More Redecorating
Posted at 8:56 am December 24, 2009 by Chris TratnyekThe repositioning of the Chinese elm on December 16 wasn’t the only change we saw at the San Diego Zoo’s panda exhibit (see post Su Lin Redecorates). On December 17, there was a big new bolt through the tree, connecting the elm securely to the large tree trunk on the ground. When I first started working at the Zoo, I was curious about why all the animals’ furniture was bolted down. The answer? So they can’t push it around and find a way out of their exhibits. The items in an exhibit—rocks, trees climbing structures, shelters, etc.—are known as furniture.
Early on the morning of December 18, the Horticulture Department laid down fresh sod in both enclosures (thanks to a generous Wish List donation!). The bright green grass covers most of the ground in each enclosure, and it looks wonderful. A perfect Christmas treat! The new grass was sniffed and pawed by both Su Lin and Zhen Zhen. It is a great form of enrichment for the bears, and the last time we had fresh sod it lasted for a few months. So, will the pandas get grass-stained tails instead of muddy ones? We will have to watch.
Lots of milestones in the birthing den. Little Yun Zi’s abilities change every day. Did my eyes deceive me? Was Yun Zi sucking his panda thumb Friday afternoon? Sure looked like he was. The little fellow has been full of surprises all week. The day before, I saw him sitting up briefly before tipping over several times. And one morning he found a small chunk of bamboo culm that had three short branches sticking out of it. Working at it, he picked it up in his paw and promptly put it in his mouth. He manipulated the bamboo, holding it this way and that and chewing on it. He is teething and the biting may feel good on his gums. He played this way for a long time, switching to other pieces of bamboo but returning to that first one several times. (How did he find it again? Did he recognize it by sight or by smell?) He will be picking up bamboo and putting it into his mouth his entire life. No surprise that he is learning this skill at such a tender age.
Chris Tratnyek is a panda narrator at the San Diego Zoo.
Note: Be sure to watch a review of Yun Zi’s first four months in our Panda Cub Milestones video. It includes a brief clip from his 17th exam.
Reminder: Yun Zi has made the list of Eight Great ‘Buzzworthy’ San Diegans in 2009. If you’d like to see him selected as #1, there’s a place to vote at the end of the list!
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
December 24th, 2009 at 9:11 am
Thanks for the update! I love hearing about the pandas!
December 24th, 2009 at 9:13 am
So far, Yun Zi has 92% of the vote for ‘Buzzworthy’ San Diegans….YAY!
December 24th, 2009 at 9:16 am
He’s got 92% of the vote already!
December 24th, 2009 at 9:25 am
Wonderful update on Su Lin’s redecorating Chris. Change is good for everyone. Yesterday the cam showed the new location/angle of the Elm tree. It really is expected to keep growing?
December 24th, 2009 at 9:33 am
Very Cute maybe Su Lin should help you guys when you need remolding for the panda exhibit. Merry Christmas
December 24th, 2009 at 9:35 am
Well, we know Yun Zi is precocious, even if he does like to sleep in the den.
December 24th, 2009 at 9:36 am
Hi! Your redecorating ideas are great! It does remain to be seen if that new grass will stay green for alot longer than a few weeks! It’s up to Su and ZZ, tho!
Just read the 8 Great Buzzworthy San Diegans article, and I voted for Yuni on the vote list. I also checked the voting results as of today (12/24/2009), and Yun Zi has 93% of the votes so far! He is one VERY popular San Diego resident right now! Also watched the video of his outdoor adventure. That was fun to watch! He’s starting to do some running, and learning how to start climbing those smaller branches. Before long, he will be up in those trees–WAY UP! Loved the way Bai and Yuni have their playtime together. That is so precious!
Watched the pandas on the NZ pandacams. Mei was inside, but the door was left open if she wanted to go back outside in the snow. Tai Shan was all curled up in the snow outdoors napping! Pandas Live On has some wonderful photos and video of Mei and Tian outdoors in the snow. They were practically covered in the white stuff!
Well, I want to wish everyone—pandaholics, SDZ/WAP keepers/vets/staff, families, friends—a very Merry Christmas and have a very enjoyable day! California and Florida won’t be seeing a White Christmas, but alot of the rest of you will. Have fun in the snow!! Stay well!! Stay warm!!
Merry Christmas, Pandas!!!!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
December 24th, 2009 at 9:37 am
Merry Christmas and Merry Holiday Cheer to all
Especially you, little Yun Zi, our comfort and joy!
December 24th, 2009 at 9:38 am
Thank you for the latest decorating update
When I read the title, my first thought was, “Ohhh, what did Su do now?” 
The new sod really makes the exhibits seem like a perfect place for the pandas to welcome all their fans! What a wonderful gift!!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!
December 24th, 2009 at 9:48 am
Thank you so much for all information. I am now “attached” to Yun Zi, and follow everything I can on his daily adventures. Particularly now, I used to follow Tai Shan, have for all his time here in the U.S. I still do, and have felt so badly about his returning to China. I now feel much better, knowing there is Yun Zi and the other pandas to follow. I am a daily follower, living at home alone. I am retired, and am recovering from a major heart attack. Thank you all for what you do.
December 24th, 2009 at 9:52 am
Will Yun Zi be getting a Facebook page soon? I want to friend him.
December 24th, 2009 at 9:56 am
WOW Yun Zi topped the charts on the Eight Great ‘Buzz worthy San Diegans! I bet when people saw that cute little face they were like oh i got to vote for that adorable baby panda. I voted him. I am proud of my baby boy Yun Zi. He is doing good walking, and running. Oh he just got cuter! Now he can chase mom around the panda exhibit, and i am sure Bai Yun will be to busy eating her boo.
December 24th, 2009 at 9:59 am
Merry Christmas to all Panda fans and everyone at the zoo. Bai Yun and her famous family is definately one of the best gifts we could have. My second grand daughter Mackenzie Renee was born yesterday, and she already has her first panda. My first grand daughter already has several and loves them, if the bear isnt black and white she doesnt want it.
Moderator’s note: Congratulations, Grandma!
December 24th, 2009 at 10:01 am
Thanks for many enjoyable hours of watching the Pandas.
Happy Holidays to all!
December 24th, 2009 at 10:06 am
Question for Kathy the Keeper. Watching the milestone video… you mentioned that you have been at the SDZ for all 5 births… Out of all the panda babies, is there one that might be your favorite?
December 24th, 2009 at 10:12 am
My bet is on the girls’ tails being green for Christmas! Since Yun Zi is somewhat pink from Bai Yun’s grooming, we have all of the “kids” in Christmas colors.
Merry Christmas to everyone at SDZ and to Yun Zi, Zhen Zhen, Su Lin, Bai Yun and dear Gao Gao! Hope they have a special holiday!
December 24th, 2009 at 10:15 am
Merry Christmas to all !! My puppy is teething also…so its cute stage..thanks for the update…I love their natural “furnitures” haha….
December 24th, 2009 at 10:27 am
Wow….As I mentioned earlier Lin Lin has a knack as an interior exterior decorator….LOL……I wonder how long before she decides to redistribute the new sod…..LOL…….I love how Yunior is now leading the poll mentioned above coming up on 93% the Power of GPF Family and Friends at work……
I see that Panda Claws has visited the NZ today as all the Pandas were given cardboard boxes with Honey and Fruitscicles as well…….Tai Shan again had fun slipping and a sliding in the snow that is rapidly melting…..
