Wolong: Aftermath of the Earthquake
Posted at 9:35 am May 19, 2008 by Ron Swaisgood
This weekend I’ve been fortunate to have had more communications with my friends in Wolong and had a good long phone call with Zhou Xiaoping in Bifengxia (where Mei Sheng resides safely). This is the facility near Ya’An. I learned that Zhou’s daughter, now 13 years old, was in Chengdu when the earthquake hit and she is fine.
I can remember carrying her around and throwing her up in the air when she was a year old. A few years later she was calling me “lao wai Su Su” (Uncle Foreigner) and later, Ron Su Su. For the past several years she’s usually been away at school when I’ve been in Wolong. I’m very happy to know for sure she is okay.
Zhou also told me about the panic that struck everyone in the aftermath of the earthquake. All the staff at Bifengxia feared for the lives and safety of their loved ones in Wolong and Dujiangyan. Many broke down in tears under the stress of not knowing. I also learned that the building where Zhou lives in Dujiangyan is okay, but the buildings where most of the Wolong staff lived are uninhabitable. These families have been moved to Bifengxia where they are doing well but living in crowded conditions.
The situation at Wolong itself is still pretty rough, but there have been some improvements. Most importantly, there is food and medicine. In addition to the helicopters and foot soldiers bringing in supplies, they have now opened the road leading out of Wolong up to Baoxing County. This road leads away from Dujiangyan into remote mountains and beautiful villages, many above 12,000 feet (3,600 meters). The road down the mountain to Dujiangyan and the large cities will take months to repair.
Several of the buildings at Hetauping, the panda breeding center, survived the quake, including many but not all of the enclosures. The vet hospital was not significantly damaged and can still be used. Shawan, the village 3 miles (5 kilometers) up the mountain that contains the administrative headquarters for the entire reserve, was harder hit, with most buildings uninhabitable. The Wolong people are crammed into about 30 large tents: safe, but probably not very comfortable. Many others are sleeping in their cars.
There has been some confusion on the Web sites and the blog commentaries about deaths at Wolong. I’ve heard reports that up to 20 people are known to be dead in the area, but can’t confirm the number; but certainly people in the reserve were killed. This tragic loss of life, I’ve been told by several people, does not include any of the staff or caretakers at the panda breeding center, but as many as five may have been employees of the Wolong Nature Reserve. Two Reserve staff members were only 5 miles (8 kilometers) from the epicenter and described seeing the earth open up in front of them, close, then open up again. It must have been terrifying.
I’ve also learned that “4 or 5″ pandas did escape from the breeding center after the quake, but (perhaps) all but two have been recaptured and are safe. I haven’t learned the identities of the missing pandas and can’t be sure that Hua Mei or her offspring weren’t among them. I think (and hope) probably not. At least two emergency shipments of supplies for pandas have been delivered. Many of the pandas are living in smaller makeshift enclosures, but I don’t know the details.
There have been several comments and questions about the safety of wild pandas. I think it is safe to say that we have no idea what may have happened to the wild pandas. People can spend weeks and months in prime panda habitat, see their signs every day, and still not see a wild panda. Researchers at Wolong have been trying to capture pandas to place GPS collars on them so they can track and study them, but they have not been able to catch any yet. I am working at another reserve in Shanxi province in collaboration with the Institute of Zoology at the Chinese Academy of Science. We have captured and collared pandas, but these are the only pandas with radiotracking devices in the wild anywhere. (They were far from the quake and not harmed.) If you see reports about “pandas in reserves” reported safe or otherwise, they must be referring to pandas in breeding centers, not wild pandas.
Would wild pandas be at risk during an earthquake? Maybe, but I don’t see how they could be decimated. Flying boulders, falling trees, and landslides may have put some pandas in jeopardy, but, just as most humans survived if they were not inside large buildings, I think most pandas would survive. Fortunately, pandas are well known for their aversion to steep slopes, instead seeking gentle inclines, ridgetops, and valleys. This would reduce some risk, at least, to the most devastating landslides. But, given the incredibly rugged and remote terrain in panda territory, we will never know just how severe losses in the wild population may have been.
I hope I have answered many of the questions which I’ve seen in the comments and have done my best to ensure their accuracy. But, in situations like this, one can never be 100 percent certain about all the “facts.” I appreciate the outpouring of concern for the pandas and people of Wolong and all the offers of support.
Ron Swaisgood is the co-head of the San Diego Zoo’s Giant Panda Conservation Unit.
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May 19th, 2008 at 10:02 am
Ron, thank you for keeping us updated. It means so very very much.
May 19th, 2008 at 10:06 am
Thanks for much for the update. Our prayers and thoughts are with the people and the pandas all the time, hoping that Hua Mei is ok. Is hard for every not knowing. I am sure there are many who will help once they know what to do. Please keep the information coming.
May 19th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Ron, at this time of year, wouldn’t the wild pandas have migrated to higher elevations in the mountains? Would they be safer at the higher altitude during the quake?
May 19th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Thank you for giving us updates. So sad, for everyone, and all the animals. Let us know how we may help, even if in a small way.
May 19th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Ron, you don’t know how much we all appreciate your updates. While it’s all heartbreaking, the updates help a great deal. My prayers are with you, your friends, all those who are hurting in China, and our beloved pandas.
May 19th, 2008 at 10:34 am
I’m wondering if the missing pandas and in fact, all the pandas have embedded microchips to identify them or help find them if lost?
Since I’ve had a ” google” panda alert set up for five years now, I just got one that is somewhat bittersweet. It was obviously written before the earthquake but it has some wonderful pictures of the Wolong area and the pandas. Do a google search for~ Dispatch from China: Tracking and playing with pandas
May 19th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Thank you so very much Ron. Thinking of you, the pandas and the people.
May 19th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Ron, thank you so much for making this information available. Please keep it up when more is known, and let us know if there is anything the public can do to help.
May 19th, 2008 at 10:52 am
Ron, thanks for the update on Wolong. It helps to get accurate information from people who have been and are in the area.
Your comments about visiting Wolong many times reminds me of a question that pops into my head anytime an SDZ person goes to Wolong. You mentioned, ” I am working at another reserve in Shanxi province in collaboration with the Institute of Zoology at the Chinese Academy of Science.” How often do members of SDZ staff go to Wolong or other reserves, except to deliver Hua Mei and Mei Sheng, or visit as Angie did in November on vacation? We read that Wolong and Chengdu panda experts and staff come to visit all 4 US zoos for collaboration and for special assistance at birthing and breeding, and for ” other projects” such as Memphis just had. So, it seems logical that US counterparts also visit Wolong, Chengdu, and Bifengxia.
For those of us who might have been disappointed when Mei Sheng was moved to Bifengxia, it turns out that it was the best for him for many reasons. It is now even better because he is in a spacious safe location farther away from the quake ” zone.” Since the humans from Wolong are now living at Bifengxia, it seems reasonable to think that if possible they may bring more of the pandas there with them to care for them in safer enclosures. This would relieve some of the stress on the non-pregnant adults and allow the keepers to be able to provide the best care under the circumstances. I have read that Bifengxia is much smaller than Wolong, and perhaps the males at least can be moved there. Hopefully there is room to expand to put more temporary panda housing.
We just had an Asian Culture Celebration at work today, and while watching the Chinese dancers, I could not help but think how hard it must be to dance celebratory dances while their countrymen and family are suffering so greatly. Even in the most populous country on earth, they are bound to directly or indirectly know someone who was affected by the earthquake. They demonstrated Fulan Gong a recent mind body relaxation practice, and I told my colleagues that the people affected by the quake could surely use it at this time, but were probably unable to do so because of the pressing matters at hand just to survive.
May 19th, 2008 at 11:03 am
On a lighter note, Bai and ZZ are having a wonderful wrestling session. I needed cheering up.
May 19th, 2008 at 11:05 am
Does SDZ have any plans to send staff to Wolong to assist them while they get back on their feet?
May 19th, 2008 at 11:22 am
It was fun watching Su Lin rolling around with a ball and stick today with all of the sad news coming out of China. It looks like she dragged the stick into a little pool and was watching with fascination as it floated.
Hope things are improving in China and the major aftershocks are finally over. I did see a picture of the little one-year-olds from Woolong being fed out of saucers. It looked like they were in a town where they can get food to them easier. I hope the older pandas and people are getting the food and supplies they need too.
May 19th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Ron, Thank you for providing us with detailed information about how things are in Wolong. It’s a relief for us to know that the pandas and panda keepers are all okay. I am hoping and praying for the safe return of the two missing pandas and news about Hua Mei’s welfare.
Our hearts go out to all those who have lost loved ones in this disaster.
May 19th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the update! I have been wondering and worrying. One of my co-workers read on the internet this morning that some of the pandas were missing – I sure hope they all will be found. My thoughts and prayer go out to all of the people and their families that have been affected by this horrific earthquake(s). Please keep up posted.
May 19th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Thank-you for your update and expertise, Mr. Swaisgood. A difficult time for all involved, my heart goes out to them. Their dedication to the pandas in the face of their own sadness and loss is a beautiful thing, indeed.
May 19th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
It’s great to know you are getting more news from the area just wish it was all good news. Like I have said before I hope all pandas are doing ok under the cirrumstance and you will hear something soon about Hua Mei and her offspring.
Keeping everyone in my prays.
May 19th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Thank you for keeping us posted and giving us the details as you find them. I will continue to pray for all people and pandas involved….
Is the San Diego Zoo going to take contributions to be sent to China to help the pandas? I would be more than willing to send a contribution.
Thank you again.
May 19th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Thank you Ron, and San Diego Zoo for keeping us well informed. And for all you’re doing to help maintain and repopulate the Panda population. My family and friends were holding our breath, praying and intending that the Pandas and the staff who look after and care for them would be safe, secure and okay.
I sure hope they can rebuild and put this behind them; and perhaps learn from this incident, after the fact, so that they can be more prepared in the future, should this happen once again. Bless you Ron and bless you ALL!
