Decorating Diva Strikes Again
Posted at 9:19 am September 18, 2008 by Ellie RosenbaumTime passes.
Trees grow. Bamboo grows. Pandas grow.
And every so often, the confluence of these events leads to an interesting day in the viewing area at the San Diego Zoo’s Giant Panda Research Station.
We had such a day not too long ago when Su Lin, now weighing over 160 pounds (72 kilograms), was actively exploring her right-hand area. This is the one with the faux hollow tree, the “stump” where Su Lin, her father Gao Gao, and elder brother Mei Sheng, all like to nap. After the warm days of summer, the overhanging bamboo behind the exhibit and on the planters above the exhibit walls has become, well, more over-hanging. This has not escaped the notice of our lively sub-adult. She wandered up on two consecutive days to the very end of the climbing structure on the left, leaning backward and swiping and grabbing at the bamboo growing outward. Here, she had minimal success, catching only a small piece, but releasing a shower of dead leaves.
Undaunted, she wandered some more, standing on hind paws against the right-hand wall to grab and swipe at the trailing bamboo growing over the side. What she can grab is fair game for her, and we’ve seen the pandas going after this special snack from time to time over the years.
But was she satisfied? No, not with this stolen bounty, not with the bamboo in her enclosure. She wanted something more, something better. Up to the top of the faux stump she climbed, maneuvering to balance on her hind paws on the very rim of the structure, waving, swiping and grabbing at bamboo which was hanging from the side across the back of the exhibit. Just out of reach – just one more swipe – just a little farther – GOT IT! Pulling and tugging, she finally achieved her goal, while her keepers tried to persuade her to let go. She was off balance and there were concerns that she might fall and hit the tree stump or other structures on her way down in such close quarters. Su Lin continued to tug while they ran around with a pruning hook to the walkway above the rear of the exhibit, grabbing the culm and pulling back. Back and forth went this tug-o’-bamboo, entertaining staff and visitors alike. She was finally able to wrest a piece free and sat placidly on the stump, ignoring her keepers and devouring her prize.
Her lunch changeout came early and she was kept in the bedroom area longer than usual as keepers and gardeners began cutting and trimming the overgrowth in an effort to keep her safe. She didn’t go right back to the site of her daring deed, but the exhibit looks a whole lot more open, again. Su Lin does have a way of suggesting changes in her “décor,” as she has in the past. It does appear, though, that the bamboo is greener on the other side of the wall.
Ellie Rosenbaum is a panda narrator at the San Diego Zoo.
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September 18th, 2008 at 9:32 am
Oh my gosh…how lucky you keepers are to be able to witness these antics on a daily basis! Those pandas must just keep you all hopping.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Ellie,
Thanks for the delightful update on Su Lin and her persistance. I was there on Saturday when she was trying to get the bamboo from the otherside and it was funny to watch because sSu Lin never gave up until she got what she wanted. What a charactor she is, never a dual moment with her when she is awake. Got allot of great pictures of her not only getting her bamboo but her playing with her enrichment toy and hanging upside down what a clown!
September 18th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Ellie, thank you for a wonderfully entertaining story about Su Lin. She sure has grown from a ” little bit of something very cute” to a beautiful and very persistent adult. It surely appears that she will get what she is after. Thank goodness she was successful and did manage to stay on top. But having read the story I felt a bit sorry for her keepers who could only pray that she would not fall. Despite looking a bit clumsy (sorry, but no doubt awfully cute!!!) pandas seem to be very artistic climbers who can entertain visitors of the zoo for hours and hours, in particular charming Su Lin. Wish I had been there! I wonder if Zhen Zhen or Zoom Zoom comes after her sister.
September 18th, 2008 at 11:33 am
what a wonderful story! i wish i’d been there to see it. thanks, ellie, for sharing it in such a delightful way!
September 18th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Su Lin is certainly having a good roll on the ground right now..did you guys put some kind of scent down?
September 18th, 2008 at 11:57 am
What a great story!!! it’s 11:45 am SD time and I’m watching Princess Su cavorting around the base of the tree beside the stump!! She’s rolling around, somersaulting, now she’s in her pool – likely got too hot from all the rockin’ and rollin’!! She is so entertaining. I watched a youtube video of her taken just days ago and she was on a tree branch, on her hind legs, trying to break off a branch on a neighboring tree!! And yes, I was just hoping that she would not lose her balance and plummet down to the ground and hurt herself. Such energy!! Such fun!! Now, she’s eating her ‘boo. What a life, eh?
September 18th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Sweet Su is having another of her play bouts. Caught her coming from the tree. My goodness that was a rather slender branch she was on. The hanging by her heels is absolutely hilarious. Many, many thanks to the meerkats who capture these wonderful sessions.
September 18th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
That was a great recap, Ellie! Thanks for sharing it with the Panda fans!
I’m glad the precious Princess wasn’t hurt and by the same token, am smiling to know she didn’t give up her pursuit of her special prize. I’m sure the keepers were anxious, but perhaps also happy Su Lin got her prize! Guess she had the last laugh! Perhaps Peggy (#2) would be willing to post those great pix on Flickr or somewhere public? What a treat to see Princess Su Lin in action! I can’t wait to see the Panda family next month!
September 18th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Ellie, thank you for making me laugh out loud.
Su Lin, you are my girl!!!!! I love your persistence; you are precious. You’re still my screen saver (from your first birthday).
September 18th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
You know, in a couple or three (or more) years, wouldn’t it be great for Su Lin and Tai Shan to get together and start a tree-climbing, dare-deviling family? This reminds me of the kind of antics I have watched Tai Shan performing. All the more reason to hope Tai Shan doesn’t get whisked off to China any time soon. Same for Su Lin. Being the beautiful pandas that they are….wouldn’t they make beautiful babies? (And entertaining babies.)
September 18th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
What an entertaining account — how I wish I had been there!
September 18th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Thank You Ellie!!! What an absolutely GRAND story about the ‘Bamboo Diva’ redecorating!!! Oh to have been there!!!
Pandafan #6: Thank you for the information that there is a new video of Sweet Su on youtube
To All: Great views today of ‘Little Dude’….he has really grown! Lun is a calm Momma…Perhaps she ’spoke’ with Bai Yun recently
September 18th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
To Dianne, my fellow Texan (#10): much as we pandaholics would like to be matchmakers and put Su Lin & Tai Shan together, they are related through their grandfather Pan Pan. Tai Shan’s father Tian Tian & Su Lin’s mother Bai Yun are both offspring of Pan Pan, a very prolific sire at Wolong. And so it would not expand the panda gene pool, which is a goal of captive breeding.
