Comments on: Gearing Up for Summer http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2008/06/09/gearing-up-for-summer/ Sat, 20 Mar 2010 03:34:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Claudia Menke http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2008/06/09/gearing-up-for-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-307053 Claudia Menke Sun, 06 Jul 2008 19:42:37 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/gearing-up-for-summer/#comment-307053 I have been trying to get the information photo of Mei Sheng to come onto the screen. All the others are working but not" my baby boy's" . Can someone fix it as I need his birthdate. I am so happy he and his sister are ok in China. I cannot say enough good things about the care their " Keepers" are providing. Boy-o- Boy, do I ever miss him and his beautiful smile (he was the first cub I ever saw from birth on). I love all the Pandas but Mei Sheng will always top my list! Blessings to all of you too! Claudia Menke <em>Moderator's note: We'll fix the pop-up box on Mei Sheng's profile (you can click on his image to get the pop-up box). He was born August 19, 2003.</em> I have been trying to get the information photo of Mei Sheng to come onto the screen. All the others are working but not” my baby boy’s” . Can someone fix it as I need his birthdate. I am so happy he and his sister are ok in China. I cannot say enough good things about the care their ” Keepers” are providing. Boy-o- Boy, do I ever miss him and his beautiful smile (he was the first cub I ever saw from birth on). I love all the Pandas but Mei Sheng will always top my list! Blessings to all of you too! Claudia Menke

Moderator’s note: We’ll fix the pop-up box on Mei Sheng’s profile (you can click on his image to get the pop-up box). He was born August 19, 2003.

]]> By: Chari Mercier http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2008/06/09/gearing-up-for-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-278030 Chari Mercier Wed, 11 Jun 2008 02:40:18 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/gearing-up-for-summer/#comment-278030 Zhen is 36 pounds! WOW!! I think my guess of about 60 pounds was way off, wasn't it?? Oh well, she's still growing and going! And, ZZ is 10 months old! She's always the cute, fuzzy, little furball that always keeping people guessing where she's at when you try to catch her on the cam! We all love you, Miss ZZ!! Chari Mercier :) St. Pete, FL Zhen is 36 pounds! WOW!! I think my guess of about 60 pounds was way off, wasn’t it?? Oh well, she’s still growing and going! And, ZZ is 10 months old! She’s always the cute, fuzzy, little furball that always keeping people guessing where she’s at when you try to catch her on the cam! We all love you, Miss ZZ!!
Chari Mercier :)
St. Pete, FL

]]> By: Bruce in KC http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2008/06/09/gearing-up-for-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-277956 Bruce in KC Tue, 10 Jun 2008 22:26:40 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/gearing-up-for-summer/#comment-277956 Betty #21, you mentioned your favorite memories of visiting the pandas, and here are mine. The first time I got to visit the SDZ, Su Lin was sleeping in a tree, and the branch location she chose looked close enough to reach out and stroke her fur. It appeared to be nearly right above the viewing walkway. Momma Bai Yun was contentedly munching away on a bamboo feast, and brother Mei Sheng was snoozing in the right side enclosure. I was able to get much closer and enjoy the pandas more than my previous panda viewing experience at the Beijing Zoo earlier that year. The next time I visited the SDZ and the pandas was nearly a year later. Su Lin had been weaned, and both adults were off exhibit as Mei Sheng's departure to China was close approaching. As I made my way down to the canyon area I could see Mei Sheng high in his favorite tree. It was right after the zoo had opened for the day, and the crowds were still very light. Su Lin was sitting at the back of the left-hand exhibit snacking away on her bamboo. I was the only one in the viewing area, and when I said her name, Su Lin looked directly at me and gave me a big grin - priceless! That image is now on the face of my credit card :-) Meanwhile big brother Mei Sheng was still up in his tree, but I managed to get his attention too for another priceless photo and memory of him looking down at me from above with his usual smile. The intelligence, antics, and captivating personalities of these wonderful animals are just a few of the many reasons why love giant pandas. Betty #21, you mentioned your favorite memories of visiting the pandas, and here are mine. The first time I got to visit the SDZ, Su Lin was sleeping in a tree, and the branch location she chose looked close enough to reach out and stroke her fur. It appeared to be nearly right above the viewing walkway. Momma Bai Yun was contentedly munching away on a bamboo feast, and brother Mei Sheng was snoozing in the right side enclosure. I was able to get much closer and enjoy the pandas more than my previous panda viewing experience at the Beijing Zoo earlier that year.

