Panda Keeper Questions
Posted at 12:50 pm June 3, 2009 by Juli Borowski
Gao Gao
I’m a relatively new panda keeper at the San Diego Zoo and have recently been asked if I’d like to contribute an occasional blog. I’ve heard that there are sometimes questions asked by our blog readers that can’t always be answered by anyone other than a keeper, and I’d be happy to help out. This being my very first blog and all, I thought I’d take that helpful hint directly. It’s time to answer some of those recent keeper-directed panda questions!
I loved your questions relating to up-close panda interactions. Some of you have asked what a panda feels like. As keepers, we try to limit any touching to training sessions. For instance, we prepare the females for ultrasounds or vaginal swabs by desensitizing them to our touch. So we do know what their fur feels like. However, how they feel to the touch may not be as you’d expect.
I know the pandas look “cute and cuddly”; it’s so easy to get that warm, fuzzy feeling inside when watching them play, munch on their bamboo, or sleep in crazy positions. Sadly, I have to be the one to break some bubbles when I tell you that soft and snuggly they are not. Pandas are built for the cold, rainy temperatures that can occur in China. Their fur is coarse, instead of soft, to keep them clean and warm. The coarse fur allows rain, mud, and dirt to quickly rinse off. Our San Diego pandas just may be some of the luckiest pandas out there: they rarely have to deal with harsh weather conditions. Their coarse fur does serve its purpose from time to time, though.
As I’m sure some of you have noticed, our pandas love to get dirty! Rolling in new substrates (such as fresh dirt, shavings, or hay), rolling around in their pools, and playing in the rain are some of their favorite activities. Consequently, to answer another of your questions, our pandas often smell like the substrates they’ve rolled in. Just as often they’ll smell like wet bamboo. Yes, that’s exactly what their breath smells like, too. I also smell like wet bamboo when I go home at the end of the evening, in case you were curious (just ask my dog: she loves the crazy Zoo smells!).
A recent debate that I read about in your blog replies related to whether or not their ponds are emptied at night. This is definitely a question for a keeper. The ponds are filled every morning. If they’ve been played in or walked through during the morning, they’ll be emptied, cleaned out, and refilled during the midday feeding. The ponds are always emptied by the keeper at the late feeding, as well, and are not refilled again until morning. The pandas’ ponds are not like a lot of the larger pools at the Zoo: they don’t have a filter or sump system to keep them clean. Having a small body of water, like the pandas’ ponds (which are often muddy due to the pandas’ daytime activities), stand for long periods of time attracts all sorts of bugs and bacteria. It is therefore due to sanitation concerns that the ponds are emptied overnight. However, I’m almost afraid to tell you that we place their bamboo bundles in the emptied ponds for purely selfish reasons: their overnight bamboo feedings are much heavier than the other two feedings. Putting their overnight bamboo in the ponds is like putting it in a container. It’s a lot faster to clean it up in the mornings if it has stayed in one general area (although even this sometimes doesn’t work: Zhen Zhen and Su Lin both love to carry their bamboo all over the exhibits and make big messes for us to pick up).
My favorite question resulted from several of you having noticed that Zhen Zhen has been sitting up in a tree or on top of her cave, staring down at the back gate at odd times of the day. She’ll do this when there are keepers around, working near the area, but lately she’s had something much more interesting to watch: there is a wild female mallard who has taken up residence behind the Panda Research Station with her family of ducklings! Keepers have been very careful to keep them from entering any of the panda exhibits (so far we’ve been successful), but it’s nice and cool behind the viewing exhibits, so they’ve been hanging out back there. Z has been the most curious about them out of all of our pandas.
Well, I think that’s it for this entry. I’ve enjoyed reading your responses to previous blogs. Keep those questions coming and I’ll try to keep up with them!
Juli Borowski is a keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
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June 3rd, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Juli, welcome to being a panda keeper, you really answered alot of questions that i’m sure has been in our thoughts at one time or another. I’m sure your dog really gives you a good sniff, it stimulates the senses and adds a little interest as to what’s this. I would like to ask you a question, What did you do before you became one of the luckest people on earth in being a panda keeper. Again welcome
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Thanks for the update, Juli and welcome to the Panda Blog. We will look forward to hearing more you in the future!
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:32 pm
This was great! Thank you!
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Dear Juli:
Thank you for the wonderful 1st blog! You have joined a very elite group of panda keepers who write very informative blogs about the pandas in your care. I’ve been waiting to see who would answer the panda scent questions. Zhen Zhen’s curiosity about the momma duck and her babies has the potential to be a short story, I think. You’ve given me an opportunity to write some whimsy for my grandchildren.
Thank You!
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Thanks Juli, and welcome to the blog!
Also, thanks to the Zoo for the blog. Look how much we’re learning!
I do hope the little duckings grow up and do well (and don’t get into the very clean pools).
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:53 pm
THANK YOU for the wonderful information! Here’s a question I’ve been dying to ask a keeper – why do pandas not seem to care that they step/sleep/roll over their poop? I’ve noticed on the San Diego, National Zoo and Zoo Atlanta cams that some of the pandas poop in their sleep and proceed to roll over it at some point in their sleep. Our family has had pot bellied (house) pigs and they do not go to the bathroom in the same area as they sleep so I find it so odd that the pandas don’t seem to care/notice. (and I’m assuming pandas’ poop doesn’t smell like other animals’ poop because of what they eat maybe that’s why they don’t notice/care???) Thanks again!
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Thanks Juli, for your first panda blog, looking forward to many more.
I have a question for you. Do the panda’s respond to the visitors? Let’s say I am @ SDZ and I see ZZ, if I call her name and talk to her, will she respond or ignore me? lol
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:04 pm
THANKS SOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!! for the answers, Juli. I hope you will be a regular on the panda blog site here. The Moderators do a good job of getting questions answered, but sometimes it’s just better to hear directly from those in the know. I enjoyed not only the facts you presented but your writing style and way you put things. So, Thanks Again!
I am curious…
Has ZZ found a “favorite scent/fragrence”??? like some of the other pandas have.
Has Su Lin been climbing the trees as much this spring? I haven’t seen her like I used to.
Is there any thoughts about Su and Zhen “meeting” soon???
I hope you enjoy your time with the pandas and that they keep their enclosures extra clean for you, so it is a delight to clean up after them.
Joy
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Wow, Juli-welcome! From all these great questions posed to you, sounds like you are the Dear Abbey for the pandas! Thanks so much for telling us how they feel, now I won’t ache so much wondering. I had a feeling the fur was course, esp the tummies. And I’m not surprised that ZZ is a little more curious about the neighbors, I still say she needs more interaction with others! What happens if any of the ducks land in her area, would she go after them? Gao Gao is quite different looking from the girls, sometimes ZZ almost looks like her sister and mom, I’m so afraid I just won’t be able to tell her apart, once she grows into her adult self…is there any marking or anything at all that will help tell her apart? Maybe you could tie a red bow around her neck…. Thank you so much.
