Pandas: Still at Risk
Posted at 10:08 am November 15, 2007 by Suzanne HallThe San Diego Zoo has the largest population of giant pandas in the U.S., even with the recent return of Mei Sheng to China. With four animals on site, we are fortunate to be surrounded by these amazing creatures. Sometimes it can be hard to imagine that they are ambassadors of a species in peril. But they are the most endangered bear species in the world.
The World Conservation Union (IUCN) regularly examines the status of species worldwide and assesses their population status and risks of extinction. The “Red List” it provides categorizes animals in a way that makes the conservation status of each species easily identifiable to scientists and laymen alike. Earlier this week, the IUCN’s bear specialist group (BSG) released a report updating the characterization of extinction risk for all of the eight living bear species. Unfortunately, despite improvements in research, captive breeding, and habitat protection in recent years, the giant panda is ranked as the bear species most at risk of extinction.
The primary reason for this listing is that there is much uncertainty about the size of the wild population of pandas. Further, the BSG is concerned that the lack of a firm understanding of this population size inhibits the ability of conservation efforts to assess the impact of recent improvements in management for pandas in the wild. As such, the giant panda remains classified as “endangered.”
But the panda isn’t the only bear species of concern. The sun bear (pictured) is the species next in line for extinction. For the first time in years, the BSG feels there is enough information about the population of sun bears to remove them from the “data deficient” column (where they were not assigned an extinction risk due to lack of information) to obtain a categorization of “vulnerable.” Most of the estimates of wild sun bear population size are based on anecdotes and scientific models rather than complete censuses. However, much is known about the status of sun bear habitat, and it is shrinking at an incredibly fast rate.
Other species listed as vulnerable include the Asiatic black bear, sloth bear, spectacled (or Andean) bear, and the polar bear. Clearly, most of the greatly impacted species reside in Asia, in areas where pressure on the species’ habitat is extreme due to human encroachment of one sort or another. Unfortunately, as the BSG noted, the allocation of resources to these species most at risk does not correspond to their need. In fact, most of the money and research effort across bears as a whole is focused on North American bear species such as the American black bear and brown bear, the only two bear species listed as “least concern” by the IUCN.
We frequently try to provide our blog readers with anecdotes and updates as to the health and personality of the pandas in our facility, but we are hopeful that your interest in our bears will encourage some of you to learn more about the conservation challenges faced by the various species we house and study. The greatest needs of these species are the understanding of their situation by the human population and action on our parts to mitigate the obstacles they face. You can have an impact on the conservation status of these bear species by making wise consumer choices and supporting wildlife conservation with your pocketbooks and your voice. Clearly, for bears in general and pandas in particular, the need for your involvement is still great.
Suzanne Hall is a senior research technician with the Giant Panda Unit of Applied Animal Ecology/CRES.
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November 15th, 2007 at 10:20 am
All animal species are important. We must not forget that. The Giant Pandas are good ambassadors for the concepts of ecology and human actions. If we do things to protect them, those things will help other species as well. Remember when you make even small changes to your behaviors, like reduce, reuse and recycle, you are making a big difference to the whole earth. And to make an even larger impact, help someone else make the commitment to living in a way that protects the environment. If each of us did our part and helped one other person make changes, we might be able to get the pandas (as well as other species) off the endangered list. I think a world without pandas would be rather sad. I hope my grandchildren and great grandchildren, etc., or anyone else will never have to experience such a world!
Love, Joy
November 15th, 2007 at 11:04 am
Thank you Suzanne for a realistic acessement of the urgency for serious conservation efforts. The time is now and not tomorrow. It effects not only bears but all creatures, The oil spills in Calif. and other parts of the world, the drought in the south has had a serious effect and as we have seen the fires that could have devastated the zoo. These things all have a trickle down effect on our beautiful creatures large and small, I can’t imagine a time when we will only have pictures to remember them by. My grandchildren deserve more than this, all it takes is one less plastic bag, a new light bulb and in my case driving only 2or 3 days a week and getting out and walking to the store one block away, And when I got my heating oil bill that thermostat is going way down, I am willing to do this for my beautiful pandas and other creatures. How about you.
November 15th, 2007 at 11:08 am
Suzanne, I forgot to say Thank you to you and all the others who work so long and hard to make sure that we are able to see our beautiful pandas Just know that all your efforts are worthwhile and we all do appreciate all that you do for them and all the others too
November 15th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
Glad to be reminded about conservation in all matters, now is the time for everyone to pitch in & do their part! When the ‘panda baby name’ debate was ongoing I thought a perfect name for her would be ‘Hope’. How incredible that in our lifetime we could actually become acquainted with a species that is teetering on the brink of extinction. If the Panda Cam does nothing else, it should remind us that we are witnessing a miracle! In all things we should consider…’What would Butterstick Do’?? I believe I saw an ad for a t-shirt that says that, a definite reminder that Pandas Rule! love and good wishes for Happy Thanksgiving to our fuzzy friends, dedicated keepers & the amazing Meerkats!
