Su Lin’s Spring Fling
Posted at 10:12 am March 25, 2008 by Ellie Rosenbaum
It must have been the weather, or the first full day of spring, or the adoring crowds coming to see her, her sister, and her mother, or just because, but Su Lin (pictured) was having one fine ol’ time in her enclosure Friday morning, March 21. The weather had been just blissfully beautiful, and she was tearing around like the high-spirited youngster (now 2½ years old) that she is. Up the trees, down the rocks, into the hollow tree, and up again, hanging by her heels, into the pool, wrestling with a log, the bushes, and tree branches; anything she could grab, around and around. It was unusual and very entertaining for the many guests who’ve come from all over the country and the world during this Spring Break season. It’s especially gratifying that she chose this week to “cut loose,” with so many people here to enjoy it.
What has happened to our normally mellow Su Lin? Could it be that as she grows up, she’s becoming more like her elder half-sister, Hua Mei? Mei was famous for her rampaging romps around the exhibits, especially when displeased by the bamboo selection or the order in which the exhibit bears were being fed (meaning she wasn’t first!). Guests were utterly charmed and Hua Mei eventually began to play to the crowd as she grew.
Whatever the reason for Su Lin’s lively display, it was a lot of energy expended by a usually placid bear and a joy to watch.
Ellie Rosenbaum is a panda narrator at the San Diego Zoo.
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March 25th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
I was watching Su Lin go crazy on the 21st. At one point she was right up against the fence by the visitors, but she was keeping low to the ground so no-one could see her. I was expecting her to jump up and shout ” Boo” . Then she ran in and out of her hidey holes, knocked things over and generally had a lovely ’silly episode’. She just looked so gorgeous and sweet.
Hope everyone had a good Easter – we got snow in the UK (didn’t settle where I am, but it confused my youngest cat who wondered what this soft white stuff on her head and back was!). Looks like the weather at SDZ was rather nice.
March 25th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Thanks, Ellie. We keep reading about how much fun it was to watch all the pandas last Friday, March 21. Unfortunately, the time-lapse for that day has not been working. Does that mean that no video from that day is available to share with fans? I hope that somewhere in your archives you can find something to let us in on what sounds like a very special occasion in balmy San Diego. Wish we could have been there in person to enjoy it with you.
March 25th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
I’m so jealous, when I was last at the SDZ she was asleep most of the time. She did wake up a bit to plunk her butt down and eat though… She is a stunning bear and how cool it would have been for her adoring fans to have seen her running about!!!
Thanks for this post, it’s so nice to hear how and what Su is up to these days…. Some times it’s hard to see on the Panda Cam, so the posts are anxiously awaited.
March 26th, 2008 at 1:52 am
Rare event: Su Lin wandering round her enclosure at 1.48am. We know they’re out there – it’s just trying to see them!
March 26th, 2008 at 2:37 am
Thanks Ellie for the update about Su Lin’s Spring Ball! (sounds like she had a ball)
It would be a great way to develop more pandafanatics if Su Lin was like Hua Mei in playing to the crowds. Plus, it would give you more to say than the usual, ” this is what the pandas do… eat and sleep.”
Thanks for the wonderful story, I love hearing about their antics.
Love, Joy
March 26th, 2008 at 5:35 am
Panda Girl Gone Wild! Perhaps Su Lin found out it was Spring Break and decided to have some fun, too…
Thanks for this newest post. Like Margaret, I’m disappointed that I couldn’t get any time-lapse. Ah well, these things happen. Thanks to all for everything.
March 26th, 2008 at 7:41 am
I wish I could have seen it !! And like Darlene said, it is very nice to hear how our girl is doing !
I’m going to see if I can catch any of it on the time lapse.
March 26th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Thank you, Ellie, for the report on a very active panda. And there she is pictured, 2 1/2 years old already, our beloved Su Lin. She was my first panda to watch on web cam and I naturally fell in love with all the pandas wherever they may be. Su Lin is a big girl now and certainly a pretty one and, according to your description, a very agile one, not just sleeping and chewing her boo. I guess that Zhen Zhen will be following in her footsteps the way she has been zooming around already.