In order for Tai & Su to be bred in the US, they would have to import non-related partners from China or allow them to be bred to US pandas from Chengdu (Atlanta & Memphis zoos). Personally, I would love to see Tai Shan & Mei Lan get together. Their age difference is about right. Maybe both could go to a new US zoo, which would allow more people in the States to be able to see pandas. I vote for the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, NE or something in the Chicago area.
September 18th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Dianne in Texas #10– Yes, Su Lin and Tai would be a lovely pair with both of their antics, but I think they share a grandfather (the prolific Pan Pan is Bai’s and Tian Tian’s papa, didn’t I read that somewhere?); they probably wouldn’t let them be. Romeo & Juliet I guess! (We humans love to matchmake!)
September 18th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
I missed this on panda cam. I’m sure it was very funny to watch.
#10 Dianne: Su Lin and Tai Shan can’t have babies because they are related. Bai Yun is Tian Tian’s older half sister.
September 18th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Dianne #10, although it would be great fun to see Su Lin and Tai Shan play together, they shouldn’t mate because Su’s mother Bai Yun and Tai’s father Tian Tian are siblings. They had the same father.
I’m sorry I missed all of Su Lin’s antics today, although I did see her sitting in her pool. SDZ, you have one beautiful panda bear family! I’m sure they are liking the cooler weather, as am I.
September 18th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Ellie, I said you should write a book and you should. I can picture exactly what you are talking about. I would have been beside myself if I was there, concerned that she would fall.
I think Su Lin figured out with the long ” time out” that things would be different when she was allowed back in her yard. She is smart after all. So she didn’t even bother trying to get the bamboo because she knew it would be gone.
September 18th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Great bedtime reading for me… thanks Ellie!
Love, Joy
September 18th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
This is such a fun post to read! I wish I were there to witness all the actions. Su Lin certainly is quite a bit like her brother Mei Sheng; they both go for the greener bamboo on the other side. She has quite the acrobatic skills to do these ” daredevil” stunts!!! =) I am glad that she is safe, and thanks to all the keepers and staff for keeping her (and all other panda bears) safe and healthy. They are all well cared for and loved.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Hi Ellie, – What a funny and wonderful blog! I also wish I had been there. Su Lin is quite an entertaining panda. She never fails to enthrall the visitors and the pandacam viewers.
Ellie, about five weeks ago, I commented in a blog concerning Su Lin’s behavior. She was acting as if she was on a mission. Now I suspect that her hastiness was all about getting at the foliage (bamboo) along the top of the wall. Su Lin was in constant motion, climbing up and down the tree near the wall in her exhibit. All the while, she was trying to figure out how to get at the bamboo. (Mystery solved.)
Today, at noontime, Su Lin began climbing the tree near the wall. Climbing in haste, as if someone was chasing her. She started inching out toward the end of a very flimsy branch, (I’m holding my breath at this point, knowing that our sweetie now weighs 160 pounds, God Bless.) Thankfully, she immediately backtracked and sat up between two sturdy branches. About 10 seconds later, it looked as if she was ready to shimmy down the tree. Suddenly, she stopped to admire the foliage along the wall. At this point, I started laughing. Later on, Su Lin settled down to unwind by taking a nice cool soak in the pool.
September 18th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Hello panda lovers. Tonight I discovered several new videos on youtube of our beloved pandas. I found the best way to find them is to search by each panda’s name then sort on Date Added. All you do is type the word ‘panda’ followed by the name of the one you are looking for. For example, ” panda zhen” , ” panda meilan” or ” panda lani” , ” panda xiang” , ” panda tai shan” and so on and so forth. Don’t miss the latest one of Fu Long in Vienna – it’s adorable. Then there’are several nice long ones of Mei Lan playing with the sack full of yummies – will leave you rolling on the floor. There are also several showing Mei Xiang and Tian Tian together from the last week or two – don’t miss the one showing both of them up in a tree and play-fighting on the one skinny branch!! There’s also one from today showing Bai and Zhen getting utterly soaked in mud!!
What a great day for panda watching it was – Su Lin was especially delightful!
September 18th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Ellie, your account of Su Lin and the Bamboo was so brilliant I felt like I was there, right down to my heart stopping at the ’sight’ of her almost over-balancing. I can just see her keepers running around all over the place trying to trim the bamboo before she gets to it. She’s one cheeky panda. I’ve got a feeling ZZ is going to follow in her footsteps too.
I missed the mudbath, I just didn’t manage to watch the cam last evening (your morning). Whenever that happens, I always miss something good!
September 19th, 2008 at 7:16 am
What a hoot! It must have been very entertaining for all. Good thing Lun Lun isn’t her mother and wasn’t there or she would have been tugging very hard to get her to stop. Bai Yun might have also, as she has taken to doing that with ZZ once in a while lately.
September 19th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Conversation with Mei Sheng #26
Tourist: Hello, Mei Sheng.
Mei Sheng: Hello, Mr. Tourist.
T: So you and Zhen Zhen won the Mooncake Costume Contest. Congratulations!
M: Thanks.
T: So what are you up to now? You’re looking busy still.
M: Well, since we won the first ever Mooncake Costume Contest, I was delegated the task…
T: I get it. You’re to organize the Mooncake Costume Parade for next Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, right?
M: Yup. Daddy-O Gao Gao got kind of busy…
T: Yeah, he’s a busy guy alright…
M: So Hua Mei and I will take on some of the responsibilities.
T: But I have to admit, the Pandalympics event went pretty smoothly. No major glitches.
M: Actually, there was a serious glitch…
T: What glitch?
M: It was some of the wire cables.
T: You mean for the dives off from the Pandalympics torch?
M: Yup. One the of cables got caught on one of the pulleys.
T: Yikes. And no one fell?
M: Su Lin rushed out from behind the panels just in time to adjust the cable.
T: Wow! Good thing!
M: Except she was almost stopped by security personnel…
T: Huh?
M: Security didn’t recognize her at first…
T: You mean they thought she was…
M: But we quickly called on security to let her go when we realized the problem.
T: So was that one of the reasons why the Costume Parade was derailed?
M: Not really. It was the multiple tuna fish sandwich-like entries that called for its postponement.
T: So what will you do to make for a better parade?
M: I think we will first host a Mooncake bake off contest.
T: Oh, I get it.
M: Then we’ll hope to have more variety.
T: I hope you’ll not do bamboo rats.
M: But I like bamboo rats.
T: Well, maybe not for the parade.
M: OK. If you say so…
September 19th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Sharon, #13, what a grand idea. Tai Shan & Mei Lan would make beautiful babies. I vote for the St. Louis Zoo. They had pandas years ago. St. Louis is between Omaha and Chicago –and it’s closer to me!!
