Lazy Panda Days of Summer
Posted at 4:43 pm July 27, 2009 by Anastasia HorningCurrently, Bai Yun is still under close observation for any further signs of pregnancy. Female pandas will typically come in to their estrus around the same time of year, and gestation can take anywhere from three to six months. With Bai Yun, so far all of her offspring have been born after a four-month gestation.
Gao Gao is doing extremely well. Currently, he is off exhibit and enjoying his quiet time in the back exhibit areas and in his air-conditioned bedrooms that he has access to. The bears off exhibit have the same schedule as the bears on exhibit; they get fed about the same time and have access to the rooms about the same time as well. They even have about the same amount of space, but do love having that space with a little more privacy. He will be back on exhibit in a few weeks. We, of course, wanted our Su Lin to be on exhibit for her up-coming birthday (August 2), which we plan to celebrate with ice cakes on August 3.
Su Lin has been adjusting to the warmth that we get during midday by resting more during the heat of the day and then and showing off a little more in the evening. If you’re watching Panda Cam or come to see her in person and you can’t find her, odds are that she is in her corner along the front of the exhibit cooling off. Here at the Zoo, we make sure that they are as comfortable as possible in all weather conditions, so for higher temperatures we have misters along with the little pond area where they can splash water on themselves. And if that’s not enough, each panda has his or her own air-conditioned bedroom if they decide to use them!
Zhen Zhen is our napper for the time being. She is currently 108 pounds and still growing. Most of her day is spent napping and snacking, and occasionally we will see a little burst of energy in the evening when it has cooled down a little more. Recently, she has taken to showing off her back while she eats in the evening, very much like her mother, but we ask for your understanding in this matter. Once she has found the really comfortable position, she’s not likely to move around too much.
Hope to see you soon at our exhibit!
Anastasia Horning is a panda narrator at the San Diego Zoo.
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July 27th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Thanks, Anastasia, for helping us keep up with our special bears on these “dog days” of summer. I cannot imagine their level of discomfort during the heat of the day, with such a heavy coat of fur. Is it still status-quo with Bai Yun and ultrasound?
July 27th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Thanks for the new update, Anastasia! Looks like all 4 pandas are doing their own thing right now. I thought that was Su Lin in that corner of her yard when I saw her on the cam a couple of days ago! Couldn’t read the tiny letters on the cam screen, so I kind of guessed! Thanks for confirming that for me! I didn’t get the chance to check the AZ pandacam earlier today because I was doing a lot of stuff around my place. So, I’ll get on the AZ pandacam tomorrow. I know what some of you mean about the panda kids growing up like weeds! Even Xi Lan is starting to get a little bit too big for that top log in the dayroom at AZ. He lays down on it to take a nap, and it looks like that he’s about ready to slide off of the thing since he’s gotten a little bit wider! He manages to stay on there, tho!
Speaking of panda birthdays, Tai just had his 4th birthday on July 9. Su Lin will be 4 on Aug. 2, Mei Lan will be 3 in September, ZZ will be 2 in September, and Xi Lan will be one in late August (I think). A lot of panda birthdays coming up for the younger kids!
Gonna go for now. Will be back later!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
July 27th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
I went back 2 years and tried to count how many days Bai Yun carried Zhen Zhen until she gave birth. To my estimation, she mated on the 24-25 of April, 2007, which means she carried Miss ZZ 101 days until giving birth. Now this time, as of today, 7/27/09, if she is indeed pregnant, she is on her 103rd day of pregnancy. Looking back at the 2007 blogs, they announced being able to see a baby on July 31, 2007. Three days later, Miss Fluffy Butt was born. If Mom is expecting, it seems they might be able to see it on ultrasound by now. Math is not my strong suit, so I hope I counted correctly. If she is indeed on her 103rd day, she is pregnant longer this time than last time. Hopefully they should see something soon on an ultrasound if they haven’t done so already. I am thankful that it is so much easier to tell if humans are pregnant. I just found out that I am having a great grandson in November! The first little boy in our family in over 60 years! Now if it was only so easy for Panda’s!
Moderator’s note: Congratulations on the pending arrival of a first great-grandson, Widget!
July 27th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Hi everyone! I’m breaking my lurk mode to share this: the website perfectpandas has a recipe for panda bread…and it is sooooo cute!
Yay Bai Yun! Go, mama, go! If she has a cub I will bake a celebratory loaf!
