Denning Up
Posted at 9:33 am July 20, 2009 by Suzanne HallThe birthing den Bai Yun has used for all four of her cubs thus far is usually kept closed. Most of the time, it sits idle and bear-less, because offering a panda access to the den at the wrong time seems to ensure it will be used for the wrong reasons. In the past, if the den was opened beyond the time that Bai Yun needed it, or if alternate dens had been provided for her to choose from, she typically started using the space as a latrine.
Last week, as part of the normal progression of preparations for a potential panda birth, we opened the birthing den for Bai Yun. She now has access to it 24/7. On her first night, she visited the den, dragged some bamboo in, and began to make her nest. In days since, the nest has built up, and she has been seen resting inside. Most of the time, however, she can still be found resting in her adjacent rooms.
A few days before a birth, a pregnant female will begin to den up in earnest, spending considerable amounts of time inside her den. When awake, she will continue to work on her nest, dragging in bamboo and feeding inside, stripping culm and dropping fragments to the floor that will contribute to the substrate her cub will rest on. In the past, I have had a chance to examine Bai Yun’s nests, and I am always struck by the smell of it: even after weeks of living inside with a cub, the den smells fresh and earthy, fragrant with bamboo odor. Bai Yun certainly works hard at creating and maintaining her birthing space.
Our best estimates point to an early August birth, if Bai Yun is indeed pregnant. We continue to see positive signs both from her behavior and from ultrasounds that indicate this is probably a pregnancy, though we have not yet seen a fetus. Watch for signs from Bai Yun that her time is getting closer and see if you can predict her birthing window.
Suzanne Hall is a senior research technician for the San Diego Zoo’s Institute for Conservation Research.
Moderator’s note: We will be celebrating Su Lin and Zhen Zhen’s birthdays on Monday, August 3, with a big ice cake served in the morning and a smaller cake in the afternoon.
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July 20th, 2009 at 9:45 am
Thanks Suzanne, you realize that those are very possitive words from you. If anyone knows – it’s you. Ya hoo!
July 20th, 2009 at 9:52 am
SOOOO Exciting!! C’mon on Bai! We are pulling for you! What a great way to start the week!!
July 20th, 2009 at 9:58 am
I wondered the reason for the leafy floor of the den, since I see other panda cubs seemingly comfortable on a cement floor–I love that it provides a fresh leafy scent for the Mom and cub, a welcoming and comforting environment. Furthermore, since bamboo is, literally, a panda’s lifeline after weaning, how better for a cub to get to know the smell and feel of it early on. And your comment, Suzanne, about how hard Bai Yun works at creating and maintaining the birthing space, just reinforces our view of what a fantastic mother panda she is.
Since the blogs are coming fast and furious now, everyone please don’t miss P Wong’s latest conversation with Gao Gao a couple of blogs back.
July 20th, 2009 at 10:05 am
August 3
July 20th, 2009 at 10:06 am
Aug 8th is a good day for a special little panda.
July 20th, 2009 at 10:17 am
Thank you Suzanne ! Another exciting birth !! Will be on baby panda watch as always ! =)
July 20th, 2009 at 10:19 am
Woohoo…I saw Bai Yun in her den this morning!! Thank you for the encouraging news!
July 20th, 2009 at 10:19 am
My first trip to the Panda Cam this morning showed the den and I thought..oh boy, Bai has been decorating. I have very high hopes for twins, in this probably final year for her. Excitement reigns!!!!!
July 20th, 2009 at 10:28 am
Oh, my! Sleepless nights ahead…..how exciting! I’m praying for Bai and a new addition, or maybe two, but most of all a healthy outcome for all involved. The panda crew is most trustworthy in all aspects of things to come, and I know it will be in the best interest of all concerned. I’m looking at /about August 12th. Until we know for sure, I’ll keep watching, hoping, and praying!
July 20th, 2009 at 10:39 am
I looked in this morning and caught a glimpse of Bai in the birthing den. How exciting! I know we’ll all be watching with nervous anticipation over the next few weeks (much to the chagrin or our respective employers…)
July 20th, 2009 at 10:55 am
I am so looking forward to this. My first baby Panda was ZZ and she was already a few months old by the time I discovered the SDZ webcams. I know Bai will do us proud.