September 19th, 2008 at 11:29 am
It’s 11:23 PST this morning the C28 camera was on and it showed this beautiful red squirrel walking all over the wooden structure and yard. Is this a wild one that just happened by? Would Gao Gao respond to it in any way or ignore it? I’m just curious.
September 19th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Susan #22 & Pandafans – Susan, you can still watch Bai Yun and Zhen’s morning mud bath. Just go to YouTube and then search for ” Zhen Zhen & Bai Yun Get Muddy†I just watched it. It’s a lot of fun especially at the end of the two-minute video, when Zhen climbs on her mother’s back rear feet first and slowly backs up onto Bai Yun. So very cute.
September 19th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Pandafan #21 is right. The videos are a complete joy to watch. If, like me, you missed the mudfest, you’ll find it under ” Zhen Zhen and Bai Yun get muddy.” There’s also some new stuff under ” panda Lun Lun” that include our favorite newborn cub. Just be sure to sort them by date as pandafan indicates most recent footage.
September 19th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Conversation with Su Lin #7
Tourist: Hello, Su Lin.
Su Lin: Hello, Mr. Tourist.
T: Hey, I thought I missed you at the Pandalympics events.
S: Oh, I was there. And I got busy.
T: Yeah, I heard about your rescue operation.
S: Yeah, it was pretty tense.
T: Sounds like it.
S: That mooncake costume really got in my way.
T: Oh, that’s right. They didn’t recognize you at first.
S: Uh huh.
T: Yeah, come to think of it, now I remember…
S: I’ll never forget it.
T: There was something bright green approaching the cable wires.
S: It was those cucumber slices.
T: Looked delicious.
S: And the lime juice frosties.
T: They were sparkly.
S: Then the raspberries and granola crunchies.
T: So I guess you had to remove the costume.
S: Yup. Some of it.
T: So do you think you will save it for next year’s Mooncake Parade?
S: No, I’ll make a new one for that.
T: So what will you do with this one?
S: I think I’d wear it occasionally.
T: Huh?
S: To harvest bamboo incognito.
September 19th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Lee #26 – Yes, I have also seen a squirrel or rodent in Gao’s exhibit. I believe it is a little ” freeloader” .
Fortunately, our pandas are well-fed otherwise he could easily become a snack.
By the way, Lee, at the Wild Animal Park , there are wild mule deer that find their way into the Park and help themselves to food, flowers and shrubbery. As a matter of fact, a gardener told us that after the Annual Mum Festival, the workers open the gates and, as a conservation measure, allow the mule deer in to eat the flowers. We call the deer ” the clean-up committee” .
September 19th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
That is so funny! I cannot wait to get back out there & see this for myself.
September 19th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
P Wong — your conversations are simply wonderful and so insightful. Thanks so much. Would love to see the mule deer ” clean-up committee” . Zoomy and Bai are having another growing up lesson right now.
September 19th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
#25 Barbara, if they put pandas in St. Louis I WOULD NEVER MAKE IT IN TO WORK!! *grin* As it is, the closest are in Memphis. That 6 hours makes it easy for me to not want to drive there every day, but wonderfully close enough to go for a day over a 3 day weekend.
I love these stories of the pandas. I just saw Su Lin and family in February.
September 19th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Thanks for the post about Su Lin’s adventures. She’s most certainly a very smart and industrious little panda. This just goes to show how our pandas are great problem solvers and an indication of their intelligence!
QUESTION: Would it be possible to publish Bai Yun’s (and her offspring) family tree on the panda pages? I’ve been searching for the name for Bai Yun’s mother to see if Zhen Zhen is related to the Zoo Atlanta boy cub. I know Tian Tian and Bai have the same father. I see that Mei Xiang and Lun Lun have the same father as well, the wild caught Li Nan.
I cannot resist the thought of ” engaging” Zhennie and our newest baby boy together!
Moderator’s Note: Geneaology is a complicated thing, and posting a family tree for Bai Yun is not something we’re able to do. Also, our Chinese partners make all decisions regarding panda breeding, including when and who.
September 19th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
She definitely is a darling diva, and she never ceases to amaze and entertain all of us! How lucky her keepers are to be taught ” the way of the Pandas” by Su Lin! She seems to keep everyone on their toes, gotta love her…she’s a doll!
September 19th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
The little fellow in Atlanta is getting bigger and stronger. I just saw him alone and he turned to his side and then back on his belly. I could see his muscles working… Lun Lun seems to take very good care of him.
September 19th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Moderator: So when the decision was made last year to use Gao Gao’s sperm on Mei Xiang in DC, that decision came from China? Interesting. Thanks for that info.
September 19th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
What fun it must be to watch the pandas. Su Lin sounds like quite the explorer. She must be so much fun. Thanks for sharing with us.
Hugs..Pandy
September 19th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Kristi in Dallas (my home town) #34–the pandasliveon site has family trees for the American panda families. I believe that Bai Yun’s mother is Dong Dong and her father is Pan Pan.
I think Miss Zhennie and Master Fu Long would make the cutest couple, but I think they’re related, too, alas.
September 19th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Wow! You all are sure up on your panda genealogy. I didn’t check the blood lines. Thanks for setting me straight. Just wishful thinking I guess. That could be why they have the same playful personalities. Yes, Sharon #13, Mei Lan is a real beauty (Atlanta Beauty
). She is my daughter’s first panda love. She said the same thing about the match. That Pan Pan was a really busy bear. He left some good genes. Strange that the blood lines run so close in the American zoos. Maybe it was planned. I haven’t done much research.
I’ve been off line for a day, and today I was trying to catch the chubby cubbie in Atlanta, so I was happy to be corrected. Su Lin will surely make a good mom, one day, just like her mother.
September 19th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
32 Mary from Brooklyn – Thanks. Hope you have a wonderful trip to China. Are you located in Brooklyn NY? Perhaps when you get back we should have tri-state area pandaholics tea party…
btw- the 2008 Olympics opening ceremony did have an aerial wire glitch. Li Ning was to be hoisted up to light the flame and the wire was stuck. Then the apparatus people almost got stopped by blue uniformed torch protectors. The aerial stunt choreographer (Tony Ching Siu Tung) interview is on Youtube if you search ” 程å°æ±ç´°èªªè–ç«é©šé‚” though unfortunately dialogue is in Cantonese.
September 20th, 2008 at 12:44 am
That’s Su Lin! I saw her working all day months to get a dead branch off a tree she didn’t like. She finally broke it off with her weight and both her and the branch fell to the ground. She picked it up with her mouth, walked over to the side of the enclosure by the wall and set it down. I think Martha Stewart has met her match or maybe Su Lin can be referred to by an American name also – Martha. Thank you Ellie. This is a stunning episode in the activities of Su Lin worth you sharing with the whole world of panda fans. I’m sure there will be more ” redecorating” performed when the need arises according to Su Lin.
