Farewell, Dear Shi Shi
Posted at 4:40 pm July 10, 2008 by Ellie Rosenbaum
It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of Shi Shi, one of the two original giant pandas loaned to us here at the San Diego Zoo. For me, it was especially hard to hear, since his arrival allowed me to become one of the first panda narrators at the Zoo.
Shi Shi (whose name loosely translated to “Rock Rock” but was always “Rocky” to me) arrived in the autumn of 1996, an older bear rescued from the wild after serious injuries, believed to have been received during breeding battles with other males.
In those early days, Shi Shi and Bai Yun, the adult female on loan, rotated on and off exhibit for just a few hours each day. He had the morning shift and occasionally slept in, to the dismay of visitors who had lined up before his entrance. He’d wander out, slow and deliberate, a contrast to Bai Yun, who was born and raised at the Wolong Giant Panda Center and was much younger (as we later learned) than Shi Shi.
He was the curmudgeon to Bai’s playful young self. His agenda was to eat, sleep, and tend to his natural needs, oblivious to the crowd and much else. He’d often curl up behind a rock at the rear of his enclosure, creating teasing frustration for his many fans, who couldn’t see him well. We often joked that we should place a costumed employee in his exhibit instead! One memorable day, Shi Shi sat eating his bamboo; to his side were two wild bunnies. All three were facing forward, one nibbling a folivore biscuit, the other gnawing a piece of carrot, and Shi Shi enjoying his bamboo: truly a peaceable kingdom.
But how much we learned about pandas born in the wild, thanks to Shi Shi! He just did his panda thing, engendering the ultimate question, “When will the panda wake up?” My favorite version of this question was “When will the panda awaken and romp?” It was a sweet and funny question, since we knew him well at that point! But one day, while working as a panda narrator, there was a 30-degree temperature drop in 2 hours, serious cloud cover, and thunder and wind: the one and only sleet storm I’ve seen in San Diego in 20 years. I was overjoyed to see Shi Shi suddenly rouse…and ROMP! For 20 minutes he scampered, trotted, turned, and (almost) jumped! Cold as I was, it was the most extraordinary treat, shared that day by just a dozen or so guests. For all the hours that I had watched him sleep, it was a glimpse of the Shi Shi he might have been in his younger days. What a privilege to see that day; I’ll never forget it.
We may never know his true age. Shi Shi was, however, an elder statesman for his species and a great gift to the world.
Xiexie, Zhongguo (Thanks, China), for his loan, the gift of knowing and learning about this precious giant panda. We are grateful for the care and respect he was given upon his homecoming.
Zaijian and xiexieni (Good-bye and thank you), Shi Shi, for all you gave by your presence and being.
Ellie Rosenbaum is a panda narrator at the San Diego Zoo.
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July 10th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Thank you for this wonderful entry. It brought tears to my eyes when you thanked Shi Shi in Chinese. The world is always a sadder place when a panda leaves. To have known Shi Shi the way you did, was to have experienced a bit of heaven. What joy it must have been for all his keepers to have met him. May you rest in peace, dear Shi Shi!
July 10th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Thank you, Ellie, for your sweet recollections of Shi Shi. Rest in peace, ” Elder Statesman.” Although it’s sad to learn of his passing, he lived a long life surrounded by people who loved him. And he left a wonderful legacy in Hua Mei and her six cubs. And panda lovers everywhere will remember him always with gratitude and affection.
July 10th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
May you eat many bamboo in the great beyond. Farewell you old rock.
July 10th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Ellie and SDZ, Thank you for posting this in memory of Shi Shi. He has a forever place in my heart.
Gentle old soul that he was, I was blessed to have had the pleasure of knowing him.
July 10th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Shi Shi, your journey continues. I didn’t know you when you lived at the San Diego Zoo. Once I became a member and began to visit my Panda family often, I heard many wonderful stories about you – so much so that I feel I really did know you. Despite any misunderstandings, I’m certain that Bai Yun misses you. Hau Mei would too if she had had the pleasure of meeting you. Rest assured that your legacy continues in the beautiful Panda cubs that Hau Mei has born so far – three sets of twins!! I wouldn’t be surprised if she presents us with another set of twins this year.