Talking about youngsters, i. e. pandas, I did promise you panda lovers to send you an update on Fu Long, the little panda bear at the Vienna Zoo. But unfortunately the day when I wanted to visit the zoo my husband had to be admitted to hospital with a heart problem. Well, needless to say that I had to cancel my visit. However, I intend to try again to see little Fu Long as soon as possible. Therefore, please ” bear” with me, I shall give you an update as soon as I managed to visit the zoo.
Moderator’s note: We hope all is well with your husband now and we look forward to hearing about Fu Long.
March 26th, 2008 at 11:49 am
It’s nice to see a blog about Su Lin. She was beginning to remind me of Jan on The Brady Bunch. ” It’s always ” Zhen, Zhen, Zhen” . Not that she wasn’t a beautiful cub, but I didn’t think she would grow up to be as striking as she is. She is very much her mother’s daughter.
March 26th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Lovely to read about Su Lin having fun in the sun. As Susan #1 said here in the UK we had SNOW friday 21st, saturday 22nd, sunday 23rd and monday 24th. Guess Su would have liked to have had fun in the snow aswell
March 26th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Did you put panda-nip in Su’s enrichment toy this morning? She sure was having fun attacking/playing with it! The view of Zhennie nursing from smiling Bai Yun was also very special. Thanks for whetting my appetite for my visit to SDZ this Sat., Meerkats!
March 26th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
The 21st was a really fine day to be watching the Panda Cam
Sweet Su was so busy showing off for her fans! I, at first, really wished I could have been there; however, I know without a doubt, that the wonderful docents would have had to ask me to move so that others could see as well 
They are very generous in allowing plenty of time to click shutters and shoot video but I’m fairly certain I would have needed a mionitor. Thus, I was so pleased to be able to simply sit at my computer for at least 45 minutes and smile a lot 
Stars!!!
Perhaps Bai and Zhen noticed the happy fans because on Sunday morning the 23rd from 8:15 Pacific time until 8:50, Bai and Zhen were playing together. Zhen played with a plastic crate until she knocked out the contents and then climbed inside, over, out, inside. And, I swear, at 8:51 AM, Bai settled down for her nap and Zhen climbed up into her tree
Thank you for showing Gao Gao each morning as he devours his bamboo! I swear he smiles as he munches
March 26th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Ruth (#8) I also hope your husband is OK. It will be great to hear an update on other young’uns and their antics. Panda cubs are such like human babies in that they are all so different and reach milestones at various times. And, ofcourse, another big similarity: proud ” parents” all think theirs is the best! And, most certainly, they’re right!!!
Love, Joy
March 27th, 2008 at 10:08 am
#8 Ruth – So sorry to hear that your husband had to be admitted to the hospital. Hope he is feeling better and will be home soon..
Also, I know you were so looking forward to your visit to see sweet Fu Long. I read that he enjoys sleeping in a new tree hollow in the indoor facility and that makes it difficult for visitors to see him. You probably already know that it’s a bit difficult to predict what time of day Fu Long will make his appearance. The article said that he sometimes shows up at l0 A.M. and on other days only before or after zoo opening hours. Ruth, hopefully when you visit, it will your lucky day
March 27th, 2008 at 10:57 am
Hi everyone, just to let you know that Susan (UK) is the same as Susan Kazula. I think it’s me, anyway!
Ruth #8 I do hope your husband is feeling better. Best wishes to you both.
Yesterday I watched ZZ feeding – would you believe it’s the first time I’ve seen this close up? I’ve never managed to be on the cam at the right time, they were always too far away to see properly. Thanks, Meerkats because yesterdays viewing was a wonderful close-up. I sent myself a postcard of Bai and ZZ gazing adoringly into each others’ eyes. It was just so…. well you know what I mean, just can’t find the words.
At least the weather in the UK has cheered up a bit today.
March 27th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Thank you everybody for your concern about my husband’s health.I am so pleased to let you know that after a few examinations it has turned out that his heart, after all, is ok. I guess that it was more stress-related. We are planning to visit Fu Long may be next week. I also hope that we will be lucky and see him at all. Unfortunately the Austrian broadcast has stopped the weekly updates on Fu Long, which was always heartwarming. However, I have kept all the paper cuttings on him which will be a nice memory once he has grown up into a – most probably – gorgeous bear like the SDZ pandas. So far the zoo directors are not too sure when they are going to introduce Fu Long to his daddy Long Hui, which seems to be not very common, if I am correct. We shall wait and see what is going to happen. I shall keep you posted.
