Mei Sheng’s Journey Begins
Posted at 12:20 pm November 5, 2007 by Angie Fiore
Fellow panda keeper Kathy Hawk and I, as well as staff accompanying him to China, arrived at the San Diego Zoo at 2 a.m. to secure Mei Sheng in his travel crate and send him on his way to China. Like the good bear he is, he was awake and waiting for us when we went down to his exhibit, despite being four hours early with his breakfast. I fed Mei Sheng some biscuits and apples, and he immediately went into his travel crate for more. After securing the crate door, both Kathy and I fed him some more biscuits, apples, yams, and carrots, and then gave him some bamboo.
As usual, we moved him out to the service road where a forklift was waiting, which he was used to, as this was part of his normal training sessions. This time, however, he was loaded onto a truck. He handled it all quite well, remaining very calm and eating the whole time. After his crate was secured and packing lists double checked, Kathy and I fed him some more treats and said our very difficult goodbyes. Then Mei Sheng, accompanied by Zoo staff, set out for the airport. We are glad to report that he arrived safely at the airport and is being loaded on the plane as I write this blog. Our team members report that he remained calm during the entire ride up, either resting or snacking.
He will soon arrive in China, his new home. We hope to report more soon as his journey continues. We’d also like to express thanks for all the wonderful messages and well wishes from all the panda bloggers. Your kindness does indeed lift our spirits.
Angie Fiore is a keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
Listen to an iZoofari Chat about Mei Sheng, with keeper Kathy Hawk.
Moderator’s note: Many of you have sent in comments regarding Mei Sheng’s arrival at Wolong, based on outside news sources. We are waiting to hear from our own team that accompanied Mei Sheng to China and will post the information when it becomes available. Communication out of Wolong can sometimes be difficult. Patience, please.
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November 5th, 2007 at 12:25 pm
For some reason I didn’t believe it would happen. Now that he’s really gone, I’m so sad. I know it’s for the good of the species, but it doesn’t make it feel any better. Godspeed little bear.
November 5th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
Thanks for the update, Angie. I cried for you when I read your message. I am sure it was a very bittersweet morning for you and Kathy. However, you were blessed to have a few minutes of special time with Mei Sheng to say your personal goodbyes. He is a great boy, and will have an adventure on his trip. What panda could resist all those special treats to go on a trip!?
I must say that I stopped breathing for a second when I read he was on his way to China, although I knew in my mind and heart that he must be. We were blessed to have him with us for an extra week because of the fires, but now he must be on his way to his glorious future in the misty mountains of Wolong.
Keep those placid images of him this morning, as he thoroughly enjoyed his special treats from you for one last time. May they sustain you through this long, and somewhat sad day. I am sure you will both rest well tonight from sheer mental and emotional exhaustion.
November 5th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
He will be missed by all of us. He’s such a happy guy! I hope the media covered his departure so we can see him off too.
November 5th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
A sad day for us, but a good day for his species. Safe journey Panda Prince.
November 5th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
Mei Sheng we thank you so much for your time with us and your wonderful memories! Make us proud in China- enjoy your new life among your ” relativesâ€. We send much love with you!
November 5th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
Bye Bye sweet boy.
And heartfelt thoughts to all of you at the Zoo that have gotten so close to him. It’s hard for us, but I know much harder for you.
Mei Sheng…you will always be in our hearts! Can’t wait to hear news about your adventures in China.
November 5th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
Although I have never seen Mei Sheng in person I have watched him on the panda cam. I dont know how the keepers can give him up, as it must be heartwrenching for you all. I know he will be in a good place and hopefully make lots of little panda babies, but its still hard to know he is gone. Bye bye Mei Sheng!
November 5th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
For those who are feeling ” down,” check out the blogs of the other animals at the SDZ and WAP and how those young animals are also growing up fast, and some of them are also moving away to fulfill their destinies. We must keep this in perspective.
Many of us made donations to the October Wish List for the other animals in Mei Sheng’s honor. He would want all of us to focus on the plight of all endangered species, not just pandas.
The blogs of the other animals are also very educational, and entertaining as well. It will help you brighten up, and lighten up, and hopefully put a smile back on your face. They did for me.
Moderator’s note: Great reminder, Margaret! We have blogs in other categories such as ” Animal Stories,” ” Zoo Journal,” and ” Zoo InternQuest” (written by student interns). They can all be found in the gold side bar. And our monthly Wish List can be found at http://www.sandiegozoo.org/adopt/adopt_wishlist.html
November 5th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
Have a safe journey Mei! We’re hoping that your arrival will be televised as you are indeed a celebrity. And we’ll be watching for you on the Woolong cams as soon as possible. Godspeed Panda Prince!
November 5th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
It’s time for you to leave us, for you have a job to do.
To create more lovely panda cubs, to walk this earth with you.
You hold our hearts within your grasp, our dreams your life has sown,
Now you go forth to make a life, In a land you’ve never known.
Oh the wonders you will see, the joy of a new world you’ll share,
Adorable, sweet panda bear, you’re home will always be here.
I’ll just say ” So long” and not goodbye, good wishes and please take care,
I’ll remember you with fondness still, Mei Sheng, my sweet panda bear.
I’ll miss you! Darleen Wirt
Copyright 11/5/07
November 5th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
Kathy, Angie and the entire Panda team. I too had tears for all of you, I know this must had been the hardest thing to do but at least Mei had you with him to guide him on the start of his journey.
November 5th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
So it really happened… best wishes to Mei Sheng on his long journey and new adventures; and our hearts go out to you, SDZ staff who have cared for and loved him. Four years goes by much too quickly…
November 5th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
Mei Sheng, who will always be our baby, has grown up and is on his way to a new life at Wolong. For those of us watching from the East Coast living near the National Zoo, we wonder how we will deal with Tai Shan leaving. So now we’re watching as the San Diego Zoo staff prepare to send off another little bear that they helped to raise from a little cub. I can only imagine what they are going through at the moment. But if it helps, many of us out here in pandcam land want the San Diego staff to know that we sincerely appreciate all of the work that they do and support them at this time. We will all miss Mei Sheng, but at the same time we are very proud of him and everthing that he represents. I liken Mei Sheng’s journey to him going off to college at Wolong.
November 5th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
well in my heart i was hoping he wouldnt have to go but as i came on to the site i see he has gone but will never be forgotten safe trip mei sheng i hope you will like your new home maybe some day you might to come back that would be nice i love you mei sheng and i know they will all love you too in china
November 5th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
I remember the day when my little dog Lucky, passed away.
He was seriously ill, but I have never believed that will hapen one day!
So, today I fell the same feelings : my heart is empty, sad, lonely.
My baby boy is in his journey and a great new life is waiting for. It’s hard to believe!
Unfortunately, 4 years passed so quicky.
Thank you, Mei Sheng and all of Panda Staff for the great and happy moments I’ve had with you.
I hope you are enjoying your flight!
You will be my favorite baby panda forever!
November 5th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
Bye Bye Big Guy—you will be missed and we have cherished every moment with you….you are trully a wonderful character! You will be missed.
November 5th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
Although it was difficult, as Ms Fiore stated, to say goodbye to Mei Sheng, the keepers must have been very proud of how he handled the departure procedures. Congratulations to all of you who worked so patiently, creatively, and with undoubtedly affection, for the training’s successful outcome. Thank you for all the time you put into helping Mei Sheng accept this monumental change in his life so calmly and fearlessly!
While we are all sad to see him go, it is a big relief that Mei Sheng did not have to endure any undue stress.
I am somewhat concerned about the only part of the trip which you could not practice: the plane ride. But I look forward to reading future blogs assuring us that Mei Sheng absorbed this new experience with aplomb.
I hope the trees in Wolong are ready for this high-climbing panda! All of us are eager to see photos and read articles about his happy life in his new homeland.
Thank you again for all that you do for ” our” pandas.
November 5th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
I cried. I only found this site about two months ago and it’s the focal point of my day. I will miss Mei Sheng – he has such a wonderful character. I am in England and I so wish I could have seen him before he left, but through the webcam I feel I am there.
I look forward to reports from China and hope his journey goes well.
Goodbye, you lovely gorgeously daft bear. Lots of love to all of you.
November 5th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
#13, Laylah, as I watched Tai Shan in person on Saturday, I pondered the same thing. We will react the same I imagine and be intensely sad. Hopefully Mei Xiang will have a successful pregnancy next year, maybe with Gao Gao again, and we will have another sweet young cub to focus on like Ming Zhu.
What all of this brings to the forefront of my mind is how incredibly precious a treasure all of these animals are, and what a price-less privilege we have to see them up close either in person or virtually via web cameras.
We owe it to all of them, as well as ourselves and succeeding generations, to visit them, study them, support them in whatever way we can, and most of all to do all we personally can to help preserve this planet for all life that is now residing on it.
Whether you believe in Global Warming or not, we all are contributing to the constant pollution of our skies, land, and water. We need to do our part to minimize the negative impact of our presence on the planet. When we do, and find viable productive alternatives we will provide more land and better conditions for all the endangered animals, and people, we are trying to protect. Money can only solve part of the issues, conservation and education in a better way are urgently needed for all mankind from the richest to the poorest residents of Earth, after all this in HOME for all of us.
November 5th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
If you need/want a great laugh, go to National Zoological website and look at Tian Tian and Mei Xiang lounging on the patio. They are a riot of true panda ” laziness.” They must be enjoying the last warm sunny afternoon on the East Coast for a while, after having a rigorous play bout this morning.
November 5th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
Farewell Mei Sheng…my special prince… I am so grateful for you to be in my life…you are in my heart…you’re going to your homeland….the land your mom told you about, the land that you have dreams about…it’s full of beatutiful pandas just like you and it’s so beautiful there….be healthy and strong…kisses and hugs…I love you….
November 5th, 2007 at 1:22 pm
I’m so sad, but it must be good for Mei Sheng and good of the species.
To all staff of Panda Team, thank you for taking good care of him for 4 years and letting us watch him on the Panda Cam.
I hope his life is wonderful in China.
November 5th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
I know we all look forward to hearing that our loveable boy is safe and settled in his new home. We can only hope and pray that he adjusts well and has many other people that will love and care for Mei Sheng as well as he was here. He’s sure to win over many new hearts that come to know and enjoy his adorable personality. And hopefully all of Mei’s fans back home will be able to check up on him and have him grace our computer screens from afar. You take our love with you, Mei Sheng—Safe journey!
November 5th, 2007 at 1:36 pm
I anticipated this move with a lot of apprehension. But not as much as the panda staff, I am sure. Angie and Kathy, I hope you take comfort in knowing that you have been part of an awsome team helping prepare Mei Sheng for his travels. What a bright and smart and sweet boy he is. He will be sorely missed here but bring a great deal of joy to all he meets in China. It is such a privilege to to watch pandas grow and develop. Thank you for taking such good care of all of them.
November 5th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
Angie, I cried for you, too. Your writing shows just how much love and care and how attached you are to this special little guy. My thoughts to Kathy, too as well as the rest of the staff at SDZ. Comfort to all of you.
Mei Sheng, sweet and precious one…..you are so missed by so many.
November 5th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
Thank you for the entry on the preparation of Mei Sheng’s departure. I wondered if you guys cried when you said your goodbyes because from just reading this blog, my eyes swelled up, and I have just known him for only a month via the cam! I had a dream this morning of Mei Sheng’s preparation for his departure. With the time difference between Wisconsin and CA, I think I might actually ” see” him preping to leave.
November 5th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Farewell Mei Sheng. Question for moderator – Once Mei Sheng gets to China – how is he kept identified? Has he an implanted chip? When they are altogether, I would think his identity would be lost. I’ve often wondered this, seeing photos from China with all babies together. Who knows who is who?
November 5th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
MAN! I’ve just got to stop reading some of these at work. Not all my coworkers understand why I am so emotional! GAD!!
Good-bye sweet prince. Safe journeys to you and I too will be watching the news to see if we get to see your most anticipated arrival in your native land. Bring lots of new ones into the world with your wonderful genes and your exceptional personality!!
THANKS SDZ for the update and letting us know Sheng had finally departed. It is bittersweet but so much good will come from this. God Bless, everyone!!!
November 5th, 2007 at 1:53 pm
God’s speed Mei Sheng.
November 5th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
Godspeed.
November 5th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
Thank you for updating the camera information, and for bringing Gao Gao back to the front for all to enjoy. I thought my eyes were deceiving me earlier when I saw what appeared to be a different panda on C2 or C3. I did a double take and couldn’t see if there was a different ear or not. It didn’t look like Su Lin, but that is who had been on that camera so I thought I must be mistaken.
I look forward to seeing more of ” Daddy-O” in the coming months as his ” daughter” grows big enough and strong enough to make her public ” debut” in a few months.
November 5th, 2007 at 2:04 pm
#19 and #20 Margaret: Thanks for the laugh. Mei Sheng’s Aunt Mei Xiang and Uncle Tian Tian keep me laughing. Also, what made me smile was Mei Sheng’s picture. He’s a very handsome panda. I can see how people get easily attached him.
November 5th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
Thanks Mei Sheng for all the happy moments. To SDZ staff to take care and love the pandas and others animals. Like a young boy he left his home today to have a new one in the land of his parents.
Have a safe trip dear boy
November 5th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
Goodbye for now, my black and white furry friend. I’m looking forward to the day when the announce the birth of your first cub. What a special legacy that cub will have!! I hope that your cubs grow up to be just like their daddy, one special and whimsical bear.
November 5th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
I visited Mei Sheng on Saturday to say my goodbye in person. He was absolutely adorable – as always – this time prancing around his exhibit – waiting for his lunch no doubt – and giving his long line of visitors a great show. He really is such a beautiful bear – so handsome. His new bride will be a very lucky panda. Not so little Ms. Su Lin was so cute – running to look through the howdy gate to see what big brother was up to – what all the fuss was about – and I’m sure wishing him farewell too. Safe travels big guy – and Angie and staff – please update us on his trip and how he is adjusting to his new home. Kisses & hugs!
