Weaning Zhen Zhen: And So It Begins
Posted at 10:38 am January 26, 2009 by Suzanne Hall
Today marks a milestone for our fourth panda cub Zhen Zhen: her weaning window has opened. A necessary step in the life of any young animal, weaning an infant from its mother involves an end to nutritional dependence on her. In the case of Zhen Zhen, as with many other species in general and with pandas in particular, this also means an end to extensive social contact with mom as well.
We aren’t entirely sure how the weaning process proceeds in the wild. No one has been fortunate enough to track a mom with dependent young carefully enough to document the changes that occur at this dramatic time in a cub’s life. Even so, there are some things we know to be true about pandas that allow us to make educated guesses about how weaning is accomplished.
Here are some facts:
1) The interbirth interval in wild pandas is typically 2 to 3 years
2) A female entering the den to give birth does not bring its previous offspring with it. It doesn’t take a scientist to do the math in this equation!
We know panda moms gradually increase the time they are absent from their offspring throughout the period of mother-cub association. Starting from early in the denning period, she must leave her cub to forage on bamboo and find water. As the denning phase ends, the female moves her young into lairs and ultimately into the trees, where cubs are safe while mom is gone for an entire day or more while feeding. In some cases we can imagine that mom just walks away one day and never reunites with her cub…hence weaning is accomplished.
Here is something new that we know: female subadults are very likely to be the bears to migrate out of their home range of birth and establish new ranges for themselves. Our work in Foping, China, has documented the case of a young female who moved about 12 miles (20 kilometers) away from her natal range to set up her new homestead. Thus, leaving mom is quite a final prospect for some female pandas as they embark on their own lives. With that kind of distance between mother and offspring, a panda might be trying to ensure that it does not breed with any male sibling who might not have dispersed.
There are other things we know as well: young pandas have been seen in the trees at breeding sites, presumably watching from high as their mother engaged in mating with males during her estrus. Unfortunately, this is not a scenario we can allow in the zoo setting. Unlike the abundant space allotted to wild animals, a cub in a tree would be unable to escape an exuberant male who might misinterpret the presence of a youngster as a threat. For Zhen Zhen’s safety, we cannot take the chance that she would get hurt if she were hanging around her mother during breeding.
And so it is that we will follow what we believe to be the natural course of weaning as much as is possible in a managed-care environment. In a zoo setting, nature cannot be allowed to take its course, because there are hurdles to accomplishing these objectives that a wild panda does not encounter. If Bai Yun wanted to walk away, where would she go? If Zhen Zhen wanted to disperse, where would she go? There are walls around our bears that prevent them from acting on their natural weaning instincts. And so we must facilitate this process.
Today, we will begin the process by giving Bai Yun and Zhen Zhen access to both of the exhibits. They will spend about a week acclimating to both sides of the public area. The door between the exhibits will remain open so that they can move freely between the space they have been occupying for more than a year and the adjacent exhibit. Then, early next week, we will begin to close the door between them.
Our experience with weaning three previous cubs has taught us that a gradual, step-wise approach to separations is the best way to go. We anticipate very little stress from either bear in the early phases of this process. We first close the door between them for about six hours. After a few days, we lengthen that to about half a day. Our third step is to separate them for about 75 percent of the day, and finally, a total separation occurs. The whole process from acclimation to separation takes two to three weeks. We adjust our timeline based on the response we see from the bears and will lengthen or shorten each step as we deem appropriate.
“Bear” in mind that in the latter stages of the weaning process we are very likely to see some anxiety on the part of Zhen Zhen. This is common and normal. No baby likes to say goodbye to its mother, even if mom is ready to move on. We will do for Zhen what we have learned can help alleviate such anxiety: provide her with lots of fun enrichment and extensive keeper-panda social interactions. These help to keep her in good humor. Additionally, once final separation is achieved, we will remove Zhen from the main viewing exhibits and take her to the classroom exhibit, so that her mother is not sitting on the other side of a door from her after weaning. This will help her to adjust more smoothly to the new life she will be embarking on.
Soon Zhen Zhen will be a solitary little panda, and we have no doubt that she will prove as robust and healthy as her siblings have been. Please feel free to come and see her over the next few weeks, as once weaning is accomplished she will be off exhibit for a while. I cannot give you any firm dates as to when this will happen, because we will be adjusting our schedule based on the bears’ response to the weaning process. In the meantime, you can witness an important transition in the life of any panda: the transition to independence.
I will update you throughout the process as we progress through the weaning protocol.
