Pandas: The Sounds of Silence
Posted at 8:19 am November 6, 2009 by Suzanne Hall
Some of you have been asking about the panda cub’s vocalizations. You have wondered if he is loud, protesting mother’s grooming or nibbling activities. Some of you have expressed concern about the fact that Bai Yun is so frequently – and so long – away from the den these days. In fact, Bai Yun’s den departures and the cub’s vocal pattern are interrelated. Let me explain…
First, a primer on cub vocalizations: When panda cubs are born, their vocal repertoire consists of three basic types of sounds: croaks, squawks, and cries. The croak is the lowest in intensity and is generally thought to be a sound of comfort made by the cub, a signal to its mother that all is well. Sometimes a croak can take on a pip, or a sharper sound that is brief, but generally a croak sounds like a little frog or a creaky door. A squawk is a sharp sound that signals a measure of discomfort in the cub. We distinguish between soft and loud squawks, as they can vary in intensity. The louder the squawk, the more urgent the cub’s message to its mother. When a loud squawk becomes very intense and is repeated for several seconds, the vocalization becomes a cry, the most anxious of cub sounds. It’s the sound designed to focus all of the mother’s attention on the infant, a signal of distress. Those of you with children know how riveting your infant’s cries can be; such is the cry of the panda cub.
At birth, the panda is tiny, a few ounces at most, tiny compared to its large, 200-pound mother. The mother panda, for her part, is usually tired and sluggish in the early postpartum days and is further fatigued by caring for her newborn. Unlike a human mother, the panda cannot settle her cub into a crib or bassinet while it sleeps. She must continue to hold the infant close to her, keeping the naked neonate warm. Should she tire enough, she could easily crush that little cub with her large body. But one loud squawk brings her to attention, as if saying, “Ouch, Momma, too tight.” Other urgent vocalizations may signal hunger or a need for more warmth. In this way the cub’s regular vocalizations work with the mother to ensure the denning phase, a time of close contact of the two bears, is a successful one.
But those loud squawks and cries are incredibly loud, indeed. Ensconced in the den, these intense cub vocalizations can be heard throughout the keepers’ areas, many yards away. Imagine bears in a wild den and what a signal this could be to predators that might enjoy a panda cub snack. In the early denning phase, mother panda fasts and remains with her cub most of the time and would be able to defend and deter any predatory attack. But she has to eat sometime…
Once she begins her forays from the den to eat, she is initially very attentive to any sound of the cub she has left behind. We have seen Bai Yun, who is as safe as can be in her favorite bedroom areas, run quickly back to calm a squawking or crying cub that objects to her absence. Part of this may be to soothe and calm the infant, an act of reassurance from Mom to cub. Part of this may also be to avoid drawing attention to the den with the loud cub noise. Once mother has left the den, the cub is unguarded, and a predator could have an easy meal.
As time goes on, the cub adjusts to its mother’s departures and simply rests while she is away feeding. As pandas rely on bamboo for sustenance, and bamboo is known to be a low-quality food source with respect to caloric intake, meeting their nutritional demands requires the intake of large quantities of the plant. This takes time. As mother panda’s appetite returns to normal, she must spend longer and longer periods feeding. She could be away for some time in meeting her needs. In fact, research on wild pandas has documented absences of more than 24 hours during the denning phase! The mother must range as far as necessary to fill her belly: she and her cub are depending on that nutrition.
Fortunately, as the cub gains weight and hair, it is comfortable resting quietly in the den while mother is away. The regular squawks and croaks fall away. Toward the end of the denning phase, our cubs might go most of the day without making a sound, even if Bai Yun enters the den and interacts with her offspring. It’s not uncommon for Bai Yun to pick up her cub, toss it around in her paws, biting gently, all while the cub remains silent. It will flop around in her paws like a limp noodle. It is as if the cub is in a milk-induced stupor, and cannot be roused until its belly needs filling again. Surely this is a good state to leave a panda cub in if you know you will be gone from the den a long time! Predators aren’t going to hear a cub that is making no noise.
So you see, at this stage of the game our little boy isn’t terribly vocal. Even when provoked – as he has been at times when given his shots – he can have a pretty subdued response. Usually, we go through much of the day without hearing much of anything out of the den, especially when Bai Yun is out resting or feeding in other areas.
No need to be concerned about Bai Yun’s long absences. She is still attentive, and if her little cub was uncomfortable, or needed feeding, he would vocalize and she will respond. But both the cub and the mother are okay with these long excursions from the den. It is a natural evolution of their relationship, one that is seen with wild and captive pandas alike. When you wonder about what Bai Yun is doing when you can’t see her on the Panda Cam, you can rest assured that she is doing exactly what she needs to be doing – what she is biologically driven to do – and that following her instincts will ensure the health and well-being of both mother and cub.
Suzanne Hall is a senior research technician for the San Diego Zoo’s Institute for Conservation Research.
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November 6th, 2009 at 8:36 am
What a great blog! I was glued to every word. Thanks Suzanne. Looking forward to lil’ chubs getting his big boy name. It was definitely a treat to be able to be involved in the naming.
November 6th, 2009 at 8:38 am
omg that is such a cute picture!!!!!!!!
November 6th, 2009 at 8:38 am
It’s also important for the cub to have the time and independence for his exercise program such as moving his limbs and lifting his head. It’s a bit like putting the baby on the blanket to perfect the moves to learn to crawl then walk.
November 6th, 2009 at 8:41 am
i just love love love all of the updates. so interesting! what an enviable job! wow! i’m now starting to read the polar bear blogs more often. shhhhh!! don’t tell the baby! boys are so jealous.
November 6th, 2009 at 8:51 am
Thank you Suzanne for another informative blog. I love hearing from you and appreciate you taking the time to write to us.
November 6th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Thanks Suzanne for the interesting info. I just wish there was sound along with the cam, so we could hear that little guy. But I’m not complaining, I love just watching them both. I just love to hear the sound little guy makes during his exams…and wondered many times if he makes the sounds in the den when mama bear is away.
November 6th, 2009 at 9:03 am
wow suzanne Great post! I thoroughly enjoyed that. Your decriptions were very educational and I think that is mostly why we hang around. I thank you for being willing to take your time to teach us about such precious creatures.
What kind of mucic do you play for them and do they` ever notice it?
me
November 6th, 2009 at 9:04 am
Tks Suzanne.
Great explanation about their communications!
November 6th, 2009 at 9:10 am
I have alot of respect and admiration for what all of you do and what you have given to us, as outsiders. Being able to watch this amazing experience, thank you. I am wondering how Pandas give birth in the wild, do they have a birthing den of some sort and where would that be? I read the wonderful book, “The Lady and the Panda” earlier this year and was totally overwelmed at what one person with passion can do. Its a great joy to read, if you have’nt read it yet.
Thanks again for all that you do to teach us and let us share in this experience.
Tina
November 6th, 2009 at 9:11 am
What an excellent and informative update, Suzanne. I enjoy the attention to detail you place in your posts. I now know what a ‘croak’ is…Thank you so much!
November 6th, 2009 at 9:13 am
I have always wonderered about the different sounds that the cubs make. Now I know why you, as panda caretakers, go to China to listen to vocalizations. When baby is born he squeaks. Then we know he is alive.It is so interesting to know all the facts. Thanks for keeping us all in the know. I really love Panda cam.
November 6th, 2009 at 9:17 am
Excellent and thank you….
November 6th, 2009 at 9:19 am
Oh what a cutie!!
November 6th, 2009 at 9:33 am
Thank you so much for the input. We all love that little guy so much and of course Bai as well. One thing I would like to know is, I have noticed that cubby has a running nose all of the time, Is that normal?
I think all of the animals at the SDZ are sooooooooo lucky to be there because they are taken such good care of.
Thank you again,
THE LOVE SICK PANDA FAN oxo
November 6th, 2009 at 9:52 am
Thank you for explaining so much about our baby and his Mom. The Panda cam is the first place I go when I log in. That little fella is so adorable. So chubby, almost as wide as he is long. I also wondered why Mom was gone so long. Thank you for explaining. We don’t have the sound but before he learned to turn over from his back it looked like he was sounding off for Mom to come and help. Thank you again for all the information. They are really loved.
November 6th, 2009 at 9:56 am
Suzanne,
Thank you for such an interesting and informative posting. Although I have all the faith in the world in Bai Yun’s mothering , it’s nice to get to understand a little more about why she does what she does. Sometimes I seem to have a VERY different take on things than some of the other bloggers. Like yesterday’s little caper when our beautiful “little man” was trying his best to get over the ridge and out of the den. Everyone seemed to think Bai Yun was trying to hinder him because she kept pulling him back and pushing him around a bit. Perhaps I’m wrong, but it looked to me like she was trying to “instruct” him obviously without the advantage of language; and I also think she was attempting to situate the bamboo flooring in the best possible way for him to be able to manage it. Am I right??? Who knows???? But ultimately I believe in Bai Yun’s extreme ability to mother beautiful healthy and happy panda “people”. So I don’t tend to judge her since she is a panda and I am not. No one would think it was appropriate to allow Bai Yun to tell any of us what to do with our babies, would they??? So once again, THANK YOU for the insight into the wonderful world of panda parenting; and since I know hugging isn’t allowed, could someone PLEASE give Bai Yun a “backscratch” through the bars from Aunt Phyllis??? I really do love her as much as cubbie!
November 6th, 2009 at 9:56 am
Wow, I have been learning a lot of how Pandas behave… this explanation sounds pretty logical to my panda-worried self. Saludos.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:05 am
Excellent, excellent article! Thank you so much, Suzanne!!
November 6th, 2009 at 10:17 am
Thank you Suzanne. A couple of times it seemed that the cub was stuck on his back and “crying.” Of course, I have no sound and at times the pictures are grainy so I wasn’t sure. He definitely is better at turning himself over now and creeping ever so little. Last night when I went to bed he seemed stuck outside the door. How did he ever get back in the den? I had to go to bed. Thanks. I enjoy your blog.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:20 am
Laura no 6,
Rest assured that if the cam had audio, at this point you would hear a lot of nothing! The cub is usually very quiet these days.
Tina No 9,
Yes, pandas use dens in the wild. These can range from hallowed out cavities in large trees, to excavated crevices in rocky hillsides.
Pat no 11,
Indeed, in the first few days we rarely glimpse Bai Yun’s cubs because she covers them so well. Vocalizations are one of the only ways we can get regular information about the wellbeing of a new cub!
November 6th, 2009 at 10:27 am
What an informative entry! Job well done SD Zoo.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:27 am
Suzanne, thanks a million for this informative report on panda cub’s vocalizations. It is so interesting to learn anything concerning our beloved pandas. It is good to remind us pandaholics of pandas “still” living in their natural environment where they have to fend for themselves making sure that their offspring is being protected from predators. It makes a lot of sense that the mother is very attentive to her cub ensuring that it does not make too much of a noise and, therefore, attracting predators. I know it is their natural instinct but it is still fascinating. Since having joined SDZ blogs I have been learning such a lot and I wish to thank you and all the other ones for all their hard work providing us pandaholics with lovely and heartwarming stories of the panda family as well as comprehensive and informative reports. The panda cam has become part of my daily routine and helps me to beat November blues. When looking into cubby’s lovely eyes I just have to cheer up. Thanks for making my November days so much brighter!
November 6th, 2009 at 10:30 am
THanks so much Suzanne for such detailed information regarding the cub’s sounds. I often wonder how much the cub cries in it’s growing stages. So nice to know that the panda moms of the world are such selfless creatures, going to any lengths to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their offsprings. yes, we are quite blessed to have Bai Yun
)
November 6th, 2009 at 10:35 am
I do not worry a bit when the cub is alone in the den for long periods of time. I know mamma Bai has everything under control. And, look at him, he is growing quite nicely.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:39 am
Question to the moderator: I have left a couple of comments and they always go to “Your comment is awaiting moderation.” Why is that? What do I do wrong?
Moderator’s note: You’re not doing anything wrong. All comments must be approved by the moderator before they are posted. This avoids nasty comments and comments sent by spammers.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:50 am
Suzanne, wonderful information you answered many of my questions. I check the baby several times a day, he is so cute I cannot help myself. I have often wondered why there is no audio in the den. I would love to hear his little peeps…..
You mentioned a mom in the wild could leave her cub for 24 hours, I was shocked! Is there a feeding schedule for the cub? I am thinking of most babies, human and animal, they need consistent nourishment. Since Pandas don’t hibernate I would think they are like most.
I had to leave the shower yesterday at 11:30, and nothing was happening at that time, how did the shower go? will we be updated as to the festifities?
Thank you !
Moderator’s note: The “shower” was simply an online chat with two of our panda keepers. We hope to post a recap of the “shower hour” within the next few days so everyone can read the questions posed and the answers provided.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:56 am
Fascinating Suzanne. Thank you.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:56 am
Awwww……great blog!!!! Our little heartbreaker is now over 11 pounds! Amazing!!! He’s way huger than his sisters!