Fu Long has got a very distinctive mark, i.e. half of his right back foot is white, awfully cute. But I have never
seen a panda with such a marking. Please tell me if this is something unusual. Thank you.
March 27th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Ruth, I’m glad to hear your husband is doing better. I must say I hope they do not introduce Fu Long to his father — it’s much too dangerous for a little cub. I also think the white on Fu Long’s foot is very unusual. I’m pleased to hear Su Lin is enjoying herself sometimes.
March 27th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Su Lin looks so beautiful in the picture above. I am glad that she had some fun, thanks Ellie.
I saw the latest video of ZZ and she’s so adorable, running around the yard and having fun.
#16 Ruth, I’m glad to know that your husband is fine. I couldn’t wait to hear about Fu Long.
March 27th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
I read the blog daily but don’t often write; however, I know that you are all waiting for news of Mei Sheng. The Pandas International April 2008 newsletter is out. There is a great picture of Mei Sheng and an update. They say he is healthy, active and doing well at Bifengxia. The enclosures there are very nice and large. They explain exactly why he is there. I thought it was very reassuring and know you will all want to read it.
March 27th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Just received an e-mail from Pandas International and there was an article and picture of Mei Sheng. He is just as awesome as when he left us for China. It’s probably on their web site if you all want to check it out. I also want to thank the Meerkats for the wonderful work they do manning the cameras. The last few days have been wonderful and the close up shots of all the pandas force you to just sit and watch and watch and watch…..
I am so lucky to have a very understanding daughter living in SD so whenever I go to visit her, the first thing we do is head for the zoo. Lucky her, she’s been over to see ZZ quite a few times while I am still planning my trip this year. Plans for a trip to Atlanta and Washington are also being discussed…isn’t it great being a ” Pandaholic” . I remember taking my kids to Washington when they were little to see the very first pandas. Who knew then it would turn into something that would last a lifetime.
Donna in Port Richey, FL
March 27th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
I didn’t know if any of you saw the April 2008 Panda International newsletter but it said that Mei Sheng has been moved to the reserve at Bifengxia and that he will not be released into the wild. They also have a picture of him.
March 28th, 2008 at 1:05 am
I have a update on Mei Sheng from Pandas International.
At least he will never be released into the wild
Mei Sheng,my first ” cam-watched panda”
Moderator’s note: Many of you have included the text from the Pandas International newsletter. Please be aware that due to copyright issues, we cannot include these excerpts in our blog comment section.
March 28th, 2008 at 5:47 am
I just received my april news letter from pandas intl. and they had a piece about Mei Sheng and also a photo from Bifengxia. They report that he is very well and active and safe and well cared for. He will not be breed until he is older and the main point is that he WILL NOT be released into the wild. Australia and Toronto zoos are also attempting to get pandas. Friends Mei looks good in the photo and that brought the tears , tears of joy knowing that he is okay.
March 28th, 2008 at 6:11 am
Good Morning Pandaholics! Received my newsletter from Panda’s International and wanted to share the update on Mei Sheng.
Hope this isn’t a repeat of what you all know but it is really good to hear that our boy is doing just fine!
March 28th, 2008 at 8:37 am
Guess I am feeling left out as can’t seem to catch ZZ and Mom-so I really enjoyed the video! ZZ seems smaller than Mei Sheng and Su Lin were but she sure can stretch and get where she wants. Mei Sheng was the first cub I was able to follow so I am concerned that there is not info regarding his current status in China. I guess it’s not possible to telephone and find out? If he does not adjust to China would SDZ receive him back? Have also enjoyed the live cams of Gao Gao and Su Lin. They are both very beautiful! ZZ reminds me of Mei Sheng as a cub, or is that just wishful thinking because he is missed so much…Blessings to all! Claudia
March 28th, 2008 at 9:20 am
P.S. According to the Pandas International article about Mei Sheng, he was moved to Bifengxia on February 19. We all await word from Jen or Scott about his progress there.