November 5th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
When Mei Sheng has arrived at his destination, and it is ” safe” for you to do so, please tell us that he was not in the air in an airplane for 20 straight hours. Surely they had to stop somewhere in the Pacific to refuel and rest the plane, the zoo people, and Mei Sheng. I am sure that they are landing and taking off as few times as possible for his stress and safety, but I can’t imagine traveling 10 hours straight from Washington DC to Honululu, never mind 20 hours from SD/LA to Shanghai.
November 5th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
The tears started again after reading Angie’s post. I guess deep down in my heart, I harbored this little hope that at the last minute, China would say, ” You can keep him!” I feel so sad…I keep thinking about Mei Sheng’s feelings…like, is he going to miss the only home and the only people he has ever known? is he going to be lonely? will the keepers love him enough? My husband just shakes his head and says, ” Marcia! Quit putting human emotions onto animals!” But I can’t help it!
Go with God, little Mei Sheng. Thank you for letting us have you these years.
November 5th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
My daughter and I have so enjoyed watching Mei Sheng and will miss seeing his sweet face on the ” Panda Cam” every day. We know his move to China is for the greater good of all pandas yet it is still very difficult to accept that he is no longer close by and that we can no longer see that special little guy just doing what he does best… being a wonderful, beautiful panda. At least we have the memories of him and we hope we will get frequent updates on how life is going for him in China. We love you Mei Sheng and want nothing but the best life for you in China but always when we think of you, we will have a tear in our eyes and a vacant spot in our hearts now that you have gone.
November 5th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
Watching Mei Sheng grow got me through some long winter months here in MN. It was just about the highlight of my trip to San Diego in January 2006 when I got to see him in person – I think I came back to the panda area three times that day! I too wish him Godspeed on his journey, and will always have a place in my heart for him and the joy he brought.
November 5th, 2007 at 2:45 pm
Good bye my sweet bear! Even tho I’m not as emotionally attached to you as I am to Tai Shan, you are no less important, and I have shed my tears at your leaving.
Thank-you all for the care, training, and love you gave to Mei Sheng. Thank-you all for sharing him with us out here in the world. Quite the special prince he is! I look forward to hearing about him in the future and hope he fares well!
November 5th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
Safe journey Mei Sheng. We’ll miss you.
November 5th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
It is with eyes that can no longer cry that I write these words to the Zoo’s Panda Keepers and Staff. Mei Sheng’s departing is more to me than saying good-bye to him. But a very close friend of mine passed a way a month ago who lived in DC. She was a volunteer for the Giant Pandas at the National Zoo. I visited your Mei Sheng with her in August just a few months ago. We came out to see Mei Sheng before he left for China.
Mei Sheng’s departure stung my heart because it meant also letting go of my dear friend too!
She was to see him in China next year but that will never happen now. I cried many a tears about his departure! Realizing that there is no way to let go without many a tears.
I thought about all the Keeprs having to say good-bye to something they loved so much! And I cry for you too.
Your boy Mei Sheng represents all the wonderful, incredible gifts of unconditional love you give your pandas.. For that a thousand thank you’s would never be enough for this heavy heart!
Be PROUD of all you have accomplished with your Giant Pandas. Because this Panda Lover is VERY proud YOU ALL!
November 5th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
Although my heart is sad, and I have this empty feeling in the pit of my stomach, I keep reminding myself that as Mei Sheng has said goodbye to one set of keepers, zoo friends, and admirers, he is about to meet a whole new group of devoted keepers, staff, and Chinese admirers.
We must remember that Pandas are the Chinese treasure, and they will treat him like the Prince he is. They will thoughtfully pick out a ” bride” for him, just like they picked a ” groom” for their very special Bai Yun, who is/was a Chinese celebrity and national treasure.
They have loaned two of their most treasured animals, Bai Yun and Gao Gao to the SDZ, and we should be appreciative, and make the best of their time here. They did not have to loan them to SDZ, nor did they have to renew and extend the agreement to keep them here longer than originally agreed.
To give the Chinese the son, and first born, of that union is a small price to pay for the price-less gift of many years of enjoyment of Bai Yun and Gao Gao, and to watch their two other offspring grow up in our midst.
We have much to be thankful for, as has been stated earlier, in this month of Thanksgiving. We should be focusing on the blessings of having Mei Sheng here with us to brighten our lives, to entertain us with his silly ways, and to teach us with his many contributions to the conservation of pandas worldwide. Much of the knowledge gained from him has already benefited other pandas around the world.
For all the joy, the happiness, and the wonderful 4 years we had with Mei Sheng, we thank our first Panda Prince(Tai Shan is panda prince #2), San Diego Zoo panda research staff, and Wolong Research Center for Giant Pandas. You gave us your best and for that we are deeply grateful.
November 5th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
Hi, Angie, thanks for keeping all of us posted. I am sure it must have been very emotional as all of us who are here far away and did not have direct contact with Mei Sheng are feeling sad. We appreciate the job you are all doing. All I can say is that the four years went so fast, that I still cannot believe it. Mei Sheng was just two when Su Lin was born, and all of these years have gone so fast. Our gratitude to you and all of them at the Panda team, Suzanne and all.
November 5th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
From the day of his birth I watched this beautiful boy. He was a joy. I remember one time he climbed into a tree that Bai Yun thought was too high. She stood in front of the tree for quite a while (I imagined she was telling him in Pandanese to get down!) He finally did come down to a point where she could grab him, which she did. She carried him upside down to a spot and put him down…again he got spoken to. He didn’t move from that spot for a very long time — mama had spoken! What a cute cub he was. And what a handsome guy he grew into.
We will all miss him terribly…but, my heart does go out to Angie, Kathy, and the people who were closest to him. You all took mighty good care of that sweet boy. Many blessings to you all — and, of course, to Mei Sheng.
November 5th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
Margaret,
In San Diego is Monday, 15:20 pm and in Wolong is Tuesday, 5,54 Am
So, Mei Sheng w’ont spend 20 hours if he’ll arrive at Shangai Airport at 7 pm.
November 5th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Sad day for San Diego/great day for Panda
prosperity! Bye bye my sweet prince. May the
Panda gods smile upon you and multipy you
many many times over.
November 5th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
For every one of us waving goodbye to Mei Sheng today, there is someone else waving a joyful and excited welcome to him, ready to make him feel loved and treasured in China.
I am in awe of you at the San Diego Zoo for all you do to make sure these wondrous animals survive and thrive.
And Margaret, #8, thanks for the reminder–I have begun to enjoy reading about some of the other SDZ residents
November 5th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
Susan, #42, what beautiful words, and so hard for you to say. My heart goes out to you in the loss of your dear friend. To say ” goodbye” is so painful for you right now, as it brings closure to a very very special part of your life. The bond you and your friend had, and the time you both shared with Mei Sheng, is very special, and I am sure will be treasured by you for life.
Although your friend did not make it to Wolong next year, I am sure she treasured in her heart your joint visit to see Mei Sheng at SDZ. She did not have to endure the pain of saying goodbye to him, and you, as you are now doing since they have both departed.
Hopefully when you see images of Mei Sheng in his new life in Wolong you will be able to smile again and relive the happy visit you and your friend had to SDZ in August. My heart aches for you, and brings many tears, when I think of how sad you must be right now.
November 5th, 2007 at 4:10 pm
I started viewing this website not long after the new baby arrived. It took me a fraction of a nano-second to become hooked and have since spent countless hours viewing the pandas and others. As with the rest of you, I, too, became attached to Mei Sheng and was a bit saddened to learn of his departure today. I can only imagine how bitter-sweet it was for his caretakers as they bade him good-bye! Isn’t each animal precious and unique in their own way!
I’m looking forward to watching our lil miss grow up and can’t wait to get down there to see her in person.
Thanks to all of you for your devotion to your charges.
Safe journey, Mei Sheng!
November 5th, 2007 at 4:34 pm
Sheng.I wish you many tall trees, leafeater biscuits, and pretty ladies. In whatever order you choose..see you soon sweet boy…
November 5th, 2007 at 4:34 pm
Thank you for the update on Mei Sheng. I’m glad I got to see him on the panda cam over the weekend before he left for his travels far and away =( I finally was able to see the fun little silly boy’s video compliation SDZ made about him, how funny he is !! I’m trying not to tear, as I’m at work, I hope his journey goes well, and he adjusts to his new home. =) Lots of luck to the silly boy !! It’s all good, but sad none the less !!!
November 5th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
I can only imagine how hard it was for the staff at the SDZ to let this little guy go. Hopefully, once he is settled in his new home, they will set up a way for us to watch him on webcam like we got to do while he was in San Diego. I really missed seeing his cute little face today.
November 5th, 2007 at 4:53 pm
Mei Sheng is special to me. I saw him when I visited and made a nice shadow box of his picture for me and my sister. I also got a statue of him from the gift shop. Good journey and I am sure he will do great things in China.
November 5th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
I barely knew Mei Sheng and yet the tears are sliding down my cheeks as I read these comments. Knowing what it’s like to say goodbye to an animal that’s become so special to you I can only dread the day Tai Shan is sent off to China. I watched him from the very first hours of his life, heard his precious barks and yaps as he grew… I can only imagine it must be the same for all here who’ve watched Mei Sheng grow for four wonderful years. I just regret not getting to know him or his sister. I’m hoping to correct that with the new little one Bai had this year. May your wonderful words and care keep Mei safe…
November 5th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Thank you Angie for letting us know our precious baby boy is on his final journey to his homeland, a journey all have been hoping wouldn’t come.I am so glad he did well and there were no problems. Even though I am sad that he is gone it is a great day that we can send our boy to Wolong after all this is the the whole purpose of the Panda Research station at the zoo. We have learned so much and have come a very long way and the staff at the zoo for the pandas should be very proud of themselves for a job well done. We as members and guests are very lucky to get the opportunity to see these wonderful pandas. I never miss an opportunity to go to the zoo and see our pandas. I think this has been hard on so many people because Mei Sheng has such a sweet personality and entertained us all. I have so many fond memories of him, lots of video that I watch all the time and pictures. I am so glad I have the videos because I feel like he is still here with us. Thanks for the wonderful memories Mei Sheng.
I have talked to many of the staff at the panda exhibit and I wish them well as I know this is very hard on them and now we have to look forward to seeing Su Lin grow and getting to see their baby sister. I have already voted for a name for her and I can’t wait to see her on exhibit- something to look forward to. I know for a few weeks it will be hard to go see the pandas and know that Mei Sheng is not here, but I so look forward to seeing his daddy Gao Gao and soon his mom she is a very special panda and baby sister.
Again I wish the best for Mei Sheng and I know he is going to have the time of his life with all of the lady pandas, he is such a ham and a clown they are going to love him.
Please keep us updated on how he is doing. I know Wolong isn’t much on letting you know how things are going with Hua Mei and now Mei Sheng, but it does help all of us heal when we know they are doing well and they are having fun.
I agree that there are other blogs and interest and I visit them all, I just can’t get enough of the zoo and WAP, I go on the sunrise strolls, lectures and I do things at the WAP too. A whole world of knowledge is out there for all of us to learn about all the animals and it just amazes me how much I learn and can’t seem to get enough. So staff I applaude you all for a job well done.
November 5th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Carol, #47, you said it all very beautifully.
November 5th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
Well done, all at the Giant Panda Research Station. I’m sure all your hard work and devotion to Mei Sheng will benefit him in his new home. I hope he travels safely and enjoys living in the mountains. I only knew him on the panda cam, but he’s the first giant panda I’ve known in any manner who’s left for China. This will be important to remember in a couple of years when our Tai Shan leaves for his parents’ native land.
November 5th, 2007 at 5:32 pm
Thank you to everyone who took such wonderful care of Mei Sheng in his four years at SDZ. As Shakespeare wrote,” Parting is such sweet sorrow” , but you can be comforted in the knowledge that Sheng is going on to a new adventure in his native land where, hopefully in a few years, he will be the father of lots of panda cubs just as handsome as he is! I’m sure his new friends at Wolong will take excellent care of him and love him just as much as his U.S. family in San Diego. And for your panda team, a new adventure is beginning with your new baby. Think of all the fun you’ll be having in the weeks, months, and years to come!
November 5th, 2007 at 5:41 pm
To Kathy Hawk – thanks for the awesome iZooSafari Chat! Even though I listened to it with tears in my eyes, it still made me feel good to hear how much he will enjoy his new home. Please let us know as soon as he arrives safely at Wolong.
I’m sure there is going to be a HUGE emptiness at the zoo for some time. Thankfully you still have four wonderful pandas to take care of!
November 5th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
Dearest Mei Sheng – Aloha and I wish you well! As I write this, you’re probably flying high above the State of Hawaii, and I’ll surely look up towards the blue, blue sky to see you whizzing by overhead. I will never forget you – the one time I saw a cute little baby panda high above the trees when you just learned to climb. The memory will be etched in my mind forever. Aloha to you, sweet thing! You have touched my life in more ways than you can imagine. May you return safely to your ancestral homeland and continue to contribute to the preservation of your species…..
November 5th, 2007 at 5:48 pm
This really made me cry today…I will miss you Mei Sheng and I hope to visit you one day in Wolong for our August birthdays….
November 5th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
I’m going to cry! I know he has to go, but I will miss his sweet face. I have become so attached after 4 years! Safe journey, Mei Sheng. Make many new friends in Wolong.
