There’s No Place like Home
Posted at 8:28 am September 28, 2007 by Suzanne Hall
Last week, giant panda Bai Yun was content to continue through the denning phase as expected, resting quietly outside the den from time to time, enjoying longer feeding bouts and leaving the cub behind to catch up on sleep in the den while she was gone. Over the weekend, however, she began taking the cub out for longer excursions. Once they went all the way to her garden room, though only for a few brief minutes. On Sunday night, a brief excursion became an overnight camp out, as Bai Yun and cub slept under the stars in the sunroom.
This is a bit unusual for Bai Yun. For the most part, we would expect her cub to remain in the den for another few months. The infant has barely opened its eyes and is not capable of much more than a short burst of crawling. Clearly, our baby can still benefit from the security of a den. So what is going on here?
It is not uncommon for a wild panda mother to leave the birthing den before the end of the denning phase. Usually, she does so to move the infant to a new denning site. The birthing den may become soiled over time, begin to concentrate odors from mom and cub, or may become an unsafe location for the baby to remain. In such instances, it is prudent for a panda dam to move the cub to a new, fresh location for the remainder of the denning phase until the cub becomes more mobile. In some cases, panda mothers have been known to switch dens more than once before abandoning dens all together.
With Bai Yun’s first two cubs, she was offered multiple dens to select from at the time of birth. Both times she chose the current birthing den to have her infant in. Unfortunately, she used the alternate dens only as latrines once the cubs were born. For that reason, we chose not to offer her an alternative site in 2005. Things went swimmingly that year despite the reduced denning options, and Bai Yun did not abandon the den with Su Lin until December of that first year.
This time around we opted not to provide alternate dens again. Things were moving along smoothly until Bai Yun threw a curve ball at us, showing signs over the last week that she was in the process of abandoning the birthing den. What was Bai Yun trying to tell us? Why was the birthing den no longer satisfactory to her?
Our first step was to provide the bedroom near her den with an extra-thorough cleaning to ensure there were no unsatisfactory odors there. Since she did not utilize the den much after that, we opted to clean out most of the nesting material inside, hoping to eliminate any issues she might have. Keepers did find a small piece of Bai Yun’s fecal matter that may have been dragged in on her fur. After cleaning out the den yesterday, Bai Yun spent more time sequestered inside during the day, but she continued to camp out with the cub overnight.
We are in the process of putting together a lair, a more open den-like structure, in the event Bai Yun is telling us she is ready to move into that phase of her relationship with the cub. This lair will be placed in her garden room, as far from the old den as possible to allow for a complete change of scenery. Time will tell if Bai Yun warms to it. If not, that is okay too; the cub was very content resting under the stars with momma, and today’s veterinary check confirmed the cub is healthy and growing. Bai Yun will certainly continue to care for the cub in the way she sees best, and we are confident that she knows what she is doing. If the cub’s girth is any measure, she hasn’t gone wrong thus far!
Suzanne Hall is a senior research technician with the Giant Panda Unit of Applied Animal Ecology/CRES.
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September 28th, 2007 at 8:46 am
What an interisting update I am excited to see if Bai yun will like the new den. Also what a nice new picture the little girl since her eyes are opening. I enjoy watching the panda cam, reading the blog, watching videos of the exams, listening to the zoofari chats,and looking at the news update. Not to complain but I was wondering when you are going to put the update in the news section and if you are going to put new pictures on or a video? Thank you all SDZ Staff for giving us the joy of watching this little girl grow up and I hope this peaceful rock enjoys her nights under the moon.
September 28th, 2007 at 9:03 am
The folks here at my office enjoy watching the new cub. We were all concerned yesterday when Mom seemed unusually active. When the cub went missing we were all worried something was wrong. We’re relieved to her it just that Mom has housing issued at the moment. Its amazing how big our baby has gotten
September 28th, 2007 at 9:33 am
Thanks Suzanne for the fabulous update. Mothers’ know what is right, who says we have to do things by the book.
Could it be that Bai knows (after all these years in San Diego) that there is no danger to her cub here and that she can do whatever she feels like with no unpleasant consequences?
I wonder if Bai tells the baby stories while they are lying out under the stars!
Great respect to all the staff.
Lee
September 28th, 2007 at 10:08 am
I was wondering if I just didn’t remember Bai Yun resting away from the cubs so often in the past. That was very helpful insight. Thanks! It would be refreshing to see a ” new” den environment. I hope Bai Yun finds your new offering a pleasant change.
September 28th, 2007 at 10:38 am
Hello Suzanne,
Thank you again for this informative blog. It is interesting to know that Bai Yun is breaking from her habit of the previous cubs. Maybe she feels this latest one is more active and wants to discover the world sooner… At least I would like to think so.
Also, I seem to always be confused about the location of the pandas. Is there any way that you could post a schematic drawing of the panda facility, including exhibit space? I still don’t understand how everything is set up. Or is there one on the web site already that I just haven’t been able to find? That would greatly help my understanding of where you are situating the pandas.
Thank you very much, and I’m looking foward to see the news/video/iZoofari chat about the new exam. By the way, I have noticed it was one day off on her weekly schedule. Was that intentionnal or was it because you couldn’t get a hold of the cub sooner?
Have a nice day!
Clara
September 28th, 2007 at 11:07 am
Tell me if you had been stuck in a den for almost 2 months and had perfect weather, where would you sleep. Maybe Bai Yun feels confident as a 4 time mother, kind of like humans after there 3rd or 4th baby. You tend to be a little more relaxed and not stressed over things.
September 28th, 2007 at 11:30 am
THANK AGAIN FOR THE UPDATE SUZANNE, HMM MAYBE YOU SHOULD HAVE LEFT THAT OTHER DEN THERE, OR MAYBE BAI IS VERY COMFORTABLE AND SECURE IN HER SURROUNDINGS AND FEELS THE CUB IS TOO.