The longevity of your life will continue to provide invaluable knowledge about your species for many generations to come. You are a dearly missed ‘Grand Old’ Panda – a world traveller who’s life came full-circle. Your spirit will always be present in San Diego Zoo’s Panda Canyon.
Shi Shi, I wish you well as your journey continues…
July 10th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Dearest Shi Shi, I never got the chance to know you when you were here but I feel like I knew you. What a sweet and beautiful bear you were. You helped to create a beautiful little girl, Hua Mei. You will continue to live on forever through her offspring and will be remembered in our hearts forever. As much as it hurts to lose you, we know that you are in good place and that sweet Mao Mao was there for you when you left this Earth. May you rest in peace dear boy.
July 10th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
San Diego gave him a good life…. He lives on in his daughter Hua Mei and all of his grandchildren. It is hard to have to say goodbye to a part of our lives, but his memories are always in our hearts. Goodbye our sweet prince. Thank you for all the joy, lessons and insights that a panda can bring…. Sleep well…. We love you……
July 10th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
So sorry to hear about the death of Shi Shi. Although he returned to China before I started visiting the zoo, I know he was loved by his keepers and the panda narrators. He and Bai Yun gave us Hua Mei, his only known offspring, and she in turn has ensured that his genes will be represented in the future by already giving him six grand-cubs. What a wonderful story of his uncharacteristic romp on that cold, wet day.
July 10th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Thank you for a fitting tribute to a fine, grand panda. It made me laugh and cry. Sweet travels, Rocky.
July 10th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
I cried when I read this blog. What a wonderful and touching tribute to such an amazing panda. Shi Shi, we will always love you and miss you.
July 10th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
I am not taking these panda deaths too well lately. First Mao Mao, now Shi Shi. My condolences to all the keepers, researchers, narrators, and everyone who loved him, a great panda he was. Every panda is very precious and special, and you are no exception! You lived a full and long life and your job on this earth is done. Farewell Shi shi! I hope that you are enjoying your new premium species of bamboo in Heaven where you are united with all the pandas who have gone on before you, Shi Shi! Thank you for giving us precious and beloved Hua Mei! I’ll always remember you! I can’t hold back the tears that are streaming down my cheeks as I write this!
I hat good byes, I need more hellos as Charlie Brown would say!
God bless everyone here!
July 10th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Another thought….hope that he received a decent burial service as he so deserved! Moderator, does SDZ know anything about his cause of death or if he had a funeral service?
July 10th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
My sympathies to you, Ellie, and to all who took care of dear Shi Shi for all those years. He lived a good long life and although I am very sad that he has passed on, I am sure he is young again and ” romping” around panda heaven.
Geez, I didn’t even KNOW Shi Shi and I am sitting here sobbing. These panda deaths hit hard.
Rest in peace, Shi Shi.
July 10th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
My favorite story of Shi Shi is when he was banging on the door to get inside, out of the rain.
Our Beloved OLD Rocky, Now You can munch and sleep to your heart’s content… There will be no more rain, only sunshine and peace.
Love, Joy
July 10th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
I have seen Shi Shi twice – the first time in May 2001 at SDZ and the second time in September 2007 at Guangzhou Zoo. During the first trip, a friend took a picture of Shi Shi eating and oblivious to a bird in his enclosure. I brought along an enlargement of this photo (8″ x 10″ ) during my trip to Guangzhou Zoo for his keepers there. I had a nice chat with them about him, too.
July 10th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Ellie, thank you for sharing the story and some of the antics of Shi Shi. Unfortunately, I never knew him, or of him, until I found this website, but I feel I know him much better now. I have shed a tear for him, as I know many of us have but I also know he is happy now. RIP Shi Shi. May you meet many rabbits and sleet storms!
July 10th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
I read from a Chinese panda site, another wolong panda ‘Ying Ying’ is confirmed pregnant after an ultrason scan yesterday. The baby panda is due about 5 days.
July 10th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Has shishi left any offsprings?
Moderator’s note: He fathered on daughter, Hua Mei, who now lives in China and has given birth to three sets of twins.