November 5th, 2007 at 5:58 pm
I watched Mei Sheng on PandaCam yesterday, thrilled he was still there at SDZ. This morning I was devastated to go on SDZ website to find he was gone, it has been one of the most depressing days I have ever had! I have cried and cried for hours now, this is going to take some getting used to. In my mind I know its his destiny, back to his root and all that good stuff, especially the young ladies at Wolong
patiently awaiting his arrival, and the fun he will have with them, but my heart asks why just the same. Couldn’t we at least get to keep one of the bears, bring him a nice little Panda girl from Wolong and let him breed here at SDZ? Maybe someday the Chinese will let us keep one of the cubs, maybe Su Lin or the new 2007 baby, ah, wishful thinking I am sure……..
My heart goes out to the staff at SDZ, especially the Panda keeper staff, this must be so very hard on you.
I wish Mei Sheng a long, healthy, happy life, he will stay in my heart & on my mind forever.
I will try to see Mei Sheng when I do the National Zoo’s trip to Wolong either 2008 or 2009.
Peace to all the Panda staff, I’m sure you feel worse than I do, and I feel pretty bad!
November 5th, 2007 at 6:04 pm
I will miss Mei Sheng. I always enjoyed visiting him at the zoo. I remember taking pictures of him when we was little and I remember the last time I took pictures of him,which was this past September.
November 5th, 2007 at 6:12 pm
Angie…. It’s so nice to know that Mei Sheng has handled the beginning of his adventure so well….much better than I have, I might add. This, of course, is due to the preparation and loving care you and Kathy and all the SDZ staff have given him. It must be so gratifying to you all to know that you have shared in preparing this beautiful animal for the next chapter in his life.
I’ve been teary-eyed for days knowing that soon I wouldn’t be able to see him so I can’t imagine how you must be feeling….your goodbyes must have been so difficult. I can’t wait to hear that he arrived safely in China and handled his journey well.
November 5th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
Dear Angie,
Thank you for your heart-filled letter about getting Mei Sheng ready to make his flight. Your kindness is beautiful. All of us appreciate the absolute ‘giving’ that the keepers at the SDZ provide the animals. Thanks to you and to all who have replied to the letter. You have all said everything so very well!
Smooth skies, Mei Sheng. Climb a tree when you can and See Your Future. Bless You.
Sincerely,
Bobbie Wood
November 5th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
*tear*
good bye old fellow. It’s been real.
November 5th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
In the panda blogs there were hints Mei Sheng time with the san diego zoo was coming to a close, i guess i was hopin he would stay! Now he gone to start a new chapter in his life. which i call it ” a great adventure in china.” i wish him well! he will be missed but not forgotten.
November 5th, 2007 at 6:42 pm
Angie & Kathy, my heart goes out to each of you. I realize that each of you has worked and trained for this moment. It’s the culmination of many years of hard work; many joys and disappointments along the way. This is your life’s work; I hope that today and tomorrow and the days ahead when you miss Mei Sheng that you are comforted by knowing that your work is so very meaningful. Your capacity for caring for animals is a gift which is recognized by the animals you treasure and those of us watching from afar. Mei Sheng’s life in San Diego has been wonderful thanks to your devotion; you’ve given him the opportunity to now explore the misty mountain-sides that all pandas should know. You’ve protected one of God’s great creatures and given him the life that was intended for him. I know how extremely difficult it must have been in the early morning darkness to watch his adorable face and know that you might not see him again. But know that the four years you shared with him were precious; your work is extraordinary; and he is the strong, beautiful, magnificent bear he is because of your devotion. Thank you so much. We all share your sadness today but delight in your work!
November 5th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
Hi, you all! Got on the website and checked the panda page this morning and read your short note that Mei Sheng is on his way to China! Before I saw that statement, I saw Mei Sheng’s picture with the pics of Hua Mei and Shi Shi, so I kind of figured that Mei Sheng had left SDZ either yesterday or today. Then, I got back on the website tonite and read both the news and blog pages, and I got the full story of how you all got Mei into his crate with his favorite treats and bamboo, drove him down to the airport, and sent him on his way. All of this in the wee morning hours! You didn’t mention the names of the SDZ staff that went with him, so is there any way you can let us know who went with him and how long they’ll be staying at Wolong? I’m thinking that Suzanne went with him since she’s one of the team leaders at the SDZ panda station. I am glad that you all will let us know when Mei will get into China and how he handled this long 20 hour trip. Knowing Mei, he’s so laid back anyway that he’ll just eat and snooze the whole trip! I’m sure that you all at the panda station have had a very sad, long day today, but we still have Bai’s little baby panda girl that’s growing and going right now. Checked the pandacam a little while ago, and this little cub looked like she was trying to have some play time with her mom on her back! Those little legs were trying soooo hard to get a swipe at Bai’s nose, but was missing it! She’s going to have that feisty attitude along with her spunkyness! That’s what we all have to look forward to for the next couple of years, you all! Plus, there’s Su Lin to watch on the pandacam, too! She’s just as fun to watch. I’ve been praying for a safe trip for Mei Sheng and the SDZ staff that’s with him to China, and that they will arrive safe and sound in a few more hours. One of you mentioned Tai Shan at the National Zoo in your statement. The NZ has Tai shan for another 2 years until around 2009 thanks to the Chinese letting them keep him for more reasearch, education, and letting people come and see him for a while longer. The info that the NZ panda staff will be gathering will be very important and valuable in the long run while they have Tai Shan. Hopefully, the SDZ will be able to have Su Lin stay for another couple of years as well.
/ Bai and baby girl,
Well, gonna go back to pandacam and see what Bai and baby girl are up to! Let us know about Mei Sheng when you get the info, ok? Thanks, you all!
Oh yeah, hope to see Mei Sheng on youtube sometime soon!!
Luv to Mei Sheng
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
PS: Looks like you all got thru this past weekend without any new fire flareups! Thank goodness for that! I read on one of the San Diego news channel websites that the Santa Ana winds that were supposed to kick up didn’t get up to speed this time around. That’s great news for the firefighters that are working very hard to get the remaining fires out for good. We’ve been in the red flag warning in our area (Florida) for a few hours both yesterday and today due to a cold front bringing in cool, dry air with the humidity down in the 20-30% range. So, we’re going thru the same thing that you all are except that we haven’t had any fires yet around here since this past spring. Hopefully, we won’t see any fires here, and you all won’t see the type of fires like you had in October. SDZ, WAP, and all the animals need all the good breaks that you can get right now! Keep up the great work, you all!! CM
November 5th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
Bye bye sweet Mei Sheng…I can’t believe I won’t see him on Panda Cam anymore. :’( Thank you so much for your update…though I know he will be happy back in Wolong, I miss my first baby bear and can only imagine how difficult it was for you to part with him. Thank you for taking such wonderful care of him these past 4 years…Mei Sheng loves you and will surely want you guys to be happy, just like he is…always a happy soul.
November 5th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
Thank you for letting us know that Mei Sheng is on his way. You have all raised a stellar young panda, and I hope he will make you proud! I’m so glad I made it to the zoo last week to say goodbye to him…he was sleeping, with his back to me, but that’s ok
I know I don’t have the same right to miss him as much as you all do, but it sort of feels like when my youngest went off to college a few months ago-I guess I’m weird..ha ha! Oh well, I guess if we didn’t care so much, we wouldn’t feel this way, right? Congratulations to all of you on the zoo staff for bringing Mei Sheng to this day!
November 5th, 2007 at 7:33 pm
Be sure to listen to the latest Izoofari chat as one of Mei’s keepers, Kathy talks about her experinces with Mei –
Even though we all knew this day was coming, I have to admit I shed a few tears as I read the blog about Mei’s departure for his homeland. As sad as it must have been for the keepers, they can take great pride in knowing they raised a healthy, wonderful, funny cub who entertaned so many for 4 years. Now he’s about to make some new friends, find trees to climb, spaces to roam & eventually find ” a bride” . I also wonder how Wolong will be able to identify him – but guess each panda had it’s own markings.
As far as his plane trip. after watching the video of Mei Xiang & Tian Tian’s trip from China to DC, they flew in a specially equipped Fex Ex plane ” carrying precious cargo” – his keepers traveling with him are there every minute to make sure he’s comfortable & not stressed. They may stop to refuel once – but now some planes are able to fly non-stop to China
So dear Mei Sheng have a wonderful life in Wolong – you were the perfect panda ambassador between China & the US.
We’ll be waiting to see the news of your arrival on the national news sometime tomorrow & hope for more updates from the SDZ staff that traveled with you.
Now I have a comment about the naming of our latest cub -we should be grateful that we are able to vote for our favorite name – many were unhappy that their names were not included on the list & have made some ugly statements. While I voted for Tai Shan (whose name was chosen), the other cubs were named something other than my vote but somehow the cubs grew into their names. I, for one am grateful that we have another healthy cub to watch & love for 4 years – whatever her name is.
November 5th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
#42 Susan, don’t feel too sad! Your friend, just like Mei Sheng, is going to another beautiful place, having new adventure. Your friend is not gone as she will always be in your heart. I’m sure she will treasure the memories when you two visited Mei Sheng and will look after you and all the pandas while she is in Heaven.
November 5th, 2007 at 7:54 pm
Since early this morning I started thinking about Mei Sheng. I started to reminiscence about the day he was born and the first time I saw him up close. I began looking at all the photos we have of Mei Sheng.
On Dec. 12, 2003, a panda keeper placed four month old Mei Sheng on exhibit. The photos of this adorable little ” fuzz ball” placed in a lair – less than 12-feet away from where we were standing, melted my heart.
Now, our beautiful Mei Sheng is on his way to Wolong. I know he will be fine, but I still feel a pang in my heart every time of think about the arduous trip to this far away land.
God Bless you Mei Sheng. We will all miss your funny and playful personality.
Rose, Sarah & Olivia
November 5th, 2007 at 8:53 pm
Please, please keep us up with Mei Sheng and let us know that he’s safely in China. I was almost hoping there would be an 11th hour decision to keep him at the SDZ..
I knew in my heart that wasn’t going to happen, but one could still dream. He’ll always be so close to my heart, I know I’ve got Su Lin, Bai Yun and the cub to look forward to and I love all of them, but there will be a small sadness next time I visit the zoo and find that he really isn’t there.
I know how hard this must be for the keepers, curators and his regular visitors. You all have been such a special part of this boy’s life..Thank you for loving him and taking such good care of him. I’ll be so relieved to know he’s on the ground and happy at Wolong. Love to Mei Sheng…
November 5th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
#19 Margaret – I agree with you completely about global warming & whether you agree with it or not – something dire is happening to our planet. CNN had a great special ” Planet in Peril” last week. For every species lost hundreds more are affected. Just look at mankind had done to the giant pandas & they are just one of many species that may become extinct. From what I read the Polar Bears now are in trouble – it’s our planet – let’s take care of it.
November 5th, 2007 at 11:20 pm
If you go to the National Geographic website and enter ” Air Panda” in the search bar, there’s a wonderful account of Ya Ya & Le Le’s journey from China to Memphis via the FedEx Panda Express. I am sure Mei Sheng is enjoying the same first-class treatment on his trip today!
November 6th, 2007 at 12:55 am
I feel sad Mei Sheng has left SDZ. I hope he has a happy life.
November 6th, 2007 at 12:55 am
Farewell, Mei Sheng.
Enjoy your life’s journey.
We are proud of you!
God be with you till we meet again.
Love, Joy
November 6th, 2007 at 5:01 am
Oh boy, so the dreaded day has finally happened. I thought it would when Mei Sheng was on webcam most of the day on sunday – well here in the UK with the time difference everytime i looked at the webcam he was there. I then spent all day watching him and savouring every last second of him. Thankfully i used the send a postcard from the webcam and got a lovely photo of the amazing boy and sent it to myself and my daughter then loaded it on to the screen as my wallpaper so everytime i switch on Mei Sheng is there for me to appreciate and love and i don’t mind admitting i stroke him.
I was so upset when i looked on the site to see he had gone. How i envy all of you lucky people who have been and seen him in person and got photos of him but at least i have seen him on the webcam so better to see him on webcam than to have missed out on ever seeing the handsome prince he is.
Please let us know he arrives safely and how he progresses.
#42 Susan i feel so deeply sorry for you to lose your friend was bad enough but for Mei Sheng to then go your last link with your friend is deeply upsetting. In time when the pain eases you will be able to treasure the times you spent together with Mei Sheng and look back and smile. Your friend will watch over you and Mei Sheng please take comfort from that.
To all the keepers who have looked after Mei Sheng you must be very upset at his leaving, but you played a very big part in his time with you. You have looked after him so well he couldn’t have been looked after better so feel very proud and priveledged to have been a part of his start in life. It’s just a shame as somebody else has said that he couldn’t stay with you and China sent a female for him. How wonderful that would have been for all of you and us.
Mei Sheng you will be missed so very much. You have touched a lot of hearts mine included. Never change from the amazing gentle boy that you are. Be happy and go on to produce beautiful baby cubs that will have your beautiful gentle funny ways. I will always have a special place in my heart for you and i will never forget you and i thank you for letting me see why people adore pandas so much as i’m now a panda lover and proud to say so. I pray that Wolong will see what we have all fallen in love with and will feel the same as we do, Knowing your gentle tender and funny ways it wont be long until they do. They are so lucky to have you join them.
Safe journey precious treasure.
Always in my heart with love
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November 6th, 2007 at 5:14 am
It is likely that Mei Sheng is still in transit – as always all his human panda friends are thinking of him and hope that he has an uneventful journey.
Thank you to all the Staff involved in Sheng’s welfare prior to and during his journey – without your guidance and planning for his long journey it would have been much more traumatic for him.
I trust that ‘happy days’ are ahead for him and his keepers when they finally reach Wolong.
Little Miss Fluffy Butt has been on the move again, yesterday I saw her curled up sleeping in Bai’s bedroom – those legs are made for walking and that is what she will do…Bai, shortly those little legs will walk all over you!
I appreciate that everyone concerned has had a hectic and traumatic time with the terrible fires, and the safety for the animals and humans.
