Pandas and Autumn Weather
Posted at 11:30 am November 4, 2009 by Anastasia Horning
Zhen Zhen digs in.
Zhen Zhen and Su Lin have both been spending a lot of their day eating as much bamboo as they can and napping up in the tree. It never ceases to amaze me that when it’s cold and windy they love going up in the trees or their climbing structures. Yesterday, as I came into the viewing area I was surprised to see Su Lin at the very top of her climbing structure, sound asleep, and Zhen Zhen asleep in the tree. We did have a warmer morning than planned, but as the sun started going down, the Panda Canyon cooled quickly. Zhen Zhen climbed to the top of the tree and threw her head back, smelling the air as if she could smell the weather change.
Both were excited for evening feed yesterday; Su Lin was actually running around her enclosure in the afternoon about ten minutes before she was brought inside for her keeper to start setting out her food. As soon as she came out, she started digging in for dinner. Zhen Zhen also kept looking for her dinner, and her reaction to dinner was about the same. Zhen Zhen is still growing and not only will be trying to get a fat layer, but will also be going through growth spurts through the winter. I have to say that having the girls on exhibit at the same time really helps show the weight difference two years can make!
Anastasia Horning is a panda narrator at the San Diego Zoo.
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November 4th, 2009 at 11:57 am
ahh how adorable these girls are so intersting
November 4th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Should we really be calling it a “fat layer”? These girls are just keeping up their lovely panda figure. They are too cute for words!
November 4th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Lovely writing again! Change of subject— what was total of voters for baby?
Moderator’s note: 17,526.
November 4th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
How pretty they are too! Love to our bears!!! Thank you for the post! we all appreciate learning more and more about our loved babies!!!
November 4th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
This is my first experience with the SDZ and its wonderful cams. Watching Bai and Baby, as well as the girls has, like so many others, made me wish I had directed my career thoughts towards animals…what a treat to watch them growing, changing and just being pandas. Thank you for your insightful and thoughtful comments, you seem to know what question we would ask if we were there beside you ! Keep up the good work and thank you from an avid watcher in Quebec, Canada.
November 4th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
So much fun to watch the two in the same proximity. It gives you a special chance to observe their development at two year intervals.
How soon will Papa Gao be coming back on exhibit? Presumably when little man and momma go out into the outdoor exhibit to prep for their public debut in December.
November 4th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Where’s Daddy Gao Gao? The cameras never show him has he left San Diego?
Moderator’s note: He is in an off-exhibit area right now.
November 4th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Would the fact that we set the clocks back to Daylight Standard Time have anything to do with the pandas and their wanting dinner? I know my cats don’t understand when the time changes and start to bug for their dinner earlier than they should.
November 4th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Thanx again for sharing Anastasia. I always love to hear an update on the girls.
November 4th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
how fun as we go from one baby ( zen zen!) to the next. it hardly seems possible that little zz is a roly poly 2-year old already, su lin 3-yrs old and now our newest little guy about to be named! gosh, time is going by too fast. zz was my first baby encounter, and not the last I am happy to say! it’s so much fun to watch them as they grow, learn to climb and eat bamboo, pester their moms and just get into mischief!
it won’t be long now before we experience all these fun things once again. and, shed a few tears when su lin has to leave us for china. I for one eagerly await this transition as it is so much fun to watch and you never know what will happen from one day until the next. never a dull momen with the young!!!! thanks for welcome post! we always like to hear everything there is to know and then some! lol!! we are a very ardent fan club out here in cyber-land and extremely nosey & interested and opinionated as you all know!
you must get tired sometimes of answering the same questions over and over again! we love you for it!
Moderator’s note: Nancy, time’s gone even faster than you think: Su Lin is 4 years old
November 4th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
all the bears have shot their arrows into my heart.
November 4th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Zhen Zhen is so cute. Here’s a story about Zhen Zhen and Chubby cubbie.
Zhen Zhen
Cubbie
Z:Hey how are you?
C:Just sleeping and eating momma’s milk,tasty:)
Z:oh well i am just climbing my trees and eating my YUMMY Bamboo. Tasty:)
C: ZZZZZ
Z:wake up i was talking about me here.
C:oh i fell alsleep.
Z:ok whatever i am going to the mall.