September 28th, 2007 at 11:32 am
MOMMIE BAI HAS YOU WONDERING , AS THIS CUB HAS CERTAINLY BEEN DIFFERENT AND UNIQUE
IN A LOT OF WAYS…
SO MANY HAVE EXPRESSED THE CUB TO BE A ” SHINNING STAR” DO YOU SUPPOSE SHE THINKS HAVING HER OUT ALL NIGHT IS WHERE HER LITTLE STAR SHOULD BE?????
ALL OF THIS IS WHAT MAKES THIS FUN, AFTER ALL WE ALL THOUGHT WE KNEW THE NEXT MOVES FOR BOTH….WAIT THE CUB WILL THROW YOU OFF, TOO. THAT LITTLE CUTTIE….
WE ARE SO LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO WATCH YOU GROW SECOND BY SECOND, IT’S THE NEXT BEST THING TO BEING THERE!!!!
STAY HEALTHY AND UNIQUE….” PEACEFUL PRINCESS”
September 28th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
Can we have the stats from the recent exam?
September 28th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
Perhaps this is something truly extraordinary about little Bright Star that only Bai Yun can sense. With as loving and devoted as a mother she has proven to be over time with each of her other cubs, and with this one, I don’t believe she would do this is she didn’t sense the wee one is ready for it. I watched some of the and was moved to tears and admiration for the loving care and devotion Bai exhibits for the little one. I do believe that Bright Star is up to the challenges and that if she weren’t, Bai wouldn’t risk it.
September 28th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
Thanks for the update Suzanne, and the explanation of why Bai Yun may be taking the baby outside so much at night especially. Based on your explanation, I guess it doesn’t have to do with the full moon.
I notice that Bai Yun has the cub in the den again today. She was sleeping with her yesterday, and she was nursing her this afternoon. She doesn’t seem to be wanting to take her out at least during the day. It is interesting that she chooses to take her outside with her at night when it is quiet, relatively dark, and no one is around. Maybe she feels safer with her outside at night, more so than the day time with all the hub-bub of the zoo animals, birds, etc. Even though you have taken great pains to make sure she and her cub are in a relatively undisturbed portion of the zoo, there are still normal daytime animal noises that might be affecting her. Is the recent heatwave and extreme temperatures possibly a factor in why she might want to move her out of the den earlier than she did Su Lin?
September 28th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
So glad to find out that it is mummy taking the wee one on outings from the den and nothing wrong that I am sometimes finding an empty nest when I logon to the panda cam. This is the first time that I have watched with great interest the birth and progress of a giant panda and its cub. This came about after a picture was shown in my local newspaper of Bai Yun’s cub and also the website address so I have been logging on on a daily basis ( although we are 8 hours ahead here) and am engrossed in the development of the cub. Wish I had known about the research station before now and been able to enjoy the previous panda births. Thanks for the very informative and enjoyable experience of learning about the pandas.
Lorraine
September 28th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
Could you please show us a lay-out plan for the den-sun room-lair etc. It is hard to visualize them and the movements of Bai Yun and the sweet baby. Thanks.
September 28th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
It is wonderful to notice these things on the PandaCam and then to learn what they might mean and how you all are responding. Fascinating stuff. Thank you so much for all the information.
September 28th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
The video for Sept. 28, 2007, is actually the 7-week exam, not her 8-week exam.
Moderator’s note: We’ll fix it on Monday. Thanks for your patience!
September 28th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
Conversation with Bright Star #4
Vet 1: (whisper)
Vet 2: (whisper)
Bright Star: [Uh, stethoscope? Snooze...]
V1: (whisper)
B: [Huh, tape measure? Snooze...]
V2: (whisper)
B: [Oh, it's Eau de Dr. Geoff...]
V1: (whisper)
B: [Eyes, ears... No massage this time? Snooze...]
(back in the den)
B: [And to think I'm a brick house, ay? Or is it all a dream? Snooze...]
September 28th, 2007 at 5:32 pm
Thank you so much for this update! I was so worried as to why the cub was not present when I would check in at my bedtime. Will you have a camera located in the garden room at night? That would be nice for those evenings I wake up and cannot go back to sleep. Thanks again.
September 28th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
What an interesting blog today-what is Bai telling you??? We could tell she had Bright Star out of the den but had no idea they were ” camping out” all night Maybe after 4 cubs she is sick of being cooped up in the den & has enough confidence in the staff that she feels comfortable with the cub outside. Something else for the researches to study. From the looks of our cubbie she looks well taken care of so it doesn’t seem like Bai is ignoring her. Strange but intriquing – we’ll have to wait & see what else develops in the next few days. Bai may have her cub on exhibit before you know it!!!
September 28th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
There seems to be a mix up with videos as the one posted for today’s exam is actually two exams back. However it is always educational and fun reading Suzanne’s comments. This cub has been different from the start but of course taking her out of the den like this isn’t a demand of the cub is it? It is Bai Yun so there is some reason I’m sure. You’re all investigating that and one of the great things here is that just when you think you’ve learned so much about pandas and cubs, the mother decides to pull the rug out from under your feet. It is like she is saying ” well figure this out then” . The cub is so healthy maybe Bai Yun just figures she is ready to be outside and we know that she wouldn’t put her cub in danger so all you can do is watch and learn. It is invigorating isn’t it to have something different like this show up? Never a dull moment with our pandas that’s for sure. I like the way the staff just jumps too it to try and figure out if there is something wrong or a change needed and it is acted upon. That is professionalism and true caring.
September 28th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
I cannot believe there are no comments! More likely, you have been too busy to review and post the comments, what with trying to accommodate Bai and with Mei Sheng’s upcoming departure.
Moderator’s note: Yes, we’ve been pretty busy! Thanks for your understanding.
