The Boy’s Back In Town!
Posted at 10:53 am September 4, 2008 by Ellie Rosenbaum
After a too-long absence, Gao Gao is back on exhibit at the San Diego Zoo. It’s been many months since he’s graced us with his presence and he’s looking awfully good! We’ve had some shifting along the way (Gao and Su Lin, back and forth) but it appears that he’ll be with us for a while.
(Don’t ask me why these things happen; it’s all up to the keepers and animal care managers, always in the best interests of the animals. It keeps the narrators and guests on their toes, since over the years we’ve learned not to be surprised by who we greet each morning at the Giant Panda Research Station.)
Gao has been treated the last two mornings with his favorite enrichment: piles of pine shavings, usually seen only once every few weeks. We know that this is one of his favorites; he rolls and stretches, rubs and curls into them at least once during its time in the exhibit. Feeder puzzles or feeder balls are a source of food, but pine shavings (and honey drizzles) seem to be the most enjoyed. Now that the busy summer season has passed and the number of visitors and buses through the canyon is fewer, it’s a fitting way to welcome him back to the viewing area.
He’s as grubby as ever, ploppping down in his favorite spots and even hanging off the faux tree stump as if he’d never been away. Perhaps he’s mellowing out in his “middle age.” There’s been some olfactory investigation, but mostly he’s just adopted his old routine, this morning sitting and eating bamboo, leaning against the rock, eyes closed, chowing down some bamboo culm.
Gao’s return to the fore means that Su Lin will be getting a well-deserved break after this busy time in the quieter, off-exhibit area behind the Giant Panda Research Station. While all pandas are noise-sensitive, younger pandas tend to react more visibly, so while we’ll miss her, a change of scene and a little more quiet will be a nice change of pace for Su Lin. Keepers are always alert to the behavior of their charges, and she, too, had been treated along the way to her favorite goodies while she did her important job of entertaining and educating our guests about her species through the spring and summer.
Reminder to all: Bai Yun will be 17 years old on September 7. In the wild, a panda’s life span can range from 16 to 20 years, but pandas in managed care can live up to 30 years or more, and Bai shows all the indications of having many more good years ahead of her. Happy Birthday, precious bear! How much you have taught us over the years. Keep it up!
Ellie Rosenbaum is a panda narrator at the San Diego Zoo.
Moderator’s note: As luck would have it, our local TV station, KPBS, will be airing a show called Panda Tales about daughter Zhen Zhen’s first year on September 7 at 8 p.m. Other PBS stations will air the show later on this year. The KPBS production crew follows Zhen’s story from birth to her first birthday. The show also highlights our dedicated scientists and veterinarians at the San Diego Zoo and their colleagues in China, all of who have worked to improve breeding techniques for giant pandas. Panda Tales combines music and fun scenes of Zhen Zhen growing up while showcasing panda conservation. In between breaks you’ll also see Dr. Ron Swaisgood and Dr. Meg Sutherland-Smith talking about the San Diego Zoo’s panda program.
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September 4th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Our grubby boy! How we love to watch you eat.
And Happy Birthday, Ms. Bai Yun. You are a special, special lady, and very loved.
Just checked AZ, and no updates today on cubbie.
Thanks for the update on our Guy Gao. We all look forward to your updates on our pandas.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:37 am
Happy Birthday Bai!!!! I hope it’s a special one. I was just in AZ and they said that Lun Lun and baby are doing very well. They took her twice yesterday to weigh the baby and he is gaining a little more weight and his temp is normal. Lun Lun tolerates his absence, but is happy to have him back in her warm embrace. Sounds like things will be good for mom and baby.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:38 am
I just love Gao Gao. He is so masculine looking despite his diminutive size. He is always fun to watch – even if he is doing nothing! He seems to always be smiling, as if, the difficulties he faced in the wild make him appreciate the love, affection and attention (not to mention the endless supply of his beloved boo) he receives at SDZ. Thank you for letting us get to know and love this guy. He is indeed a very special panda. Afterall, he is the Master Studmuffin – giving us 3 wonderful cubs the good old-fashioned way! May your life be charmed, Mr. Gao. You certainly charm your fans!
September 4th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Thanks, Ellie, for the update on Gao Gao. Su Lin has delighted her fans with her antics all summer, and as you said she has earned her well deserved rest and peace and quiet. Besides, she needs quiet time to chat through mental telepathy with big brother Mei Sheng at Bifenxia about how to prepare little sister for time on her own starting in February-March. She had so much fun playing peek-a-boo with him from the trees and at the Howdy window, that I am sure she will do the same with ZZ when the opportunity comes. She also has her own personal climbing structure to entertain her when she has a need for physical exercise. Enjoy your R&R big girl! We’ll miss seeing you up front, but will catch glimpses of you on the cam.
