Summer Panda Fun!
Posted at 9:23 am June 29, 2009 by Anastasia JonilionisAs we start our summer hours, the Giant Panda Research Station at the San Diego Zoo is open until 8:30 each evening during Nighttime Zoo. Since we are open later, a few changes are occurring to condition the bears. Usually in the summer we offer their evening feeding a little later, so as we start you may see the pandas on exhibit looking for their keepers. Do not be alarmed: this is normal as we change their feeding times, and they will soon get used to it.
We currently have the two panda girls, Su Lin and Zhen Zhen, on exhibit, but this may change throughout the summer. We do like to swap the pandas on exhibit with the available panda that is in our classroom area. The schedule for changing the bears is up to our keepers and research staff, but we will let you know as soon as we do.
Zhen Zhen is still on exhibit and has been having a great time napping and snacking through most of the day. Every now and then you will see a sudden burst of energy, and she will run around the enclosure. And, of course, the keepers still offer different forms of enrichment to all of our pandas to keep them active.
Su Lin is also still growing right before our eyes; she is definitely filling out very well. Most of the time she stays in the front corner near the wall; as we get into the warmer days of summer, she will find the coolest spot to sleep and unfortunately that may not always be in the best shot for photos.
As we head into summer, we are prepared to accommodate our pandas. All enclosures have fans with misters to cool off the area, and all of the pandas have air-conditioned bedrooms. Our keepers also make fun treats for our pandas such as popsicles that are panda friendly. They also put bags of ice in the exhibits so the pandas have something cold to lie on just in case they need it.
Anastasia Horning is a panda narrator at the San Diego Zoo.
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June 29th, 2009 at 9:49 am
Thanks, Anastasia–I noticed that Zhen Zhen had a burlap bag weekend before last and I wondered if it had a scent–perhaps it was ice?
June 29th, 2009 at 10:04 am
You really do take care of those precious bears, that’s for sure. Thanks for the update.
June 29th, 2009 at 10:32 am
I was just watching Miss ZZ to day it’s true she is becoming a big girl sometime it’s hard to tell it’s her without checking the cam number. Has everyone who gave for the ice machine got their keychains what a cute pictures of the Xman and Miss Mei Lan. I hope everyone who can has try to help the AZ out so they can keep there beautiful pandas. I do hope they will let us know how things are going with their fund raising.
June 29th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
#3 Pam T – Yes, I got my keychain – very cute photos of Xi and Mei! By the way, there is a report and pictures on the first “ice day” in ZA on pandasliveon dot com. I guess, their timing was thrown off because Xi wanted to nurse as soon as he could get to Lun, then went for a nap. Apparently, Lun showed no interest in the big ice tray the keepers left in the hammock room. That was a couple of hours ago – things may have changed by now.
Just saw ZZ having a snooze on her favorite branch. She looks so peaceful!
June 29th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Anastasia, thanks for keeping us posted on the well-being of our bears in the summer heat. We are confident that you all will make sure they have ways to cool off, and are eating well. You know we all wish we could be there to look after them with you!
(Wish I could use my emoticons in this blog…they are panda-faces!)
June 29th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Anastasia – thanks for another interesting update – have read in past blogs that it takes a couple of days for our pandas to get used to any change in their feeding schedule – such as daylight savings time – our pandas are surely well taken care of.
#3 Pam T – I love my ZA key chain
June 29th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Over the weekend, I read that a zoo in Thailand (one without pandas) was jealous of the one with the pandas, because everyone wanted to see the pandas and the other zoo’s attendance was suffering. So the first zoo painted some of their elephants with black and white panda markings, and attendance increased. That’s panda power!
I also saw, for iPhone users, that there is an app called Panda Power, for which Pandas International gets a small donation for every download. There’s also one I got called PocketPanda. The panda sings along (moves its mouth) in response to sounds or music from outside the phone (not from the music inside). It’s cute, and the panda looks kinda like Gao Gao, (but with two ears).
Dianne #5–panda emoticons sound great! It is too bad they won’t work here.
June 29th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
Does anyone know why the panda cub updates at ZA are not appearing below the panda cam? It would sure be nice to hear how the first “ice day” went.
June 30th, 2009 at 4:35 am
Hi There
Is anyone else having trouble accessing the “Panda Cub Updates” on the ZA website?
I click on it but it doesn’t do anything. I’ve tried at home and at work – same.
I am so not a techie – any help would be appreciated!
Thanks!
June 30th, 2009 at 8:04 am
Anastasia, many thanks! I love the keepers updates.
ZZ is looking especially cute this morning, sitting and eating her boo. The view is perfect; I’d like to be sitting in the peaceful, lush area with her! (8:00 am Pacific) It would be great for my BP.