September 28th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
Wonder if we can get a lesson in the panda exhibit – from what I can tell from the blog Bai has moved Bright Star outof the den to her bedroom & then to garden room & then from there to sunroom where they ” camped out” (is that that outdoor exhibit?) Sure sounds like Bai feels her cubbie needs to be moved for some reason
September 28th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
Have you released the date yet that we are going to have to give up our boy?
I’d like to try to get over there once more and say goodbye before he goes. I was there on his birthday, actually 3 of the 4 that we’ve had (missed #3 but got to make up for it this year. I’m just glad our son got to come see him with me before we have to give him up.
Also, are there any plans to keep us posted on his progress at Woolong, as he is somewhat of a celebrity in our world over here.
We’ll miss you pooper! GO make us proud.
September 28th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
I knew somthing was different. I had remembered Su Lin was not taken out of the den by Bai Yun for months and months. We all know she is a great mother as she has proven time and time again…. obviously she does know what she’s doing and has her reasons for taking baby out with her to slumber under the stars.
As mentioned maybe Bai will let her keepers in on it, or maybe she is just ready to move along faster with this particular baby. Is there a chance that given Bai Yuns age, that as great a mother as she is, could she may be trying to say good bye to mother hood, and is trying to push things along faster with this particular cub in the best possible way she knows how, by acclimating her to the outdoors, and staying away for longer periods, compared to how she raised her other cubs ? We as humans know when we are done having babies, do animals know when they are finished bringing young into the world, and want to be on their own ? So that’s my questions, could Bai Yun be trying to say she has had her fill, and wants to move on after this cub ?
I sure miss seeing the little one on the web cam. =)
September 28th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
What an interesting turn of events! It’s so wonderful to hear that the Panda Staff is going out of their way to build new enclosures for Bai and her cub. I have a question I’m sure many of you can answer: as I know pandas are as dangerous as other bears, how do the caretakers safely interact with the pandas? Are the pandas ” tame” in any sense of that word as it relates to bringing in food, cleaning dens, etc…do the helpers have to quarantine the pandas in another area prior to doing this?
The little girl looks adorable! I’m sure Bai will settle on the ” best” place. Reminds me of being a little girl and watching a mama cat take 6 kittens from under one bed…to deposit them under another bed. Of course, now I understand the ” neuter” concept when it comes to housecats!
Peace!
Paula in Texas
Paula in TX
September 28th, 2007 at 9:41 pm
I am fortunate to be in San Diego this week and look forward to my trip to the Zoo tomorrow (only open until 4:00 p.m.!). I was able to see video of the 8-week cub exam on the Thursday evening local news, but that information is not yet up on the website. FYI, I don’t know if it is my computer or a system glitch, but the past exam videos that are available on the website are not properly linked to their titles when I click on them. I look forward to the weekly exam updates/photos and hope they are posted soon. Maybe Bai Yun’s sudden move from the den has you focused on other tasks, so I’ll wait as patiently as I can.
September 29th, 2007 at 1:18 am
Wonder why the regular den was empty. I was up most of the night keep looking for ” cubby” . Awww, she looks SO CUTE with the other eyes started to open. Her black eye patches look like her big sister Hua Mei and at the moment her eye look ” soft” like her other sister Su Lin. Over all, she definitively look a like her older sister Hua Mei. Tonight, I can barely see the cubby behind. She laying mostly in the dark.
September 29th, 2007 at 1:35 am
Hi Suzanne
thanks for your informative update on Bai’s decision to be continuously ‘on the move’ with her young cub, I can imagine that you all have been observing with some concern where she will eventually decide to reside.
I have also seen her with the her cub at different locations, yesterday (Fri.) she was on her bench on C15, looking over the edge at her cub ‘below’ coupled with occasional ‘rollovers’ as exercise – eventually returning the cub to the den.
It is nowSaturday 01.30am(SD ) and I do not see the cub in the den so possibly Bai has ‘walked the walk’ again on one of her moonlight adventures.
I observed Bai’s actions with her previous three cubs and do not recall this activity with the cubs at this young stage of their life.
You must explain to Bai that if this continues you could all be back on a 24/7 watch !
Kind regards to all staff at SDZ….
September 29th, 2007 at 3:26 am
Great news for pandaholics….
at 03.25am (SD) Sat.29th – I note Bai is back with her cub on C14 – guess she knows we are all concerned for their welfare – however as always Bai knows best !
September 29th, 2007 at 5:59 am
I can see that Bai Yun and the cub (I’m naming her ” Cutie” right now) are doing fine. Keep up the good work.
September 29th, 2007 at 6:46 am
Oh my gosh I enjoy this Panda stuff so much it makes me want to work with these beautiful animals! I show everyone I know our new baby and what a good mom Bai Yun is. She impresses me so much! I will always be watching these girl’s as they inspire me each day!
Much love to Bai Yun and baby girl!!
Vanda Gary
Brownwood Texas
September 29th, 2007 at 7:00 am
Wow! Always something new to learn from these amazing animals. Wouldn’t you just love to ” get inside of their head” so you didn’t have to guess what’s going on at times when the ” norm” has seemingly changed?
September 29th, 2007 at 7:06 am
I think that Bai Yun just doesn’t want the Keepers to be bored. She is constantly trying new things. Maybe she wants to develop new questions for us to research so she can stay at the Research Center in San Diego longer, instead of going back to China.
Or maybe Bai Yun just wanted to show Bright Star all the other stars out there. Maybe she was telling her about the China homeland, or where Mei Sheng is going to be soon. I think some of our Blog’s creative writers could come up with great stories about the ” Sun Room Adventure” and what the pandas said.
I have a new computer monitor and was thrilled to see Bai Yun and Bright Star with my larger screen. What a joy to actually see them — my PandaCam view is three times larger than it used to be. And, I could actually see her eyes starting to open up! What a great first thing to see on the new monitor!!!