When things finally abate, please can you update the pic of Miss Fluffy Butt (’no name’) – she is so pretty, there must be more enhancing pics available before she gets her ‘official name’….
November 6th, 2007 at 5:37 am
darn…
it wasn’t a dream. he’s still gone.
November 6th, 2007 at 5:51 am
I’ve just saw the picture Mei Sheng’s crate was carrying by Angie and Kathy onto a forklift.
Thank you keepers for trainning Mei Sheng goes through with confidence.
I can imagine how hard was to all of you keepers, seeing him leaving.
Last night, I missed him and I read a lot od old articles about him since his birth until now.
If Mei Sheng’s airplane depaterd LAX at 12:30 AM yesterday, it arrived at Shanghai airport one hour ago.
November 6th, 2007 at 6:26 am
Susan #42, may your sadness be comforted, and I honestly believe your friend will see her beloved Mei Sheng in his happy home in China. Healing thoughts to you, dear lady.
I shall miss Mei Sheng, and I thank all of you at SDZ for your wonderful, loving care of him. Godspeed, Mei Sheng, and be happy in your homeland fulfilling your destiny. Just know how much love follows you there. You are, indeed, a Panda Prince.
November 6th, 2007 at 7:06 am
Here!Here! #70 Debora!! Well said. Thank you, SDZ staff for caring for such wonderful animals. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of it.
November 6th, 2007 at 7:15 am
thank you for that update about mei, and my heart goes out to all who cared for him it had to be hard to say goodbye, i know you are all scientist but you cant help but get attatched to one so funny and loving. please keep us informed as to when mei arrives in china and at wolong. did one of his keepers go with him to make the transion easier for him???? i know he will be fine there but i was just wondering?? i know even when you change any animals natural habitat they get a little leary. i know you have been preparing him gently but it is still a change one that i know he will love he will have i am sure alot more room to roam.
November 6th, 2007 at 7:33 am
He surely will be missed by all of us in Dallas as well. I know it is for the good of the species but its hard to see one raised here then shipped off. Are we, as a nation, ever going to get to keep a Giant Panda here? Why are they always sent back to China? At any rate, all of you at the SDZ do a marvelous job and I enjoy watching the panda cam immensely.
November 6th, 2007 at 7:40 am
I’m in tears as I write this. I’m missing Mei Sheng so much! He was the first panda baby I watched grow up on a webcam. I’m praying his trip is going smoothly and his keepers got to go with him on this important trip. He will need some familiar faces/voices on voyage and in the days ahead as he gets acclimated to Wolong.
I hope he will get one of the largest enclosures they have a Wolong. I would send a substantial donation to them if they would just put a webcam in it.
I really didn’t think I’d take this so hard. I was hoping he would be able to go to a zoo here in the US. I’m glad I made the trip to SDZ on October 6-7th to say my goodbyes. I have some wonderful pictures of him (and ” Sweet Su” too) that I cherish forever.
Suzanne, I hope you were able to accompany him to Wolong. Please have the keepers write a blog on how he’s adjusting. All us panda fans would love to know how he’s doing. Can you take some pictures/video of his new home for us? They should give him the ” castle” enclosure that I watch every night on the Wolong cam.
Mei Sheng, dear panda, I love you so much and will miss you everyday! You have a world of human kind that love you very much and want the very best for you always…take care Mei Sheng, we love you!
November 6th, 2007 at 7:42 am
Hi, I am wondering, is there a way to have any kind of agreement with China to keep at least one of our babies?
November 6th, 2007 at 9:43 am
My heart is sad! But what a wonderful job you all have done. You must be very proud. Mei Sheng is a success story with a little sadness in the middle. I’m sure he’ll love his new home, and endear himself to all there. I look forward to the next update. God speed, Sweet Baby, you will be missed.
November 6th, 2007 at 10:03 am
Could not help but cry as I read of the way in which the keepers prepared him for his trip. He has been so loved by SDZ staff and I hope he will receive the same special treatment in Woolong…he certainly deserves it. Hoped to see something on the evening news but so far nothing. Good luck to you Mei Sheng! We will all miss you.
November 6th, 2007 at 10:14 am
Thankyou so much for the update on our young man! I’m sure he has arrived in China by now and I hope he is resting after his long flight. Getting waited on hand and foot, just as he should be. Will look forward to the posts of how he is doing and adjusting. I keep checking the news sites to see if his departure will make the news. I’m my opinion it should be ” headline” news. What an accomplishment for the SDZ to have raised this beautiful bear. Take a bow, you all deserve it!!!!!
I agree with Christi Post #90, wouldn’t it be awesome if we could have set up our own private webcam of Mei??? Hmm, kinda doubt they’d let that happen, but it’s a sweet thought. I do wonder if we will see him, or hear of him on the Wolong web site, I sure do hope so. My fingers and toes are crossed…..
November 6th, 2007 at 10:22 am
On a happier note. . . I’m just checking in from work here and what do I see? Is that our beautiful studmuffin Gao Gao fast asleep in a pile of ’snow’?? ROFL!! What have I missed?
November 6th, 2007 at 10:22 am
The panda keepers did a wonderful job preparing Mei Sheng for his trip to China. You can feel the love they had for this darling boy. They gave him all his favorite treats as a sign of love. I only hope he receives the superb care, attention and affection that he had at the San Diego Zoo.
I feel that if a panda is born in the United States, it should remain here. I realize there is a monetary agreement, but it is time to examine this policy.
November 6th, 2007 at 10:22 am
Not to change the subject, but I’m looking at the Panda Cam here at about 12:18 Michigan time while I’m eating my lunch and it looks as if Gao Gao is laying in a pile of snow. Did SDZ staff make it snow for him today? He certainly looks happy.
Moderator’s note: Looks like wood shavings cushioning a very content panda!
November 6th, 2007 at 10:23 am
I am missing the young Panda Prince, but was fortunate to capture a couple of great webcam shots on 11/4.
I loved the video compilation and Kathy Hawk’s memories- it must have been a bit of a challenge for her to talk about it that very day. Today I see Daddy Gao rolling in what appears to be sawdust or something similar? What a goofball.. good for him- I missed seeing him via webcam, but he deserved a break from his adoring public. I wonder what these Pandas would say if they could verbally communicate? They’d probably say half of us are barking mad and should be committed to a facility run by Pandas! These blogs are so great and so much work goes into them, I really do enjoy the Panda experience from 2000 miles away and appreciate that it’s available.
November 6th, 2007 at 10:27 am
CNN has a article about Mei Sheng leaving and it also had 2pictures, He is shown on his 2nd birthday and in his travel crate getting ready to be put on the truck, Susan #42 my sympathy for your loss, but i am glad you and your friend got to see Mei Sheng together, that is a lasting memory of good times together. Your pain will ease and you will be able to smile and remember your friend and Mei at the same time.
Angie and Kathy, you have given the world a most precious gift, a chance to help save and protect our beloved pandas. I know that he will make you proud.
November 6th, 2007 at 10:29 am
What is the white stuff that Gao Gao is lying in this morning?
This may be off topic, but is the Zoo considering organizing any trips to China, including Wolong, in the near future? Maybe with the Olympics coming up that isn’t possible.
Moderator’s note: The Zoo’s WorldWild Tours division is offering a trip to China that includes a visit to the Wolong Panda Preserve and its Breeding Center in April. For more information: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/calendar/worldwild_tours.html
November 6th, 2007 at 10:31 am
I am still crying over Mei Sheng leaving us. Didn’t think that this would overcome me this much. I can’t even imagine what the keepers are going through. I will be able to rest once he is off the plane and on the ground. I would hope that his arrival would be on the national news, so that all of us panda lovers can be at ease. Such a long flight for anyone, especially a big cute cuddly bear. I too am wondering as many of us are, on how will he be knowen amongst all the other pandas. Also he is used to hearing english. Now he has to learn a new language Chinese. I have been going to Wolong Panda Cam, but the picture just stays there, and moves a tiny bit. I was hoping for a better cam like what the SDZ has. Mei Sheng I hope you have a wonderful life. You can tell Hua Mei about how your mom, Su Lin and baby fluff are doing. Wolong looks absolutly gorgeous with the tall trees, misty breezes, lots and lots of space to play in and new panda friends to meet. I will be looking for you on the news or the panda cams. Take care, great friend.
November 6th, 2007 at 10:50 am
I have been watching the Panda Cam since the beginning and really had a difficult time letting go of Shi Shi and Hua Mei when each left for China. It is just as difficult this time around. I hope we get more updates and pictures of Mei Sheng than we did of them. I’m not sure the Chinese realize what a great loss it is to us to lose these members of our family.
One thing I would like to say is that reading all the blogs from my fellow pandaholics gives me a glimmer of hope for the future of ALL endangered animals. Knowing that many others are feeling such a deep sense of loss can only mean that we all are doing everything we can to support our wildlife charities and strongly urging our legislators and world leaders to: protect dwindling habitat, punish poachers and traders in wild animals and animal parts, get serious about global warming, stop pollution of our rivers and oceans, stop overfishing, etc.
The most important thing to remember is TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WELL.
All my love goes with you beautiful Mei Sheng.
November 6th, 2007 at 10:55 am
I just checked the pandacam and it looks like they’ve put some snow in Gao Gao’s yard; he’s sleeping right in the middle of it! As we think of our beloved Mei Sheng and miss him, just remember, now he’ll have lots of snow to play in, We know how pandas love snow!
November 6th, 2007 at 11:20 am
There are tears in my eyes as I write this. Tears of sadness, because despite not having the opportunity to see him in person, watching him on the webcam has brought great pleasure to me, and to realize those days are over is bittersweet. But, more than that, there are tears of joy, because Mei Sheng has moved on, and through him, his entire species has another chance, another hope for survival. He will certainly be missed, but the important thing to remember, at least for me, is that he has gone to fulfill a destiny, and for that, more than anything else, he will be remembered by many. Mei Sheng has become our next great hope for the future of Pandas. He will not let us, or his fellow ” catbears” down.
Good Luck, Mei Sheng…godspeed, and Blessed Be.
November 6th, 2007 at 11:21 am
Congratulations to you all on your bittersweet success. We are so fortunate to have such as you so dedicated and loving in your care and devotion to our precious pandas. I can’t imagine how the emptiness in your hearts must feel right now and hope that the wishes and prayers sent your way from around the world will help fill that space with only sweet memories that bring smiles instead of tears. Mei Sheng has been blessed to have you love and care for him from the day he was born. And that sound beginning of his life’s journey is the reason he is so wonderfully healthy and sweet and will be adored by all who meet him in his new adventure and destiny. We are so proud of you and our Sweet Precious Prince. Live long and prosper Dear Mei Sheng. Blessed Be with Love, Judy J
November 6th, 2007 at 11:23 am
According to Shanghai News (11/07/07):
” Panda Lands in Shanghai”
The american-born Mei Sheng safely arrived in the city from de United States at 6:15pm yesterday and is expected to leave for the Wolong Panda research center in Sichuan province at noon today.
After 20 hour journey from Los angeles the panda is in good condition. This is the first time he has flown, and the SDZoo where the panda was born spent some time preparing for journey.”
It’s great to know that our Baby Boy arrived safe in the worst part of his journey!
November 6th, 2007 at 11:42 am
I know that there is will be teary eyes for all of us Mei Sheng lovers for a while!
. Glad that the toughest part of his journey is over.
My kudos to all the panda keepers and staff who took well care of him, and to Kathy and Angie who, probably shed a few tears themselves as they said final good byes to Mei Sheng.
He is such a special boy that it’s so hard to let him go! God bless you always, Mei Sheng!
November 6th, 2007 at 11:58 am
Thanks for the update that Mei Sheng arrived safely in China. It is a huge relief to know that the longest and hardest part of his journey is over. Now comes the shorter flight and the long truck ride up in the mountains to Wolong.
It is also great news to know that he did well enough to be able to continue on right away. I am sure that all animal personnel involved want to get him to his final destination as quickly as possible so he can rest and recuperate and begin the acclimation process. Does the higher altitude affect pandas coming from closer to sea level when they first arrive, as it does with humans? I imagine that the SDZ people accompanying him will have more challenges with the time differences, diet, altitude, etc. He brought his food with him to help in the transition and he sleeps when he wants, so he can adapt more quickly.
Thanks for the great shots of Gao Gao in the ” snow” today. It looked like he was enjoying himself immensely.
November 6th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
P.S. Thanks for adding the parting photo of Mei Sheng with Kathy and Angie! It helps to see how he was transported. Looks like he had a luxury ” suite” for his journey. No wonder he did so well, with these two wonderful ladies preparing him so well before he left.
November 6th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
Sing this to the tune of ” Christmas is Coming”
Christmas is comin’
See Gao Gao draped in Snow.
I wonder if he knows where
His son is going to go?
He’s dreaming of the treetops
His son will soon play in,
Away in far off China
Where Gao Gao’s life began.
We all will sorely miss him
But dad knows what’s in store.
A lifetime full of happiness
Where Mei Sheng’s going for sure.
Today in Panda Station
There’s mischief here we see.
Tho it’s warm in San Diego
The mood is Northerly.
Thanks to all the Zoofolk
For treats for bears and all.
As much as they love snow time
We love them one and all.
11/06/07; M4 C3 ~ 10AM PST
November 6th, 2007 at 12:26 pm
Candy #102 I do hope that people take heed in your words. We are so close to losing so many of our worlds most endangered species. The gorillas are being slaughtered at an alarming rate, Tigers that we will never see again and polar bears. I can not imagine a world without pandas. I’ve been to a place called TIGERS and when you hear that one species has only 35 left in the world thats enough to make me die alittle inside. I am thankful for being allowed to watch these amazing creatures on the cams and knowing that there is so many caring people like me. gotta go watch the family. that baby makes me crazy
November 6th, 2007 at 12:31 pm
Mei Sheng’s arrival in Shanghai was on chinese CCTV news, watch the clip by googling ‘Mei Sheng CCTV’.