November 6th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Suzanne, that was a fantastic article.
We pandamaniacs are at differing stages of panda knowledge but your article hit my “want more info” sweet spot. The only problem is that it is a greedy spot.
Where are panda dens in the wild? in a tree? a cave? on the ground? in a hollowed out tree? There was reference earlier to panda moms changing dens. Is this likely triggered by an assumed threat?
Do moms make adjustments to their movements when their cubs, like our extraordinary bear, begin to stumble around and could potentially leave the den? Once the cub can walk well, are they together more since the little one can follow mom? I’ll stop, but you get the idea.
We welcome your information any time. Thanks again.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:58 am
I vote Moderator to bring the cub in for his 11th exam!!! Who’s with me?
Moderator’s note: That’s so sweet, Pandafan#2! But I’ll leave that honor to the expert keepers.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:09 am
Thank You Suzanne! Gosh this was a great written ‘panda sound-byte’
Thank You Thank You!
to Marti #14: Either in one of the last blogs, or perhaps when I was reading the panda shower stuff, the runny nose was addressed. The panda is healthy with a moist nose….kind of like dogs and puppies.
No tissues needed
Have a great weekend everyone. I certainly will be either watching grandchildren athletics or watching the Panda Cam to see Little Dude make attempts to walk
November 6th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Oh Suzanne, this was absolutely riveting! Thank you so much for sharing this information with us as it is just one more bit of info that helps us understand this wonderful animal! It’s so reassuring to know that even in captivity, the bears feel comfortable enough to act naturally, as if still in the wild. That says a lot about how the zoo cares for these animals, since they act “as if”. And it explains so much about how Mr., Chubbs can seem to be so complacent – he is content, well loved and cared for (and not just by the staff …. by this huge group of aunties and uncles that love him to bits!). Another testament to the terrific job you are all doing.
Again, thanks for all the information you pass on to us. And for never assuming that any bit of info is too trivial. We are absolutely starved for information, and every morsel is tantalizing and wonderful! THANKS!!!! Hugs to you!
November 6th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Nice lesson about panda vocals, Suzanne! I have heard alot of different baby panda vocals thru the NZ pandacams that have sound volume(Tai Shan), thru the SDZ and AZ videos that have sound on them, and thru Youtube videos. Those baby panda vocals a quite variable as they start to grow up in the first few months. Watching the cub on video with sound during his last few exams gave me an idea of just how many vocal inflections this cub has developed in the last 3 months already. Especially that sharp loud bark when he got his 2 shots (he didn’t like those)! He is a loud one! Before long, as he keeps growing, his voice vocals will start to change a little at a time until he gets to his adult size and he has developed his adult vocals like his parents. So, I’ve got a question for the panda keepers: when do panda cubs start to get their adult vocals–what age? Interesting answer coming up soon!
Was just on the pandacam, and little fluffy butt is taking a nap in the den. After a day like yesterday, he had to be one pooped out cub!
Gonna go; will be back later on!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
November 6th, 2009 at 11:22 am
What an interesting blog. Thanks for posting it.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:31 am
One smart mama bear!— You hit in on the head Suzanne- if the belly is full and happy
the babies sleep, just like humans.. Plus, while he is sleeping, he is growing! Love it!
November 6th, 2009 at 11:38 am
I learn something new everyday from reading the blogs — thanks so much for the “panducation”!
This little guy is so, so cute — from the tip of his nose to the little black tip on his tail. So looking forward to learning what his name will be. And now that he starting to become more mobile — it won’t be too terribly long before I can come down to the SDZ and see him in person — YAY!!
November 6th, 2009 at 11:39 am
Very informative. Well done as always, Suzanne.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Did you wee the smiling contented face of Bai Yun on the shelf in her Garden Room at 11:45 AM? She looks very happy and content, like she really appreciated all the gifts and love she received at her “Baby Shower.”
Maybe she is just enjoying a lovely nap spread out in a peaceful mommy moment to herself.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:55 am
I can’t begin to tell you how wonderful I feel watching our little guy in the den and with his Mom. I do feel concern sometimes when she bounces him around but am sure she would never hurt him. Just play time with her baby boy. So thankful for all the informative information it is all extremely appreciated. Thank you so much. I remember having a panda stuffed toy when I was only 3 or 4 years old and that is 72 years ago the love of pandas is still with me.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:57 am
Thank you for the post. It was very apparent this week that the cub was visually tracking and aware of the exam today. He did not fall asleep nor did he act sleepy. Plus, I noticed his nose was starting to get more black and the pink is lessening. It is very fascinating to watch his progress from exam one to present.
November 6th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Suzanne,
I will love if it I can hear their sounds by cam.
November 6th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Great blog, Suzanne!
And thanks, Meerkats, for the views of Bai lounging on her outdoor platform and of beautiful Miss ZZ on her favorite logs.
I see that cubbie’s new favorite position has become the “standing on his head lying down” position–p Wong–is this the faceplant maneuver–(I forget its full name)?
November 6th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Suzanne, what a great post! Thank you for teaching us about the nuances in panda vocals! I, too, missed the shower because of the “firewall” at work. I eagerly await the transcript of the proceedings.
I’m with all thos who think our moderator should have the honor of “fetching and delivering” our soon-to-be named plumpkins to his next exam. She deserves a reward for her dedication.
I was wondering how much longer Bai and plumpkins will be using the den – I seem to recall that that is often left up to Bai or does it depend on how much the bears use it as the cub gets older or is it after some milestone in cubbie’s development? I’m asking because when I see Bai and the “hearbreaker” in the den together now, it’s looking like a tight squeeze; but then, maybe the bears like the coziness.
November 6th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Suzanne Thanks again for the information. As always your posts are most informative.
I love this chubbie cubby. I am leaving for Europe next week and won’t be around to see what the name is.
Just hope I can get to an internet cafe somewhere so I can find out!!
Thanks also to the Moderator who’s endless work is so rewarding for us all.
November 6th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Do you guys know how blessed we are??? When the pandas first came and there were no cameras, etc… all we knew when we went to the exhibit was oh, there a panda and look how cute she has a baby awwwwww.
Now we are not only able to witness her births, see her den, watch the cubs grow as if we are right there next to them 24/7 how great is that!!!
The cameras are better than before…
How well the staff is at taking care of these bears.
I know we can’t have physical contact with them…but while the doctor was examining him…I was expecting him to nuzzle in his face and coo and carry on.
Kitchy-coo etc…maybe he wanted to but the cameras and sound were on him!!!
I kitchy-koo from my computer and when I get to see them I do the same…
We are blessed, blessed, blessed…Thank you univers…American and Chinese…
November 6th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Thanks Suzanne….I watched on smithsonian channel on wild pandas…I saw mama panda away from her cub just munching away kinda far and baby panda was crying so loud ….she gave the baby a few more times to cry and she came running down….so cute..
I miss the online panda shower of all days for my internet to go down ..I wasn’t able to talk to our wonderful SDZ keepers and SDZ bloggers and readers…you all had fun without me : (
November 6th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Interesting blog. Thanks for the info. You can tell Bai Yun is a very good mother, ske knows what she is doing. I love to watch her hold her cub and the way she flips it this and that. Sometimes he is upside down! The Panda Cam is a blessing! Great to watch the interaction of mom and baby. Can’t wait to see Bai Yun and baby next March when I come to SanDiego to visit daughter. Excellent job SDZoo!
November 6th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Napping Bear Son of Cloud Little Dragon Extraordinary Bear Blissful San Diego Eternal Blessing is napping, being the son of cloud, acting like a little dragon, is definitely an extraordinary bear, lives in blissful San Diego, and yes, he is an eternal blessing.
November 6th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
How sweet. Pandas are the most precious animals ever. Will there be a November desktop wallpaper of the cubbie coming soon?
Moderator’s note: We’re looking into it!
November 6th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
As two people who are nearly on opposite sides of the country, we love talking about Baby P, as we call him. Though, we have a question, sometimes it seems like Momma P doesn’t know which side of Baby is right side up! More often than not, we see her snuggled up to baby and his fluffy rump is near her face instead of his little head. Is this just usual panda ways of rolling a baby around? This is the first baby panda we’ve watched, so we don’t know, but it tickles us every time we see him upside down while they’re sleeping.
November 6th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
#30- I’m with you- Pandafan #2. The moderator should get the honor of bringing Chubby in for the next exam. If all the bloggers voted for that, who knows…
Also, a question: I just found a darling YouTube of a bunch of cubs playing on a slide. (China) We always read that the pandas are kept as solitary animals, but I wondered if SDZ had several cubs about the same age (fantasy), would they be allowed to play together? It seems that the care in the US is slightly different than the Chinese practices for the pandas? Are we comparing to see which produces the best results?
November 6th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Question to Moderator:
Please confirm naming date. I thought it was November 16 and the new Zoo Chatter says the 17th. Which is it???
Moderator’s note: The naming ceremony will take place on November 17.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Great post! It’s always wonderful to get such specific insights. We are blissfully blessed.
I agree with #30. Moderator should at least get to go to an exam and pet or hug — er, palpate or whatever the excuse is for snuggling — little Extraordinary Bear.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Suzanne,
What an informative and well-written blog. You covered so many details, probably answering the questions from thousands of readers and site watchers.
I do hope the people who are on the levels above you at SDZ appreciate the extra work your team shares in maintaining this blog, writing frequent reports, producing videos, creating events that support the zoo, and so on. By involving so many interested zoo watchers, you are doing great things for the development of panda programs, here in San Diego and at other future sites.
In these hard economic times, your over-and-above efforts deserve notice by the people who hold the zoo’s purse strings. You are extremely valuable to the life of the program, thus to the whole zoo. I hope your employment situation recognizes your outstanding work.
I realize you may not want to include this message on the blog, or you may edit it, but I’ll write the following anyway: I urge any Panda Program worker – in the animal areas or in zoo offices – to show this to their supervisor and their supervisor’s supervisor. Panda Program People are not just punching the clock: they are truly putting their hearts into their work. They are a tremendous asset to the Zoo and should be rewarded accordingly.
Thank you, Suzanne and all your co-workers. Keep up the great work.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Now I know I was right when I thought the other night the mother was biting the baby around the ears and head. I wasn’t sure I was really seeing that…..but now I know they do bite. Very interesting blog. Thank you.
November 6th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Many thanks Suzanne from Pandaholics worldwide as we watch soon to be named grow it seems overnight..Every day we learn more and more about the little darling and the first thing my wife asks from her Hospital bed is how is the baby…We hope that she gets released soon after 11 monthes and that we again have to visit her Doctors in SoCal so that we can be amazed again by the woderful SDZ and its staff… We are blessed to have such a caring staff at SDZ keep us amused and informed as the real Chinese Ambasadors are definitly the clan of Pandas as they are making people aware of how precious and fragile their lives and all wildlife are in the wild as we encroach on their habitats and watching Jeff Corwin state this morning on TV how many animals are now extinct in the wild or approaching extinction…. Keep up the great work as you make people aware of how fragile our enviroment is yet we still see success stories as well such as the Bald Eagle in America..
November 6th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Wonderful article as always! I can’t tell you how much I have been enjoying watching the baby grow and the wealth of information that you provide. Thanks to all the Panda Team
Just wondering – what are the actual dimensions of the den, diameter and height? I’ve tried to gauge, but I have a feeling that it is distorted on pandacam.
thanks!
Moderator’s note: Your question has been forwarded to the Panda Team. Watch for an update to this comment.
November 6th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
When not at work, not assuming some responsibilities, I am fixated to the Panda Cam. It brings joy to my day.
November 6th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Thank you Suzanne for the informative blog. Knowing BaiYun for the awesome mother that she is and always has been, having had 4 cubs, and now raising her 5th, no worries here…………………… I’ve enjoyed watching her twirl and tumble him about lately…..LOL
Yes, we are all very lucky and blessed to share this experience with Bai again…….
Thank you again SDZ staff for all you do for the pandas and for all the animals at the SDZ……
November 6th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Thank you Suzanne – what a wonderful and informative update. I have learnt so much from watching the SDZ website, panda cam and all of the staff blogs. As you all know we are getting 2 pandas in Adelaide – They will still be in quarantine but go on display from December 14 – so I have given them 6 days grace and have booked my one hour visit on 20/12. I just can’t wait……. in the mean time back to chubby cubby and mummy Bai
November 6th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Pandafan no 43,
Bai Yun and cub typically use the den to greater or lesser degrees until December. Once the cub becomes ambulatory we will begin the transition to the exhibit for the pair.
Tamara no 50,
She knows! Recall a bear’s nose is very very sensitive. I would imagine the two ends of the cubs smell very different from one another
Jeslyn no 55,
Yes, we have a code for “gentle bite” in our ethogram ( a list of behaviors we score when studying the bears). We generally think of it as Bai Yun saying, “hey kid, wake up and play with me”… but the cub isnt yet developmentally ready to play back. Soon enough, Bai Yun will be saying, “hey kid, buzz off and let me eat in peace!”
and to no 54 LH,
many many thanks!
November 6th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Pandafan2 #48 – that is just the perfect name for bai’s little boy – gave me quite a chuckle
November 6th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
My, my lots going on. Chubby will get a name, Chubby has a shower and as always our Moderators fills us with information to sooth our curious souls. #54 LH- I could never have said it better. I echo your sentiment. #56 Dennis and Lyn. For a couple of months I have read your blog. So many times I wanted to reach out to you, yet never knew what or how to say what I felt. To hear Lyn may go home soon brought such joy to my heart. Much like our little Chubby Cubby does. We all believe and pray in differant ways. Right Chari Mercer
Mine is a walk in the woods every morning. The woods is my house of worship. Every movement every sound gives me joy and I pray. For alot these days. I pray for the two of you, to continue with your journey to heal with great strength. Since you are in this together, its together you will prevail. I believe you will. OK now I need help from all you senior Pandaholics. I know I should know this by now after 3mos. but I don’t. I do watch Daniel’s web page. I understand at Smithsonian top right and middle ia SuLin and Zhen Zhen. Who is at Memphis? What zoo is Chao Chao? I understand he is off exhibit. Is there a reason for that? Everyone have a lovely weekend. Moderators included ofcourse.
November 6th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Thank you for reinforceing what I had read about mother pandas in another article.
Just wondering did the panda family get a lot of great gifts for the baby shower?
Moderator’s note: As usual, our panda fans were very generous. A big thanks to everyone!
November 6th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Panda Cam has been my home page since Hua Mei! Any chance the clock will be corrected soon?
November 6th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
For those new to panda’s observation, there is a documentary which was posted on YouTube in 6 parts of the work by a Chinese biology professor.
“Wild Giant panda（ 国家地理100年典藏-拯救大熊猫）part1”
Jomia1130, posted on December 22, 2007
If you do a search using the title, you will find all 6 videos.
In part two they explain that in the early days of panda’s observation, when a mother left her cub in the den for a long time, the scientists thought she had abandon her cub and it was taken just to die later in captivity. Much has been learn since. Since I don’t understand Chinese, I couldn’t tell when the documentary has been made. But if you want to know the sounds of the pandas, you will be rewarded by watching those videos; there are plenty of sounds…
November 6th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
#56 Dennis & Lynn – God’s blessings to both of you. All of here on Panda blog send our best wishes, and we too hope that she is released from the hospital VERY soon. Not only are these wondrous black and white creatures good will ambassadors of peace and happiness, they could also be deemed get well ambassadors; because whenever anyone is feeling bad, just one trip to the panda cam will make you feel much better and put a smile on your face.
Suzanne, thanks for this lesson in communication and loving care between panda moms and cubs. Those who were witness to Tai Shan’s birth and early months are familiar with the vocalizations you described, as well as the difference in sounds as he was getting older. When he fell off the ledge in their enclosure, I will never forget the shrieks he made after hitting the floor, as well as the panic sounds from his mother, Mei Xiang, who seemed to not know what to do for him. Luckily she was able to get him up and walking around, and the panic subsided. Very scary. I kept hearing it as I was trying to go to sleep. So it’s not always a good thing to be able to hear EVERYTHING.
November 6th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Very informative blog. Thank you for all this information about panda denning, both in the zoo and in the wild. I always wondered how much he spoke and figured, by Bai’s reactions it is very similar to a human child; fussy cry, hurting cry, hungry cry, just excercising the lungs cry. I also get nervous for any young animal, as I have witnessed first hand the cruelty of house sparrows attacking nests of tree swallows, killing both the young and the adults. As adorable as our cubbie is, a part of me will be more relieved when he can run and smack anything that could harm him. It is very interesting to see how nature and instincts make the cub quieter now that Bai spends less time with him, to ensure his survival. I am really hoping Chinook will have a cub or two and be able to compare the whole denning process with this, my first panda cub!
November 6th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
this little guy seems like he will do great when he is out for the public to see him I LOVE THE PANDA NAMES THAT WERE PICKED FOR HIM mine didnt get through:(
November 6th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Linda no 57,
the den is approx. 4 feet in diameter and the camera is nestled about 5.5 feet from the floor
November 6th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
That just might be the best update I’ve ever read. That was simply fascinating and it let us in on a bit more of panda behavior. You say she may be away as long as 24 hrs in the wild so that means she is going to go a bit far in her search sometimes for bamboo. Can she hear her cub from some distance like that? Obviously she has to eat and she isn’t like other bears who can hibernate and then take the cubs with her. The first job is getting that baby filled up regularly and helping it grow enough that she can leave it for food. She must eat and in pandas case as you said it is for her own health and that of the cub. If he is happy and fed he is going to rest easy. Bai makes sure that her baby is kept fed and when she does come in she shows her affection and even if our cub is quiet he certainly knows his mama loves him.
Thank you for a great read.
November 6th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Suzanne, wonderful and informative post! Thank you so very much for taking the time to share this with us! And such perfect timing! The cub has been alone for quite some time now and he seems so peaceful and relaxed. It’s comforting to know that if he calls, she will come!
November 6th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
Thank you for this wonderful info, Suzanne! Am I the only one who wonders this…I wonder if anyone is ever watching ME on a people cam…..kinda scary, really. I think there was a movie starring Jim Carrey awhile back like this. Anyway, the panda cam has me going…. = – ) hope it’s not true….
November 6th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
The little chubmeister has made me evolve from an oooohing and aaaahing observer to a tireless cheerleader every time I see him struggle to get around.
I’m exhausted.
November 6th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Even animal moms need a break, maybe Zhennie can babysit while she lounges in her sun room, having a facial, getting her long nails painted pretty.
November 6th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Kudos to all who planned and participated in the “Shower”.
I’ve looked on video and still photo close ups but I don’t see a claw on the 6th digit. I see it is nude, like glove leather I suppose. Am I missing something? Will the claw grow in later when a grip on bamboo is required?
I liked your comparison chart using the stats for all the off spring. Very well organized and presented.
Thanks to all for devoted work with all the charming pandas.
November 6th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
#63 Brandy NY The webcam on Daneil’s site the first two at the top is from the National Zoo it could be Tai Shan the son who is 4 yyrs old, Mei Xiang the mother, or Tian Tian the dad. The next one is from the Memphis Zoo that could be Le Le or Ya Ya. The bottom one is the San Diego Zoo with the cubbie and mom Bai Yun in the den if not the den then it could be Su Lin the big sister or Zhen Zhen the little sister. Gao Gao is the dad and he is off site right now. Hopefully starting this coming week the Atlanta Zoo will be back on line and you will see the Xi Lan aka Xman and his mom Lun Lun aka mommy monster lol. Also there’s Mei Lan big sis and daddy Yang Yang at the Atlanta Zoo. I hope this helps you get them all straigthen out.
November 6th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Thank you all for the GREAT updates on little Prince Panda … and such an education you are giving us. I am especially glad to know about those long absences as I was wondering why such a caring Momma was wandering off so often. Thanks again (from Ont.Canada)
November 6th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
#30 – I’m with you. Genuinely moderator, you do a phenomenal job! You share in all of our trials and tribulations. There is no question you are on the first line of defense on this blog. When we are not pleased about something, you are the first to know…in the same token, when we are excited about something, you share in that joyous moment with us.
I hope your boss and SDZ is aware how much ‘out your way’ you go for us in providing feedback answers. Even when someone asks the same question over and over and over…you still answer and some of the replies are quite entertaining, I must say. In my opinion, there is no one more deserving to hold cubbie than you. You are very much an intricate part of this blog I hope you do get the chance one day, even if it is only touch him and I hope that you will share your event with us. Until then, a sincere thanks and appreciation for all that you do.
Now, for the post, it’s my third time reading it today…so informative and scholarly written. Thanks, Suzanne. Not long now till he gets his name. I sure hope Price Waterhouse Coopers has every vote accounted for…;-)!
Moderator’s note: Thank you all for your very kind words. I love my job and am glad it shows!
November 6th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Thanks, Suzanne, for another very educational posting. I continue to marvel at the in-depth education you provide to all the worldwide panda fans. It is a price-less opportunity and privilege for us to get to know these endangered animals so well. Many thanks to all involved in caring and sharing.
November 6th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Brandy #63 – Memphis has Ya Ya (female) and Le Le (male). I’m not sure what Chao Chao is – perhaps the ChiangMai Zoo in Thailand? They have a female cub – Lin Ping. You might have seen photos of her in a crib, stroller, or with a rocking horse.
November 6th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Another great article, Suzanne! I am so enjoying the education I am receiving from you and your colleagues on Everything Panda. I am always amazed and how much information you guys manage to cram into each post! I look forward every day to seeing His Royal Chubbiness (my own name for our cub since I first started following his progress on PandaCam), seeing his weekly exams and being able to compare his stats with those of his siblings, and reading the latest blogs and the comments of my fellow Pandamaniacs. We have a true caring community being built here. Thank you to all of those, both the SDZ staff and the Pandamaniacs, for your interest and enthusiasm! I can hardly wait until 11/17 for HRC’s formal naming ceremony. Do let us know where and what time that will be so those of us who live nearby can attend!
November 6th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Dearest Moderator,
Four postings ago, as part of my posting on “Pandas: From Both Sides” I wrote:
84. Phyllis says:
November 4th, 2009 at 7:03 am
Blah…blah…blah…
Lastly, can’t we take up a vote or something so that YOU can be the next one to carry cubbie into his exam?? Or better yet, can we vote that YOU be the one who presents him to the public when Bai Yun says it is time to do so??? I’ll vote for you like a million times
Now, on this page, #30 Pandafan #2, #43 Pandafan-north, #51 Shirley, and #53 Page have all expressed they think you should carry our baby in for his next exam.
Do you see a common theme friend?????
Seriously, isn’t there anything we could do as an appreciative and crazy panda family to achieve getting you some special reward for everything you do for our baby AND us???
LH #54
BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN. I hope everyone in charge reads it!
Thanks and goodnight all!
November 6th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
He is so cute.
:0 Here is a story about the vet and Chubby Cubbie.
Chubby cubbie
Vet
C:Oh what what??
V:Oh soooo cute i got to kiss and hug him. oh no i guess i better not.
C:Oh ok my 10th exam better than mommas cleaning. ;|
V:Ok you weigh 11.7 pounds
C: Oh i don’t care, What are all these strange looking things?? Flashing at me??
November 6th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Thanks for that insightful story of sound. I loved it!!!
November 6th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Suzanne:
I can only echo all of the many positive comments from all of the above bloggers for your sensational dissertation regarding the the panda denning and nurturing habits that Bai and the cub exhibit. What you, and the entire panda research team, are doing is nothing short of phenomenal and spectacular in what you are showing and educating the public about the panda species. Your ongoing efforts and the results that we the public are extremely fortunate to have are incredible! …. what you are doing is priceless !!!!!!!……
November 7th, 2009 at 6:54 am
It’s always great to read your blogs, I look forward to them. Maybe this question has been asked before & I missed it.
Why does the den look like a round ball that the Panda’s could fall off of? Is it because of the angle of the video cam?
November 7th, 2009 at 7:08 am
I love to watch mom play with pudgie, as she tosses him around and hugs on him as she lays on her back.
You can see them bonding like a real parent to child. It’s so relaxing during my work day to be able to look
in and find them interracting so well. I also enjoy mom throwing the bedding around the den and little bit
seems to get lost underneath, until he crawls out. Has baby boy crawled outside on his own yet? I’ve seen
him headed towards the door, but didn’t know if he made it out yet or not. Thanks for all of the information
you’ve provided, I’ve learned so much I didn’t know, since this boy has been born. I’d have hooked up
before had I known this site existed.
November 7th, 2009 at 8:54 am
Hi Jeri,
The Pandas in Chiang Mai, Thailand are Chuang Chuang (male), Lin Hui (female) and their cub is Lin Ping (female).
November 7th, 2009 at 8:59 am
Vet
Cubbie
C:I am adorable arn’t i???
V:Oh i just want to kiss and hug you!!! ok i guess i better not.
C:I am adorable arn’t i???
V:You weigh 11.7 pounds.
C:I am adorable arn’t i????
C:Hello look at me
November 7th, 2009 at 9:08 am
Dear Moderator, when you send questions on to the Panda Team, do they send you answers? Do they save the questions for future blogs if there is a theme they want to answer? I bet we’d all like our own personal Panda Expert answering questions 24/7, a living PandaPedia! By giving us such interesting info-morsels, you have made us hungry for more. And THAT is great teaching. Thanks, again Panda Team and Moderator. It can’t be said often enough.
Moderator’s note: Generally, they use the questions as a basis for blog entries. It’s the most efficient way for them to satisfy our inquiring minds; caring for the pandas keeps them VERY busy!
November 7th, 2009 at 9:42 am
Dear Moderator,
Please know that I (and many like me) REALLY do wish you would get some special time with our baby because you do SOOOO much for him and us, and you do it with patience and grace. Since you know best and have already declined the idea of carrying him into his next exam, please know you are truly appreciated and respected a great deal. Have a BEAUTIFUL PANDA-Day !!!!
Moderator’s note: Thank you, Phyllis and so many other panda fans. It is nice to be appreciated! And I have to admit I do have a back-up moderator who does an outstanding job as well.
November 7th, 2009 at 9:56 am
That is what I was wondering I had asked it someplace in our blogs, I feel like I want to be a researcher. This is so interesting. Thanks.
November 7th, 2009 at 11:08 am
I was reading the milestone page and I can’t tell by the names who is male or female. How many of Bai Yun’s cubs are male and what are their names? Thanks.
November 7th, 2009 at 11:42 am
To Tanda #93: Mei Sheng is the only other male born to Bai Yun. You can read all about the various pandas in the Meet the Pandas section
November 7th, 2009 at 11:57 am
Cubbie walked out of the den all by himself ! Cam at lunch, sorry you didn’t follow.
November 7th, 2009 at 11:59 am
He’s escaped again. Plucky guy.
November 7th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
I think cubbie is finding some other ways to let Bai Yun know that he wants attention. Just now he was laying on the step into the den, wiggling around. The next thing I knew, he had falled off into the outside, and Bai’s head had appeared to prop him back up. First time leaving the den by himself, perhaps?
November 7th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
93 tanda – Bai has two sons – Mei Sheng and cubbie. Her daughters are Hua Mei, Su Lin and Zhen Zhen.
November 7th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Hey, look at our little guy scooting around outside the den! He’s having to navigate through the boo, but he’s doing pretty well!
November 7th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Its about noon, and Cubbie is getting some good exercise playing on his front porch……I think I am seeing his first time out of the den ALONE playing and exploring…..
November 7th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Thank you panda team for showing cubby in his mommy’s den.Cubby was just crawling and playing with the bamboo leaves,then he fell asleep. So cute
November 7th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
What a workout our little cub just had…crawling, walking…oops falling…slipping and sliding…some pushups too…forwards, backwards, sideways…he looks like he is down for awhile though…would have loved to hear some audio on that (and when he gets bath!)…thank you to all the wonderful staff including the camera people.
November 7th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
so cute ! been watching the panda cam today and he is such a little brat lol. he is making a mess out of the bamboo and just rolling in it lol. he is trying to get up on all four but only his front legs cooperate. wish i could just squeeze him.
November 7th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Came home, turned the computer to Panda Cam, and there was Chubby Cubby outside the den door amongst some bamboo leaves. For a moment I was sure I saw him walking on all fours for a brief moment. Now he is sleeping, about his own length away from the doorway, at 12:31pm Pacific Standard Time. Inexpressibly cute.
November 7th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Little cubbie left the den again on his own! He did well but was defeated by the slippery floors in the end. He crawled a bit though and spun himself around a bit and now he has passed out in the sweetest position on the floor. He kept at it for quite a while though, he is making good progress these past few days!
November 7th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Yes, I see! And have also noticed that he needs space to flex his limbs in order to learn to walk. If mum was in the den most of the time he would n’t have any inscentive to learn to walk to follow her to see where she goes.
I have watched both Su Lin & Zhen Zhen as cubs,.. but with this little boy time has gone so fast.
November 7th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
OMG! Did anyone else see that? Chubs crawled/walked to the den entrance and pushed hmself right out, dragging a bunch of boo behind him. He inspected the area in front of the den for several minutes, still caught up in the boo, around and around in slow circles until he wore himself out and fell asleep face down on the concrete. Too cute!
November 7th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
I was just peeking at the cam and saw our little cubby out of the den in the bedroom and did the video time lapse for the day. It looks like he got himself out and into his present position! I wonder what Bai thinks of this! He will be chasing after him in no time! Soooooo adorable!
November 7th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
#93 Tanda Mei Sheng is the only other male cub
I’ve just switched the cam on and cubby5 is out of his den! Still flopped out like a teddy bear toy though.
November 7th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
I was watching just a bit ago and baby boy started to crawl!!! I watched him head out of the den after mom. He got to the opening and fell out from the small step of the den. He crawled around for a while and wore himself out and fell asleep. It was great to watch! Look out now Mom. He’s mobile!
November 7th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Tanda #93–Mei Sheng and cubbie #5 are male. Hua Mei, Su Lin, and Zhen Zhen are female.
November 7th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Tanda 94
I can help you with that one. Go to the Panda Cam page and you will see something that says “Meet the Pandas”. If you click on that, it will give you a picture and a short bio of all the pandas at the SDZ, including Mei Sheng who was Gao and Bai’s first son (he now lives in China), Hua Mei who was Shi Shi and Bai’s first daughter (she now lives in China), and Shi Shi, who was the male at the SDZ before Gao Gao. He also returned to China in 2003 where he died in 2008. Have fun!
November 7th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Did anyone notice if little cub just crawled for the first time?? I thought I saw it on the time lapse video. This is exciting!!
November 7th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Moderator,
In whatever they are going to post about the party, will they be announcing what gifts the panda’s got? I’m just curious if Gao Gao got the toy I bought for him for shower day, or will they save it for him especially, or will they give it to someone else? I am REALLY hoping it definitely gets to Gao Gao. I want him to know I am very proud of him and love him too. He seems to always be left out in the background.
Moderator’s note: We’ll include some of the gifts purchased in the recap. The lucky pandas received everything that was on their Wish List, thanks to our generous panda fans! Please know that any gift meant to be for Gao Gao will indeed go to that fine gentleman bear.
November 7th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
To Tanda#93
Bai Yun has 1 adult male, his name is Mei Sheng. She also has 3 females, Su Lin,Zhen Zhen,Hua Mei. If you want to check it out for yourself go to meet the pandas on the top of the panda cam. I whould post a link but you can find it. You are welcome.
November 7th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
To Tanda#93
I forgot to add that she has a new cub so 2 boys Bai Yun has.
November 7th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
I think it is a mistake to impose our human emotions and behavior onto animals. Their instincts serve them best.
November 7th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Right now i saw Bai Yun drinking water and then one minute i left the panda cam page and then went back and Bai Yun and cub are in the sunroom.
November 7th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Do my eyes deceive me? Did he crawl out on his own this time?
If not, he certainly did move around once he was in the bedroom!
November 7th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Christie in San Diego #82
If you are lucky enough to attend on the 17th, do you think you could take any pictures and somehow make them available to those of us who live far away? I know I would really appreciate any pictures I could get.
Thanks!!
November 7th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
I was paying my bills, and watching the cam alot today. There was a point that cubbie came out by himself, played, napped, then mom came back in and took him outside in a square pen. Then the cutest thing, she was sitting with him in her lap, like on the porch, in the door way. and just paused a minute. but the camera was then turned black and white, where before it was color when cubbie was outside, and the shot was far away. then someone came to the fence, and maybe offered Bai a treat or something, she put baby down so carefully, and stood up to the fence, then took cubbie back in.
But for that brief second, the was sitting on the “step” in the doorway, holding Chubbie Cub, and looking outward. Just like you would be sitting on your porch!!!!!Cute.
November 7th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
I would love you to put a Still Picture of that moment where she was in the doorway.
November 7th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Dear Suzanne, thank you for the wonderful update, this is really interesting and it all makes sense. I was wondering how Bai Yun stayed awake in the earlier days and avoided accidently hurting the cub…….truly amazing. Thank you again; and thank everyone for their deligent gentle, kind work!
Sincerely, Joellen Megan Iowa City
November 7th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Hua Mei, Su Lin and Zhen Zhen are female. Mei Sheng is male. So 3 girls and 2 boys for Bai Yun.
November 7th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Well Panda Family,
I don’t know if it is me or my computer, but things don’t seem to be going right today. I’ll see my post and then it seems to disappear. At this point, I don’t even remember what I’ve already said and what I haven’t?!? So rather than make a bigger mess out of whatever is going on today, I’ll say an early “goodnight” and wish you all a beautiful weekend. That goes for pandas and people. I hope everyone enjoyed the shower and today. Hopefully, I will have better luck tomorrow. Goodnight all and special hugs and kisses to Bai Yun, Gao Gao, and beautiful Baby Boy!
November 7th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
to #93: Hua Mei, Su Lin and Zhen Zhen are female. Mei Sheng is male. So 3 girls and 2 boys for Bai Yun.
November 7th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
I was just watching a tender moment between mom and cubby, when It occurred to me that I have never seen another animal as laid back, loving and happy as Pandas. Watching how they treat each other answers the question for me as to how they become such wonderful characters. What a way to be welcomed into this world. The thought of anything bad happening to them breaks my heart, so I won’t go there, ever.
Happy happy, may be a good name for a future Bai babe.
me
November 7th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
#63 Brandy. Ya Ya and Le Le are at Memphis. You can visit the MZ online web page to learn more about the bears. On the page you are referring too, the fist two cams are always National Zoo, left to center. There is not a US panda name Chao Chao, there is a panda name Gao Gao here at SDZ that is off exhibit for the time being. Hope this helps.
November 7th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Tanda, here are the names of Bai Yun’s 4 cubs and their gender: Hua Mei–girl; Mei Sheng–boy;
Su Lin–girl; Zhen Zhen–girl. Bai’s 5th cub is a boy and will get his new name on November 17. Bai has had 2 boys, 3 girls. Mark your calender for Nov. 17 to find out the 5th cub’s new name, ok? Hope this helps you out, Tanda!
Just looked in on the pandacam tonite, and little cubbie is sound asleep; thanks to the meerkats for the great cam closeup!
Not much going on here. Been busy all day, so going to get dinner and get some rest. Will be back later on!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
November 7th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Loved this! Thank you so much for this interesting information. I learn something new every day!
November 7th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
I did not get a chance to look on cam today so I watched the time lapse tonite and is it my imagination or did our cubbie crawl out of the den again and scoot around in the bedroom? sunroom? I am not sure which room is right outside but he was sure active. thanks to the camera workers for catching all this and moving the camera around, you guys are the best.
November 7th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
93. Tanda – if you go to the pandacam page you will see a button for “Meet the Pandas,” and that link will give you information about all of the kids!
November 7th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
I would love to buy a poster of that brief second, a shot of Bai craddling Chubbie Cubbie sitting in the doorway on the step, sometime about 2:00 or 2:30, Nov. 7. with a totally blank square pen and the dark den behind them.
Like she is thinking “Baby Chub Cub, my son, someday you will be so big I cant hold you anymore. And you will grow proud, and have a happy life, and now I will tell you stories of your brave father, and you will remember your loving mother, my son, yes someday I will not be able to hold you….I love you my baby son……..”
November 8th, 2009 at 6:31 am
Gender Question: When I was looking at the milestone statistics for the cubs, I noticed that three had their genders confirmed during the first exam. Su Lin’s took another week, and Zhen Zhen another three weeks. Why?
Thanks!
November 8th, 2009 at 6:56 am
For those of you that missed the cub crawling out of the den Saturday, and then his return trip to the den via the sunroom in the mouth of Bai, I have posted 2 new YouTube videos: “Bai Yun’s Cub: Whoops I Did It Again” Part 1 & 2. The Meerkats did an excellent job of following him on this incredible journey!! Thank you so much!
The links are:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhloAH9aGVc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_1Fef_LT88
November 8th, 2009 at 7:12 am
Thanks for this informative blog. I’m very interested in panda vocalizations. Thank you all for your generosity in sharing your knowledge and experience with us. I’m sure your educational efforts and hard work will pay off.
November 8th, 2009 at 7:32 am
OK, I just have to share this! I was browsing around YouTube looking for some older videos of Pan Pan and Dong Dong, Momma Bai’s parents, when I stumbled upon this entirely too precious clip. I suppose it was filmed inside one of the Panda Research facilities in China. Hehehe…it has an entire tabletop covered with little miniature, toy size baby pandas!! Oh my gosh and they are all squeaking, squonking, croaking and chirping. Some are wobbling around nuzzling on others while some are just trying to hold those tiny heads up and squeak. LOL I felt like I hit the Powerball when I saw this. Here is the address at YouTube for the video. The name is “Baby Pandas” and the author is “Xiologo”, just in case our dear Moderator deems that address inappropriate. Hope you all enjoy that clip as much as I have
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDTPOkPhqe4
November 8th, 2009 at 8:06 am
Good Morning Panda Family,
Oh, what a WONDERFUL start to my day, I turned on the pandacam, and there is our BEAUTIFUL Bai Yun just chillin’ and chompin’ on her boo. I KNOW she’s a bear, I KNOW there are rules, BUT I JUST WANT TO HUG HER. I have watched other mommy pandas and they are all beautiful with their cubbies, but there is just something SOOOO special about Bai Yun that I don’t know how to put into measley human words. I think watching her alone and especially with our little man makes me feel like I can almost touch God. I know I’m repeating myself but I never knew much about pandas until I found out about this site soon after cubbie #5 was born (he was still at the butterstick stage). I’ve been hooked ever since. I’m not shocked really, if it breathes, both my daughter and I love it; we share an intense love for animals. But I don’t know how to explain what these pandas make me feel, except I thank God for it.
I’m afraid as silly as it sounds, I sometimes feel like I have to “sneak a peak” during the day because my wonderful hubbie actually seems to get a little jealous of the time I spend with the pandas. Please don’t think ill of him, he really is a gentle, loving man; just a bit possessive. I’m only mentioning it between us so that you all will understand how much I TRULY enjoy you sharing your experiences with me.
What is the white stuff in Bai Yun’s Garden Room? I never saw it before?
Well guys, I’ve got to go now. I’ll try to tune back in later. In the meantime, lots and lots of hugs and kisses to our magnificent pandas; and a VERY sincere thank you to all my friends in this wonderful Pandaholic Family!!!
Of course, that includes you Moderator
November 8th, 2009 at 10:50 am
Many thanks to the person(s) who purchased the hammock!!
I can hardly wait to see where it’s hung and which panda gets the first crack at it. ZA pandas love their hammock (especially Lun Lun). This is going to be really fun to watch and great enrichment.
With the baby in motion now – Pandacam watching takes on a whole new and exciting dimension!!
November 8th, 2009 at 11:37 am
Moderator…I have a picture on Flickr, of Bai and Baby sitting on the “porch” that some pandaholics have asked another person to upload. I don’t want to do anything wrong, so I am asking you if I am doing this correctly.I don’t know how to post links and such…just look at pictures others upload. Here is the link flickr gave me to view this picture….may I post it here? Thank you for your help http://www.flickr.com/photos/90269102@N00/?saved=1
Moderator’s note: Sure! Cute great-granchild, too, Widget!
November 8th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Panda Papa Gao Gao aka Studmuffin Sr. alert! Sunday afternoon about 2:35 pm PST – cam is on Gao in his bedroom in the midst of a major boo munch down! He’s going to town (as he always does), and there is a HUGE pile of boo waiting for him to enjoy! So good to see him again!
November 8th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
#135 Doxiemom – Thanks for the great videos! I missed most of the little guy’s adventure yesterday, so it was fun to watch him actually make some progress – not a lot! – but some! His coordination is a lot better than it was even last week and I expect he’ll be making Bai crazy pretty soon.
#136 Tina – adorable video of the little ones in China. Don’t you just want to scoop them up and hug them?? All three videos are must see!
November 8th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Can we hear sounds from the den? I never heard them. If there’s a way to listen in, please post here.
I love watching this little guy and his attentive mom every day. I enjoy all the blogs and am learning so much. Thank you for sharing all of this with us.
Moderator’s note: Our Panda Cam does not include audio. Thankfully we all get to hear the cub during videos of his weekly exams!
November 8th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
How many exits does the den have, and where do they lead? I saw cubbie in his Mama’s bedroom…. and I am confused! Moderator, if you can hold a tiger cub, you can hold a panda cub, and if you start crying, just know that the cubbie won’t get wet.
Moderator’s note: The den just has one opening for Mom and cub. It leads into the bedroom area.
November 8th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Bai Yun is sooo funny when she spins her baby all around!! :p
November 8th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
November 8th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
I think it was Bai Yun on Cam 15 this afternoon trying to take a big piece of bamboo up to the climbing structure in the middle of the garden room. I did a double take because I have not seen her do that before. I even checked the camera legend to be sure it wasn’t Zhen Zhen whom I have seen trying that before. I clicked away to check the Polar Cam and when I clicked back Bai Yun was in the den nursing and playing with little one. I am not sure if she gave up with the bamboo and the climbing structure and decided to feed him, or if it was one of those occasions that he vocalized that he was hungry and wanted his mom. Whatever, I wish I had seen the transition from the Garden Room to the den, if it was really Bai Yun I saw with the bamboo.
I hope you had a gorgeous an Autumn Day in SD as we did in Virginia. The weather couldn’t have been nicer, which was a great change from the previous two weekends that were cold and rainy. It was great to get outside and get fresh air and vitamin D. No wonder Bai is so happy she can go outside in the Sun and Garden rooms again to have her boo in peace and warmth from sunshine.
Moderator’s note: It was indeed another beautiful day in San Diego, too!
November 8th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Watch baby Panda everyday, throughout the day, when I am off work. I leave the cam up just to watch when passing the computer. He can be so busy, legs and arms moving about. Then resting after his work out. Wish I could just cuddle with him and take a nap. I can think of no other animal that is more beautiful than the Panda.
November 8th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Has Bai Yun taken little man outdoors in the early evening recently. I have not observed them both being gone from the den at night in a couple of weeks. When I check in at 4:30 AM, they are either both in the den, or he is by himself. But, he is in the den, not in the bedroom. Since we just had another full moon, I wondered if that affected her moving him outside or not. It still seems mysterious to me why she chose to take her last two cubs out when they were fairly young, but returns them to the den and leaves them there when they are several weeks old. One would think that they could withstand the temperature change better now they they could when they were smaller. But, the night time temperature was warmer then than it likely is now, and maybe that is why she choses to leave them in the den overnight?
November 8th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
#134 DoxieMom — Thank you again — absolutely wonderful footage.
November 8th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Thank you again DoxieMom………you have great edited videos. I think I enjoy them much more than the time lapse on the panda site. Everything in condensed down plus there was color for a bit!
As for the 7 or 8 cubs in that Chinese nursery…..they all seem to be stuffed in incubators.
Not at all with their mothers……and having that many on the table, I was wondering how they knew which mother to give them back to…..guess there aren’t mother’s involved with those cubs.
I don’t think I like how they handle their cubs….too much noise and people around them.
It’s more like a circus.
November 8th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
When Bai had cubbie in the sunroom, she looked over the wall a few times. What is over there? It looked like one or two of the other panda’s walking around. Are they out there where Bai can see them? It is so fun watching him crawl around, what a struggle. I guess soon enough it will be easy for him. It is like watching a small baby learning to crawl…. It seems as though Bai was coaxing him out of the den, you could see her shadow right outside the door. I cannot wait for the naming ceremony, even though my name did not get picked….. i can only imagine trying to narrow down all the submissions. Whatever it is, they all seem to suit him.
November 8th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
DoxieMom
Thanks for sharing your beautiful videos with us again…awesome work!!
Dear Moderator
Are there any pictures of the pandas getting their presents at the shower.? I bought Daddy Gao Gao a toy, I think it was called a “weeble” and unfortunately, family matters prevented me from being able to come to the shower. I just really was hoping to see him get his new toy. I wanted to be sure he really liked it. Thanks for taking the time to answer me
Moderator’s note: It will take a few days to get the presents to the pandas. I’ll see if some photos can be taken of the pandas with their new items for all to see.
November 8th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
over the ledge, through the branches of boo comes yun zih.
then, nap time.
what a guy!
joan
painted post, n.y.
November 8th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
Just watched the little boy sleeping on his side feet moving a mile a minute…My wife in her Hospital bed is in Love with hearing a;; of his exploits,waiting to hopefully be released after 11 monthes of being bed riddden due o degenerative Bone Joint disease and its complications and hoping that she has to visit her SoCal Doctors and more important SDZ upon her release…Any idea how long in average it takes for baby Pandas to gain full Muscle control of their rear feet as he is still dragging himself around mainly with his front legs as he still doesn’t have full control of his rear legs…Dream on sweet prince your name is coming soon!!! Many thanks to the Meercats and their vigilance in keeping the little bruiser on camera as it seems that with each of Bai Yun’s cubs the images get better and better….We can only hope that we will be able to see him at night in his den like the view of Tai Shan in the NZ or maybe even have multi control to switch between 2 cameras to hopefully watch him grow…..Kudos to everyone at SDZ for giving us Pandaholics our daily fix of watching the Panda Clan develop……;-)
November 8th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Margaret #148–I didn’t see Bai outside with the branch, but I saw her (probably a few minutes later) start to take a branch of bamboo from the sunroom into the bedroom. First she was pulling it branches first, but then she decided it would go in better trunk first, so she switched ends. Then, the end of the trunk got stuck in the doorway, so she stopped, backed up a little, took a different grip on it and pulled the branch through the door and into the den. Once again, Bai Yun showed her problem-solving skills, which makes her one TRULY extraordinary bear, I think.
Thanks, Doxie Mom #136 for those videos and Tiny #138 for pointing us to the room full o’ cubbies. I always think the only thing cuter than a panda cub is a bunch of panda cubs!
Uh-oh–mom and baby playing in the den–thought I was going to get to sleep…
November 9th, 2009 at 2:22 am
So many days I have missed seeing so many precious moments with Bai and little guy. I seem to catch alot of the sleeping action. So many thanks to Doxiemom for always thinking of us and taking your time to share. You read people discribing what wonderful things they saw and feel you really missed something special. Alas we can see it for ourselves, thanks to Doxiemom. #138 your right it was a powerball:)
November 9th, 2009 at 4:42 am
Dennis & Lynn Carney
O.K. I sure hope I did this right, I’m not the best with a computer. Dennis, let your wife Lynn watch these two videos done by our wonderful DoxieMom. She is just SOOOO talented and she got some BEAUTIFUL footage that is sure to bring a big smile to Lynn’s face.
I will pray for Lynn’s health (and yours-it’s not easy being a caretaker-I know); and I hope you get to make that trip to the SDZ. I don’t know if I ever will, so if you do, can I count on you to tell the pandas that Aunt Phyllis LOVES them???
God Bless
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhloAH9aGVc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_1Fef_LT88
November 9th, 2009 at 5:40 am
Dear Moderator,
Thank you so much for your reply and I hope you succeed in getting some pictures of the pandas with their new toys. I don’t mean to sound selfish in wanting to get the pleasure of seeing Gao Gao get the toy I bought him. I just love him so and I feel like we don’t get to see much of him, and after all…although his “part” in giving us such awesome cubs is rather short-lived; his genes are definitely contributing to our extraordinary panda babies who have already proven themselves to grow into awesome adults. Just want to be sure ALL our pandas, big and small know HOW MUCH they are truly loved. And I am sure I speak for everyone when I thank you for never tiring of our mushy pouring out of our deepest feelings for these incredible creatures of God.
Have a beautiful Panda-day
November 9th, 2009 at 8:14 am
#148 Margaret, #157 Frances in NYC: Here is the complete video of the scene you described of Bai Yun selecting the piece of bamboo in the Garden Room, to it’s completion when she brought it into the den (and waved it around a bit!) The scene captivated me so I called it “Bai Yun: Smart Panda, Excellent Mother”. I’ve also labeled the different rooms that she’s in for those that are unfamiliar with them! Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeCWyFrM_P4
Thank you all for the kind comments, but please, the thanks truly go to the San Diego Zoo and their wonderful caring staff!!! Panda therapy is soothing for the soul!
November 9th, 2009 at 10:08 am
Thanks for posting that, DoxieMom–glad to see the whole journey that Bai made with the bamboo–the stalk is still in the den with little cutie.
November 9th, 2009 at 10:15 am
Happy Monday to everyone!
We FINALLY had a wonderfully cool weekend here, (where I live in Texas), and I was able to get some outstanding panda-watching done. If anyone is interested, ATLANTA CAM IS BACK ONLINE TODAY! YAY! Couldn’t believe how much Xi Lan has grown over the last month or so. The first glimpse of him today, he was “beating up on his momma”, but she took it in stride and just pushed him away and walked out of the room, with him chasing behind. lol Ah, life is good again, with all the pandas across the nation at the simple touch of a bookmark! 
I was also able to watch the other SDZ cams….polar bears, elephants, apes, etc. Yep, I spend just about the whole weekend online!
November 9th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Cubbie to Mommy – Can I hab new back wegs, da ones I gots are too slippery.
November 9th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Baby is really having a work-out right now – kicking those little legs around! Someone must have put in the aerobics CD that was on the gift list
Thanks to Suzanne, by the way, for the dimension of the den – now I can better chart the growth and girth of the pudgy one!
And of course, thanks to the Moderator for all the work you do to keep us pandaholics in supply!
November 9th, 2009 at 11:11 am
Right now it looks like cubbie is trying to figure out how to walk. I can hear him saying to himself.
Okay, right hind leg up, left hind leg up, right front leg up, oh cwap the right hind leg went down, ok right hind leg up, left hind leg up, right front leg up, oh cwap there went the left hind leg, I give up, I am taking a nap.
November 9th, 2009 at 11:33 am
good afternoon, I have a question:
In China the Panda’s live all together and in SDZ they live separately with the Howdy gate! Why in China are they together and not at the SDZ?
November 9th, 2009 at 11:57 am
Does the cubbie’s mom take him into the sun room, then? Because if cubbie walks out the door, according to Moderator, he’ll be walking into his mom’s bedroom…right?Oh, this is so confusing! I think that the cub is resting up for his 11th exam, or maybe for Christmas…. whichever comes first.
I am glad that the pandas are getting presents!!!!! They will be delighted!!!!!!!!!!!
November 9th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
It’s so good to be back, and have access to the cam. I’ll never have time to read all the posts but I did read the updates. I had 4 minutes on my internet account when I was in Tahiti on the day the voting started, so I used the four minutes to vote!!
I didn’t have any access for almost the last week, and I can’t believe how much Mr. Chubby has grown in a week. Could he be any cuter? I haven’t seen any of the other pandas, but I’m hoping they are all well and happy. As I hope all of you are well and happy.
Can’t wait to find out what Mr. Chubby Cubbie’s name is!
November 9th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Suzanne,
Can you tell us something about their behavior, the differences between each cub.
In my opinion, this little guy is the cutest.
Tks,
November 9th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
#122: Thank you for the recap of babys adventure! I missed it and wondered if mom took him back in or if the zoo keepers were in charge of that.
November 9th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
I’ve been watching my girls, ZZ and SuLin, and Big Daddy…..Gao Gao. Ooooooooooh, thank you so much for putting them on the cam. I sure do miss watching them too.
Ta ta
November 9th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
To DoxieMom: I love your videos! Thanks for capturing what we miss! I get so mad at myself when I check the time on the video and realize that if I had tuned in earlier or later, I would have seen what you have captured. I appreciate you dedication
The video in which you marked the room location is great for all the new panda fan viewers!! Thank you!
November 9th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
In the last couple of hours- I’ve enjoyed a great rotation of all of the Pandas! Thank you so much SDZ!
Bless the cubby’s heart- he is trying so hard to crawl and go out of the den – it’s like he knows where he wants to go (possibly to be with Momma) but he just doesn’t quite have the motor skills yet. He’s getting there and he’s just adorable!
Bless them all! I love them!
November 9th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Great to hear from you again, Suzanne.
Conversation with Bai Yun #21
Bai Yun: Mmmm, bamboo munchies… (Crunch)
Cubbie #5: ZZZzzz [KA POW!]
B: (Crunch)
C: ZZZzzz [Whoosh! Whoosh! Buddha Palm Brown Sugar Sandstorm movement!]
B: (Crunch)
C: ZZZzzz [Kung Pao!]
B: (Crunch)
C: ZZZzzz [Sichuan Panda Style Stir Fry Bamboo Grub movement! Sizzle, sizzle...]
B: (Crunch)
C: ZZZzzz [Whee-e-e! Gansu Lanzhou Tug of War Pulled Noodle movement!]
B: (Crunch)
C: ZZZzzz [Hee Hee! Wolong Roll the Sticky Rice Dough movement!]
B: Ahem… Cubbie, dear.
C: Squeak (Oh… uh. Huh?)
B: Wake up! Time to eat, dear.
C: Squeak (Yes, Mama. I’m hungry.)
(In Gao Gao’s yard)
Tourist: Hello, Gao Gao.
Gao Gao: Hello, Mr. Tourist.
T: Hey, I heard you received email from Cubbie #5.
G: Yeah, he’s excited.
T: Excited about what?
G: He says he likes his martial arts training.
T: Martial arts training?
G: Something like Mt. Emei Style Fend Off Mama Tongue Resistance training.
T: What about something local, too?
G: He’s also taking up Bounce Off the Wall Chinchilla Flip movements.
November 9th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Just wondering if the SDZ panda staff compares notes with the National Zoo, Atlanta & Memphis Zoo pandas. Are the pandas in the various US zoos from different org.? I would think they would have to communicate in order to study the lineage of the different pandas when it comes to breeding the females to the right males.
November 9th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Hi! Saw little guy in the den napping (AGAIN!!). Can’t seem to catch him up and moving lately! Oh well, will keep trying! I also checked the AZ panda page, and saw their little note that their pandacam is back online, and they said thanks for hanging in there to all of us! Didn’t get on their cam today, but will get on there tomorrow. Been catching up on reading alot of these comments, and caught up on the Youtube panda video list. Watched a couple of them tonite, and they were all cute and funny!
Gonna go and check pandacam again. Will be back sometime later on!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
November 9th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Kathy No 167,
There are far too many pandas in the Chinese breeding centers for the adults to be housed individually, especially the Wolong population. Wild adult pandas do live alone nearly all of the time.
KC no 176,
Yes, we communicate and work with our colleagues at other US zoos. For example, a new husbandry manual for pandas was published just last week by the SSP, and contributors from all of the US zoos housing pandas participated in its development.
November 9th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
To P Wong. #175 I like your story between Gao Gao and Chubby Cubbie. I got a giggle.
November 9th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
Yes! P Wong #175–truly truly LOL!!!
November 9th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
P. Wong you have to write a panda-holic book ! you are clever. Did you write a Daddy Gao Gao conversation yet?
November 9th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
Last thing before I went to bed tonight was to check in, and there’s Bai Yun and our little guy sleeping next to one another. I only wish I had watched all of this before I had a child so many years ago. Bai Yun could give new moms some great lessons! I find watching these two very comforting with life’s drama’s swirling around me. Very peaceful.
November 10th, 2009 at 1:42 am
Hiyah Papa Gao,
I wuv you and I wish I can meetz you one day. Mama says I need to build my strength. So everyday she exercizes me. She twirls me awound on he 4 paws, I feel like an acrobat in the circuz, WHEEEE. Sometimes she takes me out of the den for fresh air. I can smellz different smellz. I wonder what you smell like. Mama smells of milk and comfort. I think you must smell of boo and strength. Mama tells me you love boo very much and that you are strong and brave. I hope I grow up like you and make you proud of me.
I wuv cuddling up to Mama’s tum tum. Sometimes when we lie down her noze is at my bum bum. She says she wants to remember my smell. Silly Mama.
I need to nap now so that I can grow up faster. My paws are quite big now. The human healers keep using this long thing to measure me. They say I am growing well. So that is good newz.
Hugs,
No 5, your son
November 10th, 2009 at 4:59 am
Teething question: The doctors are always looking for the teeth to break through. How does Bai Yun cope with that? I realize it may be too elusive a training moment for scientists to see, but surely she would not want cubbie bearing down hard with his sharpies when nursing.
November 10th, 2009 at 4:59 am
Hi Suzanne, thank you for another fascinating insight into the Panda World. Chubby Cub seems to be getting bigger by the day & he’s a lot more active too.
November 10th, 2009 at 6:08 am
Thank you DoxieMom for posting so many lovely videos on youtube. I get to see what I’ve missed, it’s a highlight for sure.
He’s getting so big, I can’t wait until his next exam, you can really see how big he really is getting when he’s in the arms of a keeper. He’s getting so busy, lots of sleeping but he’s up and about alot and keeping Mommy Bear on her toes, I can’t wait to see him in another month when he’s out and about.
Thank you SDZ for being so kind as to sharing his world with us. Lots new items to purchase for our little friend, I’m going to go get him something special.
November 10th, 2009 at 6:16 am
Good Morning Panda Family!!
Great Grandma Widget 141
Very sneaky (and really cool) Hee Hee! I love the was you posted a picture of the pandas AND your beautiful new great-grandchild. I know it is the polite thing to say and all; and ALL babies are cute in their own way; but your little guy REALLY is a handsome little fellow. God Bless him and all of you always and I am one of those old fashioned people who don’t like to pass germs on to newborns, so IF you don’t mind, could you just kiss his tiny little foot for me? Just tell him it is from an admirer in the US. Enjoy him honey, he’ll be in college before you know it!!
Suzanne 142
Thanks for the heads-up but I missed Gao Gao- darn it. Doesn’t he just seem to have a character all his own? I hope I get to see more of him in the future, I have a feeling there is a lot to know about this mellow gentleman.
Jeslyn in San Diego 152
Shuuuh…talk quietly friend. I don’t think we are supposed to criticize anyone who is trying to help in the fight for our pandas. But in my heart, I DO agree with you, I like the way we do it here in the US MUCH better. I try to comfort myself by reminding myself that I am not an authority, so I shouldn’t judge. Maybe they’ve done studies or something (I hope) that makes them feel confident in the way they do things. I don’t know. In the meantime, when I find myself a bit upset, I just say a prayer that God guides all the well-meaning folks who are fighting for the pandas and gives them insight so they can see, NOT ONLY the scientific facts; but the crucial emotional and spiritual ones. God Bless You kindred spirit. Hope it helps to know you are not alone.
P. Wong 175
What can I say except–”hilarious”. I can just imagine our laid-back Gao talking between munches about his beautiful little son. Thanks-I needed a laugh today! “-)
November 10th, 2009 at 6:33 am
Linda A. – good to see you back. Hope you had a great trip. P. Wong – your stories go from triumph to triumph. And the little is just one amazing little panda. Takes after his siblings.
November 10th, 2009 at 6:58 am
Question for SDZ.. has there been any thought to taking all of the info you all have been so wonderful as to provide on the site and presenting it in a summary type format? Meaning… where you’ve answered so many of our varied questions, taking all that info and either putting it in a book (”All About Pandas”
) or on a special FAQ site? A book with a lot of cute cub pictures, with lots of info summaries… could also raise money for the zoo. 
Moderator’s note: No immediate plans for a book, but it’s worth thinking about!
November 10th, 2009 at 7:31 am
Hello all
There is a new video in youtube “Lin Ping and Her Keeper 11 09 09” uploaded by puddytat1949. Working with a rambunctious panda cub is not as easy as we think, after watching this video , you’ll know what I mean.
November 10th, 2009 at 9:25 am
I missed you P.Wong — thanks for the update on our furry family. That little boy sure is an active one — and hungry! Thanks for the morning laugh!
November 10th, 2009 at 9:39 am
Hilarious recent video of Xi Lan (aka X-Man) on Youtube.
LCNessie15 has nailed him perfectly.
Titled “I’m Thon of Yang, EH”
Thanks to LCNessie as always!
November 10th, 2009 at 9:42 am
We are so spoiled by the American zoos panda enclosures. I just read that little Lin Ping in Chiang Mai, Thailand is not allowd to go outside of his cage unless a staff takes him. Lin Hui, his mother, goes into her large, on display, enclosure daily now but can’t take the baby due to the slope of the yard.
I have been there and yes it is on a very steep angle so that the visitors can see the whole “yard”. There was very little dirt/grass, mostly wood, bamboo and rocks so it would be very dangerous to the little one. They don’t have an outside area since it is too hot there so I wonder how long it will be before Lin Ping is able to go into the enclosure with her Mom.
November 10th, 2009 at 10:54 am
Poor little Cubby is trying SO HARD to get traction, so he can go somewhere. Is the door closed? He looks frustrated, and he opened his mouth really wide, like he was screaming, “Help!!!”
November 10th, 2009 at 11:32 am
Just an FYI…the cam time is not correct. Right now it’s 11:30 a.m. PST, but the clock is set for 12:45. Thanks. Love all things Black & White!
November 10th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Jane no 195,
Yes, we are aware of this. We are experiencing some “technical difficulties” and are as yet unable to adjust the clocks to reflect the time change.
November 10th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Would Bai Yun recognize Zhen Zhen if they came together? (and vice versa?) I realize that Bai Yun would try to protect her newest cub but would she also recognize Zhen Zhen was her cub? Or even Su Lin??
Moderator’s note: For an explanation, see Suzanne’s previous blog, More Questions Answered.
November 10th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Thanks for the view of Zhen Zhen this afternoon! Very sweet when she eats her bamboo, and she is still small and cute. Looked like Napping Bear was an airplane last night, with his arms spread out like that. He was still napping though, how typical.Maybe he wants to fly with his “superpowers!” (Hint Hint P. Wong, maybe while he dreams, he visits his family, and Panda Claws!)
November 10th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
12:53 SD Time: Wow – is that Bai Yun on cam 15 in her Garden Room? Beautiful picture of her enjoying some lunch in the beautiful afternoon weather! Have the cams gone HD?
November 10th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Just wanted to point out that it is very hard to read the numbers at the bottom of the Panda.cam at times so we can’t always figure out which of our pandas we are looking at.
Apparently the clock is still wrong as well though that isn’t as big a deal. As long as we can see our pandas we’re happy.
November 10th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
#152 = one reason you saw all those babies on the table is that they are parts of a twin set and their siblings may very well be with moms in the breeding area. This is a strategy for successfully raising twins. It is more calm than you think in the breeding center nurseries. Only staff can enter them and if the windows are open, people are requested to be quiet. In Chengdu, the babies are completely isolated soundwise from their adoring fans. China’s policy has been to separate the mothers from the cubs early (usually around the New Year) so that the females will be ready to breed again in the spring. The aim as I understand is to build up a self-sustaining captive population so that if someone horrible happens to the wild pandas, the species will be preserved.
Rest assured, these animals in China are well cared for and well loved. Their keepers went with their Wolong charges to the new homes in Ya’an and elsewhere. In talking to them this summer, they expressed their hope that they can return to their homes (and families) as soon as feasible. How many of us would love our charges so much that we would follow them to a new place with many new challenges. The bond between the keepers and the pandas is truly amazing.
(Try this to “O where o where has my little dog gone”)
O when, o when will the cam time be fixed??? O when, o when will that be?
etc.
Moderator’s note: (to the tune of “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad”) We are working on the time error, and it is tri-ckkkkyyyy. We are working on the time fix, just you wait and seeeeee…….!
November 10th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Oops, I should have said “may be halves of twin set”. Sorry.
November 10th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Some views of Bai in her garden, having a boo treat. I am wondering if our adorable cubby is having a checkup!?!
November 10th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Thanksgiving has come early! Thanks to IHN #190–for letting us know about the very funny Lin Ping video–reminiscent of the one of Zhen Zhen playing with one of her keepers as he tried to clean her yard.
And thanks to SDZ for the great shots of Bai Yun dining al fresco this morning and this afternoon, and of beautiful Miss ZZ, who I will always think of as “baby girl.”
Yesterday it was great to visit with papa Gao Gao at dinnertime and sometime in the last few days I saw Su Lin creatively posing in her tree.
And then, there’s the cubbie–it just doesn’t get any better than this! Except maybe when cubbie is nursing and Bai puts her head down next to him–that always makes me smile and smile.
What was the white stuff on the ground next to Bai’s water bowl outside?
November 10th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
We leave tomorrow for Washington DC. Don’t know if we can fit zoo in there but looking forward to my visit to San Diego zoo on Sunday and Monday to see our cuties in the fur. Can’t believe my trip is finally here.
November 10th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Shanghai Daily has posted a picture of a brown and white panda cub seen at a reserve in China. Apparently there have only been 5 such sightings.
November 10th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Lucky Marion #205!
November 10th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
# 192 Joan, thank you so much for the video alert. It was so good to see a recent video of Xi Lan. I have been missing Xi Lan during the long down time of the pandacam at the Atlanta Zoo. It was finally back and running yesterday, and then today they had electrical problems due to the storm and it was down again!! But there is a beautiful picture of Xi Lan, posted yesterday; he is lying on his back on a wooden structure in the sun, just too cute. Our mellow fellow has serious competition in the cuteness department!!
November 10th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Well, hi there, you all! I thought I was going to get on my websites today, but had to do some disk maintenance work on my computer because of a corrupted disk file that needed to be deleted that took almost all day! My puter is doing good now!
So, I didn’t get a chance to check the AZ pandacam before 5pm EST, and I just got on the pandacam and saw little fluffy muffin sound asleep on his side in the den.
P Wong, cute cute!! Keep them coming! Lucilla (#183), loved that letter to Gao from his 5th son! That was precious! Also loved Britney’s 2 conversations that she wrote. Looks like our panda conversation club has gotten pretty popular lately! P Wong, you are not the only conversation writer anymore! You have company now!!
Still waiting for the panda shower conversation recap, the name ceremony coming up, and the cub’s 12th exam. I bet ya that the cub is close to 12 pounds as round and full as he is now!
Veteran’s Day on Wed., Nov. 11, 2009! Please remember our US military that are still serving, the vets that are still living, and those who have given their lives so that we can have the freedom to live our lives without oppression everyday! Please remember especially the 13 soldiers that were killed, and the 42 people that were injured last Thursday at Ft. Hood, Texas, and their families!
Well, gonna go and get back to the cam. Will be back later!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
November 10th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Thanks, Mary, #188, for the welcome back. I have missed everyone, and their great posts. Some make me smile, some make me laugh, some bring a tear to my eye, and others make me think. I haven’t had time to read all of them, but I have to check out the videos posted on youtube for sure. Since I haven’t had much time to check Chubby Cubby, any little peek has made me SMILE. I saw ZZ and Bai today too. Of course, Ms. Su is my desktop at home so I see her every morning. Many, she was a cutie. Still is but now she’s quite the young, crazy lady.
I watched Lin Ping Sunday night (I think) for a long time. She did not want to go in her bedroom AT ALL. What a hoot watching the keepers trying to keep her in there. She is a determined little one. She does crack me up. I can’t always get on the cam, but it’s so worth it when I can.
Does anyone know anything about the Chengdu cams? Have they been working at all?
November 10th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
I have been watching baby all day and I think momma is mean! She hasn’t been around hardly at all, and then when she does come in, she tortures him, like she is right now, changing his diapers, on her diaper table (back feet). I know he missed her today. I know that you explained panda protacol, but is Bai getting tired of her baby? I don’t think he asks for much. Is she frustrated because he isn’t outside scooting around with her yet? =-( look at the little guy right now, she finally lays down, and ignores him…..
November 10th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
AT 5 pm on the 11/10/09, momma was really giving him a workout…I suppose to develope his muscles and wake him up! She had him all over the place and he didn’t seem to like it….but once she left…..he turned himself around and scooted right out that door!
Its dark outside but he knew what the door was and was determined to get back out to mom……now the den is empty until she brings him back in.
Also before she played with him, she pushed the bamboo around and then laid down on her back and flung bamboo all over her belly. Haven’t seen that move before!
November 10th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
In the time I wrote the above blog and went back to the den camera….she hauled him back in!
November 10th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
# 211 kat w, No Bai Yun doesn’t torture or ignore her cub; she leaves him sleeping and gets much needed rest for herself as well. Once the cub will be walking and running around, she will have plenty to do, so she better get her strength back when she can. Actually, at night they are often sleeping together in the den. The cub also needs his mother help for secretions; it is not just a bath that she is giving him. He is an independent little fellow, he is doing fine by himself, and he was nearly 2 hours just outside the den the other day, inspecting his surroundings and falling asleep when he was tired. No need for mommy to drag him around for that…
November 10th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
WOW our little guy isn’t so little anymore??? I had 2 questions!! #1 Do you think this cub will go to China like his big brother??? #2 I was wondering why nothing was mentioned in an e-mail or on FaceBook about the name poll??? I wasn’t able to vote
I hope he gets a good name thought!!!
- Lover of black and white bears!!
Moderator’s note: #1: Most likely. #2: Check the Oct. 30 listing on Facebook for name voting info. We also had the link to the voting page on the Panda Cam page.
November 10th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Touche!
November 10th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Kat#211~Bai knows exactly what she is doing. Look at all her healthy children growing up into fine adult panda bears. She rolls him around and exercises him, keeps his muscles supple and his body super clean and gives him the space he needs to grow into a toddler! Being away from him encourages him to follow and try to crawl and walk, just like a human baby. It also gives her the time to eat well and sleep up so she can produce healthy Bai milk for him. She will be nursing him for a long time yet. Like the keepers said, if he cries, she comes back immediately. Apparently he is enjoying his alone time, sleeping and discovering his feet and toes and how his body works. Then he zonks out and works on growing like a weed!
November 10th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
#211
Did you watch from the moment this baby was born? She is a fantantic MOM. She is doing what she is suppsoed to be doing exlactly! I have a admeration for Mom. I am a Mom and I couldn’t do what she0 has done.
November 10th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
#206 – Jan Thanks for the tip about the brown and white Panda. That was amazing to see. I wonder if those are the new or old version come about?
November 10th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
ive been moving so didnt have internet for a few days . sure missed the panda cams. i was on pandasliveon website,and read a poem by Pam of Panda Poems by Pam. Its titled “Mei Xang’s Lullaby’ It is so moving that it brought tears to my eyes. Mei is remembering her time with Tai as a baby and saying goodbye to him, as he prepares for his trip back to China. Very sad to realize that Tai will leave us soon. Also for Su Lin and Mei Lan too. I will always know that they were born in the U.S.,and are ours, but they are also China’s pandas too. Bai is back in the den with cubbie
November 10th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
I think also that she want to play and teach him stuff and teach him to climb, maybe she can hardly wait for him to play back (fight back). You know how cool it is for your child to sit on your lap, in my case its cool for my cat to sit on my lap. Maybe Bai just wants to go out and show him the world as she knows it, with ground, dirt, trees, caves, piles of Boo. you know? She how strong she is, tossing him around like nothing and he weighs what 10 lb?
November 10th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Just got done watching the Bai Yun and baby “Rolling and a Tumbling/Juggling ” show as Big momma Bai Yun balanced the unknown name prince in the air end over end with her 4 feet before gently setting down the baby….Almost reminded me of Southpark’s “Don’t kick the baby!”LOL…..It’s amazing to watch Mama and son’s delicate balancing act until she finds a comfortable position,and gently puts him where she wants him …..SDZ keep up the informative blogs as the whole world is watching the latest bundle of joy grow daily,and you are an insomniacs best friend…..I am waiting for my wife’s Doctors to hopefully release her from the Hospital after 11 monthes of complications from her Degenerative bone joint disease and hopefully have to see her ScCal d\Doctors and more importtantly the bundle of joy at the SDZ as he makes his first appearances to a world that is the sweet black and white princes admiration group of pandaho;ics that thrive on every moment of his life….
November 10th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
Can I ask a question I should have thought of weeks ago? Its a little embarrassing but, why was the baby so clean when it was born? My imagination says you caught it just in time from that trap door, stopped the camera, cleaned it real fast and put it back real fast, and the camera just kept going time lapse fast.
Moderator’s note: The mother always cleans her baby after it is born. Remember: keepers didn’t touch the cub until he was one month old for his first exam.
November 11th, 2009 at 12:07 am
This blog is the most looked at and current, wondering next time you have an all staff administration meeting, or what ever you have, I wonder how is Baby Frank the Gorilla, I missed him the last two times there. I always stop by my favorite animals. See how big Chubbie Cubbie is in his exams, and how much bigger Bai Yun is compaired to him, and I really don’t think I have EVER seen a full grown Panda in person, only the two younger daughters. Thanks for the blog, it helps us learn.
November 11th, 2009 at 12:12 am
Marion (Scotland) #205, you can’t do anything except have a wonderful time. Say ‘Hi’ to the Pandas and Polar Bears and remember to visit the Childrens Zoo – it’s a magical place!
November 11th, 2009 at 1:23 am
I have the panda cam as a gadget on my sidebar, right now it looks like Bai is using cub as a fluffy eye mask to keep out the light! She is flat on her back with the cub lying across her upper face. The cam time is 02.38.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:18 am
Good morning all. I am going to make a request of some of the bloggers here. The SDZ personal are very busy people, yet they have taken their time and alot of efforts to keep us informed. They try to respond to requests. They are very patience with us. They care alot about all our curiosity and try to anwser our questions. They have creatively put together as much info. as they have all through this site. So please some of you give them a break. Put in alittle time and read the material that is already available before you ask questions. Most of all get off the clock being wrong. I’m sure you can figure out the time all on your own. Give these people a break. They have given us sooo much already. Show some appreciation for all that they have done for us because they are trying very hard to keep us satisfied. So please be satisfied and enough with the demands. I just had to say it. To all a great day.
November 11th, 2009 at 6:03 am
YAY! Singapore is getting a pair of Panda cubs in 2011. YES!
November 11th, 2009 at 6:08 am
Weds am, just caught ma with baby, she just pushed him aside and left the den…little guy is scooting around and doing so well. I know he wants to make ma proud and scoot on out the den door to join her. Back she comes with some boo and love. All is well in pandaland. Happy Wednesday!
Question I’m sure that has been asked before, when will little cloud start walking?
Thank you so much for all!
November 11th, 2009 at 6:50 am
Good Morning Wonderful Panda Family!
Lucilla #183
Your letter to Daddy Gao was simply wonderful. I loved it so much, I saved a copy to my computer so I could read it when I get down. Thank you.
IHN from Asiz #190
Adorable…a definite “must see”. Might I also suggest watching “Baby Panda Bar Squeezing 2009 11 09″. She is certainly a little handful, isn’t she? I love watching how their little minds grow and figure things out, don’t you?
Joan #192
VERY sweet video of our little Xi Lan. He really is a little cutie that I’m sure will give us plenty to laugh about as he grows.
Jan in Richmond VA #206
I tried but I failed. I searched on line and found a picture of the little cutie brown and white cub, but was unable to figure out how to put a link or copy or something here. I’m sorry, maybe someone better than me with the computer can try??? Thanks for the directive though Jan, I really appreciated it.
Chari Mercier,
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. My Dad is a war veteran and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for acknowledging the bravery and patriotism of a boy of 17, who was willing to fight for the freedoms we all take for granted. God Bless You as he has all of us in the United States of America.
Kat W #211
I’m not sure and I apologize if I am wrong. But I think you have mentioned on other occasions that you think Mommy Bai is mean. I am by NO means an authority on pandas, but I AM a Mom. Sometimes the MOST difficult but the MOST loving thing we can do is to be a little “tough” on our children. Believe me, it DOES NOT come from a lack of love, it is because we love our children SOOOOO much that we are willing to risk making them angry with us in order to protect and teach them. I can only assume that Bai Yun loves her young as I love mine. So PLEASE trust that everything she does comes from a love SOOOO deep it defies words; even if it doesn’t look that way to us humans. Hope this helps you
November 11th, 2009 at 7:27 am
doreen from richmond VA #220
Well friend, I want to say thank you but I must admit, I am having a terrible time stopping the tears. It truly is a beautiful poem but it makes me wonder just how much pain do our mommy pandas feel when they have to leave their young? I guess it is just one more thing I will have to trust is in God’s hands. Thanks for sharing and anyone else thinking of reading it, brace yourself, it really gets to the heart of a panda-lover.
November 11th, 2009 at 7:29 am
Lucilla #228, Where did you hear about Singapore?
Today chublet is 98 days old. Countdown to name — 6 days.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:34 am
#232 – Mary – The announcement about the Singapore pandas was made on the Google Alerts (for Giant Pandas/panda cubs).
#226 – Celfy – How do you get the panda cam on your Google sidebar?
November 11th, 2009 at 9:38 am
Has anyone noticed how totally cute our cubby is today? He is all curled up and looks like he is praying! I think it has to do with the bouncing his mommy did to him at around 6:00 AM this morning.. for some reason she goes a little crazy each morning cleaning and re-doing her room each morning and tuckers him out for the rest of the day.. that way she can go out and BE A BEAR GIRL all morning… that is ONE SMART MOMMY!!! Sure wish I could do that with my cubs!!! (and my husband… and friends… heck everyone!)
November 11th, 2009 at 9:40 am
DoxieMom, #161, Thanks for sharing the video on You Tube. I must check it out when I get home. I love watching Bai Yun do what she does best, be the best panda mom in the world.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:20 am
#201 — Thanks — now I can’t get either of those songs out of my head!! LOL
November 11th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Wow! I just witnessed my first live “Spin the Cubby” game with Bai and her 4 feet! What a acrobatic act! Round and round he goes, upside down and downside up and inside out and here a clean, there a clean, never a slip and gently back on the ground, head up, feet firmly planted, with Mommy’s arm tucked around him in case he loses his balance! I wonder if she is helping him learn balance on tree branches for future use??!!
November 11th, 2009 at 10:51 am
Dear Suzanne, thanks for stopping in to answer questions. All your information is so interesting. I am sorry to hear the China centers are crowded. I assume that has partly to do with the earthquake. What I hope is that this means they will let Gao Gao and Bai Yun live out their days in San Diego with their loving keepers and fans. Even if Bai Yun stops breeding, and you can get a new female from another genetic line, it would be wonderful to keep her here for us and, I assume for you and for her. My fingers will stay crossed for years. I know they take up a lot of space, but how wonderful would it be to see pandas in the Wild Animal Park setting. (Hooray the Park — it is the best!!!!)
You must all be so excited about the Naming Ceremony. I will be at work, but I will look forward to coming home and checking in. We’re off for Veteran’s Day, and it’s a joy to tune in and see Mom and Cubbie having a ball.
Hooray for the Pandas and the PandaCam!
November 11th, 2009 at 11:41 am
The picture of the little brown and white cub is now on the Pandas Live On site.
There is also a video of Lin Hui with Lin Bing which will look very much like Bai Yun and #5–a rear-leg assisted whirly bath and some panda play. Lin Bing is quite mobile, so there’s a chase or two, treats from the keeper, and Mom dragging cub back for some healthy bamboo (”Bamboo first, young lady, and then maybe a treat!”) Foreshadowing of things to come, perhaps?
November 11th, 2009 at 11:42 am
Hi, you all! Phyllis (#130), thanks for acknowledging my statement about Veteran’s Day! We need to really pray for our US troops everyday, too!
Finally got on the AZ pandacam, it is working, and saw one of the pandas in the dayroom eating boo. Didn’t see Xi Lan yet, but will get back on it to see if Xi Lan will make an appearance. It’s not very long when AZ will have to send Mei Lan to China. They are planning One Day Mom & Me days at AZ for everyone to come and see Mei Lan before she goes. Don’t know when she’s leaving; they haven’t announced that date yet. I think Mei Lan will be going to Chengdu Panda Center. Check the website’s panda page for that link to Mom & Me, and that will give you all of the info about it.
Just saw little cubby laying down on his side on the SDZ pandacam napping. Will keep trying to catch him being active! When is his next exam this week? Can’t wait to see how much this little guy has gained in the last week! Like I said, I bet ya he’s up to 12 pounds by now!
Gonna go for now. Will be back later on.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
November 11th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
233 Barbara in Midwest It not a google side bar, it’s a gadget on my Windows Vista sidebar
November 11th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Thank you Chari, for your kind words regarding our veterans and the soldiers from Fort Hood. Thank you for caring about our troops and veterans.
November 11th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Can’t believe how much His Royal Plumpness has grown – our computer was in the “computer hospital” for 10 days – so I missed way too many happenings – am glad I was able to vote for his name but missed the shower and all that fun. It’s taking me hours to catch up on all the blogs & watching recommended videos.
November 11th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Thank you Chari and others for praying for our troops daily.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
#240 Chari – I haven’t seen Xi Lan at AZ on the cam at all today – I wonder if they are starting the weaning already. We, pandaholics, are going to go through a fair amount of partings these next few months – Xi Lan being weaned, Fu Long in Vienna will be on his way back to China next week, and Tai and Mei Lan will likely be going soon, too. Such is life for panda lovers, I guess. But we have the soon-to-be-named Prince of Plump in SD and the very precocious Lin Ping in Chiang Mai to keep track of in the meantime, not to mention all the other cubs born this year in China. Soon, we will be on cub watch again for Mei Xiang and Ya Ya in the U.S., and Yang Yang and Long Hui in Vienna, plus the pair in Madrid (if they’re old enough). So, lots of panda action to come. I’m waiting for the first big snowfall in Washington D.C. It makes for great entertainment when Tai, Mei, and Tian all have their romp in the snow.
November 11th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
A big thanks to the panda team for the outstanding work with the animals as well as teaching us as growth occurs. This is so meaningful to people living far away. (I’m in Phoenix area) The comments have focused a lot lately on mom leaving our sweet baby so often and so long. So I wanted to relay a wonderful observation I had one day–simply by chance.
I admit that at first, I also was a bit alarmed at mom’s absence. Then one day I logged onto the baby cam just in time to see an eye opener!! Bai Yun was moving the baby around as he was very active that day, stretching his limbs, trying to move on his own. Bai took his front legs, stretched them a bit so he could get a good hold (on den floor) and then worked to stabilize his back leg area. While I held my breath, baby held on tight. If memory serves me right, she was holding his mid/back area to steady him while he tried. When he tired, she cuddled him to her again. Didn’t last very long, but I couldn’t believe my eyes. So–truly, mom knows her stuff!!
My grandchildren are enjoying the cam also. Now I want us to all come to see the family when viewing opens. Wow….I’m a teacher and am learning so much about panda behavior. Any comment by the caring panda staff would be most welcome. Anyone else see this? Thanks again!
Sharon/Sun City, AZ
November 11th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
It’s been 5 days since the last blog entry… I hope tomorrow there will magically appear a new one… I learn much about panda behavior from them… I wish in my next life I will be a Zoo moderator o narrator or anything cool like that!!!
I’ve noticed some people expect pandas to behave like humans… or like most humans. Bai Yun is a wonderful panda mom, she does what it’s expected while raising a panda cub. I think Bai Yun knows that little chubby is growing up in the best of the possible environments and conditions, that’s why she leaves the den with such confidence and frequence. Regarding the “high impact” playing… I believe the little cub also needs kinetic stimulation from his mother so his senses and abilities become sharper… I have seen that kind of playing in dogs and cats…
November 11th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
DoxieMom — have you posted video of Bai spinning the cub on her feet? I remember seeing her do that routine with Mei Sheng when he was a cub. Quite a performance.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Does he have a name yet??????
ive been looking around the site but i cant find it???/
what happened @ the shower??? i missed it
Moderator’s note: His name will be announced at a naming ceremony on November 17. And we’re preparing a shower recap for those unable to attend. A lot to look forward to, eh?
November 11th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
I LOVE how all of you have defended momma Bai, when I said that she is mean. I was just frustrated yesterday at work (& home) and went on a tangent. Believe me, I have watched from the beginning like every one of you, from the moment he squeaked out, I have probably won the record for taking the most screen shots of ma and baby, thousands. And, I too am a proud mom of a son, and it was no easy road being a single mom. So I really do know what must be done as a good momma to raise a healthy little cloud. I was just extra sensitive yesterday and I myself probably wanted fuzzy Bai hugs…..
Anyway, I better be careful what I say and not go accusing momma next time….she has the MOST DEVOTED
followers….guys, thank you for your concern, but rest assured I know very well of Bai’s AMAZING mothering skills, that she should bottle and ship out to all the mommies of the earth. I ache just as much as the next to hug and squeeze and worship these furry angels.
kat
November 11th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
Thank you for your extraordinary website!
My husband and I are SDZ members and have the luxury of visiting SDZ often, but having your website on “speed-dial” is an added bonus and joy- our ” home away from home”.
We never tire of it. It’s addictive!
Well done!
Louann
PS- hope to see you soon!!!
November 11th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
#232 Mary: I also read the official news about two pandas will go to Singapore. President Hu JinTao is visiting Singapore and announced the news. “China is ready to provide Singapore with a pair of pandas for joint research”.
Another two pandas, WangWang and FuNi will be in Australia this or next month.
November 11th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
#241, Celfy – Okay, I called it the wrong thing. I have a Windows Vista gadget sidebar on my desktop. How do you get the panda cam on there?
November 11th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Debi #237, I made the “Spin the Cubbie” scene into a YouTube video titled “Bai Yun and Cub Celebrate 14 Weeks” which commemorates the cub’s 14 week birthday today! Quite honestly, I’ve never seen them engaged in that behavior for so long – as well as a bath, it appeared like Bai was playing with him!! Quite adorable! Also included some footage of Bai watching her cub’s progress with his walking efforts! The link is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGO9Nex7G6o
November 11th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Carole, #248, yes I absolutely did post a video of Bai spinning the cub on her feet! The link should be in a comment I made about 15 minutes ago! I envy you that you saw her do this with Mei Sheng – I didn’t discover the wonder world of pandacam until sweet Su Lin was born!! My life hasn’t been the same!!!
November 11th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
I am having a blast watching Lin Ping tonight. Her motto is definitively “The grass is greener on the other side of the fence”. When she is in her enclosure she spends most of her non-sleeping time climbing on the bamboo fence and trying to get between the metal bars. Her keepers took her outside the enclosure to get her to climb on a wooden structure, but she didn’t seem all that interested, so she climbs back in her enclosure, the metallic fence had been left open. After she was back inside, the keepers closed the metallic fence and of course now she wants out again!!! I wish they could put her outside where she could play and run around to burn all that energy…
November 11th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
thanks for the post! my family and i have wondered at times why the baby is left alone for so long…especially since we always think it looks cold (even though we know it’s in a perfectly warm and comfortable environment). bai yun is such a wonderful mommy!
November 12th, 2009 at 4:34 am
Good Morning Beautiful Panda-Family,
Brandy NY #227
You go girl!!! I agree with you 100%. It’s been making me a little crazy with these clock statements also. Aside from that, I do notice where it seems like people sometimes ask the same questions over and over which could be avoided if they read the previous blogs. I have to make one little confession though, I accidentally did it myself one time because sometimes when I post something, it appears and says that it is awaiting moderation. Then sometimes it disappears completely like I never asked it at all. One day this confused me, and I DID ask the same question twice. Needless to say, I felt like a fool; but that is the only time it happened to me because I always read ALL the blogs before I write anything.
Tina in SC #234
Wouldn’t it be great if Bai Yun would put out a book on time management???? I’d sure buy one, wouldn’t you? Hee Hee
Kat W 250
I am one of “those” people who defended Bai Yun to you. Don’t worry about it, EVERY one of us has had a day like you were having from time to time. There are MANY days when I wish I could just get a hug from Momma Bai
On November 11th, 2009 at 3:21 pm, Sharon Diederich was nice enough to share this story and I thought it would go a very LONG WAY in reassuring you that our baby boy could not be in better hands. Read it, enjoy it, and remember it when you are feeling like you are ready to through a tangent. Smile, we all make it through!!
Sharon Diederich says:
I admit that at first, I also was a bit alarmed at mom’s absence. Then one day I logged onto the baby cam just in time to see an eye opener!! Bai Yun was moving the baby around as he was very active that day, stretching his limbs, trying to move on his own. Bai took his front legs, stretched them a bit so he could get a good hold (on den floor) and then worked to stabilize his back leg area. While I held my breath, baby held on tight. If memory serves me right, she was holding his mid/back area to steady him while he tried. When he tired, she cuddled him to her again. Didn’t last very long, but I couldn’t believe my eyes. So–truly, mom knows her stuff!!
Isis from Mexico #247
I think you are very wise in your observations; we humans can really learn quite a bit if we just watch nature!!
Hugs, kisses, and love to our beautiful bears!!!
November 12th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Thank you Moderator!!
I guess I must of missed the Oct 30th post!!