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Welcome aboard Juli, you have the greatest job in the world!
JudyK #7- When I was at Zoo Atlanta two years ago, I asked one of the keepers if their pandas respond or react when visitors call their names or when children yell “Hi Panda Bear!”. She told me the pandas only respond to their keepers voices.
June 3rd, 2009 at 5:53 pm
Welcome Juli. The question about ZZ responding to a visitor made me wonder if you do refer to them by name when you have contact or if you are somewhat discouraged to talk to them. I know we are told to whisper when we are in their area but they know we’re there of course and it brings to mind the questioin about pandas interaction with other animals. You keep the ducks out and all but are there other creatures that the pandas do see in their area from time to time. I mean the type of animals that can fly in or maybe even crawl in. If the setting is to be as natural as possible and safe wouldn’t it be normal for them to run into something live other than humans?
June 3rd, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Thanks, Juli for a wonderful educational first blog. You are off to a great start. I loved all your well thought out and well expressed answers to many bloggers questions. You are right that many questions can really be best answered by a keeper to explain the reasons behind certain protocols.
Welcome aboard! We look forward to having you educate us further in the future.
Leave it to ‘teenagers’ to leave their ‘room’ a mess for others to pick up after them.
June 3rd, 2009 at 6:19 pm
Great blog, Juli! Well done!
Could we get the current weights on the 4 pandas in San Diego, and also weights on Hua Mei and Mei Sheng in China? I’d love to know if Bai has been bulking up after weaning Z, and Mei Sheng looks so much bigger in his recent photos than when he left San Diego!
June 3rd, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Hi, juli–welcome to the blogs and thanks for the answers! Please give all the pandas an extra backscratch or bit of chilled bamboo or carrot or yam for all of us who watch from afar.
I love knowing about Zhen Zhen taking an interest in the ducks, and thanks for solving that mystery for us. I hope Bobbie Wood #4 will share her story when she has written it. I also suspect that the ducks can be convinced to take part in one of the upcoming midnight festivals–Zhennie and the Ducks, anyone? (To the tune of Benny and the Jets, perhaps?)
June 3rd, 2009 at 7:50 pm
thanks for the answers for interesting questions.
I know we human usually eat 3 times everyday:breakfast,lunch,supper.
how many times do SDZ pandas eat everyday???
do they eat bamboo after midnight and before dawn???if they do,where are they at that time?inside room or outside yard???seems that the NZ Tians are locked inside room all night long until morning.
June 3rd, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Juli – thank thank you for such an informative blog:) You answered so many of our questions but feel sorry for you in way – am sure you’ll be overwhelmed with questions from all of us panda fans. Do you have your own panda you take care of or do you rotate “panda care”
Again, thanks & we are all so envious – give our pandas a “pat”
June 3rd, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Juli, excellent first post to the Panda blog! It was really informative and I will certainly learn more about the keeping job by reading the blog.
June 3rd, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Whoo-hoo! Thanks–this was great! I really enjoyed hearing the answers to all the recent burning questions
June 3rd, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Hi, Julie! Welcome to the long list of blog/comment writers! You will have fun with these 4 pandas, and you are so lucky to come in when you did while Bai Yun is going thru her gestation period. We are all hoping for another baby panda cub this summer for Bai! You’ll also enjoy all of the comments that all of us pandafans love to write everyday! We all just love pandas everywhere! Thanks for answering some of our questions. We all appreciate it alot!
Hope everyone will remember to make sure you will nominate Suzanne Braden for Animal Planet’s Hero of the Year. Keep checking Pandas International website for their most recent newletter with her info on it that you’ll need to fill out the online nomination form on the AP website.
Got on the AZ panda page for their latest update, and here’s the latest weights and measures on Xi Lan the Xman as of 6/3/2009:
Total length–28 inches; neck girth–17 inches; chest girth–23 inches; belly girth–23 inches; nose pad width–2 inches; weight–39.5 pounds. The AZ panda keepers said that these are the best numbers that they could get on Xi because of his wriggley squirming factor!
This little guy has done some growing since the last weights and measures on him a little over a month ago. Saw him on the AZ pandacam, and you can see how much he has grown–his rear end was slightly hanging over the side of the upper logs during his nap time!
Can you all do something for all of us pandafans? We need an update about Bai Yun’s hormone levels, appetite level, and when her pregnancy behaviors are starting to kick in. It’s been almost 5 weeks since her mating with Gao, and I’m wondering how’s she’s been doing lately. She’s our only hope for a panda cub here in the USA again!
Well, gonna go. Will check in tomorrow on the pandacams.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Juli, thank you so much for the wonderful info. I loved loved loved reading all your comments. Please write again soon.
#4 Bobbi – I totally agree with you about ZZ and the ducks – what a great children’s story that would make! ZZ could lead the ducklings on all kinds of adventures and teach them lots of new tricks – and vice versa!
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:23 pm
Hi Juli, welcome to this mad group of Panda lovers! Loved all the info and learned a lot. Thank you.
June 4th, 2009 at 7:41 am
Hi Juli – Welcome and thank you for a very informative blog and for answering our questions. I now know why our sweet Zhen Zhen was so concerned about the goings on below her perch last Friday. (Previous blog #47). I was also happy to hear that pandas do indeed have “bamboo breath”.
Oh! Their fur is course. I don’t want to believe the truth – I so prefer soft and cuddly!
Thanks again, Juli, and I look forward to your next blog.
June 4th, 2009 at 7:47 am
Juli, is it my imagination, or did some of the grass that was planted in all the panda’s yards survive? It looks like green surface in much of all the yards where only soil used to be. It is obvious that trails/tracks have been made through the grass, but there is still some of the soft green turf to nap on if desired. Gao especially should make use of that in hot weather. He loves to sleep on various materials on the ground in his yard. Do they still roll around in the grass like they did when the sod was first laid down? It has been there for about a year, so if it has lasted this long, it should last a long time. The NZ pandas are known to pull up grass and eat it. Mei Xiang did this during the middle of her pseudopregnancy, and Tai Shan does it frequently. I wonder how it tastes to them in comparison to bamboo. Have any of the SDZ pandas tried it as an appetizer? Has ZZ showed any special interest in a particular “treat” like apples, sweet potatoes, carrots, etc? I know that Lun Lun doesn’t like carrots, but Mei Lan and Yang Yang do. As someone already asked, has she shown interest in a particular scent like tabasco, lavendar, cedar, etc? It is interesting how each panda has their own unique interest in a different scent. Since they have very refined sense of smell to tell the difference between individual panda markings, and their breath smells like bamboo, it is interesting that they show a preference for other odors/scents as well. I wonder if ZZ smells the mother duck and ducklings or she “sees” them. What has research shown about how far away a panda can “see?”
We know that they can sense things far away, and I wonder if research has shown that is from sound, touch (vibrations), odor, or visual sightings. With the testing done with Bai at SDZ on memory, and the playback research done at Bi Feng Xia and Wolong with different vocalizations, there should be a fair amount available to show when sight and hearing are working.