;-D
May 19th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Ron, thank you for your update and know that our prayers are with you and your friends at all times. On a lighter note, after a looong flight from FL on Saturday, I spent Sunday at the SDZ and was so lucky as Miss ZZ must have decided I really needed to see her up close and personal. She was in her tree the first time we went through but by the time we got to the end of the line she was headed to the ground. Another trip around and she was in her glory rolling around, chasing mom and being a goof ball. The third trip around she spent posing for pictures….she must have known I had a new camera and wasn’t sure just how the pics would turn out so she gave me lots of time to figure it out.
We then took a walk around the rest of the zoo but of course came back to see what ZZ was up to. Would you believe she had gone back into her tree while we were gone and again came back down just as we got there. What a joy she is, you just want to go pick her up and give her a cuddle.
Gao Gao was also at his best just setting around chewing on his ” boo” and watching the crowd passing by. His look seemed to say ” I’m great but just wait till you get a little farther on and see my wife and daughter” .
Last but not least, I was so happy to meet a fellow blogger there from Dallas– Hope you had a safe flight home today.
Donna from Port Richey, FL
May 19th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Thank you for your up-date Ron. As i posted on previous thread, i was listening to a couple of British tourists who were actually at Wolong when the earthquake happened. They said how good the staff at Wolong were in helping get the tourists to safety, and made sure all the panda cubs were taken to safety aswell.
Happy to hear that Mei Sheng is safe, all we need to hear now is that Hua Mei and her babies are safe aswell
May 19th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
A few pictures of pandas at wolong being rescued are now on UK’s telegraph’s website.
google search ‘wolong’ and you’ll find the link.
May 19th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Thank you for all the update, however I can not help but wonder, knowing how important Hua Mei is to us, why they would not tell you straight out if she is ok, lost or god forbid lost to us.
I am getting information that she is ok but I am not sure how reliable that information is.
Has anyone been in contact with Dr. Li? He is the one who escorted her back to China, and I would expect him to know.
May 19th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Thanks, Ron, for all the info. I have just heard from my friend regarding our beloved Shi Shiiiii and thought you all might want to read the email.
Dear Candy,
It “s been a long time we have contacted , I truly hope that you are fine with everything. I still remember that I had a secret to tell you. As time goes by, I still keep the secret in my mind. The news is the old gentleman Shi Shi has a new roommate.. He is seven-year-old, called Long Sheng. Finally Shi Shi has a friend now, even though a boy friend, Shi Shi is not alone now.
What’s more, The Si Chuan Province in China has suffered a 7.8 earthquake. Si Chuan is the home town of Giant Pandas. Our country is trying every possible powers to rescue the people. Luckly, the news reported that all the pandas are fine in the Panda Center in Wolong.
Another thing I want to share with you is the ACT lecture was held in GuangZhou Zoo, Four teachers from Altanta Zoo and Chicago Children Museum are warmly welcome. Thanks to their new conservation idea they’ve brought to us.
Finally, I hope all is well with you! Let’s pray for the people who suffered from the earthquake disaster!
Wang Jing
………………….
I hope this has given my fellow ” Mr. Shi Shi” lovers the relief it has given me. I have been losing sleep over this chubby, cranky, old fellow and now am wondering how he and his new friend will be getting along.
May 19th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Thanks Meerkats for a fabulous close-up of the licking and handsome Gao Gao. I have not seen such a close-up view of his handsome face before. He is smiling and I now see the resemblence of the smiling Mei Sheng. Like papa like son. Maybe he is smiling because he heard that is favorite son is safe and OK.
Did any of the SDZ pandas act differently last Monday? I have read that animals can sense danger thousands of miles from where they are located. For instance, pet dogs howled at the precise time their owners were killed in Europe during WWII. I read that the Wolong pandas were bleating and pacing. So I wondered if any of the US pandas acted oddly too. Since SDZ is the closest to China, it is most likely that they would have reacted the most, and since Gao Gao is the only one in US that was wild born panda, he might be the most likely to have shown any reaction. Granted it is hard to stir him from his bamboo, but Ellie did mention a while back that he stopped eating and climbed a tree when he heard alarming sounds and tremors from earthquake in SD a couple of years ago.
May 19th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Ah, good panda cam for the worried panda fans… earlier Bai and ZZ wrestling – too cute! Now, papa Gao Gao (after lunch), napping with his wonderful smile! Thank you Meercats! We needed this!
May 19th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Great update, Ron! Thanks!! I think that you may have answered alot of people’s questions on some of the things that we’ve been worried about, but we are still worried about Hua Mei, her older cubs, Shi Shi,
and the wild pandas. Hopefully, we will get those answers very soon. You mentioned that some of the supplies and food has come into Wolong, and I can say that one of those shipments came from Pandas International on Saturday nite. PI has been working very hard to get that shipment to Wolong, and they are still hard at work to get the next shipment out. PI has said that they will keep sending relief supplies to Wolong for as long as they need it, which will be a very long time.
What I have been very impressed with about the Chinese people this past week has been their determination to get this story out to the world thru any medium that they have on them–cphone cams, digital cams, amateur reporters (CNN’s I-Reporters). This has opened up a brand new information age for them to use, and the Chinese government has let it happen without censorship and editing. Even their own TV stations that are ” state” run has really opened up the floodgates of information about this deadly quake, and the pictures coming out of China have been huge in telling their story of the destruction, survival, heroics, rescues. This is the beginning for them, and the next thing that the Chinese government will wind up doing is to relax the internet. Don’t know for sure if the upcoming Olympics has anything to do with this new media openness, but I’m glad that it is happening now! Maybe this will be the key to ending the communist government in favor of a more freer government. At least this foreign government has shown how well they can respond to a huge crisis and help their people and their wildlife.
Ron, keep us updated about what’s going on in China, ok? We are still waiting for Jen Keating to give us an update about how she’s handled this the past week and what she’s been up to since the May 12 quake. Looking forward for both of you to send us updates!
Gonna go! Will keep praying for the people of China and the pandas!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
May 19th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Thank you Ron for your updates. Please, please let us know when and how we can help both families and pandas during this crisis. Our hearts and prayers go out to them.
I can’t help but wonder that after the potential loss of so many valuable and irreplaceable pandas from the population that perhaps the Chinese government would consider allowing larger breeding populations around the world at less expense per individual to avoid an ” all the eggs in one basket” tragedy.
May 19th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
My heart and prayers go out to all the people and animals in China. I hope that Hua Mei and her babies and Mei Sheng are all okay. Have you heard?
May 19th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Candy (#23), thanks for the Shi Shi update – we LOVE good panda news! Hopefully, the new friend will work our well!
May 19th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
I so appreciate the update like everyone else. I have been watching both Mei Lan at Atlanta and Zhen Zhen since they were born and am totally hooked. When the quake happened I immediately recognized the names of the areas where the preserves are and was so worried. I have been searching every day for news. I think today, when I was reading the accounts of how the staff immediately took care of the cubs, never once leaving to see to their own families or friends, so touched me. Their dedication and obvious caring for these beautiful animals brought tears to my eyes. If there is anything I can do for them and the pandas, please let me know. Donations, either of money or of items, anything….. that image will remain with me for a while. Please keep us posted.
May 19th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Ron, Once again thanks for taking the time to provide what news you have. But then I read that 200 rescue workers have been buried in a mudslide (no official conformation of that).
Great news about Shi Shi & his young friend.
Wish I had more $$ to donate to Pandas International but guess every bit helps.
And to #19 -Donna – thanks for sharing your experience at the SDZ – we all need an uplift right now – sounds like you had a great time seeing our Miss Z having fun.
May 19th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Thank you Ron for taking the time to let us know what’s going on. We appreciate it very much. And thank you Candy (#23) for letting us view your email about Shi Shi. So happy to hear that the ” old gentleman” has company and is no longer alone. What a comfort. What a piece of happy, good news. Thank you!
May 19th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Dr Swaisgood
Are you working with Dr Pan Wenshi in Shanxi? His work with wild pandas and the birth of Hua Mei are the two panda events that led me to my love of giant pandas and the eventual adoption, through Pandas International, of a Wolong cub born in 2006. National Geographic has a wonderful documentary, Giant Pandas: The Last Refuge, that documents the work of Dr Pan and the birth and growth of ” his” baby, Xi Wang.
#26 Chari
You mentioned Shi Shi. He’s living at the Guangzhou Zoo and should be safe, since there was no mention of Guangzhou having been affected. Living in the same vicinity, at the Panyu Safari World, is his ” mother-in-law” , Dong Dong, who is Bai Yun’s mother and grandmother of Hua Mei, Mei Sheng, Su Lin and Zhen Zhen!
May 19th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Thank you Candy, #23, for the update on Shi Shi and his new friend. Long Sheng must be a mellow fellow, or somehow disabled to be able at only age 7 to be a companion for an old blind male panda such as our beloved Shi Shi. Seven is prime breeding age, so perhaps it was safe place for Long Sheng to be with an experience old man to educate him in panda life. Otherwise it is hard to imagine they would have two adult male pandas housed together. I hope that Shi Shi is even more content now that he has some company. Since his sight is gone, and his hearing is not good either, maybe Long Sheng can help him know where his food is and when the keepers are coming.
It is good to know that Pan Pan, Mei Sheng, Shi Shi, Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan are OK. Now we just have to patiently wait for confirmation about Hua Mei and her cubs. One of her oldest twins is (Tuan Tuan or Yuan Yuan) who have been reported to be OK. That leaves three that we haven’t heard about. One would have been born in 2004, and the other two (male and female as I recall) in 2005. She didn’t have any cubs in 2006, and had two more in 2007, who are part of the 13 cubs that were rescued and are being cared for in Wolong town and being fed the Esbilac formula sent by Pandas International.
May 19th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Dear Ron,
Thank you so much for the latest update. You are giving all of us who feel impotent here in the USA some hope for not only the devasted people but also for the future of the pandas. The photos of the magnitude of loss are beginning to reach us. Msnbc online today had a series of photos. The UK-telegraph online also did plus interviews with British survivors. This devastation will take years to rebuild. What is being done in China by their own government is striking. We can help. Maureen in Michigan: Thank you so much for mentioning Pandas International….donating there will help not only the pandas. The international red cross can also be a donation tool. We in California have experienced earthquakes in recent years, but they are really not even the magnitude of the aftershocks of this China quake. To All: Keep Hope and prayers alive for the people in China, And the future of the pandas as well. This nation does represent the future, and the grief they are experiencing is human. We the people of this planet….If others are hurting; we are hurting and can help. Bless All.