November 4th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
How often do the girls and Gao Gao rotate on exhibit? Just wondering who I will see in 11 days time. I am so excited I am ready to burst. Pity I leave SD the day of precious boy’s naming. I will be finding an internet cafe in Vegas to find out his name.
November 4th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Is there aything more adorable and precious that that view of a miniture panda sound asleep…..how do you resist???????
November 4th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
I caught a glimpse of the black tip of the tail when Bai was cleaning him. I always love hearing how the change of weather affects animals,it’s probably is a hoot to watch the girls.
I see so many new panda friends names, It would be interesting to know where everyone is from. Welcome new friends.
Moderator, Do yo think Big Daddy will be on exhibit at the end of next week when I visit the zoo
Moderator’s note: Good question for the keepers during the shower tomorrow
November 4th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
New photo up of Hua Mei nursing her latest cub. Is the link okay to post here? Since we are speaking of the sisters, I thought people might like to see how ‘big big sister’ is doing!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bartyork/4075327552/
November 4th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Next time can you tell us how GaoGao is. I haven’t seen him on the cam lately. Is he doing anything interesting or is he just himself ( that is eat, sleep, spent time with the keepers, and doing his business).
Another question how big is each panda in size. Is ZhenZhen bigger than GaoGao. Is SuLin as big as her mama? Is GaoGao the smallest one there (not counting el baby)
Moderator’s note: Great questions for the shower!
November 4th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
anymore humming from Zhen Zhen?
November 4th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Thanks for the update! Since you mentioned snow……any plans on the horizon to bring in the ‘fake’ snow for the girls to tumble and toss in before Mama and cubbie on exhibit? Thanks!
Moderator’s note: No snow days have been scheduled yet.
November 4th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
A panda in fall (a haiku)
Paws ascending tree
Scent of autumn in the air
Bamboo in belly
November 4th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
I just adore the wonderfull Pandas.
I am checking the livecam several times a day, and i am crazy about the little cute lump of fur.
Every time i see Bai playing with the baby, i am one big smile.
The weekly video is always super entertainment, and very educational to.
Thank you very much.
November 4th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
thanks Anastasia for another informative update about the other very loved pandas. Can’t believe Su Lin is 4 years old. I remember when she was born and how delicate and cudley she was as a baby. Now she is every so beautiful and grown up. Looking at these bears reminds me how precious they are and how fortunate we are to be able to enjoy them and be a part of their upbringing. I am so grateful for SD Zoo’s padacam and the extraordinary efforts from all the keepers and staff. I may not be able to visit the zoo but I feel so much a part of it from these updates and blogs.
November 4th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Britney #12–good job!
Thanks, kathy #16 for the link. Hua Mei looks wonderful with Bai Yun’s latest grandcubbie.
And thanks, Anastasia–always good to hear about the girls!
November 4th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
I love these wonderful essays on the pandas. We, far from SDZ, are blessed to have this connection. I read an article in the Times of London, from 2007, after the death of Xiang Xiang, in which the Director at Wolong said 4 pandas had been chosen to be released into the wild. They are one each from pairs of twins because only one twin from each pair would be useful in the breeding programs. Two males and two females would go with a plan to have the females pregnant at the time. Have any been released since 2007?
Are the staff at the SDZ involved in the decisions and plans made in China? I read somewhere on this site that the pandas you send back will not be released into the wild. I know the pandas all belong to China, but since they cannot all be released into the wild, is there any hope for a large, protected habitat here? I have been to the Wild Animal Park, and it is amazing. Quite a number of years ago, I saw a practically newborn white rhinoceros in its habitat. How amazing it would be to see some pandas roaming free in bamboo forests!
If the panda bloggers here ruled the world…
Can’t wait for the naming!
Moderator’s note: I’ll forward your questions to our Panda Team.
November 4th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
# 16 kathy, canada. Thanks for the picture of Hua Mei and Hao Hao. Her daughter is already big; she is less than a month older than our mellow fellow. Hua Mei has really inherited Shi Shi’s Mickey Mouse ears!! It must be a nice change for her to have only one cub this time around after three sets of twins.