July 20th, 2009 at 10:58 am
Suzanne, YES!!! Thanks for the update. Made my day.
July 20th, 2009 at 11:14 am
OH BOY!!! i pick august 6th, and i’m betting on a boy:)
July 20th, 2009 at 11:27 am
I love,love,love this wonderful Mama panda. She makes us better people. Of course, I hope you see a fetus soon. I will pick Aug 4th which is Jeff Gordon’s birthday as well as my Doc’s. Blessings and prayers.
July 20th, 2009 at 11:52 am
This is so exciting!
Wishing the best of health for beloved Bai and any potential cub(s). If she gives birth, I hope the cub has her perfect panda ears and Gao’s sweet grin!
July 20th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
This is exciting news! I pick August 4 because it’s my birthday. As much as I want another cubbie, I just want Bai to be happy and healthy.
July 20th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
I agree with you, Claudia #14–she makes us better people.
For no apparent reason, I’m picking August 7.
July 20th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
The Panda Cam Time Lapse Video is only showing July 10, 2009 on my computer. I was just wondering if something was wrong with my computer or is everyone getting July 10, 2009. I sure would like to see more of Su Line and Zhen Zhen. I saw Mei Lan of AZ a few days ago, and she was really playing with a ball. I wish I could see Zhen Zhen playing like that. She was so playful at one time and now all I ever see her do is eat and sleep. I would think that a baby cub would be full of energy and be curious about her surrondings. That is why I love Su Line so much.
Moderator’s note: We have not had time to fix the time lapse feature, but it’s on our To Do list.
July 20th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Haven’t seen Bai in her den yet, but I’ll keep watching. I’m going with August 8 and a boy. I missed Mei Sheng completely and would love to see his baby brother. That would even up the score and give Gao two of each!
I kinda thought things were going well. Over the weekend I kept seeing Bai sleeping in her bedroom on Cam C-11. She’s staying close to the den.
Here’s a keeper question: if it’s twins, how would the Zoo handle that? Would they swap the babies from time to time, with one in an incubator, as normally a panda mom can only take care of one?
July 20th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Wonderful news, bummed I missed seeing Bai in the den. Thanks for the updates, happy news!!
July 20th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
That is such great news to hear! Thank you, Suzanne for the update. I am excited for Bai Yun! Hope she has twins!
July 20th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Seeing the bamboo in the den this morning made my day!!! Thanks, Suzanne for the newest update
You totally tickled me because my mother always ‘hopes’ babies have perfect ears 
Susan (UK) # 11: You are simply going to LOVE seeing Bai and baby(s) in the den! She is such a gentle, loving Momma bear!
I picked August 10th in the last blog; however, seeing the den being decorated makes me think that my date pick will be incorrect. Sooner! Sooner!!
To Melissa # 15: Perfect ears and perfect grin
July 20th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Suzanne,
Thank you for the update! I hope the process is comfortable for Bai and she will be healthy and have a healthy delivery (if she is pregnant). I’m going with August 5th.
With only 11 days remaining in July, when do you anticipate 24 hour birth watch may begin? Thanks for all you do and keeping us updated.
July 20th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
I am curious why the zoo thinks it will be an early August birth. Her cubs are usually born at the end of August or beginning of September. What’s different in the schedule this year?
Moderator’s note: Hua Mei was born August 21, 1999; Mei Sheng was born August 19, 2003; Su Lin on August 2, 2005; Zhen Zhen on August 3, 2007.
July 20th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Karen #24, I would imagine SDZ is basing early August on Bai Yun’s behavior, hormones, etc, not on past history of dates so much.
So much excitement! Hopefully impending birth AND 2 birthdays to celebrate! Pandamaniac ecstasy to be sure…. the only thing that would make it better would be cub(s)!! I think I’m going to have to put in a change of address – I’m now glued to SDZ panda cam/panda blogs (thank you, thank you SDZ for hosting the blogs, answering all of our many questions and keeping us up to date!)
July 20th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Echoing (and thanking) Frances in NYC #3 for the heads up – you all simply must go back 2 blogs and catch the latest conversation from P. Wong! One of the very best, in my opinion!