November 15th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Thank you Suzanne for the update on endangered bears. The work you and all the panda keepers do is so important to the future of pandas and other bears. Thanks for the reminder that the fight is not over. I do have one question – you said we could help the pandas by making wise consumer choices. I recycle and try to conserve as much as possible but I am not sure how my buying choices affect the pandas specifically. Could you enlarge on this a little? I would appreciate knowing what more I can do.
I can’t tell you how much I enjoy reading all the information you all provide. You feed our minds and our hearts (not to mention some very hungry bears!). Thanks!
November 15th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
Thanks, Suzanne, for a very well thought out and tactfully written excellent reminder of what the crux of the matter of conservation of bears/animals is really about.
Your last paragraph is especially powerful.
” We frequently try to provide our blog readers with anecdotes and updates as to the health and personality of the pandas in our facility, but we are hopeful that your interest in our bears will encourage some of you to learn more about the conservation challenges faced by the various species we house and study. The greatest needs of these species are the understanding of their situation by the human population and action on our parts to mitigate the obstacles they face. You can have an impact on the conservation status of these bear species by making wise consumer choices and supporting wildlife conservation with your pocketbooks and your voice. Clearly, for bears in general and pandas in particular, the need for your involvement is still great.”
No matter how much we think we are doing to help conserve animals, we can all do more to preserve the planet which we all call home. It doesn’t matter whether one believes in Global Warming or not. We are all somewhat selfish in how we go about our lives. We can do with less, and think more about what we buy, use, and what we do with the elimination of products we are finished using.
Our beloved animals we like to visit in captive environments would much prefer to be in the wild, and if we do our part someday their progeny will be. Once that occurs, we can observe them in their natural habitat doing what they are genetically programmed to do, without the dependence on human provision of food, habitat, water, enrichment, etc. They will be great on their own, and we will all live in a much more peaceful and hospitable world. This is not a ” pipe dream,” it is achievable IF / When we put our minds, energy, and, yes, our $ into achieving it.
How can we affect how the emphasis of conservation goes toward the more endangered species as opposed to the ” less imperiled” ones?
November 15th, 2007 at 5:09 pm
I read this today – Another problem for the pandas
China Pandas Forced to Migrate for Food
By HENRY SANDERSON – 3 days ago
BEIJING (AP) — Giant pandas are being forced to move from a remote mountainous area in southwestern China due to food shortages as their staple bamboo withers, an animal expert said Monday.
Most of the pandas’ favorite arrow bamboo in a 217,000 square-mile region of Sichuan province is going through a once-in-60-year cycle of flowering and dying before regenerating, said Yang Xuyu, deputy head of the province’s Wild Animal Preservation Station.
The pandas are moving to other areas of Sichuan, which has about 40 reserves of various sizes.
” No wild panda has been found dead of starvation,” said Yang. But more than 80 percent of bamboo in the affected region, called Ruoergai, is now unfit for the animals to eat, he said. Pandas will not touch the plant once it flowers.
About 1,200 pandas — 80 percent of the surviving wild population in China — live in several mountainous areas of Sichuan.
Hundreds of pandas died of starvation in Sichuan in the 1980s when arrow bamboo in some reserves flowered and then died.
Pandas derive most of their nutrition from arrow bamboo and can starve once the plant enters its dying-off stage. The bamboo produces seeds before dying, and takes 10 to 20 years to grow back.
Yang told a conference on panda survival in Chengdu, Sichuan, on Sunday that a shrinking habitat due to farming and industrial development makes it increasingly hard for the animals in the wild to find food during the bamboo life cycle, according to the Xinhua news agency.
China’s forestry bureau is carrying out a panda rescue drive and working with the World Wildlife Fund to try to restore panda migration paths, Xinhua said.
Also Monday, Xinhua reported that a record 12 pairs of panda twins were born in captivity this year, thanks to a maturation of artificial breeding techniques that China first started exploring in the 1960s, according to Zhang Zhihe, head of China’s Giant Panda Breeding Technology Commission.
A total of 31 pandas were born this year. Last year, 33 were born, including 11 pairs of twins, Xinhua said.
November 15th, 2007 at 6:39 pm
All the bears are the cutest.
November 15th, 2007 at 7:59 pm
Thank you Suzanne for the information about bears. Very interesting.
#2 I am also willing to cut down on spending to save these beautiful animals (particularly my beloved pandas). This will mean little to me and a lot to them.
#6 I am also interested on how can we affect the resource allocations so that more can be provided toward more endangered species.