May 19th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
To the other Candy (#23), I always appreciate your Shi Shi updates!
I’ve been on pins and needles this last week, worried about everyone in China, Wolong and our boy Mei Sheng. So much loss of life and uprooting of lives. I hope we get word about Hua Mei and all of her offspring soon. She was my 1st cub to watch and will always be extra special! It’s a relief to know Mei Sheng is safe!
God bless all the suffering people over there……
May 19th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Ron, thank you so much for this very touching and informative post. I am, once again, in tears thinking about what the people and the pandas have been through and will continue to deal with, it absolutely dwarfs the ‘94 quake that affected my own life quite profoundly.
While we all hope and fear for Mei Sheng and Hua Mei and her kids, every panda is a precious gift to the world, and I want so badly for them all to be safe and secure and happy and well cared for.
I will print out the form and send a check to Pandas International tonight, and do so again when the SDZ fund is formalized. And will continue to pray for all those affected by this horrendous occurrence. Wish I could do more . . .
May 19th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
CANDY, THANKS FOR THE UPDATE ON SHI SHI!! I always love to here about ” the old gentleman” . I hope his 7-year old roomie takes it easy on him. He’s not a spring chicken, er panda, anymore…lol!
May 19th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Ron, thank you so much for the information – I am so curious and hopeful that our beloved Hua Mei and her babies are among the lucky ones. I haven’t had time to read most of the comments, is there any new information about the SDZ sponsoring donations? ‘
Also, Donna from Port Richey, FL – it was awesome to get to meet you at the panda enclosure yesterday!! I’ll be in touch and will send you some photos of our ” kids” !
May 19th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Thank you SDZ staff for taking the time to let us know what is happening with the pandas and their caretakers in Wolong. It is much appreciated.
May 19th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Thanks Ron for your great update and info on your personal experiences at Wolong. I am happy to know that Mei Sheng is safe at Bifengxia but we are all concerned about the status of Hua Mei and her cubs as you mentioned that they could be part of the missing pandas. Let’s hope that is not the case and that we will get some good news on her status.
May 19th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
Thanks for sharing your updates, Ron and others.
And, I’m so glad that we have the pandaCAM’s to watch to see Panda Joy in action. Thanks Meerkats!
Love, Joy
May 19th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Candy #23 – Yes, indeed your blog has lifted my spirits. I too am a ” Mr. Shi Shi†lover and also have been worrying about him.
Thank you for sharing the email from your friend Wang Jing. It made me very happy to hear that Shi Shi has a roommate. I pray that Long Sheng and Shi Shi will enjoy each others company for many years.
I fondly remember, years ago, a panda keeper, (I believe her name is Dallas), telling me how much Shi Shi enjoyed having his back scratched. Every time Shi Shi saw Dallas, he would turn and walk with his back towards her anticipating a vigorous scratch – very clever panda!
I’ll always love the sweet ” old gentlemanâ€.
Continued prayers for everyone affected by this catastrophic earthquake.
May 19th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Ron, thanks so much for this informative entry.
May 19th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
Hi Ron,
Thanks for the update. My continued prayers go out to all the victims of the earthquake and the pandas. I am glad that your friends are doing fine and that Mei Sheng is fine too. I am still worried about Mei Mei and her kids.
In the midst of this tragedy, will SDZ be able to keep Su Lin here longer after she turns 3 this year? It’d be nice to see them stay a while longer! Thank you again everyone for all the info and comments. God bless you all.
May 20th, 2008 at 6:13 am
Thanks so much for all the updates on China/Wolong. It is wonderful that you understand how hungry everyone is for information about this tragedy and the fate of the poor Chinese and our beloved Pandas. It seems that Pandas International is on top of things and are also keeping us informed, a little bit of a donation from all of us would go on a long way at a time when we all feel so helpless. Bless the panda community, what wonderful people!
May 20th, 2008 at 6:19 am
Candy#23 I can’t Thank you enough for the good news about our beloved old gentleman Shi Shi. And to Wang Jing your loving words” that chubby, cranky old fellow” shows just how much you love him.Thank you for the great care you take with him.I am happy that he now has a friend to keep him company to pass the days with. I want to thank Ron and all the staff who have worked so hard to keep us updated. I now realize just how much the keepers really love the pandas, to jeopardize their own safety to make sure all the babies who clung to them made it to safety. To me the Panda is China
May 20th, 2008 at 7:39 am
Thanks, Ron! Although I’ve still got goosebumps after reading this, it’s good to have some info! Stay safe & please send us more information when you can!
May 20th, 2008 at 7:51 am
I was just checking the Atlanta cam and i felt so bad for Lun Lun, this is the first time I saw her on the other side of the glass from Mei Lan.Lun sat and looked at Mei and Mei just glanced and walked away. Lun looked sad, I guess it’s all part of motherhood in the panda world
May 20th, 2008 at 7:58 am
I was wondering the same thing as Ms. Mollie #22…..it does seem that there have been a number of communications between various parties and that by now, someone would have been able to confirm that Hua Mei is safe.
May 20th, 2008 at 8:34 am
Candy (#23), thank you so much for sharing the good news about our grand old gentleman Shi Shi. If you can get an e-mail through, please assure your friend Wang Jing that there are thousands of panda lovers here in American who are praying for the people affected by the earthquake and that we are all sending what we can to help the people and the pandas of China. Our grief, and our admiration for their courage, are tremendous.
May 20th, 2008 at 9:00 am
Please keep us updated.
The Panda reserve was one of the first things that came into my mind when the earthquake struck.
May 20th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Saw an update on MSNBC this morning that said one of the missing pandas from Wolong has been found. Hopefully, the other 2 will be also. Prayers to all the people and pandas in China. The magnitude of the devastation is mind boggling!
May 20th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Thank you Ron. While news is not great from Wolong, at least we are getting a clearer idea of how they are doing. Still worried about Hua Mei but I know that staff at all the panda reserves are concerned about protecting their charges and naturally they are suffering great pain at the loss of fellow workers and the disaster in general. We must remember that the earth is still shaking there so they have to try and work while fearing another quake. Anxiety is high I’m sure for everyone.
I know you have your own list of things to do as well so we really appreciate the time you took to let us know what you have found out. It eases some of our anxiety.
On another note it was such a pleasure to see ZZ and mom wrestling yesterday. ZZ is such a crazy little girl. She is having the time of her life and it brightens everyone’s day to see that.
May 20th, 2008 at 10:55 am
#46 francie, your so right ” a little bit goes a long way in a disaster” . I just made my online donations to the Red Cross and to Panda’s International… Will again donate when SDZ sets up a fund..
Can’t stop thinking about the missing Panda’s, sure hope they come home to the reserve soon or that they are found.
Hats off to the Chinese Govt and people for their handling of this tragedy. I watched the moments of silence with tears rolling down my cheeks… Such proud people, and as they should be right now!
Thanks for all the updates on this blog…
May 20th, 2008 at 11:08 am
From Xinhua:
A total of eight pandas selected to entertain tourists at the Olympic Games period, are expected to leave for Beijing on May 24 as scheduled, despite the quake hitting their hometown in Sichuan.
The animals, all in good shape, arrived in the panda breeding base in the provincial capital of Chengdu on Sunday night from Wolong, waiting for a flight to Beijing, an official with the Sichuan Provincial Forestry Bureau told Xinhua on Tuesday.
” They will take a special plane to Beijing on May 24 if no other accident happens, but the ceremony and the series of activities to mark their leaving are all cancelled,” said Xiong Beirong, head of the bureau’s wildlife protection branch.
The animals would be accompanied by their keepers during the flight.
” The keepers, who are quite familiar to them, will also take care of them during their stay in Beijing to help them get over any after-quake mental problems,” said Xiong.
Some of the pandas behaved nervously and had less sleep and food after the quake, which has left nearly 40,000 people killed so far.
” It’s necessary to have these people, who began to take care of the pandas since they were born, be with them now. Especially as they are facing the challenges of living in a strange place,” she said.
A grand ceremony to see off the pandas was to have been held in Wolong-based China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center, which is home to 86 pandas, as a promotion for panda protection.
However, the 8.0-magnitude earthquake, its epicenter is about 30 kilometers from Wolong, jolted Sichuan on May 12, leaving five Wolong center staff workers killed, two pandas injured, six pandas missing and panda houses damaged.
As of Tuesday morning, four of the six missing pandas had returned to Wolong and staff are searching for the other two.
” Rescuing the missing pandas and taking care of the others in the center are our top priorities now,” said Xiong, adding aftershocks could be felt in Wolong at every few hours.
The eight two-year-old pandas, selected by netizens from 16 candidates born in 2006 in the Wolong center, will be on display at the Beijing Zoo until November, and are expected to attract more than six million tourists from home and abroad during the six-month show.
May 20th, 2008 at 11:51 am
An article on MSN’s website reports that one of the three missing pandas has returned safely! The article (updated recently this morning) is listed on their News page, described as ” China Quake Survivors Pulled from Cliff” and it says:
Elsewhere, a panda from the famous Wolong Nature Preserve that had been missing since the quake returned safely, but two were still unaccounted for, Xinhua reported. They were ” very likely to be alive,” forestry official Xiong Beirong told the agency.
” Both pandas were adults and they are more capable to escape from dangers than younger ones,” she said. ” We hope the two missing pandas are as lucky as their peers.”
May 20th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Hi! Thanks to some of you who have let all of us know about Shi Shi. I thought that he was still at the Wolong Reserve, but since he is at Guangzhou Zoo, that makes me feel better, and I’m so relieved! Apparently, this zoo was quite a number of miles away from the epicenter, but I’m sure that everyone there felt the strength of the seismic waves that came thru there last Monday. I’m also glad that he has a new roomie to keep him company! That’s great!! Now, he can be the Grandpa Panda that we all know that he is, and the new younger roomie panda will keep Shi Shi fairly young in his old age. Anybody have an idea of how old Shi Shi is right now? I thought I read sometime back that he is in his 30s. Anyway, he’s a very well loved panda, both here in the US and in China.