June 4th, 2009 at 8:50 am
Hi Juli
Welcome to the panda blog and as a new keeper to the pandas. I hope to hear much more from you it’s great to have someone to answer many of our panda questions.
Yes a childrens story about Miss ZZ and the ducklings would be great. But I think if the poor little ducklings came into ZZ pen she would have them for lunch and not as guests. LOL
June 4th, 2009 at 9:10 am
Hi Juli,
Congrats on your first blog, and its great to know the updates and news about the pandas. I know they have a great sense of smell, but I have always wondered about their eyesight. I just wonder if ZZ can actually see the mallard or is it purely by smell. Welcome and see you soon at the zoo one week today and I will be there to see ZZ and Gao Gao and all the other animals at the zoo.
June 4th, 2009 at 9:59 am
WELCOME TO THE PANDA BLOG!!!!!! One Question that I have never gotten asked is will you ever think about getting new pandas??? Just a thought!
- Aly
June 4th, 2009 at 10:06 am
Hi Julie – welcome on board,
I wonder if any of your colleagues ‘mentioned’ what an inquisitive and caring crowd of bloggers we all are, you will never have a dull moment as we will keep you busy with endless questions.
With ZZ viewing her new feathered friends, I think P Wong will have a ‘conversation’ on the subject in the near future.
June 4th, 2009 at 11:14 am
#15 TonyChen, I often watch one of the Pandas eating bamboo outside during the early hours of the morning. I think I have seen all of them do this, including ZZ recently.
June 4th, 2009 at 11:21 am
Welcome to the board Juli. I am sure I will have some questions soon…
What a picture perfect moment at ZA, after much play/fight this morning Lun Lun and Xi Lan are sleeping on AND sharing the top part of the Hammock structure. I really love the way they interact, it seems very healthy and loving relationship while staying a mother-cub interaction.
June 4th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
I totally enjoyed your first blog. Hearing from the keeper and the 411 on exactly what
you see and experience, daily, was incedible. Loved it!
June 4th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Welcome Julie, and thanks for all your information on our beloved Panda’s. I have a question, I know others are curious too, has our little ZZ seen her sister yet? And I know at one time she was next door to her Mother, would she recognise her, or visa versa? Do they have memories of Mom, or does it just go away once they are on their own.
Thanks Julie, and good luck in your wonderful job as a keeper.
June 4th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
I really do enjoy reading all of the blogs and everyone’s experiences. Perhaps one of you can help me out. I’ve not been able to view Atlanta’s panda cam on their site or Panda Paws for a few days. There’s just a white box with a red X in the upper left corner. I miss seeing our little guy! Thanks!!!!
June 4th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Juli, you are the best! Thank you for your update. Now I can imagine what a panda smells like! I always kinda figured their fur wouldn’t be soft. But it’s good to know how it actually feels. Please excuse all of us because we’ll be asking a million questions about our dear pandas. Aren’t you glad that we can’t call you? Congrats to you for being a keeper. We would all love to have your job. Thank you again.
June 4th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Huggy #32 I had ZA Panda cam on my favorites list, and then I couldn’t get it anymore. I went back on zooatlanta .com where their main page comes up and the panda cam is there. now whenever I open the site I can see LL and XL Hope this helps . I’m not too much of a whiz on a computer.
June 4th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Welcome Julie! I loved your first blog. I wondered a long time ago what the Panda’s actually felt like, but this is the first time it was actually answerd, and I thank you! Almost everyone that responds to this blog has a question from time to time and its wonderful to know a keeper can actually answer them and will. I loved reading about Miss ZZ and the duck. If the duck is watching Zhen Zhen too, the story can be called “Zhen Zhen and the Peek-king Duck!”.
June 4th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
For a moment I thought it was Panda’s mother day today.. Don’t miss the two new entries on “Pandas Live On” website, it is heart warming.
Just after writing me previous entry here today I went back to the ZA panda cam and Lun Lun was scratching herself on top of the hammock structure but did not sit on Xi Lan and did not send him overboard. But I want to ask a question that has been on my mind for a while. I have noticed that the pandas are always scratching themselves with their hind paws, even when it is their face they want to scratch. When it is their bud that needs a scratch they find a branch or log to scratch, but never seem to use their front paws. Since they seem to go in ponds to drink or sit, it seems too cool down, not to wash, I am wondering if they do that out of hygiene because the front paws are used to eat. I am wondering if others have been giving that a thought.
June 4th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
have been a pandaholic since hua mei, and have always wondered about the physical interaction between pandas and their keepers, vets, etc. are they friendly or are they anti human contact?
thanks, will be waiting for an answer.
joan
painted post
n.y.
June 4th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Juli, great blog! I got this link from your Dad. I grew up with him in Green Bay. He is just busting with pride over his daughter and the person you have become! Do Pandas interact as a family group, or are they single individuals sharing a common space?
June 4th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Welcome Juli. Enjoyed your blog.
#27, Hazel. Now you just got me going…
Conversation with Gao Gao #59
Tourist: Hello, Gao Gao.
Gao Gao: Hello, Mr. Tourist.
T: My, my! What have we here? All these vials.
G: Yes, we’re at product testing phase.
T: Product testing?
G: Yeah, mouth sprays and colognes.
T: Huh?
G: This one is Taiwan Version Zongzi.
T: Oh, you mean the Dragon Boat Festival bamboo wrapped rice dumplings.
G: Here’s one like bamboo cornbread.
T: Mmmm. Nice.
G: Here’s Sichuan Pink Peppercorn Pork Chop.
T: Delightful. Now what’s this order sheet?
G: Zhen Zhen ordered duck cologne.
T: Huh?
G: She thought she’d attract the mallard family near the back gate.
T: But don’t mallards respond to sight and sound?
G: Yeah, I think you’re right.
T: So what now?
G: Well, look at this web mart.
T: Synthetic feather boas?
G: Gold, red, green and brown feathers! Even comes with duck whistle.
June 4th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Hi Juli and welcome and I envy you your status at the SDZ. Thank you for your info on the panda pools. I hope you will enjoy your time spent at the zoo and hope you realize how envious we are of your time spent with the cutest bears in the the world. We are all anxiously awaiting news about Bai Yuns possibly being a Mom again. She is the greatest Mom. She has so much patience and so gentle with her cubs. I so enjoyed watching her with Zhen Zhen as that was the first newborn I watched on cam. I hope I will have the opportunity to watch her give birth and raise another “little one”. I think you will do a great job of answering all of our questions, judging by what you shared with us today. Good luck Juli and enjoy your position as we out here are are all envious of you.
June 4th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
#24 Pam T – giant pandas are not carnivores – I read some time ago that Tai Shan (NZ) somehow managed to capture a bird that flew into his outdoor exhibit – he played with it gently for a while & then let it go minus a few feathers.:) I’ve seen several videos of pandas that have enjoyed watching birds in their exhibits so doubt if Zhen would harm the resident ducks.:)
June 4th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
Juli, I enjoyed so much reading your 1st. interesting post.