November 4th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Dear Bai Honey,
Since I wont get to see ya and the Chubster at the shower, thought I would just drop ya a line to say I think you are a fabulous mama. I know you raised our cubs single handed as in our culture, we guys dont help much. I know Zhen Zhen and Su Lin have turned out really well and are a delight to all our human friends.
I wanted to send ya a bouquet of your fave boo but the humans dont speak Panda so I couldn’t get them to bring it over. I even picked the choicest ones for you, my lovely.
I hope Chubster is growing well. A chip of the ole block, eh? I think he’ll grow up like his old man, peace lovin’ yet able to hold his own and his bamboo. I trust you are telling the little one our stories and sharing with him details about our home in China. He will probably go back to help the gene pool. Our grand children will be a sight to behold, dont ya think, Sweetheart?
I do get glimpses of the Panda Cam and can see ya twirling the little fella around. Cool! He looks real handsome.
I am keeping well and preparing myself for next Spring when we get to meet again. The thought makes my heart leap and I can’t wait till I get to give ya a hug, you one great lovely mama!
In the mean time, enjoy the virtual baby shower. I hear the whole family is getting prezzies; yummies and toys. Woohoo.
Take care and dont let that Chubster get too much his own way, I think he is going to be a pawful, if he isn’t already.
Love ya!
Hugs and Kisses,
Gao
ps Our paws make it hard to type but one of the humans took dictation. Am off to get more boo. See ya in Spring, Sugar.
November 4th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
The pandas are the cutest, I can’t wait until this one starts crawling and doesn’t sleep as much!!!
Have you noticed the time on the panda cam is wrong?
Moderator’s note: Yes, it will be corrected on Thursday.
November 4th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Had to laugh at the description of the girls up in a tree! As friend visited from Canada, and we took my grandson to the zoo, and of course, stopped at Panda Canyon. She could not get over how Zhen Zhen was just literally perched up high on some branches, will Su Lin, also perched, but on a log much closer to the ground… zonked, snoring (if pandas snore) and totally oblivious to all of us ooooh-ing and aaaaah-ing over them! I’ve been lucky enough to see ZZ and Su Lin zip around their encloseures, so seeing them in the trees was just another “view.”
Thanks, Anastasia, for another wonderful posting full of information. We have such terrible connotations for the word fat- but in point of fact, it is a grand scheme of Mother Nature’s to protect us in winter. The girls know EXACTLY what they’re doing, adding on the extra fat to get them through our cold (HA!!) winters.
What fun it is to just be moved by all the pandas! They are each one of them such marvelous personalities!!
November 4th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Bai Yun is so funny when she go’s wild with her bamboo and her chubby cubbie. Here’s a story about Gao Gao and Chubby cubbie. Enjoy
Gao Gao
Chubby cubbie
G:well son i am excited when we can watch the games together.
C:ok that would be fun dad once i play with mom.
G:want to play?
C:ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
G: why are you so sleepy?
C:mom keeps me up all night playing!
G:oh really.
Bai Yun: Time to go! Come here!!
C:got to go!
G:ok see you later
November 4th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
It’s about 4:30 p.m. California time…
There’s some noise coming from the den…
C: (pant, pant) Oh gosh this is really hard…I just can’t get anywhere I keep going in circles!!! Oh please tell me it gets easier…You guys, that’s why I sleep and sleep…Mommie’s milk for energy doesn’t last long…I think I can I know I can …I will!!!! Soon!!!
November 4th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
I feel a lot better. Thank you our sweet moderator, my flu is almost over. Tomorrow is the baby shower; I will create a facebook account and be there. I tried to get some enrichment items for the pandas, but they are all gone (Got a couple of things for other lovely animals).
Love these bears, they brought me comfort (I was running a fever for a few days, and coughing for another few more days). They never failed to warm my heart and soul.
November 4th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Little guy is really starting to try to scoot around in the den. You go, cubbie! Oops–too much activity, down for the count, time for a nap, splat!
November 4th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
#12 Britney,
Very cute and clever! Miss. pre-teen ZZ has her priorities’ in order – eat, nap and then shop! Sounds just like a current day big sister and little brother conversation. Good job!
November 4th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Another great post, Anastasia! I certainly appreciate all the thought and care you put into each article you write.
Thank you #20 Linda for the lovely haiku. I used to write them in college, and even helped choreograph and perform a modern dance based on a couple of my haiku. My, what great memories are coming to the surface!