Gao Gao can get the applause and attention he deserves for being the proud father of three beautiful cubs. He can hear and smell his youngest one from a far and see her in the tree tops as she explores high above him. If one wants to see the proper way a panda eats bamboo, they can watch him.
Happy Birthday, White Cloud! You are momma panda extraordinare! You deserve the break you will get when your little ZZ goes off on her own in few months. It is hard to believe you are already 17! You are such a beauty, and your handsome beau is just next door dreaming of the wonderful times he gets to spend with you every two years. I’ll bet he is already dreaming about this coming spring and feeling romantic in preparation. More munching to do before then.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Great to have an update on the boy. Wonder how long it will be before Princess Su Lin climbs up that tree to look over and see the visitors.
September 4th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Happy birthday Bai Yun! Hope you get your own special ice cake (although you seem to think any ice cake you see is your own special ice cake).
So glad that mother & cub are doing well at AZ!
Gao Gao, what a guy!
September 4th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
What a sight on the cam – Bai sitting calmly eating bamboo while Miss Z kept climbing on a branch, swinging like a monkey & falling off on Bai – she did it over & over. Bai never stopped eating. Our wonderful Mom deserves a special birthday this year.
Still waiting for official word from ZA about their cub.
September 4th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Glad to hear Gao Gao gets some up front time to show off his beauty and what a great bear his is. Also a Big Happy Birthday day to Bai Yun her 17th she doesn’t look a day over 10. lol She has been a great mom to all 4 of cubs.
September 4th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Gao Gao is that special panda that seems like a fun animal to take care of. I think Kris (#3) is right that he appreciates the perks of zoo-living.
I was blessed to see Zhen playing around 1PM today, she sure kept the Meerkats on their toes following her with the camera.
It looked like she was playing Olympic gymnast.
First she was on the bars, tumbling over them and going from one to the other so gracefully. Then she walked on the beam and did a flip right over it and stuck the dismount. Then her floor (ground) routine was full of running and jumping up. After that, she ran and vaulted over the rock and stuck the landing… right on Bai Yun’s head. Lastly, she demonstrated her flexibility by picking up a stick and twirling it, accomplishing the first cross-over from artistic gymnastics to rhythmic gymnastics. I gave her a perfect score (of course)
I was wondering if Zhen is leaving any evidence that she is digesting some bamboo… that usually happens around this age.
I hope Su Lin enjoys her rest at Club Bear. She deserves it after a long and tiring few months in the spotlight.
I love this time of year, It’s full of PANDA CELEBRATIONS!!!
Happy Birthday to Bai Yun!
(You don’t look a day over 12!)
Love, Joy
September 4th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Welcome back Gao Gao! I know your fans will be so glad to see you.
The pandas always look so happy in their enclosures that it is difficult to remember they are truly solitary creatures. I know Su Lin will enjoy her time out of the public eye. At least her fans will be able to see her on panda cam. She has grown up so much since our trip to San Diego last fall. We were fortunate to see her and Gao Gao on display. Su Lin high in a tree and Gao Gao happily munching away.
Happy birthday Bai! You are such an extraordinary bear with beautiful babies.
Watching and waiting for the Atlanta updates has reminded me how precious our pandas. Thank you China for sharing your pandas with us.
September 4th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
It’s so lovely to see Gao Gao again. He was off exhibit when I came to the Zoo, though of course I saw him around the back at the breakfast. I think he’s a very smart bear.
And a very Happy 17th Birthday to Bai on Sunday; she is indeed a very beautiful bear. That must make ZZ both a smart and beautiful bear!!
September 4th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Did anyone else happen to see Zhen this morning up in her tree munching on and thoroughly enjoying what looked to be a large carrot? She probably swiped it from momma Bai’s treats. It was fun to watch her and act like ” I am a big bear now” .
September 4th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Maureen #7, I agree with you. Bai Yun deserves her own huge ice cake. What a Mommy. I, too, watched ZZ (like Maureen # and Joy #9) with a big smile on my face around 1:00 SD time. Momma was so patient while she fell on her head. I held my breath when she was up in the tree…….afraid she was going to fall. She was amazing. Quite a show. Thank you, Meerkats! You made my day. Great job.