Panda Team we all salute you for facing the mountain of questions that have been forwarded to you as we all learn the Wonder of Panda’s and wish you all a Merry Christmas with your Families…..
Let’s not forget the Power of the Panda as Yun Zi has crossed all International Borders and has become his own Spokes Panda and a United Nations of GPF’s….Let us not forget that without our Intervention that a Species of Plant or Animal becomes EXTINCT every 20 Minutes never to be seen again……It’s up to us all to convince the so called leaders of the world that we must intervene and will not tolerate the mass extermination of Plant and Animal Life as is now occuring at an alarming rate before we too join the list of about to be EXTINCT as well……
“Panda Peace on Earth,Goodwill to All Living Things….”
December 24th, 2009 at 10:32 am
Now Yun Zi has 404 of 436 votes, for 93%. An honor well deserved and fitting.
With all the bamboo mouthing he is doing, he is definitely a “chip” off the Gao and Bai block. I don’t remember hearing of any of his siblings mouthing bamboo while still in the den. I remember them doing it out on exhibit, but then they were full time outside by the age he is now. I think he just loves “his” den! He has gotten attached to it. It is fun to watch since SDZ is the only US zoo that has a special den for the mother panda to give birth. Memphis Zoo has a special den made like a hollow tree that they were hoping Ya Ya would use in 2007 and 2009, but since she had pseudopregnancies both time, she hasn’t needed it. Mei Xiang and Lun Lun both used modified indoor “bedrooms” for their dens. They have access to them all the time, but Mei Xiang built a special “nest” in a corner for the birth of Tai Shan and her subsequent pseudopregnancies. At ZA, the keepers but in bedding for Lun Lun after the Mei Lan and Xi Lan were born so they could keep the cubs warm. It was especially important after the early scare in Xi Lan’s life when he was left on the floor and his body was cold when the keepers picked him up and put him in the incubator. It is amazing to realize that was a little over a year ago and he is now starting to wean himself in preparation for his independent life starting this winter. Life at ZA will be moving at a very fast pace in the next few months as Mei Lan is trained for her journey to China, and Xi Lan moves through the weaning process.
Merry Christmas to all. Only two weeks to my trip to SDZ and WAP. I am getting really excited.
December 24th, 2009 at 10:42 am
Wow! Yun Zi can’t be beaten! Vote Panda Fans, vote!!!!!!!!! We need him to win!
THANKS SO MUCH for the camera on Zhennie, the Christmas Star! She’s still climbing (and sleeping in) trees!
December 24th, 2009 at 10:55 am
Thanks for the latest update on what the girls are enjoying. You know we love hearing about them. I will go and vote for Yun Zi. I’m sure he will be #1. And thank you so much for the milestones video. Yun Zi just keeps getting cuter and cuter as he grows!
Thank you #112 Mary from Brooklyn on the previous post for the beautiful picture of Hua Mei and her cubbie. They look so serene. I love that picture.
Merry Christmas to all of you Pandaholics, all of the SDZ staff and keepers, and the entire WAP too. And a very special Merry Christmas to you Moderator for allowing us this blog to post all things panda! Please take the time to enjoy the holidays! But don’t stay away too long (he! he!).
Merry Christmas Bai Yun, Gao Gao, Su Lin, Zhen Zhen, and our precious baby boy, Yun Zi. And long distance wishes to Hua Mei and Mei Sheng and all the wonderful staff there who care for our beloved pandas.
December 24th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Great to see “white cloud” resting up on the climbing structure. Looks like she is thinking about how she will be up there with her “little man” soon and how and when she will start teaching him to climb. I remember when ZZ started climbing up there and thinking how high it was for such a little cub. It is hard to imagine that she has been on her own 10 months, and her little brother is already 4.5 months old. Once they start getting mobile they grown up very fast. Glad Bai in enjoying a nice sunny break from her mothering duties for one of her few chances for peace and quiet for the next few weeks of teaching Son of Cloud how to move around high up and look like the clouds they were named for.
December 24th, 2009 at 11:11 am
Of course I voted for Yun-Zi,…of course he’s gonna win. He is just to cute to watch lately. he’s all over the place when he’s not in his den. Really makes my day watching these creatures. Merry Christmas to all at SDZ, and to the beautiful panda bears. Also Merry Christmas to all who write on the blog. Peace to all, and to all a goodnite.
December 24th, 2009 at 11:27 am
My sincere thanks to all you folks at SDZ who keep us pandaholics informed and delighted. Also, thanks to Doxie Mom who keeps me continually entertained with her film clips. And prayers and good wishes to Dennis and Lynn.
Merry Christmas to bears and humankind alike!
December 24th, 2009 at 11:35 am
great video! i like the mini lectures that all of the handlers and vets give us. i find them fascinating! at times i feel as if we, out here in cyberspace, are the only ones who become over excited at each new & exiting little step of progress. i wonder if the experts such as yourselves become blase or bored with it all. but with YUN ZI and all of the panda family presenting something new and unseen each day or week it must seem like an exciting and mysterious new game plan each day or week. what a wonderful way to begin each day!! wow!! thanks again and again and again………………etc. etc. etc.
December 24th, 2009 at 11:57 am
Just voted for Yun Zi. Let’s hope all bloggers do the same. Thanks to the donor of the sod for our pandas.
I keep stopping to take peeks at panda canyon between preparation tasks for tomorrow’s dinner. As much as I love Christmas, I can’t stay away from this magnetic site.
Merry Christmas to all!
December 24th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Of course Yun Zi is the most buzzworthy San Diegan this year. Who can compete with such a cutie?
December 24th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Just when I’m convinced Bai is the best mom ever, she does something hilarious. Yun Zi had discovered treats on the boards over the log, but fell off before he could decide what to do with them. He got himself stuck under the log and was trying to decide how to get out from under, when along came his mom. Did she help him get unstuck? No, but she ate all the treats!! Reminds me of Mei Sheng’s first birthday, when Bai snaffled all the treats off his ice cake. I love watching Panda Cam.
Merry Christmas, Yun Zi, Bai Yun, Gao Gao, Zhen Zhen and Su Lin. And Merry Christmas to all your staff and keepers, too.
December 24th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Thank you so much, Panda Staff, for your wonderful blogs and panda cam. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
December 24th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
What an absolutely great panda watching day! Bai and Yunie have been out in the classroom for several hours now. The not-so-little-anymore prince YunYun looks more and more ready to meet his adoring public. Let’s hope it won’t be long now. They both look so relaxed, Bai eating her bamboo, YunYun exploring, sniffing, curious as a cat. He managed to climb on to the large horizontal log today and perch on the tiny platform. He keeps trying to go farther and one day, he will be up in the branches before we know it.
The ZA cam does not appear to be on today, so I haven’t seen much of the bears over there. However, over at NZ, the bears enjoyed their enrichment of honey-coated boxes and feeder balls. I’m waiting to catch them cavorting in the snow before it all melts away. Needless to say, I haven’t done much else and now my day is half over. You all know what I’m talking about here – these pandas are mesmerizing; they seem to put us in a trance. Such a treat!
December 24th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Oh Oh…..Yunior is trying his best at redecorating the platform on the log he actually has the bottom board loose as he was laying on his back Turtle Style and was pushing up with his rear legs and the board started to move……I guess the Panda team will have to use large lagbolts instead of nails so that Super Panda Yun Zi doesn’t hurt himself on one of the nails if he does get the board off….You can actually see that the bottom board is higher than the upper board from the camera shot at 12:30PM SDZ Time….
