The 1-2-3s of Panda Breeding
Posted at 3:08 pm April 13, 2009 by Suzanne HallBai Yun’s estrus is progressing, with a mixture of the dampened behavior we saw in 2007 and the heightened behavior we have seen in previous years. Her rate of scent marking was high over the weekend, but today, April 13, on exhibit we haven’t seen anything of the sort. She is probably past the time when scent marking begins to drop off, and we would expect her vocalizations to kick in soon. As of this morning, however, very little bleating and no chirping has been heard.
Behavioral indicators aren’t the only measures of her estrus we are tracking. Some of her physical traits also show us that her hormones are very actively preparing her for breeding.
Today our howdy gate was opened for the first time, and Gao Gao checked it out several times in the first few hours. At first, his visits were very brief and included a short “hello” bleat. Bai Yun noticed him within a few minutes, stared at him a moment, then went about her business for the rest of the observation period. Gao’s visits became more regular, and before long he was scent marking at the gate and standing there, admiring Bai Yun from a distance. Always the gentleman, he did not make a nuisance of himself and gave Bai Yun plenty of space. When the time comes, he will demonstrate the persistence he needs to be a successful breeder.
Part of Gao’s success may be in his relaxed attitude prior to her peak of estrus: he is not bothering Bai Yun now, when she isn’t yet ready to mate. We manage our pandas in such a way that adults are not housed together except during breeding episodes. We believe that this mimics the natural situation as closely as possible. Gao Gao’s caution and reluctance to impose himself on Bai Yun may be heightened because, most of the year, he has no active relationship with her.
Our data suggests Bai Yun will peak later this week. When this occurs, we will be closing down the queue where she and Gao Gao reside. Guests to the San Diego Zoo can expect to see one of our younger pandas in the alternate “classroom” viewing area. Once her peak has passed and Gao Gao indicates that no further efforts on his part are necessary, we will reopen the main viewing areas to our guests. Bai Yun’s reproductive behavior may continue to be evident for several days after the fact. Stay tuned: it’s going to be a fun week!
Suzanne Hall is a senior research technician for San Diego Zoo’s Institute for Conservation Research
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April 13th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
I just was just watching daddy Gao Gao all laid out dreaming of his beautiful Bai and hopeing she will call his name shortly. When the time comes I hope everything turns out great. Good luck to Gao and Bai.
April 13th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Dear Suzanne Hall,
Thank you for the update on Bai and Gao. You, in this update, affirmed a ‘wonder’ I have had with regards to the time spent together by the adult female and male pandas and the success at the SDZ in comparison to the NZ and Memphis Zoo. Perhaps, Pandas that play together just may relate to each other as siblings of sorts and perhaps the natural mating does not take place due to a pseudo-incest restriction occuring. Has any research been done in this regard with any of the pandas or other animals? I hope that things happen this week because I will not be able to watch the pandas next week as I will be in KC visiting my mother who doesn’t have a computer
OoooooDeeeaaarrr!!!!
April 13th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Standing by…….. LOL
April 13th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Thank you for another great update, Suzanne. I love your description of Gao’s reserved behavior. He must be a joy to take care of, train, manage, etc.
Was I seeing things over the weekend, or did Gao and Bai Yun swap enclosures for a while? I wasn’t tuned in for long at that time, so I might have gotten the enclosures mixed up.
Thanks for keeping us informed via the blog and by showing us what’s going on through the cams.
April 13th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Good luck to Bai and Gao…hoping he gets to spend some time with his girl
And thank you for explaining the steps to us, you guys seem to have it down to a precise science! I do have a question about panda breeding. As Bai seems to be slowing down as far as estrus goes..not stopping but you’ve indicated she’s definitely changed as she gets older in her behaviour, shorter estrus and more subtle indicators. I wonder is it the same for males? Will that happen to Gao as well as he gets older? Does it happen at a later age in the male panda? Or is it different in each panda regardless of the sex of the panda or is that something that’s not really known yet.
April 13th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Wonderful News! Good Luck SDZ – To the keeper staff and Bai and Gao, you are all in our thoughts!!
Suzanne, I do have one question: Will the “howdy gate” stay open 24 hours a day during the week so mating can occur at any time? Or do you close the gate when you leave in the evenings?
Thanks! Best Wishes SDZ for a successful panda mating!
April 13th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
Glad to know that Gao Gao’s indicators are in sync with Bai’s physical indicators. It is always interesting learning more about the panda breeding process. The other US zoos I am certain are watching and learning as well, and will probably change their panda management protocol as they learn more how it might benefit the pandas in their care.