July 28th, 2009 at 1:46 am
lol all i have in my room is a fan ..lucky pandas! thanks so much for the update since I don’t live there its really nice to read about them..I have to admit I only read blogs from SDZ
July 28th, 2009 at 8:13 am
Fingers are crossed for a healthy Bai and cubbie (or 2)! Is grandma Bai showing any different behaviors with this possible pregnancy than in the past? I’m curious how an older panda lady does with the changes, and in rearing a cub. If she indeed is pregnant, it will be interesting to watch. As usual, my Gao will take it all in stride! Su Lin remains the adorable little beauty and I think she has the cutest little face. Ms. Zhen is growing into quite the beauty, too and to me (via the cam anyway) resembles her older sibling. I love how she likes her privacy sometimes when chowing down. Such a little lady. Thanks for the continued update and I hope the keepers enjoyed keeper week!
July 28th, 2009 at 10:21 am
Thanks, Anastassia!
My little Zhen Zhen is 108 lbs! Yesterday morning early (6:45 am PT), I caught her motoring around in her yard, climbing up the three stumps and walking the logs and circling all around, much as she and Bai Yun used to do every morning, looking around, seeing if there was anything new, before settling down in the tree for a morning nap. At the time, I always imagined her following Mom and trying to keep up with her, asking, “Why do we do this every morning, Mom?” and Bai Yun saying, “It’s good for you, and you might find a treat you missed yesterday!”
Bai Yun looks to be deep in peaceful sleep in her bedroom. Shhhhhh!
July 28th, 2009 at 10:25 am
Anastasia, you made me smile. Seriously. Many thanks!
July 28th, 2009 at 11:10 am
I’m watching Bai Yun at 11:06 a.m.
She looks to me like she’s in an “I’m uncomfortable but need to sleep” position.
I’ve chosen Aug 1st (Canadian Civic holiday) for a possible birth and would love either a boy or girl.
Go Bai!!
July 28th, 2009 at 11:20 am
Hi! Just got off the AZ pandacam, and they had a very good closeup of Xman on the top logs taking a nice nap. He’s gotten a little bigger because he now weighs 22 kg.=48 pounds! You can see how wide he’s gotten laying down on the logs! Still fuzzy, too! Also saw Bai Yun in her indoor bedroom hunched over taking a nap, too! Nice closeup of her, too! She looks so cool and calm while she’s napping. Well, gonna go and get some more laundry done. Will get back on the pandacams in a little while.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
July 28th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Widget # 3:
I also went back to July of 2007 to see when the blog was written about the baby panda sighting. I didn’t count days tho; therefore thank you for doing the math 
I’m keeping fingers crossed 
Amandap# 4: Thank you for the tip about the panda bread. I will attempt to access the site because it is always grand fun to have new projects for my Grandchildren
To the camera staff: Thank You so much for the changes you have made in the camera clarity!!!
July 28th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
It was exciting to check out panda cam today, only to see Bai Yun in the den. I’m hoping for a boy !
July 28th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Widget #3, thanks for the analysis! Because you never know when panda fetuses implant, I would guess that the 101 to 103+ days timeframe might not mean that much. However, if they didn’t see Mizz ZZ on the ultrasound until only three days before her birth, that gives me renewed hope.
I was going to change my prediction of Aug 8, but I’m sticking with it now.
Rest well, Lady Bai!
July 28th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
And now Bai is in the den having an afternoon snack!
July 28th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
I really don’t think the 101-103 days tell us much either. I was really hoping that by now the Vet staff might be able to see something with ultrasound. I also wanted to see how long between sighting the fetus and when birth actually happened. But we all know that she could carry a fetus longer because we have no idea when or if it actually implanted. We do know that August is a very popular birth month for Bai Yun. It could happen any time now if she is indeed pregnant.
July 28th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Thank you Anastasia, for your information, I am so waiting for Bai Yun to have a cute little one, I wish all zoos could be as fantastic as San Diego. I am looking at pandas today at 6pm eastern time zone and I am looking at the den for the first time. I am confused at what I see, to me it looks like a cage tunnel with hanging straw or papers all over, and I do not see Bai Yun in there any where, unless she is covered with the papers. I saw AZ panda give birth and she did in a box with little hay and you coulld see the baby drop and hear that scream and the mom jump, was funny. Will we be able to see and hear too, if Bai has a new baby, thanks.