Suzanne Hall is a senior research techinican at the San Diego Zoo.
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January 26th, 2009 at 10:58 am
I knew it was getting that time of year and it needs to happen but like many has said it is a sad time for us human. Because it would be hard for us to not has compact and touch with our children and we bring this feeling into their lives also.
WE will be wishing them well and I know in my heart they will be.
Love to Miss ZZ
January 26th, 2009 at 11:25 am
Sigh. We knew this day would come. It is hard but necessary. I hope ZZ adjusts quickly and capably as she has with the other challenges she has encountered – like climbing! Good luck all!
January 26th, 2009 at 11:58 am
Sorry, another comment–hope you can update the cam numbers soon, so viewers who don’t know the pandas by their shape will know who’s who! Also, is the clock an hour ahead on the blog responses?
Moderator’s note: The Panda Cam numbers were updated at 10 a.m. But we didn’t realize the blog section’s time clock needed to be updated! The change will be made. Thank you.
January 26th, 2009 at 11:32 am
Our Zhen Zhen is a trooper. She will ease into the separation with flying colors! I, on the otherhand may not fare so well. I know it is a natural and necessary step in their lives, but it will still be sad to no longer see mama and daughter sunning together on their perch in the afternoons. I am so grateful we got to fly out to see them last weekend and to enjoy some of their last moments together with them.
January 26th, 2009 at 11:34 am
Thank you for the information and update. I’m glad that you addressed ZZ’s anxiety at being separated from her mom. Whether it is a gradual process as you described or the abrupt cessation of all interaction with the mom as might occur in the wild, there must be some level of anxiety on the part of the cub. It is a natural part of a panda’s life to be weaned from its mother and become independent but there is also something heartwrenching when I imagine a cub high up on a tree branch, waiting for its mother that will never return.
Pandas still seem so very small and vulnerable at this stage. It is remarkable that they are able to survive in the wild and stake out their own territory, especially given the fact that cubs have to learn so much from their mothers in such a short time. I hope someday that researchers will be able to learn more about giant pandas in the wild, as difficult as that has proven to be due to their sparse numbers, large territories and relatively solitary lifestyle. It will be exciting to find out what theories prove out versus which theories are debunked, if any.
January 26th, 2009 at 11:42 am
I knew the moment I turned on the pandacam that it had begun, for the panda I saw climbing eagerly all over the right enclosure (cam 3) was definitely not Gao! She’s having a ball climbing and sniffing and exploring a new place she hasn’t been before. I like the way you do it gradually leaving the door open, then shutting it for longer, then having her be somewhere further away. It’s hard not to anthropomorphize and feel sad, but we all must move on, as that is what Mother Nature requires at this time! AND if we want another little SDZ panda cub, which we do!
January 26th, 2009 at 11:45 am
I thought Zhen Zhen seemed a bit lost this morning. She has been up and down her tree and though I know this is a natural thing she does appear to be a bit lost on her own. With the door open obviously she isn’t completely alone but she seems to be wondering why her mother isn’t coming along. She makes trips back I think and then comes back out and it is up and down the tree trying to find something to do. I am sure that all will go well with the weaning and maybe we’re just feeling some of her loss but it is nature. She will be fine once it is all done.
January 26th, 2009 at 11:53 am
I have gone through panda cub weaning several times now. This is the first time I don’t feel heart-broken. Zhen has always been a most independent youngster and I feel like she will be just fine. She might not even need all the help the others have needed to adjust. But, thankfully, the help IS there if she does need it. This is her time to shine, to be on her own. She won’t have to share. She can set up her HOME as her own, the way she likes it. I am looking forward to the Zhen that emerges from the weaning process as a confident, lovely yound panda.
Thanks for keeping us informed and passing along the info. The communication between animal care staff and the public is so helpful in calming our own individual feelings. It also helps to have the comment area for us to share and to help other PandaFANatics cope with this time in their beloved animals’ lives. So, a hint to everyone out there: Stock up on Kleen-ex and enjoy Zhen’s journey towards adulthood. She really is an amazing animal and she will be able to truly SHINE BRIGHTLY as she goes through this next stage.
Love, Joy
January 26th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Doggone it! I knew this time was quickly approaching and was fine with that. When I checked the cams today and saw cam C3 and a smallish bear climbing, I knew that it was starting and was ok with that also. It is, after all, ‘my’ fourth weaning. I checked the blogs and saw, as expected, news on the weaning and was ok… until the end. Then, I got those doggone tears again. Sigh. I *know* ZZ is really having a blast exploring and climbing all the new trees, and enjoying learning about Papa Gao Gao and Big Sis Su from the scents. I also am sure she will do very well, with the help of the keepers, in this whole next step in her life – the independent young lady that she is, but still………….