Thank you and welcome!
June 5th, 2009 at 6:54 am
Congratulations sweety !! Nice job
June 5th, 2009 at 7:51 am
Like JudyK in Texas, I’ve often wondered whether the pandas would respond if a visitor called out his or her name. Are any of the bears particularly people-friendly?
June 5th, 2009 at 8:20 am
#28 Susan .Thanks. I wander what different the pandas’ behave are from daytime.
June 5th, 2009 at 8:23 am
Off the subject of our wonderful new keeper, and our many questions………….I have never had a problem with the ZA cam. Today, when I pull up the page, it shows being “off line.” But I can watch it on pandapaws. That’s really odd. Any ideas?
By the way, the pic of Gao looks like Shrek smiling (no doubt because he’s eating).
June 5th, 2009 at 8:58 am
Hi, Pandaholics! I figured out how to get ZA back on my screen. It seems that Int. Explorer’s latest version has a new warning and wouldn’t open ZA’s panda cam. I enabled it so that I now have the ZA cam on Panda Paws, even though the ZA site says the cam is off line. I can’t go without seeing all of “my” pandas!
June 5th, 2009 at 10:06 am
To #19 Cheri Mercier – I tried to nominate Suzanne Braden but they ask for her address, birthday etc. It is impossible to have that type of information. Why do they require all of that??
Mary Lou
June 5th, 2009 at 10:49 am
June 5th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Hey, you guys! This morning, I saw the funniest–and scariest–thing going on when I was watching the AZ pandacam. Xi Lan was sitting on the teepee logs playing with something that was hanging on one of the logs just staying to himself while his mom, Lun, was doing her walkabout in the enclosure. Then, she decided to literally haul herself up on the teepee logs to play with Xi, grabbed him by his neck, hauled him on her lap, tried to wrestle with him, then BOOM!! Xi fell off the logs all the way down to the ground! He just missed that big rock that is sitting by the log structure! He just sat there looking a little dazed after that fall and looking around to figure out where he was at. One second he was on the logs, the next second on the ground! Xi laid down on his back to play with that hanging thing, then he decided it was time to give his blue ball some attention and played with it for a little while. I also watched him sniffing and nibbling on a stalk of boo that was laying on the ground but don’t really know if he’s eating any of it or not. Right now, it’s a plaything to him.
I also got on the NZ pandacams to check in on Mei Xiang and Tai Shan. Both of them had rolling balls and sticks with holes in them with snackies inside. They were both trying to get those snacks out of their rolling toys! They were inside today due to the rain outside in DC. I also got the chance to watch “A Panda is Born” on Animal Planet over this past weekend. It was nice to see that program again just to relive the birth of Tai Shan and his few months of life at NZ especially now that Mei Xiang won’t be having a cub this year. Can you believe that both Tai shan and Su Lin will be 4 years old this summer?? They are becoming more mature pandas and still growing!
I also checked in on the SDZ pandacam and saw Miss ZZ sitting on the stump just relaxing. I also noticed that she has a very full tummy after eating her lunch! I think she’s trying to take after Gao who can also sport that full tummy look after eating alot of boo!
Well, gonna go for now. Will check back in later on!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
June 5th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Miss ZZ looks soooo cute up in the tree. Haven’t seen her up there so much lately.
June 5th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Juli,
Thanks so much! What a great story about the family of ducklings and Z’s curiousity!
June 5th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Oh my gosh… P. Wong you have me laughing out loud thinking about Zhen Zhen wearing her duck-colored feather boa, blowing her duck whistle — trying to get the attention of the mallard family! Too cute — thank you so much — I always enjoy your conversations with our furry friends!
June 5th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Juli, love that your dad posted. I didn’t read who it was from, and I thought one of us was calling your sweetie.
Thanks again for the info, Sweetie!
June 5th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
To all having trouble with ZA panda cam. Try downloading Mozilla as an additional browser, there do not seem to be any problems with that.
Other than that….loooove having a keeper as blogger, and are we pregnant or what? Ultra sounds, hormone checks, intuition? I almost had a heart attack last year after Xi Lan was born, and who-ever wrote that Su Lin had a “mild” case of mastitis…..was obviously male, LOL! From what I remember there is NO such thing as mild mastitis!
June 5th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
#45 Huggy you mentioned you went on a different site Pandapaws. how do you get on the site, also what is the site for Pandaslive on thanks if someone can inform me.
June 5th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Thank you for all the great information. I am so envious of you for your job! What is your background that trains you for a job taking care of the world’s most popular animals?
June 5th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Thanks, P Wong, #37–I can just envision Zhen Zhen dressed in her feather boa and blowing on her duck whistle, trying to teach the ducklings a routine for the next festival. Chirp! Bleat! Quack!
June 5th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
#39 Maureen I know pandas mostly only eat bamboo, some fruits and some veggies but they will eat small animals on occasion if there is a shortage of their regular food. But I was only making a funny earlier.
June 5th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Mary Lou (#46), you need to get on the Pandas International website and read their latest newsletter which has all of that info that you need to nominate Suzanne Braden. I tried to give all of you that info, but the moderator didn’t think that it was appropriate for me to use this forum for that. So, you’ll need to get on the PI website to get that info on her address, phone numbers, birthday, etc. Hope this will help you out. You have until September to get Suzanne’s name on the nomination list, so you have plenty of time to get this info and get her nominated thru the Animal Planet website. Good luck, Mary!
Not much else to say right now about the pandas. Will get back on here sometime tomorrow PM after I get back from my parents’ house.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
June 6th, 2009 at 7:23 am
Dear Widget #35:
Great Title! Darn! I wish I’d thought of it!
June 7th, 2009 at 10:02 am
Thinking about the panda smell thing, I wonder if the different smells that you have at SDZ and what I smelled in BFX are the results of the environment in the two spots. SDZ is a mostly dry climate and I could well imagine that the bears don’t have a discernible smell. BFX is nothing if not wet — almost all the time. (Look up the forecast for Ya’an on the Weather Channel, for example.) It had been raining for almost two straight days when the little monster wiggled onto my lap and I can tell you that child needed a bath. But I think being in the wet environment may have been a major factor. However, I will keep my nose and mind open when I get there.
June 7th, 2009 at 10:39 am
Sun., 6/7/2009: Hi! Got on 3 out of the 4 zoo pandacams today. SDZ cam: Miss ZZ is napping on her big log. NZ cams: Saw Mei Xiang and Tai Shan, and both of them were relaxing/napping in thier favorite spots. NZ panda keepers have a new update written about the pandas for June 5. Mei Xiang is definitely back to normal ever since her hormone levels have gone back down to baseline. The keepers have cleaned out the den, put the little drain grate back in its spot after the maintenance crew cleaned out the drain, and the kong and plastic ball toys are now back on the shelves until next year. They are hoping that Mei will go back to the “normal” estrus/breeding season that usually goes from March thru May in 2010. That is a looooooong year off for them! They weighed Tai Shan recently, and he has broken the 200 pound mark—205 pounds! The keepers are having a tough time telling Tai apart from the other 2 adult pandas because he has grown so much! MZ pandacam: Saw Ya Ya indoors with her back to the cam possibly napping.