November 6th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
Kathy mentioned in the chat that pandas Mei Sheng’s age have access through the wire mesh between yards to see each other and socialize, similar to what he and Su Lin did at the Howdy Gate. I wonder if he will think about her when he sees another panda? Since he has a great sense of smell, and hearing, and other pandas will not smell, look, or sound like Su Lin, I wonder what his initial reaction will be. Since he has not previously had any type of contact with another panda, except Su Lin, since he was weaned over 2 years ago, and he has previously been cautious in new situations, I wonder how he will accept this new circumstance. He obviously warmed up to his sister and did all kinds of tricks to attract her attention. So, once he is comfortable in his new surroundings, it is logical to think that he will thrive on these new encounters with new ” friends.” They are used to having other pandas around, so it will be interesting to see how they react and accept him. I don’t recall reading anything about Hua Mei being exposed to other pandas, except for breeding. Since she was already 5.5 years old when she arrived in Wolong, and was introduced to males for breeding in the estrus cycle that year, she may not have had a chance to ” play” like Mei hopefully will have.
Is the howdy gate closed off now, or is it still open for potential visual encounters of Su Lin and Gao Gao? Since he is an adult male, it is probably less likely that she would encounter him in the wild. If she has seen him, what is his reaction? When Tai Shan has seen Tian Tian, he softly bleats to him, and Tian reciprocates. Whereas Mei Xiang moans. You said when Su Lin was first weaned that you waited a couple of days to put her in the exhibit space Gao had been in to allow his scent to dissipate so it would not frighten her. Would that still be the case since she has been on her own for months and was not ” afraid” of her brother?
Has Su Lin gone to the Howdy Gate looking for Mei Sheng? If so, what is her reaction when she sees and hears that he is no longer there. It must be a somewhat sad occasion for you if/when that happens. But life moves on, and so will she as she would in the wild.
November 6th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
YAY! I am so glad our boy arrived safely!
You know what I have been thinking lately? I have been thinking that with how hard it has been to say good-bye to Mei Sheng, at least there is HUGE comfort in knowing that there are still two panda babies at the San Diego Zoo. Then I think about how sad it will be when Tai Shan leaves us – especially if there is no panda baby at the NZ when he goes, and the same eventually with Mei Lan in Atlanta. I am going to be praying especially hard that next spring brings us new panda pregnancies in both of those zoos….and also one in Memphis, too!
November 6th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
Thank you #112 Ling! It is great to be able to read and hear about Mei so far away.
November 6th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
Thanks Ling #112 for that tip, looks to me like he is getting a warm welcome. But then we should expect nothing less for our Super Star!!!
November 6th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
Cathy, #110, thanks for a wonderful poem/song which helps put a smile on my face.
You are right, Gao Gao seemed to be in a very playful mood this morning. I am sure his antics helped heal the sadness of the Panda Research Station staff. Planning the enrichment for him and watching his reaction would have such a tremendous affect, and it would make everyone watching laugh with joy.
November 6th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
What a great photo shot of Su Lin high up in her favorite tree. She fills up more of the branch now than she did a year ago when we rarely saw her on the ground. As I look at the misty effect in the background, I wonder if she is dreaming of where her brother will be climbing high in the trees in the misty mountains in a few weeks.
November 6th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
Thanks for letting us know that Mei Sheng arrived safely, and also thanks to the bloggers who let us in on all the news sources! We are getting a global education! I have been thinking about Panda enrichment…I do believe that the Pandas are enrichment for us, they have made our lives so much fuller to the extent that we are all better for it. Those of us who care about the planet and its inhabitants are drawn together on this website—what a joy! Geez, if this is a psychiatric condition I hope we can figure out how to make it infectious!
November 6th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
Wow – what a great way to help shake off the ” Mei Sheng Blues” by showing Gao Gao rolling and having a great time in the snow. It wasn’t alot of snow – but certainly enough for him to roll around in and act goofy. Way to go daddy-o! With the holidays fast approaching – here’s hoping there are lots more ” snow days” ahead!
November 6th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
My heart is aching, and there are tears in my eyes as I write this, but I’m very happy to know that the little bear I checked on every day has arrived safely. Hope his days are filled with nothing but happiness and adventures in his new home. Hope at some time in the near future we get to see pictures of him in his new abode. Love to you all for the last 4 years.
November 6th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
I get teary-eyed every time I get on this blog lately..I can’t believe how hard it’s been to let go of our sweet boy. Thank you so much for the link to the Chinese TV station (Ling #112)–it was good to hear he’s making his mark over there already! I hope the Chinese realize how lucky they are to have Mei Sheng, what a special guy..
I think Kristi (#90) had a great idea–obviously so many people have been touched by Mei Sheng’s departure, would it be possible to create a donation to Wolong in order to have a webcam on him for awhile? I’d love to be able to see him again…
When I walked away from him at the zoo a month ago, he was up in his tree eating..The last time I saw him on the panda cam Sunday, he was in the same spot, eating his leaves in the tree..Seems rather fitting..
I miss him, our sweet big boy…Please keep us posted on how he’s getting along!
November 6th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
I am sad and concerned. I wish you a good life in China, and will miss your antics here. God speed.
November 6th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
Candy #102 — I agree that we should TEACH OUR CHILDREN WELL. Everything begins at home. I have certainly tried to do just that, and think my children, now grown, have a definite love for all animals and the environment. I have a poem I stumbled across years ago that I want to share:
Oh, shame on the mothers of mortals,
Who did not stop to teach
The sorrow that lies in dear, dumb eyes,
The sorrow that has no speech;
For the same force formed the camel
That fashioned man and king,
And the God of the whole
Gave a spark of soul
To each furred and feathered thing.
— unknown
November 6th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
When I look at Su Lin sitting and eating where her brother was just two days ago, it is hard to believe that he is already in China. When she eats, she looks so much like Gao Gao. I thought Mei Sheng looked like Gao, but now I think Su Lin does more so. I love Mei’s ears, to me they stick up like Mickey Mouse ears. That is what I usually found helped me distinquish him from his sister. I think his ears are more like Bai’s.
Su Lin sure looks like a Princess, and Bai Yun as seen from the camera looking down into the classroom space looks like a Queen sitting on her throne eating to her heart’s content. I guess when I thought it was Gao yesterday, it was really Bai Yun.
They are all handsome bears, but Mei Sheng’s smiling face and cute ears make him unique. For those who were wondering how the bears are distinquished at Wolong, it is my understanding that bears, at least at NZP, have microchips between their shoulder blades that allow them to be easily identified. There is an interactive example at the Panda exhibit at NZP where you can test for yourself and see which ” animal” is which.
November 6th, 2007 at 2:50 pm
Cathy, #110, thank you for your beautiful poem/song!
Ling, #112, thank you for turning us to CCTV. I enjoyed reading about Mei Sheng’s arrival and what will happen in his first month at Wolong. We need to make some updates to our computer, so have been unable to view the video of his arrival. Have also not seen the compilation of Mei Sheng’s time at SDZ for the same reason. Can hardly wait to see them.
Listened to the chat with Kathy and it warmed my heart to hear her stories about ” Little Pooper!” How funny! Must confess I’m envious of all you who care for these magnificent animals. What a wonderful job you do!
November 6th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
I am so sad. I know I’ll feel better soon, but for now I’m missing our sweet boy.
November 6th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
Although I knew it was coming, it’s still so sad to learn that Mei Sheng has really gone. He’s been a part of my daily life since he was born, even if just to pop in for a moment and peek at him on the PandaCam. (How I wish they had a PandaCan keeping an eye on him in China!) This is the hard part of having the privilege of having these special visitors from China. Please keep us posted on how he’s doing and what is in store for our sweet silly bear.
November 6th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
From the Shanghai Daily News
Panda returns to his roots in China
By Lu Feiran 2007-11-5
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SHANGHAI Wildlife Park is preparing to welcome a special visitor tomorrow night – American-born panda Mei Sheng, who is returning to the motherland to find a bride.
The four-year-old panda will stay in the city for one night on his way to Wolong in Sichuan Province, where his mother and father were born.
He is the first panda born by natural mating outside China, and will be escorted by experts from San Diego Zoo, where he has spent all his life, and from Wolong Panda Research Center.
The 20-hour flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai is Mei Sheng’s first, according to Sinotrans Air Transportation Development Co Ltd, which is transporting the panda.
Mei Sheng is being flown in a large iron cage stocked with his favorite apple and water, and is due to land at Pudong International Airport about 7pm tomorrow.
Shanghai Customs officials will escort him to Shanghai Wildlife Park, where he will have a single room and his favorite food. There he will be able to recover from the flight before his next trip to Wolong on Wednesday.
” If Mei Sheng is in good mood after landing, we’ll send him to Wolong on Wednesday as scheduled. But if he’s upset by the long travel, or shows signs of bad temper or poor appetite, he’ll stay in the park for a longer period for a break,” said Zhang Yuan, general manager of Sinotrans’ East China branch.
Once he reaches Wolong, Mei Sheng will be in quarantine for a month to monitor any signs of infectious diseases and keep an eye on his mental state, according to Wolong Panda Research Center.
The center said it will introduce Mei Sheng to a mate who isn’t related to him, and the ideal ” wedding date” may fall between about March and May next year.
Born at San Diego Zoo on August 19, 2003, Mei Sheng’s name means ” born in America” or ” a beautiful life” in Chinese.
He’s been very popular among zoo visitors since he made his public debut when he was six months old.
November 6th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
Barbara #124 how beautiful and fitting and how true.
November 6th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
One of the greatest ” gifts” and ” privileges” that SDZ provides to all virtual visitors is the ability to ” peek” in on our favorite SDZ pandas at all hours, no matter where one lives in the world. And, in addition to that, they tape it so you can go and see it again for 10 DAYS! That is an incredible thing to provide for FREE.
I can’t believe how acrobatic pandas are. I remember watching Basi when she was at the SDZ in 1987. She was very willingly entertaining. I just watched Mei Lan hanging upside down on her climbing structure to reach the hammock. Once she got in it, and seated comfortably, Lun Lun decided that Mei Lan should not be in the hammock. It was then a game of get out – keep out. Every time Mei Lan tried to get back in, Lun Lun pushed her off again. They did it over and over.
Which brings me to why I am thankful that we are not limited in time to watch SDZ pandas. It seems that Lun and Mei get their most active at 4:45-5:00 PM, just before the camera is shut off for the night. It is very frustrating because they are often in intense play, and ” whack” the camera is shut off. I asked if they could extend the viewing hours so people could see them longer and was told they don’t have the funding for longer hours. So, be very thankful that we have time-lapse videos of Mei Sheng and Su Lin interacting that we can go back and view and which can be screen printed and saved forever. Bloggers have complained that there is no sound, but NZP has sound, but you can’t do screen print or go back and watch time-lapse there either.
So, one more reason to say, THANK YOU SDZ, for all you do for the pandas, and for those of us who love to watch them. You are AWESOME!!!!!
November 6th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
Barbara, #124, what a beautiful poem, and so true. Thanks for sharing.
November 6th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
Until late in 2006, I didn’t even KNOW there was such a thing as a ” PandaCam.” I saw an article on CNN’s website about Mei Lan’s birth in Atlanta, and have been Hooked on Pandas ever since!
I’m in San Antonio, and will likely never see a Panda up close and personal, but having the cams available is so wonderful for those, like me, who may never get to ” meet” the Pandas!
Thank you SDZ and all zoos, research and breeding facilities in the US, China, and elsewhere, for helping to repopulate this endangered species.
As I read of Mei Sheng’s departure, and since I didn’t ” know” him as he grew, I searched youtube and found a wonderful video entitled ” Farewell Panda Mei Sheng” — I think you Mei Sheng fans will enjoy it. I DID manage to catch a bit of Sheng’s last few days at the zoo on the PandaCam, and fell in love with the boy in a matter of moments. He’s one smiling Panda. Hope you have great digs in your new home, Mei Sheng!
–KK–
November 6th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
I agree with Margaret #131, that we are indeed lucky for the access that we have to the pandas at SDZ. It has been so great to be able to log on at all hours of the day and see what the little munchkins are up to. Thank you for allowing us to peek into their lives.
I am so glad to hear that Mei made it safely to China. I miss seeing his happy face on the cam.
November 6th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
I logged in today — after a few days of absence — to find Mei Sheng’s picture in the same group as Shi Shi’s and Hua Mei’s and knew instantly that he is gone. I am so sad and will miss him dearly but at the same time, I am so happy to know that my first baby boy’s genes are so valuable in the preservation of his kind. Go Mei Sheng!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 6th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
Margaret #131 – agree with the frustration regarding Mei and Lun! I wonder if there’s an avenue to raise funds for that project?
Sorry to the moderators if this is inappropriate, but I’m very curious how SDZ gets this funding for PandaCam, and the Atlanta Zoo can’t do it? (Maybe it has to do with staffing, also, to be fair!)
November 6th, 2007 at 4:50 pm
So glad to know that Mei Sheng has arrived safely in China, now just need to know that he reaches Wolong safely. I found a website that said he was in good condition on arrival at Shanghai and will be flying to Wolong at noon – Shanghai time. He’s done SDZ proud with all the training they done with him.
#122 Kathi in Dallas i’m with you on being teary eyed. I sat weeping loads (UK time) this morning i’m surprised at how much he has affected me but then again just one look at his beautiful face and he just melts your heart.
Something that has me concerned is how will he cope with being spoken to by a different language? How long will the SDZ keepers be staying with him. I hope they take photos and put them up for all of us to see.
I’ve been trying to find Wolong Panda Research Centre but i’m having trouble trying to access it any help would be greatly appreciated and any other advice regarding panda cams.