January 26th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
I know the separation has to occur, but I don’t think that this enclosure is the right one for baby zhen zhen. She is our climber and always loved to go high up in the trees in her older enclosure. This new enclosure does not have that and I watched her struggle to find that place to sleep. There is no hammack in the tree and where she is sleeping today does not look comforatable. I’m sorry, but I can’t watch her struggle. Why can’t she stay in her old enclosure and let bai yun stay in the new one since she does not climb hardly at all in the high trees and neither does gao gao, so that new enclosure would be good for them, but not baby zz. I’m sad.
January 26th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Thank you for explaining the weaning process in detail, this will be my first time witnessing it although I have read about it. I do have a question though. I understand why you separate the mother and child however I am a bit confused as to why for example Zhen and her sister couldn’t get to know each other and hang out? I know in China the young ones all play together and grow up together and wonder why they don’t here? I imagine a young panda would feel quite intimidated after being alone and then sent over to China and suddenly find herself part of a breeding program when it had never been around other pandas except for it’s mom a few years prior.
Forgive me if I’m asking the same questions that have previously been asked but I’m kinda of new to the panda thing although it didn’t take me long to fall in love with them.
January 26th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
I know all of you say this is a very sad time (for you or the bears??!!), but I must say I’m looking forward to it as this is my first experience of panda weaning. I’m looking forward to seeing this on the cam and also hearing from everyone here when I can’t be watching. It really is very annoying that I have to be asleep when it’s your afternoon!
Thank you for all the information, Suzanne, and please let us know how things are going – particularly for all of us who live in different time zones. I could do with Dr Who’s tardis.
Zhen Zhen is so big now – I see she now weighs 86 pounds (I think I remembered it correctly). But she is still so gorgeously cute.
January 26th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
#7 Joy… I unfortunately reached for a Kleenex today as I read about the cubs in the wild waiting in vain for mom to come back. It is bittersweet as obviously it is necessary for the continuation of the species while being anxiety-provoking for the young cub’s unexpected first days alone. I am thankful that I don’t have to witness that. It does seem easier this way (a gradual process that can be modified as necessary), even if it differs a bit from how cubs are weaned in the wild. And by the way, I’ve enjoyed reading your stories that you’ve shared!
January 26th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Betsy #10,
Zhen has access to both enclosures. If she seems uncomfortable to you, remember that wherever you are currently viewing her… she is there by her own choice! Why be sad?
January 26th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Kathy #11,
Because there is a two-year age gap between Su Lin and Zhen (unlike young Wolong pandas housed together), and therefore a large size difference, any introduction has to be carefully managed. We have discussed this and will revisit it when weaning is complete.
January 26th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Conversation in the Treetops #1:
Zhen Zhen: Hey, Su, what’s up? Tee Hee!
Su Lin: Us, silly! Hey, you’re on the other side!
ZZ: Yep, the humans *finally* realized that I’m ready for a room of my own.
Su: Yeah, it’s pretty cool, even if they do make us switch back and forth with Dad.
ZZ: It’s so they can come see how pretty we are, up close.
Su: Now remember what I told you. When you see the humans leading a group, go close to the glass. They like that.
ZZ: If I’m not taking a nap. I like my naps.
Su: Of course you do. You seem more excited about getting your own room than I was.
ZZ: I’m tired of sharing with Mom. She thinks all the ‘boo is hers. I have to climb high if I snatch a good piece.
Su: Well it won’t be long now and you’ll have your own, all to yourself, and you won’t have to share your toys with Mom either.
ZZ: Or with you!
Su: Little sisters, they’re all the same.
ZZ: I hope we get a brother this time. I want to be the youngest daughter so I can be Princess forever.
Su: Precious, believe me, youngest or not, you will be!
January 26th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Hi to Susan in UK, sorry you have to sleep through the action! These two have been sort of hyperactive this morning, smelling everything a zillion times, one wonders aren’t they hungry? ZZ IS gorgeously cute, and she is climbing all over the place, hanging upside down (very acrobearatic), looking over the edge of the ’stump’ from the top, being in the ‘cave’ down below (must be like the den, somewhat); Bai must be checking to make sure there aren’t any other pandas still around to threaten her cubbie, cause she is really a girl on the move. Check the perimeter again, the room at the back again, where’s the cub, zoom zoom they are both going. It’s rather fascinating! I’m trying to be brave and look at it scientifically, not to do the kleenex thing…
To Betsy #10: don’t be sad for zz, she’s got access to BOTH enclosures right now, and lots of climbing and resting places (like the top of the stump, new tree trunks, logs, etc), and she won’t be there in a few weeks when she’s weaned, she’ll be in another enclosure where she can climb all she wants. They know what they’re doing in San Diego Zoo with the pandas, with all their experience. Trust them!