July 10th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
What sad news to hear of Shi Shi passing,although not really unexpected it is still a loss.He sounded quite a loveable character in a grumpy old man sort of way
Do you know what his cause of death was at all? He may not have known he had a daughter but the baby he produced has certainly added to the panda population R.I.P Shi Shi
Moderator’s note: Thank you all for your condolences. We will all miss him. Shi Shi died from old age.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:01 am
What a beautifully written piece! especially the part on his happy hours in the rain. The rain must bring up to Shi Shi all the best memories of his youthful and carefee days in the montain of Wolong. It brought tears to my eyes!
July 11th, 2008 at 2:36 am
That is such sad news. You have such lovely memories of a beautiful bear.
I have only had one chance to visit SDZ and didn’t get to see the pandas as it was the week that Hua Mei was born. If I had been able to see them Shi Shi would have been one of the ones there.
Rest in peace Shi Shi
July 11th, 2008 at 5:51 am
Thanks, Ellie, for a very touching and honorable tribute to the late Shi Shi. As many have written, he was an venerable gentleman who represented rescued wild pandas well. Due to his age, he gave many the opportunity to study panda geriatrics. His last home cared for / loved him well, and provided for all his creature comforts as an old, blind, and deaf resident. He seemed to be happy and ate well. He will be missed by his fans all over the world. He left a legacy of the beautiful and prolific Hua Mei, and at least 6 offspring, with hopefully many more to come.
Did anyone get a photo of ShiShi with bunnies? If so, can you post it? It sounds like a true classic, as does the day when the temperature dropped and he probably felt ” more at home.”
July 11th, 2008 at 6:12 am
OMG! I was just thinking about our dear old fella a few days ago wondering how he was doing! The last I’d read was he had a new, much younger ” roommate” . It’s always so hard to hear about one of our precious pandas’ passing. We can all rest assured that Shi Shi had a wonderful life after his rescue. All the keepers and veterinarians that took excellent care of him are to be commended for insuring he had a healthy, long and comfortable life! AND, the legacy he left, my goodness! What a wonderful ‘ol bear he was!
REST IN PEACE DEAREST SHI SHI…YOU ARE GOING TO BE MISSED BY EVERYONE WHO LOVED YOU.
July 11th, 2008 at 6:35 am
Farewell, dear Shi Shi. Say hello to Mao Mao when you get to panda heaven. You were the sire of my first love, Hua Mei, and for that I will always be grateful. RIP.
July 11th, 2008 at 6:40 am
Rest in peace, dear Shi Shi. The death of one panda, albeit an elderly one, is something we don’t want to hear. Now you are restored in panda home heaven. You have left a wonderful legacy in Hua Mei and her offspring.
July 11th, 2008 at 6:45 am
Ellie, Thank you for this beautiful tribute to our beloved Shi Shi. Many he rest in peace and have sweet dreams of bamboo and his true panda home. his legacy will live on for many years. the rainbow bridge has shown the way home for another of our beautiful animals. Peace dear friend.
July 11th, 2008 at 7:01 am
Ellie – Thank you for such kind words about our grumpy old gent. Shi Shi has always been my favorite guy. And, after he left the SDZ, I finally tracked him down at the GZ in China. Through all my emails and endeavors to find out how Shi Shi was doing, I made a friend in Mr. Wang Jing of the GZ. Through his kindness, I have been able to keep an eye on my ” boy.” Through his emails and photos, I have watched Shi Shi with a heavy heart enduring the aging process; and, it was not easy for my sweet Shi Shi. I am so heartbroken.
July 11th, 2008 at 7:56 am
Thank you Ellie for confirming, sadly, the passing of our beloved Shi Shi.
Rest in peace Shi Shi. You will live on through our beautiful Hua Mei and all her children.
We will treasure all your photos from our first meeting in February 1998 until your departure in January 2003.
July 11th, 2008 at 8:12 am
Rest in peace, our dear friend.
July 11th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Well said Ellie, thankyou for you beautiful words about a beautiful Bear. Shi Shi was before my time as a Panda cam watcher, but I have done some research on him. The pictures you posted on this blog are wonderful, thankyou for that. I can only imagine what this fine gentleman has taught all concerned about Panda Care, his legacy of course will live on through his daughter and her cubs.
Sounds to me like he was very very well taken care of all of his life in captivity and lived to a grand old age.
Rest in Peace Sir and thankyou for what you have given all of us that are so enthralled by the beautiful Panda Bear… K, here come the tears, better get to work….