November 15th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
Suzanne– Since I became a panda and polar bear cam addict 2 years ago, you and the folks at the National Zoo and Zoo Atlanta have taught me so much through your blogs. I graduated college with an ecology major, but at that time (1971) fish were the main interest and zoos still were a pile of bars. I drifted away and became a lawyer. But, I am happy to report that since coming back to appreciating the need for animal conservation, my vacations are with Earthwatch projects, and I am just finishing docent training at the Brookfield Zoo. I try to live green, and frankly, I would rather spend an evening reading panda books, than eating an endangered fish. I am pleased that virtually all zoos in the U.S. teach conservation of every animal from the coral to the Panda. I plan on making this my major contribution of volunteer time for now until I die! Dorothy
November 15th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
Suzanne, thank you for reinforcing the need for all of us to continue to find ways we can help make sure that conservation efforts are supported and that we make sure that we are not only participants in those efforts, but also that we are informed advocates.
November 15th, 2007 at 9:13 pm
Suzanne, thank you so much for this thought provoking article. I’ve been reading up on the sun bears and other animals who we don’t hear too much about and are facing extinction in our lifetime, remembering that extinct means forever. Talk about frightening! A cyberfriend just had her first grandchild – will she be telling him stories and showing him pictures of animals that no longer exist? I sure hope not. I believe that it’s never too early to teach a child about conservation and ecology and respect for every living thing.
Thanks for all that you do to keep this message alive!
November 15th, 2007 at 9:14 pm
Suzanne, thanks for writing about the needs for conservation. I think you and the panda team are doing a fantastic job of educating people about the status of the Giant Panda in the wild. If it wasn’t for Mei Sheng, who I first watched grow up on cam, I wouldn’t be as fond of the pandas as I am today. It’s because of baby Sheng that I’ve started donating every year to panda conservation. And it’s because of Mei Sheng that I have an apartment full of various panda memorabilia. My family always gives me a panda-something for my birthdays and Christmas and my coworkers always think of me if there are pandas in the news–they send me links because they know I love pandas! In fact, it’s funny that when they see a panda they think of me! I just wish they’d think of how endanged they are. They know how interested I am in conservation and that’s why pandas are so important to me.
Before I saw Mei Sheng I didn’t realize the extent to which pandas were endangered until I showed a coworker Mei on the cam back in the fall of ‘03. We entered into a discussion about pandas and I went home that night concerned about the wild pandas. It really touched me and I subsequently started a campaign to acquire as much knowledge about pandas as I could. I bought every book I could on pandas and read them voraciously. Now, to this day, everyone associates me as the ” girl who loves pandas.” I’m even enrolled in school for a Biology degree as I want to work in conservation (My life would have been much easier if I just had the interest in an MBA but I want to do more with my life and the business world I’m currently in just doesn’t provide the satisfaction). I feel that my calling is to work with endangered animals because I believe that God expects us to take care of his creation and to let such a precious animal as the beautiful panda bear he created to go extinct would be an absolute tragedy.
So now, I donate to WWF and other wildlife conservation organizations and I support our zoos and adopt pandas at the zoos that have them!
Finally, in the end, Mei Sheng really did his job in changing my life…for better! Boy, I really do miss the boy! :’(
November 15th, 2007 at 9:25 pm
#4 – Francie…I agree with you! I was at SDZ and was able to submit my name for the baby girl. I submitted the name ” XI WANG” which means ” hope.” I had read a story about Pan Wenshi and the pandas he studied in the wild and this is the first little girl that a wild mother let him near enough to study so he named her Xi Wang meaning ” hope” . The names that were chosen are appropriate too but I really would have loved to see ” Xi Wang” on the final list.
November 16th, 2007 at 8:37 am
The latest Pandas International newsletter just arrived, and it is full of information about the conversation of Giant Pandas. It includes a picture of Mei Sheng’s arrival reception with keepers that I have not previously seen posted, and the official ” turn over” ceremony from Lisa to Wolong. Also a picture and the article about Emily Cook that was mentioned in previous blogs about being on BBC TV. Her mother is a regular blogger, and Emily is a very dedicated young lady forgoing presents for two years, and making jewelry to sell, to raise money for Giant Panda conservation. An inspiration to say the least!
Also they posted the following information that maybe of interest to bloggers who want to know more about Giant Panda conservation efforts at Wolong in particular.
” Renowned Writer James Fallows Covers Wolong for the Atlantic Monthly
Head to your local book store or news stand and pick up a copy of the December Atlantic Monthly.
The issue contains an article about Wolong, Pandas and Pandas International!”
At the bottom of the newsletter is a list of the panda cubs born in 2007, which includes SDZ’s own cubette, soon to have her very own name.
November 16th, 2007 at 8:53 am
Thanks, Suzanne, for the gentle reminder of the problems facing all of us. I know I am repeating myself, but there are so many things we can do – even if we have set incomes and cannot afford to donate to the many animal and environmental organizations. Sign up for some of the organizations (for free) and get on their mailing lists. They will email you ” action alerts” asking you to sign petitions, contact your legislators, contact world leaders, spread the word about important legislation involving our beloved animals and environment. Many sites are sponsored and by just clicking on a site, that sponsor will donate food for animals or save a piece of the rainforest, etc., and you have helped in a matter of 30 seconds without spending a penny. The Rain Forest Site is a good place to start. I have been invited to concerts to discuss environmental issues at tables before the event, invited to talk to my State and Federal Representative about energy issues, etc. There are many opportunities to help. You don’t have to leave the comfort of your own home to get involved. Please try it.