January 26th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Good Luck little ZZ – it will be a tough time for you and your mom – but you will both survive. And know that our human hearts are saddened yet happy to see you become a BIG BEAR!! I’ve watched you since day one and have enjoyed every moment of your growing – you are my panda love!!
January 26th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Betsy (#10) – When I first read your post, I thought “Huh?”? I had just been watching ZZ and Bai. ZZ was hanging upside down in a tree. From the cam angle, it looked like she several feet above Bai and it looked like she was saying “Hey Mum! Lookit me! I am upside down in this neat new tree!”. She certainly looked to me like she was having a grand time. I checked again and there she is, sitting front and center with Bai dining on a huge pile of boo. As Suzanne and others have pointed out, she has access to 2 areas right now. One that, to my knowledge, she has never had the chance to explore. And she does like to explore! I personally think she is one very content and happy panda.
January 26th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
It is hard to believe ZZ has reached this age so quickly. Here come the tears again…so will stay away from the CAM for a few weeks. I wish her much happiness and many blessings! Claudia
January 26th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
I have to laugh as I see both Bai and Zhen in Gao’s territory. So much for weaning today as I’ve also seen them trapsing around the first public exhibit, crossing paths, Zhen splashing in the pool, Bai scent marking. I’m njoying the last days of Mom and baby hanging out together.
January 26th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Thanks Suzanne for answering my question and good point about the age difference, sorry I know I’m’ humanizing and I shouldn’t! Last week for the first time I saw attempted mating at the National zoo between Tian and Mei and I suppose I look at little ZZ and think that would be a terrifying way to see another panda for the first time..lol! But I know she’ll be all grown up by then and she is a bear after all!
January 26th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
So it begins. Thanks, Suzanne, for sharing the planned time frame. That will make it easier for us to realize what is going on while watching. So, all us humans have to be brave. The facts about mother Pandas sending their young to the trees explains why Miss ZZ is so comfy playing and sleeping in the trees. It just comes naturally! For the first time, I am grateful that SDZ cams have no sound. It would break our hearts to hear our baby bleating for her mom. And I, too, am confident that ‘our Precious baby’ will come through this with flying colors, probably lots better than all her fans. She, too, will be a beautiful young lady. Thank you SDZ! You all are the greatest!
January 26th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
It sure looks like Zhen ran away from home into Gao’s previous exhibit and Mom followed her. All Zhen really needs is a “soft” tree branch to snooze on. I have fond memories of Bai on her back tossing Zhen in the air 8 months ago..so sweet and fun stuff for Zhen too. I’ll miss the interaction esp when Zhen would fall on her back in front of mom and mom would tickle her with her nose. The interaction between mom and cub has been a wonder to behold. Will miss that but she is still our girl, and looking forward to cub #5 Godwilling.
January 26th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Good job, Joy, over hearing that conversation between the girls. It’s nice that the sisters gave us a special insight into their world.
Life will be exciting from both Bai and ZZ in the next few months. We’ll all be watching and loving them with our Kleenex at the ready.
January 26th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Thanks, Joy in Kansas #16 for the conversation.
I think Miss ZZ will eventually be OK–I’m going to be a mess. It has been such a wonderful gift to see Bai and Zhen Zhen together. Even though nature seemingly demands their eventual separation, pandas seem to have so much fun when they are around other pandas. Oh well, Kleenex ready, fingers crossed, wishing I could come out and help distract Miss ZZ to help with the process. At the present time, she looks very content and grown up, relishing her boo on C1. We love you, Zhennie!!
January 26th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Wow — time does seem to go by fast, doesn’t it? It really doesn’t seem that long ago when Zhen Zhen was really just a little fluffy roly poly thing — and now look at her — she’s a big girl! She sure had fun this morning exploring — no doubt redecorating in her head, trying to decide where to hang her Jonas Brother’s poster and big fluffy bean bag chair. She’ll be just fine — her and Su Lin will be gossiping in the tree tops and staying out late. Who knows, maybe they can have lunch together some day or a sleepover. Zhen’s always seemed to be rather independent — not at all like her big brother who was such a mama’s boy. I’m excited for her — and for Bai and Gao who can have some date nights!