July 20th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Susan UK– Did you see the bamboo this morning (here time) in the VERY den we all peeked in a year ago?? You will really love the process from the start if we are all so blessed by Bai, as someone else wrote to you, SO bonding like a virtual pet…Meet you and family at SDZ again next year for breakfast and special visiting of bears when s/he/they is/are almost a year old? that was just about the highlight of my life, hoping the chance comes again !! I am betting close to the 2 girls’ bday again early Aug. Go Bai!!
July 20th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Dear SDZ:
I have been a faithful pandacam watcher since Hua Mei’s time. But have not written any comments. Actually I do have a question for the keepers.
We will all be extremely delighted if Bai Yun has twins this time. But taking care of twin cubs will be different from taking care of one. I like to know if SDZ has always prepared and/or practiced for helping Bai Yun just in case she has twins? I heard about the Chinese “swapping baby” approach, and I think in the Japanese zoo, they let the mother keep both babies, and the keepers hand-feed the mother. I wonder which method SDZ will use? Do you have all the supplies needed for twin cubs?
Thanks.
July 20th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Put me in for a boy on August 1. How about the person who picks the day of or closest to the day of birth making a small contribution to SDZ for the cub. I’d sure be glad to chip in. Legs, arms, toes, fingers, pseudo-thumbs and eyes crossed for a blessed event in the near future.
July 20th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
KT #28,
We always prepare for the possibility of twins. We have a research protocol we are waiting to use with twins. Every birthing year we set up a nursery spot for a potential baby panda. We have nursery staff who have trained in China and have hand-raised bear cubs of other species that are standing by. We have everything we need to care for twins… except for the twin cub itself!
How we handle potential twins will depend, as always, on Bai Yun. If both cubs are healthy and Bai is willing to allow swapping, that would be the optimum situation (assuming she doesn’t try to rear both). But if one cub is very weak, it may need more medical intervention. Or Bai Yun may be too defensive of her nest and cub to allow us to intervene much with what she is doing inside the den.
We have lots of trained, ready staff, but the interplay of their skill, Bai Yun’s behavior, and the infant’s medical situation makes it impossible for us to tell you exactly how this would play out if twins are born. Rest assured we would be making decisions about how to proceed based on all available evidence.
July 20th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
P.Wong # 68 – (reading the Tea Leaves) – you are simply the best, thank you for your excellent conversation with your close friend Gao Gao – he certainly has what it takes!
It is wonderful to see Bai has commenced making her nest, I expect as usual in the early stages it will become an enormous mound of bamboo and other. I note the new cam no., – was it C13 previously? or maybe I have been a pandaholic for too many years!
Bai has been chilling out on her bedroom floor (C11) every picture tells a story and reminds us of her previous births – if she is pregnant I think she will opt for early August….
July 20th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Suzanne,
What great and wonderful news!! Oh, I’ll never get anything done now!
I do have a couple of questions, though. We’ve all been saying that this may be Bai’s last pregnancy because of her age. So, I’ve been wondering how we will know that, indeed, this will be Bai’s last time to bring a new panda into the world? Are there tests? Signs from Bai herself? or is it as simple as Bai just not going into estrus anymore? Just curious!!
July 20th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
pandafan #32,
Only time will tell. There are no tests to make this determination. We just have to wait and see if Bai Yun has another fertile estrus in 2011…
July 20th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
OK, I’ve averaged all the dates her previous cubs were born — so we’re looking at the 10th or the 11th. How scientific am I?!! I don’t care what the date is, as long as everyone is healthy. I just love that girl. I mean, lady. And Claudia, #14, and everyone else, she does make us all better people. I believe our animals make us better, more compassionate, loving people. Especially, our pandas.
July 20th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Suzanne #33 – WOOOOHOOOOOO! I’m going to read an awful lot into the ‘2011′ part of your response… (and hope like all heck!)… if Bai did NOT have a cub this year, I would think we would be talking a 2010 estrus… here’s hoping my wild extrapolation of 2011 is yet another VERY positive sign of a cub in 2009! (can y’all tell where I’m spending all my time?!!)
