZ was so happy to finally have a cub live. I have no problems with the coverage of any of the zoos. I’m very thankful for the coverage we get and have learned so much from watching these animals. Thanks to all of the dedicated people in our zoos for the care they give the animals.
August 27th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
Ellie, does that mean that the eyes are one of the last things to develop in the cub, so it takes weeks for the eyes to open? It’s hearing seems to be ok so my guess is that the ears develop earlier than its eyes. Obviously its lungs, tongue, and vocal chords are working because it is able to squawk (verbalize). It is interesting because the lungs are one of the last organs to develop in a human fetus, and are therefore one of the most sensitive areas of a premature human baby.
August 27th, 2007 at 6:14 pm
I was think the cub is chubby chubby myself and close Chinese endearments would be Fai Fai (or a modifcation could be Fi Fi).