Thank you #26 Lucilla for the love note from Gao Gao to Bai Yun! Very imaginative and humorous! We certainly do have some great people in this happy band of Pandamaniacs!
November 4th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Thank you so much for your update on Su Lin and Zhen Zhen. I do so miss them. I’m always checking YouTube for new video on them…..LOL…..My, my Zhen Zhen has grown. She is such a cutie pie and her older sister too…… Hope all is well with Gao Gao………..Back to watching Momma bear and Baby bear…………………..ta ta
November 4th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
I was watching Panda Cam today at about 1:30pm Pacific time and caught about a 15 – 20 second glimpse of Bai Yun in a room on a raised platform and she was looking at and appeared to be sniffing what looked like a newborn cub… it was pink as they are when newly born. She seemed interested in it but it acted like she wasn’t sure what to do with it. Any idea what it was she was sitting next to and sniffing?
November 4th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
Lucilla #26: While I have been tempted to post to the panda blogs in the past I never have until now…after reading your adorable love letter to Bai from Gao. Great job! It made my heart sing.
November 4th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
I bet that the cub is more than 11 pounds!!!!!!! Is he walking quite yet? I’ve seen him wobble around the den…if that counts? Is Moderator taking the cub in? Or in someone else? (I’ll bet Moderator will be jealous if it is someone else!)
Moderator’s note: It won’t be me (sigh!).
November 4th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Anastasia, you make me miss Zhennie all the more….it is funny, San Diego is just a hop, skip and jump from Los Angeles, where I live, but do I get down there? No, and you remind me that I have to get down to see ZZ before she is fully grown, I want to see baby Zhennie, not grown up girl… It’s just that dang traffic, guess I just have to think about the prize at the end! If I see her, tho, I will have to hold myself back, because I will want to climb into her structure to give her a big bear hug!!! xo
November 4th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
How come there has been no exam for our darling cubby boy this week? And thanks to #16 for the link!
Moderator’s note: He’ll have his exam Thursday morning before the shower.
November 4th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
#26-very, very sweet!
November 4th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Hi, you all! This is the first chance I have had on the SDZ website panda page all day! Had a doctor appointment, and the bus rides were pretty long to and from there! Pinellas County, FL does not have the best mass transit like Boston, LA, NY, and other large cities have!
Anyway, just saw little guy laying on his side on the pandacam sound asleep! Also read your update about the name voting and how many people voted—over 17,000! WOW!!! I figured that the number would be pretty high! Now, I’m waiting for Nov. 17 to see which name this little cubbie will get!
Britney (#12), read your conversation! It was very good! You had ZZ sounding like a spoiled 16 year old teenager that wanted to go to the mall! That was funny!
Kathy Canada, hit your Flickr link on your comment, and I just loved the pic of Hua Mei and her cub! Hua Mei looked like she’s enjoying motherhood with that big smile on her face and a couple of biscuits in her paws!
News from Atlanta Zoo! The pandacam is still down and out for the 3rd straight week. They wrote a short statement that maintenance and IT people will be working on the pandacam this Friday, Oct. 6, and they will try to get it fixed by next week. Hopefully, the pandacam will be back online for us to see Xi Lan the Xman by next Monday! Keep your fingers crossed, ok? I’ve been having Xi Lan withdrawals the last 3 weeks, have you? The Give So They Stay campaign is still going strong! They have printed up new tshirts that are up for sale thru AZ’s giftshop that will earn some money towards this fundraiser. So far, as of October 6, 2009, AZ has raised over $150,000.00 that’s in the bank for the pandas there, and this campaign will continue thru December 31, 2009.
On the Pandas On Live website, there are 3 videos of pandas for all of us to see! One is about Lin Bing, 2 vids are about Fu Long. The videos are fun to watch!
Anastasia, loved your update, especially about ZZ and Su Lin getting up high in their trees and climbing structures! These 2 girls are just flat out tree climbers, and I bet they got that from big bro Mei Sheng! No doubt about it!! I’m glad that you all are finally getting some decent cooler weather over there. Here in Florida, we are also finally getting some cooler temps, especially at nite, and the daytime temps in the low 80s, which is pretty close to normal for our area in November! No more 90s!! YEA!!! It looks like Atlanta, Memphis, and DC are getting some of that nice cool air, too! The pandas at those zoos are probably feeling pretty frisky by now!