That’s all about the pandas. Will keep checking the panda cams during the day and nite. Oh yeah, by the way, NZ will be having a baby boom soon! The female flamingos are nesting and their eggs are supposed to be hatching later this month or early July. Tilly, the black footed ferret at the CRC Center in Virginia, has had an AI done in mid May and is due to have her baby or babies on June 23. Two baby sengies were born in May. Anteater momma, Maripi, had her second baby anteater born about 2 months ago, and there are pics of them on the NZ website. And, the two clouded leapord cubs that were born at CRC are close to two months old and being hand raised. There are pics of them on the NZ website, and they are adorable!
Will check back in later on!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
June 7th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Oh I just Love Gao Gao! It’s 7:25 Pacific Time and Gao is lying sound asleep on the ground next to his water drinker and access door to his inside route to his den
As I see this: a perfect way to end a Sunday 
June 8th, 2009 at 8:02 am
While checking my Google Alerts today I read the following, it’s from The Nation newspaper, Bangkok, Thailand. You people at SDZ do get around don’t you.
“Five experts from San Diego Zoo and the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park in the US trained us in the artificial insemination procedure”.
It worked and the cub seems very active and Lin Hui very attentive.
June 8th, 2009 at 9:56 am
I was looking at the website pandasliveon and there is a story to remind us of the pandas that still live in the wild and how important it is to save them. There is a video done by National Geographic called Wild Pandas which is the first part but you can go to youtube and see all 5 parts. This tells the story of a young panda cub Xi Wang and the research that is going on to save this beautiful animal.
June 8th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Speaking of baby booms at zoos, has SDZ and WAP experienced a baby boom this year? Hope so! Still waiting on news about Bai’s pregnancy behaviors and hormone levels so that we’ll know where she is at during her gestation period.
Just got an update from NZ about their baby boom at CRC—a new white naped crane chick hatched on May 23rd! There are pictures on the NZ website, and she is very small, cute, and fuzzy! The keepers were hoping for a female, and they got their wish! Also looked in on Mei Xiang and Tai Shan. Both of them were very relaxed today. So were Lun and Xi Lan at AZ. Got a look at Miss ZZ and she was on her stump napping, too! Everybody is slowing down at the start of summer!
Well, gonna go for now! Be back later!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
June 8th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Doreen #56 just go to pqndasliveon and you will find it. Got to make a fast check of all the families today and saw big daddy all streched out.
P. Wong great as usual you always tickle me with your imagination. As of right now i am scheduled to be in Calif from Nov.7th to the 14th don’t know when i will be at the zoo but it will be for 2 days.
June 8th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
#56, Doreen — and anyone wanting to know how to find websites. Type into your search engine box (Google, Yahoo, etc.) what you are trying to find: i.e. Pandas Live On –and for Pandapaws, type Pandapaws cam. You will get a list, and what you are looking for will be on there; just click on it. Also, those wishing to know more about Suzanne Braden for nominating purposes, ask your search engine for Pandas International, then when you get to the site, click on newsletters and look at the latest one, which has the information. You can also sign up to receive the Pandas International e-newsletter if you wish.
Of course once you get to a site you want to visit regularly, be sure to bookmark it into your Favorites for quick access. (right click on your mouse to do this)
June 8th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
#45-Doreen—It’s pandapawsdotcom and pandasliveondotcom. For some reason, I have to google pandasliveon because my browser won’t go directly there. Go figure!!!
June 8th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
I have a question for everyone……………..does anyone know why the pandapaws webcam for the ZA starts transmitting before the ZA website cam and stays on longer than ZA normal cam. Does anyone know why?
June 8th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Conversation with Zhen Zhen #7
Zhen Zhen: Tweet! tweet! Tweet, tweet, tweet!
Tourist: Hello, Zhen Zhen.
Z: Hello, Mr. Tourist.
T: Now let me guess,
Z: Huh?
T: You are playing the duck flute to teach the ducks Cha Cha, right?
Z: Yup.
T: And I see you’re wearing the duck feather boa…
Z: Yup.
T: Eeeeeew! What’s that smell?
Z: Fresh worm lotion.
T: What?
Z: Ducks like worms, don’t they?
T: Gao Gao’s product line, I presume?
Z: Yeah, he also has snail/slug cologne.
T: Now, don’t you think you’re overdoing it?
Z: Well, you may be right, in a way.
T: What do you mean by that?
Z: The ducks said they rather wanted the Peking chicken dance…
June 8th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
HI JLULI,
HOW NEAT TO HAVE AN UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL INSIGHT BLOG.
THAT IS SO NEAT ABOUT THE DUCKS AND ZHEN ZHEN. NOW I KNOW WHAT THE INTEREST IS FOR HER.
WE FORGET THERE IS MORE THAN THEIR ENCLOSURES, ETC…NOISES FROM OTHER ANIMALS AND THINGS AROUND THEM WE CAN’T SEE….
I JUST LOVE SD ZOO…CAN NEVER CATCH IT ALL…I DON’T HAVE A QUESTION TODAY, BUT I’LL COME UP WITH ONE LATER… THANKS
June 8th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
SORRY I MIS SPELT YOUR NAME ON MY COMMENTS….I AM THE WORLDS’ WORST TYPIST…MY FINGERS HAVE A MIND OF THEIR OWN AS WELL AS THE KEYS ON MY KEY BOARD!!!!!!
June 8th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Cheri, #50, the teepee logs are only about 5-6 feet above the soft wood mulch flooring at the point where they come together. Not to worry Xi Lan is a hardy cub and is now big enough to fall and bounce back. He likely paused to survey the situation and determine what he wanted to do next. Climb back up and wrestle with the mommie monster, or play on the ground by himself. If he fell once, it was likely she would be rough and he could fall again. Smart decision to play on the ground by himself.
June 8th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
#59 Pam T – You are right – sorry I was being so defensive of “My favorite panda Tai” I can see Tai “having fun” with any creature that wandered into his exhibit-have seen him chasing birds, butterflies small bugs
June 8th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
Hi Chari #67 – Yes! There is a baby boom at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. In one of the many open-range enclosures, the Mountain Habitat, over a dozen Nubian ibex and one Barbary sheep were born. There are also many animals in the various field exhibits that are in the process of delivering. Two more Rothschild’s giraffe calves are expected in the next month or so. At Condor Ridge, two condor chicks are doing well. Hopefully, more will hatch in the next few months. When the condors are ready, they will be released in the wilderness in California, Arizona and Mexico.
June 8th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
How does it feel to know that half the world is jealous of you for getting to interact with our pandas every day, and the other half of the world would be jealous if they only knew?