June 30th, 2009 at 8:41 am
Can anyone tell me if there’s a way to get the panda cub updates in English on the Chiang Mai website? I can’t find a tab to translate that particular page to English. I would love to know what the updates state. Or can anyone translate them?
June 30th, 2009 at 9:07 am
The link attached to the AZ Panda Cub updates is incorrect; they have it pointing back to the panda cam. Something Atlanta needs to fix.
June 30th, 2009 at 9:35 am
I did a search for the panda cub updates on the ZA website yesterday and today and could not find it. I called them this morning to let them know that the connection on the right side of the panda cam in leading back to the panda cam. The operator told me that she will notify the people in charge of the website.
Linda #11, I haven’t been able to find the translation on the Chiang Mai website either and most of the time their panda came is not working. You can find updates in English on the pandasliveon website; there is an update today with many pictures.
There are also some beautiful pictures of Tian Tian and Tai Shan on the pandasliveon website.
It is nice that the zoo is open late in the summer. On the panda cam you can see quite a lot of activity in the evening. I suspect it is cooler after sunset and the pandas are more active. I thought it was quite funny to see Su Lin sitting in her pool a few days ago; she is obviously suffering from the heat. Are the pools drained later in the summer?
June 30th, 2009 at 9:47 am
#9 Joan – YES! I have been having problems for like two days now. I thought it was me or my computer, so I’m glad to know that it is apparently a systems problem there. (Not that I’m happy you couldn’t access it either, but I’m sure you know what I mean!) I hope they get it fixed soon!
June 30th, 2009 at 10:35 am
Joan#9, I am also having trouble since yesterday. I click and nothing happens.I had a little time this morning to watch all of the families, but to watch Zhen Zhen just makes my day. The DC family was all streched out this morning enjoying the air. Anastasia thanks for the great blog and the comforts you provide our pandas with during the warm weather. I know they appericate it.
June 30th, 2009 at 11:11 am
Joan #9–I can’t find the ZA panda updates either, though they now have a link to previous updates. The site must be “in progress.”
I also can’t figure out how to see the live cam for Chiang Mai. Do you need IE like on the Wolong site?
June 30th, 2009 at 11:47 am
Thanks ladies! It is nice to know it’s not just me!
I miss my updates! That’s why it’s so wonderful to have this blog to touch base with other Pandaholics.
Just a little aside, I made a road trip to Atlanta from Ontario, Canada in April and spent all (nearly all) my time with the pandas. Mei Lan was my first baby and I am so glad I saw her in “person” before she returns to China.
I have some wonderful pictures and memories.
June 30th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
*Please* have the girls on exhibit on the weekend of August 1-2. Since their birthdays are August 2 and 3, I’m going to try to visit them that weekend. Will they have birthday cakes?
June 30th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
I just have to comment about Zhen Zhen’s dining habits. She has to have her food close at hand doesn’t she! She looks like she sat down and someone layered the bamboo all around her. The boo is a bushy variety so it looks like there is so much there. Thank you meerkats for the great camera shots.
Happy Canada Day to all my fellow Canadians tomorrow and wishing everyone from the USA a Happy 4th of July on Saturday. It’s time to eat, drink and watch fireworks.
June 30th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
FYI, the ZA cub update for yesterday has been posted along with older archives. It appears that as part of their website updates they are archiving the old ones, hence they disappeared from view for a few days. Updating websites can be a complicated process, so as the webmaster says, please be patient with them as they make the improvements for your viewing pleasure.
Got a great postcard shot of a smiling munching Miss ZZ this afternoon. She and Su Lin are very photosmatic like their mom.
June 30th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
#11 – Linda Google has a translate tool. I have been using it for some of the Chinese panda articles. I just tried it on the Chiang Mai panda cam and it works. You have to install the Google toolbar and the translate tool. There will be a button on the toolbar to translate into English.
June 30th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Jeri, #21, many thanks. Never thought of that. I have been watching Lin Hui and her cubby a lot over the last couple of days. I haven’t seen any human hands (may just be my timing) in the enclosure. But, boy, she seems to adore that cub. She looks at her little one like she’s totally in love and in amazement that she had such beautiful cub. I know, I know. I’m attaching my own human emotions to a panda I’m watching on a cam. Well, many people do call me Lin! Maybe I am Lin Hui in a concurrent life!
Everytime I peek at ZZ today, she’s EATING. Girl after my own heart.
June 30th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
I have wondered for 3 days why the panda cub updates on ZA site cannot be accessed. Since they have been rebuilding some of their graphics, etc., I guess someone inadvertently ‘pulled the plug’ on the updates.