Moderator: I know this goes on forever, but if just one person gets involved, it will be worth it. Thank you.
November 16th, 2007 at 9:16 am
Does anyone know which species of bear it is that one of the northeastern states (do you know which state it was) that passed a law to ALLOW HUNTING BEARS FROM A HELICOPTER? And no matter which species it is, I do not know how in the world any state legislature would have done such an inhumane thing! Suzanne, I wish whatever state this was, that the legislators who voted FOR this would be made to sit down and study all of your comments!
November 16th, 2007 at 9:45 am
Unfortunately the time-lapse tape yesterday seems to be malfunctioning like the one on 11-2. Maybe the same tape was used on both day? If so, please remove it from your supply.
Sorry I missed the cub ” escaping” from the den and Su Lin ” calling” to her dad. It appears that both events were on the tape that is not working.
November 16th, 2007 at 10:09 am
We humans are the only beings on the planet who can solve the environmental problems and ensure that all species survive. When I think or read about this, it gives me butterflies in my stomach. On one hand I need to hear this occasionally, on the other hand it scares me so much that we are close to losing it all, maybe even humanity, if we don’t all act now. I have always practiced conservation, but sometimes I feel that is not going to be enough at this point.
Even Wal-Mart has gotten on the bandwagon. When I was there last time, I saw in the main aisles a big display stacked with black cloth bags to replace plastic or paper. They were $1 each and I purchased two to take my purchases home in. I have seen these bags in stores before, but not for $1 each. I keep them handy in my car to reuse not just at Wal-Mart, but at many stores I frequent. They are actually quite sturdy, about the same size as the large paper bag we used to fill at the market, and have a quote, ” Plastic or Paper?–Neither.”
Just one tiny step.
November 16th, 2007 at 11:07 am
# 7–Maureen– Thanks for the article. It seems like giant pandas just can’t catch a break. After everything else that’s happened to them, now their bamboo supply is dying off. Would be impossible to provide some supplemental bamboo to the wild population? Maybe the logistics are just too daunting.
Thanks to Suzanne and everyone else for the discussion of endangered species and conservation efforts. Sometimes, thinking about what humans have done to the animal world is almost unbearable–such as photos I recently saw of murdered mountain gorillas. But we can’t give up; we have to continue our support for conservation efforts in whatever way we can. Thanks to SDZ and others who have led the fight for so long.
November 16th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
#13, Kristi, I applaud you for your dedication and acting on your values. I wish I had the courage to change careers at my age (54). My family keep telling me I need to be doing something with animals, but I don’t know what. Unfortunately the NZP is 100 miles and 2 hours away, and I am not in a position to move closer. If I was closer I would definitely volunteer there. The closest zoo to me is about 45 -60 minutes away, and I am going to check out opportunities there.
A speaker I recently heard said that the top 10 jobs 5 years from now don’t even exist today. Conservation and environmental science are two topics that are finally starting to ascend, so they will probably be in the list. Our challenge is to figure out how we can fit our talents, interest, and experience into that mix to share what we can with our rapidly declining animal and plant friends. Together we can succeed and make this a much more hospitable and habitable planet.
November 16th, 2007 at 12:36 pm
Re #15–Margaret’s mention of the Atlantic Monthly article on pandas. If you go to read the article online, there is also a six-minute slide show (pandas galore!) of Fallows’s experience in Wolong, narrated by the author.
Thanks, Margaret!
November 16th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
Candy, #16, you are so right about money not being the only thing. Children have no income, but they can make a big difference in how this planet continues. They can learn to be responsible with their waste/trash, etc. They can learn to use only the water they need and to use it wisely. They can learn to clean up the trash around them that other people leave behind. They can learn to do without so many toys and gadgets (like Emily Cook’s example) and save and collect money instead to give organiziations that are trying to save their favorite animals.
We can all do more, we just need to put our minds to doing it, and learn how to have the most impact.
November 16th, 2007 at 5:37 pm
Thanks to the bloggers who recommended the Atlantic Monthly article of 12/07…the slide show & narration are just wonderful and it made me very happy for Mei Sheng. It makes me hopeful to read the comments from people who are obviously animal lovers…what better reason to save the planet? Anyway, SDZ has provided a wonderful forum to share info and keep us all involved & enthusiastic…great job!
November 16th, 2007 at 6:56 pm
#7 Maureen, thanks for the news, but it is so sad. I hope some help goes in now instead of until dead pandas are found. Can cases of apples for example be dropped off in multiple locations in the affected area. These sweet live teddy bears are hard to breed, few left and now this.