September 4th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Oh yes, how could I forget? A big ” Happy Birthday” to our beautiful Bai Yun!
September 4th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Does Gao Gao have a bithday celebration??? You could use the date of his arrival at the SDZ. Such beautiful animals.
September 4th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Today,(9/4/08) I emailed myself the finest photo of Mr. Gao Gao smiling as he snarfed his bamboo
It’s been rather warm here in the southland of Ca, so visits to the SDZ have been postponed temporarily….I want to see the baby tigers and the iguanas and the crazy, yet unseen, turtle at the childrens zoo as well as the ‘Stars’.
I missed the Zhen jumping ‘attacks’ on her mom! Darn! Little Miss is turning into an acrobat! I cannot wait to visit Bai, Zhen, and Gao….and perhaps see Sweet Su peeking from a perch
Thank You SDZ for the Pandacam!!!!!
To all: Panda prayer does work! Lun and Little Dude are doing well! Keep them going! Bless All at Atlanta, China, animal lovers, who care enough to Love All Animals!
September 4th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Thanks Ellie for the update. I am sure that you have learned to adjust and adapt as the bears rotate on the exhibit. I envy you for having such a fun job of narrating, as you get to witness the bears grow and romp around.
Happy birthday to Bai Yun! I hope she gets some special treats this Sunday.
September 4th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
I am so glad to see Gao Gao again. He has a special place in my heart – and I suspect in many other hearts, too! He is just the coolest guy!
Happy Birthday to Bai Yun! I was really surprised that she is going to be 17. Wow. I thought she was younger. She is definitely young at heart! She is such an awesome mom…please reward her with a nice ice cake!!!
Things are looking very good in Atlanta! I know LunLun will not let us down! Does anyone know what LunLun means?
Moderator’s note: Bai Yun will get her favorite treat of all this Sunday: apple slushies!
September 4th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
I totally agree with #3-Kris’ comment. GaoGao is indeed a happy, handsome, special, smart, adorable panda bear. You just gotta love that guy. Go GaoGao!!
Does GaoGao have a birthday? I know he was born in the wild and all but couldn’t SDZ give him a birthday with some special treat? Afterall he totally deserved it?
Happy Birthday BaiYun. May your pile of bamboo be everlasting. Same to GaoGao and the children, MeiSheng, SuLin and ZhenZhen
Moderator’s note: We like the idea of celebrating Gao’s arrival at the Zoo (January 15, 2003)! Our panda animal care staff will order him a special ice cake for that day.
September 4th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Gao’s back in his favorite yard again, and I hope he gets his bedroom back! He loves to eat his boo in there when it’s nice and private! Panda birthday weekend coming up, you all! Mei Lan (Atlanta) on 9/6, Bai Yun (SDZ) on 9/7! Happy birthday to the both of them! I think Bai will be 12 years old, right? Mei Lan will be a two year old! Looking forward to seeing bday parties for the both of them.
In case you all didn’t read my comments on the other article, AZ panda keepers have their update available to read for Thurs., 9/4/2008, 5pm. This update has a nice chart that has the cub’s weights from when he was in the incubator thru today. The weight increase is great to see for a 5 day old cub, and he’s still with Lun Lun as of tonite. The keepers are still watching both Lun and her cub very closely, but they are very glad to see that everything is going in the right direction after what happened on Monday. Lun is still a very good mom despite the times when the keepers take her cub out for checkups, and she is still making sure that her cub stays warm and fed. So, keep praying for Lun and her cub because it is working, you all! I’m also hoping that AZ will have the pandacam back on 24/7 showing Lun and cub real soon. I know that we all would love to see Lun and her baby together and watch this little fighting boy grow, develop, and reach those important milestones in the next several months.
Well, gonna go and get ready for bed. Will be back later on!
Chari Mercier
Moderator’s note: Bai Yun was born September 7, 1991. She will be 17 years old this Sunday.
St. Pete, FL
September 4th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Zhu Yun gives birth to twins 9/3/08: (English language article with photos)
www (dot) pandaclub (dot) net (slash) %5Cview_e.jsp?tipid=1220501080416
Zhang Ka births cub 8/26/08: (English language article now available along with photos)
www (dot) pandaclub (dot) net (slash) %5Cview_e.jsp?tipid=1220506701613
September 4th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
I’m glad the news from Atlanta is better and the cub is getting stronger and doing OK. I think the one bright spot of the week-end of worrying is that we know the gender of the cub so soon, instead of having to wait the usual month or more. I don’t like calling any panda ” it” — I prefer to say ” HE is doing much better!”