January 26th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
To Joy in Kansas #16: Your ’sister-conversation’ is Perfect!!! I know it brought smiles to all
Hope all were able to see the video on you tube and the SDZ site as well of our Gao Gao slurping honey on his birthday cake. What a total joy he is!!!
To all: We are going down to the SDZ tomorrow morning, and when I get back home, I’ll write about the 2nd day of weaning. I also think that Zhen will do very well and Bai will as well. To those of you who are concerned about the high climbing, please know that Su Lin and Mei Sheng both enjoyed the heights…and they loved to show off for their fans by hanging in the trees. Miss Zhen is going to discover that she is an acrobat as well
January 26th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Hi Suzanne – I know that our beautiful Zhen Zhen will be in great hands during this confusing time in her life. I have complete confidence knowing that you and all the loving and capable panda keepers are aware of Zhen’s needs and any anxiety she may develop. I too feel sad when weaning time rolls around. (I should be used to it by now since this #4 for me!) From day one Zhen has been very close to her mom – she hardly ever left her side except for her daily tree climbing adventures.
As I mentioned in a previous blog, while visiting with Bai and Zhen last week, I noticed that Bai, lying on top of the cave, was ignoring Zhen who wanted to nurse. Bai was adamant and absolutely refused to nurse. After a while, Zhen gave up and decided to sit and eat some bamboo. Later, Bai Yun came down from the cave and began to eat. Zhen then tried to take the bamboo out of Bai’s grasp. Bai immediately got up a walked away from Zhen. It was then that I knew that weaning was “just around the corner”.
By the way Suzanne, based on your records, which one of the three baby pandas weaned at the San Diego Zoo was the least anxious during the separation from Bai Yun?
I am looking forward to your updates regarding Zhen’s weaning process. Thank you for all the information that you share with us.
January 26th, 2009 at 11:36 pm
Hi, you all! Joy from Kansas, you are now in the same writing league as P Wong! Your conversation between Su Lin and ZZ was just awesome and cute! I think that you will give P Wong a run for his money now!
Well, the weaning process has arrived and about to get started between Bai and ZZ. I’ll make sure that I get on that SDZ cam as much as possible over the next 3 weeks to get alot of look sees of Bai and ZZ together before they are seperated for good. One thing is for sure, ZZ will be able to have all the bamboo that she wants without her mom hogging it all! ZZ should be fine thru all of this anyway because I have noticed a little bit of an independent streak in her as well. She’ll have some fussy, unnerving days for awhile, but she’ll get used to it and do her own thing.
After the weaning is done, we can look forward to Bai going into estrus again, having her days with Gao, and hopefully having her fifth cub by sometime this summer. With the other 2 female pandas well on their way thru their possible pregnancy days (Mei Xiang and Ya Ya), I’m looking forward to seeing Bai Yun going thru that process again and counting her days towards a possible cub being born!
I also noticed on the cam list that all 4 pandas have done some switching of the yards again! I know that they are all doing alot of sniffing and investigating of their surroundings.
At Atlanta Zoo, little Xi Lan is a little over 18 pounds now. According to their update today, he is now trying to drink some real water out of the water fountain in the dayroom. He has to stand up on his hind legs to reach it, but he’s getting there. I will be getting back in contact with AZ in the next couple of days to find out about the pandacam sponsor search and see if the panda keepers can add a lot more pics and vids to their gallery. I’ll let you know what I can find out, ok?
I read somewhere that Oakland Zoo in Oakland, Cal., has been getting their panda exhibit ready for the possibility of getting 2 pandas there soon. That will be awesome, and this will make 5 zoos here in the USA housing pandas if this does go thru. Good luck, Oakland!!
Well, gonna go for now. Will be back later on.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
January 27th, 2009 at 11:26 am
Has Bai shown any ‘early’ signs of estrus like Memphis and DC? Do you feel that this separation will be complete by the time she is in estrus? We all are always sooooo anxious for a new panda cub. DC has a video today of the “AI” that was done with Mei and Tian. It sounds so positive and of course the date is marked on my calendar as well as the Memphis date. What a wonderful year of expectations for our pandas and many, many thanks to all of the panda keepers in all of the zoos who help this process along!
January 27th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
I just peeked in and who is sleeping on her head (10:30 Pacific time)? Is that Bai in C6?