Still no word from the Doctors on whether Lynn will be able to have visitors for Christmas as they are still keeping her heavily sedated as they treat the DVT (Blood Clot) ad they are afraid the clot will break free if she tries to move or is agitated when awake as one year + in a Hospital Bes now out of State has taken her to the breaking point….They finally agrred that when she is stabilized they will either release her for New Years Eve or at least get her closer to home so that I can visit on a daily basis….I thank all of you for your Kindness and Prayers and Get Well Wishes as they have been helping us both cope with a difficult year for the both of us ……”Panda Peace on Earth,Goodwill to All Living Things….”
December 24th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Yun Zi has the Adelaide vote!!
December 24th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
To Susie, #13 … my first grandbaby was born this morning … a boy … soooo cute. I had planned to go to the zoo on Christmas day but instead will be flying into Boise Idaho to be with my daughter and her family. She had a c-section and will need a bit of help for a short time.
To the sdz: love the updates and the videos … have been showing them to my own mom … thank you.
Moderator’s note: A hearty congratulations, new grandma!
December 24th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Yun Zi is up 94% now. I just love watching Yun Zi and all the Pandas and all the others Polar Bears, Elephants and Apes. But I have to say I love watching Yun Zi the best. Do not tell the others. They may get jealous.
Will all the animals at the zoo get a special treat for Christmas?
Happy Holidays to all.
December 24th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Yun Zi is just so precious. But how do you pronounce his name? I’ve heard Yoon Zaah, Yoon Gee, Yoon Gi – I’m confused! Happy Holidays to all!!! Please give Yun Zi a Christmas hug for me
Moderator’s note: Pick whichever way you like, as we don’t mind
December 24th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Just posted a video!
I wasn’t going to do any until after the holidays but then Yun Zi got his first enrichment items while he was out in the Classroom Exhibit Christmas Eve Day!
Yun Zi got an early Christmas present around noon Christmas eve day, a ball! Santa also left him some apples (?) on his favorite planks, which he found, but guess who came along and ate them all!! Mommie grinch!!
The link for “Yun Zi’s Early Christmas Present” is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEoUo-rFPlM
December 24th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
It looks like Bai Yun has redecorated her bedroom. 1730 EST and I see no bears in sight. Could Chubby Cubbie (aka Yun Zi) be hiding underneath all that boo? I guess Grandma Bai does not want to out done by her children.
December 24th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Merry Christmas to all. I enjoy the panda cam in North Carolina.
December 24th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
thanks, DoxieMom, for catching the video of baby Yun’s enrichment encounter! It was precious! Our little boy indeed seems ready to meet his adoring public!
December 24th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
Merry Christmas Gao Gao, Bai Yun, Su Lin, Zhen Zehn, and my little man, Yun Zi……
Merry Christmas Panda staff, Doxie Mom, and ALL the precious animals at the SDZ……
December 24th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
A perfect tune for Christmas by : John Lennon and Yoko Ono “Happy Xmas War is Over” as on You Tube:
http://old.yoursonglyrics.com/happy-xmas-war-is-over-john-lennon-and-yoko-ono/
Have a Beary Merry X-mas and a Happy New Year….To all the Worldwide GPF Family and Friends and our Troops wherever they are stationed around the world….Maybe thru the Panda Prince Of Peace Yun Zi we can finally get True Peace on Earth and respect for all Life on our Planet….This song still holds true meaning after 38 years…..John Lennon affected many people just as Yun Zi has and maybe we can finally get John and Yoko’s wish for Peace in the near future…..
“Peace on Earth,Goodwill to All Living things…..”
December 24th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
I watched the video with the ball today but it freezes up and can’t see the rest of it.
Can it be fixed?
Merry Christmas to all and I wish Dennis and Lynn a cherished Christmas and a much better New Year where they can be together.
December 24th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
San Diego voting update: Yuni now has 95% of the vote with 678 votes out 715 (10pm, EST, 12/24/2009)!
Moderator, PLEASE take this well deserved day OFF to be with your family! We’ll wait a whole day for you to send our comments thru!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
December 24th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Tales of The Panda Prince
Yun Zi : (breathless chirp) Momma, Momma wake up! Momma hurry!!
Yun Zi : (racing out of the den, tumbling over the tiny step)
Bai Yun : (yawn) Little Cloud, what on earth is going on? Where are you going, you should be sleeping. Now you know I have asked you to stay inside the den when the Light Spirit fades.
Yun Zi : (peeking shyly into den from doorway) I know Momma, but I heard someone calling my name. I thought it might be Keeper Kathy so I just peeped out the door. Will you come see now Momma? Please Momma!! (squeak) He is very nice and he laughs a lot. And he told me stories and rolled me around
Bai Yun : (gentle, knowing smile) Who are you talking about and what are these stories he told you?
Yun Zi : (squeak,squeak) First he told me about “snow” and that it tickles your nose. Will we get some snow soon Momma? And then he told me about a very special human cub that was born on this day, long ago. He said the human cub grew to become a great teacher and that his spirit is always in our hearts to help keep us warm. And then he told me about how beautiful our mountains are Momma!!
Yun Zi : (chirp, chirp) And Momma, his fur is red and white!! And he is so BIG!!
Bai Yun : (chuckle) Red and white fur? Little Cloud, that is Great Father Winter!! His is a legend as old as our mountains. I remember when first I saw him, long ago as a young cub and the joy it brought me. On this special night, he visits cubs of our kind to bring warmth and laughter. Sometimes he will bring treats for the best cubs, the ones who have grown tall in body and strong in spirit. Did you get any treats Little Cloud?
Yun Zi : (squeak) Awww Momma he is gone now
You didn’t get to see him.
Bai Yun : (smiling) No need to be sad Yun Zi. Great Father Winter’s magic is one that only cubs can see. He will return again one day. Now, what is that in the corner? Did you drag that sack in here?
Yun Zi : (chirp) I think Great Father Winter left that here Momma.
Bai Yun : (ear flip) Oh!! Little Cloud, hurry! I bet those are your treats!!
Yun Zi : (raised eye patches, marionette prance ) Momma!! I smell honey and apples!! Wow! Look at that perfect stick
And there is a red ball with cookies inside it!!(squeak, squeak) Oh and lots of those pretty yellow leaves Momma. (chirp) I had so much fun today Momma.
Bai Yun : (nuzzling cub and smiling) Merry Christmas, my precious Little Cloud
December 24th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
I just voted for our little guy! Won’t be long before Yun Zi is out in public. I wonder if he will be a little ham with the visitors…..
We had a glorious day on the South Oregon Coast. This is mentionable because tomorrow, Christmas Day, will be 60 degrees here with full sunshine. No snow here! I have to laugh because my friend from a town 30 miles north of Bandon went to the Dallas, TX area to “escape” the Oregon winters. He said it is 29f and blowing snow! This is the same storm that is crippling Oklahoma and other mid-Western states, and so I am not laughing real hard, some of you will miss traveling for Christmas.
Back in San Diego, I imagine it will be a great balmy day as most are there (from what I hear since I haven’t been there YET). There is a little black and white panda and his relatives I would love to visit in person!
December 24th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Quick note…………..I have not seen Bai or Yun Zi since yesterday morning. And DoxieMom, for some reason, you latest video stops at about the three minute mark……Alas, Lin Ping is sleeping. I’m having withdrawals!