November 16th, 2007 at 7:12 pm
After watching CNN’s special ” A Planet in Peril” I have to thank the SDZ staff for the reminder about all endangered species. For each species lost another 50-100 are affected – it’s a viscious circle. And sadly mankind seems to be ignoring the problem – we have become a ” me, me society” , not realizing that we are causing problems for us.
I also have to add my thanks for the info about the Atlantic Monthly artilce – the slide show was priceless – Wolong looks wonderful & Mei Sheng will have the time of his life.
Now I have question about training pandas to released into the wild – exactly how does one train a panda to released??? The chosen pandas are still going to have human contact during their training. It seems to me the Chinese need to spend more time educating their people about the plight of the pandas & trying to maintain their bamboo supply. SIGH. No easy answers for sure.
It seemed like every time I checked the cam today our gals were out of the den – doing who knows what. Well, will check again & then the time lapse to see what I’ve missed.
November 16th, 2007 at 7:21 pm
Margaret #23 – that reminds me a discussion I had with an seemingly intelligent former male boss – I somehow brought up the concept of saving tigers from extinction and he sneered ” forget the tigers. Save the children!” I am always appalled at how many people don’t understand that’s it’s all one big circle, one small planet in peril.
I can’t help but notice that virtually all the bloggers here are women – where are the guys? I know there are out there somewhere….There is such a long, hard road ahead to reversing the damage mankind has caused to Planet Earth. Let’s all vote with our feet in 2008.
It’s not too late yet, but it’s getting there. My children appreciate and respect animals and the need for conservation (we give dirty looks to hunters and Hummer drivers). It’s all about education, and this blog is a wonderful source of that…peace and thanks to you all!
We will be at the Zoo in TWO short days!! Yea!!
Paula in TX
November 16th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
#10 Dorothy what you are doing is so great! After I finished grad school I though I am done, but my field is ever changing and needs updates all the time. I think my hope of helping more animals has to come after my retirement.
#17 Joyce ” ALLOW HUNTING BEARS FROM A HELICOPTER” is shocking. It’s very sick, are you sure?
#15 Margaret, I will buy the Atlantic Monthly, thanks.
#22 Margot, I saw the Atlantic online slide show and it’s very interesting, love them bears, thanks.
November 16th, 2007 at 7:43 pm
In comparing Tai & our cubbie – they both seem to be at the same weight but Tai started walking between weeks 14-15. His mom, Mei Xiang seemed very upset about his crawling & walking while Bai appears to be unconcerned – a new mom versus a 4 time mom maybe. I bet our cubbie will be on the go sometime this week-end, once she figures out how to use her back legs to get that round panda bottom off the ground. Guess it’s not fair to compare cubs but I find it fun to see how they each have done with their milestones – just grateful they have been healthy & are going to become magnificent animals & become mommas & pappas someday
November 16th, 2007 at 9:53 pm
Moderator:
A few days ago there was a brief bit of news about 4 year old pandas in China being trained to be released into the wild. Do you have any information about this? If it is true, I’m wondering how Mua Lei and even Mei Sheng will be affected. Also, do you know if Shi Shi is still living?
November 17th, 2007 at 9:28 am
I hope this comment makes it to all of my fellow pandaholics and every other animal/plant lover. It is another way to conserve. This tip is for those of you who are tired of receiving all the catalogs you don’t want (especially at this time of the year), and who are trying to save shrinking habitat for all our wonderful wild animals. There is a site (Catalog Choice) that is free to all to stop getting all those unwanted catalogs in the mail. The back page of each catalog has your ID# on it. Tear off the back page and recycle the rest of the catalog. When you have a stack (or even one) of the back pages, go to this site and enter the ID# from that back page, and this organization will take all the steps necessary to remove your name from that catalog’s mailing list. Think of the millions of trees we can save!!!!!!!! What a great job for kids and grandkids who are learning about conserving. There is also a program to stop receiving other trash mail (credit card companies, etc.) which is pretty well known by now. I have to admit I have not tried Catalog Choice yet because I just heard about it last night. I am going through my BILLIONS of catalogs today. (Maybe not a billion, but lots!) Reports coming out today about global warming, possible extinction of 1/3 of animal species, and the fact that if we don’t do something NOW, it may be too late and irreversible in 10 years.
November 17th, 2007 at 10:17 am
This is one of the reasons I shed tears when we have to return our beloved pandas to China. This information is from the China Daily and is only a small piece of the article. Did anyone else know about the loss? Maybe I missed it. Perhaps it was considered ” too much of a downer” for us to hear. Or, is this another case of China keeping quiet?
” But if the bears live together in confined spaces, contagious diseases can quickly spread.
A delegate who asked not to be named said 10 pandas at the Wolong Nature Reserve this year became infected with a rare contagious disease from which two of them later died.
Vets from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where Zhang is based, worked with staff from Wolong to treat the sick pandas, but failed to diagnose the ailment, he said.
Yang said that in an effort to prevent the spread of potentially fatal diseases, additional enclosures for the bears will be built at both Chengdu and Wolong.”