Thank you to everyone
November 6th, 2007 at 6:14 pm
Thanks, KK West, #133, the YouTube video ” Farewell Panda Mei Sheng” is fabulous and truely captures Mei Sheng from all 4 years of his growth and life in SDZ.
November 6th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
I don’t know if I’m the only one who has been totally confused by this panda naming contest for Bai Yun’s fourth cub. Today, I read on the Wolong Panda Club news that ” on November 5, China Southern Airlines came to Wolong for an adoption ceremondy for their adopted panda baby, Mingzhu.” Is this name somehow different than the name that has been proposed for the SDZ baby panda? Is it normal to name two pandas connected to the same preserve with identical names? Would somebody please clarify this before we get too far along with the voting to change the outcome?
November 6th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
#79 Mary – thanks for the hint about the National Geographic site – search ” Air Panda” for a first hand account of how LeLe &YaYa were pampered on their flight from China to Memphis. Will make all feel better to know MeiSheng got the same if not better treatment – he probably didn’t even know he was flying.
Regarding different panda cams – when Mei Lan (ZA) was born CNN sponsored the panda cam the first few months (why they gave it up I have no idea), then when Earth Link took over they claimed they could afford to have the cam on from 10am-5pm. Unfortunately, most of the fun takes place early in the morning before the cam is on or as Margaret mentioned late afternoon. So I have to rely on videos from dedicated watchers on youtube. I understand that the SDZ cam is staffed by dedicated volunteers ” the Meekrats” But to whoever puts together the time lapse videos – many, many thanks. It’s great to be able to check back on 10 days to see what we may have missed-espcially when we read that someone saw something fun going on while we were not watching
November 6th, 2007 at 8:25 pm
The ZA cams were at one time 24/7. CNN dropped their support and Earthlink took over, but only on the condition that the bandwidth was limited. The poor staff at ZA were literally bombarded with angry calls and emails from so-called panda fans demanding 24/7 access to Lun and Mei. The poor zoo staff had nothing to do with CNN’s decision, yet they had to endure the wrath of people with a sense of entitlement.
If this can of worms is open again, and I pray that it is not, please do NOT email or call Zoo Atlanta regarding the cam schedule. It is not within their control, and they don’t deserve the hassle.
Yes, ZA has extremely limited funding. But I would suggest that if those kinds of funds were raised, and it is very expensive, that they be put towards helping the pandas and not helping ourselves.
November 6th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
Who knew? That a panda in a far away zoo could tug at your heart strings so? Oh Mei Sheng. I am missing you more than I thought possible. I truly hope you are happy in your new home and that we get to have a glimpse of you now and then. You have definitely left an imprint on my heart! Best wishes and do us proud like your Papa Gao Gao, k?
November 6th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
I’m sitting here with tears streaming down my face because he’s off to China. I know he’s an important part of species survival, but it’s sad to know he’ll become nothing more than a breeding machine over there. Just like all the others. I was there the day he was born and after finding out what his fate would be, I have yet to return to the zoo. Before you know it, Su Lin will be going, too, so she can start popping out babies just like Hua Mei. And then it’ll be the new cub. All they are are baby-makers.
I won’t apologize for my opinion.
I hope he has a safe trip and a happy life in China, but it won’t be anything like the life he had in San Diego where he was an individual. An individual loved for who he was and not for what he was going to do in the future.
November 6th, 2007 at 8:44 pm
#124 Thank you so much for the beautiful poem Barbara.
November 6th, 2007 at 8:50 pm
Margaret #131
You are right on! I first discovered panda came with the birth of Mei Lan. I got accustomed to being able to log on at any time of the day or night to see what the little babe was up to. It was quite an adjustment as they kept cutting back on the viewing hours. Still, I loved to log on and read the daily panda notes. Now we only get those 3 days a week. So, the folks at SDZ do a great job of feeding our ” panda habits” . SDZ is available 24/7 as is NZ in DC. Even Memphis is available 24/7 though they don’t seem to have anyone manning the cams. So, thank you keepers and other staff at SDZ for all you do.
November 6th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
Is anyone else experiencing difficulties with the clip on CCTV about Mei Sheng’s arrival? (Ling #112) I can’t access the site any longer and the Google search doesn’t have the link any longer..
I’m in the same boat as Sammi #137 is in. Can anyone offer any suggestions about how to hook up to the Wolong panda cams? I tried it Sunday night, but I don’t think it worked..Thanks!
November 6th, 2007 at 9:04 pm
While all our attention this week has been on Mei Sheng check out youtube fora video (Yang Yang & Jay)of ZA’s panda keeper, Jay, who accepted a promotion at ZA & his last training session with Yang Yang. (and he is one huge smart panda) This was almost as sad for me as Mei leaving for China. These dedicated keepers love their animals whose well-being they are in charge of. If a keeper leaves for a promotion or a panda goes home the sadness is the same. At least Jay will still be at the zoo and will be able to check on ” his panda”
November 6th, 2007 at 9:38 pm
Thank you Kathy, for your fond memories of Mei Sheng. I didn’t know about panda cams until Tai Shan was born so wasn’t able to see Mei Sheng grow up – but from what I can tell from the blogs he was a hit, loved by all. Many, many thanks for all you & the rest of the staff has done to raise a healhty, funny cub, that can now (& if he has daddy’s mating genes), do us proud by ” getting married quickly and having a cub or 2
Have a comment about the male pandas -from what I’ve read, male pandas seem to be momma boys & have a harder time with weaning. One would think it would be the other way – momma’s girls or is it the teenage years when girls don’t like their moms (here we go with human behaviour again)
November 6th, 2007 at 9:38 pm
It looks like the sun gods have honored our beautiful Mei Sheng with some beautiful weather.
Just visited the Wolong Panda Cam, it’s Wednesday afternoon, and am happy to report that the sun is shining brightly after a few days of rain and overcast weather. There are six pandas lounging on the climbing structure enjoying the sunshine.
I now feel a little better knowing that our Mei Sheng was also greeted in Wolong with some sunshine. ( I hope at this time he is indeed in Wolong.)
Great job Panda Team for all your time and preparation in making this trip a lot easier for our sweet Mei Sheng.
November 6th, 2007 at 11:26 pm
I pray that Mei Sheng will adjust very well, considering that he has to learn Mandarin. I also read that they have only one keeper for 5 pandas in Sichuan. I hope to travel there next year to volunteer. I’m sure they need a lot of volunteers.
November 7th, 2007 at 4:06 am
I was so glad to hear that Mei Sheng had arrived safely in China. Thank you all so much for keeping us updated.
November 7th, 2007 at 7:46 am
Hi, thank you all for all of the news and updates. Please let us know how Mei arrived at Wolong, if he has already, and what was his reaction when he got there. I miss so much not seeing him on the Panda cam. Thanks to all.
November 7th, 2007 at 7:53 am
Sammi #137 just google Wolong and find breeding center and you will also find the panda club
November 7th, 2007 at 8:02 am
An exerpt from an article i found this morning……
CHENGDU, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) — A U.S.-born panda has been greeted by crowds of well-wishers on its arrival in southwest China on Wednesday.
People carrying apples and fresh bamboo shoots turned out at the Wolong Giant Panda Nature Reserve in Sichuan Province to welcome Mei Sheng, who left San Diego Zoo on Monday, to his new home.
A brief medical check for the four-year-old, weighing 85 kg, showed he was in good condition, said Li Desheng, deputy head of the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center based in Wolong.
” But he still needs to be quarantined for one or two months, then he can officially enjoy life in his new home,” he said.
The panda had been scheduled to leave the United States at the end of last month, but the departure was postponed due to a flight adjustment, said Li.
Experts from both the San Diego Zoo and the Chinese research center have escorted the panda on his journey.
…………………………………………………………………………
The rest of the article was just things we already know, but this at least shows that he will be as well loved and cared for over there as he was over here. I feel better knowing that they are not just looking at him as a sperm donor but as a sweet lovable IMPORTANT and well loved creature.
i still wish he didnt have to go but at least i know he’ll be cared for now. I guess when it comes to my panda, i needed more convincing!
November 7th, 2007 at 8:06 am
My daughter (aged 9) has sent a video to Channel 5 news here in the UK. We are over the moon that it is to be shown 3 times today on the TV. 11.30 am 5.30 pm and 7.00 pm. You can also view it at the News 5 TV Web site.
Her video is all about Mei Sheng going to China. The Channel 5 news web site has also added a link to the webcam so the panda family can gain even more fans!
She is upset that her friend has gone to China but quite excited that in the future he may help produce more pandas!
November 7th, 2007 at 8:07 am
KK Welcome to the family. Dont try to escape, there is no escaping it. your life and thoughts will now become property of the panda.
RESISTANCE IS FUTILE!!!
November 7th, 2007 at 8:56 am
Although Mei Sheng has been traveling for a long time, I saw his pictures in Shanghai with smile and calm.
Does Mei Sheng arrive in Wolong?
November 7th, 2007 at 9:52 am
Good question, Barbara, #139. However, my guess is that they can have more than one animal with the same name. The only time it really matters is when a keeper is calling them, and it is unlikely that the two animals in question will be present in the same enclosure.
November 7th, 2007 at 10:00 am
I also found this information about mating protocol at Wolong. Although it was specifically referencing Hua Mei when she went to Wolong, much of it probably also applies to Mei Sheng, such as the sex education I have been asking about.
” ” To meet the four mates is the most important thing for Hua Meiafter the quarantine period and we hope she can get pregnant by the end of March — but first of all, she should have some sexual education,” said Wei.
The female panda in captivity is normally sexually mature at three due to better conditions but their bodies are not ready to have babies, so researchers usually arrange mating when they are four years old. Pandas in captivity at Wolong are usually in heat from March to May, said Wei.
” So, Hua Mei is pretty much a virgin right now and being in captivity since she was born, her parents never taught her the knowledge in this field,” said Wei.
According to the plan, Hua Mei will not only be shown sex education videos featuring a couple of giant pandas mating, but will also be brought to the site to watch her peers mating, said Wei.
The sex education lessons are becoming standard for all giant pandas as they attain adulthood at the center as well as the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding and Research Base in Sichuan Province. “
November 7th, 2007 at 10:04 am
I noticed on Wolong Panda Cam that there are new ramps up to the climbing structures, probably due to the relative smallness of the 1 year olds who play there, and in anticipation of the separation ceremony of this year’s cubs coming soon.
November 7th, 2007 at 10:19 am
I’ve found some video of Mei Sheng in China. Just google ” panda fan club” and they are on there. There’s a shot of him (I think it’s him anyway) in a pen, happily munching on bamboo! There are also a couple of still photos of him in his crate when he arrived..
November 7th, 2007 at 10:36 am
Well looks like our boy has arrived at his new home. Thanks for that update Tonymo (I love your posts)…. Of course he would be in good condition, just look where he came from!! Nice to hear that he received such a nice welcome at Wolong. I agree with you that it’s nice to know that he isn’t just a sperm donor and that he will be appreciated for the extrodinary bear that he is.
One question if anyone knows? With the Panda Baby boom in China, are these bears going to be someday introduced to the wild? I just don’t see how that can be done as they are handled so much by humans. Are they going to stop breeding one day, or just have the research center full of bears? I read a post that a bear had been introduced to the wild and it had been mauled and killed and I can’t stop thinking about that.
Sure hope we get to see some pic’s and are updated from our people that went over with Mei. I’m sure they must be exhausted as well after their long journey.
November 7th, 2007 at 10:43 am
While saying good-bye to Mei Sheng is difficult, I think we are very lucky that we are also welcoming his baby sister into the world! Surely she will fill the void that Mei Sheng’s departure has left behind. I am so looking forward to watching her grow up and seeing her own personality develop. Oh, and I am also looking forward to the day when it is announced that Mei Sheng will be a daddy. Life goes on, doesn’t it?
November 7th, 2007 at 11:07 am
#155 – your daughter’s video is excellent – it brought a tear to my eye. You all must be so proud of her.
There is also a picture on the BBC news website showing Mei Sheng looking through his cage/crate on his arrival in China. Go to the BBC website, click on ‘News’, click on ‘In Pictures’ (half way down the menu on the left of the page), click on ‘Day in Pictures’ at top of page (or click on the picture) and our Panda boy is shown in picture #5. Not much mention of him in the news here in the UK but I’m keeping a close watch. Thanks to everyone else for posting news from China etc.
Good luck in China Mei Sheng – I hope we get updates on how you are settling in and on the future mini Mei Shengs…
November 7th, 2007 at 11:08 am
I did watch the news cast from China about Mei, and they seem very excited to have him come home. They say he will be in quarantine which is to be expected wil he be in Wolong n quarantine?? It sounds like they are making special arrangements for his diet, I feel alot better after watching that. Maybe all should watch the blogger above said to goggle mei sheng cctv and I did and was able to watch the news cast in english. My goodness he is being given a heros welcome over there.
November 7th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
re: sex education Y pandas…
dats my boy.. he wont need no stinkin ‘education’.. he’ll be a natual !!!!
I have not found any good updates yet.. but i’ll look more in a bit. Have my own ” cub” to deal with here today… son is in a MOOD!
Glad i could make u smile dar… that’s me… always the clown!
November 7th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
Wow – this quote (TonyMo #158) brought tears to my eyes – it’s just so sweet – and means that everyone cares and loves our boy so much — ” People carrying apples and fresh bamboo shoots turned out at the Wolong Giant Panda Nature Reserve in Sichuan Province to welcome Mei Sheng, who left San Diego Zoo on Monday, to his new home.”
We all knew that he would get a warm welcome in his new home – sounds like a good place to me! Welcome home big guy – here’s wishing you many, many years of happiness, new friends, sweet brides, and adorable cubs! We miss you – but we know you are safe and loved!
November 7th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
I found this on Youtube.