September 20th, 2008 at 7:18 am
Su Lin you are so smart and now designing your own style. We know by this kind of example all your
caretakers are very good to you and you are comfortable in your surroundings. I want to come and visit you one day. You are truly a remarkable Panda and so glad we can enjoyseeing you via the internet.
September 20th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Ellie,
Thanks for an enlightening story. It helped me unwind on this weekend, after a crazy full moon week. Was Su Lin’s event captured on the PandaCam? Heh, maybe the full moon is the reason for her re-decorating with the special bamboo. I was born August 2nd, & it amazes me, that all San Diego Zoo Panda Cubs were born in August. In fact, I believe one cub was born on August 2nd & we share that special day.
September 20th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Ellie,
You’re doing a great job, as the voice(narrator) of the Pandas. In this troubled world, people need to be aware of endangered species, like the pandas. The earthquakes, in China, made me think of Hua-Mei’s safety. My wife, thinks it was Su Lin that was born on August 2nd. Is she right??
Moderator’s Note: Yes, Su Lin was born on August 2, 2005.
September 20th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
I was not there this time but was there about 3 weeks ago and she was terrific. She was playing with mom, rolling around, and climbing everything she could. It was great. Took a lot of great pictures. She has a great character and seems more lively than her brothers and sisters.
September 20th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
Video Alerts: First, there is a great clip of Bai Yun trying to coax Miss ZZ to come down from the branches. That little zoomer refuses to do as she’s told until mama Bai gives up on her and starts to walk away, and then, she decides to come down and catch up to mama Bai, who then just ignores her. When you sign on to youtube, search for ‘Movie #7′ (I know, it’s a strange title; the contributor is in the habit of labeling everything ‘movie’ plus a sequential number (go figure).
Another one is of Lun’s new cub on the hay showing the world how he can now roll over and back again!! He looks like he’s darn proud of himself!! He’s looking really great! Let’s hope and pray that it will be smoother sailing for this brave soul from now on.
September 21st, 2008 at 12:32 am
Bai Yun’s (and her offspring) family tree (from a chinese panda fan club):
F=female,M=male ,*=wildborn
Dong Dong(F,1982),PanPan*(M,1985)
|
\/
Bai Yun(F,1991.9.7)& Lü Di(M1991.9.7-1992.2.13)
/\
ShiShi(M,1979-2008.7.5) / \ GaoGao*(M,1992)
/ \
Hua Mei(F,1999.8.21) MeiSheng(M,2003.8.19)SuLin(F,2005.8.2)ZhenZhe(F,2007.8.3)
/|\
/ | \
/ | \___________
/ | |
Twins1 Twins2 Twins3
HuaLing(M) TingTing(F) HuaLong (M)
MeiLing(F) WeiWei(M) Hua Ao(M)
2004.9.1 2005.8.29 2007.7.16
September 21st, 2008 at 10:34 am
YOU GO SU LIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I missed you when I was in SD But I did see your Daddy for the first time GAO GAO he had his back to me in the excibit. He seemed very content eating his bamboo:)
My neice and I are starting a savings account for Wolong China, It will be a chance in a life time I will not miss!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks to all the staff at SD Zoo for all your panda stories and your vast intelect on the pandas all over the world. Martha stewart does’nt have a chance when it comes to the Panda.
September 21st, 2008 at 10:35 am
YOU GO SU LIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I missed you when I was in SD But I did see your Daddy for the first time GAO GAO he had his back to me in the excibit. He seemed very content eating his bamboo:)
My neice and I are starting a savings account for Wolong China, It will be a chance in a life time I will not miss!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks to all the staff at SD Zoo for all your panda stories and your vast intelect on the pandas all over the world. Martha stewart does’nt have a chance when it comes to the Panda.
September 21st, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Hi, you all! Been a little bit busy this last week getting some things done, so I haven’t been writing on here alot. I have been checking the SDZ, AZ, NZ, and MZ pandacams off and on. I just got off the SDZ cam, and I saw Su Lin first eating her lunch boo. Then, it switched over to the other cam, and I saw little ZZ sound asleep on her favorite branch in a tree. I also have been checking the AZ pandacam pretty regularly to see Lun and her cub. Been seeing more of Lun than the cub, tho. A couple of days ago, I got on the AZ cam, saw Lun laying down sleeping, then out popped the cub’s head from between Lun’s large hairy arms, then he went back into hiding! Lun is very careful about this cub! She’s keeping him all cuddled and snuggled! The update today said that his black markings are very noticeable, and he’s growing more furry hair! That will keep him alot more warmer and momma won’t have to hold him as much except to feed him. The cub has been gaining alot of weight during the week, and he’s now at 644 grams, which equals to 1.5 pounds! Loving it!! Now, I just need to get on that cam at the right time to see the cub! In case you all are getting on the AZ cam at nite, it’s a little bit dark because the keepers have shut the lights off. You can see Lun a little bit in what’s left of any light left. One nite I got on the cam, and I was able to see the white fuzz of the cub wiggling around on Lun’s arm. Nite time cam watching is a little bit challenging!
Anyway, that’s it for now. Always love Su Lin! She’s one of the sweethearts!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
September 21st, 2008 at 5:06 pm
I was watching the webcam this Sunday evening and there was the cute little Miss ZZ relaxing in a tree and playing with a piece of bamboo. She is such a beautiful little priness. I hope all you panda fans had a great weekend.
September 22nd, 2008 at 5:00 am
I love these guys. I know if we had Pandas here I would never leave them. I wish I was one of the lucky people who get to deal with the Pandas on a daily basis. Love hearing any kind of story, this one was was so cute. Thanks for passing it on.
September 22nd, 2008 at 8:25 am
Rose N #30, we were on the tour at the WAP and the guide pointed out 3 Mule deer that she waid were
free-loaders. The other animals don’t seem to mind sharing their food with them. I guess it’s like all the birds that fly into the park pools and visit, then fly away to their next stop.
We also saw how close the fire came last year. That must have been a harrowing time for all.
September 22nd, 2008 at 8:37 am
I can’t believe this. The cub at ZA has gained over 70 grams in 24 hours!
September 22nd, 2008 at 9:48 am
Hey, panda fans. Does anybody know whether the formula used to feed the panda cubs in China safe? This morning the LA Times reported that 53,000 Chinese children have been sickened by infant formula. Last year many U.S. pets were sickened, and many died, from melamine in pet food made in China. How safe is the formula for the panda cubs? Where is it made?