March 28th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Wow…what a great day for Su Lin fans! I just checked in and lo and behold…there she is…running around and playing with a box, then a ball, then climbing trees. This went on for 20 minutes or so! Then it’s on top of the den to recharge. What a great job on the cams too. That couldn’t have been an eazy task today!
Everyone…don’t forget Earth Hour 2008 tomorrow (Saturday) at 8:00pm. For one hour let’s all do what we can to make the earth a better place to live. 28 cities from all over the world, including our own Atlanta, Chicago, Phoenix and San Fransisco have pledged to participate! Over a million people have pledged also. If you are interested google Earth Hour 2008 and click on the first link.
Back to Su Lin…maybe she’s recharged by now!
March 28th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Thanks for the Panda International news everyone. I’m going straight there now to find the article. Happy panda watching.
Off topic (sorry) but has anyone managed to get pictures of the baby meerkats? I would so love to see them.
Moderator’s note: Our staff photographers have been very busy with other committments. We’ll post meerkat pup photos when they are taken. Here’s the newest blog about the meerkat pups: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/crowd-pleasing-meerkat-pups/
March 28th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Oh, I wish I could have seen Su Lin jetting around like that! Just like her brother!! I too, got the update from Pandas International about Mei Sheng, I’m so relieved to know that he won’t be out in the wild!
March 28th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
THANK YOU all that have told about the news on Mei Sheng. I am so relieved to know that he will never be released into the wild, and that they still want him to breed when he is older.
March 28th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Hey everyone!! How is Zoom Zoom doing?? There are no notes about her ” running” up trees… she is one brave and bold little girl!!!
Meercat babies sure are darling!! Their faces have SUCH personality! teehee
March 28th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Thanls for the info about Mei Sheng on Pandas International
March 28th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
One wonders what make a panda ” go on a tear” – usally it’s rain or snow – sorry I missed it.
Check out ZA Wed, update about the communcation study being conducted by Dr. Charlton at Wolong – some great info.
Lani has also been outside – so she is not cooped up in her day room all the time.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
Spring is in the air–the weather looks lovely, great snuggle shots of Bai and ZZ, Su Lin’s getting frisky, Gao Gao’s chowing down–great panda watching all around. Thanks, Meerkats! And nice to catch up on Mei Sheng, too. Ruth, I hope you have a great visit with Fu Long and get lots of pictures.
March 29th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Thanks to all who let the rest of know where to find info on our much loved Mei Sheng. Hopefully we will hear from a visitor to Bifengxia as well.
March 29th, 2008 at 11:38 am
Thanks for posting the adorable video of Zhen — I especially loved the play with the green spool and her bouncy baby panda run.
March 29th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
It was great to learn that Mei Sheng has settled in his homeland, life has never been quite the same since he had to leave us.
P.Wong…
you did not explain to us about FUWA- the five Mascots to be featured at the Beijing Olympic Games.
Could it be that Sheng’s business enterprise gave him the opportunity to be the Panda Mascot? I am certain he will tell you about it when you have your next conversation with him.
All very interesting, I read about his bid to be a Mascot at china dot org.
Su Lin has certainly been to ‘charm school’ in recent months, she is definitely showing signs of replicating the charm of the one and only Hua Mei…. I so wish that we received more news of how she is, and where she is located, also if she is in their breeding programme this year.
I guess we become mentally attached to the ones who have to leave for their homeland, it never gets any easier, I no longer think ’round the next corner’ because that would become ‘unbearable’
I noticed an interesting blog from a person named ‘Don’ – could this person be the one and only Dr. Don Lindburg?
Don Lindburg was the orginal ‘Dr. Panda’ – if it is not the case I feel certain he will check in occasionally to see how things are progressing since he retired.
I have seen Bai and Gao Gao today, my guess is that Miss ZoomZoom has taken her fluffy butt for a nap high in the trees…..
March 29th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Thank you to all who reported on Mei Sheng-I did not see the other blogs when I wrote mine on 3/28/08-so very sorry. Now I have also registered with Panda International. Su Lin was super wonderful yesterday – loved watching her play. Blessings, Claudia
March 29th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Oh the joy of having pandas – just read that Taiwan is having a major fight over which city gets the pandas offered from China . Also read that Australian Prime Minister is having 2nd thoughts about accepting pandas offered to them because of the cost. He feels that the country cannot afford the cost of ” renting” pandas.