Got my Pandas International email newsletter late last nite. I was waiting for this since the weekend to read about any new updates from them about the situation in Wolong, China. They are still working hard to get another shipment out to China, and also trying to get more reliable information and news about that area, especially about the missing pandas. This has been a rough week for them, but they have been heavily engaged in this disaster and working on their relief efforts. They are not only sending supplies to Wolong Reserve, which is their primary reserve that they help out, but have been sending in money to all of the other reserves to help them out with their needs. The biggest thing with them is getting reliable info out of China because the situation in all of the affected areas is still very fluid and changeable. PI’s website also has the update as well as a link to a map of China that has all of the info about the magnitude of the quake and the aftershocks, as well as some of the info of the towns and areas that were damaged. It’s a pretty interesting map to look at.
Miracles are still happening in the destroyed cities! At least 3 more people have been rescued after 7-8 days buried under the debris, and they are alive. But, the survival rate by now has gotten much slimmer because of the time frame since the major quake hit. Still no confirmation about the mudslide that hit a mountain village over the weekend.
Jennifer Keating, I’ve been praying for you and hoping that you are in good shape after going thru a very rough week last week. Please try to get us an update about you, your experiences last week, and what you are planning on doing now. We would love to hear from you ASAP!
Gonna go and get on the pandacam. Hoping to catch ZZ on it sometime today!!
Still praying for the Chinese and the pandas,
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
May 20th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
To all , If you google wolong reserve damage the first option has pictures of the damage to wolong and the workers carring pandas in tarps, This just broke my heart again
May 20th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
In today’s Washington Post, there is an obituary for Adelaide ” Su Lin” Young, 96, the woman for whom the first panda brought to the US, ” Su Lin,” was named. She was the first American woman to explore the Himalayas in the 1930s.
May 20th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Hi again! Got another email newsletter from Pandas International tonite. The one thing that caught my eye when I was reading it was that there were two pandas that were injured. That surprised me because I thought that all of the older pandas were ok and not injured. They didn’t say how serious the injuries were on those 2 pandas, but I’m hoping that they were not too seriously injured and that they will recover physically from those injuries. The emotioal healing will probably take a little longer for all of the pandas. The other news was from Xinhua News Agency. The Chinese government and Wolong Reserve have decided to go on ahead and send the eight pandas that were chosen to go to the Beijing zoo for the Olympics on Saturday, May 24, 2008. But, the celebrations that were planned for the farewell have been cancelled due to all of the serious problems related to the earthquake. The keepers that know the 8 pandas will be going with them and staying with them in Beijing until they bring them back to Wolong in November. At least the pandas will be with the people that they know and this trip will not be so stressful on them. Thank goodness those 8 pandas were not injured, and are not the two pandas that are still missing. Hopefully, they will have at least a small welcome ceremony when the pandas arrive in Beijing. That will at least give the people something to celebrate and get their minds off of all of the problems related to the earthquake.
More miracle rescues today! After eight days in the rubble of a school, nearly 140 teachers and students were rescued alive out of there! Also, some rescuers freed a person alive from under some rubble in another location. I know that brought some welcome good news to the Chinese people all across China that have been hoping and praying for some positive news out of a horrible tragedy. Unfortunately, Xinhua News also said that the death toll has jumped to over 40,000. The Chinese can at least rejoice in the news of the rescues of a lot of people over the last 3 days.
Still very concerned about Hua Mei and her older cubs. Hopefully, there will be some positive news either thru SDZ or Pandas International about Hua Mei and the cubs.
Well, gonna go. Will check on the pandacam either tonite or tomorrow.
Still praying for China and pandas,
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
May 20th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Thanks Lynn #60 for the info about Adelaide Young. She was quite an adventurous woman who as I recall sneaked the panda cub ” Su Lin” into the US when she returned from China. It was the beginning of a world-wide love affair with pandas, although not many were allowed outside China for many years after that.
May 20th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Has the AZA and panda foundation set up a funds collection site for Wolong yet?
May 20th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Panda Rescue Video
If you want to see footage of the cubs being rescued at Wolong go to Google click on News then type in pandas rescued. Right now it’s at the top of the list. But you might have to click on where it says all 256 (or whatever number) articles. Look for the National Geographic article dated May 19. This video says it all when it comes to how deeply the Wolong staff cares for the pandas. Those are the people who deserve this year’s highest awards for conservation. They have my sincere admiration, gratitude and sympathy.
May 20th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
I am so glad I stumbled upon this site. My wife and I have been so worried about Hua Mei. We visited the zoo during her first year and before she left for Woolong. As a matter of fact, our favorite stuffed animal is a Hua Mei plush. I will be visiting back for news on Hua Mei.
May 20th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
TRAGEDY IN PANDALAND
Pandas and people of Pandaland are in dire need of help. Lend a hand where we can, pray if we couldn’t. The voiceless pandas and crushed people in Sichuan cry out to the world for help.
The already endangered pandas certainly do not deserve this calamity. The Chinese tradition dictates that the receiver gives back as much to the giver if, God forbid, the table should ever turn. A prayer, a warm word of empathy or a dollar received in time of need would be returned when it is the giver’s turn to receive.
A friend in need is a friend indeed.
A panda lover in need is a panda lover indeed.
Blessed are the givers of love.
All expressions of care and support, even merely in words, are deeply appreciated.
LOTS OF LOVE FROM PANDALAND,
On behalf of all the wounded pandas and people of Sichuan who are at this moment too frightened and too hurt to express their thanks.
May 21st, 2008 at 6:17 am
#59 Barbara i eventually managed to get on the site, but was unable to view photos, it was just blank with a red cross in top left hand corner (my left). I have read the reports though.
May 21st, 2008 at 7:19 am
#59 babara – those pictures made me cry – the pandas look stunned and scared while the keepers are trying to keep them safe.
May 21st, 2008 at 7:46 am
There are some pictures of the pandas at Wolong taken after the earthquake on this website – Lookpanda dot blog dot sohu dot com slash 88029831 dot html1. Two photos show some hungry pandas eat grass as the breeding center has run out of food after the earthquake. Two photos show a hungry panda trying to grab some bamboo outside its cage, which is for decoration purpose and is not supposed to serve as food for the pandas. It’s just heartbreaking. Keep praying for the pandas and the people of Sichuan.
May 21st, 2008 at 8:11 am
Ron, thank you for the update. I’m wondering if anyone can give me some practical advice. My partner and I and our 10 year old were scheduled to volunteer at Wolong in mid June. Obviously, this is cancelled. The person arranging our trip suggested that we could volunteer at Bifengxia. I’m unsure if our going to volunteer (not having done this before) would be of help to the staff or cause them further stress. Any information would be valuable. Certainly our hearts break for all those enduring this tragic event.
Thanks everyone.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:26 am
Panda lovers all over the world are praying for safety for those good-hearted keepers and our beloved pandas in Wolong and Chengdu. Pictures of the aftermath in the panda sanctuary are heartbreaking. We must be grateful that more weren’t killed, lost or injured in this tragic event. The devastation and loss of human life throughout the area is simply too massive to take in. Our prayers go out to all those in the province who lost loved ones. I am simply overcome in trying to comprehend the destruction, pain and death. God, please lead them as they search the rubble, and help them to survive and recover.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:31 am
Hi, everyone–
Some good news–saw this report that some supplies have reached Wolong:
CHENGDU, May 21 (Xinhua) — Huge quantities of bamboo plants, apples and drugs have been sent to hungry pandas in the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center based in Wolong, which is only 30 kilometers from the epicenter of last week’s massive earthquake.
The cargo included 4,500 kilograms of bamboo, 1,050 kg of bamboo shoots and apples, soybeans, eggs, milk powder and other foods, the Sichuan provincial forestry department said on Wednesday.
” There was only water [for the pandas] for a few days after the earthquake,” said Xiong Beirong, a wildlife protection official with the forestry department.
The supply of bamboo was suspended as local residents, coping with the loss of relatives and homes, halted gathering bamboo from the mountains, according to the official.
The May 12 earthquake left five staff workers of the Wolong-based China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center dead, two pandas injured, six pandas missing and panda houses damaged. The center has 53 pandas.
As of Tuesday morning, four of the six missing pandas had returned to Wolong. Staff have continued to search for the other two.
Injured pandas had received medical treatment, Xiong said. Eight pandas that were selected to entertain tourists during the Olympic Games have been sent to the provincial capital of Chengdu, waiting for a flight to Beijing on May 24.
There are about 1,590 pandas living in the wild in China, mostly in Sichuan and the northwestern province of Shaanxi and Gansu. Another 180 have been bred in captivity.
More than 60 pandas at another breeding center in Chengdu were reported safe after the quake. Another eight pandas at a preserve in Ya’an, about an hour’s drive west of Chengdu, were safe as well.
The Wolong center is deep in the hills north of Chengdu along a winding, two-lane road that had been partially blocked by landslides.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:39 am
Hi Ron thank you for the information
I have been trawling the net ever since the earthquake happened for news of the Panda population and for news of the Wolong reserve.
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to all the staff who despite having lost everything are still giving their time to see to these wonderful animals. It must be so hard for them to carry on.
My hope is that the Pandas sensed what was about to happen and managed to move away from the area. I do worry though that the size of the land slides and the boulders coming down the mountain would have taken out anything in their path. There are still two Pandas missing from the reserve according to the latest news and I hope they are found but I am doubtful they would have hung around the area after the ordeal they went through. My hope is that Wolong and its community and staff manage to rebuild
their lives quickly and that measures will now be put in place to try to eleviate so much destruction happening again
love from Janet in England x
May 21st, 2008 at 9:42 am
Sammi #67 i think if you try china dot org dot cn or china dot com dot cn you can get other pictures and a nice story. according to the story the pair of pandas that escaped were Yuan and Tuan the pandas that are scheduled to go to Taiwian. The story reports that they were very careful when they stepped, putting one small step out of fear of the ground, but now they are back to routine of eating. I will check for other sites and give you a update if I don’t see the same info posted.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:47 am
I read the following on a UK News site, I think it’s important for us to know that help is getting in to Wolong and that food is arriving for the Pandas. Also Panda’s International had just sent (3 weeks prior to the quake) a nine month supply of formula for the baby Panda’s. I’m sure the Panda’s are stunned and confused, but I am also sure that they are getting fed and taken care of the best that the staff is able.