The next time I visited the SDZ and the pandas was nearly a year later. Su Lin had been weaned, and both adults were off exhibit as Mei Sheng’s departure to China was close approaching. As I made my way down to the canyon area I could see Mei Sheng high in his favorite tree. It was right after the zoo had opened for the day, and the crowds were still very light. Su Lin was sitting at the back of the left-hand exhibit snacking away on her bamboo. I was the only one in the viewing area, and when I said her name, Su Lin looked directly at me and gave me a big grin – priceless! That image is now on the face of my credit card :-)

Meanwhile big brother Mei Sheng was still up in his tree, but I managed to get his attention too for another priceless photo and memory of him looking down at me from above with his usual smile.

The intelligence, antics, and captivating personalities of these wonderful animals are just a few of the many reasons why love giant pandas.

]]> By: Betty in Arizona http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2008/06/09/gearing-up-for-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-277936 Betty in Arizona Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:10:25 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/gearing-up-for-summer/#comment-277936 Many thanks for the newsy update on our pandas. I was fortunate enough to see them in early May. Got some great photos of Gao licking honey off a log with a look of pure bliss on his face. They are now framed and in my living room for all to enjoy. Also took some videos of Zhen Zhen rolling around and tumbling into the moat. Priceless! My pevious two panda viewings were in LA when the first pandas were brought to visit, twenty-plus years ago, and in SD in 1987. Both times were hours-long waits in lines to see... sleeping pandas! So to be able to see them playing around was a blessing. Thanks for puting up the link so we can donate to the recovery efforts in China. And thanks for taking such good care of the San Diego Four! Many thanks for the newsy update on our pandas. I was fortunate enough to see them in early May. Got some great photos of Gao licking honey off a log with a look of pure bliss on his face. They are now framed and in my living room for all to enjoy. Also took some videos of Zhen Zhen rolling around and tumbling into the moat. Priceless! My pevious two panda viewings were in LA when the first pandas were brought to visit, twenty-plus years ago, and in SD in 1987. Both times were hours-long waits in lines to see… sleeping pandas! So to be able to see them playing around was a blessing. Thanks for puting up the link so we can donate to the recovery efforts in China. And thanks for taking such good care of the San Diego Four!

]]> By: Darlene http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2008/06/09/gearing-up-for-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-277893 Darlene Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:24:16 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/gearing-up-for-summer/#comment-277893 Now the big guy is sound asleep on his sawdust pile... Guess he got tuckered out rolling around in it.. Loved the update on our bears at the SDZ, and especially the picture of Zhen way up in her fav spot... It amazes me how she can balance herself and stay up there without falling. I'm sure at times she gives her keepers " grey" hairs... Was also deeply saddened to hear of Mao Mao's death, how tragic. God Bless her in Heaven and may her keeper find comfort in all of her cubs. It truly is amazing how all of us get so attached to these bears even without ever coming in contact with them. We can only imagine the grief her keeper is feeling. I agree with Margot #17, we can log onto the web cams and see how our bears are doing, and how can it not lift our hearts?? K, going to go back and see if Gao Gao has moved or if he is still flat on his belly... Such a funny sleeping position..... He sure does have it mastered though.. Now the big guy is sound asleep on his sawdust pile… Guess he got tuckered out rolling around in it..