July 11th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Thank you for the update on Shi Shi. It seems there has been speculation for some time as to whether or not he was still with us. May he rest in peace and romp in Panda Heaven with Mao Mao and the others.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:04 am
so sorry to hear this. rest in peace Shi Shi and God Bless!
July 11th, 2008 at 9:05 am
What an heartbreaking to hear he passed away…
Shi Shi and Mao Mao … so sorry and I’m deeply sad today.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Shi Shi (and Bai) were the first pandas I saw in person. I thought that’s all they ever did was sleep and probably eat when I wasn’t there. I don’t remember them getting enrichment items as they do now, but I only get down to SD every two years or so and could easily have missed them.
I am glad that the trainers/companions are not in the compounds with the pandas like they were when pandas first came to the zoo. How far we have come since then.
I will always remember Shi Shi but am lucky that I do have one picture of him, sleeping of course.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Shi Shi, you will be missed. Rest in Peace my fuzzy friend.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Ellie what a wonderful tribute to Shi Shi. It is so heartbreaking to hear of another Panda death. Rest in peace dear Shi Shi.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Thanks, Ellie, for your wonderful account about Shi Shi. Your comments are a true confirmation that Shi Shi has passed on to panda heaven, and I think that he’s enjoying himself tremendously with all of the other pandas that have passed on over the years, including Mao Mao, Ling Ling, Hsing Hsing, several others. Shi Shi was a great older gentleman of the pandas, and I know that you were truly blessed to have him at SDZ for those few years to learn more about pandas and appreciate them in a whole new way. My condolences to all of you at SDZ Panda Center and to the keepers at Guangzhou Zoo, China, in the loss of this wonderful old bear.
I have some other news to share with all of the pandafans. National Zoo will be ending their Wolong fundraising soon. Their last day for anyone to donate thru the NZ website is July 15, so you all in the DC area still have a few more days to send in donations thru them. They have raised over $55,000 so far in donations to help Wolong with relief supplies and the rebuilding effort.
Pandas International website has a new update written online today (July 11) from Suzanne Braden called ” Second Day at Wolong” . This update shares more insights and pictures of Suzanne’s stay at Wolong. She only stayed there about 3 days, then went on that very hard rough journey in the 4 wheel drive vehicle back to Chengdu to take her flight back to the states. Her stay there was sad but very informative, and it also raised the spirits and hopes of the Wolong staff who are still working hard to care for the little pandas under some tough conditions without electricity and running water. She’s also gearing up to start raising more money to be able to send in more panda formula to Wolong very soon because they are starting to run low on it. Wolong Reserve was very lucky to have the stockpile of formula there before the quake hit, and that has kept them going in making sure that the baby pandas had their milk for the last couple of months. I did get on the Animal Planet website last nite and put my nomination in for Suzanne Braden for the 2008 Hero of the Year award. I sure do hope that she does win this because the $10,000 will be a wonderful gift for PI and Suzanne can go back to China again to see how things are going over there.
For the animal lovers in general out there, some great news of other animals! Memphis Zoo has announced that their African elephant, Asali, is now pregnant! This will be the first elephant baby birth in this zoo’s 102 year old history, and they are very excited about it! Asali had 2 AI procedures done on Sept. 21-22, 2007, and the due date is around July, 2009. They have been doing regular ultrasounds on Asali and that’s when they saw the developing baby elephant. Neat stuff!! Just got on the NZ ferretcam a while ago, and the baby ferret is now starting to show the black markings on the tail, all 4 legs, and face, and the ears have started to pop open. Now, we’re waiting for the eyes to open up in the next week or so. This little baby ferret has really grown over the last 3 weeks or so and is still very active.
I got on the SDZ pandacam, too! Saw Bai Yun napping, but didn’t catch ZZ yet. Will check on the cam later on. Also, pandacam C6 is pretty dark despite the daylight. Is there anyway you can get that cam checked out for brightness, because I could barely see Bai on that cam.
Well, gonna go and shut this down. My computer guy is coming over to do some maintenance on my computer. Will get back on here after this is done.