I had to laugh at Mei Lan this morning, playing with a empty box, then rolling and stretching in the hammock, as if she remembered her younger days there. Every time I’ve looked in on our SD pandas today, no one has been in sight. But I’ve been busy, in and out, so my schedule hasn’t been coordinating with theirs. I miss them when that happens. I’ll be more diligent tomorrow.
June 30th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Joan (#17) – you are one lucky ducky to get to see the ZA bears in person. Mei Lan was the 1st cub I watched from birth too, but it didn’t take me long to find the other panda cams after that and I have been hooked ever since!
June 30th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Thanks for the summer update, Anastasia
I think Zhen must have found a location behind her cave! Maybe the ‘misters’ are located near there. Haven’t seen her all day 
The weather here in southern California has been warm and HUMID. We, out here, do not have to experience that humid stuff very often; therefore, some of us are griping 
Also, glad to know that I was not the only one unable to access the panda updates at ZA.
Jeri #21: Thanks for the hint about the google translate tool!
June 30th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Lee #19–I think all the pandas like to bathe in their ‘boo. Su Lin is enjoying a dip right now (18:07 PT).
June 30th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
I finally got to see the new Panda cub at Chiang Mei zoo. She is growing fast and now is covered with enough hair that her mom can leave her on the floor to eat and tend to other business, like sleep. I can’t believe how much she has grown in a month. It is hard to believe that Xi Lan was that small less than a year ago, and that ZZ was that tiny less than 2 years ago. Once they get going, they grow very fast to make up for the tiny underdeveloped state in which they are born.
I also love the closeups of Tai and Tian where you can see the resemblance.
Princess Su Lin is sumbering atop the treehouse. It seems to be her favorite napping spot since she has gotten older. When I see her in the trees, or read about her being in the trees it appears that she is doing it for enjoyment, not to sleep. Only Gao seems to prefer the ground. Perhaps that is because he was injured as a young cub and therefore has an apprehension about climbing?
June 30th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Happy Canada Day to you Lee I was lucky enough to be there at the Falls in Canada a fews years ago on that day the fire works were great and we met some really nice people.
The AZ was having some problems with their panda updates they should be working again today.
July 1st, 2009 at 1:20 pm
It is great to see Bai Yun sleeping peacefully in the climbing structure. It has been a while since I have seen her higher than the top of the cave, so it is good to see that even in her advancing years she is still agile and likes to climb to a comfy spot to rest. She is one beautiful white cloud for sure.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:11 pm
danielle #13–the panda pools are emptied and refreshed by the keepers every time fresh food is brought out to them (except at the evening feeding). i wonder why the pandas can’t have access to their bedrooms all day long, so they can cool off in the heat of the summer whenever they need to.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:58 pm
An update from the NZ reports that Mei Xiang & Tian Tian are back together & playing until Mei has enough & chases Tian off. Once again I wonder about all reports that pandas are solitary animals – but guess as SDZ has the only natural mating pair they may be right in their approach – but it sure is fun to see Mei & Tian romp around like kids.:)
July 1st, 2009 at 6:26 pm
When I went to the NZ site I found more info – seems like a bull frog has taken up residence in one of the exhibits – when Tai saw & pawed at it the bullfrog leaped onto Tai’s paw – which resulted in a similar leap upwards from Tai:)
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:59 am
what is the brightly colored straw-like strands I see in the panda’s yard and such? I see it used on another zoo cam as well in the Meerkat house. thanks…
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:35 am
Today’s over-head shot of Bai Yun surrounded by her bamboo, enjoying it emmensely. Someone had commented in an earlier blog about Zhen Zhen burying herself in her bamboo. Now we know how she learned this.
There is a new update about NZ’s panda family. Mei Xiang and Tian Tian have reunited. As usual, they share their bamboo, play for a while; then, Mei tires of it and chases Tian back to his own yard. Then they find a cool place to take a nap. There also a really cute account of a bull frog invading Tai Shan’s pool, and the inevitable confrontation. You should read it! It creates a really funny video in your mind.
They have also trans-planted two trees, that were “rescued” from a Asia Trail construction zone, in one of the panda yards. When I checked in on Tai Shan, it looked like they are in his present yard. (More shade to snooze under. ;D )
I hope all of you have a really happy and safe Fourth of July Holiday weekend. Be careful out there!
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:14 am
I was watching Xi early this afternoon he had a large piece of bamboo with him on the top of the logs. It was as large as him I’m not sure how much he was eating or maybe playing with but it was so cute. And also it’s a sign he’s becoming a big boy.
Has anyone been able to get on the Tai Zoo panda cam lately everytime I go there it just says it’s ready and there’s no picture.
.
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:16 am
Oh yes I hope everyone has a great 4th of July weekend and stay safe.