Welcome to our world
June 9th, 2009 at 10:33 am
I must be going panda mad. Went to the supermarket today, saw a trolley with a picture of a panda on it and ran for it!! Oh dear, oh dear.
Those of you who remember I’m growing the yellow and black bamboo; it’s doing brilliantly. I swear it’s grown a foot every time I go down the garden. One of my cats likes nibbling at it so, since she’s black I think I’ll just paint a few white splodges here and there.
My daughter is training for her pilot’s licence and she keeps saying she’s going to take me to San Diego. Might take a while to get there though!
Right, I’m off to take a look at the Pandapaws website now. Love to the pandas.
June 9th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Susan #79-I know exactly what you mean about going panda mad–I have to remind myself that I really don’t like peanut butter flavored cereal every time I see the box with the oandas on it.
Ooh–Zhennie’s got a hanging blue enrichment item thingy to play with!
June 9th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
#79 Susan (UK) – Glad to hear your bamboo is doing great – I remember when you told us you were going to plant some. I am planning to make an attempt at growing bamboo up here where I live in Canada. A few of our greenhouses have brought in some hardy species that are supposed to thrive in our frigid temperatures (Zones 1-3/4 for those who are familiar with growing zones). I have to take care in picking the right type, though, as I do not want the bamboo to start growing all over my yard. Wish me luck!
So, the panda prince of Austria, Fu Long, is scheduled to go back to China in December (see pandasliveon dot com). He will be just a few months past his 2nd birthday then, but I guess their agreement was to send him back when he turns 2 (they agreed to make it December because there is concern about moving him during the summer). Sigh! Another one to send off.
I sure hope Bai comes through with another cub or two. Any one heard any updates on how she’s doing?
June 9th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
That would be the box with the pandas on it…
June 9th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
#79 Susan (UK) -
You aren’t the only one who goes coo-coo everytime she sees something Panda related. lol A friend told me he found some toilet paper with a Panda on the front. The brand name was Panda. Go figure!
Thanks to SDZ for the close-ups of ZZ just now, playing with her enrichment toy!
June 9th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
P Wong#72:
Very scent-a-lating dialogue 
Congratulations on the bamboo growing! I may check at a local nursery to see if they have it or could order it. I have a slope area that drives me nuts because nothing seems to grow on it. Bamboo could be the answer!
Susan in UK # 79: Running to catch a panda trolley
June 9th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Welcome Juli. I have been watching SDZ webcame since Su Lin was born. I am from Missouri but have been able to make it out there to see the Pandas about 4 times. My question is how much longer will Su Lin be at the zoo before she is sent back to China? I want to be sure and make another trip out before she leaves.
June 9th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
#83, Judy K — Did your friend buy the Panda toilet tissue? I did. I saw it at Walmart and couldn’t resist. I think we are all REAL pandamaniacs!
June 9th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
I got some really great shots of ZZ today, playing with her ball, she looked like a little black and white monkey, the way she was getting around, climbing, flopping, hanging on the attached strap. Thank you for having the camera on her for so long. Just a little ball of fluffy cuteness….luv you, precious…
June 9th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Thanks, P Wong. Your latest conversation was a much-needed pick me up on a rather yucky day.
You know, come to think of it, coming to this blog and reading everyone’s comments about our beloved pandas is always a pick me up.
June 10th, 2009 at 2:59 am
#81 Pandafan. I’ve planted my bamboo in pots so that it doesn’t grow out of control, plus if it gets too cold you can protect it quite easily or move it around.
#83 JudyK. We’ve got some bottled drinks called Panda Pops but even I pass on those – too sweet and weird colours. I never have figured out what they’ve got to do with pandas! The panda on the shopping trolley was advertising biscuits – sadly not the sort of biscuits pandas like!
#84 Bobbie. I never realised how many different kinds of bamboo there are! I’m sure you can find one for your ‘nothing will grow on it’ slope!
June 10th, 2009 at 9:57 am
SDZ pandacams: Saw Su Lin napping on one cam this morning, then got back on the cam just now and saw ZZ scrunched in between rocks napping! ZZ has always had a habit of sleeping in some unusual positions and in crzy tight spots! All of the other pandas on the other zoo cams were either eating or napping right now, including Xi Lan in Atlanta. Xi was up on the highest spot of the teepee log structure just snoozing away! Not much action from the pandas right now, so I’ll check in later on to see if any of them are awake and active.
Rose N., thanks for your info about SDZ and Wap! Glad to hear that there are some babies being born or soon to be born over there! It’s always fun to read about and watch these new babies, isn’t it? Still waiting on Chinook and Bai Yun on their possible pregnancies. Gonna check in on Memphis Zoo later on to see how Asali, their elephant, is doing so far. She’s due to give birth of her baby elephant in July. Atlanta Zoo should be having some new babies also. They did let us know that Shirley, the red river hog, had some baby piglets about 2-3 months ago, and they were expecting some baby naked mole rats to be born. I’ll check in on all of the zoos for any new baby news.
Gonna go for now. See you later on!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
June 10th, 2009 at 9:58 am
I don’t care how pandas smell or the courseness of their fur; looking at ZZ this morning makes me want to snuggle with her.
June 10th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Linda #91–I know just what you mean. She is one photogenic little bear.
June 10th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Hello, everyone. Well, I’ve been away again, and offline. I returned today to the sight of the beautiful Miss Precious. And she was precious, sitting on a limb, as though posing for the zoo visitors. Then, presto! There was the inimitable Mr. G….zonked out on the ground. Well, that’s what summer is for, resting and sleeping. Hope he has a cool spot.
Juli, welcome to SDZ Panda Blog. You certainly answered many questions. I am sure you realize, by now, that when you answer all those questions, the ever-curious, thirsty-for- panda-knowledge panda lovers will answer you with dozens more questions! I LOVE IT! Thank you for the informative blog. I had already surmised that the bears could not be soft and cuddly, in order to survive all the weather conditions, without baths. I was at National Zoo recently, and watched Tai Shan (for about 2 hours!). I could literally hear him scratching from about 25 yards away, and it sounded like sandpaper. Again, welcome. You have the best job in the world.
P Wong…I was laughing out loud at the conversation with Gao Gao, but the one with ZZ literally cracked me up. Fresh worm lotion, indeed! Too funny!
I’ve missed all you guys and gals, and the pandas of course. Good to be home!
June 10th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
If you go to a health food store they have a whole line of natural food with the brand name of “Panda”. My favorite are the black licorice bars!
June 10th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Well you guys I will be at SDZ tommarrow at this time to see the panda crew, I know you are all jealous but I will try to get as many pics as possible and video. Its been a year since I have seen them. Yes you all I want to hug them Pandas all coarse, smelly and I would even share the bamboo….lol Gosh I hope Gao Gao is still there tommarrow and ZZ. Take care all and I will tell you all about the SD panda trip…
June 10th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
And P Wong–thanks for the conversation with Miss ZZ–brilliant as always.