Love, Joy
September 29th, 2007 at 8:40 am
Thanks, Suzanne, for the update on ” movin’ mama” . I couldn’t see little snookums for over 3 days now, and was starting to think it was my computer. But there she is this morning, skooching around on her tummy at the nursery entrance. Funny how just one little something can seem not quite right for Bai….she (and you) will figure out what is best. Weather is good for camping out with sweet baby, thank goodness. Keep us updated on her behavior. It should provide invaluable insight into future panda nursery needs when you figure out why she is doing this.
Do you have video of the latest exam? I LOVE those!
September 29th, 2007 at 8:49 am
(im)patiently waiting and hoping for latest cub exam results?! Looks like the work on den may have worked… I think Bai and Bright Star spent the night in (for a change). Not to be too demanding, but could the cub’s measurements be included when latest vet update is posted? I like to know how long she is as well as how chubby! Thanks!
September 29th, 2007 at 8:54 am
I wonder if they make ” Wide Load” signs for pandas. Baby has made one too many trips to the Bai Buffet.
September 29th, 2007 at 11:11 am
This information is in the new SDZ weekly E-newsletter, from this week’s exam:
The San Diego Zoo’s 8-week-old giant panda cub has been gaining one pound a week. At Thursday’s weekly veterinary exam she weighed 6.5 pounds and measured 17 inches or 1.4 feet long. Both of the cub’s eyes are now partially open, but Geoff Pye, San Diego Zoo senior veterinarian, says the female cub is likely only seeing shades of light and dark. Over the next couple of weeks her eyesight will sharpen and she will begin to really see her environment.
Paula #24: Pandas COULD BE dangerous as other bears, but they are not aggressive. They relocate the adult bears to bring fresh food and to clean the areas. They don’t do that with cubs until a certain age. When teaching them behavior skills, the keepers/researchers will interact with the adult bears through mesh or bar windows, hand feeding them with apples, etc. Of course the pandas could swat or bite and injure a keeper that way but they don’t, as they learn to respect their keepers.
September 29th, 2007 at 11:25 am
Paula #24 — I should have added that Bai Yun has proven to have complete trust in her keepers. She even allowed them to artificially inseminate her without anesthesia (back when they had to do that). But then, we all know Bai Yun is the queen of all Panda dams.
September 29th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
Barbara, Thank you so much for the latest exam stats! I was having anxiety not knowing how chubby cubette was growing (bad, I know!). I guess I’d better go sign up for the SDZ weekly E-newsletter!
Moderator’s note: You can sign up for our various e-newletters at http://www.sandiegozoo.org/newsletter/index.html
September 29th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Barbara #36 and #37 – thank you for the response! I sort of gathered that giant pandas weren’t ” dangerous” in the same sense of entering a lion or tiger enclosure, but wasn’t 100% sure.
Just watched a very hilarious pandacam with the little one squirming constantly while Bai was cuddling her – that’s one active baby!
Thanks again to the wonderful staff of SDZoo for the updates – just fascinating! My kids tell me I am now ” obsessed” with giant pandas :=)
September 29th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
Thank you for the fascinating update on Bai Yun and her wanderings with her little one. You describe her as ” unpredictable” under her thumbnail so she may just be trying to keep everyone on their toes. I see a conversation between Su Lin and Mei Sheng trying to figure out what Mom and little sister are up to now. I can just hear them….” what’s Mom up to now?” ” Oh just having a little fun with the keepers.” ” I bet there are a lot of puzzled humans trying to figure this one out!” ” You know Mom!”
At least Bai didn’t decide to do this right after birth. Let us know what she decides.
September 29th, 2007 at 5:58 pm
Thank you for the privilege of watching this baby grow. It is just amazing, exciting and wonderful to learn about this beautiful animal. Bai Yun appears to be such a good mother. Just a joy to follow every day!
September 29th, 2007 at 7:06 pm
Seems like they’ve been in the den a lot today…lots of good mama lovin’ going on around 7 p.m. Pacific time
Maybe Bai appreciated the clean-up?
Deb #35–LOL!
September 29th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
Congratulations to keepers! It appears that something is working to keep Bai inside at night.
It is 12:00 EDT, 9 PM PDT, and Bai and BaiBee are soundly sleeping in what appears to be the den. I looked 5 minutes before and didn’t see anyone in the den. Then checked back, slightly different camera angle, and there they were right in the middle big as life. Maybe it was cooler out under the stars? Or maybe it is too cool now, and she has decided to move back indoors. Whatever the reason, I am glad to see they are both, safe, warm, and resting without stress.
September 29th, 2007 at 10:54 pm
While I saw Bai & Bright Star in the den earlier tonight I checked again & think they are spending another night camping out under the stars. What adventures our little one is having at such a young age.
September 30th, 2007 at 7:07 pm
There used to be a blogger who told us what Bright Star was doing but as I haven’t seen her blogs for a while – thought we’d like to know what Bai’s thoughts are.