Like an addict going cold turkey, I almost forgot………..Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Panda Claws, bring me at least a glimpse of Yun Zi, please!
December 24th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Bai is no dummy!!
Waste note want not!! I don’t think Yun Zi minded too much. What was he SO interested in the first 4 minutes? His feetsies? He is like my rottie… he can amuse himself and be perfectly content…
December 24th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
it is officially christmas day here on the east coast. merry christmas to all. havent had much time to watch the pandas this week, just catch glimpses now and then. i did see yunnie out side playing. thanks to doxiemom for all the videos, and to dennis for directing us to pandasliveon to see mei ,tian and, tai at the n.z. had my two older granddaughters up for a couple of days. one is from north dakota[where i lived for 30yrs] and the other is from raleigh n.c… going on a cruise , leaving for miami the 26th. , just a 3day cruise. and be back jan 2nd. my grandsons will have their new puters[ as my 3yr old gd says] with us so hope we can get internet on the ship so i can get the panda cams.. best wishes to all the staff at all the zoos for their dedication to the animals. happy new year
December 24th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
9:35PM SDZ Time Bai Yun not to be outdone by Lin Lin summersaulted into the empty den and with a twinkle in her eyes started to shred bamboo and rearranged the den in anticipation of Panda Claws coming….Ho Ho Ho….LOL….. She than took a lesson from Yunior who is outside of the den and did a 4 paws in the air while tossing bamboo…At 9:43PM she left the den perhaps to search for Yunior…….
(-; 
I just called and left a Voicemail for Lynn wishing her a Beary Merry Christmas……Thanks to All….
“Panda Peace on Earth,Goodwill to All Living things…..”
December 24th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
is it my vision, or did i see a little black tiny spot near bai yun’s bottom?
December 25th, 2009 at 4:45 am
Christmas Day 2009, 04:44 am PST – oh my goodness – just looked in and Yun Zi is being a little goofball. Mom appears to be trying to sleep and he is climbing all over her back then sliding off her onto the den floor. Too hysterical. Got several postcards of the little goofball having a blast!
December 25th, 2009 at 5:15 am
Merry Cwispmoss everyone. Another adorable video Doxiemom. Panda Mommies are the very best in the whole world but there is one universal rule – Ok to share boo but never share treats.
December 25th, 2009 at 6:06 am
Merry Christmas and peace on earth to all. Yun Zi will most certainly win–I am sure of it. I am just so excited about a gift I received Christmas Eve from my sister-in-law and brother-in-law. It’s a small, soft, stuffed panda bear that looks exactly like Yun Zi. Also, a panda blanket with mama, daddy, and baby panda–just beautiful! Even though I can’t be in San Diego, I can look at my own little Yun Zi now at home. Thank you SDZ for your wonderful work.
December 25th, 2009 at 8:33 am
MERRY CHRISTMAS SDZ, TO ALL THE ANAMILS, ESPECIALLY THE PANDA’S AND A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO
BAI YUN AND BABY YUN ZI…YOUR 1st. CHRISTMAS!! LOVE YOU!!
December 25th, 2009 at 10:39 am
Happy Holidays everyone and to your families. To GPFs all around the world. Everyone at SDZ especially. DoxieMom best Christmas present ever. Well almost. I missed this wonderful time our little guy had. Thanks for taking the time durring the holidays to share that with us. Phyliss and Pamela G. and x’tra holiday grettings. Great blessings to you all for the New Year. P-Wong you know what? We are expecting a wonderful Holiday story:) Best way to end this year.
December 25th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Merry Christmas to the beloved animals of SDZ and to the staff that made it all possible. We love you guys.
December 25th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
#44 – Tiny – great story!
December 25th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
For all the GPF’s I just found a cute YouTube video ehtitled “The Sneezing Baby Panda” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzRH3iTQPrk
Also Playing Yoing Pandas from China on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pBjP854DOI
Seasons Greetings to all in the GPF Family and Friends these 2 videos will brighten your day….
“Panda Peace on Earth,Goodwill to All Living Things …”
December 25th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
I’ve been watching videos of several pandas on YouTube tonight including a couple on Lin Ping in Thailand and it looks like she has a black dot on her tail like our Yun Zi. Also, does anyone know if she is still with mama? In the videos, I’m seeing her with keepers but not with mama.
December 25th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
My extended family has become aware of my panda attachment. Today we looked at some of YZ’s online pictures, a cousin gave me various panda items, and best of all – my son adopted Yun Zi in my name. So everyone got to see his picture today.
For those in our panda family who got to spend time with family, hopefully you cherished every moment. For those who perhaps spent the day not quite as you had hoped, thoughts and prayers are with you.
December 25th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Is Bai and Yun Zi under someone’s tree tonight? Help me here…….bring them back. I haven’t seen them in a couple of days now, and IT’S HORRIBLE. Bring them back, Santa, if you are still in California. PLEASE!
December 25th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
#44 Tiny loved your Christmas story.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas Day.
December 25th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Thank you, Santa. You brought back Bai and Baby tonight around 9:10. I’ve MISSED them. I think Baby has grown in the last couple of days. Is that possible? I feel so much better. And Baby is even cuter than 2 days ago; how can that be possible?
December 25th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
I often see Yunior play eating. And I rarely catch the nursing anymore, is it getting less often? He is my first panda watch, and I wonder if babies eat bamboo right away, or soon as they can, surly he would like apples and biscuts etc….but he smells and sees mom eating it, so soon he will also???
December 25th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Precious, precious “Milestone Video,” especially watching him with his ball, oh my goodness. Can anything be any cuter??? Happy Christmas little Cloud, Happy Christmas my Zhennie and to all your sibs and mummy and daddy. Thank you for making my year more tolerable and enjoyable. It’s so nice to be able to sit down and watch you all, and relax a little after the madness out there in the world. You make it so much more “bearable.”
Thank God, for the sweetness of it all.
December 25th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
p.s. I hope all of you at SDZ had a most wonderful holiday, as well!
December 25th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
The den, Christmas night, about 10:10 PT: Yun Zi is zonked out, curled up on the floor of the den, hardly visible for all the bamboo surrounding him, and Bai Yun is chowing down on a giant stalk. All’s well, and to all a good night…
December 25th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Conversation with Bai Yun #25
Bai Yun: Mmmm, bamboo munchies… (Crunch)
Yun Zi: Mama.
B: (crunch) Yes, dear.
Y: Remember what happened last night?
B: (crunch) What happened, dear?
Y: There was a sweet rich aroma last night.
B: Aroma?
Y: Like apples and yams.
B: Mmmm.
Y: And sugar cane, beet snacks, carrots, steamed bamboo bread…
B: Scrumptious.
Y: And best of all, lots of warm milk.
B: So my milk bar was full?
Y: It never went empty.
B: Must have been a dream.
Y: And there was great celebration, dancing and merriment.
B: Sounds exciting.
Y: Visitations by Hua Mei, Mei Sheng, Su Lin, Zhen Zhen…
B: And cousins, uncles, aunties from all over the world?
Y: Yes, and Mr. Panda King.
B: Not Panda Claws?
Y: Well, he did wear a red suit this time.
B: Did you get presents?
Y: Yes, miles and miles of milk trucks to refill the milk bar.
B: Oh, no…
Y: And hammocks, swing sets, balls of many designs and sizes.