Praying that he and his Mom and all at ZA continue to be blessed.
Love, Joy
September 5th, 2008 at 1:00 am
Happy Birthday Bai Yun!!
I am planing to come to SDZ this weekend and can’t wait to see you!
Love,
Seiko
September 5th, 2008 at 1:58 am
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BAI YUN! She is such a special and handsome panda. I love her ears, they look like she is wearing a crown.
WELCOME BACK, GAO GAO! What a lovely bear he is!
September 5th, 2008 at 5:23 am
Happy Birthday Bai Yun. You are one special panda, giving us your children to enjoy!!
And Gao Gao what can we say he is the master panda!!
thanks to everyone in San Diego for all the great care you give these beloved animals.
September 5th, 2008 at 5:26 am
With all the drama going on with the new cub at ZA, I haven’t seen a mention that Mei Xiang and Tian Tian are back together. Just checked the cam and they are sitting back to back and eating Bamboo. Really cute.
A couple of years ago while doing some searching about the various US panda cubs, I found a picture with the caption ” Zoo Keepers feed bottle to Hua Mei at San Diego Zoo” . I didn’t know that she had any hand rearing when she was born. Did it last very long?
Panda Team responds: We never fed a bottle to Hua Mei.
September 5th, 2008 at 6:23 am
Ah, the little big boy. I just love Gao, and Mei Sheng, and Tai Shan. I love ” da boys.” But then, ZZ has captured my heart with her personality, and Su Lin is beautiful. Then there’s Bai–grand dam of them all. The teflon bear that doesn’t get dirty. Happy Birthday, dear Bai, you are a treasure with all you have accomplished so well. Gee, I guess I love them ALL!
September 5th, 2008 at 8:12 am
I’ve just watched a preview of Sundays programme about Zhen Zhen on the KPBS website. Unfortunately that’s all I’ll be able to see. I’m heartbroken, it looks really great.
September 5th, 2008 at 8:41 am
No update from AZ this morning yet?
September 5th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Moderator: YAY!!!! I am SO HAPPY Bai Yun will get her apple slushies for her birthday!!! I knew you wonderful people at the SDZ wouldn’t let her day pass without an appropriate celebration!
And yes…celebrating Gao Gao’s in January is a great idea! He will love his cake, I’m sure!! Gao Gao rocks!
September 5th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Hi! Just checked the Atlanta Zoo panda page, and they have today’s update available for us to read for Friday, 9/5. The biggest news about this update is that the cub now weighs in at 165 grams!!! WOW!!! Looks like everything is back to normal so far, you all! But, I know that the keepers and vets are not letting their guard down one bit yet! They are still in hyper watch mode until they are totally comfortable in the direction the cub is going, which is uphill right now! Lun is doing a great job taking care of her baby.
Just got on the SDZ cam, and saw Bai Yun but no ZZ, so I know where little Miss Fluffy Butt is at now—UP A TREE!! Napping!! Hope to catch her on the cam later on.
It looks like the AZ panda keepers are going back to just one update a day now. Will let you know what I find out about the 24/7 cam on Lun and cub as soon as I get the info. The AZ cam is on either Mei Lan or Yang Yang right now.
I noticed on the list of pandacam numbers that Su Lin still has the bedroom! I was hoping that Gao would get it back for awhile! Oh well—–
Well, gotta go. Will write back later on.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
September 5th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Moderator #18 and #19, so happy to hear that Bai Yun AND Gao Gao will each get their special celebration and their favorite treats! They have both done their very best to contribute to panda population and preservation of their gene pool in the captive population. They deserve THE VERY BEST celebration and treats possible.
Horray for Bai and Gao! Without them, the birthday girls from August wouldn’t exist.
September 5th, 2008 at 11:47 am
Moderator — I will be traveling on Sunday — so I will not be able to see the KPBS special about Zhen Zhen. Any chance you will have it available for purchase on-line?
Moderator’s note: DVDs of the program will go to KPBS members who pledge during the airing of Panda Tales (here and nationally), so the DVDs will not be available for sale until a year or so from now.
September 5th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Bai Yun – hope you’ll enjoy your birthday treats!
marcia519 – from the Atlanta Zoo website – meet the pandas section: ” Lun Lun’s birth name given to her by keepers in Chengdu was Hua Hua. Lun Lun was renamed by a Taiwanese rock star, Su Huilun, who ” adopted” her at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.” I’d think Lun Lun doesn’t exactly have a meaning by itself, it’s part of the name of the rockstar Hui Lun.