July 20th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
I’m on pins and needles. Was watching her walking around and peering into the den the other day. Just seeing that it was open again made my heart skip a beat. I’ll keep tuned in for sure.
July 20th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
I bet August 6 just because it is our anniversary!
July 20th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Wow it’s just about that time again like everyone I hope we are bless with a new cub. It doesn’t matter if it’s a boy or girl just as long as it’s healthly and everything goes well for Bai Yun.
My computer is down right now and I have to use my husbands so I don’t get to see my pandas very much, so I’m missing a lot I hope to have it back up and running in a couple days.
July 20th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
I think a possible birth would be on August 5th and the cub will be a healthy bouncing baby boy.
July 20th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Oh Suzanne – what super news
– how can we all stand the wait.:) As Bai has given birth earlier each year I pick Aug 1.:)
PWong can you have someone explain the birds & the bees to Gao & what happens when he “mates” with his lovely Bai – 3 cubs (maybe 4) & he has no clue why or how – he needs a sex education class.:) On the other hand he can give the class as the only natural mater in the US.
And I watched a “Panda is Born” again – it never gets old to see a baby panda growing up.
July 20th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
#22 Bobbie…I love Bai’s ears. I think they are the embodiment of perfect panda ears. They are so round and are perfectly positioned and proportioned on Bai’s lovely round head.
#29 Mary…I also picked August 1 in my comments a couple of blog topics ago.
I’m dying to know if Bai is showing signs of mammary development, as mentioned in a recent topic, but I don’t want to be too nosey!
I feel a little tingly about the possibility of watching a protocol for twins play out, if Bai should bring two new cubs into the world. What a privilege to see science at work. Thanks for letting us be a part of it, and for keeping us up to speed!
By the way, does Gao have his stash of bamboo cigars at the ready?
July 20th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
I forgot to mention…It’s National Zoo Keeper Week through July 25! I wish a great week to all of the giant panda keepers who take such good care of the SDZ panda family. Many thanks for all the hard work that you do, day-in and day-out. You are heroes in my eyes! I’ll bet everyone who posts here will join me in giving you a cyber standing ovation!
July 20th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
I learned a few days ago that Hua Mei had another cub. We returned from a trip to China on June 12. We were adopting another daughter from China. Before we got our daughter, we visited the Sichuan Provence. While there, we volunteered for the day at Bifengxia. Much to my surprise, one of the pandas that we helped take care of that day was Hua Mei. We were able to get very close to her. We even fed her. She was doing well. The staff at the reserve told us that Hua Mei could be pregnant. I was over joyed when I learned that she had indeed had a cub. I feel SO blessed to have had the opportunity to be SO close to an animal that I love SO much. It was an awesome experience and a dream come true. If you ever get the opportunity, I would highly recommend it.
July 20th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Suzanne, thank you for your blog. I woke up this morning (5am PT) and saw that Bai has been busy in her den. I get so excited for the possibility of a new baby panda. I hope she has a boy this time but will be delighted if she just has a healthy cub no matter the gender. I would love to see her have twins. I hope she will be able to rear both if she has twins but I’m very relieved that SDZ and Bifengxia has a contingency plan in place. I think it would be wonderful if Bai is the first panda mom to have a twins in the U.S. I can just see her in a year with two cubs running after her!
When will a 24 hour birth watch begin?
July 20th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
Such exciting times! I have about 3,454 pictures or postcards that I sent to myself, starting about 2 weeks before Bai Yun gave birth to Zhen Zhen, and up to her weaning. Hopefully the wonderful adventure, part 5, begins again…………
July 21st, 2009 at 12:53 am
Thank you for the update on the pandas.
On a diffrent panda note, the last few times I have visited the zoo, I noticed on Zhen zhen’s panda update sign, it said that the pronounciation was jen jen, whereas the zoo news I recieved about Zhen zhen recieving her name said it was pronounced jun jun. “Rhymes with fun fun.”
July 21st, 2009 at 3:32 am
I am predicting a son (or two) born on August 2nd. I will be watching with all my fingers crossed. I just hope mother and baby are fine.
Mei Sheng needs a little brother!!