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:25 pm
For those who are having trouble accessing the Zoo Thialand cam, there is a better link. Go to PandasLiveOn site, then to the July 1 post. In the article about Lin Hui and cub, there is a new link to the webcam. It is much better.
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:22 pm
The girls must look like Bai Yun, because as soon as I saw a handsome panda up close (great shot Meerkats) I said it looks like Gao Gao to me, not Su Lin. He is one handsome guy in a small package. He was munching away, obviously very happy with his mid-day meal. If he did any exploring after Su Lin, it must not have been for long because he was all business of eating.
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Patricia #30, the pandas do have access to their AC bedrooms throughout the day as they refresh the yards. In the early days of independence ZZ prefered to stay in her bedroom than go out in the classroom yard. As she became more confident, they coaxed her outside more to explore and enjoy her larger surroundings.
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Wishing all of you a happy 4th of July. Have a sae and happy holiday and catch up on your panda watching
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:54 pm
And doesn’t beautiful Bai Yun look peaceful and relaxed lying by the pool this afternoon?
July 2nd, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Frances #41 – I was just coming here to say the same thing! Like a peaceful madonna, and a bit of a secret smile…. wonder if she knows something we don’t? What a gorgeous picture of a gorgeous panda! That’s our girl!
July 2nd, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Hello All
There is also a very fluffy seated flamingo; I have a great neice turning one year of age….guess what she’s receiving 
And, for all panda fans, there is a new tee-shirt; I’m giving myself one to wear at bedtime 
I was able to use the same shipping code and pricing for three different locations…..Have fun shopping 
You all might want to go to the Zoo Store and check out the special shipping!!! You probably receive notification emails, but in case you don’t go take a look anyway. Susan in the UK…they have the cutest stuffed Peacock; naturally I ordered one for my sister’s birthday
Everyone have a safe 4th weekend
Moderator’s note: Our online store, Shopzoo.com, has lots of wonderful items. Check it out at http://www.shopzoo.com/
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:46 pm
And now, the other half of our wonderful panda parent pair… Gao Gao! I’m just laughing – talk about kicking back. He’s so kicked back, he’s flat on his back! And, in typical Gao fashion, since the boo is apparently ‘out’ for the moment, the next item on his agenda would be water/rest… he’s combined the two and is napping right below his drinker. But he’s added the cutest touch – he keeps putting one back foot (or the other – he’s switching) up, and into the drinker! Nothing like cooling your toes, while keeping the water handy in case you are thirsty… such a smart and adorable papa panda!
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Hi! Hoping that all of you will have a great 4th of July weekend, be safe, enjoy the food and the fireworks! America will be 233 years old on Saturday! Try to go and enjoy your area zoos and aquariums, and give the animals your love!
Just got on the SDZ pandacam today after a couple of days off, and saw that you guys have switched ZZ and Gao again! So, I saw Gao laying down on his back late this afternoon (almost 7pm EDT my time)! He must have had a BIG DINNER!
AZ has been reworking their panda pages again, and they have left out pretty much all of this year’s updates about Xi Lan and Lun Lun. Trying to send an email about that to see when they will get those updates back online again. Their latest update is on Wed., July 1, 2009. Moderator, got a question for you. AZ panda keepers said that Xi Lan weighed in at 131 kilograms, and I got on my online conversion website to convert that to pounds, and it gave me 288 pounds! That can’t be right to me! So, can you please translate this weight to the right amount of pounds for me? I’m used to the American weight system, not the metric system!
NZ has had a baby boom of new chicks hatching lately. You can read their Bird House News on the Bird House page on the NZ website to get all of the latest about the new chicks that have hatched from late May thru June. I also checked in on the 3 pandas on the NZ pandacams. They are doing their usual summertime routine—eating and sleeping! All of them had fruitcicles yesterday.
Well, gonna go for now. Have a fun 4th weekend, and be safe around fireworks and sparklers!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Moderator’s note: You did the conversion correctly. Perhaps there was a typo on their update?
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:18 pm
To all the panda lovers and fellow bloggers from the USA – I hope you all have a wonderful July 4th weekend!! And have a bit more time for “panda patrol”. The bears are really into summer mode now, sleeping up in the trees where the breezes blow or on top of a grate where the underground air comes up, or in their AC rooms where they can do whatever in cool comfort. #44 Suzanne – what an amusing picture you describe of King Panda Gao “cooling his heels” in the drinker!! Too funny!
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:43 pm
You’re right, Suzanne #44–Gao Gao’s got relaxation down pat (or flat).
July 2nd, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Zhen Zhen is so cute. She climbed up onto the rock and tapped her foot as if she was tapping to some music! She is too cute!