Well, gonna go for now. Will be back later on! I’ll especially be on my Facebook account for cubbie’s baby shower tomorrow! That will be alot of fun and educational! The more we learn about pandas, then we will be better informed about them and the conservation efforts.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
November 4th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Thanks Anastasia for another wonderful update – I will be up at 4am Adelaide time tomorrow to get ready for the Virtual Shower – can’t wait.Only 46 days until I see our Pandas here in Adelaide. see you all in the morning
Moderator’s note: That’s dedication, Jan. Enjoy the shower!
November 4th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
for all you panda lovers, this is the cutest panda video I’ve seen, get ready to chuckle, it’s a short 16 second video that you’ll play over and over again, enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzRH3iTQPrk
November 4th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Can Su Lin and Zhen Zhen see each other when they are up in the trees? I remember that Mei Sheng and Su Lin could see each other and they even called to each other.
November 4th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
cool woo hoo!
I CAN NOT WAIT TILL THEY ANNOUNCE THE NAME THAT WON!!! (i hope it is “little dragon”) what names did you vote for??
November 4th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
That was a wonderful love letter from Mr. Gao, to Mrs. BaiYun Gao. Has Gao Gao had any other wives? This sound like he still loves her, and its first love. No really, did we get him from the wild, heal him up, and have him meet Bai Yun?
Moderator’s note: For some background on Gao, read Celebrating Gao Gao.
November 4th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
is that a huge intrusive spot light they have shining on the pandas while they are trying to sleep?
Panda Team responds: The light is actually an infrared illuminator that allows us to see in the dark. It’s really black as pitch in that den right now, and even during daylight hours the den is very dimly lit.
November 4th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Thanks for the update on Pandas and Autumn Weather Anastasia.
#16 Kathy, thanks for sharing photos of Hua Mai and her latest cub…
November 4th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
what does awaiting moderation mean…an answer?
Moderator’s note: All comments sent to the San Diego Zoo’s blog section must be approved by our moderator before they are posted. And yes, sometimes the moderator will attempt to answer a question before posting that comment.
November 4th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Wow, it’s amazing how fast time flew by and the girls are growing up so fast. Sad to know that Su Lin will be leaving us next year though…… She is becoming so beautiful, just like mama Bai Yun!
Thanks, Anna for the update!
November 4th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
becky #36–that was probably carrot or yam, which the pandas get to eat once or twice a day. When cubbie gets bigger, you’ll see him and Bai outside on that platform a lot–I think they call that Bai’s garden room.
November 4th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
How will Zhen Zhen get her fat layer…by eating tons of bamboo, getting older, or a combination? Does San Diego have any real cool winter temps or do the pandas rely on misters year round? Thank you SDZ staff for working so hard to keep the pandas safe, secure, and flourishing. Great job, folks!
November 4th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Thank you for the information about the girls! Too cute!
November 4th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
Is there any way that Kathy Hawk can use the money we sent for the panda baby shower to get our baby a food wheel and a weeble toy for him to play with? All of the suggstions were gone for the panda at the time when I sent the money. We would both really like to see him using those two things on the Pandacam. Or get something for his enclosure. It doesn’t really matter to us as long as HRC is happy and we get to hear his vocalizations. Thank you so very much since we are unable to do it ourselves.
Moderator’s note: More items that Kathy and the other panda keepers suggested have been added to the Panda Shower Wish List.
November 5th, 2009 at 4:34 am
What a great way to start to day of little one and Bai Yun’s shower. At 4:30 AM PST, they are having a cozy nursing session to start off their day. Soon Bai will be stretched out next to little guy before she arises for her breakfast outside. Maybe they sense it is a special day, and so they are giving plenty of touching moments for Post Card photos opportunities on the web cam.
November 5th, 2009 at 5:12 am
11/5/09 8:10 am est. Prince Roly Poly is really busy this morning trying to move around the den!! Scooting and scooting!! He is an early riser!! I can’t wait to see the latest exam video. I’m wondering if her is more active than he has been.. And I can’t wait to get on my facebook acount tonite and try and see what I missed of the virtual baby shower.
Keep up the great work SDZ staff!!! You ROCK THE WORLD!!! At least the SDZ world!! : )
November 5th, 2009 at 5:14 am
if there are mice runing throught san diego zoo. if the mice could pose dangers to the cub, especially when the cub is just infant, with no fur, just tiny pick butter size. if the mice would bite the cub, how the zoo and Bai Yun protect the cub from being hurt by the mice? …sometime i worry, i fear the mice coming in the den to hurt the cub when Baiyun is out eating
Moderator’s note: When the cub was tiny and hairless, Bai Yun did not leave him alone. No mouse would have a chance to harm the cub, and mice are usually looking for crumbs to nibble on, not panda cubs.
November 5th, 2009 at 5:20 am
Good morning moderator and Panda friends ok, i’m going to ask this again, hope you don’t think I’m a nudge.
Are Pandas ambidexterex, left handed or right handed. Next, do they have elbows and knees like ours? ( can’t spell and niether can my computer today for some reason)
thank you
me
Moderator’s note: You can pose these questions to our keepers during today’s shower.
November 5th, 2009 at 6:16 am
Good Morning Panda Family,
Well the exciting party day is here!!!! Can’t wait to see all our pandas, big and little get their toys. They fill me with joy no matter how difficult a day I may be having.
Kathy Canada #16
Thanks for the link, I never knew Hua Mei and it was wonderful to see Bai Yun’s first little girl and her newest grandchild.
Page 24
Oh wouldn’t that be a beautiful sight? I hope someday we get to see pandas free and wild again as God intended. Let’s keep praying and doing our part to help the conservation and research.
Danielle NY 25
Thanks for sharing that tidbit about Hua Mei having Shi Shi’s ears. I joined this lovable bunch of panda fanatics with this baby cub so I’ve missed a great deal of history. I just love finding out little details, somehow it helps to make me feel like I’m allowed to love the other pandas also because I don’t feel like such a “stranger” to them. Maybe I’m silly, but thank you.
Lucilla 26
I sure wish Bai Yun could understand human and hat someone would read her that letter from Gao Gao. Somehow, I’m SURE that’s how he feels. I’ll tell you a little secret and I don’t care if I sound dumb, your letter put tears in my eyes!!
Marilyn 45
As I said to Danielle, thank you for sharing your knowledge of how Mei Sheng and Su Lin used to call to each other from the treetops. It is a beautiful sight for my mind’s eyes. You make me feel like part of it even though I wasn’t there. Thank you SO much.
Hello Wonderful Moderator,
OK I tried. I set up a facebook account, but I cannot find any links or anything about the Virtual Shower Day at the San Diego Zoo. Can you please tell me how to do it. I usually have to count on my daughter but she’s not here right now. Please help me but if you can’t because you are too busy, I will understand. Thanks either way.
Moderator’s note: Just go to our Baby Shower page at 11 a.m. our time.
November 5th, 2009 at 6:31 am
Where is it that we panda nuts go to vote on the Moderator getting to carry OUR BABY in this morning? As much as you “put up with and answer our questions” YOU deserve to do it.. BESIDES… We all will agree.. You may be the only person that will sneak and kiss him for us!!! So, Based on ALL OF OUR NEED FOR THIS.. where or whom do we go to in order to give you the pleasure you (as well as us) deserve??? We all want to hug and kiss him.. but can we.. NO… So.. We need YOU TO DO IT FOR US….
Now the letter from Gao to Bai… SO CUTE.. However, you did forget one thing.. his note to her “Now go get me more boo woman!” Remember they are married….
My total love goes out to you wonderful people and the great staff at SDZ. You are treasures for me each and every day!!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!
Moderator’s note: Thank you for your vote of confidence! I got to briefly hold a tiger cub once and burst into tears of joy at the awesome privilege (very embarrassing!). I can only imagine how I’d be around a panda cub…
November 5th, 2009 at 7:09 am
Very interesting! Now I’m wondering if the pandas react to a full moon?
As always, thanks SO much for the write-ups. They are very much appreciated.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:34 am
to Panda Annie#46 I voted for the name that means blessed.