November 17th, 2007 at 10:55 am
Margaret #15 – Thank you for introducing us to the Pandas International newsletter. I especially enjoyed the slide shows by Mr. Fallows.
I plan on purchasing the Dec. issue of the Atlantic Monthly dedicated to Giant Panda conservation efforts in Wolong.
In his slide show, Mr. Fallows quotes the head veterinarian at Wolong. ” The more I know the panda, the more I love the panda.” How true this is!
Margaret, your blogs are most interesting and informative. Thank you for all your up-to-date information.
Many thanks to our San Diego Zoo Panda Team for keeping us current on panda conservation projects.
November 17th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
#30 Barbara Yes, Shi Shi is still alive.
November 17th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
I haven’t yet read about the loss at Wolong but this has been my fear for a long time, a contagion in the small enclosed population. Paula, I think the men are missing or not as represented as the women because they are not mothers/nurturers…I thought this was getting better! Thanks again to all for the info, I also watched the ” catalog choice” bit, it was incredible!
November 17th, 2007 at 8:03 pm
I just saw Bai drag our cubbie out of the den – must be another night out.
#31 Candy – any more info you can give us about Catalog choice will be greatly appreciated. As I live in a small town with limited shopping I do a lot of shopping on line. And we all know what happens then – today there were 10 catalogs in the mail. We try to do our best by recyling but my hubby gets sick of carting pounds of catalogs to the center every week.
As far as Wal-Mart goes & their cloth bags, our local grocery store has offered them for months at 99 cents & they give you a nickle for every time it’s used.
November 18th, 2007 at 5:51 am
I had to be at work early and of course the first thing was to check on the baby. Bai was swinging bamboo around in front of the cam and little one was moving the legs and getting all excited. I think she was tring to get away from the wild bamboo, but at 530 sdz time it was a beautiful early morning sight and made the start of my day a little bit better.
November 18th, 2007 at 10:38 am
#31 – Candy – Thanks for the info on having catalogs removed from my mail – I don’t get that many but I really don’t want most that I get.
These blogs are an important forum for all of us who care about animals. We share the funny and the sad and every day we learn more about the pandas and other endangered creatures. It is good to know there are so many caring people out there. Each time one of us shares info about the pandas and other animals we are putting a little seed into someone else’s mind. Who knows when it will flower into something productive for the future of our world?
November 18th, 2007 at 10:44 am
#27 – Margaret — This sentence in your post stood out: ” that reminds me a discussion I had with an seemingly intelligent former male boss – I somehow brought up the concept of saving tigers from extinction and he sneered ” forget the tigers. Save the children!†I am always appalled at how many people don’t understand that’s it’s all one big circle, one small planet in peril.”
This is a very short-sighted viewpoint on the part of the person who made the comment. I have had this same argument tossed to me and what these people don’t realize is that IF we, as the allgedly most ” intelligent” lifeform in our world are unable to save a couple thousand of a dying species from the brink of distinction it doesn’t bode well for our OWN survival as a species, particularly when we humans are more ” plentiful.”
We doom ourselves if WE can’t or won’t save those that need our help to continue to exist.
November 18th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
#39 Helen – I agree with you completely. We must be vigilant about raising awareness of the importance of the interconnection of all plant and animal life – we must strive to save all species, lest we doom ourselves. I feel like such a small part of the big picture, but I am an avid recycler, I try to reduce my carbon footprint at every opportunity, and I gentley raise environmental awareness to anyone who will listen. I will not buy bamboo flooring – I do not want to raise demand and make it ” popular” . The ivory trade is what it is because of world demand and look where that has left the plight of the elephants. It makes me sick that mankind can be so selfish.
As we have seen already, man is capable of destroying this planet and every animal on it – including man himself. Yet, only man has the power to save it.
November 18th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
I read this blog several hours ago and then had to do some work before being able to contribute my input.
As the afternoon progressed I got restless and had that empty feeling that makes one anxious or hopeless.. I realized I felt very out of control to help these pandas and polar bears right now.. I feel they deserve to have their own space (pandas) where they don’t loose space do to farming…they deserve to thrive…forever and it hurts me to know that they have their own food shortage…how can we help to feed them??? Seems like an question without a quick fix.. Sometimes I feel that what I don’t know about I won’t have to fix…but these pandas have always been so deep in my heart for many, many years….and perhaps I worked with them in another lifetime…that I do want to know everything even if it’s painful. I know they need to live and grow in their enviroment but they seem so protected here in the USA and well feed. Land of abundance….couldn’t we just open up the zoos in the united states to shelter many more pandas until their enviroment is more secure and their food source is replenished….10-20 years is to long… how can I help!!!!
We need a fix faster than 1 less plastic bag or an energy light bulb, etc they need help now!! Why are they waiting until it’s too late and they write to let us know how many pandas straved to death…. Thanks for letting me vent…I know you all feel the same as I do…I love you guys for having such beautiful panda heats…thank you……..