June 10th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
To all present but especially future bamboo growers. There are approximately 1000 different kinds of bamboo. Most bamboo shoots in the spring, but each kind only shoots for about 2 weeks. After 90 days that year’s shoots have reached their full height. Anywhere from a couple of inches to 75 feet. Some shoots can grow as much as 48″ in a 24hr period! Each culm reaches maturity after 5 years of growth. Like some other grasses and plants (think crab grass and irises), bamboo multiplies by rhizomes underground. Actually bamboo is very easy to contain provided one pays a bit of attention to it in the spring. Just eat or flatten any shoots you don’t want! Or, if the grove has reached maturity (5+ years old) dig down about 6″ and dig up a few culms with rhizomes and sell them! Or……..if you are lucky enough to live around a zoo with pandas, donate the bamboo. It takes about 8 hours a year to maintain a mature grove, but one does have to be consistent about it. I have 6 different groves started of medium tall to the one of the tallest (Moso) bamboo. It is wonderful stuff! Great for hedging…once cut to a specific height it will not grow taller. I am not sure why we don’t farm it here, it is the greatest renewable resource available. And if anyone needs a panda foster home…….?
June 10th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Hello All:
OHMYGOODNESS It is fabulous! Enjoy 
There is a new LCNessie on you tube. Type in xi lan panda, go to date added. She posted it this week. I know you all got to see the great ‘raw’ video complete with the kids squealing “Go Baby Go”. This new video is her compilation of the close-ups she filmed on that visit
June 10th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
#58, #96, Frances in NYC. You’re welcome. Thanks for the cue.
To everyone. Thanks for the inspiration and encouragement. I do enjoy making people happy.
June 10th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Warning regarding fresh bamboo shoot for people food:
Some species contain cyanide so those shoots need to be boiled or leached out before putting into food. Other varieties may have an acrid taste and would also need similar boiling. If you slice the shoots thinly, it will make it easier to boil.
June 10th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
#97 Marion Schuller – many thanks for the bamboo advice. I’m looking forward to having my very own plant.
#95 Lyn – Jealous is an understatement. I wish I could shrink myself and stow away in your suitcase. How lucky you are!! Please say a big ‘Hi’ to the bears for me. And bring back lots of photos and videos.
June 11th, 2009 at 10:47 am
#86 Barbara -
My friend did buy the toilet paper. lol I have not seen it at my local Wal-Mart’s.
Oh boy – fruitsicles for the Tians, I love watching them eat them. Especially Mei Xiang, she’s so gentle with them, she doesn’t devour them like Tian Tian. ha
June 11th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Bows to SDZ!~ The close ups of ZZ right now are fabulous! She’s looking right at me. lol
Also, I found a Panda USB Flash Drive, available through amazondot.com. Just do a search and you’ll find it, I already purchased mine.
It’s cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 11th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Marion Schuller #97. How very interesting! I admit, I have never given much thought to researching bamboo, other than where the zoos obtain the bamboo they use. I was surprised that NZ has several groves of bamboo around the inside of the zoo. You see? That’s why I read this blog. I don’t comment very often, but I do learn a great deal from all of you, in addition to the zoo staff who post their information. So I try to read all the blogs daily, and learn!
June 11th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
At 3:30 pdt this afternoon, 6/11/09, Zhen was chowing down hard on her bamboo leaves. She was like a little kid, stuffing as much as she could hold in her mouth at one time. She must have been really hungry, or else she eats like her dad. I haven’t seen any other panda at any zoo stuffing as many leaves into their mouth at one sitting like she was. Too cute!
June 11th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
ZZ-you look so cute, lying against your branch, wiggling your toes, just resting. You look so bored. Wonder what yer thinkin’ bout…
June 11th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
Hi! I have to make a correction to one of my earlier comments about Atlanta Zoo’s baby piglets. Shirley is actually a warthog, not the red river hog that I mentioned. Don’t know what I was thinking about, but now I have made the correction. Shirley, the warhog, gave birth to 5 baby warthog piglets, but one died, 2 of them are being hand raised, and the other 2 are with the parents. They are close to 2 months old now. Also, I got curious about Atlanta Zoo’s mole rat queen and her pregnancy, so I checked their news link and found out that the first time mole rat mom gave birth to about 6 naked mole rat babies on May 24. According to the keepers, they are doing good, getting their milk, and the other mole rats are helping to take care of them and keep them warm.
Finally got on the SDZ pandacam late tonite, and saw Miss ZZ on her nighttime sleeping stump just snoozing away. Earlier today, Tai and Mei in DC were just napping away outdoors near their enclosure entrances. Xi Lan in Atlanta was also napping on the log structure. Looks like all of the pandas are really slowing down with the summer heat in full swing. Don’t blame them for conserving energy!
Well, going to go to bed and sleep. Got some things to do tomorrow, but I’ll get on the pandacams to check in on the pandas sometime during the day.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
June 11th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
#97 Marion. Thank you for the info on bamboo. Now I know it definitely HAS grown a foot since I went in the garden a few hours ago! The yellow bamboo is growing faster than the black. As I mentioned earlier, mine are in pots as we decided some years ago to stick to container growing; just as well as my back can’t deal with digging etc and mowing the grass! I didn’t want to put any bamboo in my well established borders as I knew it would spread like wildfire. Your bamboo grove sounds lovely, I wish I had the room to do something like that. However, despite asking for a panda, I haven’t received one yet. Maybe it’s ‘in the post’?
#94 Dawn in Michigan. I know those Panda bars! Something we actually have in the UK as well and that hasn’t had it’s name changed.
June 12th, 2009 at 9:45 am
ZZ eating her breakfast with a burlap bag sitting right beside her! I take it that’s her new sleeping mat to take naps on! P Wong, I did read your 2 latest conversations. They were both funny, cute, and adorable! Keep them coming, ok?
Gonna go and do some stuff. Will get back to you later on!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
June 12th, 2009 at 9:55 am
I can honestly say that I’m perfectly happy just to watch a panda sleep – I can watch for hours. Watching a panda eat is a thrill. How sad am I?????
June 12th, 2009 at 10:30 am
Hooray, I received my Mao Mao t-shirt today. Still makes me sad to think about her.
#100 P Wong – one of my cats has been trying to eat the bamboo leaves. Do you know if they are poisonous to animals/cats?
June 12th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
P Wong….you are absolutely right about the cyanide, always better to leach or boil. I wouldn’t eat raw cashew nuts either….a similar problem!
June 12th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
No panda update this week?
June 13th, 2009 at 8:22 am
Is it my imagination, or is Zhen Zhen growing very rapidly right now? She is sitting in front of the “cave” daintily eating her morning boo. She looks just like a miniature version of Bai Yun. When views of Bai Yun and Su Lin are shown, without the number of the camera I can’t tell them apart because like Tai Shan, Su Lin has also grown to almost full size (at least from camera angle). ZZ is still smaller than the rest, but is rapidly growing and in a few months will look from camera angle almost as big as Gao Gao. It must be all that great fresh San Diego air, sun, great food, and tender loving care from her dedicated keepers, and of course her great genes from Gao Gao and Bai Yun, and initial rearing by Bai Yun. She is one stunning little panda, as were her siblings before her.