September 22nd, 2008 at 11:15 am
Yes, wolongnews #55–the little one in Atlanta is growing growing growing. The camera catches him alone sometimes and he looks quite robust.
P Wong–I think a tri-state pandaholics tea party would be a hoot! Let’s do it.
I’m glad Su Lin has found an outlet for her creativity–and I love the way the SDZ staff keeps adding and subtracting branches and things to climb in the enclosures to keep the pandas’ environments interesting to them. Thanks for all you do for our precious pandas.
September 22nd, 2008 at 11:33 am
I was just looking at the ZA web cam and, at first thought that the camera was giving a longer-distance view of mom, when I realized that it was the cub. His white fur as come in nicely and he looks like a panda! It’s amazing how quickly he’s grown.
September 22nd, 2008 at 2:39 pm
And wow! Thanks for cleaning off the pandacam covers–the picture is so much clearer!
September 22nd, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Hello panda lovers. Video alert: there is a very recent video of Hua Mei on youtube (within the last couple of days). If you search for ‘panda hua mei’ then sort by Date Added, you should see it very close to the top. You can hear the tourists’ conversation around her and see how she responds when they call her by name. Don’t miss it.
My, our feisty panda prince in Atlanta just keeps soaring to new heights. 70 grams in 24 hours! If you look at the chart that compares his growth with Mei Lan’s you’ll see that he has caught up very nicely. And isn’t it great that we can now catch glimpses of him while cuddling with mama Lun? Then, of course, there’s the prize view of him alone doing the ” wriggle around the circle” dance!
#44 PandaMan – there is a short video of Su Lin’s recent redecorating spree on youtube. Search for Su Lin and sort by Date Added. It was about a week ago. Hope you find it.
September 22nd, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Sharon #13, Tai Shan cannot mate with Mei Lan. Lun Lun and Mei Xiang have the same father, a wild panda named Lin Nan. This was confirmed by Lisa Stevens at NZ. Their family trees are on the NZ and ZA websites, under Meet the Pandas.
September 22nd, 2008 at 6:21 pm
While the ZA cub got off to a ” Rocky” start, thanks to the dedication of the staff he has made a remarkable recovery. Lun Lun is comfortable leaving him alone for short periods now & he is already entertaining us as he tries to roll over – 70 grams in 24 hours!!! – no wonder he has trouble rolling with that fat belly. ZA is also getting valuable info as they are able to check the cub every day. Has anyone seen the removal of the cub – how do they do that??? I know by Lun is used to the checks -does a keeper just reach in & soothingling say ” Lun, it’s time for a cub check”
September 23rd, 2008 at 5:28 am
While doing a search on YouTube on ” panda Hua Mei” I came across a video ” about Pandas” in which the death of the cub in a Japanese zoo was discussed. The zoo did not allow the examination of the cub; it seems that the mother had no milk. I thought about that after seeing the video of that birth and the mother turning around the cub as if she had no idea what to do. Later when the cub in Atlanta was born and Lun Lun left the cub on the floor and as we all now know without the intervention of the zoo keepers, that cub would have died as well. It is sad to think that perhaps that cub could have been saved as well.
In the video they also say that 6 female pandas in that reserve didn’t have estrus this year compare to one or two in previous years, they suspect it is a consequence of the earthquake.
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:32 am
Hi, guys! I just got off the AZ pandacam and read their update for today. This little cub is really doing great! I got on the cam and I only saw Lun laying down, but I knew her cub was cuddled up in her big furry arms. Then, she moved a little bit and showed me her cub! He was nicely snuggled in her arm, has a lot more hair on him, and then he let out a BIG yawn! Lun didn’t catch the yawning bug because she was still sleeping! The update said that the cub is weighing in at 764 grams, which is getting pretty close to 2 pounds. Next week, he’ll be ONE MONTH OLD!! Boy, I think that we all were not too sure that he would make it this long with the rough start that he had during the first week of his life! But, here he is! Growing bigger every day and gaining that much needed weight that will help him regulate his own body temp and develop normally. He’s well on his way in doing that now.
Lizzie, about the panda milk that they make in China, I think the people to ask that question to would be the people on the Pandas International website. They might have the answer that you are looking for. Hopefully, the staff at SDZ can also find that answer as well. I am also hoping that their panda milk formula is from a totally different mix than what has been used for the baby formulas. Also, I think I’m right on this, but Pandas International has been sending formula to China from right here in the USA. So, that should lessen any chance of that milk from getting tainted by melanine. Before the May earthquake hit, PI sent a huge shipment of formula for the baby pandas a month before the quake hit which gave the panda keepers alot of reserves after the quake hit them. So, PI has been very vigilant in making sure that the reserves at Wolong, Bifengxia, and Chengdu have the supplies, food, and milk nourishments needed to take care of their pandas. Hope that this will aleviate any fears that you may have about the milk formulas that the pandas get. But, go on ahead and check with Pandas International about this.
Got on the SDZ cam a little bit ago, and saw Bai on her favorite stump napping, and no sign of ZZ! ZZ must be in another tree napping. NZ has a new update about their pandas that they put online a couple of days ago. It’s all about Mei Xiang and Tian Tian having their play times together for the first time in several months. The 2 pandas have been together for the last few weeks since Mei was finished with her pseudopregnancy. I’ve seen these 2 pandas play with each other several times in the past on the NZ pandacams, and they are a riot to watch! Tai Shan is his usual laid back self just eating, playing with his toys, and napping in his favorite napping spots. With the weather showing signs of the fall cool down, we should be seeing pandas outside alot more on all of the pandacams. Here in Florida, we still have to wait until October for our first big cold front to come thru!
For all of you San Diego football fans, San Diego Chargers DID win their game last nite! Also, San Diego University’s Div II football team won their game on Saturday. I think SDSU had the weekend off because I didn’t see a score from them this weekend (unless someone knows more than I do!). Doing good, football and pandafans! Some of my Florida college and pro football teams also did good! And, my hometown baseball team, Tampa Bay Rays, have made their very first playoff season! YEA!!!!
Well, gonna go and get back on these pandacams, especially the AZ cam to check on the cub! SEEEEE YA!!!!!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:42 am
P Wong, your last 2 conversations were great as usual! Looking for more of them! Maybe the pandas can talk about the fall season in China! After the hot weather from this summer, I think that they are very much ready for that fall cool down! Great job, P Wong! Any more news about cubs being born in China lately? Or is the birthing season pretty much done for this year? Let us know since you have an ear on Chinese news.