July 21st, 2009 at 5:46 am
Michelle# 4 I’m with you Aug 3rd and I say boy. If I caculate right the cubs 100th and it’s naming day will be the week that I am planning to be in San Diego and at the zoo.
July 21st, 2009 at 5:52 am
Im going August 12th because its my friends birthday. and i really want twins. really bad. one of each for what might be Bai’s last year.
July 21st, 2009 at 7:31 am
Thanks for the update Suzanne, I too am hoping for the 4th, as that’s my birthday too, what a great birthday gift that would be, for all of us born on that day. But, the main thing is a healthy cub, and Mother. We are all waiting.
Good luck Bai.
July 21st, 2009 at 8:08 am
I was able to get some computer time this morning and the visitors at the AZ had a great morning. In the dayroom with the hammock big sis Mei Lan was having a ball jumping, rolling, bouncing, climbing and playing with her food. In the other room little brother Xi Lan and mom Lun Lun were having some good play bouts so there was something going on for everyone.
July 21st, 2009 at 8:16 am
I just read on the Chiang Mai panda cam site that the baby has her eyes open. Now she will be able to see mom and also it will probably encourage her more in trying to get to her. I have seen her move in circles and the next step will be the swimming crawl (as I like to call it). They get where they want eventually but just by a very zig zag route.
July 21st, 2009 at 8:22 am
We are so happy that all things are going well! My daughter is practically addicted to all things panda.
I am hoping for August 5th…our 20th wedding anniversary!
July 21st, 2009 at 8:39 am
too bad bai can’t just pee on a stick and have the reader say “pregnant”.
July 21st, 2009 at 9:16 am
Melissa #41,
As of this morning, Bai Yun has had no mammary development of note and very little vulvar swelling.
July 21st, 2009 at 9:35 am
I just hope the baby isn’t born on August 2, August 3, August 19 or August 21 as these are very special dates for those beautiful cubs of Bai Yun.
July 21st, 2009 at 9:59 am
#27 Marti in OR, I am certainly very seriously wanting to come over next year, breakfast or not! In fact I’m so eager I’ve been searching for hotels within half-a-mile or so of the Zoo. Hopefully there will be baby Polar Bears too. Oh joy… (And this time I want to stay for 3-4 weeks.) I’m guessing August 5th.
July 21st, 2009 at 10:27 am
I agree with you Suzanne (the other one) #26–one of the very best P Wong conversations with Gao Gao ever.
And while we’re all a-tizzy imagining possibilities for the next two or three or four weeks, Bai Yun looks beautiful, relaxed, and serene (like Hua Mei did not so long ago) resting on her outdoor platform.
Thanks for the continual updates, Suzanne. It really makes us feel like part of the process.
July 21st, 2009 at 10:45 am
Im glad to hear that they are getting everything in order for a birth from Bai Yun , Today right now which is 10:40 am western time she is resting in the back with her head hanging off the self she is on. It looks really cute
July 21st, 2009 at 11:03 am
@#46 – Zach, I recently went to China and spoke with a couple of coworkers of my brother-in-law from Beijing and Chengdu and a topic of discussion was the different dialects in each province. According to natives, both pronunciations are correct. The gentleman from Beijing said Zhen Zhen was pronounced “jun jun” like fun fun and the lady from Chengdu said they pronounce it “jen jen”. I like to think of our little Zhen named after a Chinese version of the English “Jenny” so I call her Zhennie. “Junny” as in funny doesn’t sound attractive!
July 21st, 2009 at 11:06 am
I’ve just found this fantastic site and ‘Pandacam’. I live in England and we don’t have any Pandas. They’re my absolute favourite animal. I will be checking every night (our time) to see what’s happening.
I’ve never seen a Panda in real life, but hopefully sometime in the next couple of years my other half will bring me to San Diego Zoo, just to see the Pandas. How fabulous it would be if I could see one in real life that I’d seen from being born.
Keep up the good work, I’m tuning in from the other side of the world!!!
Moderator’s note: Welcome, Sam!
July 21st, 2009 at 11:33 am
Thank you, Suzanne #55, for addressing my curiosity. That will be a matter of time, I hope!