November 18th, 2007 at 9:27 pm
Hi! Read this blog, and it is totally interesting about the state of the pandas, their habitat, and conservation efforts to try to keep as much habitat around as possible in China. Been watching this new program on Discovery Channel called ” Fearless Planet” , and this program has a lot of info about the state of our planet right now. Last week, they profiled Hawaii, and this week, it’s Alaska. Another program that is currently being repeated on both Discovery Channel and Animal Planet is called ” Planet Earth” , which has won a couple of primetime Emmy awards this year. This program is an 11 part series, and it is very interesting and informative. Both programs are dealing with endangered animals, habitats, and the issue of climate change in many parts of our planet. Like some of you, I am trying to do my part in the recycling area. I’ve been recycling soda cans, milk jugs, newspapers, magazines, and plastic bags for years now. Can’t really go green in our apartment due to some regulations, but I do have at least 3 cfl bulbs in our lamps right now. I have one more that I am holding in reserve. This one pack of 4 bulbs cost me about $9.00 when I got them about 5 or 6 months ago, and the 3 I have on now are still going and have not blown out. They sure are paying for themselves! I think that all of this will be tied into how we are able to conserve our resources, land, water, energy, and how we are able to help endangered animals and their habitats. I also think that the San Diego fires, as devastating as they were, will hopefully help us learn how to conserve and manage our land and water, and make sure that there will be enough land for wild animals to live on. Candy (#31), I’ll check out that Catalogue Choice website when I do a search on it. That sounds like a pretty good idea because my parents get a ” ton” of catalogues almost all year long, and they are tired of getting them!
Checked on the baby girl a little while ago, and she was moving around a little bit but pretty much relaxing while her mom is out of the den. The wait for her new name is as agonizing as it was while I was waiting for the vets to find out about her gender! Got another week to go yet! Can’t wait!!
Well, gonna go and get back on the pandacam. Wishing all of you panda lovers and SDZ/WAP staff a very nice Thaksgiving holiday! Just don’t eat too much of that delicious turkey dinner! To all of you that have lost homes in the fires, hoping that this Thanksgiving holiday will bring a new beginning for your families, and that everyone is very thankful that all of the people that were affected by these fires have come thru this pretty well. Would love to get an update from WAP about their rebuilding projects and how the animals are doing.
Love to all the animals and the caretakers,
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
November 18th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
Hi, again! I’m also waiting for Lisa to write us a blog about her trip to China with Mei Sheng. When is she supposed to get back to the states? It should be pretty soon now! Lisa’s writing about her trip should be very interesting!
Gotta go!
Chari Mercier
November 19th, 2007 at 6:50 am
Margaret #21, I am just a little older than you and I found that working at our local animal shelter or animal rescue group is a great way to help animals and make new friends and gain a great deal of information. I also help my vet once in a while and walk the dogs from a overnight stay or just give a little TLC to them, shelter animals also love the extra attention and the walks too.
November 19th, 2007 at 9:38 am
#36 – Maureen~ I know this might not make it past the moderator, but I will try something different and, since it is relating to conservation, perhaps it will go through. The site for CatalogChoice is an organization, all you have to do is type in CatalogChoice and .org to search for the site. That should get you there. Good Luck!! I just entered ID numbers for 11 catalogs this morning.
November 19th, 2007 at 10:08 am
Ahhh…..the baby just crawled out of the nest on her own. Bai’s taking her out and showing her the outside has made her curious.
Monday, 9 a.m.
November 19th, 2007 at 10:39 am
In response to Barbara #44’s comment to Margaret: I began volunteering at my local chapter of the Humane Society about 2 1/2 years ago, after my mother passed away. She was always a great animal lover and I saw it as a way to honor her and continue her legacy. It was also something I’d been considering, but never quite found the time to follow through. In my time of being there, I’ve had the joy of helping so many animals find forever homes. The benefits are amazing and the best part for me is helping socialize unwanted, but trusting animals who have no idea why they’ve been brought there.
These days there are more charitable groups and organizations than ever competing for your hard-earned dollars and I know not everyone is financially capable of donating, even though they’d like to do so. Remember the Jennifer Lopez song that said, ” My love don’t cost a thing…” ? Well, that’s the way it is with volunteering. It doesn’t cost a thing, except for the cost of my volunteer’s t-shirt, and it’s so therapeutic for both volunteer and animal. I highly recommend it. Happy Thanksgiving to all…
November 19th, 2007 at 11:02 am
#44 — Good idea — another is to become a docent or volunteer with a zoological park with its education al outreach program. I had an opportunity many years ago to do this with a zoological park in Wisconsin. Our polar bear had to be put down after a mentally ill man breached the bears outer exhibit area. The bear, as can be expected, defended his territory and began mauling the man. A police officer who was called to the scene tried, in vain, to distract the bear but it didn’t work. He had no choice but to fire his weapon to save the man’s life. Tragic but true.