” A Chinese official said that the first batch of bamboo, apples, and veterinary medicine for the pandas has arrived at the reserve as well as food and the tents urgently needed by the staff”
Sure hope that we hear soon if the missing bears have returned to the reserve or if they have been found.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:53 am
Pamela G, In stead of buying lunch all week, I’m going to brown bag it for a couple of months. also my raise went through and that $100 will go towards milk. I may not seems like a lot, but it’s the least I can do for the pandas who have brought so much joy and happiness to my life and also for the people of China and wolong who take such loving care to the animals
May 21st, 2008 at 10:05 am
Ron, thank you for the update. Please let us know how we can help. I live in Florida, so it would be impossible for me to come to SDZ, but I would gladly make a monetary contribution.
Moderator’s note: We are working with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) on setting up a relief fund for Wolong and will let everyone know as soon as it is posted on our Web site.
May 21st, 2008 at 10:08 am
Check out the first hand account of Panda researcher from Atlanta Zoo on their website. The resiliency and resolve of the Chinese people is incredible. The ZA researcher is amazed at how much the Chinese people from all walks of life have come together to do whatever is necessary for all affected by the earthquake. There are piles of tents, beds, clothing and food fat every intersection in Chengdu for the use of people left home-less and who have lost everything. Every open space is being used for someone left homeless to set up a temporary home in a tent. Local shops that make tents are producing them as quickly as possible. 5 million people left homeless is unfathomable to my mind.
The enormity of this tragedy, and the need for on-going help both physically, emotionally, and financially, is almost imperceptible to the Western mind. Unfortunately, with as much wealth as there is in modern China, most of the people who were affected the most severely were the poorest of the poor in the remotest areas of the mountains of China. The places that are the most scenic and which drew many of the tourists are now uninhabitable, and roads have been destroyed, which means that tourism $ will be a long time in going there. To that end, the hardest hit areas, such as Wolong, will have to rely on relief supplies and money to rebuild and restart their lives until they can once again host visitors to their magical land.
May 21st, 2008 at 10:36 am
Laurel #70 – I found an answer to your question about your planned visit to Wolong in a news article on chinaview dot cn and it had the following headline:
Two giant pandas remain missing from Wolong after quake, one returns safely — and it was posted on 2008-05-20. It is on a web site called news dot xinhanet dot com and is in their area called Window of China.
In the article, ” Xiong Beirong, an official with the provincial forestry bureau told Xinhua called for panda lovers and volunteers to postpone their plans to visit Wolong as the food supply there was very limited.”
” We appreciate their help, but there are more than 6,000 people here, including villagers, tourists, rescuers and Wolong staff workers, and the food and water are limited,” said Xiong. I hope this helps you.
May 21st, 2008 at 11:04 am
Hi! Been checking SDZ website pandacam and saw Su Lin wondering around looking for some more breakfast boo to eat. I also been on National Zoo and Atlanta Zoo websites to check on any new updates about the China situation. NZ has a recent update that was posted on May 20 (yesterday) that gives us an update on what they have been able to find out. AZ has 2 updates, Monday, May 19, and Wednesday, May 21. They are very good updates on the situation at the Chengdu Research Panda Base. Today’s update was writtten by Maryanne Heard, who also works for AZ as a research intern and has been at Chengdu for almost a year doing research studies on the pandas. Her account of what she went thru during and after the quake was really good! If any of you have not had a chance to read these updates on the NZ and AZ website panda pages, please read them. You’ll get a real sense of what they’ve been doing and what they went thru, plus see how they have described how the Chinese people have been working so hard in getting their own donations together for the severely affected earthquake areas. The Chengdu staff are also worried about the Wolong base, their staff, and the missing pandas.
Haven’t got a new update from PI yet today. They are trying to get more reliable info together to let us know what is happening there. I wrote them an email to give them some encouragement, but forgot to ask them about donations thru checking account by phone. I’ll write them back and ask them about that. I’m just as curious about that as everybody else!
Well, just thought I would let you know about the updates on AZ and NZ. I read some comments from one of you that has already been on the AZ panda update page and read it. So that makes 2 of us, and hopefully more will read it. I’m glad that there are a large number of zoos and the AZA working together to get a relief fund together. The more of those that are set up for donations, the better for all of us that want to donate! Thanks! Pandas International will be needing some backup before too much longer.
Well, gonna go and check the pandacam again. I’m still watching for ZZ on the cam! She’s been alot harder to spot lately since her favorite hiding spots have been up in the trees taking naps!!
Will check back later on! Oh yeah, more good news from China: another person rescued alive from under rubble after 9 days! Hope that the rescuers can continue to find live survivors! I think this is their last day of mourning for honoring those that have lost their lives.
Love and prayers to China and the pandas,
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
PS: The AZ update did mention that the aftershocks have subsided somewhat in the last couple of days or so. Checked the USGS website, and the number of the stronger shocks in the 4-6 magnitude range have dropped off quite a bit. That is very good news which means that the faultline has started to settle down some. There are probably still a good number of shocks in the 1-3 range, tho; those shocks people can barely feel but nonetheless a little scary for them. The Chinese people are just too scared to go back into their homes and apartments because they just don’t know when the next large aftershock will come.
Now I’m gonna go! BYE!!!
May 21st, 2008 at 11:18 am
I can’t agree more with what Chari Mercier posted about Zoo Atlanta posts this week. Very informative first hand account from researcher Maryanne Heard in Chengdu. Also nice post from Rebecca Snyder who referred people here for the latest news from Wolong. AZ, SDZ, & NZ are to be commended for keeping us informed about the earthquake and its effects on our beloved pandas and the people in China.
May 21st, 2008 at 11:22 am
#74, Barbara, thanks for the update on Tuan and Yuan. One of them is from Hua Mei’s oldest twins.
May 21st, 2008 at 11:24 am
I finally checked it out and Tuan Tuan is Hua Mei’s son who was picked to go to Taiwan when/if the Taiwanese government ever lets the pair in the country.
May 21st, 2008 at 11:40 am
I am so grateful to SDZ and all those who contribute to this forum. I believe we all live for updates from SDZ; I appreciate all of those people who search out news on our precious four legged friends. I can’t surf the web during the day, but I check this space several times a day for updates and new comments and news from around the world. Thank you to all of you. Let’s keep praying for the Chinese people and our pandas.
May 21st, 2008 at 12:40 pm
There is a video posted on Yahoo under the news tab about the missing pandas.
May 21st, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Margaret #83, after I sent the blog I thought the name sounded familiar but wasn’t sure. I am so glad that he and the other one is safe, The 8 that are going to Beijing are a little skittish and the keepers are going to be with them all the time so that feel safe in a new situation.
Linda#84 I too am grateful for whatever bit of news that we get, It beats not knowing anything, The staff at SDZ has gone out of their way for us and I am extremely grateful. And I am glad I have a boss who knows my passion and indulges me as long as i get my work done. Let’s all keep the pandas and the people of China in our thoughts and prayers. some miracles still do happen
May 21st, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Just read on msnbc’s website – under the news section… Newsweek: China’s Celeb Panda’s return… Looks like the bears couldn’t find food in the wild and they CAME HOME!!!! There are some wonderful photo’s (of course devestating ones also) of the little ones playing again on their climbing structures totally oblivious to what has happened… And Army Guards, can you believe it? Guarding the bears. It also describes in this story why the Panda is so important to the people of China, very touching….
K, now does this mean that ALL of the bears have made their way back to the reserve??? please please I hope so……
May 21st, 2008 at 6:57 pm
I thank all SDZ, NZP, ZA, and Pandas International for keeping us updated as to what is actually happening in China. I have discovered that the most complete and reliable information has come from the organizations with direct contacts in Wolong and Chengdu Panda Reserves, since they are both in direct line of most affected areas in Sichuan province. The news media are doing what they can, but since foreigners aren’t allowed in, and they can’t get there if they wanted to go, local people from both reserves are in the ” thick of it” (unfortunately) and are able to do more to help the people and pandas, and can therefore give firsthand reports. I am thankful that none of the panda keepers and staff were injured, and am sorry for the loss of the 5 members of the security staff in Wolong area. I am thankful that at least one of the three remaining ” lost” pandas has returned, and hope that the other two will do so soon. Since Hua Mei has not been noted as being in Wolong and OK, hopefully she is not one of the remaining wanderers. I am sure Ron will report her status as soon as he gets it from his colleagues. Is Ron currently overseas or is he in SD?
May 21st, 2008 at 7:08 pm
#66 solshih – thanks for your hearwarming message – hope you know how much we all love the pandas & how we are praying for the people of China during this terrible time.
#87 Darlene – GREAT NEWS -thanks
May 21st, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Barbara #74, I watched Chinese TV tonight (Ch. 26) in San Francisco Bay Area, they said that Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan were playing outside when the quake happened. Their enclosure was one of those that collapsed or severely damaged so thank God that they were outside. They also mentioned that the pandas that were injured only sustained minor injuries, but there are 2 still missing, so it’s kind of confusing because China Daily is saying that the missing pair is Tuan and Yuan. Does anyone have more detailed news about it?
May 21st, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Hi, you all! Got my short email note from Suzanne Braden, Pandas International, about donations thru checking accounts by phone. She says that they can’t take money out of checking accounts in that way because it is difficult and not cost effective. They do accept credit cards, debit cards, or checks from here in the US, and also will accept credit cards and debit cards for foreign donations. They can either convert from pounds to US dollars about one (1=2dollars), or the foreign donors can put their donation amount in pounds in the comment box and they will convert it to US dollars for them. Hope that last part will help all of you from Britain if and when you decide to make a donation to Pandas International. They are still looking for more money to help finance the shipments that they will be making for weeks if not months ahead. PI’s website also has a few pictures on their earthquake update front page of the baby pandas and the damage. They are setting up a link for a photo slideshow of a lot of pictures of the earthquake damage and pandas. It was supposed to be included with tonite’s update and the email newsletter, but the webmaster got bogged down and forgot to include the link. Hopefully, they’ll get that link established by tomorrow.
Well, gonna go, get something to eat, and go to bed.
Love to the pandas,
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
May 21st, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Endearing photos from Wolong in today’s issue of Pandas International – Wed. 5/21/08, entitled,
” Herculean Efforts of the Wolong Staff” .