Get out your cryin rags and then go to youtube.com and search for
” Farewell Panda Mei Sheng – Josh Groban February Song”
November 7th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
In the videos of Mei Sheng’s arrival, he appears to have been sleeping when the truck stopped. However, he readily came to crate door when he heard the familiar voice of his keeper. The keeper who accompanied him (who is?) gave him an apple, which he took and quickly munched it down. She explained the puzzle feeder to the news team filming the arrival. Who is the keeper, and the man from SDZ who gave Mei Sheng’s papers to the customs officials??? I do not recall seeing this keeper before. Since she stayed very close to Mei Sheng’s crate, my guess is that she is one of his ” familiar” SDZ Panda staff friends. He did not seem to be fazed by the trip other than he appeared sleepy, which is understandable since it was a very long flight, and it was dark in Shanghai.
With all the TV coverage, maybe they should have renamed Shanghai to ” Sheng Hi!” for the night and morning that he was there.
Apparently he got a good rest in his overnight quarters at the Shanghai Wildlife Park, because they continued on their journey the next day, and made it safely to a huge reception of local people with apples and bamboo gifts for his arrival.
November 7th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
Judging from the video, Mei Sheng was welcomed in celebrity fashion, as he should be.
Happy Life, Mei Sheng
November 7th, 2007 at 1:20 pm
I’m curious if Su Lin, Gao Gao and Bai Yun ” realize” that one of the family is missing? I was just watching Su Lin on the cam and it didn’t really look like she was acting out of the ordinary..? Hmmm.
Thanks for the post about the Farewell Panda Mei Sheng on You Tube! It is AWESOME!! The Josh Groban song will make the tears flow for certain!! Have the kleenex box very close at hand!
God Bless Mei Sheng! I am so glad you have safely made it to your destination! Make us all proud over here and make MANY healthy panda babies!!
November 7th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Robin, #165, I never doubted he would get a huge welcome just like Hua Mei. Bai Yun, Gao Gao, and Hau Mei are Chinese celebrities, and so is Mei Sheng. We should not be surprised that he also being treated like the royalty he is.
TonyMo, the ” Farewell Panda Mei Sheng – Josh Groban February Song†is definitely a tear jerker. Be sure you are in the comfort of your own home when you watch it. It is fabulous! Mei Sheng would love it.
I am thrilled that the Chinese are as excited about receiving Mei Sheng and having them with them, as we were about having him with us. Our drained emotions have traveled across the Pacific with him, and entered them. Now they can carry on his ” fan club” and continue to visit him when he has finished his quarantine. I laugh when I read that part of the reason for the quarantine is to monitor his mental health. He is such an outgoing bear that he will quickly win over the affection and attention of his new keepers. Besides he has his SDZ friends with him too for comfort in the transition. I don’t know how he will react to having to be inside in his ” climate controlled” home for a month, but I am certain that once he is able to get outside and climb trees to his heart’s content, his mental health will be just fine.
November 7th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Enterprize #155, I just watched your daughter’s video..Thank you so much for sharing, she’s just adorable! A little pandaholic in the making!
November 7th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
I’ve yet to find the arrival video.
November 7th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
#158 Tonymo – thanks for the info about Mei’s arrival in Wolong. It obviously means he suffered no ill effects from his long trip. Haven’t been able to watch the video but sounds like he was welcomed like the prince hs is.
November 7th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
More interesting input from ” China Daily”
” Li Desheng, deputy director of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda at the reserve, said vets at San Diego Zoo conducted thorough medical tests on Mei Sheng prior to his departure and said he was perfectly healthy.
Researchers at the zoo said they have been studying Mei Sheng and his mother Bai Yun since his birth and have collected a lot of valuable information about how cubs grow and the relationship they have with their mothers.
Li said the return of Mei Sheng is part of a cooperative agreement on panda research between China and the US.
If a panda gives birth while ” on loan” to an American zoo, her offspring must return to China once they reach sexual maturity, he said.
” Mei Sheng is coming back primarily so we can find him a mate.,” he said.
Zhang Hemin, head of the reserve’s administrative bureau, said staff at Wolong, which is home to 128 giant pandas, are trying to determine which of the female bears will make a good partner for Mei Sheng.
” We’ll choose several pandas that are unrelated to Mei Sheng and arrange dates for him so he can choose the one he loves,” Zhang told China Daily.
He said the dating process will take place between March and May when Mei Sheng is feeling ruttish.
” Pandas are very particular about their mating partners. Whether we can succeed in finding a partner for Mei Sheng will depend on whether he likes any of the candidates we choose for him,” Li said.”
****************
I found the last paragraph most interesting.
November 7th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
” Mei Sheng was flown back to China in an iron cage stocked with water, apples and bamboo. He was later transferred to a smaller cage and placed in a truck for the road trip to Wolong.”
” Wolong officials said Mei Sheng had to be returned to China as part of a loan agreement with the United States.
Li said that once Mei Sheng reached Wolong, he would need a few months to adjust to the food and climate before he gets into the process of finding a mate.”
” ” In terms of food, there is a difference between bamboo that he eats in the United States and what we have here in Wolong. And there is also a slight difference in the other kinds of food.” ”
” ” Next, in terms of the living environment, San Diego has a warmer climate than us here. So he has to gradually adjust to the climate here,” he added.”
From Reuters article reporting on Mei Sheng’s arrival.
************************************************
The ” living environment” differences are why he (and Hua Mei) live in a climate controlled space during their quarantine. Many people have referenced the dramatic temperature changes high in the mountains in the area of Wolong. He will love it once he gets accustomed to the cold with his thick fur. Can’t you just picture him rolling in the REAL snow?! I love the videos of him sliding around trying to climb with the snow/ice on the trees in his SDZ exhibit a couple of years ago.
November 7th, 2007 at 4:16 pm
Thanks to all that have put on the web sites that we can see video’s of Mei Sheng. I just watched the Rueters video of Mei’s arrival and he certainly looked OK. I also watched the youtube video and it certainly is a kleenex video. If anyone else knows of more sites please let all of us know so we can also see our beloved Mei in China.
Just as Mei’s sister Hua Mei he will do fine and have lots of fun and life does go on just as we all have to, besides we have voting to do on our newest little panda’s name and of course we have Mom, Dad and big sister panda’s to watch and enjoy every day.
We all have so many fond memories of Mei Sheng and they will be with us always just as we all have memories of Hua Mei, we all still miss her a lot and we will miss Mei Sheng but as each day goes by it will get easier, especially once we all know he is safe and doing well at his new home, and come next spring hopefully we will hear that he is going to be a daddy what joy and happiness that will be a new little Mei Sheng baby roaming around in the Panda Kindergaten. Look at Hua Mei she is a mother of 6 babies and she is well and happy.
Again thanks everyone for all the informaiton and for this wonderful blog so we all can express our thoughts with others that love PANDAS
November 7th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
Margaret #169, the SDZ keeper that explained the puzzle feeder is Lisa (her name is quoted on chinese news), she takes care of Mei Sheng since he’s born. She has brought all his favourite toys to Wolong so that our Prince can enjoy his old toys in new surroundings.
(You can find Lisa on the video of the cub exam on Oct 11.)
Kathi #146, if you find difficulty in the CCTV english site, you can go directly to CCTV main page (chinese version), find a magnifying glass (=search, probably on top row), copy and paste ‘大熊猫美生视频’ (means ‘giant panda Mei Sheng video clips’) in the light blue box, then click the smaller blue button beside. There you will see more news clips including the latest arrival at Wolong (already in dark).
There are many newsphotos from different chinese media, too bad I can’t copy the links here, but I can tell you all our Prince still looks handsome and cute after the long journey.
November 7th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
#155- Enterprize- That’s a lovely video that channel 5 broadcast of Lucy, her fine collection of Pandas and the photos. I hope she will be able to go to Wolong one day. Perhaps she will be a Panda researcher also! She did a great job on her report of her San Diego Zoo experience- I’m thrilled it was a great holiday for her at Easter.
HI LUCY! Thank you for getting your video to channel 5- I enjoyed it very much.
Take care,
Loriann
November 7th, 2007 at 5:15 pm
The Reuter’s video is great–and the concluding shot is of three tumbling young females, ” one of whom may be the new Mrs. Sheng.” Very sweet.
I’m relieved that his long journey is over and that he was so warmly welcomed to Wolong. Congratulations to all on both ends that made his move so successful!
November 7th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
It looks like Mei Sheng finally made it to Wolong. Whew! That was a long trip!
November 7th, 2007 at 6:10 pm
To all,
Cathy #110: I Loved the poem! It was such a total surpirse to see Gao Gao, ‘Mr. eat and sleep’, rolling around on the snow pile! I was transfixed and giggled at every move:-) Then when he stopped moving and lay still, I really thought the camera was ’stuck’….Nope! It was just that Gao Gao had fallen asleep
Then we had the opportunity to se Su Lin climbing high as she checked out changes in the area. It is fun for me to watch the camera angle be moved when the pandas climb! Where are they?? Oh! There! Bless whomever is moving the angles on the cameras
Margaret, your information is Always so up to date. I find I look for your latest news. I’m going to attempt the Wolong Panda cam again to see if I can find Mr. Sheng.
Kathi # 161, I attempted the site location and only got very small thumbnails…I will adjust my browzer and attempt again
To All: Thanks for your wishes and Love for All Pandas and for making my day as I read what you have written. SDZ, thank you for making this communication possible!!!
Sincerely,
Bobbie Wood
November 7th, 2007 at 7:04 pm
Tony #156
I’m already hooked on pandas. Mei Lan was my first, so I can’t imagine what those of you who watched Mei Sheng grow up must be feeling! Okay, well, I actually CAN imagine it! I just don’t want to!
I know he had to go to China, but I wish there was a different agreement, where some Pandas could stay here, in the USA. Have we no climate that can accommodate a free-roaming Panda popluation? I’m thinking the PNW, but what do I know!?
In any event, thank you for the welcome. I am definitely HOP and hope that what the USA and other countries are doing in cooperation with China will help this beloved species survive. How can you NOT love these bears???? Oh, and if you haven’t seen it… search youtube for Jay and Yang Yang. The final training session was priceless (there’s a great interview video there too).
Sometimes it’s just hard to say goodbye!
November 7th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
Many thanks for the tip on the Oct 11 video, Ling, #179. I thought had had watched all the cub’s recent videos, but apparently I missed that one. It was great to hear everything Lisa said about the preparations for his trip.
I was also happy to read that she took all his favorite toys with him so he would be comfortable with his familiar things in his new ” home.” Watching the young pandas wrestling brings a smile to my face, because I know he will love having that play time with other pandas. He wanted so much to really play with his sister, but the wise decision was made not to let a relationship start that would have to end when he left. Hopefully Su Lin and her baby sister will have the chance to play together since they are both girls. That will help prepare them for the kindergarten environment they will have at Wolong. Playing with other adolescent pandas is a luxury that isn’t really possible in US yet. Mei Sheng and Su Lin got as close as was possible. Maybe by starting earlier, Su Lin and baby cub will be the first in US to have such great enrichment. Until there are other cubs at the other 2 US zoos, it is not possible there. Even if Mei Xiang has a cub next year, it will barely be weaned when Tai Shan is ready to go to Wolong.
From reading all the press stories quoting Chinese panda officials today, I now understand why they want the cubs to come to China when they are 4 years old, which is sexual maturity for males. The fact that females are sexually mature at age 3, but their bodies are not yet ready to carry cubs, explains why females can stay here until they are 4 as well. It also makes sense to let them be here with more room, more one on one attention, and the best nutritional and veterinary support possible.
I think Mei Lan may have to go to China when she is 2 or 3. Since she belongs to Chengdu, and not Wolong, the agreement may be slightly different. Chengdu is also a large facility, with lots of cubs in the past two years. I am sure they are happy that their cubs are being taken great care of, and that allows them additional space for their own cubs and adolescents.
November 7th, 2007 at 7:46 pm
Is Mei Sheng going to have direct contact with the keepers at Wolong? Or is he past the age where they physically go in with the pandas. From comments Kathy made in her iChat, he is very accustomed to being close to his keepers and entertains them hoping for treats. But, he has not had direct physical contact with them since before he was a year old. Once he reached a certain size, all contact has been through mesh fencing. The keepers at Wolong appear to have direct contact with all sub-adult pandas. Is he still classified as a sub-adult, or did he hit the ” magic” age of 4, and now that he is considered sexually ” mature” he is a full fledged adult panda?
The Reuters video shows pandas playing inside the ” playground” enclosure with keepers watching them. The reporter says that one of the playing pandas may be the future ” Mrs. Sheng.” If so, are they the same age as Mei Sheng or only 3 years old?
References to his future ” mate” by the Chinese in the past few days are usually singular, with the exception of the comment that they will introduce him to several females to see which one he likes best. Does that mean they intend to mate him with only one female, per year, or ” permanently?” I am under the impression that due to the use of artificial insemination, females who naturally mate are also artificially inseminated to increase the chances of successful pregnancy, hence the reason for such a high twin birth rate. So, if he chooses ” a” mate, and he naturally mates with her, will he not be put with another potential ” mate” so he can breed with her, as well as him being used for artificial breeding? Since they are only introduced to a mate at breeding time, it doesn’t make sense to me that they are ” choosing a mate/bride,” except to find the best potential genetic matches. If he were being sent to another zoo as part of a pair, which he is not, then it would make sense. Perhaps they are discretely refering to males being picky about which females they will naturally breed with, and the hopes are obviously high that he will naturally breed like his father.