I keep thinking about Bai’s last pregnancy lasting just 101 days, if my counting is correct. It makes me wonder if a July birth might be possible next week. Isn’t wondering about possible panda pregnancies a lot more fun than fantasy football?
July 21st, 2009 at 11:53 am
Melissa #62, my thoughts exactly. 100 days is July 24th and that leaves alot of July available for a birth but I guess the staff knows more about when Bai starts slowing down and how long after that a baby is usually born.
I personally as just trying to shorten the process up as I am a little short on patience.
July 21st, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Sam, #61, welcome. Boy, you don’t know what you in for with this site. We are all pandaholics, and many of us tune into the cams all day long. At least a peek. There’s a great website, pandasliveondotcom, which as links to lots of fun stuff — news about pandas around the world.
But trust me (us), SDZ is by FAR the best panda site. We all marvel at their kindness, time, and patience they show to all of us pandaholics.
July 21st, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Hi Sam #61 and welcome. You must go and see everything, as well as the Pandas. It’s the best Zoo I’ve ever visited.
My husband is going for August 31, daughter for August 22.
#60 Kristi, I automatically say Jen Jen, it rolls off the tongue nicely.
July 21st, 2009 at 12:38 pm
HI GUYS……..I KINDA FEEL THAT THESE CUBS WIL BE BORN AROUND THE MIDDLE OF AUGUST…OUR JOB IS TO JUST BE PATIENT….I’M SOOOOOO EXCITED….WE CAN ONCE AGAIN BE ON BABY WATCH……
July 21st, 2009 at 1:34 pm
It’s 4:30 EDT and Madame Bai is on Camera 11 showing her shaved belly. The waiting is the worst part. Best of luck, M-Bai.
July 21st, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Welcome #61 Sam to our blog and the SDZ panda cam. If you love pandas there are three other panda cams in the US one at the National Zoo in Washington DC., the Atlanta Zoo, and the Memphis Zoo. Just type in their names in a search space like google. But this one is the only one with a blog so we can talk about all the other zoos pandas too, so enjoy.
July 21st, 2009 at 2:44 pm
P. Wong — your conversation with Gao Gao was priceless. For a creature who has no clue as to what he helped create, he has certainly hit the jackpot! What a stud!!!
Welcome Sam from the UK — you’re in great company with a bunch of panda nuts. Some of us have been around watching SDZ pandas since Hua Mei was a teeny tiny little girl. If you take a look at the thread “What’s New in Panda Land”, entry #44, I have the URL for a selection of pictures I took on my recent trip to see Hua Mei in China.
Bai Yun looks as serene as Hua Mei did when I saw her. Kind of spaced out, but aglow. Lovely.
To the keepers, interpreters, narrators and all the staff at SDZ, a very Happy Zookeepers’ Week. You all deserve every kudo you get and more. Thanks for all of your care of the animals and generosity with us. We really appreciate it.
July 21st, 2009 at 4:00 pm
To all our Panda Cam watchers:
We will be making some equipment upgrades to our camera system tomorrow (Wednesday), and possibly on Thursday morning. There will be some periods of time during which there will be no Panda Cam. Once the installation is complete there will be Panda Cam once again. Please be patient with us as we improve our AV system!
July 21st, 2009 at 4:19 pm
P. Wong, I use to know a guy just like Gao. LOL. You are the best. Thank you.
Off our precious Bai for a second, has anyone watched the Chengdu cams? When I’ve been fortunate enough to actually connect, I have been completely enchanted. The toddlers are soooo, soooo cute. And what beautiful scenery.
July 21st, 2009 at 5:37 pm
#61 Sam -welcome – all pandaholics here.:)
Have a comment about Bai & her birthing den – remember how she dragged Miss Z to sleep under the stars at a VERY young age. None of the staff could figure out her reason – but after her den was thoroughly cleaned she seemed content to use it again
Thanks to all the zoo staff for all you do.:)
July 21st, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Hmm possible early August birth. I will predict my birthday on August 5, 2009. Bai Yun you are the greatest.
July 21st, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Great job to all the zookeepers here at the SDZ I think everyday is National Zookeepers Day as all of you do a wonderful job all the time.