January 27th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Thanks Marti, for your update. Your description was so much better than watching the time-lapse, where it goes so fast you sometimes miss loads. I tune in at around 6pm UK time which is 10am SDZ time and usually Zhen Zhen is having her mid-morning snooze. Sometimes I catch them at 6am your time wandering around. I have managed to catch quite a few hilarious romps round the enclosure and the coming weeks will be very interesting. I’m sure the weaning process has to be much better at the SDZ than in the wild, where they are left on their own. Us humans are just too soft, aren’t we – we know the animals do it their way but we still bawl our eyes out. I must say that ZZ does look extremely uncomfortable today in the tree, but what do I know, I can’t remember the last time I climbed a tree and had a nap!
January 27th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
It’s amazing how fast the last 18 months have gone by. We will just have to wait and see if we move on to “baby watch” with Bai this summer. I am so lucky that I was able to see Bai and Zhen together last September.
Did anyone else notice the sparrow (or similar) in Tai’s inside room today? When it flew past him he would stop eating and watch it and then resume eating. This went on for quite awhile. I don’t know if the bird it still there or if has found it’s way outside again. I think the bird just wanted somewhere warm as I saw the snow in the yard today. This was like last summer when I saw the squirrel in the yard with one of our pandas. They watch and then ignore. Eating bamboo is more important and less strenuous.
January 27th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
I to want to thank Joy for the cute conversation between Miss ZZ and big sis Su Lin it was so sweet. Also # 33 Susan from Uk I had to laugh at comment about naping in a tree I don’t think many of us have taken a nap in a tree lately. lol
And Thank you Suzanne for letting us know what all is going on with the weaning of Zhen Zhen. I like many others this is my 4th one also, but the tears still flow. And just think next year it will be Xi Lan turn and here we go again.
January 27th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Do you suppose Bai, recognizing what’s happening, is saying “Finally a Little Help from My Friends? I need to get on with being me. I’m still a hot mamma, and there’s my guy over there!”
January 27th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
We did get down to the SDZ this morning and arrived at the Panda exhibit at 9:40. We saw Zhen sleeping in the tree which is on the C-3 area. She loves this spot! How do we know? She was still asleep in the same spot an hour later…..and still asleep when we returned for the third time around 12:15
Bai was sound asleep lying on the top of the hut in the other exhibit for our first two visits. She was awake around 12:15, happily eating bamboo 
We did get to meet and visit with Ellie Rosenbaum who was the panda moderator today! We did go to see the Polar Bears and found them lounging in the sunshine. We got to see the Grizzlie Brothers and watched them eating bones and hiding the bones in the water/pond in their exhibit. The zoo was not a bit crowded today and the animals…..most of whom were awake….were mellow and enjoying the cool weather. We find the SDZ to be the nicest place on Earth 
January 27th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Did someone put a little espresso in Zhen Zhen’s water this morning? I tuned in around 1:45 (a late lunch at my desk) and she was out of control and doing everything she could to pester Bai Yun. And I mean everything. At one point it looked like she was tap dancing on her head, then sitting on her head, then climbing on her back, then hanging from her back legs and dangling above her head. What was Bai doing this whole time. Nothing! She completely ignored her — except for when she moved to another location — only to be pestered some more by little miss ants in her pants. Bai was so calm — even looked a little bored by the shenanigans. I agree with Linda # 36 — I betting Bai is looking forward to a little peace and quite — and naps without a certain someone sitting on her head. But Zhen was awfully cute to watch — and it reminded me, that although she’s a big girl now, she’s still a little kid at heart. So cute!!
January 27th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
I agree Bobbie Wood, it’s heaven on earth! especially on an uncrowded day…rare thing at that zoo. Joy I loved your dialog, very well put! Susan in UK, you’re napping in your tree-substitute no doubt (ha ha), what I’ve seen today has been not much separation (but I saw no nursing) with both Bai and ZZ eating together in the new area, then Bai trying to rest draped over some logs with ZZ first eating by herself (nice close-ups of her, Meerkats!), then going over and doing her myriad funny positions all over Bai…on her head, hanging from limb above with forepaws down giving her mum a back scratch it looked like…what a hilarious youngster she is (and always has been)! Bai was endlessly patient, then finally moved off somewhere. I often get on in the pre-dawn morning drinking my coffee and watch them both doing their miles (maybe they’re training for a ‘bearathon’?). Now the little one is eating by herself in the original enclosure, and our darling Gao is eating in his little room. I’ve always wondered and forgot to ask in person, why do pandas have a low box in their sleeping areas inside? (all the US ones seem to have them), do they like to sleep on them? I’ve never seen that. Moderator?