It will be an exciting week, hang on for the ride.
April 13th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
I hope there will be a new member in the family soon!!!
Does this mean that after all the peak point of Bai Yun and gao gao ends, zhen zhen’s exhibit will be open to the public? Im planning a trip in two to three weeks to go to SD and i would love to see zhennie since she’s my first baby panda =]
April 13th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Dear Suzanne – the fun is about to begin again. All the pandaholics who wait for your latest news sure got a good laugh today as you described pappa Gao’s behaviour at the Howdy Gate_” Always the gentleman, he did not make a nuisance of himself and gave Bai Yun plenty of space. When the time comes, he will demonstrate the persistence he needs to be a successful breeder.” It’s hard to imagine that SuLin now weighs more than her Pappa Gao – “good things come in small packages” & Gao & Bai sure know how to make beautiful, healthy panda cubs. We all will be watching the panda cam & waiting for another update.
April 13th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
If my eyes are not deceiving me in the darkness at 8 PM PDT, it looks like Bai Yun is on C3 eating away facing the tree trunk. So it appears that the swapping of spaces is still going on for her to leave her scent for him, and him for her. It will be interesting to see their reactions tomorrow when they return to their “home range.”
When do you start 24 hour watch to know when to open the door between exhibits for them to mate? Biology has no time limits and since she was only in estrus for 24 hours in 2007, I presume you are prepared to facilitate their breeding whether it occurs in the daytime or at night.
I am happy to know that all access to the viewing area will be closed off to allow them privacy and quiet. It is definitely better than the catcalls Tian gets while he is trying to breed with Mei Xiang. It was a much better in 2009 than 2008, largely I think because it happened so early and it was very cold so there weren’t as many zoo visitors that week. In the wild there wouldn’t be any “witnesses” other than perhaps a cub high up in a tree.
April 13th, 2009 at 11:45 pm
Oh my this is getting exciting. Still got those fingers and toes crossed – wondered why I keep falling over. Maybe a bunch of flowers from Gao Gao would help? Anyone know what Bai’s favourites are? I think she would like a bunch of trailing bacopa with some beautiful black tulips. And a little love note tucked in between, of course!
April 14th, 2009 at 8:49 am
I saw Gao this morning patiently waiting at the howdy gate. I didn’t realize that it was open though, and that Bai Yun could see him. It is going to be a week of waiting with great anticipation. Good luck to all the panda team and or course, our beloved bears. May this years breeding season be a success!
April 14th, 2009 at 9:59 am
Suzanne, I have a question, will ZZ always be alone now? Will she ever share space with another panda? I’m just curious, although I’m sure the the wandering around is normal, seems pretty lonely to me, especially after being with mom for 2 years. Thank you!
April 14th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Much as Suzanne reminded us that we don’t really know what goes on behind the scenes at the SDZ when we cast a critical eye on their decision-making, the same can probably be said about decisions at other zoos. I’m sure the keepers and scientists at MZ and NZ would be disheartened to read the implications that they’re inept and don’t know what they’re doing. Perhaps if we have suggestions about managing their conservation and research efforts, we should kindly email them privately and give them a chance to respond directly.
April 14th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Good Luck Panda Team. We will all be waiting to see if another little cub will be arriving.
I was wondering if Su Lin and little ZZ have seen each other yet? Are they able to climb trees and see each other? Time does go by fast, it seems no time since little ZZ was born, and here she is out on her own. Just like big sister Su Lin.
Thanks Suzanne for all the blogs.
April 14th, 2009 at 11:44 am
#14 Melissa – I share your concerns and agree wholeheartedly with your suggestion regarding “private communication” with other zoos. Fact is, no one can know what to do in all circumstances and nature has a knack for having things her way. There is still so much to learn about these beautiful bears and we need to look at each event as a learning experience.
April 14th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
Ah, the debate between keeping the adults together (so fun to watch) vs. keeping them separated except for mating season . . .
Doesn’t everyone remember that the panda couple in Zoo Vienna were kept together and mated naturally–and the keepers didn’t even know it? And they’ve even put them back together at times, even though the mother is still nursing a cub.
April 14th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Melissa #14 – I, too, agree with your suggestions. All the zoos have the same knowledge, as they have had some learning experience with China and their practices. I believe it all has to do with the personalities of the bears. They all react differently in different situations.