September 5th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Zhang Ka’s cub was almost 200 g at birth. And this isn’t as big as her first. I’m so relieved to see that ” Rocky” is trying to get up to that weight and surpass it. Meerkats – I need to echo what everyone else has said – both that you guys are wonderful in your support of us pandaholics and that the new system is sooo much clearer. Thanks. I missed Miss Z’s antics yesterday, but I think it was Miss Su who was enjoying the water yesterday. Even dipped her feed bag into in before sitting in the cool water.
September 5th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Hi Ellie – It’s always fun to have our sweetie Gao Gao front and center once again! I really enjoy seeing this intelligent, chunky little guy whenever he is on exhibit.
I want to extend my love and best wishes to Bai Yun for a very Happy 17th Birthday! I am sure that she will enjoy her apple slushies.
I’m all set – I’ve already programmed my TiVo with this Sunday’s Panda Tales special program.
September 5th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
My mother and Bai share the same birthday, September7th! Happy Birthday, Bai!! What a gorgeous momma.
I love all the panda bears, but somehow Gao Gao has a special place in my heart. One would think with such a rough life in his younger years, his demeanor would not be as cool and calm as he is. But he is. What a special bear. He has such a cute face, that is always smiling. Will get to the SDZ once again to see them. Thank you so much San Diego Zoo for taking such wonderful care of the pandas (plus all the other wonderful beings).
September 5th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Gao Gao looks so cute hidden behind his bamboo. There’s a big smile on his face, perhaps he’s heard that he’s going to have a birthday in January and is looking forward to his cake. In all the time he’s been at the SDZ has he ever had a cake for himself? Looking forward to Bai Yun’s birthday party, I bet ZZ will be trying apple slushies.
I’ve heard you have drought conditions in San Diego. Please, please, have some of our rain – it’s done nothing but pour here and today we have floods everywhere.
Good to hear Lun Lun’s cub is getting stronger.
Moderator’s note: We feel a bit sheepish to admit that Gao has not had a birthday cake before. Won’t he be surprised? And he’ll have his fans to thank for reminding us that, even though we don’t have a birth date for him, he still deserves a special day.
September 5th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Happy Birthday dear Bai Yun!!! You have blessed us with some beautiful babies. We are having an 80th Birthday party for my Mom on the 7th. I will be thinking of you too and wishing you a Happy Birthday. Enjoy those apple slushies!
Love to see Gao Gao again. He IS one special and handsome bear. Thank you for giving him his own birthday. He deserves it. Thank you Ellie for writing about him.
Moderator’s note: Best wishes to your mother, too, Diana!
September 5th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
18 – marcia519. ” Lun” is a concept that means ethical, peer or societal relationships. ” Huilun” (not a term of everyday usage, but a good name) means wise relationships.
September 5th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Yay!!! I am so excited to learn that, due to the prodding of the Gao Gao Fan Club, Gao will have his own special day complete with treats!! It is never too late to start a new tradition! Power in numbers, Panda Fans!
September 5th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
P.S. to my above post – I just wish we didn’t have to wait until January to watch Gao have his very 1st birthday celebration! But that is fine. There are many panda birthdays in the summer/fall and with his being in January, it will make it all the more special!
Moderator’s note: And it gives us more to look forward to
September 5th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Just had an idea… in support of PBS channels, if the phone number was to be published (here), for the Sunday PBS Panda Tales event, I’m sure a number of Panda Fans would GLADLY support the station with a donation… in order to get a copy of the DVD (hint, hint, hint!!).
Bai’s apple slushie cake sounds perfect (of course), and I’m SO very glad that our special stud-muffin and Panda Papa extrordinaire will get a cake of his own in January!
Thanks also (and again) for providing this wonderful opportunity for all of us Panda fans to stay up to date and the wonderful cam eye into the lives of the SDZ panda family.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Happy Birthday Bai Yun!! Bamboo and apple slushies for the bestest panda mommy ever! And what a great idea to have a cake for Gao Gao too!
I contacted my local PBS station, but they said they have no plans to run Panda Tales here, so I really hope those of us without a participating station will get to see the show someday.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Happy Birthday Bai Yun – our beautiful girl with the smiling face, who will be 17 years young on Sunday Sept.7th – I hope Bai enjoys her favourite apple slushies ~~
~~ I am certain Mei Lan will also have a fun day on her birthday tomorrow ~~
September 5th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Happy Birthday, Bai Yun! Your brother, Tian Tian, is sending his greetings too! =)
Thank you, Su Lin, for making us happy in the summer! Hope you’ll be able to relax and rest a bit.