Bai says – well. guess I did another good job when I mated with ” the little one, GaoGao” – he may be small but he is a stud though I wore him out. I had the SDZ staff confused as to whether I pregnant or not & then I delivered my 4th cub days before the staff expected me to. As a 4 time mommy I know how to take care of my cubs. Even though this one seemed quiet she has mind of her own. For some reason it took the vets weeks to decide the sex of my latest cubbie. Even though I am just a panda I know what is going on with my other cubs – I heard that my first born has given birth to 3 sets of twins & that my only son is heading back our ” home country, China” next month – he was a mommy’s boy & I’ll miss him. My 3rd cub, Su Lin was a tree climber & I miised a lot of play with her. So now that I have my 4th healthy cub, I want tell her about her brother & sisters. Am tired of being cooped up in the den & as the weather has been so good I decided to take my latest cub out to see the stars & tell her about her family- she was aslo upset about being called ” a brick” so have had to console her – Don’t worry know what I’m doing. Bai
September 30th, 2007 at 7:12 pm
Hi, you guys! To those of you who want to know the latest stats on the baby girl’s 9/28/2007 vet check, here they are: She weighs 6.5 pounds, and is 1.4 inches long. I got those stats on the short statement on the video page. And I know you all are thinking the same thing I am—this cub’s done some growing in the last week! Been on the pandacam off and on over the last week, have seen an empty den on a couple of nights that I’ve been watching, and then the last couple of nites, mom and cub are in their den. Bai has been doing some moving around with her cub lately. From what I’ve read on the last couple of blogs, apparently mother pandas will occasionally change den locations in the wild to protect her and her baby from predators or other dangerous situations. I’m pretty sure that’s the type of instinct that Bai has kicked in lately. She just doing her natural thing as a very protective, caring mom! Back to baby girl, like I said, she’s done some growing, and she has gotten much more fuzzier with all that new hair growing in now! Glad to see that both eyes are really starting to open up. Now, its her ears turn to start popping up! Then, the next thing that will start happening fairly soon is her baby teeth starting to come in. So, baby girl still has those milestones to look forward to in the next couple of months. Gonna miss Mei Sheng when he leaves for China in late October. He’s already a great ambassador for the pandas! I’ve been checking in with the other pandacams at the other zoos’ websites, and everything’s looking good with all the pandas. Mei Lan in Atlanta is still doing her usual stuff–nursing, playing, chasing, sleeping. Being a one year old has been fun for her so far. Now, she’s starting to do some mouthing on the bamboo but hasn’t started eating it yet. Oh yeah, love those ” conversations” that P Wong (#16) wrote! I think he’s trying to give us an idea of what this cub’s thinking while the vets check her over! CUTE!! I did watch the updated 9/28/2007 video tonite, and it was the vet exam on that date. This baby cub was a little sleepy thru the whole exam procedure! She didn’t mind it at all that the vets were measuring her and looking her over! They must have taken her out of the den in the early morning hours right after she had her breakfast. She’s getting cuter! Well, gonna go back and watch pandacam some more before going to bed.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
September 30th, 2007 at 7:31 pm
Suzanne or Ellie, I need your expert knowledge to clarify something for me. I read today that the two pandas that recently arrived in Madrid are now on public exhibit. The article mentioned that the female was slower to acclimate mainly because she is younger. It said she is 4 years old (same as Mei Sehng) and is ” at peak fertility.” I thought females were not sexually mature until 5-6 years old. Was Hua Mei fully mature when she got to Wolong, or did they have to wait a year to breed her? As I recall she was 5 years old instead of 4 like Mei Sheng because her departure was delayed due to SARS. It seems to me that the pandas, female and male, would need many months to get fully acclimated to the climate and environment of their new ” home” before their physiology would be amenable to breeding and pregnancy. Maybe I am thinking of the younger bears that have been sent to Atlanta, Memphis, Thailand, etc. As I recall they were 2-3 years old when they arrived, and started breeding a year or two later.
Lun Lun I think is now 8, and Yang Yang (10?)
How old is Gao Gao? If Bai Yun is now 14, and she has been here 9 years, I think that means she was 5 years old when she arrived. Mei Xiang was a similar age when she arrived in DC.
At what age do they start breeding females born at Wolong who stay there?
September 30th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
Thanks Suzanne, but I was wondering if the cam(s) in the garden room would be working in the near future. Now that I can finally see in the den, I rarely see mom or cub and miss them. Also, missed photos of exam last Thursday. I must be doing something wrong. Blessings to all!
October 1st, 2007 at 7:01 am
My mind’s eye conjures up such a sweet scene of Bai and Bright Star under the starry sky, with momma pointing out the Big Dipper to her fuzzy little gaze. It’s so wonderful that you have all this data from the previous babies and are able to compare and contrast each one and Bai’s behavior. They don’t even know they’re research tools…
October 1st, 2007 at 9:13 am
Just checked on little angel….down for her morning nap.
I heard on ABC newscast this morning that Wolong, with it’s artificial breeding program producing babies at record numbers, has set a new policy on panda loans to other countries. They used to loan pandas to other zoos as a goodwill gesture. The price now is apparently is $1Million per panda ” rental” per YEAR, and they will be much stricter with the new criteria for ” loans” . The announcer said Wolong had experienced a panda boom with their insemination program which prompts them to go from Panda ” goodwill loans” to lucrative ” cash cow” rentals. The Wolong administrator interviewed said that the $1M per year per panda per zoo is only used in panda research, etc. There is a Yahoo news ” bullet” with the connection to ABC’s newscast on Yahoo’s webpage. Wonder how will this impact our US zoos, does anyone know?
October 1st, 2007 at 10:44 am
Since 1999, Zoo Atlanta has paid China $1.1 million per year for Lun Lun and Yang Yang, ” on loan” for 10 years from Chengdu Zoo/Chengdu Research Base for Giant Panda Breeding. Of course, we believe Mei Lan is worth every penny!
October 1st, 2007 at 11:07 am
I must correct myself….I certainly meant that Mei Lan AND Lun Lun AND Yang Yang are worth every penny. After submitting my comment, I went to YouTube and watched LCNessie’s latest video, featuring Yang Yang at play, some of his goofball, side-splitting best. For anyone who thinks pandas only sleep, eat and poop, take a look!
October 1st, 2007 at 11:31 am
Thanks, Desi #51, for the information on the Atlanta swap. I had no idea so much $$ was involved in the panda loan program. I naively thought it was basically a goodwill gesture. It must be a fairly lucrative industry for China, especially since they are now experiencing a baby boom with the breeding program a huge success. On the other hand, I am sure our Chinese panda loan is worth every single penny and also that it brings in much $$ from visitors to the SD zoo.
Is Zoo Atlanta under the same constraints as SDZ? Do they have to return Mei Lan to Wolong sometime in the near future?