November 7th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
My daughter, her husband and I took their children to see the pandas in August for AJ’s fourth birthday. He thought it was so special because he and Mei Sheng are the same age. My granddaughter, Destiny and baby Justin loved the pandas, too! They named their toy pandas after Mei Sheng and Su Lin. We couldn’t get enough of the pandas. I feel so sad that Mei Sheng had to leave and wish we could have seen him one more time. I’m thankful that we did have the opportunity to visit him and Su Lin this past summer. One of our favorite pasttimes was to observe them on the panda cam before our visit. We will miss you Mei Sheng!!! Thanks to the wonderful staff at SDZ for the great care and love you give to all the animals.
November 7th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
Ling, #179, thank you so much for the tips on how to navigate the CCTV site–I will certainly give it my best shot, I appreciate the info! I’m hoping he’s happy…
November 7th, 2007 at 8:06 pm
Hi, guys! Got on the website to see about any news about Mei Sheng arriving in China, and I saw the note that he finally made it there after about a 20 hour flight. That’s great! I’m glad that he made it there without any problems. I’m pretty sure that everyone was very happy to get there as well as being very tired from the flight. Humans do experience jet lag, but I’m wondering if Mei Sheng has any jet lag? Probably not! He probably just ate his food, slept, and relaxed thru the whole flight! Good for him!!! I also read some of the comments about Mei Sheng’s arrival in China, especially the one article that Maureen from Michigan wrote in for us to read about Mei Sheng coming to China. Then, I read a couple of more down the list that mentioned about Mei Sheng getting into Wolong in good shape. WOW!!! This panda has done some travelling! Now, he’s at his new home, and he will have sooooo much fun with all of the other pandas there. I did get into the Wolong Panda Club website a couple of days ago, clicked on the pandacams, and saw quite a few pandas sound asleep on their log perches all spawled out. I just laughed at some of their crazy sleeping positions! Thanks to the person who let us know how to get to the site and the pandacams. I have cable connection on my computer, so I got some great pics on their cams. I will definitely get on that website again! Got on the SDZ webcam a couple of times today and tonite, and I saw Bai and baby girl having their cozy nap times together. Read the latest info on the cub’s vet check, and I found out that she has at least 6 teeth coming in. She’s growing up some more, you all!! Plus, I noticed that her ears are really starting to show a lot more. She’s still a very cute fuzzy cub, and I can’t wait for her new name to be announced in a couple of weeks! I’m gonna vote for her name again in a little bit!
Well, gonna go. Will check in the SDZ site again later!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
November 7th, 2007 at 11:31 pm
Hooooorrrrray for the San Diego panda scientists, doctors, keepers and staff!!!!!!!!!!!!
For successfully delivering another robust, healthy, happy and mentally stable panda back to China.
You folks are the BEST!!!! Same with the Chinese scientists!!!! You folks are BEAR-FECT! THE BEST BEAR FOLKS!!!
I’m hoping that the same scietists would use their technology in creating our own American bear anctuaries in the wild. They can develop special nutrition-rich soy-BISCUITS for our brown/black/grizzly bears in our American wilderness (Alaska, Colorado and Northen California) to supplement the food sources.
I immagine the Park Rangers dropping off these biscuits in the forests by helicopters. Ludicrous? Yeah. But who knows, someday that would be the only choice.
Our American bears are suffering food shortages and end up intruding into people’s homes and getting themselves and people killed in the process. Global warming is the root of it all. Yeah. But we still need solutions to address the problem.
Thanks.
November 8th, 2007 at 12:12 am
So glad to hear our panda ambassador made it to Wolong safely & with what seems to be little distress (due to his dedicated keepers from the SDZ I’m sure). After reading the article (Air Panda) in the National Geographic about transporting LeLe & YaYa to Memphis – those pandas were pampered while the keepers were exhausted making sure the pandas were kept happy with bamboo feeding every 5 minutes (it seemed) plus being cold as the cargo space was kept at a panda comfortable 60 degrees!! More than a little chilly for keepers used to warm weather. One more reason to thank these dedicated keepers as they made sure Mei Sheng’s long journey home was stress free. I’ll be anxious to read their stories about the trip.
So now we go through the quarentine period before trying to find him ” a bride” . As females are so fussy about their mates I wonder if he’ll have more than mate to try & woo. Or is the plan that if he grows up with a female it’s hoped they’ll mate. May he have pappa Gao mating genes – he seems to have the personality that few can refuse to love.
November 8th, 2007 at 1:47 am
can we check out mei sheng’s prospective mates? he’s quite a catch, you know.
November 8th, 2007 at 6:11 am
Thank goodness for the safe arrival of Mei Sheng in China. It’s wonderful to know that he was unfazed by the trip. It sounds like a monumental task to organize and carry out.
And thank goodness our newest panda princess is thriving. She certainly looks filled-out and fluffy and very content. I feel so fortunate to be able to follow Mei Sheng on his long journey and watch the cubmuffin blossom under the love and care at SDZ.
November 8th, 2007 at 6:48 am
#155 Enterprize-I just viewed Lucy’s video…very nice. I too, hope she gets to Wolong and maybe one day she’ll be the one reporting to us on the happenings in Panda Land. Good luck!
It seems our Panda Prince really did receive the welcome he deserved and they are already planning for his future. I’m sure they’ll love him as much as we all have come to.
November 8th, 2007 at 7:12 am
… sniff… I just finished watching the Farewell/February Song video on YouTube. I should have listened when Margaret suggested watching from home, but I’m proud of myself. I only soaked one tissue and nobody paid much attention to the sniffles coming from my cubicle. Lucky for me cold season is here in mid-Michigan. Folks hear sniffling and just presume you’re fighting a virus
The Reuters video clip was wonderful to watch and I, too, loved the bit at the end where the bevy of beauties was rolling around with the narrator’s voice speaking of the possibility of one of them becoming ” Mrs. Sheng.” He’s in good hands, folks.
November 8th, 2007 at 7:51 am
To read that Mei Sheng is in China makes me cry. He was a California bear he loved the sunshine and the blue skys and the surf (sorry had to put in the pun). Is he really going to like China?
He had that spark about him with that little grin on his face like a child thinking of things he could do to get into trouble. Thanks to the keepers, staff, and researchers for helping this guy come to be and sharing his first four years of life with us.
I am glad he made it safe and he will be missed as all the Panda’s born in the USA it is hard to see them go back to China.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:08 am
Wolong panda club has two nice articles about Mei Sheng coming home and they also have a picture of him with Bai when he was very small. The article also stated that the air transport couldn’t get cargo insurance on Mei because he is to precious to insure, also customs regulations were slightly relaxed to afford him a easy transition and customs followed till he arrived at Shanghai animal park. Then they unsealed his crate from the truck.
November 8th, 2007 at 11:18 am
Am so happy that Mei Sheng made it safely to Wulong. I will now pray that he remains a happy, and contented bear in China and is able to conform to the weather and the difference in language and methods used. I’ll miss him but wish him well.
November 8th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
barbara #197 mentions ” coming home” it takes on a whole new meaning if you read the news from the BBC:
Skip down to next to last paragraph please. It will cheer you up for sure.
Mei Sheng may return to SDZ according to this.
Please confirm or deny dear SDZ folks.
I’ve started a Welcome Home banner and want to finish it in time. Hey, how about a brief review of a male panda’s viable breeding years. Will he be gone for 20 years or more? The idea that he may return someday is just overwhelming and
He can return to San Diego in the Future they say.
News from the BBC —
to get there…….
go to Google news and type in BBC Homepage CBC Homepage
and use the heading ” Mei Sheng the giant panda has arrived in China – to find a girlfriend!
I also see that the page header: CBBC Newsround | Animals | Panda seeks girlfriend in China
There is a picture of our boy in his cage before transfer to Wolong.
Here is the article:
Last Updated: Thursday, November 08, 2007 09:22 GMT
Panda seeks girlfriend in China
Mei Sheng the giant panda has arrived in China – to find a girlfriend!
The four-year-old was born in America. He has traveled to the Wolong Giant Panda Nature Reserve, where it’s hoped he’ll hook up with a female.
It’s very important that more giant pandas are born because the creatures are in danger of dying out.
Mei Sheng will spend a few months getting used to his new surroundings before he is introduced to any possible girlfriends with whom he can breed.
He will return to America at some point in the future, but it was agreed that he’d make this trip to improve his species’ chances of survival.
Mei Sheng made the journey in a large cage, stocked with water, apples and bamboo.
Moderator’s note: Mei Sheng’s future is in China’s hands.
November 8th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
Thanks for the update on the panda cam page. I’m anxiously awaiting word from the SD folks traveling with Mei Sheng.
November 8th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
There is also another new report and video on Reutgers at Wolong, where one of the panda keepers says that Mei Sheng is very important because he is the only one from here that is the product of natural mating. Thanks to Gao, Gao, the love machine!
November 8th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
THE BABY’S OUT OF THE DEN!!!!! WOO HOO!!!
November 8th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
I think the cubmuffin is walking outside the den.
November 8th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
The latest photo of our butterball at her exam today is priceless. She is just too adorable – growing by leaps and bounds.
November 8th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
Thank-you to all the keepers who take such wonderful care of the pandas. It is plain to see how much you care about them. I appreciate all the effort you take in keeping us up-to-date on the latest panda news.
November 8th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
#202, Michelle, Bai Yun seems to take cubette out of the den for a while each day into her ” Day/Sun Room.” I noticed her amongst the bamboo stalks a couple of days ago and got very excited. She didn’t leave her there long though, because the next time I checked she was asleep in the den. It will be interesting to see how long she takes her outside before she starts to crawl, then walk. I predict she will be walking sometime in December or early January. As I recall, Tai Shan made his ” public” debut in December and he was born in July. I don’t remember when Su Lin made her ” debut.” It happens weeks after the naming ceremony, I do know that. They don’t go on ” public” display until after they are mobile for safety, health, and security of the cub.
November 8th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
Cathy #199 how I wish this is true, any hope is better than none. I read the article and saw all the pictures from the birthday and the panda baby pictures, just a note my sis lives in Crown Point Ind.
November 8th, 2007 at 2:55 pm
I saw the article and the picture on the BBC page that Cathy (#191) was referring to. First of all, he looks so sad in that picture. He looks like he’s saying ” get me outta here guys!”
I had never heard that he may be coming back in the future before that article. I don’t know where BBC got their facts, but I hope they are right. After he’s done being a papa, he needs to come back home to us. I hope that in the future, we’ll be able to see him playing upside down in a tree again at SDZ.
November 8th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
For those of you looking for the Wolong Panda Cam. In ” Time to Vote” , the blog before this, Linda #44 explains how to get to the Wolong Panda Cam. I hope this helps.
November 8th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
I read the artical about Mei Sheng someday returning to SDZ, I pray it comes to pass. What a thrill to have him back home again, make it soon please! China is only his ancestral home but he was born here, and this will always be his real home.
November 8th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
Margaret–#206–I didn’t see the cub go out of the den this afternoon. But when I was watching pandacam, she was in the center of the room outside the den. She then proceeded to move herself to the right side of the screen and into an area where she couldn’t be seen on camera. I don’t think she was scooting–she looked like she was crawling very slowly.
November 8th, 2007 at 4:04 pm
May you have many babies pandas and maybe someday one of them will come back to a zoo in the states. Love you and will miss you.
November 8th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
Re: my own post #184
After I wrote that, I wished I hadn’t posted it. Simply because I realize that Pandas are NOT natives to this country. I guess what I was wondering was if there was any way to somewhat replicate their habitat (and the PNW came to mind) so that they could roam a little more freely here, in the USA. From what I’ve read, even Wolong has boundaries for the Pandas. So they are not truly free-roaming, but they are certainly reproducing, which is a GREAT thing!
I guess Mei Sheng’s departure hit me a little harder than I thought it would, and I didn’t watch him grow like I have been with Mei Lan!
I think we can all hope that someday, the Panda population will be so booming that they can become permanent ” residents” — with all thanks to China for sharing these beautiful creatures!
–KK–
November 8th, 2007 at 4:20 pm
OMG I went and looked at today’s time lapse and for a brief second between 1200 and before 1400 you can see her scooting around the floor. Too cute.
November 8th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
Margaret – #186.
The pandas in the ” playgrounds” or the kindergarten classes are the one year olds. We were able to go into the enclosure (the one which has the new vertical structure you can see on their panda cams) and play with them for a short time when we were there in September.
We also saw the area where Mei Sheng will probably be placed after he gets out of quarantine. There were two quite large areas with a great hillside. There were about four pandas in the one area, and a couple that were out of their enclosure in the other.
If you ever get the chance to go to Wolong, don’t miss it!
November 9th, 2007 at 12:42 am
LuLu#190, I tend to agree with you on your suggestion! I truly believe that we should also help out our own bears in the States as well. Let’s hope that one day we’ll be able to drop bear biscuits from above!
Stay tuned to CCTV on all the latest Mei Sheng related videos!
November 9th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
#190 Global warming may be one day years later it will impact polar bears, but not American brown bears. There are number of agencies suppose to help the animals such as ASPCA. There are too many cute deers that people were asked to hunt them down. Millions of cats, dogs and etc… are killed because excess of them roaming around the streets, airport…. I was told to stop feeding the pigeons, stray cats and etc… It’s all very sad stuff, but it should be another topic other blog dedicate to this.
Back to Mei Sheng, thank you ” panda team†for keeping me inform. Sheng, you are so handsome, so sweet and my tears just, can’t control it…. please be well and always love you…
November 11th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
#215, Elaine, thanks for the description of where Mei Sheng will likely stay once he finishes his quarantine.
With all the beautiful descriptions of the country around Wolong and of the facility itself, I think I will set a goal for myself to save my pennies so I can go on one of the zoo’s trips SDZ or NZP to Wolong in a couple of years. Who knows, I might even get to see Mei Sheng’s offspring and Hua Mei’s. In a couple of years, Hua Mei’s first two sets of twins will be ready for breeding themselves. Imagine seeing Bai Yun’s grand-cubs! It gives me chills just thinking about it.
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:52 am
goodby mei.