Also, when are the 8 Wolong pandas that are at Beijing Zoo supposed to be going back to either Wolong or Bifengxia? Any news on that yet? Keep us informed! I’m pretty sure that those 8 pandas would love to stay at Beijing Zoo because they were the 8 most pampered pandas while they were there, and they loved every minute of the attention that they were receiving during their stay.
Thanks,
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
September 23rd, 2008 at 11:07 am
Hey, panda fans. I just got an answer to my own question (see #56) about the safety of the formula used to feed the cubs in China. Panda’s International wrote me and said ” The panda cubs’ milk formula is made in the U.S. and shipped over by Pandas International.” Thought you’d all want to know…
September 23rd, 2008 at 11:38 am
Lizzie #66, Thanks for the info, I’m sure alot of us never realized to think about this. It’s so sad to know that a few human babies died and alot others are sick and may have long term effects from this tainted formula. I can’t believe how much the cub has grown, Lun had her arm down and there was a great shot of the little one.
September 23rd, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Not been able today to catch any of the SDZ pandas today I guess they were busy elsewhere. lol I was just on the AZ site and there was baby cubbie right below momma’s chin wiggling around while Lun Lun had her eyes partly closed. He’s starting to look like a mini panda now so so cute.
September 23rd, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Pandafan #60 — loved the video. ZZ is such a crack up.
While I have seen BBC (Baby Boy Cubbie) alone in the straw, and have been amazed how defined the markings have become, I was just blown away checking in the the cam. Lun was holding BBC against her brown tummy, and BBC looked like a perfect little panda doll. The sight actually caught me off guard. He is absolutely perfect! Good to know that a stick of butter can grow to be the beauty of ZZ!
September 23rd, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Tonight i have watched on Animal Planet channel, the latest Pandamonium, tonights show was titled ‘Mei Shengs Tale’. I have sat and laughed and cried. Mei Sheng was on from a baby right through to his moving to China late last year. We saw his journey from SDZ and the brilliant welcome he received when he reached Wolong some 40 hours later. It was amazing to watch to see how well he coped with the journey. I cried again after seeing Lisa Bryant cry when she said ‘goodbye’ to him as he went off to quarantine. I wouldn’t have missed the show even though i got upset. Hua Mei and her babies were on aswell.
Mei Sheng still love and miss you very much.
September 23rd, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Ye Ye bears male cub to celebrate family togetherness on Mid-Autumn (Moon Festival) Day 9/14/2008. Story and photo:
www (dot) pandaclub (dot) net (slash) %5Cview_e.jsp?tipid=1222152694702
September 23rd, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Thanks Pandafan (#47) for the video info on Hua Mei. I didn’t realize that Hua Mei and Mei Sheng reside at the same reserve. I found also a video added 23 September (today) of Mei Sheng, high up in a tree, just hanging out, perched as the official Panda lookout Captain!
Can’t wait to see the San Diego Panda family in October! 
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Hi, Lizzie! I’m glad that you got your answer about the panda formulas. I figured that Pandas International had the answer for you, plus I was right about them sending the formulas that’s made here in the USA over to China. I’m glad that you are very relieved about that! It is very sad that the formulas for human babies have to be so bad over in China. The melanine that’s been found in the formulas is the same exact stuff that was found in alot of the dog and cat canned cat foods earlier this year that got alot of dogs and cats very sick and died from this. It seems to me that China’s manufacturing system needs a very deep overhaul along with very strict guidelines and regulations in food manufacturing. Hopefully, they will finally see the light on this after seeing so many Chinese babies get so sick on the bad formula along with some deaths. At least Pandas International and the US zoos that have the interests of the pandas are working very hard to make sure that the pandas have the necessary food and nourishment that they need to live happy, healthy, well adjusted lives while in captivity, and that the food is always free from contaminants, especially when it comes to the cubs because they are the very future of the pandas in years to come.
Anyway, I’m glad that you have your answers and that you are enjoying watching these lovely pandas on the pandacams. Now, I’m going to go and check the pandacams for myself!
I checked the SDZ cam and saw Miss Su Lin sitting down with her back leaning against the large tree branch eating her dinner boo. The other thing that I have noticed about the cam is that you could see her at nite for a change! WOW!!! That’s a huge change in the pandacams because there were alot of months in the past that you could not even see anything on the cams at nite. The cam people have done a great job getting these cams updated and ” seeable” for all of us so that we can enjoy seeing the pandas at nite! Thanks!!
Love to the pandas,
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Hello panda lovers! I got on the ZA pandacam at around 10 minutes before midnight Atlanta time and lo and behold, the panda prince of Atlanta was all alone. Mama Lun must have gone for a midnight snack. I was hoping to catch him trying to roll over but, noooo! He had other plans! He looked like he was trying to lift himself up with his hind legs, of all things! From what I saw of Mei Lan when she was just starting to get mobile, her biggest challenge was to get enough strength in her hind legs so she could get off her behind and start walking. And here, we have a cub who’s not even a month old and he’s trying to stand! I watched him do this for over 6 minutes! It was quite a treat! Then, I saw the mommie’s shadow – Lun picks him up and that cub got a licking like no other – from head to tail, side to side, back and tummy – lick, lick, lick!! Clean as a whistle!! Then, it was time for a snooze! Some of the best 6 minutes I’ve ever spent! I hope someone managed to record what I saw and uploads it to youtube.
September 24th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
I loved this story (and the youtube video that was mentioned). Such a character!
I’m wondering how the negotiations with China are going re our helping out a bit more since earthquake…. by utilizing some of our panda facilities to keep some pandas for a bit longer than originally planned (aka lease up in Oct 2008)?
Any news?
Thanks,
Moderator’s Note: In 1996, the Zoological Society of San Diego entered a 12-year loan agreement with the Peoples Republic of China regarding the collaborative conservation effort that brought giant pandas to the San Diego Zoo. Since that time, the loan agreement has been periodically revisited and renewed by both parties. In 2008, the Zoological Society will once again be working with the appropriate agencies in China and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to renew and review the existing loan agreement so that the collaborative work to conserve pandas both in the wild and in zoos may continue.
Due to the earthquake that recently occurred in China, meetings with government officials and panda conservationists in China have been delayed.
September 24th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Wow, just an amazing close-up picture on the ZA website today of the cub nursing. Yes, I agree with everyone else, he is growing like a weed. Goodbye butterstick, hello tub o’ butter!
Alas, I am disappointed that Tai Shan & Mei Lan could not become a panda couple. That was a way to maybe guarantee they could remain here in the U.S. This really makes me wonder what will happen when the panda ” leases” are up. I think SDZ, NZ, & ZA have demonstrated their proficiency in producing panda cubs. It would be a shame to waste that knowledge and their facilities. Would they get new mating pairs or perhaps a mate for their young progeny? As big as the U.S. is, we could certainly accomodate more breeding pairs at many of our outstanding zoos. It will be very interesting to see what happens down the road in light of the turmoil caused by the China earthquake.