October 1st, 2007 at 1:35 pm
#53, Barb:
From Cub FAQs on ZooAtlanta website: Like her parents, Mei Lan belongs to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China. Sometime after she is weaned, she will be sent to another facility where a potential mate will be available for her. This will probably happen when she is about 3 years old, but a definite age has not been decided upon, yet.
For now, I take the Scarlett O’Hara line of thinking…..I don’t have to think about that today, I’ll think about it tomorrow (in about 2 years). Like all children, you must give them roots and wings. San Diego has given Mei Sheng the finest roots, now they must give him his wings and let him fulfill his role in preserving the species.
October 1st, 2007 at 2:36 pm
It seems that cubbie was alone for a long time today. I might have missed a visit from Bai Yun, but I don’t think so. Maybe Bai Yun was listening while eating, or sunning in the Sunroom. But it seemed cubby was left alone for hours.
October 1st, 2007 at 3:25 pm
#47 Margaret
You were slightly off in the ages of some pandas.
Bai Yun was 5 when she arrived in 1996 and is now 16. She has been here 11 years.
Gao Gao was estimated to be born in the same year as me so he’s about 15.
Lun Lun is easiest for me to remember as she was born on my 5th birthday. She turned 10 on August 25
Mei Xiang was 2 when she arrived in 2000.
Has there been some problems with the cam recently? I haven’t been able to view at all these past days.
October 1st, 2007 at 3:31 pm
Conversation with Bai Yun #7
Tourist: Hello, Madame Bai Yun.
Bai Yun: Hello, Mr. Tourist.
T: Now I see you’re having some nice treats here…
B: Yes, it’s my morning break.
T: And I hear your little Bright Star is growing fast.
B: Uh huh.
T: And her both eyes are opening…
B: Yup. And she told me she saw something.
T: Huh?
B: Last night. She saw some shadows on the moon.
T: Really?
B: Then when I looked up, there were images…
T: Oh, you mean Lady Chang’e and Jade Rabbit appearing in the moon…
B: Uh…
T: For the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival.
B: Not quite.
T: Then what did you see?
B: Gao Gao was there, too.
T: WHAT?
B: Yes, his face was beaming. And he wore a red Valentine.
(back in his yard)
Gao Gao: O Mighty Panda King, that was a great moon voyage. Thank you.
October 1st, 2007 at 6:04 pm
#52 Desi – I have also watched some of LC Nessie’s videos of YangYang-some have me laughing so hard I had tears-he is something else & seems like Lani has taken on some of her daddy’s behavior. My favorite video that LC Nessie posted is a training session with Yang & his keeper, Jay (it’s” Yang Yang & Jay in the Navy” )-check this out – one smart, huge, funny panda doing what Jay wants for some fruit. I have watched Tai, SuLin, Lani & now our latest cub since the day they were born. It’s fun to compare their development & the way the mothers treat their cubs. For some reason LunLun seems more proctective of Lani than MeiXiang was of Tai-& we all know that SuLin was high in the trees when she 6 months old. As far as the $million ” panda rental” am sure the money goes into to research but understand that ZA has some budget constraints & is questioning that huge expense. But your zoo is to commeded for the birth of a wonderful, healthy, funny cub that keeps us all amused.
Now-to our latest cubbie in SD-keep waiting for new photos of her latest exam & another zoofari chat. The last time I checked the cam Bai is out of the den but I couldn’t tell is Bright Star was with her or not. Bai is something else.
October 1st, 2007 at 6:41 pm
Well, here it is about 9:40 EDT & I see Bai is outside eating – but she was with Bright Star a few minutes ago. Time alone for mom.
October 1st, 2007 at 7:02 pm
#56 – Laine – thanks for the clarifications of the ages of the panda ” ladies” when they arrived in US. They were all pretty young to have travelled so far from home.
If anyone wants to see great photos taken of Hua Mei’s latest twins in July 2007 by a US couple who were ” working” there for a week when the cubs were 2-3 weeks old, Google ” Hua Mei’s bebes.” They are little pink cubs with black coloration just starting to show. This couple has some fabulous photos of the cubs in the nursery with their keepers exercising them, and also some good stories about the large natural enclosures and escapades of the pandas at Wolong. It helps to hear how they are cared for and how they interact with their keepers.
October 1st, 2007 at 7:06 pm
Bai seems to be having her paws full with a squirming cub tonight. Think Bright Star wants another camp out.
October 1st, 2007 at 7:48 pm
It took Bai a good 15-20 minutes tonight to get Bright Star calmed down – our cubbie squirmed all over the place before she finally fell asleep & now a few minutes later I see Bai outside having a bamboo meal. No wonder Bai is tired.
October 1st, 2007 at 7:52 pm
YEA!!!!! GOODY!!! GOODY!!! We’re gonna get a chance to vote for a name for the little baby panda girl pretty soon! I sure do hope that Bright Star and the Chinese translation to that name will be among the final list of names to vote on! I will DEFINITELY be checking the SDZ website every day for the next few days to see when we will be able to start voting for the cub’s name. This is going to be fun, everybody!! I agree with some of you about the pandacam the last couple of days and nites; the cam is not coming on like it should, and it was like that again tonite. Hopefully, the IT guys will figure out what’s up with it and get back online again. I also hope that those very necessary and important parts have come in so that the cam get fixed and in better working order. Hope to see Bai and baby girl on the cam tomorrow!
Chari
St. Pete, FL
October 1st, 2007 at 8:31 pm
Hello to all from Pennsylvania! I love the pandas and really enjoy watching them on the webcam. I am posting to ask if someone is going to get to the zoo to submit the name ” Ming Xing” (Ming Shing), which means Bright Star. It is a very soft, lyrical name for our little girl. I know I will have a very difficult time calling this cub anything else!