July 2nd, 2009 at 6:43 pm
#44 – Suzanne (the other one) – am still laughing about your description of Gao “cooling his toes in his drinker” Do appreciate all who do such a wonderful job of describing what they see on the cam – as I seem to miss most of the action I do use my imagination from your blogs. Have a wonderful & safe 4th!!
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Ni hao everyone. We’re in Shanghai waiting to go home, but I wanted to report on my experiment with panda smells. Since it did not rain while we were there, I can report that what I smelled last year was indeed the result of all the rain. The little ones I played with passed the no smell sniff test with flying colors. We had a wonderful time, much too short in Ya’an. I saw Hua Mei just starting to show pregnancy lethargy and got a wonderful picture of her. Mei Sheng was not out the day I had to wander around, but he sent us all telepathic messages of thanks for being so proud of him and says hello to us all. If Hua Mei weren’t so zoned out, she probably would have done the same. BTW, Mei Sheng is a bit of a rock star over there. That’s our boy. I’ll write when I get home. We leave tonight after a wonderful trip and will be home for the 4th. Have a great weekend everyone.
Moderator’s note: Safe journeys, Mary! We look forward to your update.
July 3rd, 2009 at 9:45 am
Chari #45 I suspect you mean the ZA update entry labeled Monday, June 30 (but Monday was actually June 29). The weight given for Xi Lan was 20 kg, it was his big daddy, Yang Yang, that weighted over 131 kg. The latest updates June – May 2009 have been added to the server but it started with the May 18 entry. The entries of Aril and the first part of May are missing. There is also a problem with their panda cam, they are giving the EarthCam connection on the ZA website but that doesn’t work for me either…
July 3rd, 2009 at 10:37 am
Mary #50–can’t wait for those updates and pictures!
July 3rd, 2009 at 11:28 am
Happy 4th of July to everyone. Have a great time.
July 3rd, 2009 at 11:48 am
Bobbie #43, thank you for thinking of me and the stuffed peacock! You must know my shopping habits as that peacock was one of the first things I bought in the zoo store last year. He is very unusual and I have never seen a peacock like that over here. I got a hunting dog at the WAP as well. We nearly lost him when we were packing to go home; my daughter asked if I’d got the hunting dog and I couldn’t find it. Panic. We found him under my bed – he must have got frightened and been hiding!
I also caught Bai at the pool and sent myself a postcard. She did look very serene, didn’t she? Love the story of Gao Gao and his foot dipping. He is a real cutie.
Weather here has been TOO hot. It’s not the heat it’s the humidity. This morning it was 90%. Thankfully we’ve got a portable air conditioner which is a life saver.
July 3rd, 2009 at 11:54 am
Mary, #50, YOU are a rock star. We are all awaiting your return. Good for you……what a wonderful trip. Good to know about the smell! Safe travels home.
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Frances #44 – down pat/down flat – boy did you describe it perfectly! He was rather flat/flattened on the ground! LOL
July 3rd, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Hi! I know that this won’t get in until Monday, July 6, but I’ll write my comments. Danielle from NY, thanks for your comment about the weights. I knew that 131 kg was way too much for Xi Lan to weigh, and now this weight now belongs to Yang Yang! That weight fits him better! So, I’ll convert the 20 kg for Xi Lan and see what that says in pounds. I also read about the cam problem, got on the Earthcam pandacam page, but the cam is offline until Monday at 10 AM EDT. By then, they will have the cam pretty much back online ready for us to watch Xman be his cute little self!
Mary (#50), you lucky dog you!! Thanks for letting us know how Hua Mei is doing. We in the states are really hoping that Hua Mei will have another cub or two this summer. Hopefully, someone will let us know when that happens. Sorry you didn’t get to see Mei Sheng, tho. He’ll be a first time daddy soon, we all hope! Have a safe trip back to the states, and we are all looking forward to your next comments about your trip to China.
I did see the July 1 update on the NZ panda page today, and read about Mei Xiang and Tian Tian getting back together again! There was nice picture of them playing near a tree trunk. Pandas Live On had some great pics of the two pandas together this week. I also saw the cutest pic of the baby panda that was born at Chiang Mai Zoo, Thailand, on PLO. They are now holding a name voting contest right now for everyone in Thailand to name the baby panda. He’s getting fuzzier by the day!
To all of the ferret lovers, Tilley, the ferret on the cam at CRC in Virginia, did not have any babies this year. Her AI procedure didn’t take. So, they’ll try again next year.
Well, I hope that everyone enjoyed Independence Day weekend with families and friends.