And then the funny story- China is now experimenting with sex- exercises – they dangle an apple slice (the panda favorite treat) on a branch so the panda has to strectch up to reach it which strectches the pelvic muscles – thry’ve had some sucess with this at Wolong.
March 30th, 2008 at 7:22 am
Just watching Gao Gao working on his pile of bamboo again this morning – Lo-o-o-o-ove watching that guy eat!! In fact, I have come up with a nickname for Gao Gao – Chow Gao!
March 30th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Happy Sunday Pandaholics! Are my eyes deceiving me or has Su Lin got a new climbing ” tree” ?? I don;t recall seeing all those branches!
Time lapse still seems to be ” out of order” ..?? I have not been able to see Su’s antics of a week ago and I am now afraid it will be gone forever.. Oh well! I will still see lots of other good antics/activities as I am watching!
THANKS for the great looks meerkats! You guys ROCK!!
March 30th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
I was sneaking a peak at the Panda Cam the other day at work and there was Su Lin sitting in her pool of water and having a very good time of it! Although I missed her ” spring fling,” she seems to be turning into quite the entertainer recently — sibling rivalry or just springtime high spirits? Could this have anything to do with her maturing and having some adolescent hormonal changes at this time of year?
Also, I am wondering about Gao Gao sitting in his bedroom with a huge pile of bamboo, seems like every afternoon. Is he confined to that room in the afternoons? It doesn’t seem very big and, with the camera angle, it’s impossible to see if he has a way out or not.
March 30th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Just added on Youtube — Panda Baby Fu Long’s First Day in the Sun — it’s amazing!!! He immediately made a new friend/fan — a crow! And when Yang Yang decided she wanted him to get down, Fu Long played kissy-face with her for quite a while. Then, at one point, Yang picks him up by the butt, hilarious! The person who posted this also has some other great vids on youtube, including one of the twin polar bear cubs play-fighting.
Enjoy! And thanks for the tip on the Panda International, although I did not see a photo that was labeled Mei Sheng, I assume it was the one under the article that mentioned him?
March 30th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Hello pandaholics.
I thought I’d let you know that there is a new video of the adorable Fu Long at the Vienna Zoo. It seems the newest panda prince made his first foray into the outdoors this last week. Search for ‘Fu Long First Day in the Sun’ on youtube. There is also a clip of the other panda prince, Tai Shan, having some very interesting interaction with his mama. Search for ‘Tai Runs Away’, again on youtube. Both of these clips are not your usual short ones, so it’s great panda watching.
Today, at around 15:30 SD time, I caught the most tender nursing scene on the SDZ webcam. Bai, in her usual laid back way, was on her side, with one arm over her head, while the little zoomer helped herself to some much needed nutrition. It was a very sweet moment indeed!
March 31st, 2008 at 9:50 am
I adore these animals! I live far from California, but I feel like I know, not just these pandas, but the other animals as well.
Su Lin is precious! They are all adorable. I wish we had pandas in my local zoo.
March 31st, 2008 at 11:08 am
I saw that tender moment between mom and sweet babe….very touching. I am still wondering why the dark, dark screen. Obviously the meerkats (or whoever operates the cams) try their best to give us the most interesting views, but the screen is always so dark, I simply cannot see what I am watching. Is there ANY way to lighten it up? I am missing moments of little ZZ’s growth, and regret that. Thanks for any (LIGHT) you can shed (lol) on the subject, and keep up the good work keeping our sweet things healthy and content.
One more thing before I go….I cannot seem to get the Wolong webcam up at ALL….just sits there. If there are any Mei Sheng updates, please post them so we can stay informed. I miss him sooooo much!
March 31st, 2008 at 1:57 pm
I only got to peek in early today and everyone was was either up a tree or eating. lately i’m missing alot. But our local TV station showed a video clip of the new giraffe who will be making his or her debut soon. What a cutie and a bundle of energy. any name yet
Moderator’s note: The giraffe calf’s name is Basel. You can read more about him in our Press Release section at http://www.sandiegozoo.org/CF/pressreleases/releasedetail.cfm?id=566