Has anyone been on the site at the NZ and went to the Black Footed Ferrets cam. Cyan has 6 baby kits they are so adorable just more babies to watch.
July 21st, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Gosh — you leave the country for a week — and what happens — Bai starts haning out in her birthing den!! Incredible news — I puddle up reading all the messages — I can hardly wait for August to begin and the real waiting to start. Twins or not — I’ll just be happy for one squirming healthy cub and a happy Bai. Wow — I’m just so excited!
Moderator’s note: Welcome back, Cheryl!
July 21st, 2009 at 6:52 pm
#61 Sam – welcome to the world of the addicted – to giant pandas, I mean! I’m sure you will find it hard to tear yourself away from your computer once you get into the panda watching groove.
In addition to all the great advice you have received here from your fellow panda lovers, you should also know about youtube(dot)com. It has hours of video clips from the various zoos and the panda breeding centers in China – all you have to do is search with the word ‘panda’ then add the location like ‘panda san diego’ and it will bring up all the videos available of the pandas at SDZ. Happy panda watching, Sam! It’s a balm for the soul, at least to me (my husband thinks I’m crazy!! he just doesn’t get it!)
July 22nd, 2009 at 6:46 am
And Sam, while we are on the subject of YouTube, check out LCNessie and Puddytat1949. They both have really neat videos up there.
July 22nd, 2009 at 12:52 pm
WOO HOO! I can’t wait! This will be the first baby (panda) process I have ever seen! Will you be able to do an ultrasound and figure out if she is going to have twins?(Zhen Zhen’s little brother or sister!)
July 22nd, 2009 at 3:48 pm
August 3rd! Can Zhenny please celebrate her b-day with her big sis, Su Lin? That would really be a birthday present for them both!! Zhenny, you’re still the baby!!! mooo ahh! xox
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:41 pm
#70-Suzanne: OMG! You said “AV” system. As in “AUDIO-VISUAL”? That news is almost as great as the news of Bai’s positive signs for pregnancy. We will be able to hear the sounds of SDZ’s panda land? And hear the little one when it’s born? Woo-Hoo!!
I echo all the sentiments of Bai Yun having a strong, healthy baby. It really doesn’t matter to me if it’s a boy or a girl. (But a little Gao, Jr. would be great.
) I also hope it has Bai’s beautiful round face and beautiful ears. August 13 is a special day for me, so I’ll shoot for that date. Longer gestation could bring 2 little ones?
Welcome, #61 Sam Kaufmann, to our crazy, wonderful world of pandaholics. We breathe, sleep, eat and drink pandas, and it is so easy to go anywhere in the world (via the web) to see these wonderful, beautiful creatures.
To all the SDZ staff: Happy Zookeepers Week. You all rock……big time!
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:58 am
Dianne #80,
Sorry, we are not anticipating that audio will be linked to Panda Cam at this time. For an explanation as to why, see this post from 2005: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/pandacam-audio/
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:06 pm
my eyes become teary when i anticipate another panda birth or two.
august third, twin boys!
such anticipation, and imagine the celebration.
hoping….
joan
painted post, n.y.
July 24th, 2009 at 11:16 am
Thanks for the explanation, Suzanne, and I did read the 2005 post. I totally understand the email, time-lapse,and postcard technicalities, and we are all extremely grateful for those. As for the plug-ins, I would offer that we all have those anyway. I just got SO excited at the thought of being able to hear baby sounds, etc.
All that said, we all love your web site, and will always continue to watch, audio or not. Thank you for all you do. I’ll keep this in mind: in cyberspace, if it’s not possible right now, just wait a few months!
July 28th, 2009 at 7:10 am
Sam #61
Welcome to us Pandaholics lol.
My first panda baby was Zhen Zhen, she was about 3 hours old when i first saw her. It was amazing seeing her grow and develop. I even voted on her name and Zhen Zhen was my choice.
Mei Sheng is the panda i first fell in love with though, he was one really beautiful bear. It broke my heart to see him go back to China, but i’m lucky in that one of my friends has been to see him and has shared her photos on flickr. He is amazing, and might become a daddy himself this year!
Happy viewing!
My estimation for a new baby is 8th August or 11th August not sure on which sex though
)