Comments on: Separation Progress

By: Kristi in Dallas

Kristi in Dallas — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 06:31:16 +0000

Poor Zhennie! Getting the “pink slip”, or rather just the slip, from her mommy Bai has got to be hard. I’ve been thinking about her a lot lately as the weaning is progressing. I hope she can be consoled when Su Lin gets to go back on exhibit beside her. Please make opportunities for them to meet at the “howdy gate” and in the trees to see and “talk” to each other like it was when Mei Sheng was here. When weaning is complete will you let Su Lin be on exhibit with her? Not together, but next door?

By: Rose N.

Rose N. — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 04:06:02 +0000

Barbara in Midwest #17 – Thanks for your interesting reply. I understand what you’re saying, however, in a closed environment how can the mother prevent the cub from nursing? The mother would have to spend most of her time trying to avoid her very persistent cub. In all probability, the cub would win out.

If the mother does go into estrus, they would have to separate her from the cub anyway. So it seems there is no gain in following this plan. It will be interesting to see if the Vienna Zoo is successful in keeping their pandas together. In doing this comparison, I’ve come to understand that the weaning process at the San Diego Zoo is a better choice.

Barbara, your statement, “This might make for a very interesting study” is so true.

By: Barbara in Midwest

Barbara in Midwest — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:06:28 +0000

Rose, #16, thanks for the information about Zoo Vienna’s plans to let Fu Long stay with his mother. It seems it would be possible; she could keep him from nursing and in doing so she would go into estrus. Of course they would have to separate them (temporarily) in order for her to be with the male to mate (assuming they are planning on natural mating again).
It would be interesting to see how long she tolerates the cub being with her, should she become pregnant. This might make for a very interesting study.

By: Rose N.

Rose N. — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 20:17:59 +0000

Oh my goodness – the photo of Bai and Zhen lying nose-to-nose peering out from the hollowed-out tree this morning at 10:46 AM PT is absolutely the most adorable picture. The weaning process is so sad and painful for the pandas and all panda lovers. Lately, I have noticed that Bai seems to be enjoying Zhen’s company more and more.

Recently, I read an article about Fu Long, the 18-month-old panda in Vienna. Supposedly, they don’t have any specific plans or timetables to separate their cub from its mother. They are going to allow nature to take its course when the mother reaches estrus. I thought that in order for a nursing female panda to reach estrus she had to be separated from her cub. Is their plan possible?

By: barbara

barbara — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:49:50 +0000

I don’t know who takes this weaning process worse, ZZ or us. Everytime I read or watch the camera the tears start. I try to convince myself that better times are ahead by thinking of what’s to come this year in the way of new babies, but it’s still hard.

By: TAMI MICHAUD

TAMI MICHAUD — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:46:05 +0000

Oh…I wasn’t going to read these blogs until they were separated!!! I just can’t “bear” to read the part that mom gets aggressive and rejects her and with this new info today…It feels like it’s coming….Sad isn’t the word…now that I’ve upset myself because I just had to know…I will return to my work and bury myself…hang in there zz….you will soon forget and plan your new life….Auntie Tami loves you so muches…XXXOOOOXOXOXOOO

By: Xiaohan

Xiaohan — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:26:38 +0000

I have been watching the whole morning and afternoon so far, I was so touched and sad as well. Hope everything is good for both of them…….

By: AC in NYC

AC in NYC — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:25:27 +0000

The weaning process appear to be so cruel. A child gets from a lot of love from mom to none. Poor baby ZZ!

By: Linda A.

Linda A. — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:14:57 +0000

Thanks for the update, Ellie. It’s sad for us humans; so foreign to our maternal instincts. HOWEVER, it’s time; both ZZ and Bai have bigger things to do in the future! But really cute seeing them both together in the hollowed out tree……..ZZ is sleeping with her head across Bai’s neck. Tugs at my heart!

By: kathy

kathy — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:12:23 +0000

*sniff* ZZ is sleeping with her head on mama’s neck and her paw around her head after nursing. I watched ZZ pacing and trying to climb the doors before they were reunited…this is going to be a 2 box kleenex week..I just know it!