One photo shows the cubs being rescued by the panda keepers from the Kindergarten area. Another picture shows the cubs drinking their milk formula. So adorable!
These photos dramatically show the love and affection that these caregivers have for their pandas.
The article also mentioned that the one-year-olds were moved with their caretakers to the Wolong Town from the Panda Center.
Bless them all, and may God bless all the people who are suffering and missing their loved ones.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:07 pm
This is what I found on Newsweek.com. It did clarify the Tuan and Yuan were amongst the ones missing, but has since returned to the breeding center. However, 2 pandas are still missing, according to Dr. Li. According to this article, Tuan and Yuan’s enclosure was completely destroyed.
The news from here in the heart of China’s earthquake zone remains heartbreakingly grim. Miraculous tales of survivors pulled alive after days under rubble are dwindling; the death toll is soaring. Amid all the tragedy and devastation, though, there is some less dire news from the quake zone: China’s ” celebrity pandas” survived the quake, according to Chinese volunteers who visited the famous Wolong Nature Reserve just 18 miles from the epicenter.
The reserve is devoted to China’s famous giant panda, a protected species that has enormous iconic value to local residents. The pandas’ home didn’t escape unscathed: huge boulders rained down onto the research center there from adjacent mountains, killing five members of a security detail that had guarded against poachers and more than 40 others in the vicinity.Several research personnel were injured as well, and devastation around the panda breeding center was extensive. However, a group of about a dozen intrepid travelers who ferried supplies to the reserve in four-wheel-drive vehicles-a grueling 11-hour drive on what used to be a winding two-lane road-has brought back the most up-to-date report yet on the condition of the pandas.
Though all of the reserve’s 60-some pandas were initially reported safe, late last week the State Forestry Administration said three were ” missing,” according to the state-run Xinhua news agency. While grim, the situation at Wolong was improving. ” The first batch of bamboo, apples and veterinary medicine for the pandas, as well as food and tents urgently needed by staff, arrived at the Wolong Reserve Saturday night,” Xinhua quoted a forestry spokesman as saying.
In fact, NEWSWEEK has learned that right after the quake a total of six pandas went missing after falling boulders smashed the walls of enclosures that had kept them captive. Scientists were especially worried because two of the missing beasts, named Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan, had been carefully selected and raised from infancy in preparation for being sent to Taiwan. The beasts were to be a goodwill gift from one rival government to another; China and Taiwan are only now enjoying the fruits of rapprochement after nearly six decades of enmity. (Beijing considers self-governing Taiwan a renegade that must be reunited with the mainland eventually, by force if needed.)
That Wolong’s two celebrity pandas were missing in the disaster saddened many Chinese and Taiwanese, who had participated by the millions in a contest to name the animals via the Web and instant-messaging. The winning names, Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan, are a pun on the Chinese word for reunion.
Now we know Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan are safe, according to photographer Leo Chen, who was among the Chinese volunteers who reached Wolong. After fleeing during the quake, one panda wandered back on May 14, and the second returned May 17. There was no food to be found in the wild, so they ambled back to the ruins of their enclosure, now a pile of rubble. (The center’s pandas are fed bamboo imported from other areas of China.) Two others returned too, Wolong assistant director Li Desheng told Chen, but two remain missing. It is unclear whether they can survive in the wild.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Hi again! Been running thru all of the comments that were written over the last few days, and I remember one from someone about finding pictures of the Wolong Reserve staff rescuing the baby pandas across a makeshift bridge that they had to make after the earthquake hit, but couldn’t find it. Can someone please let me know where to search for that because I would like to see them for myself? Will appreciate it alot!
Also got some other good search info from some of you about the earthquake and pics related to it. Did read the UK Telegraph article and saw some of the pics; also saw the NYT article about the earthquake and pandas. Hope to get the info about those rescued baby panda pics that I just mentioned. Gotta go!
Thanks,
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
May 21st, 2008 at 10:36 pm
News from Wolong: A television crew from TVB, Hong Kong, arrived in Wolong this morning (May 22) and interviewed Dr. Li Desheng. According to Dr. Li, the 2 missing pandas are Mao Mao and Xiao Xiao. Also, electricity supplies have been partially resumed at Wolong since May 21. The TVB reporter also said that it took 14 hours to reach Wolong from Chengdu as the truck road leading from Dujiangxian to Wolong is still blocked by boulders. Still, it is dangerous driving up to Wolong as there are frequent mudslides caused by aftershocks.
I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks to all of you here for your concern, donations and prayers for the people and pandas who suffer from this massive earthquake in Sichuan.
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:01 am
GIANT PANDA DESTINED FOR TAIWAN FOUND AFTER 5 DAYS
(China.org.cn by Wei Hongxia, May 21, 2008)
Yuan Yuan, one of a pair of giant pandas destined to be presented to Taiwan, ran away in terror when the May 12 earthquake struck, but keepers recovered her after 5 days.
Yuan Yuan and her mate Tuan Tuan were lucky to escape unhurt. A falling rock destroyed their living enclosure, but fortunately they were playing outside at the time.
Keepers managed to calm Tuan Tuan enough to get him to a safe place, said Li Desheng, the reserve’s deputy admin director, but he still walks tentatively, placing each paw carefully as if expecting the ground to give way beneath him.
The Wolong Giant Panda Reserve, home to 86 pandas, was severely damaged by the earthquake and both roads and communications lines were cut.
Bamboo, the pandas’ primary source of food, can no longer be gathered locally because of the devastation caused by the quake, so Sichuan Forestry Department dispatched six trucks with a police escort to deliver 6,000 kg bamboo to feed the hungry pandas. The trucks finally arrived on May 19, after a 20 hour off-road drive over 4,500 meter mountains.
The pandas were soon back to their normal playful selves after munching on the fresh bamboo. Tuan Tuan finished his bamboo and tried to snatch Yuan Yuan’s, but later they both ate in peace.
Admin director Zhang Hemin said that the reserve was particularly grateful for donations they had received from Taiwan. He hoped that appointment of Ma Ying-jeou as Taiwanese leader means that Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan will soon be able to travel to Taiwan.
Eight pandas have been moved down the mountain where they can be cared for better; 53 remain at the reserve, of which some are slightly injured. Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan, however, are both fine.
The earthquake destroyed 14 out of 32 panda enclosures, and severely damaged 18 others. The pandas were moved to temporary accommodation, which is rather cramped. As soon as it is practicable they will be moved down the mountain to a more comfortable and accessible location that can be regularly supplied with food and medical supplies.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:36 am
The link that I provided yesterday should be – Lookpanda dot blog dot sohu dot com slash 88029831 dot html (html instead of html1). Sorry for the mistake. From the pictures, we can see how desperate the pandas were after the earthquake. According to the news report today, many enclosures were damaged and the pandas in Wolong are living in crowded conditions. Some pandas have already shown symptoms of stress such as anxiety and restlessness and some pandas suffer from a loss of appetite. The China Southern Airline will provide a Boeing 747-400 high capacity airplane to send some pandas to Beijing Zoo on 24 May. As of today, two pandas are still missing. Hope and pray for their safety. According to a Hong Kong TV news report today, Hua Mei is not among the two pandas that are missing.
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:28 am
Dr Swaisgood, thank you so much for all the informations you provided us about the aftermath of the earthquake. Thank you to all panda fellows who shared informations on this blog.
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:30 am
Praying for the safe return of Mao Mao & Xiao Xiao. Thanks be to God Hua Mei is safe!!!
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:34 am
I heard from Hua Mei’s keeper’s girlfriend. She talked with him last night and he said that Hua Mei is fine!
She’s not lost or hurt.
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:43 am
Sammi #67, the pictures you weren’t able to see are the pictures now sent by pandas international on e-mail or I believe their web sight, I hope this helps.
Susan#90 the time difference and reporting are making is hard to determine if they are the two or not. I do hope they are. I do thank God that the missing does not include Hua Mei our original baby. I do applaude the Chinese authorities for the rapid response both to the people and the pandas. Bamboo, shoots, apples and other staples are being delivered so there is not large shortage. again thanks to the SDZ staff and all the bloggers who are getting the info out
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:59 am
PANDA RESCUE VIDEO
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:12 am
Okay, I’m just going to ask the question that has not been asked pointedly. Now that we know According to Dr. Li, that the 2 missing pandas are Mao Mao and Xiao Xiao my fears about Hua Mei wandering in the wild have been put to rest. However, it begs the question: Of all the Pandas, wouldn’t SDZ have at least implanted her with a microchip for emergency identification, like this? Or, on the other hand, given how all pandas exhibit unique features and behaviors wouldn’t it have been possible to identify Hua Mei as among those pandas not wandering lost?
Learning from this tragic earthquake can serve as an opportunity to be sure each panda in captivity is able to be identified in person, if not LoJacked for tracking. It is just so frustrating to know how lovingly Hua Mei has been cared for at Wolong and so very hard to believe she couldn’t have been identified as not having escaped. If she is among the pandas who suffered injury we should be allowed to know her status. She is family to us.
By the same token we feel so close to the caregivers and all the staff at Wolong that they also feel like family too and we want to be supportive of their needs as well as those of the pandas.
When I donated to PI they had a place to check if you wanted your donation to go to the current earthquake emergency so I checked it with gratitude that they offered to do that. Using a credit card is easy thru the PI website and if we all give a little it will soon add up to enough to be helpful.
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:19 am
PANDA RESCUE VIDEO
#94 Chari Mercier
Hi – That was me that posted about the video of the cubs being rescued. I have since found an easier way to get to it. Go to nationalgeograhic dot com Click on Daily News. Then scroll down to Panda Finds Way Home to Reserve After China Quake. In that article you’ll find a link to the awesome rescue video. You’ll see that there are other good videos, photos and articles about our dear ones there.
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:44 am
I’ve been following all the messages (and as with everyone else, am so appreciative of all the information and comments that are shared), but haven’t posted before and wanted to ask about the injured pandas…any news on how many were injured and how they are doing? I saw a picture on the Panda International site of workers carrying an injured adult panda and now I’m concerned about Hua Mei’s condition…is she okay? I know she didn’t run away (from what I have read), but was she injured? She was the first panda baby I followed (I was teaching at the time and my students and I would watch her during recess on panda cam) and have been addicted to pandas ever since.