Suzanne responds: The “low box” is a scale. It facilitates our husbandry by allowing keepers to weigh sleeping or feeding bears! Other facilities probably have the same or similar scales in their animal quarters, too.
January 27th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
P Wong what a lovely conversation between sisters. If Su Lin really knew what is about to happen, I wonder what she would say to Zhen Zhen. ZA has been doing research on recall in pandas, but I think they stopped for a while because Lun Lun wasn’t catching on as quickly as Yang Yang, and she is preoccupied raising Xi Lan right now.
If Su Lin and Zhen Zhen do get to see each other and spend time interacting the way Su Lin and Mei Sheng did, it will ease the anxiety of both the pandas and the humans watching them. It will be interesting to see if Su Lin initiates “conversations” in the tree tops the way Mei Sheng appeared to do.
January 27th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
Cheryl, # 38, this sounds like deja vue. Su Lin did the same thing, as did Tai Shan, and Mei Lan as the weaning process began. I guess it is one of the indicators that the keepers use to know that the cubs are ready for independence, and moms are ready for peace and quiet. It gets interesting and a little nasty when the mom’s patience starts to wear thin and they start forcefully swatting the cubs to get away. I remember the last day Su Lin and Bai Yun were together that Bai actually snapped at Su Lin, which indicated to the keepers that the time had come for a permanent separation. It is sad, but the prospect of a new relationship with Su Lin in the tree tops and through the howdy gate, make it less painful.
January 28th, 2009 at 9:26 am
Bobbie (#37) LOL, as Ellie says when she is moderating… “You are watching what the pandas do… SLEEPING and EATING.” I always fell so peaceful at the SDZ Panda Research Station area that I could curl up and take a 2-3 hour nap myself. (I think that’s why they don’t have benches for us.)
I missed it on Monday, I’ve had a mini-family emergency, but to all the PandaFANatics: Gung Hay Fat Choy! (Happy New Year!) I am praying that the Year of the Ox is indeed a steady and prosperous year for pandas all over the world, especially in China those affected by the earthquakes and their aftermath. And what a great symbol of peaceful cooperation as the Taiwan Pandas went on public display– a New Spirit of Unity for a New Year!
Love, Joy
January 28th, 2009 at 10:15 am
AZ has a new video of Xi Lan today…Real Cute!!
January 28th, 2009 at 10:48 am
#40, Margaret – You must give Joy, not me, the credit for the wonderful sisterly conversation between Su Lin and Zhen Zhen. l got a little busy last few days and hadn’t any inspirational flashes recently, so Joy filled in splendidly. Thanks, Joy.
January 28th, 2009 at 11:04 am
#37 Lee…I haven’t noticed Tai’s bird but I see a bird in Mei Xiang’s room almost every morning when the keepers first arrive (around 7am EST). The bird flits around while Mei waits to go outside. She never seems to pay attention to it so it is cute to hear that Tai was curious about “his” bird. I remember seeing the squirrel sitting on a log near Tai when he was sleeping a few months ago. I guess all of this affirms that giant pandas aren’t generally predatory, huh? They stick to bamboo when it’s available.
It was fun seeing ZZ and Bai exploring Gao’s space the other day. I will look forward to the possibility that Su and ZZ will get to meet someday.
January 28th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
I saw the ZA video this morning…very cute! Too short! But at least it’s something. As for the birds in the enclosures at NZ, I hear them in there all the time, even if I can’t see them. Particularly in the winter when they are looking to get warm. Joy in Kansas….great work with the conversation between Su Lin and Zhen Zhen. That is what we need to help get through this transition. Sisters are great friends.
January 28th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Moderator(s), you guys do such a great job of communicating zoo news through the blogs, but does the SDZ have a flickr account, myspage page or facebook page where zoo pictures are posted? ZA’s myspace page has been mentioned here and the NZ has recently started posting zoo photos on flickr so I want to make sure that I’m not missing out on anything from SDZ!
Thank you for the great job you do for us panda watchers/fans as we share our interest for and love of your giant pandas and all pandas in general. It has been great for me to find out that there are a lot of other people who admire the unique beauty of pandas, are fascinated by all of the research that is going on, and who find moments of humor in the daily lives of the giant pandas who “star” on zoo panda cams.
Moderator’s note: We post especially cute photos on our What’s New? page: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/whatsnew/ and we have a new video section that’s much easier to use (you can even view the videos in full-screen mode!) at http://www.sandiegozoo.org/videos/
Our Facebook page is http://www.facebook.com/pages/San-Diego-Zoo/28896772146
Be sure to subscribe for our free weekly e-newsletter: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/newsletter/
Hope this helps!