B: That’s better.
Y: And big drinker fountains.
B: I think those were wading pools.
Y: And lots of square platforms to climb on.
B: I was told those were scales.
Y: And lots of nooks and crannies to explore.
B: Any detective gear?
Y: Some chimney sweep brushes.
B: Huh?
Y: A one horse open sleigh.
B: What?
Y: And gift certificates with no expiration dates.
December 25th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
big snow , airport close, TaiShan stay, good news.
December 25th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
As always, I want to thank from the bottom of my heart all the staff at SDZ that unselfishly take care of all the zoo babies during the season. I know all of you today that had to work gave up your time with family and friends to care of our loved ones. That means alot to me. The hard work and dedication you all show is awesome. May God bless and keep you, you all will surely get stars in your crown in heaven.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
December 26th, 2009 at 6:31 am
#44, Tiny, Thank You! So charming!
December 26th, 2009 at 9:23 am
Question for moderator: when I see Yun Zi (or Bai Yun) lying on the “cement” floor sleeping I wonder if the floor is cement or something that has more give. I suppose you couldn’t use anything like a floor mat since they would rip it to shreds. Thanks.
Hope you are having a wondeful holdiday!
Moderator’s note: The floor of the bedroom is concrete.
December 26th, 2009 at 9:24 am
Just found another YouTube with 5 baby Pandas…..If you look very closely at the Baby Hanging upside down it also has a Black Tipped paintbrush tail like his Cousin in Thailand and of course the Panda prince of Peace Yun Zi (Yunior/Yun Yun)…… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmJJrhf5rq4&NR=1&feature=fvwp
Just to let my GPF Family and Friends and SDZ Friends updated I finally just spoke with Lynn as they are slowly waking her up out of her Medically induced Sleep….The Doctor’s say she needs at least another month of treatment due to her DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) Blood Clot from the complications of her Degenerative Bone Joint Disease and they are hoping to possibly release her for New years Eve to give Lynn and her Nurse a break so that her Nurse can catch up with her family and will move Lynn to a location closer to NJ …..Again Thank You all for your acts of kindness,prayers,and Get Well Wishes as I consider you all Family ……And I guess due to the wonder of the internet we all are a Global Family suffering with Pandaholicism,a wonderful addiction……
“Panda Peace on Earth,Goodwill to All Living Things…”
December 26th, 2009 at 9:40 am
Saw that you closed the door to the den this morning. That seems like a good move. The young one still gravitated to the reflective surfaces in the room outside the den.
It would be interesting to compare the personalities of panda’s raised in groups of the same age, as they do in China, with ones raised by their mom’s, as is done in the United States.
December 26th, 2009 at 9:44 am
It’s Saturday morning and Bai and Yun Zi are on cam 11 (bedroom). I’m seeing what looks like a door (panda height) behind the cub. It’s closed!? Could it be? Is that the opening to the den and the den is now closed? Moderator? Any significant news to be heard?
Thanks, and happy holidays to all, and a special thanks to all at SDZ who let us have this wonderful blog, insight into our precious pandas’ lives, and the panda cam!
December 26th, 2009 at 10:16 am
Mama is soooooooooooooooo patient with Baiby. He’s been climbing all over her this morning, stepping on her face with his claws (ouch), and generally being a pest to his trying-to-sleep mama. So cute. At one point he was “walking” on his hind legs as he moved himself around the platform in the bedroom. It looked just like a little kid in a panda suit trying to walk around the edge of the playpen. Adorable.
December 26th, 2009 at 10:40 am
Thanks Meerkats for the fabulous of the sleeping Zhen Zhen on the branch at 10:30 AM. She looks so peaceful. She looks small enough to be Yun Zi, but he isn’t up that high in trees yet, and not yet on exhibit. In a few weeks it probably will be him.
Tiny, #44, what a wonderful tale about Bai Yun and Yun Zi. I hope it will bring a smile and chuckle to Pamela G’s face.
December 26th, 2009 at 11:01 am
Hello Everyone…Yun Zi is holding fast at 95%…
#59 Shari…I also noticed the tip of Lin Ping’s tail is black like Yunior’s…perhaps GG has been holidaying in Thailand?…her keeper was acting as “spotter” while she was having fun on her climbing structure.
Bai Yun is a great climbing structure for Yun Zi.
Thank you to all the wonderful staff who work everyday (holidays included) to keep us happy.
December 26th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Here is a story about Yun Zi.
Yun Zi
Bai Yun
Bai Yun: yawn Ok let’s get up,
Yun Zi: No no i want to sleep.
Bai Yun: Do you want to see if we got presents?
Yun Zi: fine, (slowly walks out of den) Yawn yawn oooo we got presents!! mommy i am going to open them.
Bai Yun:sure i am going to eat my boo, yea now he can play with his toys and not bite me!
Yun Zi: oh mom want to play with my new toys?
Bai Yun: I am busy i need to have some boo,
Yun Zi: fine, (runs and starts poking mom!)
Bai Yun: i will just leave oh boy i left all my boo with him!
December 26th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Hi everyone. Hope you had wonderful holidays. Tiny indeed a beautiful story. Thank you P-Wong for fulfilling my request:)
December 26th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
I found a new way to watch panda cam! We just bought a Wii and downloaded the internet channel ( I believe this only works if you have wifi) then I searched panda cam san diego.once I got to the page I zoomed ( + button) onto panda cam! Yay I can watch it on my tv!!
December 26th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Did Yun Zi enjoy his presents? (did he get presents?) I got 2 panda stuffed animals, and panda earrings! (those were just the panda stuff!) I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas!!!!! (Especially Yun Zi!)
December 26th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
I am wondering what the square board is that is on the tree limb where Yun Zi has been playing
December 26th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
What a fabulous view of mom and cub in the classroom with a natural photo cropping from the camera postion in the “hole.” Many many thanks to the camera crew today. Outstanding job of getting price-less shots. I hope Doxiemom was able to capture some of them for the panda lovers who are not able to see them live.
December 26th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Ha ha ha Yun Zi is smashing the competition. Good boy!
December 26th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
I would be delighted to hear a big announcement regarding Yun Zi in the next few days – We are traveling to California to Disney on Monday, and our Tuesday plans are dependent on one cute ball of black and white fluff who is SO adorable on Panda cam today. Will we drive south to beautiful San Diego or return home to AZ… that is the question…. Are you ready Yun Zi?????
December 26th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Cracked up at the sneezing baby panda that Dennis put on……and I love the young panda video where they are playing. I think that when they know they have food, they enjoy playing with each other…..they don’t have to be so territorial about food hunts.
I wish our baby had a playmate besides his mother.
I did turn on the cam today, mid day….and they were both out in the yard playing live.
That a first for me. Yun Zi sure tumbled on and off logs…….but he is getting better at it.
Also good polar bear and ape coverage…..guess weekends are good for viewing all the animals.
December 26th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Just posted 2 videos from Saturday morning’s playtime!
Yun Zi and Bai engaged in a lengthy, robust and often humorous play session in the bedroom Saturday morning!! In addition to playing with Bai using teeth, paws and claws, Yun Zi was crawling up and over his mother and exploring the platform/scale!
The links for “Yun Zi and Bai: Boxing Day Play” Part 1 and Part 2 are:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKKJTlIJUjc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUuRD1p4PSk
Jeslyn #42, Linda A./NorCal #46 I can’t explain why the “Present” video froze on you. I have been having problems with the links above but have figured out that YouTube may be overwelmed by the holiday traffic! So if they don’t work, try, try again, please! I make every attempt to test the links on different operation systems and browsers, but there are just too many configurations!