September 24th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Hi! Well, just saw Gao Gao in his favorite room–the bedroom–with a very nice pile of boo for him to eat thru the nite! That’s his favorite room because it is nice, quiet, and private. He just loves it in there. I’ve even seen him sleeping in that bedroom at nite on the cam a couple of times in the past.
I was also on the AZ pandacam and saw Lun all curled up by the wall with her baby boy all snuggled up inside her furry arms. I read the update, and the cub’s weight has shot up to 795 grams=1.8 pounds. He’s getting very close to that 2 pound mark! I also saw that great pic with the update of the cub laying on Lun’s chest drinking his milk. That is a very cute pic that they took of them. What was astonishing to me is the size of Lun’s snout, which is huge compared to the size of her cub! WOW!!! This little guy still has a ton of growing to do yet!
Sharon, I’m originally from the Dallas/Ft. Worth/Denton metroplex area, born in Denton, so I’m a Texas girl at heart even tho I’m living in Florida! Anyway, I’m in agreement with you about all of the pandas at all 4 zoos that are under lease from both Wolong and Chengdu centers, and whether they will be going back to China in the next 1-3 years. I am hoping like you are that China will hold off asking for their pandas to come home until everything has been settled in the earthquake zone. The Longmenshan fault is still a little bit unsettled even tho there has not been a major quake in the Sichuan area since around mid August. There is just still way too much damage to infrastructure and roads, and the mountain roads are especially terrible and some of them are still off limits due to damage and landslides. Plus, the rebuilding effort for Wolong is just getting started and will take up to 3 years to get finished according to what Chinese news has said. Chengdu is at their maximum in space available for pandas until they get their new buildings done, and Bifengxia is in the same situation. There are only about 7 pandas left at the temporary facilities in Wolong, then they still have the 8 Wolong pandas at the Beijing Zoo that are due to go back to Wolong sometime in November. Hopefully, all 4 zoos will be able to work out a good agreement on when it will be the best and safe time for the pandas on lease to go back to China. As of right now, Tai Shan still has one more year left at National Zoo. Mei Xiang and Tian Tian have been at NZ since around 2000 or 2001, and my guess is that they have at least a couple of more years left at NZ. I don’t know the time frame for the other pandas at AZ, SDZ, and MZ, tho. Bai is still raising ZZ, and Lun just had her baby panda a month ago. So, time frames will still have to be worked out. Anyway, as long as we have these precious, wonderful, beautiful bears at all 4 zoos, and we are able to see all of them on their pandacams, we have the time to watch them and enjoy them for as long as they are able to stay here in the states. Just sit back and have fun!
Well, gonna go and check the cams again. I’m also on the edge of my seat tonite because my hometown baseball team, Tampa Bay Rays, are playing tonite to try and clinch the American League East title for the first time in team history (11 years in MLB). Nail Biting Time!!!!! This will be one more feather in their caps after clinching the playoffs a few nites ago!
Love to all of the pandas,
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
September 24th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Hopefully the US born adolescents, Su Lin and Tai Shan in particular, can stay an extra year in US while the permanent housing in the relocated Wolong center is built. They are already over the limit at Bifengxia, so leaving the two of them, who are not yet mature enough to breed , in their safe havens at SDZ and NZP a little longer should help them get their Chinese home ready for them to move in when they do go. Both of them are supposedly scheduled to leave some time in 2009, so lets hope negotiations will result in their departure in 2010 or later.
September 25th, 2008 at 6:22 am
For all of you who haven’t had much luck viewing the little prince, there’s a really cute picture of him next to the ZA website’s latest panda update. He is, as Sharon #75 said, well on his way to becoming a full fledged tub o’butter. Yesterday’s update verifies that and he’s nearly 2 pounds!
It won’t be long before Lun Lun is taking him for a drag around the den, just like she did with his big sister.
September 25th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
What a great story! I can’t thank you enough for sharing these special ‘panda moments’ with us. How I wish I could get to San Diego to see those wonderful pandas. Every day, on my afternoon break, I check out what the bears are doing and read the current blogs. Thanks for sharing these bears with us.
September 25th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
I just witnessed Lun Lun trying to hide her cub under bamboo. The poor thing must have been frightened and crying and Lun Lun couldn’t find him under that pile. It took no time, the camera was turned to the ceiling and a minute later back on Lun Lun holding and nursing her cub. The keepers are really on high alert, I wonder if they get inside to get the bamboo…
September 25th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Did Gao and Su Lin trade places today? It is Thursday, and it says Su Lin is on C2, but it sure looks like Gao chowing down on short pieces of bamboo or sugar cane.
September 25th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
pandafan (#60), thanks for hints for the youtube video of Su Lin. She’s so adorable!!
September 25th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Thanks for the info on family trees for our pandas Francis (#39) and thanks TonyChen (#48) for providing an extension of Bai Yun’s family tree as well.
I just wanted to see a link on the bio’s of our pandas family tree on the SDZ web pages just as the NZ and ZA do. I’m disappointed it won’t be possible as for some reason I find this information interesting. Your info, Mr. Chen, is valuable to me and I’ll make a chart as a reminder for myself. Thanks for including the names/genders of Hua Mei’s twins too!!!!
September 25th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Hello all,
Another video alert:
Sign on to youtube and search for ” Mei and Tian” and sort by date added – it’s a 5 minute slide show of Mei and Tian together – lovely photographs and sweet music.
Next search: BB’s Bath Time – uploaded Sept. 25. Watch mama Lun lickin’ the boy cub clean to great bathing music.
Enjoy!!
September 25th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
A Day in the Life of a Pandaholic
Check ZA – yep, there is ” the panda prince of Atlanta” (love that #74). alone trying to roll over. Spend 10 minutes or so ohhing (he is getting so big – 30 ounces as of today) until Mommy returns to scoop him up & roll over in her usual position. But he is getting so big no I could see him as she cradled him.
Onto NZ & camera 1 – Tai is having fun with an enrichment toy -
NZ camera 2 – Mei Xiang peacefully sleeping in the sun until Tian Tian strolls over & pounces on her. What a play session they had – & they do pounce as they wrestled, rolled down the hill, onto the tree limbs etc. What fun to see adult pandas playing like kids.
Now it’s time for SDZ – as usual there’s pappa Gao eating his babmboo —-lucky today, can see Miss Z hanging over the edge of the hammock – always laugh at a panda lounging in the hammock!!