Again my condolences to all of the panda keepers at SDZ and China on the loss of Shi Shi! He was loved by everyone very much!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
July 11th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
He sounds like a fine boy!! My first love was Mei Lan, our cub in Atlanta, GA. After seeing her born I have fallen in love with these beautiful creatures and hearing about the loss of one is like losing one of your own family. I commend everyone that takes care of, studies, feeds, etc. these animals. They truly are a blessing
RIP Shi Shi, say hello to Mao Mao, we miss you both
July 11th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Another congrats to the Meerkats. It’s12:25 pm Friday and the staff is cleaning the enclosure and we have this beautiful camera shot of Zhen, asleep in her tree with the ladies working under and around her. It really shows how sound children sleep. Or is she just stubborn and refuses to come in?
July 11th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Thank you Ellie for a beautiful tribute to your old friend Shi Shi, my condolences to you and everyone else who knew and cared for him. And to all of us pandaholics on the planet, each passing of a precious endangered panda is a loss to all, whether they realize it or not (no thanks to Mother Nature!!). Let’s just hope more cubs are born, and soon, to lift all our spirits! In the meantime, while we wait for the new precious ones to come on board, we’ll enjoy the ones we have–little ZZ is a continual delight, and 2 big birthdays in SD are coming right up! Wish I could be there to see them celebrate, but pandacam will share it with us I’m sure. Rest in peace Shi Shi, you enriched us all with your being.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
I will never forget the day in September, 1996, when Shi Shi arrived in San Diego. He looked like ” death-warmed-over.” A year later, when keepers arrived from Wolong, they barely recognized him. His bony body had filled out, his coat was shiny, and he had a little more life in his already old step. The San Diego Zoo was good to him. Why he did not go for the beautiful Bai Yun remains a mystery, but if in fact he was badly wounded from a fight over females, as Ellie described, perhaps he was psychologically damaged and afraid to be around females. The Zoo has videos of Bai Yun throwing herself at him when she was in estrus, but he didn’t want any part of it. In any event, the years of fruitless pairing with Bai Yun led to his eventual return to China in exchange for super-stud Gao Gao. After hearing that he had been sent to Guangzhou, where the heat is oppressive, many feared that he would not last long. We owe thanks to the staff at Guangzhou Zoo that he lived on for several more years. Despite Shi Shi’s focus on food and sleep, he was majestic in his own way. Though not unexpected, it is sad to hear that he is gone.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
I firmly believe that when we die Heaven is a place where the animals we have loved in life are waiting for us. We are reunited with them and they are healthy and happy and romping and eating. Shi Shi will be waiting for each of us. My condolences to all who knew and loved the Big Guy. SDZ: Thank you for taking such good care of him here. And, of course, thanks to his Chinese caregivers.
As an aside, can anyone tell me the name of the two Pandas that the LA Zoo and San Diego Zoo had as visitors in the 80s? (I’m not sure if they were the same Pandas as they were here several years apart as I remember.) Thanks.
Moderator’s note: The San Diego Zoo hosted pandas Basi and Yuan Yuan for 200 days in 1987.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Hi! Just got back on my computer after all of the maintenance work done on it. Just checked the pandacam, C3, and didn’t see Su Lin on it, so I’m thinking that she’s wondered off somewhere to explore or take a nap. Has anyone checked pandacam C6 to see if it can be a little bit brighter yet? Hope so!
Gonna go and check on my other favorite websites. Will be back later on!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
July 11th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Shi Shi is the only panda I have seen so far in person. I saw him last fall in China when I was there on a business trip.
Rest in peace Shi Shi you were adorable.
July 11th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
I remember when Shi Shi arrived; what a joy it was to welcome him to San Diego. And we San Diegans will always be grateful for his gift to us, his beautiful daughter Hua Mei.
I have read the book written about Shi Shi and bamboo to my son; we won’t forget him. Rest in peace, sweet Panda.
July 11th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Again my condolences to everyone at SDZ who knew and loved Shi Shi. He was a special bear, and he left his paw prints on the hearts of his fans around the world. This was a beautiful tribute to a beautiful life.
July 11th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
I saw Shi Shi in 2002 when my wife arranged a trip to San Diego for me for Father’s Day. His story of being rescued in the wild is still amazing. And still, we don’t quite understand what draws some sick and injured pandas to seek help from humans. Like something tells them if they can get to where humans are, they’ll be helped.
Shi Shi was definitely his own panda. I think that’s one reason so many of us loved him.