P. Wong #68, thank you for the wonderful Christmas Story!
December 26th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
990 votes out of 1042. 95%
Not bad for a wee bit of a boy, is it?
December 26th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
False alarm about the den… at 5pm PST the cam was on the den again and later I saw Bai Yun going in and out. Oh well, when she and Yun Zi are ready, they are ready! Kind of like kids, you anticipate them walking and talking and then spend the next years chasing and ….
December 26th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
#44 – Tiny – wonderful – thank you – needed a cheer me up today
For those that were so sure something “was wrong” with Yun Zi should have been watching the panda cam this afternoon – I tuned in about 4pm EST & watched Yun climb onto his branch then fall onto his head getting down
He did this over & over & over. Then mom came along to play – Yun climbed all over her & she rolled him all over – this play went on for over an hour – he would climb on the branch, Bai would drag him off 
Guess he’ll be on exhibit soon
But did see mom & cub SQUEEZED into the den sleeping the other night – this has to be Bai’s choice – wonder why she likes be crowded 
December 26th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Thanks again to DoxieMom for another set of terrific videos. “Boxing Day Play” parts 1 & 2 are, so far, the most “action-packed”, starring none other than Yun Zi, the panda warrior, with Mama Bai being the longsuffering target of the Yun Zi offensive. Our panda warrior displays some awesome moves like the “Yun Zi pounce” and the “backwards assault”. Totally enjoyable!
Just out of interest, DoxiMom, are you from Canada? How do you know about Boxing Day?
December 26th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
#44 WOW what a precious Christmas Story, Thank you Tina. Aren’t we blessed with all our cubs. and all our creativity, and precious things from our Creator? Merry Christmas every One, and to every Animal
December 27th, 2009 at 12:47 am
At 12:42 a.m……That’s about the sweetest thing I ever saw, the way Momma Bai and son are sleeping, in the same position, but Yun Yun at momma’s head.
PWong…you are the best. Thank you. Your imagination is mind boggling. I think you must have the heart of a panda, and the mind’s-eye of a little cub! lol
#47 Dianna says: Check the previous blog for my (late) entry on how to find the NZ pandas snow vids.
#44 Tiny: Very, very, sweet. Heart tugging.
Thank you.
December 27th, 2009 at 7:11 am
Yeah!!! I see by the temporary den box on Camera 28 that we are getting Yunior used to a temporary den site prior his big public debut ….I see Bai Yun is already redecorating it with bamboo while Yunior looks on wondering what that big plywood thing is….LOL….Yunior now has himself about a 1/3 of the way up the climbing structure before deciding to freefall down to try and climb Mt.Bai Yun…..LOL……I guess we might see the Panda prince of Peace on his Pandarazzi debut around the New Year……
“Panda Peace on Earth,Goodwill to All Living Things….”
December 27th, 2009 at 8:00 am
Just posted 2 additional videos from Saturday, this time the afternoon playtime!
(This is what happens when you’re snowed/iced in and can’t go anywhere, and you watch pandas all day)
Yun Zi plays with his planks, the shrubs, and his favorite “enrichment”, his mother!!
The links for “Yun Zi’s Afternoon Playtime” Part 1 and Part 2 are:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjEq1NqfIvQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Mnw9ZnTmQg
Another trick to get the videos to start if you just get the swirls is to click on the “HQ” button in the lower right under the screen. Once the video has started playing, then you can click on the “HQ” to go back to watching in regular viewing mode!! Enjoy!
December 27th, 2009 at 8:53 am
Just posted! Sunday Video of Yun Zi making his first climb up the tree structure
While Bai was eating some treats, Yun Zi enters the screen on the lower left (beginning of 3rd segment) and climbs up the tree structure!! When he falls, he runs to mommie!!
The link for “Yun Zi’s 1st Climb! (up the tree structure) is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWAqVE_Np7Y
Later the camera panned back to Bai and Yun Zi asleep in the tree structure, Yun Zi in the little black and white checked hammock!!
December 27th, 2009 at 9:03 am
Ooh–I think I see Yun Zi in a teeny hammock outside with Bai Yun in the classroom. Another milestone!
December 27th, 2009 at 11:03 am
Up, Up and (almost) away…. or am I watching Lun Lun and Mei Lan?
Sunday 11am PST – Yun Zi made it UP one of the trees! Way to climb! Of course, that was about when Mom walked by and, splat, took him down! But, she had to stand up to reach him! Shades of Lun Lun when Mei Lan first started trying to go up. Bai Yun has been pulling Yun Zi down off of tree trunks for some time now this morning – this was the highest I saw him go up.
Look lots now GPFs… he’s headed for the treetops and soon not even Bai Yun will keep him down!
December 27th, 2009 at 11:04 am
i saw yun zi climbing a tree today! SO CUTE LITTLE YUN ZI!
December 27th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Just saw Yunior climb a small tree and Mamma come quickly to get him down. He’s really learning fast!
December 27th, 2009 at 11:10 am
12-27 11:10am panda time…Poor little Yun Zi! Twice in a row now he’s figured out how to climb onto the tree branch. Then Bai Yun came along and pulled him down! A little too young yet to be up that high all by himself!
December 27th, 2009 at 11:25 am
I’m a huge panda fan and have watched them via panda cam for many years. Anyone who knows panda behavior–can you tell me why the Mama bears always knock off their babies when they attempt to climb? I’ve seen Bai doing this and also Lun Lun will knock off her cubs from the climbing structures and then walk away. Why do they do this? You’d think the mother bears would encourage the cubs learning to climb.
December 27th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
I miss my Zhennie… watching her draped over a large branch in the tree, she looks so bored, but I have to keep reminding myself, she has so much more than if she was out in the wild…keepers to love and take care of her, food to nourish her, a very lusious home of her own, no predators to threaten her. Toys to play with and explore. She’s pretty darn okay, really… I guess what I’m really feeling is that I haven’t gone to see her yet, and she’s practically an all grown up girl. I have something for her, and I vow to get down there, little girl….I am so ashamed, here I am in Los Angeles, I could practically walk there, when all you panda family make treks from all over the world…forgive me, Precious…
I hope I can just contain myself, and not get arrested for trying to climb in with her when I do go down there…ha!
It’s going to be January, coming Zhen!
December 27th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Hi! Got on SDZ website’s panda page just now, and you all have been busy! You have totally “redecorated” the panda page again! It looks pretty good, too! Just got on the pandacam page and saw Gao Gao having a good nap flopped over a log. Hope everyone had a very nice Christmas holiday! We did! Now, it’s time for us to bring in 2010, and looking forward to seeing Yuni making new milestones and going public soon! And, we will also see Su Lin leave the US for China as well in 2010 along with Mei Lan and Tai Shan. It will also be the year that Xi Lan the Xman will get weaned, too! It’s been a good year for pandas in 2009 here in the US and around the world. Lots of babies born, new pandas going to Taiwan and Australia, and the news that a large number of the wild pandas in China did survive the 2008 earthquake after over a year of looking in the mountains. Even tho Pandas International didn’t win AP’s Hero of the Year, PI is still the pandas’ hero with the hard work that they do for them every year!