Will be back later on!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
July 4th, 2009 at 10:18 am
Happy 4th July to all panda fans in USA. It is 130 days(11th Nov) until I arrive in Washington DC and next day will be my first visit to the National Zoo. On Sun 15th Nov and Mon 16th Nov, I will be visiting SD Zoo for the second time and I can’t wait to see my panda cam cuties for real. March 2003 seems so long ago since I saw Hua Mei. I am excited to see the November zoo calendar has been posted and it is all about enrichment that weekend.
July 4th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
I’m baaaack!! We landed safely this morning (Sat. 7/4) and once I catch up on sleep will update everyone. Our computer blew out while I was gone, so pictures may take a while to get posted, but I’ll do my best with the blog next week. Have been enjoying catching up with my favorite pandas on this blog. Hua Mei and Mei Sheng were my first and will always be my babies, but Su Lin and Zoomy and their parents also have special places in my heart. I love all pandas, but SDZ is very, very special.
Now to sleep.
July 5th, 2009 at 9:53 am
I haven’t had much luck lately seeing any of the pandas when I’m on, so I’m glad to hear news of them this way.
Last night I got on the Thailand cam and happened to be on when they seemed to be giving the cub an exam. I see what you all mean when you talk about all the handling there. They seemed to be handling the cub a lot, and all I saw them do was hold it and move it around and then check its ears. I watched again a bit later and the cub was back with mom and then I saw the hand come in and try to rearrange the cub in mom’s arms and then it reached in and scratched mom on the ear. I didn’t see anyone wearing gloves during all this time so I hope they are careful about hand-washing before they handle the little one.
It’s been a while since I’ve watched an exam here at the SDZ, but didn’t they wear gloves when they were doing cub exams?
July 5th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Tactfully phrased (of course), how is Bai Yun doing regaining her weight after weaning ZZ? Here’s hoping all her peace and quiet and lack of competition for food is doing her beautiful mama bear figure lots of good!
July 5th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
I am seeing different colors of leaves(I think) right now all gathered around a bear(sorry- cant say which one) but the leaves look to be of different colors or is it the camera lens prism or something? They are pretty up against a very black and white panda bear leaning against the wall eating them!
July 5th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
On the MSNBC website, there’s a news article about the new baby panda cub at Chiang Mai Zoo, Thailand. She made her first public debut during the weekend in her incubator and was brought out for people to get a good look at her. This was only for a short time so that the cub can go back to her mom. There is a great closeup pic of her with the article. The zoo also had over half a million entries for the naming of the cub, and they have now got that whittled down to just the final 4 names. They will announce the new name for the cub in the next week or two. Just checked the SDZ pandacam at around 12 midnite, Monday, July 6, and saw Miss ZZ on her big rock just snoozing away!
Well, gonna go and get ready for bed. Will check back in later.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
July 6th, 2009 at 9:35 am
Last week while on vacation and watching Panda Cam (of course), I saw a very strange thing happen at the Thailand Zoo. Cubby was sleeping by herself near the cage bars on the left of the viewing screen. Next thing I see is Mom’s paws trying to pick her up and bring her through the bars! One of the grabs either scared or hurt the cubby as you could see her let out a huge sqawk. It was probably a good 10 minutes later when I saw Mom being let into the cage with her cubby. They must have their reasons to have kept Mom and cubby separated, but it certainly was heart wrenching to see Mom trying to be with her cubby. Cub rearing in Thailand seems to be extremely different from the US zoos.
July 6th, 2009 at 11:28 am
#64 Jane – I too have seen some odd things on the Chiang Mai panda cam. I had a hard time watching a pair of hands actually trying to take the cub away from Lin Hui while she was cuddling the little one. And no matter how Lin Hui positioned herself, those hands kept on trying to remove the cub. At one point, Lin Hui put her other arm over the cub to cover her as if to say, “No, you can’t have her!” I can just imagine how much this must stress Lin Hui. I was reading some of the translations of the cub updates (they appear to be using translation software which doesn’t always convey the true meaning) and it seems they actually have a schedule of when to take the cub away throughout the day.
Strange things aside, though, that cub is growing cuter everyday. She is filling out and looking chubby now; Lin Hui is not finding it as easy to pick her up by her neck. And Lin Hui is a joy to watch when she’s cuddling the little one for a feeding session or some licking. So serene and contented. She really loves that cub!
July 6th, 2009 at 11:54 am
#Jane I agree with you the Thailand Zoo does a lot of things that make me nervous I’m not sure they are doing things the best way. I think they take the cub away to much and the mother gets very nervous about it which can’t be good.
July 6th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
My Shrek Bear looks like he’s especially dirty this morning. Did I miss some enrichment scent which caused him to roll around?
Any idea what’s doing with ZA cam? It’s not working on any of the websites.
Mary #59, will you post your photos somewhere for us all?