P. S. Thanks to whoever it was who provided that translation of Bright Star!
October 1st, 2007 at 8:55 pm
The pandas in the States are the lucky ones, expecially at San Diego Zoo, because it is an excellent environment for the pandas to live in. I can see adorable Su Lin, , beautiful Bai Yun and handsome Gao Gao are under good care of your staff and enjoying happy life at the zoo. Unfortunately, I am sad to know they will return to China after some time and I feel sorry for the pandas who will leave their beloved keepers. Wonder why the Chinese authority never disclose the news of adult pandas over 20 years of age. How they treat the pandas if they are too old to give birth to offspring. I watched form the video that a panda in China was not well treated and he/she scared his/her keeper.
October 2nd, 2007 at 3:14 am
Great news for all pandaholics who view C14 at 03.10am (SD)…Bai has her young ‘BaiBee’ snuggled up in her big arm, needless to say ‘madam wriggler’ is saying wake up and lets go places!
P.Wong #57 puts it all so well…..
Bai’s cubs choice of name must surely incorporate the ’sun, moon and stars’ as she has seen them all, the Chinese people will be very pleased by this.
It is good that Bai appears to have made her decision on where she wishes to stay at present, and things appear to be returning to ‘normal’ for Bai and her ever growing cub.
October 2nd, 2007 at 9:08 am
Chari #63 – Thanks for helping to build the anticipation!
It shouldn’t be too long before we learn the list of names. After all, those 100 days are passing by quickly, aren’t they? Wonder if there’s a translation for ” Wiggle-worm” in Chinese…
Bai certainly will have her hands, er..uh, paws full once baby becomes fully mobile.
Like many of you, I’m frustrated with PandaCam lately, but when I’m able to connect, the pictures have been worth the wait. Fortunately, I’ve been able to feed my addiction for all things panda while watching our friends at NZ, Memphis, and ZA (weekdays between 10am-5pm), as well as Nessie’s videos on Youtube.
October 2nd, 2007 at 9:10 am
C14 at 09.07am (SD)…..
Bai’s bright and shining star is displaying her ‘private parts’ to every one who may have doubted that she really is a GIRL…..there definitely are no additional pieces!
October 2nd, 2007 at 9:22 am
Cindy # 67
yù is mythical creature, toad, worm
ruÇŽn is wriggle
I’ve been in and out of the cam all day again, Bright Star and Bai have been holed up in the den, but then I am 8 hours ahead and they were sleeping.
October 2nd, 2007 at 9:46 am
#64 M Hennon….Ming Xing (Bright Star) certainly is a good name for our wee one, who has traveled a few starlit nights in her few weeks! I guess I overlooked that one. There will be some good Chinese names from which to choose this year. Thanks for adding this one to the list.
October 2nd, 2007 at 9:47 am
Even with her eyes only half open, Baby Panda could have made a better call than the umpire did in last night’s wild card game. The Padres were robbed! Well, at least we have the pandas to comfort us.
October 2nd, 2007 at 11:45 am
I see they are now asking for names for the cub. I was thinking about the name many here have been calling her even before we knew the sex. ” Bright Star” seems a lovely name and I’m wondering what it would be in Chinese. Not sure how we’d find out. I was able to find out the Chinese symbols for the name but not the actual spelling out of the letters. I know that whatever names that are submitted have to be in Chinese.
Anyone else have any ideas for the name?
October 2nd, 2007 at 12:31 pm
Love watching Bright Star ( Ming Xing) as she grows up so quickly. I hope someone can get to the Zoo and put that name in the competition for the official name of the cub. It is of somewhat scary when I think of the concerns people have been voicing about the aging pandas. Does anyone really do follow through with these treasures? Now to read about the money transferring between USA and China for these bears. I guess that’s what it all comes down to. I just hate to think of Mei Lan or Ming Xing, past reproductive age, being mistreated or living in poor condiotions. Anyone else have any knowledge about what happens to them as they age? Maybe we shouldn’t give them back.
October 2nd, 2007 at 12:48 pm
Hi – The following article appeared in today’s San Diego Union Tribune entitled ” Zoo seeks suggestions for panda cub names” — Balboa Park: Step right up and name the panda cub. The San Diego Zoo is asking visitors to suggest names for the female panda born Aug. 3.
Starting Sunday, zoo guests have 10 days to submit names. Suggestions should be in Chinese (using the English alphabet, not Chinese characters), have an English translation and be symbolic in meaning.
The zoo’s panda team will choose several names from those suggested. The Chinese Wildlife Conversation Association will review the semifinalists.
The approved finalists will be posted this month on the zoo’s Web site, http://www.sandiegozoo.org, for a final vote by the public, zoo officials said.
This is a new twist on naming pandas. In 1999, China named the zoo’s first cub Hua Mei, or ” China USA” .
San Diego zoo officials named the second cub, born in 2003, Mei Sheng, or ” Born in the USA” . In 2005, five names were posted on the Internet for public voting. Su Lin, or ” A little bit of something very cute” , was the winning name.”
With this ” new twist” we should see some very interesting names. Good Luck.
Moderator’s note: The actual days for offering name suggestions are Friday, October 5 through Sunday, October 14.
October 2nd, 2007 at 1:10 pm
I think Bright Star is dreaming of becoming a ‘movie star’ ~ Bai best take daughter in hand because by her ‘pose’ at 12.55pm (SD) she was again displaying all things personal, and could classed as a ‘naughty girl’.
Earlier today there was a close up of the cub ~ from the ‘dip in her profile’ there is no query as to who is her daddy! she is a mini Gao Gao, I can recall Mei Sheng with the same profile when he was a young cub.
I hope the visitors to the Zoo chose some nice names for Bright Star for us to select a name online, hopefully some of them will have read the blogs…
October 2nd, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Thank you for the interesting post about Bai Yun’s changing locations. As someone else said, she and the baby seem to be back in the den more. Speaking of ” BaiBee,” if I recall correctly, one of the names offered along with Su Lin was something like Bao Bei, which means treasure, I think. When I see Bai and the cubbette lying nose to nose in the den, it is indeed a moment to treasure.