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:47 am
Ada #95–thank you for your information! I know many of us were afraid that Hua Mei was one of the two missing pandas.
It has been fantastic to be able to share information, as well as our cares and concerns, with people actually in China and around the world. Our hearts continue to go out to all who have suffered in this tragic event.
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:01 am
IS YUAN YUAN AND TUAN TUAN OFFSPRING OF HUA MEI?
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:01 am
Panda Queen, #99, I am in agreement to that! Thanks Ada from HK for the clarification of the missing Mao Mao and Xiao Xiao. May God continues to watch over them and all the pandas in the world along with the people who care for them.
Does anyone have info on the names of the injured pandas? Would appreciate any updates. Thanks everyone and keep praying for China!
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:41 am
Tuan Tuan is Hua Mei’s oldest son, from her first set of twins. Yuan Yuan is his mate.
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:47 am
Lori #107 Tuan Tuan is the older offspring of Hua Mei
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:55 am
Hi! I just got on the website and read the last 5 comments after mine. I’m very glad that Yuan and Tuan are safe, and will be praying for the safe return of Mao Mao and Xiao Xiao. I’m also glad that Hua Mei’s name is not on the missing list, so now we know that she’s safe. But, how is she doing mentally and is she eating her boo and biscuits regularly? Also read that the Wolong staff are planning on moving a number of the pandas down to another area/facility that will be more comfortable for them and that food/supplies/equipment can get to them a lot easier. That road to the Wolong Reserve has got to be very treacherous with the landslides blocking parts of the road and some of the road very badly broken up. I was also wondering how the Chinese were going to send the 8 pandas to Beijing and got my answer today from one of your comments. China Airlines, you are a Godsend!! I’m glad that they have volunteered one of their large planes to help bring the pandas to Beijing on May 24. That will speed up the travelling process and be alot less stressful for the pandas. They have been thru enough since May 12, and they need to relax and be normal pandas again! I did read a few days ago that these 8 pandas that are going to Beijing were sent down to Chengdu for holding until they were ready to send them to Beijing. That was a smart move on the part of the Wolong Staff. It also sounds like that Taiwan will be getting their 2 pandas after all. China and Taiwan must have put their differences aside lately in order to bring these animal ambassadors to Taiwan for everyone there to enjoy and learn about them, their habitat, and conservation efforts that are going on in China. Taiwan has not set a date to bring them there yet, tho. Rebuilding efforts at the Wolong Reserve will be a long, hard process from the damage and destruction there. Haven’t heard from anyone that has been going on the Wolong Panda Club website about the cams there lately, so I don’t know if all of those cams were destroyed or just completely cut off. Hopefully, when they do get it rebuilt, there will be newer and better cams there for all of us to get on and watch the pandas again soon. I also hope that the Wolong Panda Club will allow free access to the cams again when things are rebuilt and in better shape.
Will be praying for the 2 pandas that are still missing and hope they know how to come back home. Has anybody heard about the 2 injured pandas and how they are doing? Hope the injuries are not too serious.
China has ended their 3 day mourning period, and everyone is getting back to somewhat of a normal life. The torch relay finally got back on track after a 3 day suspension. And, all of the rescuers and all of their relief efforts are hard at work trying to find more live people to save and getting supplies out to the areas that really need them. From what I heard this morning, the rescuers have not found anyone alive within the last 24 hours. Death toll is between 45,000 and 50,000 as of today; could be higher depending on what they find in the rubble or get a counting of people in the villages that were totally destroyed. Not an easy thing to work with at all!
Gonna go. Did get on the pandacam that showed Bai’s enclosure, but I didn’t see Bai or ZZ. I may have seen ZZ in a tree, but she was very hard to see with all of the leaves and branches in the way. Will try again later on.
My prayers are still with the Chinese and pandas,
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:53 pm
I am happy that Tuan Tuan was chosen as one of the goodwill ambassadors to Taiwan, I feel kind of sad that he’s going to leave his mom, Hua Mei, and siblings. Kinda proud of him and Hua Mei at the same time. Do anyone of you share the same feelings?
It was bittersweet when Hua Mei left us, and it was joyous to hear about her children. Now her kids are grown…subadults…life is going to fast!
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:02 pm
I am glad that Hua Mei is safe. The two missing pandas Mao Mao and Xiao Xiao are as dear to me as Hua Mei is. It doesn’t really matter where they were born or were raised, they are pandas, our national treasure. They are all the same dearest pandas to me, though Hua Mei does hold a special spot in my heart as she is the first Panda I know and watched on TV and SD website since her birth. My heart aches just the same for Mao Mao and Xiao Xiao as if one of them were Hua Mei.
Mao Mao and Xiao Xiao, wherever you are now, hope you are safe and healthy. May Panda God watch over you and bless you a long successful life. May one day you find your way back to the people who love you so dearly.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:11 pm
#95 Ada and #100 Jeri – thank you so much for the information we have all been waiting for regarding our beloved Hua Mei. It seems that there are a number of you out there, like myself, who have been with the pandacam since she was born and have been very anxious about her. The information shared by everyone the last few days has been so greatly appreciated. The moderator has been very gracious in allowing everyone to communicate to each other where to find the information, videos and photos pertaining to this terrible event. We should return the favor by not rambling on endlessly or using more than our fair share of this space.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Hi Thank you Lis S. #104 for letting us know how to get the video showing the caretakers helping get the panda cubs to saftey. I just wish like all that the two missing pandas are still safe and will be back home soon.
Pam T
Ohio
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:38 pm
” Post-Quake Pandas” on NPR’s ” All Things Considered” tonight. Also a write-up and up lifting video from Chengdu Panda Base on NPR’s website. Thanks to everyone for all the info sharing!
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:50 pm
I’m going to play the devil’s advocate here. I know we are all very interested in knowing how HuaMei is, along with all the other questions about details of injuries, etc.
However, I really think the folks on the ground at Wolong have many, many more serious issues to deal with and really don’t have time to satisfy the curiosity of a group (albeit a large one) of folks on a message board. Eventually, all the information we’re looking for will come out. We just need to be patient. And I know that’s hard to do, but let’s give them a break and allow them to do the most necessary work to restore the Research and Breeding Centers.
Ok, off my soapbox.
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:26 pm
I just read on flickr that Mao Mao was being considered as a possible wife for Mei Sheng. She was born in 1999 and has given birth to 3 cubs. I pray that she and Xiao Xiao are safe.
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:49 pm
NPR has panda videos from Chengdu on there website. There is one called Little Giants which shows young cubs drinking from a bowl, making the most adorable noises, and one lies on his back and puts the bowl over his face. There is also another video of an interview with the Director of Chengdu. The website is npr dot org, click on the panda article, and the videos are on the next screen.
May 22nd, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Dear Elaine # 117,
Bless You! We all are so relieved to know that the pandas fared so well thanks to the caretakers in China and the relief quickly coming from organizations worldwide. However, 5,000,000 Chinese are homeless, over 50,000 have died, nearly 300,000 injured, and over 30,000 still missing. I think perhaps it is time for every single one of us to say a prayer of thanks for the survival of the pandas and then continue to assist and pray for the people who are going to, even with the fabulous response of the government in China, need assistance and prayers for a very long time.
Sincerely,
Bobbie Wood
May 22nd, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Here is the URL for an update. It is a Chinese web site but you can see photos. http:slash slash lookpanda dot blog dot sohu dot com forwardslash 88029831 dot html
May 22nd, 2008 at 5:08 pm
I agree with #113 & #114. Hua Mei is also the first panda that my wife and I have followed since birth and have visited on occasion. Great to hear that she is well and have put us at ease. Hope the other two make it back safely.
May 22nd, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Lots of photos from Wolong:
lookpandadot blog dot sohu dot com forward slash 88136991 dot html
lookpanda dotblog dot sohu dot com forward slash 88029831 dot html
lookpanda dot blog dot sohu dot com forward slash 88140107 dot html
May 22nd, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Thanks for info on the NPR site article and video. A lot of great (and new) info for us about the quake and the workings of the Panda World.
I agree with Elaine (# 117) Wolong is dealing with MANY extremely serious problems: loss of lives in their communities, lack of supplies, stress and post-trauma fears and who knows what else… (Can you say ” no sewer system” !!!)
Plus, they do not have access to long communications.
As a disaster nurse, I can tell you, it’s not a time to be asking about what YOU want. They are struggling just to survive!!! Plus, they have shared so much with us when they could.
Lovingly, please allow them to do what they need to do. We all know that they are greatly concerned for all the pandas. We know that they see Hua Mei as special. And, if she were one of the ones still missing, telling you would not help to bring her back. If you really want to help, donate to the funds mentioned previously, pray, and stop putting them down because they didn’t get the info you wanted right out to you immediately.
We have gotten so much quake information, esp. through this site and Pandas International. I am glad to know what happened and what is still happening. It sounds scary, filled with sadness, and there’s a lot of work to be done. I am encouraged to hear stories about how the people have pulled together, how the pandas are being cared for, and the strength of their spirits in this catastrophe. Things like this can bring out the best in people. I pray that they work together to rebuild the panda areas.
I still hope to visit there one day, and now I will know some of the stories of the struggles they went through to restore the Panda Reserve.
Love, Joy
May 22nd, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Thanks to everyone who mentioned the NPR site–great videos–I had no idea.
May 23rd, 2008 at 7:05 am
#96 Solshih, thanks for the update on Wolong, and thanks to #100 Jeri, thanks for the update on Hua Mei. Glad all is well, and hope that Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan can soone go to Taiwan and be enjoyed by millions of fans that have been awaiting their arrival for 2 years.
May 23rd, 2008 at 9:32 am
Well said Joy #124. We can only imagine what these people are going through in all parts of China right now… We do know that the Panda’s are being taken care of, so now WE must do OUR part…
I see the donation option is up here on this site now.. I did my part, come on fellow Pandaholics, lets talk with a few dollars now as that is what they need over there……. Every little bit helps…
The NPR site was great, thanks for whoever suggested it… Just look at those little darlins laying on their backs holding their own bottles of milk, how charming. But did I read that they called our Bears Beasts??? How dare they.. ha ha….. If they would have said ” Beautiful Beasts” I could have let them get away with it ” maybe” ….