July 6th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Linda A. – ZA says their cam isn’t on but they say click here and it takes you to the EarthCam site and that works for me. Right now Lun Lun and Xi Lan are playing in the yellow car. Hope you can get it
July 6th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Speaking of panda fun, check out the elephants painted as pandas in Thailand. Do a search “reuters elephant pandas”. What a sight to see!
July 6th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Linda A – I forgot to also say that if you click on the email icon below the picture you can send youself pictures just like here at SDZ. These are the first pics I have of Xi Lan.
July 6th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Happy Belated 4th of July to all my panda pals!
July 6th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
What is the box in front of Zhen Zhen on C5 right now? It could be her personal Air Conditioner or to me it looks like a cooler to keep her summer drinks cool.
July 6th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Lee, thanks for the info on both accounts. The EarthCam site worked for a minute for me. And to me it looks like there’s cam one and two? Thank you again for the info – love the postcard ability.
Lin Hui and cubby are both adorable. I’m certainly not an expert on pandas’ births so I’ll leave that to those in charge. Interesting that the cub just lays on the floor near Lin so much. It must be that the weather is so warm that the cub is comfortable?
In looking at the SDZ cam, for some reason it looks like a fall day to me. The shadows and the leaves especially. (It’s been 108 here in Sacramento; today it feels like a fall day here — in the low 80s.) Maybe when fall is ACTUALLY here, we’ll have a new cub who is a few months old!!
July 6th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Linda #67 — I’ll post a selection on Flickr. Will send the address when they are ready. I have to go through them and my software is being highly uncooperative. Hang in there — it will get done.
July 6th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
Mary #74 – I would be very interested to here where in China you were and how you booked your tour. I will only have about 3 or 4 days for personal time while I am there. Maybe when you post to Flickr, there is a way to contact you? Thanks!
July 6th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
It’s been a year since Shi Shi’s passing.
July 7th, 2009 at 3:38 am
Hua Mei gave birth to a single cub this morning at 12:53. Also, Gong Zhu gave birth of a cub at 13:08.
July 7th, 2009 at 5:13 am
One of my Flickr contacts in China sent notice to a couple of panda groups I belong to that Hua Mei delivered a single cub this morning at 12:53 a.m. That’s our girl!!!! No details yet. She really is a tribute to SDZ’s care in her growing up. She looked so sublimely beautiful when I saw her ten days ago.
And Thailand has decided to take their cub off public view and let momma bear be a momma (at least more of a momma). Momma has become more and more reluctant to give up the cub for human contact. All of the fuss makes me more and more appreciative of the space that our American zoos give to mother and cub to properly bond without unnecessary stress.
July 7th, 2009 at 5:13 am
OMG!!! I just heard that Hua Mei had a cub this morning!!! PLEASE GET US MORE NEWS. Did she have twins?
July 7th, 2009 at 5:16 am
Oh yes, and congratulations to grandma Bai Yun, uncle Mei Sheng and aunties Su Lin and ZZ. I’m sure stepdad Gao Gao is also proud of his “wife’s” new grandchild.
July 7th, 2009 at 6:49 am
Congratulations Hua Mei for giving birth to a single cub, the second cub in China this year! 7 cubs and she is not even 10 yet!!! Hope she earns her Hero Mother stripes soon!!
July 7th, 2009 at 8:19 am
Congratulations Hua Mei! Just read at pandasliveon that she had one baby yesterday. Way to go. She was the first Bifengxia panda to go into estrus and one of the first to have a baby. We are all proud Grandmothers again.
July 7th, 2009 at 9:49 am
Hurray for Hua Mei and panda-lovers everywhere!
Also, on Pandas Live on, there is a fabulous video of Daddy Yang Yang in Atlanta playing with his Weeble.
The video is from 2007 but certainly worth the watch! Another reason to help the Atlanta Pandas stay in the USA!
July 7th, 2009 at 10:02 am
Sunday was the 1st anniversery of Shi Shi’s death. what better way to be remembered then his daughter Hua Mei giving birth. His legacy lives on. Congratulations to all especially all the people who made it possible for us to have Hua Mei and her beautiful 7 babies. Bai your a beauitful Grandma
July 7th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Well done Hua Mei. Look forward to more news as it comes in.
July 7th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Congratulations to Hua Mei and grandparents Bai and Gao on another successful birth! And Mary #78: thank you for that news on Thailand, I am relieved to hear they are going to stop stressing the mother out and let her have her precious time to bond with her cub!
July 7th, 2009 at 11:00 am
Hua Mei!!!!! Can’t wait to see her cub. Good job, Girlie, again.