January 28th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Wow! SO is Bai Yun going go give birth soon.I hope Zhen Zhen gets a little sister/brother soon!Will it happen when she turns two?(Like Su Lin?)
January 28th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Oops. My humblest apology, Joy, #16. I just got new glasses, so hopefully it will help me focus on my computer screen better. The “conversation” between the sisters was adorable. I would love to be a “bird” on a limb listening to them, wouldn’t you?
Zhen seems to be getting use to her new “yard” and has had several naps up in new trees. Not sure if she is exhausted, or trying them out. Whatever her motivation she seems to be sleeping comfortably up there. It will help her get use to new tall trees for her big move next month, and prepare her for communication opportunities with other pandas that she doesn’t yet know exist. Excitement is in the air!
January 28th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Cheryl #38, I saw that exchange between Bai and ZZ too–hilarious! ZZ was being a little trapeze artist. I laughed out loud.
This weaning process is quite fascinating. So far I’ve seen ZZ over in her old left-hand enclosure only once, and very briefly, although Bai seems to like to sleep there on top of her cave at night. Mostly, Bai seems to come over to the right-hand space. It’ll be very interesting to watch what happens when the gate begins to be closed for awhile.
A question: everyone seems to be looking forward to ZZ and Su Lin meeting, but wouldn’t they see each other merely as rival females? In the panda world, they don’t know they’re sisters, and probably don’t even have a concept of what sisters are. (I hate to spoil everyone’s fun with the question, though!)
January 28th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Thank you, moderators, for the treasure trove of information! I’m getting to know more of the SDZ animals now and don’t want to miss any of the excitement! I have to admit that a feel a bit guilty, paying so much attention to all of the pandas when there so many other interesting creatures. I do try to keep up with the rest of the animal kingdom as much as I can though but I know I could do better. Your two-toed sloth is quite charming! And I loved the pictures of Gao’s celebration in the What’s New section last week.
Again, many thanks! It has been a longheld desire to come to the SDZ. I think I will have to win a large sum of money so I can take a cross-country trip to see your zoo along with so many others!
Moderator’s note: One more suggestion for those who like to learn about more animals is to bookmark the homepage of our Blog section http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/
This way you can read about many more wonderous and adorable creatures, directly from their keepers. This morning we posted an interesting blog about a tiny monkey baby (talk about some cute photos!) and yesterday we posted a blog update on our newest tiger cubs (along with some cute photos!).
January 28th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Fonsia, #50, Mei Sheng and Su Lin had a great time “conversing” in panda sounds from the tree tops after Su Lin was weaned. Before Mei Sheng left for China, he and Su Lin had many encounters at the “howdy” gate between the two front exhibits. There had not been any encounters between pandas at SDZ other than for breeding. It was great fun to watch Mei Sheng do somersaults and other acrobatic type of actions in front of his “little sister.” She seemed to be more interested in watching and “talking” and did not do much activity to reciprocate.
January 29th, 2009 at 7:44 am
Fonsia #50,
Females tend not to be as aggressive to one another as males might be. In the wild, female home ranges can overlap with one another to some degree and the bears manage just fine. Additionally, given the age of Su Lin and Zhen (ie, young) its likely that they might get along fine. We anticipate “howdy gate” introductions between these two in the future.
January 29th, 2009 at 7:59 am
Well, looks like I timed my visit wrong to see ZZ. We will be in town the first week of March and she will be off exhibit by then. Oh well, we will be happy to see any pandas and to be somewhere warm.
January 30th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Conversation with Bai and ZZ number 1
ZZ:Mommy!Watch me! I can climb the tree!
Bai:Yeah,you have been doing that for months now.(Yawn)
ZZ:Why are you so tired mommy?
Bai:Because (Yawn) you tire me out with all your fights for (ahem) MY bamboo (Yawn).
ZZ:Well,I just want a good piece!
Bai:(Yawn) So? (Yawn)
ZZ:I am not tired mommy! Let’s go!
Bai: (Yawn) I am so (Yawn) glad that (Yawn) you will (Yawn) get your (Yawn) own….room….(Yawn) soon.ZZZZZ.
ZZ:Um,(whispers) night mommy.
February 8th, 2009 at 1:57 am
I would like to say a huge thank you to the people who post the updates and keep this blog going, this is the 3rd weaning i would have gone through and each time i learn something new, the staff at SDZ and the other zoos all do a wonderful job keeping us up to date with how the animals in their care are doing, Thank You