July 11th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Rest in peace Shi Shi, I have fond memories of you at the SDZ visited him many times before he left, your legacy lives on with your beautiful daughter Hua Mei and your grandbaby pandas.
You are now young again running, playing and eating all the bamboo you want with all of the other pandas in heaven. Have fun Shi Shi you deserve it!!!!
It is certainly a sad time for all the world that we have lost another precious gift our pandas.
July 11th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Thanks, Ellie, and everyone for your reminiscences of Shi Shi. He had already returned to China by the time I discovered pandacam, so I’ve never had a chance to see him other than in pictures. It continues to amaze me just how individual and special each panda is to those who know, see, and care for them. I’m glad he had a chance to enjoy a bit of ” the good life” at SDZ and be cared for and loved there and in Guangzhou. I hope Candy Coleman #27 will convey our sympathies to Wang Jing too.
RIP up in panda heaven, Shi Shi.
July 11th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Ellie, you wrote a truly beautiful piece of respect to our dear friend Shi Shi. I knew him since he came over here in 1996, but never saw him in China. He did, however, touch my heart so it is a sad day to lose a panda. Rest in peace big boy.
Ellie, a huge thanks to your team for doing such a great job with our pandas. I adore all of them and I feel blessed to live here in San Diego where we can see those darling cubbies grow up, and it’s always wonderful to see beautiful mother Bai-Yun.
July 11th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Ellie – thanks for your memories of Shi Shi – He sounded like a grand old fella.
#27 Candy – from the blogs know how fond you were of Shi Shi – he lived a good life after being rescued & left us a wonderful legacy in HuaMei & her wonderful family.
July 11th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
The birth watch for Mei Xiang is frustrating – I watched her for an hour Thurs. night & was convinced I’d see a cub born any minute. She was curled up in a corner of her den, then she’d sit up and bend over like she was licking herself. Then back to laying down with a leg against the wall. This went on & on & once she seemed to fluff a pile of bamboo. She seemed very uncomfortable when she suddenly sat up grabbed a piece of bamboo and slowly ambled out of the den. I jumped out of bed this morning hoping for news of a birth but today it’s the same thing. Can only imagine the tension at the NZ waiting & wondering .
July 11th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Ellie, thank’s for keeping us updated on the panda’s. I will alway’s remember the sweat boy ” Shi Shi” who arrived from china. It is so sad to learn of his passing. He will remain in my heart. And hope to see him in the New heaven and New Earth. Where all the animals will be able to romp and play together. God created many magificant creature’s and one of them are the Panda’s. Rest in peace our dear Shi Shi.
July 11th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
I literally grew up in the zoo, my father worked at the zoo, and I returned to live in San Diego after a 22-year hiatus to spend most of my off time at the zoo! I so appreciate the opportunities I have had in my life to see so many animal wonders right here in my home town. By far my favorite animals have been the pandas. Thank you to the SDZ for sponsoring this blog where I have learned even more about our precious pandas. I check in on all the US pandas at lunchtime at work–so far no one at work has as yet noticed when I have cried–unfortunately we pandaholics have had a lot to cry about lately. I feel better knowing others feel like I do about our panda family.
July 12th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Thank you Ellie for the lovely story about Shi Shi Like some of the others have said tears were flowing again. On the lighter side I was watching little Miss ZZ having a good time this afternoon. Looks like she had a block of ice which she was putting to good uses sitting, climbing, and rolling around on it. Then checking out what her mother was doing by stealing her boo and climbing on her I don’t think Bai was to happy about it, but it was fun to watch.
July 12th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Thank you, Ellie for the wonderful tribute to the father of my 1st cub, Hua Mei.
#27 Candy -Thanks also for the occasional updates on our old boy. I often thought of him and loved hearing about him through you.
Shi Shi – your precious wild genes live on through your daughter and her 6 cubs. I’m sure there will be many more offspring in the coming years! Hua Mei has done you proud!
July 12th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Rest in Peace beautiful panda!
July 12th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
I cried when I heard about Shi Shi and I hope he had a long happy life… He was a beautiful panda bear and he will be missed by all.