September 5th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Thank you, P Wong and Belle, for the answer to my question. I knew SOMEONE on here would know the answer. Coming to this website is like therapy to me and all you posters & moderators, etc., (whether you know it or not) are my therapists. Panda-therapy….what could be better??
September 6th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Conversation with Gao Gao #43
Gao Gao:
(sighs and recites poem by Tang dynasty poet Li Bai loosely translated by P Wong)
The moon’s brightness before my bed,
Like silvery frost enveloping the earth.
Upward gazing, moon so bright.
Downward facing, sentiments for home.
Tourist: Hello, Gao Gao.
G: Oh, hello, Mr. Tourist.
T: You sound sad.
G: Well, I’m trying to enter into the pathos of Li Bai’s poem.
T: But are you sad?
G: Not really. But I’m trying to find a nice moon song for the Pandalympic closing ceremony.
T: Oh, you mean because the Harvest Moon Festival is coming soon?
G: Yup. But the moon in Chinese culture often evokes sadness and homesickness.
T: Well, then maybe you should sing a song about mooncakes instead.
G: I don’t know any popular mooncake songs though.
T: Hmmm. That may be a problem.
G: Oh, I know what.
T: What?
G: Zhen Zhen wrote one…
My mooncakes are sweet
Like mommy’s milk.
They smell like bamboo.
They’re like fruitsicles
Of apples and pears
Dripping nectar from the honeycomb.
T: That sounds good. So you’re preparing a feast, too?
G: Yup. Can’t do without one, can we?
T: You’re getting psyched, aren’t you?
G: And then there’s my January party!
T: Oh yeah, that’s right.
G: HEEE HAAAAAA.
September 6th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
P Wong…I get a chill of excitement when I see your name and underneath that..” Conversation with….” because they are always fun to read. Thank you for taking the time to entertain this panda fan and many others. Does that make Gao Gao younger since he’s never celebrated his birthday? I will have to remember that when it’s time for mine. He deserves lot’s of goodies for all the good things he does for the panda fans and his species. Happy Birthday BaiYun! I used to hate it when I was a kid because my mother was older than my friend’s moms. But you’d never know BaiYun is turning 17 the way she plays with her fourth cub. It is so much fun to watch. Especially when she’s trying to eat her ‘boo and Miss ZZ lands on her head from a tree limb! Ms. Bai Yun never misses a beat and just keeps chewing! Happy Birthday BaiYun and may you have many more.
September 6th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Bai yun was born exactly a year before me! sTrange though she has 4 kids and i have none! Hehehe do you have any idea what the time of birth of Bai Yun was?
September 6th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
oH i forgot to ask what is the name of the sing on the video and who performs it?
September 6th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
well, the time is getting closer and closer until I finally get to the zoo of my dreams! in fact we will be there
on the 10th of september. hooray! after watching gao gao, su lin, bai and zhen zhen for so long, I finally get to see them alive! HAPPY BIRTHDAY BAI, WISH WE WERE THERE TOMORROW FOR YOUR BIRTHDSAY!
aren’t we just something, talking like they know what we are saying?! it’s what we animal lovers do! ha ha
sure do wish that sdz was here in michigan. I also love the gorillas and polar bears too! actually, I love the
elephants, tigers, otters and just about everything. my husband would be rolling his eyes about now!
but, he’s the one who planned this trip for me! love that man!!! I’ll report back after we get back from our
trip. maybe I’ll see one of you there. it seems like I remember someone by the name of Lee going about the same time as us! SAN DIEGO HERE WE COME!
Moderator’s note: We’re ready for you, Nancy! Have a great time.
September 7th, 2008 at 8:35 am
Thanks, P Wong! It is great to know that Gao is looking forward to his 1st ever birthday celebration!
September 8th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BAI YUN
I will be going back home,on the 10th of sept.This was my secound time to sd zoo I had a total blast.Look foward to next years visit.Bai you look absolutely beautiful
Nancy from michigan, Enjoy your visit to SD zoo you are going love it!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 9th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Happy Birthday Sweet Bai Yun!! You are my favourite momma bear~
September 9th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Gao Gao’s unofficial ” birthday” is April 6th, anniversary of his rescue, per Gao Gao’s documentary.
But any day is good day for a cake or two!