Well, gonna go back to the pandacam to see if Yuni is on there! Be back later on!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
December 27th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Some more You Tube Videos from the past SDZ Baby Pandas , Enjoy :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz1T-E2UjC4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hT0HREVyHIQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFucT71fjS4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MK-xbNG_QI&feature=related
ZZ’s First Day On Public Exhibit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYvpe5NezTA&feature=related
ZZ’s First Snow Day : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ao42hbYl50&feature=related
“Panda Peace on Earth,Goodwill to All Living Things…..”
December 27th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Just posted a 2nd Sunday Video
Yun Zi is climbing trees, there is no doubt about it!! But Bai may not be so keen on his latest accomplishment! Here is a compilation of moments from Yun Zi’s efforts today to climb the Classroom trees!
The link for “Yun Zi’s Climbing Lessons!!” is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hsyqu1rUJw4
pandafan-north #92, I’m not Canadian, I’m from Oklahoma! I’ve just had the good fortune of meeting a lot of nice folks from Canada and the United Kingdom through the Panda Forum on the Hancock Wildlife Foundation site and my YouTube channel! Panda love is truly global!
December 27th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Good News Dennis – I will keep my fimgers and toes crossed for a very Happy New Year for you and Lynn
Thanks Doxiemom for the never ending fabulous videos and to everyone who writes stories, poems and “conversations between Bai and Yun – Thank you thank you – I can’t wait to get on the pamda cam each day to see what is new
And our little boy is climbing trees – yippeeeeee
Panda love and blessings to all from Adelaide
December 27th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Thanks Doxiemom for the videos. My favorite part is on Part 1 Boxing Day about 1 minute 50 seconds into the clip. Yunior turns away from Bia appearing to check out the scale, then he turns back around and flings himself on her head…. I’ve said this before and I have to say it again… Bai is such a good mom with the patience of a saint…
Does anyone have the video of Bai pulling Yunior from the tree?
Maybe this question is for the Panda Team… Please explain how China will introduce Pandas back out into the wild.. It would seem to me any Panda born in captivity and have been handled by humans would make living in the wild very difficult for them. Even Gao Gao who was born in the wild and released back into the wild after his injuries healed kept returning back to the compound…. I’m curious about the process… Thanks!
Dennis – great news about Lynn… 2010 will be her year!
December 27th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
do the cubs yell when they get into a problem where they are stuck in a tree? Like, “help Mommy, come get me!”
Also is the cub now peeing outside or does mom still clean him up?
Then I still would like to know if they can see in color…
I guess when momma wants to play, she pulls him off the platform that is his territory and they play. When he wants to play and she was resting her head on a tree…..she kept swatting him off her, then he would come right back. Looked like he was pulling on her eyelashes or eye lid……
Does mom have bite marks and scratches from his climbing all over her……I know the baby teeth and sharp claws must leave marks at this point!
December 27th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
What ever happened to the ball he was playing with? Wouldn’t it be better in the sun room or some place where it won’t get stuck under a log?
Plus were the treats left for the cub or for mom? I don’t think he is eating those as yet.
Mom must have liked cleaning him up that day since he sat in all the food….and rubbed himself in it.
December 27th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Using Cam 3 today and is that the tree that is now horizontal on the right side of the picture?
December 27th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Moderator, can you tell me why the classroom is called the classroom? Is it because mommies teach their babies there, or do you train them there? I saw the wonderful exploration time outside today, and I saw Bai knock Yun Zi off the branch (or so it looked…). I think it’s “character building.” And he was persistent. Good kid. So much fun, for him, for us. Thanks again and again to DoxieMom making it possible to watch what we missed and watch again what we loved. Isn’t YouTube wonderful?
Another question, should anyone know the answer: Does he fall down off the branch because he is learning HOW to climb or is it because his little arms and legs aren’t strong enough yet?
I hope everyone had a blessing of some kind on Christmas and that Panda Claus brought you something marvelous!
Moderator’s note: The classroom exhibit is so called because we would take our Summer Camp students there for private viewings of the pandas. The name stuck!
December 27th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
I’ve been out of pocket for several days. Thanks, DoxieMom, for all those wonderful videos!
Does Yun still sleep in the den sometimes?
December 27th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Never mind…he answered my question. He’s napping soundly in the den as I type.
Precious.
December 27th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Poor momma Bai Yyun-she has her paws full. She needs an afternoon at the spa! Yun Zzi bites her and grabs her fur and shakes his head, climbs her head and bites her face. I am sure that this is not hurting momma at all. You can sure understand why baby gets so tired. He really exerts alot of enery. I see where the elephants are always being hosed down-what about the pandas-do they get washed in some way?
Moderator’s note: We do not wash the pandas.
December 27th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
As for why panda moms knock their cubs off branches–a variety of possibilities:
1. “If you’re not careful, you’ll fall!” [SPLAT!]
2. “You’ll probably fall sometime anyway, so get used to it!” [SPLAT!]
3. “Come play with me–I’m down here!” [SPLAT!]
4. “If you want to be safe where no one can knock you down, you’ll have to go up higher!” [OH! Climb climb climb]
I’m only guessing, of course, but these all seem like reasonable options to me…
December 27th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Shari #59, yes Lin Ping is still with Lin Hui. You can watch them live, you know. Follow the link on pandasliveon.com to their cam; and you can google linpingtv. It’s a 24 hour a day channel dedicated to mom and baby.
DoxieMom, thank you in advance for the videos. Now I have to find time to watch them.
I caught a quick glance at Su today under a pile of boo. Well, I didn’t actually see HER; just boo moving with some black and white in the background. And Baby Boy is fast asleep in the den right now. Somehow, that’s very comforting to me. I don’t want him to grow up too quickly!
And sadly, I didn’t get my trip to SDZ for Christmas. So I suggested it would be a great birthday present next week for me. Welllllll, that didn’t work either. But he did say maybe for Valentines Day. I may just have to purchase a BD present for myself. Or I’ll be waiting for Easter!
December 27th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
DoxiMom #88: Ohhh so many thanks for the latest videos!!! What fun to see Yun Zi climbing Up Up! You placed, as always, the greatest moments of the Holiday weekend.
Michelle from Buffalo #83: That little wooden platform is a training-to-climb aparatus. It’s been in the classroom for years. I used to think it looked like a large open book when the camera was on it. I call the platform a panda training manual.
December 27th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
OMG DoxieMom, if not for your videos, I would be missing so much of Yun Zi and Bai Yuns playtime and interacting. So adoreable………..Thank you so much for them. I just love it, love it, love it……………..
I’m off to view more of your videos………….
December 27th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
I hope everyone had a nice Christmas and a good weekend.
Looks like little Yunior had a big day outside and tonight he is curl up in his den fast asleep and getting ready for tomorrow.
I was just watching Lin Ping in Thailand she was getting her exam in her crib. Then they gave her some toys one was a yellow and blue hippo. Which went right into her mouth and off came the leg and so they had to take it away and then she got a wooden toy which also went in her mouth just like any small child. It’s hard sometime not to think of them as real little children they act so much like a real child. I just love those little black and white balls of fur.
December 27th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
She has inate motherly instincts, and knows when she feels they are ready…………What an amazing mother; she deserves the “Mother of the Decade” award! Way to go Bai Yun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 27th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Doxiemom – I hope Panda Claws brought you the best bunch of boo for Christmas. Thanks so much. Your videos show that Bai Yun is the Mommy of the Year and Yun Yun is ready for the WORLD. Now is the world ready for so much cuteness to be unleashed remains to be seen.