July 13th, 2008 at 9:13 am
Another panda gone is one too many! Ellie, thank you so much for recollecting Shi Shi’s life. My condolences to everybody at SDZ and Wolong who knew Shi Shi and cared for him. Although not really knowing him, just from the picture, I was sad to hear of his ” going to a better place” , but also relieved to learn that after a fulfilled life he died of old age. How much better than having to suffer from a fatal illness! He left wonderful offspring behind that are going to continue his valuable genes. Bye, bye, dear Shi Shi, you will be sadly missed by all us panda lovers. #42 Betty, whenever I lost a beloved pet (there have been many in 30 years) I sought some consolation by believing that we are all going to be reunited somewhere, may be Heaven, one day. This thought makes it much easier to come to terms with another animal gone.
On a more cheerful note: Last week my husband and I watched ” Kung Fu Panda” at the movies which was really hilarious and heart-warming at the same time. Mind you, in the beginning I felt quite sorry for this clumsy fellow. But no doubt, he came out top in the end and was highly regarded by his friends and opponents.
July 14th, 2008 at 7:32 am
I never had the pleasure of going to the zoo back then when Shi Shi was a resident of the SDZ, but I find the news very sad !! Sorry for SDZ, and Wonlong’s loss !!
July 14th, 2008 at 8:41 am
Bravo to you, beloved Shi Shi! You lived a long and extraordinary life….spanning two continents and at least three cultures; wild Panda life, American life as a captive Panda, and a return to your native country to live out your final years. With the help of the great SDZ team, you fulfilled your ultimate Panda destiny and sired a cub who has passes on your genes six times! And, dear, dear, bear, you are loved and remembered by so very many!
Rest now, grand old gentleman. You have more than done your part. Sleep now to dreams of apples and youth and bamboo, and awake to the misty mountains of your wild home.
July 14th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Once again, condolences to all the Panda family who loved Shi Shi, a venerable old gentleman. I know we all are contributing to charities to help with the Panda rescue and relocation centers, but I also put a collection can out at my recent yard sale, for the local Humane Society…am I correct that many junkaholics are also panda/animal lovers? Never miss a chance to collect for the critters! I am also going through labor pains with Mei Xiang, last night the cam was off her for a couple of hours and I was a mess wondering if all was ok with her & possible baby. I remember doing this with Bai last year…my husband coming into the computer room when I yelled ” PUSH!” Jeez, sometimes I think I am off the deep end with this, thank you all for the comfort that I am not alone!
July 14th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Another Wolong panda, Ying Ying has given birth to one cub last night.
July 14th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Does anyone know if Shi Shi was given a decent burial like Mao Mao did? I certainly hope so! You will be missed here on earth Mao Mao and Shi Shi, but Heaven’s gained another pair of great pandas!
I really miss Hua Mei and Mei Sheng too, I wonder when will China allow visitors to see them again in Bifengia, does anyone have word on that? Thanks.
July 14th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Adieu Shi Shi, you sweet old curmudgeon. What gifts you gave us all. It is such a comfort to know your curmudgeonly genes live on in Hua Mei and her many offspring, taking the best of you into the future. Since I believe that no place could possibly be called ‘heaven’ without all the animals we’ve known and loved, in my heart I know that you are romping in heaven, once again young and frisky, with all your favorite bamboo at hand. Farewell our beloved elder states-panda.
July 14th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
The NZ has a new update on Mei Xiang today -she is showing maternal behavior & is not cooperating with an ultrasound. Volunteers are now watching her 24 hours a day. The wait continues.
July 14th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Conversation with Shi Shi #2
Haven Tourist: Hello, Shi Shi.
Shi Shi: Hello, Mr. Haven Tourist.
H: You’re so happy now.
S: Yup.
H: No more pains?
S: No more pains. HEE HEE HEE. HA HA HA.
H: And you’re so lively.
S: Oh, and I’m so in love!
H: Oh, you can now smell everything, too, huh?
S: Yup. And listen!
H: Wow! Sounds like Chinese pop star Mao Amin.
S: Yeah. It’s her namesake Mao Mao singing.
H: Wow. Such a nice voice.
S: And she’s beautiful. Let’s splash! Let’s splash! WOO-O-O-O-O-ooo-HOO-O-O-O-O-ooo!
July 14th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
That was so bittersweet… goodnight, sweet Shi Shi.