Hopefully Bai Yun will be able to produce at least one more cub(s) this year to join Su Lin and ZZ as temporary SD resident offspring. Since Bai has been out of camera view most of the time, and having her leisurely alone time in the shade away from public eye, she can rest and eat stress free and enjoy her possible pregnancy.
June 13th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
For another fun video check youtube for Lun Lun and Xi Lan — The Cradle
#94 – Dawn in Big Rapids – Hi neighbor – is the health food store with the panda bars the one on Northland Dr?
June 14th, 2009 at 11:56 am
The baby panda in Thailand has really grown…has the panda markings already! Pandas Live On has some good videos of mom and baby. Take a look! Any late word on how Bai Yun is doing with her pregnancy?
June 14th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Welcome Juli!! Thanks for the great post and for posting a photo of my Gao!
June 15th, 2009 at 7:56 am
Wow – has anyone been watching the PandaCam of the new cub at the Chiangmai Zoo? The keeper has been petting and scratching Mom and baby through the bars. Mom is now being fed and watered by hand. Amazing to watch!!
June 15th, 2009 at 7:58 am
Hey panda pals…..if you visit Pandas Live On, they provide a link to watch the Chiangmai Zoo to watch Hui Lin and her new baby cub.
Just what you need, another panda web cam to watch! I am surprised to see the keepers interacting with Hui, petting her etc., and she lets them do it with no problems. lol
June 15th, 2009 at 10:11 am
We made a trip to the SDZ on Friday to see Zhen Zhen, Gao Gao and to walk through Elephant Odyssey. Zhen keeps the same sleeping hours that her mom taught her
Gao was asleep on our first visit, but was awake and eating on our second visit 
Because it was cool and overcast, our walk down Cat Canyon gave us a neat opportunity to see the Big Cats awake and moving! Kalluk put on a show for a bunch of very thrilled youngsters (and oldsters) by playing with a big blue ball. He played so close to the glass that little kids really reached out to see if they could ‘touch’ him. Elephant Odyssey is FABULOUS!!! The elephants all seemed very happy to be in their new location 
This exhibit will be beautiful in a year because the plantings will mature quickly (Southern California, ya know). The Flamingo Lagoon near the entrance is filled with mud nests…I think they are larger this year. Now, consider me crazy, but the part of the visit that tickled me most was: Baby Ducks! Everywhere! Two familes in the Koi pond, several families in the Flamingo Lagoons, at least one family in the new elephant pond. AND!!! As we walked into the line to see Zhen and Gao, a momma duck led her ducklings along side of us 
Could this family be the same family that Zhen was curious about??? 
And the second best tickle for me was at the entry area to Elephant Odyssey! There was a greeter 
A Peacock stood with his tail fanned out; he walked, turned slowly so every person could see, film, photograph his beauty!!! Honestly, he looked as if he had been trained for a fashion show 
What FUN it is to go to the SDZ!!!
June 15th, 2009 at 10:43 am
I just saw Bai Yun rolling around like crazy–was she anointing herself with a new scent or just rolling around? After that, she scratched herself on a limb and climbed up on her structure and conked out. And there’s ZZ zonked out up in her tree. A sleepy kinda day at SDZ.
June 15th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
The video on pandasliveon is amazing of Hui Lin and her cub. The music is great; Hui Lin seems to be rocking the cub at one point. Don’t know why, but that almost made me cry. Very nicely done.
June 15th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Hi Bobbie #120 – What a great blog and what a fun day you had. Don’t tell me that the designated peacock greeter at the SDZ has decided to change his roost? Is he covering both the Zoo entrance and the Elephant Odyssey entrance?
Or is there more than one greeter? 
The last time we were near the Zoo entrance, he was standing atop the bus-loading kiosk, squawking and bobbing side to side with his beautiful tail fanned out. He is quite an entertainer.
It’s true! There has been an explosion of baby ducks throughout the zoo. I saw an adult female at the entrance near the walkway heading towards the flamingo pool. She had 12 or more chicks following her – what a sight. Everyone had to get out of her way.
There are many fun animals to see at the SDZ.
June 16th, 2009 at 8:41 am
#115 Maureen…I’ve not found the bars in the Northland Dr one, but the are at the Healing Center in Lakeview.
June 16th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Bobbie and Rose — you are the best Zoo ambassadors! I just love, LOVE, hearing your stories from the SDZ — thank you for sharing your adventures!
June 16th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Dear Rose #123: What is funny about the Peacock is that in early…I think Feb. 2008, I was visiting the SDZ with my sister and brother in law. We hiked up the hill toward the Sky way. At the assent, we looked at this HUGE construction area and saw, yes indeed, a Lone Peacock wandering there. Perhaps he was staking out his turf???
We did see another Peacock strutting in the bus loading area on Friday. I think there must be at least 3 peacocks at the SDZ because on other visits we’ve seen a couple in different areas. Either that, or they really walk very fast 
And, they are noisy…often, I can hear them on video I’ve taken. Cracks me up every time.
June 26th, 2009 at 11:22 am
On the National Zoo’s web site it says that their two adult giant pandas are together for most of the day.
If this is the case, whey aren’t Gao Gao and Bai Yun together more often?
June 27th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
WOW!!!TOTALLY AWESOME PICS RIGHT NOW!
June 30th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
i want to know if we can feed the panda’s in the zoo.
Moderator’s note: No, we leave that to the keepers!
August 3rd, 2009 at 12:37 pm
I’ve never been good at math but it suddenly occurred to me recently — if Bai Yun came to San Diego in 1997 for 12 years, does that mean she is going back to China soon? I may have missed a blog about this distressing idea, but it seems to me she can’t leave this year if she has a new cub. What is the “loan” situation? Or is China willing to leave Bai Yun with you because her adult offspring are sent over there? An update on the 12-year loan situation would be much appreciated.
Moderator’s note: China extended our loan of Bai Yun and Gao Gao for five more years. You can read more about this in our press release section: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/CF/pressreleases/releasedetail.cfm?id=644
August 4th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Thank you for the link to the press release. I am so glad Bai Yun and Gao Gao are staying for a while. I’ve only been able to see them in person once, when Su Lin was a youngster, but hope to get to San Diego again. Gao Gao was SO entertaining when we were there. He’s such a ham. And Bai Yun is such a good mother. I am watching her in the den right now and it looks like her new cub will be born soon. Very exciting for panda fans! Thanks again.
Moderator’s note: You’re very welcome, Kay. Please come visit us again!
August 14th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Welcome Juli to the panda blog! From the list of questions in the previous posts you will be very busy! Thank you for the answers which you have already provided. It is always interesting to get the perspective of someone who is actually interacting with the pandas. We love info like the duck’s story. Curious Zhen!