Have a great day eveyone….
May 23rd, 2008 at 9:51 am
Hooray-the Wolong Relief Fund site is open for business!
May 23rd, 2008 at 11:14 am
I don’t understand I just got a google alert and they say three pandas are missing, also they are taking 6 pandas to Ya’an because of food shortages. Eight other pandas were moved Thursday in a move before the quake. the medical area collasped and that there are only 46 pandas left in a nearly deserted wolong. I can’t bear to think this is really happening. The eight pandas for the olympics are going to be moved on Saturday to Beijing Zoo so they can accurately determine their health. I wonder now will they ever rebuild wolong. What is happening to our beloved pandas
May 23rd, 2008 at 11:23 am
I second the horray for the Wolong Relief Fund. On a brighter note, if you google for panda water aerobics, Melissa Block of NPR was at the Chengdu Research Base and shot a cute video of Qi Zhen in a pool of water. It was shot after the major earthquake, so it’s especially nice to see a panda relaxing and enjoying herself.
May 23rd, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Barbara #129, it was reported earlier that 15 of 32 (or so) panda enclosures were damaged and that they were going to move many pandas to other areas closer to town where they will be safer and it will be easier to care for them while they rebuild their captive home in Wolong. It is not as safe for them there at this time and they are very crowded. Once they have a smaller population it sounds like everyone there will be safer and there will be enough room to proceed. They need to get the potentially pregnant females to locations such as Chengdu with intact medical and nursery facilities as birthing season is about to begin in June. From what I have read Ya’an was not damaged and there is room there for more pandas. Moving the 8 two years olds to Beijing for the olympics makes more room as well. I imagine that some will be moved to Bifengxia too because that is where the Wolong keepers and families were moved to safer quarters.
I also heard on NPR this morning from the reporter that has been in Chengdu for the past 10 days that she ” reshaped” the interview about the pandas and Wolong that she did before the earthquake hit. She mentioned that the Dept of Forestry is considering sending people up into the mountains to see if any of the wild pandas were injured and if so bring them down to get medical attention.
I am glad to see that there are several Wolong Relief Funds being set up so that Americans can help people and pandas in the Wolong area.
May 23rd, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Finally got on the SDZ website! Been busy getting some things done here. Got on the panda page and saw that very nice, lovely banner ad about the Wolong Earthquake Relief Fund! I’m with you all—YEA!!!
Hopefully, when we can get some extra money in, we’ll try to send something to the relief fund, even if it’s $5.00 to help out! If a lot of people donated $5.00 to the relief effort, a whole lot of $5.00’s will build up into hundreds of dollars! Anyway, now we all have a good number of donation sites to work with to help the Chinese people, the panda reserves, and the rebuilding effort that we all know will take several years to do.
Got on a couple of websites to see photos and videos of the pandas, earthquake damage, and baby pandas being taken out of Wolong by a lot of volunteers. The Nat Geo video was the awesome one that showed volunteers getting the pandas out plus showing the landslide damage at the entrance to the reserve. WOW!! That was a massive landslide! They were very fortunate that it stopped at that point and didn’t move any further inside the reserve. Also got on the Pandas International website, and they have a list of slideshow pics of the earthquake damage, rescue workers in action, the first day of mourning, alot of pics. Gonna check out the other sites that I just found out about from a couple of you that wrote in recently. Thanks for sharing all of this info, you guys! All of this really gives all of us a perspective on life and where we are with ourselves at this point. Thanks to Liz S. for repeating that link to Nat Geo about the rescue video.
Well, gonna go and check the NPR site to see the pics and videos there, and get on the SDZ pandacam to check out the lovely pandas there.
Will keep China in my prayer list indefinitely!
Love to all of the pandas,
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
May 23rd, 2008 at 1:35 pm
I was fortunate to visit Wolong Sept. 2007 with FONZ group from NZ. Have many wonderful pictures including one of Hua Mei’s sons Mei Ling (3 yrs old). Playing with the kindgergarden pandas was a lifetime experience. Now seing the picutres of the quake and the damage to the Center is unbelievable.
I worked with our government’s Disaster Assistance program in Sacramento after the Loma Prieto Earthquake of October 1989. The Loma Prieto quake was 7.1 magnitude and China’s Sichuan quake is now in at 8.0 magnitude! Keep in mind, San Francisco was 58 miles from the epicenter, 62 people died and 12,000 were left homeless. The mountainous region of Wolong was only 18 miles from the epicenter, I am amazed that the entire Center was not totally buried. The death toll has now exceeded 50,000 and still rising as they attempt to dig out and millions are left homeless.
Amazing, I cannot believe how all the people of this country are helping each other. I am in awe of the Chinese government — -their response time and mobilization of manpower has been unbelievable, especially so for such a widely affected area. My heart goes out to the Chinese people and their having to experience this suffering. I hope everyone donates to the Wolong rebuilding fund so this wonderful place can be restored.
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Dean #133, I could not agree with you more. I live in Santa Clara, CA, and I was much closer than San Francisco. It was a miracle that our home did not sustain much damage, but it was very frightening. Last October when the Calaveras Fault shook, we were even closer, and that was even scarier!
My heart continues to mourn with the people of China, especially in the Wenchuan and BeiChuan counties.
It is my prayer that the death toll will not be too high and miracles of finding live people continues to take place. Also that Mao Mao and Xiao Xiao would return safely to Wolong, not to mention that none of the wild pandas were injured or died. I hope to make it to the magical and enchanted Wolong Panda Reserve one day after they rebuild.
Yes, please everyone, please contribute what you can to rebuild Wolong. God bless. Thanks.
May 24th, 2008 at 7:21 am
Dean, #133
I was also at Wolong with FONZ (the first group) last September. What an incredible experience.
If you Google Delaware Online, then put China Earthquake in the search line, you can find an article (it will be about fourth down on the local list – Wilmington Woman a witness to disaster. Good article. To the right are some pictures she took, and below them is a link to a photo gallery of more pictures she took. The contrast between the first picture (before) and #6 (after) really shows the damage that blocked the entrance to the reserve.
May 24th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Just saw the video online at MSN of the pandas leaving Wolong for Beijing and the Olympics. These are two year olds and all pre planned but they are lucky to be out of the disaster zone. They said that two pandas were injured and the two are still missing so news isn’t all good. Still no word about Hua Mei?
I am glad to see the Panda relief fund up and running. If everyone who loves pandas gave even a dollar it would be a huge amount and I’m sure that we aren’t the only zoological society in the U.S. or in the world even who has set up a fund. Every zoo that has pandas from China should be collecting. Without our Bai Yun, Shi Shi and Gao Gao we’d never have the joy of seeing Hua Mei, Mei Sheng, Su Lin and Zhen Zhen grow.
China is doing a fantastic job cleaning up and though there are complaints from citizens I think that is normal anywhere. It is a massive job and it will take time. We can only do a small part to help our panda friends and the Chinese people. We want them to know that we share at least a small part of the burden of recovery.
May 24th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
I am deeply concerned at reports from various international sources that Wolong is so short of food for the pandas that the reserve may run out by the end of the week. Is this true and is there any way to ensure that major bamboo and other shipments keep going to Wolong and other reserves in need? One of the most upsetting international reports was that the shortage became so severe that adult pandas that should have had bamboo were instead fed sugar water or soup.
Also, I was told that Wolong also kept a very precious red panda population there as well. If that is true, are those red pandas in need of food and help? They also are an endangered species.
I am so relieved that will be a coordinated effort to help all the panda reserves and to ensure that all the reserves have what they need for full operation. It is my hope that enough bamboo can be flown or driven to Wolong to ensure that all the bears, including beloved Mei Sheng and all the other wonderful pandas have everything they need and never have to go hungry. I also will be relieved to know the injured pandas are able to get surgical and advanced medical help if need be.
According to an email I just received, the eight Wolong pandas flown to Beijing have arrived at the zoo and now are behind glass. It is my hope that the Beijing staff will have great kindness and patience as the young pandas adapt to their new life for the next six months and that the exhibit includes greenery, trees, water, toys, and other wonders for them. The poor bears have been through a lot. Apparently the other six bears delivered from Wolong to Chengdu Base arrived and had an excellent appetite for bamboo.
I have the chance to see Tai Shan on panda cam and at the National Zoo. He and his parents are the apples of my eyes, as are Su Lin and all the other beautiful pandas. I am hoping Mei Sheng, his older sister, their cubs, the parents of Tian Tian and Mei Xiang, and all the other pandas are well.
We already know Lily is doing well. NPR did an unforgetably adorable story on Lily, the nine-year-old female panda who does her water aerobics at Wolong. I was so enchanted by that story and the video footage of Lily kicking about. She really loves the water!
One big hope I have right now is that the funding will be available to build an earthquake-proof center at each reserve–buildings that can withstand an 8.2 earthquake.
May 26th, 2008 at 7:23 am
Dear all,
I’ve just heard that Xiao Xiao was found but the other one Mao Mao is still missing, this news come from our Hong Kong I-Cable News Channel.
May 27th, 2008 at 6:19 am
thanks Margaret#131 for the info, I worry so much everytime they say something about aftershocks. I was glad to see that one of the ” escapees” was caught not far and that she was reportly pregant. I am glad that the relief fund is up and running because there have been so many reports of scam artists solicting money and now were are able to donate safely.
Dean #133 I echo your seniments about the resilience of the Chinese people to get the together and start helping each other, putting there own tragic situation and loss on hold. Everyday that I see the devastation I marvel at their determination. My Thoughts and prayers are with them. To the people of Wolong Reserve your dedication and perseverance for our pandas, the sacrafice of family to danger to yourself will not be forgotten.
May 27th, 2008 at 7:14 am
To all, I just googled wolong reserve damage and clicked just underneath the news results for wolong reserve damage. The story is just amazing and brought me to tears. It tells of the flooding waters where the little ones were and how the keepers were bitten and scratched.rescuing them. It also speaks of the keepers climbing trees and putting their arms around the ones in trees to calm them, no small fete being they are twice the size of the keeper. The emotional needs are being met by calling the pandas by their names and patting their heads and also giving direct eye contact when speaking to them.