November 5th, 2009 at 8:57 am
Thankyou so much for adding more gifts to the Panda Wish List.. and thanks “Lee in Vancouver” for letting me know that more things were added. I went on 2 days ago and everything for the Panda’s had been bought.. WOW, what an awesome group of Panda Fans we have out there…..
Can’t wait for 11am, hope I’m not too busy here at work to pop into the virtual shower…
Amazing idea on all of this too by the way, whoever thought of it… well, KUDO’s to you!!!!
November 5th, 2009 at 9:29 am
Moderator–thanks for letting us know about the additions to the list–now i won’t have to go to the shower empty-handed!
November 5th, 2009 at 9:47 am
The letter from Gao to Bai had one itsy bitsy mistake — he’ll see her again in 2011. Just bought El Cinco de Bai-O his CD so he can listen to lots of beautiful sounds. Since I’m a musician, it only made sense. Hope he and Bai enjoy it. Maybe you can even share it with the girls and papa bear sometime.
Gotta go have lunch so I’ll get back for the shower.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:32 am
Little man must sense that his shower is about to start. He is looking his ultimate cutest with a smile on his face, and his sweet little paws showing for every one to see in his closeup. Little does he know he is about to have his weekly exam while all his fans are engrossed in talking with his keepers about everything cub.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Maybe he just had his exam, and his smile is because he was around his favorite people and got a clean bill of health. Now he can snooze in peace!
November 5th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Since I can’t get to see the shower, I bought another gift today for our cubbie and one yesterday for the polar bears. Some people ask why I waste my money on this stuff, My reply, I’m making a investment in your childrens future and that shuts them up. My money my business.
Moderator, I held baby tigers in South Carolina so i know the feeling, I sobbed like a baby but it was the greatest feeling in the world to hold them.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:47 am
#24 Page
No new pandas have been released, but plans are being made. The San Diego Zoo’s Institute for Conservation Research is very honored to have been asked to consult on the panda reintroduction project in China.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:52 am
WHAT is more gentle than a wind in summer?
What is more soothing than the pretty hummer
That stays one moment in an open flower,
And buzzes cheerily from bower to bower?
What is more tranquil than a musk-rose blowing 5
In a green island, far from all men’s knowing?
More healthful than the leafiness of dales?
More secret than a nest of nightingales?
More serene than Cordelia’s countenance?
More full of visions than a high romance? 10
What, but thee Sleep? Soft closer of our eyes!
Low murmurer of tender lullabies!
Light hoverer around our happy pillows!
Wreather of poppy buds, and weeping willows!
Silent entangler of a beauty’s tresses! 15
Most happy listener! when the morning blesses
Thee for enlivening all the cheerful eyes
That glance so brightly at the new sun-rise.
By John Keats (1795-1821)
I wish I could sleep like these guys do!
November 5th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Hmmmm Anyone out there have a watch? Can we check and see if our baby has teeth yet?
November 5th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Anxious to learn of our new Baby Panda’s name! I have my PC on every day, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and look in on this cute baby all the time. BUT, does he ever move??? Guess I’ve missed seeing this, as he seems to be asleep all the time. Don’t recall this from watching the previous baby pandas. Mom seems to be outside allot. He IS cute!
November 5th, 2009 at 11:19 am
The wish list is going great but please don’t forget alittle something for our other animal friends also.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:35 am
What fun to read the shower comments! I don’t Facebook; however, reading the comments today reminds me of parties with my family. Everyone seems to speak at once and still knows what others are saying
Zhen is walking 
This will give you all a hint about what we shall see from ‘Baby-has-a-name-but-Bai-isn’t-talking’ 
Also, make a point of going to ZooAtlanta to read the Wednesday update. Very funny for all wanna-be panda keepers 
Rock climbing may be a job requirement!
Can’t wait to read/watch the exam for this week! To oldtime fans and new fans, there is a video on You Tube from Nov. 27th 2007 titled Bai and Zhen want the door open. You will enjoy watching
November 5th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
I agree with Bobbie Wood. Sorry I couldn’t participate, but happy I got to read the conversation anyway.
Sounded like everyone enjoyed the “shower” and “experiment.” Hopefully some day I can participate live.