Also appreciate the update on the baby’s exam. But I think her brother Mei Sheng gave her a run in the cuteness department. The video showing him curling up and rolling over on his side was precious.
Thanks for all you do for the pandas and panda lovers.
October 2nd, 2007 at 3:18 pm
I wish soooo much that i could go see the pandas during the time of name suggesting
I had a couple of names i was thinking of Ning Xing which translated I belive means peaceful star because she is very mellow but is such a glisteing girl and has spent many wonderful nights under the stars with mom. Also Ning Yan which means peaceful rock whick i think represents this girl perfectly she is so peaceful and mellow except when she wants her way she is as firm as a rock. Oh well i know they will recive so many wonderful suggestions and i will be happy to at least vote. Why should i complain when SDZ does such a wonderful job taking care of the pandas , filling us in on whats going on, conserving the enviroment, and running a wonderful zoo? *To the special cub you will always be my peaceful star*
October 2nd, 2007 at 6:26 pm
I’ve checked back on the NZ site about Tai when he was the same age as our Bright Star. At his 8 week exam he weighed 6.2 pounds and was 12 inches long. Our newest cubette beats him out in both – Bai out does herself as a mother again
October 2nd, 2007 at 7:15 pm
I love Ming Xing (bright star) but also agree with Lex #77 that ” peace” would be a beautiful thought – Ning Xing (peaceful star). How wonderful that those two names are only separated by one letter in the alphabet. I hope they make it to the online poll! I won’t be in San Diego until November 17th, by which time the little fluffball will already be named. I sure hope the Chinese Wildlife Conservation Association approves those names, since it appears they have veto authority and final say on the semifinalist names.
Peace to you, little Bright Star!
October 2nd, 2007 at 9:08 pm
What fun we’ll have voting for the name of our cubbie – how fortunate we are to have the Chinese translation of Bright Star. Will surely keep my eye out for the voting. Just hope ” Brick Bottom” is not one of the names!!
October 3rd, 2007 at 7:41 am
Thank you Chari for the translation. I think Ming Xing would be lovely. However the other name suggestions are good as well. She is quiet but very determined and that is why I liked Bright Star so much. We’ll see when they post the choices.
October 3rd, 2007 at 10:04 am
Maureen #80 just had me LOL when I read ” brick bottom” What a hoot!
Reminded me of the old Commodores song, ” Brick House” . Sorry if anyone now has that stuck in their heads for the rest of the day…
October 3rd, 2007 at 11:02 am
#80 Maureen in Michigan. Since one of the pandas in Spain is Hua Zuiba (Flowery Mouth), ” Brick Bottom” can indeed be possible (Chinese equivalent is Da Pigu meaning ” big bottom.” ) LOL.
#79 Paula. How would you like ” Ning Ning” ? Means ” peaceful one” or ” peaceful little one.”
October 3rd, 2007 at 11:27 am
Right now, at 2:16 PM EDT (October 3) is the most adorable sight. Bai Yun is laying on her back with her hind feet in the air and her belly is showing beautiful long white fur. I feel like I would like to rub her belly and brush out her fur. She is so cute. Baby is laying right up against her face. I have never seen them expose the bottom of their paws before. Just so amazing!
October 3rd, 2007 at 12:17 pm
I think the name Bright Star is the perfect fit for our little cubbie. With Mei Xaing and YaYa both losing their babies our little one is the Bright Star in the face of sadness and loss. I do hope that they do consider this name. Well tomorrow I am off to see the D.C. family, can’t wait to see Tai. I intend to spend alot of time watching the pandas.
October 3rd, 2007 at 12:28 pm
Although I live in D.C. and have been watching Tai Shan since he was born, I can’t resist a new baby and have been checking on ” Bright Star” daily, as well. That is, until recently, when I am frequently finding that nothing comes up on the Panda Cam. Perhaps it’s that there are too many attempting to log on? Or is there a problem with the camera?
Moderator’s note: Panda Cam should be working now.
October 3rd, 2007 at 1:53 pm
Panda cam is working great this afternoon. It is incredibly sharp, so I am guessing the camera troubles have been fixed and the new parts installed.
October 3rd, 2007 at 7:56 pm
#83 P Wong – ” Ning Ning” has a certain ring!
I am certain with all our online votes following the initial selection we’ll rock the vote!
October 3rd, 2007 at 9:09 pm
Oh my gosh, bath time in the den around 9 p.m. Pacific–so cute!
Seems as though the den is the residence of choice once again?
October 4th, 2007 at 7:28 am
As I was reading the blog a question occured to me: Is Bai Yun moving the cub outside because she is sensing the possibility of seismic activity in the area?
October 4th, 2007 at 10:35 am
Louise # 90 – I bet you’re right – we have had a lot of tremblers in the past couple of weeks – one recently that was located around the Balboa Park area – so I think Bai was afraid of baby being in the den during a ” big one” . She’s one smart mama!!
October 4th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
Cheryl #91.
Thanks for the info. I am in New York City and was not aware of the recent tremblers. Interesting.
October 5th, 2007 at 8:16 am
Louise #90 and Cheryl #91 you bring up a very interesting question. Since it is well known that animals sense environmental changes much faster than humans, it is a great question of whether she sensed the tremors and that affected her behavior. I notice that she seems to have returned to the den. At least it looks like the same den to me. Suzanne, have you determined what you think made the difference to Bai Yun and why she seems to have determined it is ok to return the cub to the den?
October 11th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
Awwww….you looks sooooo adorable! I wish I could give you a BIIIIG HUG!
October 11th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
Since this maybe Bai Yun (White Cloud)’s last cub…it would be nice if part of the cubs name was part of her mothers. I do like the ” Peaceful”
as this cub seems, for the most part, to be a very
peaceful little one. So I suggest the name
” Ning Yun” Peaceful Cloud.