July 28th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Thanks for the update, we always look forward to them. I have a gut feeling she is preggers with Mei Shan in NZ I had a feeling she was not again going to have a cub but I hope so next year. Well I am on another Panda adventure girls and guys this time to National Zoo to see the gang. Zhen Zhens future husband Tai Shan he he….or maybe Su Lins….I have a plan to see as many Pandas as I can. I always wonder why SD does not give the pandas fruitsicles like they do at NZ even with Atlanta since donating to the ice machine I would have thought to cool them down it would be good for the pandas. I guess they all have different ways to cool them down. I think its unfair that they only get them on their bday….we should celebrate and get the SD to give their pandas more fruitsicles…lol Okay take care everyone its a heatwave here in van, bc off to have another popsicle….:)
July 28th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
The picture clarity is wonderful, but SOMETHING definitely needs to be done about the microscopic numbers showing which cam is on. It somewhat defeats the purpose of the legend.
Keepers~ You’re the best! Love you guys to death for ALL you do…..both for the precious animals and for us, the viewers! Kudos to each and everyone of you!
July 28th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Betsy #16–I don’t know if SDZ will show a birth live–I came in a bit after the birth of Miss ZZ–but there is a video of it, in which the doctors all remark that it was the quietest panda birth ever. Credit experienced Mom, I guess.
What you were seeing was a shot of the birthing den from above. The floor has some bamboo leaves and twigs that Bai Yun has brought in. At the top of the picture, you were seeing a door that opens into a room in which keepers and vets can watch (there’s a window)–I think–and there’s a smaller opening for a camera from that angle. The really bright patch on the upper right was from sunlight coming through the ceiling (I think) of the room next to the den, which I know as Bai’s bedroom.
I’m sure it all would have made sense if you had seen Bai in the den.
Chari #2–ZZ’s birthday is August 3.
July 28th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Anyone that has watched “A Panda is Born” on Animal Planet or has the video knows how frustrating it is for the panda staff – is she or isn’t she pregnant??? Even with an ultrasound it is often impossible to see a fetus -SDZ seems to have some luck with their ultrasounds but with other zoos it’s a guessing game.
July 28th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
It is great that each panda has their own AC…I would think that the heat index combined with their fur would be super uncomfortable..I would really like to hear that Bai Yun is preg again,she is (like all panda moms) a great mom and love watching the interactions with her.. on a separate note,, i would like to see our 2 beauties (Su Lin and ZZ) enjoy their birthday treats,however i am having some troubles getting in on the cam, if anyone has any suggestions that would be great… My husband told me we have been to the sdz before, but i dont recall..I would love to go again!!!
July 28th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
#18 Carol: According to earlier posts and answers to that very question; we’re sacrificing legible cam #’s for picture clarity, which is preferable for me. Actually, if I get up close to the screen and use my bifocals, I can read it fairly well!
What I REALLY wish for is someone to do a rain dance for us down here in Central Texas! Florida and Northeast, send us some of your rain!
July 28th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
Well, since alot of you are kind of predicting if and when Bai will have a baby panda, I just counted her days since her mating with Gao, and she’s at 105 days as of today, July 29. So, I am going to make a prediction of a possible birth between Aug. 1-8, 2009. Now, if I’m wrong on this, I’ll be kicking myself in the rear end! Eventually, Bai will let us know one way or the other as to if and when she’ll have that baby! I’m looking for another baby boy myself! The pandas need another good, strong, genetically diverse young male panda to keep things going! Keep your fingers crossed and do a lot of praying, you all!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
July 29th, 2009 at 7:54 am
Bai looks very pensive this morning in her bedroom. Wonder what she’s thinking?
Xi Lan has some type of enrichment ball-with-branches toy this morning. He’s checking it out…….
I SAW A PANDA KINDA MOVE AT THE MEMPHIS ZOO……….I think this is a first for me.
July 29th, 2009 at 8:20 am
I was just checking in this morning and Ms. Bai was all laid out on her shelve I’m hoping she thinking about when her cub will show up. LOL
#2 Chari Mr. Xman will be a year old on August 30th. He was busy to this morning checking out a enrichment with bamboo in it he is becoming a big boy.
Has anyone check out pandasliveon site in the past day they have some really cute pictures of the Thailand new cub’s second month birthday the cake is adorable.
July 29th, 2009 at 9:31 am
Yes, #22 Diane…I saw both posts, current and 2005. I’m very much aware of the trade off, but wishing and hoping is okay. Even up close, depending on the lighting, it sometimes is hard to distinguish between some of the numbers.
July 29th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Carol #26 and others who are having trouble reading the numbers: if you use Safari, add the “Zoom” feature to your toolbar (under View/Customize toolbar). If you use Firefox, there’s an add-on called QuickPageZoom that will put little plus and minus signs at the bottom of your screen. Both will allow you to zoom one-handed, which might be some improvement in convenience, at least. IE probably has a similar feature.
July 29th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Thanks for the info Anastasia. Of course, the reason for the ice cakes on August 3 is because that is Zhen Zhen’s birthday.