Shortly after that there was a pair of polar bear cubs in Alaska who were orphaned. The Alaska Zoo, where the bears were living, was contacted and we were fortunate to provide a new home to them. I was selected to work with Polar Bear Exhibit that season. Read a lot of books to learn about polar bears and welcomed the opportunity to educate the visitors about polar bears.
Anything each of us can do individually to protect the environment — from recycling to reducing our carbon footprint will help. We should also sign up to receive action alerts from environmental groups. Many times they were send out e-mail petitions that can be signed and that they then forward to governmental authorities who make these kinds of decisions.
Keep in touch with your own federal and state representatives. There is a website Congress (add .org at the end. It is very easy there to find your representatives snail and e-mail addies, phone numbers, website and let them hear from you often about these issues. Tell them you are doing what you can at your own level but you demand THEY enact legislation to save not only our planet but these magnificent animals who were hear and roaming the earth long before WE came along to mess things up for them.
November 19th, 2007 at 11:11 am
I think our little girl wore hersolf out crawling as far as she did…she looks sound asleep on the hard floor! Won’t be long now before she is ” bounding” all over the place! What a CUTIE!!!!
November 19th, 2007 at 11:44 am
Oh my!! Cubmuffin is sound asleep under the drink machine. Looks so lonely on the hard floor. I hope Mom comes along soon and sees her. What a love!
November 19th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
#45 Candy – thanks for the Catalog Choice site – I found it and will probably save a few trees. Speaking of trees, I read yesterday that Katrina devestated thousands of acres of forests that will not regrow -also read that for every degree the earth warms – 30 to 50 (plant or animal) spieces are lost. We better get on the ball fast.
Looks like our cubbie is out of the den – more adventures.
November 19th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
Cindy #47 what a special daughter you are, I’m sure your mom is smiling down on you everyday. My daughters name is also Cindy.
November 19th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
Bai Yun has the baby outside! Is this her first taste of the great outdoors?
November 19th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Another variation on reducing catalog mailings… For LL Bean catalogs, I called their toll-free number and requested they only send me 2 or 3 catalogs a year. This works. Now I don’t get their monthlies or seasonlies, just only the few I want.
November 19th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
Just saw that Bai has cubmuffin outside. (I also happened to check in when Bai found Cubmuffin at the drink machine and took her back into the den.) Guess mom figures that, if bai-bee is going to go walk-about, she might as well get some fresh air.
November 19th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
Wow, 4:30pm Eastern time and I’m watching Bai & cubbie outside somewhere -am back to the cam to see what they’re up to.
November 19th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
Is there a way to make the panda cam image full screen like you can with the Atlanta zoo panda cam?
November 19th, 2007 at 8:47 pm
The Atlantic Monthly slide show and naration are WELL worth watching and listening to.
To all of who love animals and our planet, we have to spread the word. The Discovery Channel’s ” Planet In Peril” should be watched by EVERYONE and should be shown at all schools.
It’s imperative that we take care of our environment while we still have time! We can still make a difference!
November 19th, 2007 at 9:42 pm
Yes, Little Miss got herself out of the den and went exploring. And she tried and tried and tried to get over the sill between the room with the drink machine and the outside. It won’t be long–she was so close and so persistent. A few more days of Bai Yun nourishment and training and she’ll be out and about–get ready, Meerkats!
November 20th, 2007 at 7:13 am
Wow, everything on the wish list was purchased for this month, What a great way to honor our animal frinds and to give thanks for all that we have and are able to share. It’s also a great way to celebrate the naming of our beautiful baby, what ever her name she will always be our bright star, a shining star of hope for the survival of her species. Thank you to everyone and I wish all of you and your loved ones a very Happy Thanksgiving.
To all the zoo family who has given us so much through the cams and your words in the hardest of times, I say thank you and a Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families.
November 24th, 2007 at 10:42 pm
We are back today from our trip to San Diego! What a beautiful city and Zoo…I loved seeing Gao Gao and Su Lin. My husband and 2 boys were not as impressed…they just wanted to go to see Shamu and ride roller coasters and what-not. I loved the atmosphere and quietness of the panda exhibit, and took around 200 pictures of our rare bears. I shall never forget seeing them in person.
Yea and a shout-out to those who purchased from the wish list! The little girl is named tomorrow, right?
Paula
November 26th, 2007 at 8:48 am
Paula, I am so glad that you got to see the pandas, I know how I felt when I saw Tai and the family,the quietness is something that allowed me to really reflect on how peaceful and beautiful these animal are and how lucky I was to be able to enjoy them. Your pictures will keep the memories alive for a lifetime and give you pleasure each time you look at them
November 26th, 2007 at 11:06 am
” American black bear and brown bear, the only two bear species listed as ” least concern†by the IUCN.”
That is sad. I do hope we get more info on the progress of conservation efforts for out American bears.
I wonder where I can find a blog/forum specifically on this issue?