Loved the update on our bears at the SDZ, and especially the picture of Zhen way up in her fav spot… It amazes me how she can balance herself and stay up there without falling. I’m sure at times she gives her keepers ” grey” hairs…

Was also deeply saddened to hear of Mao Mao’s death, how tragic. God Bless her in Heaven and may her keeper find comfort in all of her cubs. It truly is amazing how all of us get so attached to these bears even without ever coming in contact with them. We can only imagine the grief her keeper is feeling. I agree with Margot #17, we can log onto the web cams and see how our bears are doing, and how can it not lift our hearts??

K, going to go back and see if Gao Gao has moved or if he is still flat on his belly… Such a funny sleeping position….. He sure does have it mastered though..

]]> By: Lee in Vancouver http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2008/06/09/gearing-up-for-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-277876 Lee in Vancouver Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:40:49 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/gearing-up-for-summer/#comment-277876 Gao Gao is rolling in his sawdust pile right now. He looks just like a kid having so much fun. Is this one of his special treats or is it a way to clean his coat like some birds do with sand? It is such fun to watch him though. Gao Gao is rolling in his sawdust pile right now. He looks just like a kid having so much fun. Is this one of his special treats or is it a way to clean his coat like some birds do with sand? It is such fun to watch him though.

]]> By: Christine http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2008/06/09/gearing-up-for-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-277868 Christine Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:08:16 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/gearing-up-for-summer/#comment-277868 I have read a couple of the articles about Mao Mao's death. Differing stories, but the outcome is still the same. We now know we have 1 less panda in the world. Brings tears to my eyes every time I think of it. I have read a couple of the articles about Mao Mao’s death. Differing stories, but the outcome is still the same. We now know we have 1 less panda in the world. Brings tears to my eyes every time I think of it.

]]> By: Margot http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2008/06/09/gearing-up-for-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-277857 Margot Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:48:57 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/gearing-up-for-summer/#comment-277857 How sad to read about Mao Mao. May she rest in peace. I hope her five offspring are thriving and bringing joy to their keepers and everyone else who is privileged to see them. My heart goes out to the keeper who had taken care of Mao Mao since she was 3. On a happier note, thanks for the update on what the SDZ panda family is doing. During all the tragic news from China, watching Bai, Gao Gao, Su, and Zhen certainly lightened my heart and made me even more grateful for these wonderful animals and the people who take care of them. And the photo of Zhen Zhen relaxing at the very end of the branch is just priceless. How sad to read about Mao Mao. May she rest in peace. I hope her five offspring are thriving and bringing joy to their keepers and everyone else who is privileged to see them. My heart goes out to the keeper who had taken care of Mao Mao since she was 3.

On a happier note, thanks for the update on what the SDZ panda family is doing. During all the tragic news from China, watching Bai, Gao Gao, Su, and Zhen certainly lightened my heart and made me even more grateful for these wonderful animals and the people who take care of them. And the photo of Zhen Zhen relaxing at the very end of the branch is just priceless.

]]> By: Rose N. http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2008/06/09/gearing-up-for-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-277823 Rose N. Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:22:06 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/gearing-up-for-summer/#comment-277823 Hello everyone - Just read a very sad article this morning concerning the death of Mao Mao. To find this article goggle - Chinese reserve workers mourn panda killed in quake aftermath. The article includes heartbreaking photos of the panda keepers in obvious pain and grief. Mao Mao was rescued after the May 12 earthquake, but died after a wall of her enclosure collapsed. Hello everyone – Just read a very sad article this morning concerning the death of Mao Mao.

To find this article goggle – Chinese reserve workers mourn panda killed in quake aftermath.

The article includes heartbreaking photos of the panda keepers in obvious pain and grief.

Mao Mao was rescued after the May 12 earthquake, but died after a wall of her enclosure collapsed.

]]> By: Frances in NYC http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2008/06/09/gearing-up-for-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-277804 Frances in NYC Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:33:43 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/gearing-up-for-summer/#comment-277804 Moderator--thanks for the update on Miss ZZ's weight. Our little girl is growing up! Moderator–thanks for the update on Miss ZZ’s weight. Our little girl is growing up!

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