July 7th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
I am so envious of those who have seen the new Thai cub live on video. I have followed the advice from others on this blog and from the Pandas Live On site and have arrived at the zoo website where blogs and photos are posted. I cannot, however, get to the Thailand Zoo live panda cam. Can anyone provide more info? My husband and I plan a trip to Chengdu next May, but until then I can only watch the little ones from the computer and the few trips to the US panda cities from time to time each year. Thanks, in advance, for your always helpful advice.
July 7th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Denise #88 — someone gave me this address that works only with Internet Explorer.
zoo-thailand(dot)org(slash)panda(slash)livepanda(dot)php
The site comes up in Thai, but the picture should be there. There seems to be a lot of traffic on that server and I don’t think it is terribly robust, so please be patient. The web address does seem to change with the phases of the moon.
July 7th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Denise # 88 Lately I have used www(dot)zoothailand(dot)org(slash)panda(slash)livepanda(dot)php to watch Lin Hui and her cub, but tonight it gives me a “ready” but no video. It is similar to what we had with the Chiangmai Zoo website before we got the zoo Thailand address. I just checked the Chiangmai Zoo website but it doesn’t seem to exist anymore. I normally watch the Thai pandas late at night; perhaps the site is too busy now. I will check later.
July 7th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Being an “almost” SD native — Hua Mei was my first panda baby — and I remember being so excited going to the SD Zoo to see her, Bai Yun and Shi Shi. Congrats on Hua Mei’s newest cub!! I have tears of both joy about the new cubbie and a little sadness thinking about the 1 yr anniversary of Shi Shi’s passing. But, gosh — another new panda in the world — life goes on.
July 7th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Thanks, Mary (#89). It worked in Explorer but not in my default Firefox. I knew someone here would be able to help me and I appreciate it.
July 7th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
#88 Denise and #89 Mary – correction on the url for the Chiang Mai panda cam – there is no dash between zoo and thailand:
www(dot)zoothailand(dot)org(slash)panda(slash)livepanda(dot)php
Good luck, Denise. If this still won’t work for you, try the link on the left hand side of the pandasliveon site. It works for me all the time.
I am watching the Zoo Thailand pandacam right now. It is 11:20 am Wednesday July 8 there. The cub was alone in the enclosure; but soon there were as many as 6 people in blue gowns with her. They brought in a scale and jotted down notes. They seem to be checking her eyes – the update said that the cub’s left eye was now open but her right one is still shut. They sure handle that cub a lot. Now, they’re all posing for pictures! The poor thing must be wondering what all the hoopla is about – she was fast asleep when the crowd came in. Now they’ve put her back on the scale , picked her up, and finally put her down on the floor. She’s now wide awake and lifting her head. She’s starting to scoot around now, too. What a sweetie!!
July 7th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
Yay, Hua Mei!
Shi Shi’s line lives on, Bai’s a granny (though a young and foxy one at that) again, Zhennie, Mei Sheng and Su Lin are aunties and uncles again, the SDZ keepers and doctors and the Chinese keepers and doctors in Wolong and Chengdu are once again contributors to the perpetuation of the panda!
And we thank Gao Gao for his attentions to the lovely Bai and look forward to the arrival of his first grandcubs.
July 7th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
I know this has probably been answered somewhere along the way on this site. I have a question for the keepers: how many keepers and/or vets are on duty at night? One keeper for each animal exhibit and one vet for the whole park? Whenever I log on to the panda cam at night, it is always quiet and peaceful looking. It occurred to me tonight that most of the keepers are obviously at home in bed, and I wondered just how many people are there at night, on average.
Public Relations responds: Thank you for your interest in the animals at the San Diego Zoo. We do have staff on grounds at the Zoo at night. For security reasons, we do not give out details of our staffing.
July 8th, 2009 at 11:41 am
Thanks, PR, for your response. It didn’t occur to me that it was a security issue. Sorry. I was just wondering about what happens if a panda gets sick or has an accident in the middle of the night. There was no illicit intent….just curiosity.
July 8th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Offtopic, I know, but I was sooo excited to hear about the birth of the baby elephant in Memphis yesterday. Then to sadly learn that the little girl died today. According to the Memphis blog, the baby stumbled and the mother tried to help the little one back to her feet and accidently injured the baby with her tusk. Efforts to save her were unsuccessful. Such heartbreak after a long pregnancy and much anticipated birth. My heartfelt sympathy to all at the Memphis zoo and elephant lovers everywhere.
Moderator’s note: Our sympathy goes out to the Memphis Zoo staff and mother elephant, too.
July 8th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Yes, Moderator – thanks for the reminder. The mother elephant must be beside herself with grief. When reading the account on the blog, it made me realize how dangerous and difficult a keepers job can be at times. It must be one of the scariest things to have to try and separate a protective mother from an injured baby. Such a sad situation.