Looks like Bai is giving her youngster a good bath after their excursion out to the sun room and his exam this morning. Looking forward to comments about the exam and the shower tomorrow. Hopefully the keepers also enjoyed the chat and the break from their intensive keeper duties. I would love to have the opportunity to chat with Kathy especially since she has been with Bai Yun since she first arrived at SDZ. What an awesome privilege and experience that must be for her. I would have to pinch myself every day to see if I was dreaming, or if I got to work with these fabulous animals.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
I enjoyed the shower. At the end the response time was very long. I hope that they decide to do this again.
Moderator – since all of my questions showed up on my facebook profile page, here is one that I submitted:
Since the Moderator does such a good job, would it be possible for her to hold the cub just once
Other people agreed with me!
Moderator’s note: I saw that and was very touched that so many panda fans were thinking of me. Panda fans are so kind!
November 5th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Missed the shower
I was hoping to see the comments on the Facebook page on on here. Tonight is a big night in the UK and I was out at a firework party.
Moderator’s note: We hope to make the transcript of the shower available to all. I’ll let you know.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
My favorite time at the San Diego Zoo, when I get the best photos is winter….February. Glad to know that Su Lin and Zhen Zhen are doing their cool weather “thing”. When it’s cold the crowds thin out, and the pandas seem a bit frisky-especially in the morning! See you next February!
November 5th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
I watched todays exam on facebook, will they post it on here for those that do not facebook? During the exam I didn’t see or hear mention of weight or length. I did notice the pigmentation is showing in the nose more now, cute! Several questions were asked during the facebook conversations, one was the same question I have asked several times and missed seeing the answer, are the claws like a newborn or hard? It was a fun time today, thank you.
November 5th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
I just read the update on the AZ website and it seems that the keepers at both zoos have their minds on the poops!! It seems that the cubs at AZ have “preferred” spots which are also out of sight and/or hidden sites, just as Miss ZZ has. I am telling you guys, panda cubs are looking for privacy to do their business and may have given up as adults!!
November 5th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
I want to thank everyone at the zoo who work so hard to get the Baby Shower together. I had a great time reading all the remarks and the answers to the questions. I bet you all were getting dizzy trying to keep up with everyones coments. And little cubbie was just sleeping away until mommie show up and said hey little boy you’re missing your party.
Thanks again
Pam
November 5th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Today was a really fun day… and I am glad that you put up more gifts…the CD was a great idea….I came this close . . To getting the hammock…if my trip next week is successful I will buy it for them… if it hasn’t been bought yet…I am trying to have a budgeted animal gift fund for not just my teddy bears but all the others critters…
“I wish, I wish, I wish”…..
November 5th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Thank you so much SDZ for the “shower” today. It was so much fun. I went in search and found some great pictures of a young Gao Gao. He was such a handsome youngster and I can see where cubby gets his good looks. I was able to get cubby a present and some honeysuckle for the rest of the family. I have gotten so addicted to this, but so much better than some of the other stuff out there. This has been a great experience.
November 7th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
The panda shower was fun, very fast but fun. I wish we could have made the screen bigger. Questions were just flying, and scrolling down so fast I could hardly read them. We were all excited when mom showed up towards the very end. She was beautiful as usual. I took a pic then couldn’t find my way back! By the time I did, the shower was over. So, I can’t wait to read the transcript. We definitely need to do it again. It wat was like a practice run.
After making my purchase I was given the opportunity to tell my friends, and encourage them to do the same (BTW, you can only send it to 10 people at a time). I assume the donations following the baby shower were higher than normal (likely expected). How smart was that!?! You guy’s are brilliant to come up with the idea to tie fundraising in to a baby shower.
Image how much money you’d collect if you were selling raffle tickets just for the opportunity to get up really close to our baby boy? Like to be present for an exam? OMG! I’d give until it hurt! I feel confident speaking for my fellow pandaholics, they would too. Just something you should think about. PLEASE!?
Just think…If the SD ZOO were to pose a Q&A session once a month for the animals (with live cams?), and have links to a “wish list”, for the whole zoo, I imagine you’d see a substantial increase in donations on an annual basis.
P.S. BTW, if you need any help in your fundraising/marketing dept, I’m still unemployed. Feel free to pass this info on for me. I already have an application on file (to do ANYTHING). :- ) Thanks!
THANKS!