July 15th, 2008 at 9:20 am
Oh P. Wong — that is so sweet — and exactly how I will remember Shi Shi & Mao Mao — just happy lovebirds in a place where nothing bad can happen ever again! Maybe my furry friends Bo and Morgan will stop by to say hello — as they are there as well. Excuse me while I grab a kleenex…
July 15th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
P.Wong all I can say is Thank You so much, it’s a great feeling to know that they are all happy and healthy and with friends
July 15th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Perfect, P Wong, just perfect!
July 15th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Thank you P Wong. You’ve outdone yourself this time.
July 16th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
P Wong, you are just the best. Your conversations are the sweetest, most endearing things and I treasure every one of them.
July 18th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Ellie,
Thank you SO much for such an endearing blog. I get news of pandas in my email; and it was with sadness that I read of Shi Shi’s passing. Thank you for sharing your memories with us. I was able to visit Shi Shi just once; when I came out to see Hua Mei when she was just a baby. I have some photographs of him that I will treasure for a lifetime. He is the father of Hua Mei — who I consider my ” first love of pandas.” She is the one that captured my heart, soul and attention with this new ” fangled” thing called a panda cam back in 1999!! I haven’t looked back since!
So, to the father of the little one Hua Mei — I will miss you so. But your legacy continues in your daughter and her babies, too!!
July 19th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Thank you to all of the staff and caretakers of Shi Shi…giving and sharing the opportunities, enriching our curiosities and continuing the committment to learning of cultures and creatures beyond. Shi Shi will forever be remembered in the hearts and souls of many.
July 19th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Shi Shi will be missed I always enjoyed going to the zoo when Shi Shi was there. I’m from San Diego,California. I still love to see the Pandas at the zoo they always look so peaceful and happy. Thank you for the experience.
July 20th, 2008 at 9:20 am
Rest in peace, beloved Shi Shi. Thank you for bringing Hua Mei to the world, a precious gift to the nature.
July 21st, 2008 at 1:26 pm
A beloved bear gone. Too final!
I found it interesting that 98% of the comments came from the female gender.
Proof we are the sentimental ones.
July 22nd, 2008 at 10:25 am
I just returned from vacation and saw the news of Shi Shi’s death. He was dear to all of us, and in spite of his reluctance in breeding, it is still his DNA that started the whole series of US born pandas! I loved to watch him ” chew his cud” and hear him whinny when he had eaten the last folivore cookie. He could never get enough of them. Good bye, Old Friend.
July 24th, 2008 at 7:50 am
It’s so sad to learn that one of our pandas has gone on. But, as one of God’s beautiful creatures, they move on to a magnificent heaven filled with delicious bamboo, misty mountain sides, and cool peaceful temperatures. They romp and play in safety and freedom. We can only thank them for the great gifts they shared with us while here. Shi Shi, you gave us so much. We learned so much from you, and you gave us a beautiful daughter. Now, enjoy your forever home. We’ll miss you until later.
July 24th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
I am saddened to literal tears in hearing of Shi Shi’s passing and I pray he did not suffer in any way. I am honored to have seen him many times and have many pictures of him (many back side only, but the majority of the time he at least showed his side views while eating) these pictures will mean so much more now that he is gone from this world. Bye bye Shi Shi and may you forever be romping through the never ending bamboo forest in the sky !!!!!!!!!
July 29th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
I haven’t been keeping up with the blogs since all of our fires here in Northern CA. The closest one is now 95% contained so we’ve been able to go to web sites other than continuous fire update sites. The world has gone on. Shi Shi is really gone. What an old gentleman bear. I do hope that he had, if not a true funeral, at least kind words were spoken about him. Rest in peace Shi Shi.
August 5th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Shi Shi will always be remembered by us all. He is in a much better place. The first time ever saw the pandas at SDZ, I was one the last viewers there. Even though it was dark, I realized what great creatures pandas are. And what a great panda Shi Shi was. May God bless you in heaven, Shi Shi.
August 15th, 2008 at 8:18 am
Shi Shi was one of the first pandas I had the pleasure of ” meeting” at the SDZ. Bless his furry little heart. He’ll be forever missed, but what a grand old life the big boy had. My heart breaks a thousand times over every time I hear of a panda passing on.
RIP, our beloved Shi Shi – may you find lots of bamboo to munch on and perhaps a wild bunny or two to play with.
October 4th, 2008 at 5:55 am
rip shi shi was a good boy rest in peace