Check on the SD blog for updates & news from fellow bloggers (especially Chari the whirlwind).
Check google panda alerts.
Late afternoon & evening repeat process. Really lucky today seeing the ” not so little” one in Atlanta. His big belly & panda fanny & markings are really obvious now.
Whew – what a busy day.
September 26th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Moderator(s),
Thank you for taking the time to get info on my question on panda lease expiration. We all just keep hoping that an extension for ‘our’ pandas is in the works!
September 26th, 2008 at 10:04 am
#84 Kristi
Bai Yun shares the same parents with Tian Tian of NZ,
Gao Gao is a wild born panda , his bloodline can’t be traced .
Bai Yun’s eldest daughter, Hua Mei , her father Shi Shi was also a wild born panda.
I guess that’s why SDZ can’t make a completed family tree for their pandas family.
September 26th, 2008 at 10:08 am
#84 Kristi
Sorry, I have to correct my above information :
Bai Yun shares the same father with Tian Tian not parents.
September 26th, 2008 at 10:31 am
I was on the AZ web site a couple times today and there was no cam on. I hope they are just having a problems with it and nothing going wrong with Lun Lun and her cub.
September 26th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Margaret #82–that’s definitely Gao Gao on camera #3 now.
September 26th, 2008 at 10:46 am
And there’s Miss ZZ all curled up in her tree, looking like a big fuzzy egg! They are so amazing how they curl themselves up sometimes.
September 26th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Pam T. The cam is back on in ZA and there was the little butterball on his back, hands over is head looking like he was contemplating life. he tried to roll but couldn’t he yelped and Lun came to his aid
September 26th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Hi, you all! Maureen, me a whirlwind?? I guess so with the info that I try to give to everyone when I find out things! Thanks for the compliment!!
Well, I got on the AZ pandacam, and it is BLACK! It’s down, and I called AZ to let them know so that they can get their IT guys on it and get it back online. Hopefully, they’ll have the cam back on sometime later today. So, I missed out seeing the little guy. But, I did get very lucky 2 days and nites in a row seeing the little fuzzy guy by himself while his mom was out eating. He’s getting alot more furry hair on him, getting bigger/plumper thanks to mom’s milk, and cuter everyday! As of yesterday, Wed., he’s at 832 grams and getting closer to that 2 pound mark. The update they wrote up on Tues. was very interesting in the way they were describing the markings on all of the pandas. All 4 pandas have some distinguishing differences in their black markings with either white spots or white lines thru them. The cub however is sporting a different marking that has the panda keepers a little baffled. He has a small black marking on his lower mouth! If you see one of their good closeup pics of the cub that they took a few days ago, you will see a black line on his lower mouth. A very different marking, if you ask me! They don’t know if that black marking on his mouth will stay permanently or go away as he grows up. Just have to wait, watch, and see!
Checked the pandacams from NZ and SDZ. NZ pandacams had Mei Xiang sleeping in the now very clean den area probably dreaming of what could have been this year! Tai Shan on the other cam was wondering up and down the chute between yards. It’s been raining in DC today. On the SDZ cam, I caught little Miss ZZ on a nice sized tree branch in clear view with no leaf obstruction napping! I saw her and Bai Yun on their hammocks yesterday on the cam. As always, a great picture of mom and daughter doing the same things together sometimes! I haven’t checked the MZ cam yet to see what Ya Ya and Le Le are doing. Will check them out later.
Not much else today. Hope that the AZ cam will be back on later today! Missing out seeing the little guy!
Oh yeah, Pandas International finally got the update online about the volunteer’s account at Bifengxia along with an announcement about their sale of PI items to raise money during Halloween season. I thought that they had that account on the website earlier when I got my email newsletter, but now it’s in there for those of you that don’t get the PI newsletter.
Gotta go and do some things. Will check back in later on.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
September 26th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Pam T #90–the Atlanta cam has been flaky today, but it seems to be OK now.
September 26th, 2008 at 11:36 am
Danielle, NY; I just read your blog about Lun hiding her cub under some bamboo. I just remembered that Lun did the same thing to Mei Lan when Mei was just a tiny cub a couple of years ago! It took Lun a few seconds to finally find Mei under that boo pile, and she did the same thing with her–scooped her up and cuddled her! Lun has very interesting emotional states when it comes to raising cubs, but overall, she has done a fantastic job with Mei Lan and is doing a fantastic job with her new baby panda boy. Don’t really need to worry about Lun and her mothering skills because now she has really proven herself to be a very good mom. I think that when Lun does that type of behavior of hiding cubs under the boo, it’s just part of her wild instinct to hide the cub from preditors if she were out in the wild in China. So, maybe that’s why she’s done this to both of her cubs. Even tho all of these pandas are here in the states in captivity at our 4 zoos, they all still have that natural wild instinct inside of them that will come out every once in awhile. That’s why all of the panda keepers are very careful when they are dealing with them and training them. The pandas are cute, cuddly, and easy to love, but we all have to remember that they were from the wild stock going back a few generations, and the wild side is still ingrained in them for life. Lun Lun has exhibited that part of her wild side when she hid her cubs under the boo. That’s my observation on this. That’s why these bears are so important to our ecosystem, and conservation efforts are a very important part of their survival.
Well, enough of that lesson! Anyway, keep watching and enjoying the pandas on the cams. I sure will!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
September 26th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Hi, pandacamers! Just checked back with the AZ website panda page at around 3pm EDT, and their pandacam is back up online showing Lun and cub napping! YEA!!! The AZ IT guys did some quick work to get that cam back up, so thanks to them for some good work! More cub watching to come now!!
Check back later!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
September 26th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Did a nighttime check on Lun and her cub on the AZ cam. Saw the cub laying pretty still on the hay near the den door, and I knew that Lun was just outside the door because I saw bamboo moving around near the door. She was right there in case the cub needed her real quick. The lighting on the cam at nite has been a lot better, too.
Also got on the SDZ website panda page, and I saw a change for the pandacam! It looks like the webmasters have been busy today making the changes, and they have created a brand new pandacam page now. It looks real good, and it will take a little bit of getting used to since we all have been spoiled with having the pandacam on the front panda page for soooooooo long! I have been seeing some slow, little changes to the whole SDZ website over the last couple of months, so I’m thinking that the entire site will see alot of changes in the days ahead. Anyway, I saw Sweet Su Lin eating her boo on the cam when I was on there checking it out. I also saw a new article up but haven’t had a chance to read it yet, and it’s on the blog page TWICE! How did that happen? Oh well—–
Well, gonna go for now. I’m keeping up with my home baseball team plus I’ll be watching the Presidential debate that starts at 9pm EDT tonite. So, will check back with you later on!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL