Thank You, Panda Fans!
Posted at 4:24 pm November 13, 2009 by Debbie Andreen
Last week we held an online chat between two of our panda keepers and panda fans worldwide. For an added element of fun, we called it a Panda Cub “Shower” and invited those with Facebook accounts to send in their best wishes to panda mother and cub and ask our keepers questions. Those who didn’t have Facebook could still follow the chat on the special Panda Cub Shower Web page of our Web site. And in the tradition of a baby shower, we had a Wish List available for those who wanted to offer a “gift” to our panda family. Panda fans proved themselves to be a generous lot; all of the items on the Wish List were purchased. A giant panda thank you to all!
Items for the pandas (as well as other animals on the November Wish List) included food wheels, a variety of toys for the whole panda family, music CDs for the little cub to enjoy, and honeysuckle to be planted in the panda exhibits. Almost $10,000 was raised to purchase 453 gifts! Donors responded from all over the U.S. as well as Canada, Great Britain, Brazil, and Japan: 143 donors in all! Within the next month or two the items will be ordered and shipped. Upon receipt, we’ll try to arrange some photos sessions of the pandas with their new toys to share with all panda fans.
We intended to provide a transcript of the online chat itself, but when we printed it out, the transcript was 23 pages long, single-space type! We received over 600 comments during the one-hour event. Congratulations and well wishes were sent from all parts of the country as well as Canada. We heard about entire offices that tune into panda cam. And classrooms. A teacher in New York commented that she and her students watch Panda Cam every morning before class. Our keepers, Kathy Hawk and Angie Fiore, enjoyed themselves and hosted the baby shower games “How long was the cub’s tail during that morning’s exam?” (7 centimeters or 2.75 inches) and “Just how chubby is cubby?” (His abdominal girth measurement that morning was 47.6 centimeters or 18.7 inches).
Questions came in so quickly that our shower moderator’s fingers were kept busy: Yes, the cub protests when Bai grooms him, and he makes a kind of croaking sound when Bai bathes him. The average life span of a panda in zoos is 30 years. Bai’s personality is devoted and loving. Toys get cleaned and reused; the cub’s first toy will probably be a ball. Keepers will stop handling the cub when he’s about one year old; remember that they can weigh 300 pounds (136 kilograms) as adults. Yes, all the keepers have had a chance to cuddle the cub. Keeper Kathy’s favorite name for the cub is Xiong Wei; Keeper Angie’s favorite name is Xiao Long. The cub’s wet nose enhances smells (check your nearest dog) and is nothing to worry about–our vets aren’t. Pandas are probably capable of swimming, but they’re more waders than swimmers. Bai weighs about 220 pounds (100 kilograms) now.
Keep in mind that not all questions posed were answered during the shower. However, those questions may help give our panda blog post writers some topic ideas for future posts.
All in all we feel the online chat format was a huge success. And on behalf of the pandas and keepers, we thank you all for your passion for pandas!
Debbie Andreen is an associate editor for the San Diego Zoo.
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November 13th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Thank you for the updates. I should have been there, however, I had a test that day. So happy that girls have new toys to play.
November 13th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
700 lbs!?!?? that must be a typo right??!
Moderator’s note: Yep! Should be 300 and the change has been made. Thank you!!
November 13th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
I think an adult panda can weigh as much as 300 lb, not 300 kg. 700 lb is more like Blackie or Kalluk’s size. I’d like to see a 1-year old panda cub weighing that much! That’s a lot of panda!
November 13th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
Pandas get to 700 lbs / 318 kg? WOW. I thought Bai Yun was one of the larger pandas at 220 lbs.
Thanks for the blog and videos!
November 13th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Thank you Debbie for the update! I got a bit teary eyed when I read how generous folks were for shower gifts……
Can’t wait to see the activity when gifts are used…….time seems to go slowly when it comes to the panda and his lack of activity at this point.
I switch over to the polar bears ( hope she is pregnant) and the apes…..
Then back again to our cub…..
I have never had my computer on as much as I have in the last couple of months.
I can imagine how much I will be on it when the cub starts playing…..and I can’t wait for snow delivery in the exhibits.
How much does it cost to buy the snow? Thinking of another shower gift for either pandas or polar bears.
November 13th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Oh he is so cute!!!!
November 13th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Thanks Debbie for the blog about the Baby Shower I really enjoyed it and being at the shower online too.
Also Happy 100th day birthday to chubby cubbie he is becoming quite the big boy. That cubbie bark was so sweet.
It’s sad but true Fu Long is going to China next week Nov. 18th. I think it will be hard for him and also his mother as they have been together the whole time. Not like the pandas here in the U.S. that are on their own at age 18 months and have time to become independent. I hope all goes well for him and little Miss Mei Lan in Atlanta will probably be going to China also after the first of the year. To think of it our Su Lin and Tai Shan well be leaving soon also I don’t want to think about it.
November 13th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
WOO HOO!!!!!!! I LOVE PANDAS!!!!
November 13th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
wow that is the cutest picture of him yet!!!!
November 13th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Hello everyone in panda land, I got on the computer this morning and enjoyed the new exam video of our panda. I actually laughed out loud when I heard him bark. My husband asked me what I was laughing at so early in the morning. He certainly is growing in leaps and bounds and still very, very adorable. I was watching one day when mama panda was trying to keep him in tow in the bedroom and it looked like he was fighting her for freedom. What a hoot. Keep up the good work. Jean
November 13th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
;-D pandas rock
November 13th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Is there a give so they can stay fundraising campaign at the San Diego Zoo for the pandas?
Moderator’s note: No. The giant pandas at the San Diego Zoo represent an important genetic contribution to the species, and we are pleased that our youngsters move to China to participate in breeding there.
November 13th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
I was wondering that, if at this age, he sees colors? I was thinking about the colorless world he is living in right now except for bamboo green. What would he do if he saw a red ball in the sun room? Would he try to go to it?
I guess the mother moves him around to get him to use his muscles but other than that, he sure isn’t doing much. I would think some stimulation would help him mature faster.
November 13th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
thank you so much for all the blogs. we are visiting the zoo next month. any chance baby panda will be on display then?
Moderator’s note: Perhaps. It just depends on the cub’s mobility and Bai Yun’s willingness to let him out into the exhibit.
November 13th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Sorry I wasn’t able to join you all for the shower. Glad it was such a success!!!!!
November 13th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
#12 Lucy: The Atlanta Zoo has a Give So they Stay because they don’t have the funds needed to keep the pandas no doubt in large part due to the recession and as there are only 6 weeks left and they haven’t hit the halfway point – the pandas may not get to stay after all. It’s heartbreaking.
November 13th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
I missed this due to silly time differences between UK and US. I’m glad it was so succesful and that so much was raised for the pandas, though, and I look forward to seeing the pics.
Cubby is a right wrigglebum at the moment!
November 13th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Thank you for such good information. I was watching cubbie this morning and he was just going in circles. Bai just slept on and finally he settled down next to her. He is such fun to watch. I think he will be moving on his own soon and Bai will have her paws full.
November 13th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
OVER 600 COMMENTS!!! 23 PAGES LONG!! WOW!!!! That was an awesome baby panda shower!! I had fun being a part of it as I know everyone else did also! I hope that we all can do it again sometime soon! I’m also proud of everyone donating $10,000 to buy 453 items for the Wish List! Great job to all of you that were able to make donations! Gonna love those upcoming pics of the pandas with their new toys and new food treats!
I do hope that you can get as much of that shower conversation up on the panda page. A lot of us will just love to read our comments and questions, and the answers that were given by the 2 great panda keepers! I know that 23 pages of conversation is a lot to go thru, but you are very good at picking out the most very interesting comments that you can find from all of those pages! Our lovely moderator will be a great asset in that department! Have fun with this, you all!
Well, gonna go and get back on the pandacam! Will check back later!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
November 13th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
#16 kathy, canada Thank you for reminding everyone about the campaign going on at the Atlanta Zoo to help them keep their beloved pandas and help with the research to keep them going. There pandas off springs also go to China to help with the breeding project. The campaign is not to keep all their pandas in Atlanta but just to keep a breeding pair there and the offsprings until theyre old enough to go back home.
November 13th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Kathy, Canada; Atlanta Zoo has raised over $150,000 towards keeping the pandas at AZ. Yes, they still have a very long way to go, and with 6 weeks to go before Dec. 31, we are all hoping that their goal will be met by them! I wish I can donate some money to these causes, but I am on low income and can’t spare the money when I have my bills and rent to pay for every month! Hopefully, someday, when I have more money in the bank, I will be able to do that! Pray for my finances! I love pandas, and all animals! Love ya all!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
November 13th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
The Panda Shower Chat was wild and crazy, and I loved every minute of it. Thanks for making it happen, Zoo Staff!! Little chubby cubby looks soo little in the den, but is getting to be quite an armload for the lucky keeper that takes him out!!! Pretty soon he won’t be too happy with all that attention.
I have to keep looking in on him once in a while, and go back and forth between all the cams. I really enjoy your cams, and am looking forward to watching Chinook if and when she holes up to have her baby. here’s to wishful thinking!! LOL
November 13th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Happy to hear that the shower went well I had work so I miss it. He is so cute. Keep up the great job.
November 13th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
During a sad day I went to bed sooooo happy after looking at prince cubby getting his exam and then watching him cuddle with his dear mommy. He will never know how much of a lift he has given me (via your webcam of course). I look forward to watching more progress and hearing his name at last. Thank you ALL.
November 13th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Here is a story about Chubby Cubbie and Bai Yun.
C:Hey mom where are we going?
B:to the garden and then back to the den for a cleaning and then you can eat.
C:Oh well hopefully not a cleaning, but i whould like to eat very soon.
B:Yes cleaning time is not fun for me too. But you got to get clean or else you would be stinky in front of the vets and then you would smell awful!!
C:well fine but i will kick you in the nose and face if you flip me all over the place.
B:Yes fine but as long as you don’t wiggle and kick me then i will not flip you all over the place.
C:yes mommy.
B: Good. Just sitting on my porch, oh where’s my bamboo?
C:there is some in the den and in the bedroom mommy.
B:good night baby.
C:ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz
November 13th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Dennis & Lynn Carney
On November 9th, I wrote you…
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
Please understand that I am not complaining that I didn’t hear back; I just don’t know if you ever got the message and I would really like for you and Lynn to have the pleasure of seeing DoxieMom’s work. You are both in my prayers.
Maryellen in SC,
Hmmmmm…how did you slip a grandson in here without me noticing it??? I’m sorry. God Bless your new little one and all of you and your family. I am sure you are completely beside yourself with joy !!
I pray he has health and happiness always!
Frances in NYC #96,
I don’t know how you can pick a favorite picture…I sure can’t. He’s just gorgeous…isn’t he??? And that independent little bark—flipped me out. And then, he sure looked like he had someplace to go when he started to scoot away from everyone. Sleep well beautiful Bai Yun, your little boy is about to hit the floor running…Hee Hee !!!
Doxie Mom 100,
God Bless you honey!! You are so talented and so generous to share with us less talented folks. I REALLY do appreciate it, I’m saving lots and lots of things I would have missed. Thanks from my heart.
Dear Moderator,
Maybe I am going to sound silly, but I just got the best present I’ve gotten in a long time. Unfortunately, money is very tight for me and at least 8 months ago, my Dad sent me a present of a bank gift card to get myself something to make me smile. I have saved it all this time and I just used it to buy Daddy Gao Gao a “weeble” toy (I think that’s what it was called). I wrote you and you assured me that he would indeed be the bear to get it and that was really important to me. Today I got a BEAUTIFUL picture of our handsome Gao Gao on a handwritten thank you from the SDZ staff. Please let them know that it meant the world to me, just to see his adorable face and know he was going to get something fun from me??? I can’t think of anything else I could have bought for myself that would have given me such joy. Thank you SO much for the idea of the “Shower wish List”. It made me feel like I could really make a difference even in such a small way. Love to all (especially our beautiful bears!!!!)
Moderator’s note: I certainly will pass your note to our Wish List Team!
November 13th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
What a great post!
“Keeper Kathy’s favorite name for the cub is Xiong Wei”
Mine, too, that’s the one I voted for. Fingers crossed!!
November 13th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Will Bai Yun have any more cubs in the future? She is such a good Mother.
I wait for every write up on the little one? not so little anymore.
Like one writer said I haven’t had so much fun since I started watching the little grow
and what Panda’s are like. I’m a real fan now.
Hope to see them this coming summer.
lu
November 13th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
It was so much fun to watch Bai Yun and chubby cubby today. He is really creeping around working those legs 24/7. I laughed out loud when he would creep to go (maybe) outside and mom just pulled him back in. I loved the exam and his little bark. I tell everyone I meet about the PandaCam and how much fun it is. My husband, however, just shakes his head.
November 13th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
#12 -Lucy – the ZA fund raiser is to help pay the $ 1 million rental fee (per year) for pappa Yang & momma Lun plus as I understand it ZA also pays a hefty fee for each cub born. In addition to the “rental” fees zoos also must pay for the care & upkeep of their pandas – which from what I read is very expensive – the cost of bamboo, vet care, keeper & staff care – the increase in zoo attendance does not make up the difference in the huge cost involved. I am assuming (which can be wrong) that the Chinese may be willing to make concessions in their “rent a panda” fee in exchange for all the panda info gathered
November 13th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Would it be possible during the next baby Panda birth to have sound with the video? It would be so wonderful to listen to them.
Moderator’s note: The next birth?! Let’s enjoy our current little one for a while longer before requesting things for future cubs, please.
November 13th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
Well, shoot! I missed it while I was gone. But I’m not missing his “cute-itude.”
Love the updates………I haven’t had time to read all the posts but I read the updates. Can someone come to Sacramento and help me catch up on my work, please?
BTW, there’s a player (baseball) on the San Francisco Giants whose nickname is “the Panda.” The ball park sells panda masks and hats. SDZ needs to get a cut on the sales, I say. And there’s an “Operation Panda” going on right now, following his off-season training. I think the SF Giants needs to have SDZ as a beneficiary of their panda slogan. Maybe a link to the zoo on their website!
And His Cuteness was AGAIN in our local newspaper today.
November 13th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Sadly, I had to miss the shower and while 23 pages certainly wouldn’t be too long for this panda fan to read, I can understand why you wouldn’t want to post such a lengthy transcript. So, here’s my idea, how about if you just delete all of the well wishes and congratulations and the “I love the pandas” comments – since we all know that already – and just post the questions asked of the keepers and their responses? That way, those of us who missed the shower could still enjoy the benefit of all of the knowledge the keepers shared that day! What do you think?!?! Good idea, huh!!! I’m keeping my fingers crossed!!
Debbie responds: I did! They are all in this blog post.
November 13th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Love them all.. and a special thank you SDZ for all the blogs. It must be hard to send them back to China as part of your agreement with them.
November 13th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
This aunty didn’t make it to the shower…my internet was down!!! of all days : (
I was so looking forward but oh well…I can still contribute and I still love chubby
and all of Panda family!
November 13th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Just when you think he can’t get any cuter………..he’s cuter. His Royal Cuteness is perfect!
November 13th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
I wonder what kind of music the cubbie will like?
Moderator: I think #12 Lucy is concerned about how long the adult pandas will be able to stay. Zoo Atlanta decided to renew the lease on their adult pandas only if it could raise $500,000 in addition to what other sponsors donated (the “Give So They Can Stay” campaign). Of course, if the adult pandas leave Zoo Atlanta, they will take their cub Xi Lan with them.
Moderator’s note: Perhaps this link about our loan agreement will answer Lucy’s question.
November 14th, 2009 at 12:28 am
I’m glad everyone had a good time at the shower. I’m impressed at the money raised for gifts for the pandas! I’ll be looking forward to seeing the pandas play with their new toys.
It’s so wonderful that our Zoo makes such a tremendous contribution to panda research and breeding stock. Every time Bai Yun has a cub here, or Hua Mei has a cub in China, we’ve added another panda who can contribute to the future success of the pandas. It’s gratifying to see how many people all over the world are following His Royal Chubbiness as he develops. Can’t wait to hear what is permanent name is going to me, but to me he’ll always be HRC!
November 14th, 2009 at 3:51 am
Good morning all. Thank you Debbie. Nice post. Well this morning 2:00 am.ZDZ time there certainly was alot of activity in the den. You know how we go long periods with no much to see? This morning was Doxiemom worthy. For almost an hour there was so much play. As many of you I have watched alot of animal behavior through my life. But how Bai interacts with Chubby is so far more than most of the animal kingdom. Her behavior is so human like and maybe that contributes to how we relate to them. They played so long and hard today, nursed, played some more then fell asleep nose to nose. But still believe the SDZ marketing dept. should consider getting together with Doxiemom and making a print version as a album to be purchased. Holidays are coming and that would make great gifts and keepsakes. Make it out of Poo paper. I think it could make alot of money for the bears.
November 14th, 2009 at 4:08 am
I can’t believe how fast our baby is growing! the exam video was so adorable. he sure was wiggley & that little bark was so funny. he was trying to walk away from it all! stop and try to remmber that little butter stick. tiny and hairless! what a fluff ball! it won’t be long now before he is running around on exibit and driving his mommy nuts! BUT, let’s not wish his baby-hood away either!! they grow too fast.
it doesn’t seem that long ago that zz was a tiny little fluff ball!! we have alot of fun times ahead of us!!!
November 14th, 2009 at 5:47 am
I forgot the day… sorry…
I’m happy to know that the Baby Shower was successful!
Congratulations and thank you for everything you have done for all of us, panda fans!
November 14th, 2009 at 6:53 am
we have been watching the pandas since last april. my first graders did a unit on them and we have been following them ever since. we were so excited when the new cub was born! is there a date that su lin will be sent to china? i know that this is part of the agreement but we sure will be sad to see her go!
thanks for your hard work with these magnificent animals! and thanks for sharing your knowledge with us!
what a job!
Moderator’s note: We do not have a date yet for Su Lin’s move.
November 14th, 2009 at 8:00 am
Dear DoxieMom,
Please don’t take this wrong, but I don’t care who you are, you are an angel in my eyes. I truly believe God lets the angels walk among us and you MUST be one. How else could one “human” give SOOOOO much pleasure and comfort to so many other humans. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do videos, 100th day stills, etc. to share these captured moments with those of us who are less skilled. May God watch over you in all you do.
Love,
A Human who sees your wings peeking out!!!
November 14th, 2009 at 8:07 am
Little cubby is so cute and I cannot wait till he starts getting around more and be able to go out.
November 14th, 2009 at 9:02 am
For those of you who are new at panda’s watching and were surprised by the black dot on our mellow fellow’s tails, there are other surprising spots on other pandas. If you go on Yahoo and do a search for Fu Long, you will get two pictures, one is a practice for his departure for China, the other picture show Fu Long eating bamboo and you can clearly see his white toes on his right hind leg. That trait has fascinated me ever since we discovered it; I find it so cute and a clear way to distinguish him from other pandas…
November 14th, 2009 at 9:14 am
#27, Carol (the other one) said:
November 13th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
What a great post!
“Keeper Kathy’s favorite name for the cub is Xiong Wei”
Mine, too, that’s the one I voted for. Fingers crossed!!”
ME TOO….It gave me hope that Xiong Wei will be our cubbie’s name.
November 14th, 2009 at 10:30 am
May I ask a question? Will Gao Gao and Bai Yun live out their final years in San Diego after producing such wonderful healthy babies for the world to enjoy? I pray they will be with us in America always. Respectfully,
Moderator’s note: See response to comment #37 for our agreement with China regarding Gao and Bai.
November 14th, 2009 at 10:35 am
Hello!
My Name is Claudia and I life in Langenlois/ Austria.
I look every day on your website.
The Panda Baby is so cute and she is a lovely mum.
We have Pandas in Zoo Schönbrunn in Vienna.
For two Years we have also a Panda baby, his Name is Fu Long.
But he went back to China next week.
I am so tired.
Hope we became also nearly a Baby.
by, Claudia
November 14th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Thank you for a very informative post, Debbie – I feel as if I was there (I actually walked in the door 3 minutes after the shower had finished). I can’t wait to see the Pandas get their new toys, that’s going to be so much fun.
November 14th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Hi all just thought I mention there is some really cute videos of the Thailand panda cub on youtube. Just type in the search bar Lin Ping panda cub and then click on newest videos. She is becoming a very active cub and learning many things. Just think before long our little chubby boy will be up to all those tricks himself I can’t wait.
November 14th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Thanks for the update Debbie on the Panda Cub Shower. I enjoyed reading the comments as they flew past even though I could not participate live on Face Book. Thanks to the Shower Moderator whose fingers were moving extremely fast to keep up with the large and fast flow of comments and questions.
Glad to know the shower was such a great success and the wish list was fulfilled. Maybe a shower for other animals would be successful for them as well, although it is a huge undertaking for everyone organizing it, and takes the keepers away from their important work for over an hour.
Debbie have you done any keeper chats that were recorded recently? I enjoyed hearing your interviews with keepers of various animals. It provided yet another way to learn about all the wonderful animlas at the zoo.
Debbie responds: Thanks for your kind words regarding the iZoofari podcast chats I hosted a few years ago. I enjoyed doing them, but they are currently on hiatus. Our Web Team has been so very busy with other things. Perhaps one day…
November 14th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Hello, Debbie. Since I did not have opportunity to attend the shower, I appreciate the summary. Good to hear from you again. Thanks.
Conversation with Bai Yun #22
Cubbie #5: Squeak (Mama.)
Bai Yun: Yes, dear.
C: Squeak (Where were you a few minutes ago?)
B: Oh, the sun room, dear. So how was your eleventh exam?
C: Squeak (Oh, heavenly, Mama!)
B: So you liked the nice smells?
C: Squeak (Yes, Mama. The ladies smell nice.)
B: So you got some nice massages, too?
C: Squeak (Yup. And Mr. Ken had this nice shiny lens thing.)
B: Oh, you mean his camera.
C: Squeak (Huh?)
B: The camera records images of you and your movements.
C: Squeak (Huh?)
B: So what did you think?
C: Squeak (I thought it beamed me back to the den.)
(In Gao Gao’s yard)
Tourist: Hello, Gao Gao.
Gao Gao: Hello, Mr. Tourist.
T: So what have you here, a catalog?
G: Yup. Cubbie #5 wants his very own tape measure.
T: Really?
G: And he wants his own vernier caliper, too.
T: Huh?
G: They will be his martial arts weapons.
T: What?
G: For his new kungfu movie production.
November 14th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
I completely forgot to copy down the 5 names that were chosen from which we got to vote. Did anyone out there keep the list? Just so I can remember which was which, after the naming ceremony Tuesday.
Debbie, I was blown away by how many people were actually online for the cub’s virtual shower. I would type a comment in, and there were so many others being written at the same time, that by the time mine got posted, we were already on to another topic! It was frantic, and I want to congratulate the staff that handled answering all the questions and comments! You guys did an amazing job juggling it all!
And what wonderful news that all the items were bought! Fantastic! Our panda fans rock, don’t they? Way to go, Panda Team!!
Seriously, can’t wait to see Chubbs with a toy, and Zhennie with something that will no doubt keep her enthralled for hours. She was a hoot with the donut, so I know she’ll love whatever else is put out there for her. Do hope there are some photos or video taken so we can enjoy watching it!
Again, thanks for all that you folks do in keeping us pandaholics informed! Big hugs to all of you!
Moderator’s note: Here are the names panda fans could vote for:
Fú Shèng (fu sheng): blissful San Diego
Xiǎo Lóng (siao long): little dragon
Xióng Wěi (syong wei): extraordinary bear
Yǒng Xiǎng (yong siang): eternally blessed
Yún Zǐ (yun zih): son of cloud
November 14th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Debbie Andreen? Aren’t you the person who used to do the “iZoofari Chat” podcasts? They were GREAT! I miss them as I don’t seem to see any link to them anymore.
Thanks for the great account of the shower–sorry I missed it!
Debbie responds: That is so nice to hear, Mary! I miss hosting them, but how fun to learn that you found them enjoyable.
November 14th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Thank you so much for the information on the 5 yr agreement to allow Gao Gao and Bai Yun to stay in San Diego. If I understand this correctly, San Diego must raise $500,000 to help rebuild their Panda Research Center after the earthquake in China. To make a donation, do we
designate that particular purpose? To really make a difference when it comes to Gao Gao and Bai Yun continuing to live in America is an enormous blessing for all of us.
Moderator’s note: We are still taking donations to help rebuild a panda facility in China. Here’s the link…
November 14th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Thank you for reposting the 5 names! I am so looking forward to the naming ceremony, and will his adorableness no matter what name he ends up with!
Do I understand correctly from #55 (carol) that if we make donations – and encourage others as well – that it may prolong the time that Gao Gao and Bai Yun get to stay with us in San Diego? Or am I just hoping against hope?
Moderator’s note: The donation page I mentioned to Carol was to help rebuild the panda facility in China. But we have at least four more years of Gao and Bai!
November 14th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Thanks eagle eyed posters (with great memories) for pointing out that Debbie Andreen was the same one who did the iZoofari chats! Debbie, I also really enjoyed those and have been missing them, altho certainly understand all the demands on the web team!
Thanks for this update!
Debbie responds: Thank you, Suzanne! Maybe we’ll come up with something even better down the road, but I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed the chats!
November 14th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
#52 P Wong: Just when we thought the cubby couldn’t get any cuter, or that you couldn’t get any more clever………here you are again, making me laugh out loud! No chuckling, just laughing out loud! Thank you so much for these exchanges between mom and cub, and Gao and Mr. Tourist. Pure genius! (”beam me back to the den”..indeed!) Thank you, thank you!
November 14th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
I sometimes have a bad habit of being late with gifts, tho I do eventually remember them. I am wondering if it is still possible to buy the pandas a gift or funds towards something large they still may need? It sounds like the shower gift giving was a big success, however, I would still like to be some small part of the giving.
Please let me know how I can help.
I have been dealing with my uncle’s affair’s over the last year, he passed away last Dec 3rd. My life has been somewhat hectic, crazy with court, lawyers, irs. I have the panda cam set permanently on my computer screen at home and at work, and watching this family has kept me from literally going beserk. I have a habit of
watching one of the exam videos first thing in the mornings and baby and momma help me start the day off with a smile.
Thank you for keeping me sane lovely momma, baby and SDZ.
Moderator’s note: Glad to hear our form of panda therapy is helping you through some tough times! And yes, there have been some new panda items added to the Wish List.
November 14th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
While it’s hard to chose where to send any donations – A FEW THOUGHTS ON OUR PANDAS – The NZ is part of the Smithsonian & is federally funded _ ZA is having a terrible time & may have to send their pandas backto china
November 14th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Yes, P Wong #52–genius again!
Going back to Moderator’s note to #55–how close are we to the $500,000 needed for the rebuilding? And how does that affect the SDZ pandas? I need to win the lottery for sure…
Moderator’s note: I’ll find out.
November 15th, 2009 at 12:13 am
Hey P. Wong, you know the names of some people in the panda exams, the photographer??? are we getting a clue as to who you are? You work there?? You are creative.
November 15th, 2009 at 1:13 am
#26 Phyllis and DoxieMom !!!!! THANK YOU for posting that youtube section where Bai Yun was holding Baby Chubbie Cubbie, sitting on her porch looking outward from the den into the open square area. (Nov 7 about 2:00) That was the sweetest moment, I made comments about it in Panda Sounds of Silence (101, 122, 123, and especially 134) where I put what I thought if she were human what she would be thinking. Looking out to a blank area just thinking what else she could teach him !! Loved it, thank you.
November 15th, 2009 at 4:29 am
I believe I read in one of the keeper’s commentary that the Panda cub is groomed and bathed by his mom…but what is the difference in the way she grooms and the way she bathes him?
Thank you for the joy you provided all of us Panda fans by sharing the videos of the baby’s exams. The 5th was one of my favorites…when he got his first shot.
p.s. Could you tell me how much his dad weighs? Thank you.
Moderator’s note: You can see weights on all of our pandas on the Meet the Pandas page.
November 15th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
That is such a shame. No one should lose their pandas esp. zoos that are providing cubs. Maybe China will reconsider. Has any zoo ever lost their pandas this way? San Diego is a big part of China’s program to save the panda. I know the money goes to continue their work in China but do they really want to take their pandas back like that? We have ours for 5 more years and I am sure that at the end of that if we didn’t renew the contract they’d take Bai and Gao Gao. I don’t think that will happen here but it is harder for Atlanta and D.C. to come up with the funds. Maybe the U.S. needs a program set aside that covers all our pandas in the U.S. for fund raising so that none of our zoos is threatened with the loss of their pandas.
November 16th, 2009 at 8:11 am
Thanks so much for hosting the live chat and “Shower”. I participated and it was really fun! What a great idea!!
November 16th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
So happy to hear that you will try to post pictures of the pandas when they get their new toys. I was able to purchase one of the hanging toys for the baby. What a great idea whoever came up with the “wish list”. It is perfect for those of us pandaholics who would love to bring the pandas treats and toys. I was very happy that I was able to participate in this way. And the hand written thank you was more than I had planned on. That was a wonderful surprise. Thank you also for a delightful post, Debbie. And add my name to the ones who miss the iZoofari chats. What a fun time with the shower and the live chat. Thank you ALL!!
Debbie responds: And thank YOU, Diana S.!
November 16th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
I love this picture! Baby Cubbie looks as though he is waving and saying “Hi There”