December 27th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
9:38 pm EST -After a Busy Busy day Bai & Yun crammed in den – a minute later den is empty – when Bai moved Yuni out she was faster than a speeding bullet as I missed it – where are they now
From what I’ve watched the last 2 days Yun Zi is having a ball in the classroom exhibit – from yesterday to today his climbing has gone off the scale – yesterday he got himself a few inches off the ground & then he had fun falling on his head as he fell off 
Today he made it all the way up to the crook in the tree before he knew he was in trouble “help me mom” he cried- Momma pandas seem have 2 modes – either they let their cubs fall off or drag them off them so THEY GO SPLAT. Cubs & Mom think this is great fun & it can go on for hours – cub climbs, oops falls off, back up, falls off, back up – ahh climbs higher – oh no Momma comes along, drags cub off. noo momma leave me alone 
December 27th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Oh wow, Yun Zi is a determined little guy. I think he should be called “Climbing Bear”. What an impressive little guy! I had to get outside and get some sun, so I missed all the action. Except this morning, I looked to see what Yun Zi was up to. He was sleeping in his hammock and Bai Yun was sleeping above him in her trees. What a precious sight. I wish I would have gotten a post card. Thank you Doxiemom for the videos, so I could see what I missed. I hope you guys up north get some sunshine too. Thank you to the people who bought Yun Zi his hammock, he is adorable in his hammock. I think he is enjoying it.
December 27th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
It was funny when Yun Zi kept climbing on the tree branchs and his mom kept pushing and pulling him down.
:p He just would not mind her, I think she feels like he is too young to climb. I saw Su Lin tapping her foot and her hands the other day. I think she might be making music in her thoughts. 
Here is a story about the Gao family Musical.
The Gao Family Musical
On the drums the wild boy Yun Zi. And on the flute Su Lin. On the violin is Bai Yun. And Mr Gao Gao plays the guitar and sings. Zhen Zhen wears her pink tutu and dances gracefully to the music of “Sound Of Music”.
December 27th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Can we have more pics of Hua Mei and her cubbie? Is the cubbie a girl or a boy, and what is it’s name? I haven’t seen Yun Zi in a while, which is a good thing, because it means he’s getting more active. (Either that or the panda cam operators are getting slower.)
December 27th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
I am curious about Yun going out on exhibit. I know that you say it is up to Bai Yun when he is ready but how does that happen? Is there a door to the exhibit area in their enclosures that is suddenly opened and she can go out for public view and take him out, or is she literally moved with him to a new area? He has made such milestones lately, our baby is growing so fast all of the sudden. I hope we can see him as often once he is out in the public area, I will miss him if not. Bai has been so funny and patient with him, he is really starting to bite her and play rough. I have to laugh each time she pushes him away and he comes back for more. It is all to cute for words. This little guy has made me smile. He received my vote and I am sure he will win.
Again, thanks Doxiemom for your videos so I can see what I missed. I love the videos you post. I wish I could watch live all the time but alas, I guess I have to work sometimes……Hope you all had a lovely holiday.
Moderator’s note: We will acclimate the pair to people slowly, starting with small groups of staff, before we open the exhibit to Zoo guests.
December 28th, 2009 at 1:06 am
Doxie Mom, I hope you have video of the tree climbing attempts….I missed it!! Too busy with all this holiday stuff, but sure miss being on the Panda Cam frequently. Any idea SDZ when he will be out on exhibit?
Moderator’s note: Not yet.
December 28th, 2009 at 6:46 am
Speaking of re-decorating, I really got a kick out of watchng Su Lin for a while on Sunday afternoon. The camera was positioned so that I was able to see the TREE she tipped over
December 28th, 2009 at 8:00 am
I think Bai and the other Momma bears know exactly what they are doing. It is much easier to climb a tree than come down. If he gets too high, she can’t get him. If he falls from a high spot he could get seriously injured or killed. They have excellent instincts. They know what their cubs are and are not ready for. I put my utmost trust in Bai in raising her cub perfectly! So far he is turing out fabulous and this is her fifth healthy baby. She knows what she is doing.
December 28th, 2009 at 9:55 am
I received the best present for Christmas this year. My friend at work brought me a beautiful Baby Panda neceklace in black onyx and white silver. I can’t believe our boy is growing so fast and his milestones are surpassing the other family members. He reminds me so much of Mei Sheng.
December 28th, 2009 at 10:10 am
# 117 Frances in NYC, I love your list of possibilities. I would like to add one. What I have noticed while watching many panda cubs is that they seem to learn to climb much faster than they can figure out how to get down or have the strength to get down. So often their mama is getting them down or they are falling down. So I suspect the panda mamas are pulling down their cub to force them to climb up over and over again, strengthening their legs in the process. That will help them to negotiate the descent later. The thing that is amazing to me with Yun Zi is that he keeps skipping those “don’t quite know how to do that” phase. On DoxieMom’s video “Yun Zi’s Climbing Lessons!!” we can see towards the end that Yun Zi can come down the climbing structure.
Already his approach to walking was a surprise for me. I have been watching so many cubs spending a lot of energy “swimming” in circles for long periods of time with their rear paws the wrong way around. Yun Zi on the other end did spend quite a lot of time on his 4 paws working on his paws positioning and his balance. His was working on how to get there instead of stubbornly trying to get there like other cubs usually do.
He is definitively a very smart panda cub.
December 28th, 2009 at 10:31 am
So, oh wise Moderator – I have a question. Lots of folks have asked “when will Yun Zi be on exhibit?” The answer is always “that is up to Bai Yun”. I am wondering just how it is decided that Bai Yun is ready? Yun Zi has been going outside for sometime now and seems very comfortable motoring about the outdoor exhibit. Bai seems pretty comfortable letting him explore. We must be waiting for some other signal from her. Can you give us some clues?
Moderator’s note: We’ll have to see how comfortable Bai Yun is with people watching from the queue line. We’ll add people (staff first) gradually and see how mother and cub react.
December 28th, 2009 at 11:22 am
Moderator #134 – does that mean you may open the classroom exhibit at least on a limited basis? Or will Bai Yun and Yun Zi shift to the main exhibit?
Moderator’s note: Not sure yet. I’ll know later on today.
December 28th, 2009 at 11:41 am
For those of you who are not insomniac but still would like to see what pandas are up to during the night, I would advice to watch Lin Ping and her mom Lin Hui in Thailand. They are together in their enclosure during the night, with very little human interaction/interference… There are keepers and pandacam controllers around the clock, so you won’t miss the action. At noon on the East coast, it is 11 PM in Thailand.
Lin Ping, who is now 7 month old, and Lin Hui have longer play/fight. Yesterday I watched them going at each other for one hour. It started as a play, with Lin Hui displaying self handicapping behavior (see entry of December 9 on the Zoo Atlanta website for the description of that behavior). It turned quickly into a fight to finish with Lin Ping playing dead. I thought she was just out of energy and couldn’t fight back anymore, but when Lin Hui finally stopped, instead of falling asleep immediately, Lin Ping start playing with bamboo, herself and the keeper for more than one hour before finally going to sleep…. These cubs are just amazing!!
December 28th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Dennis & Lynn, all the best to you both. Some good news for you at last.
I’ve been popping in now and then to watch Lin Ping, but have only caught her asleep. Looks like I’ve got a lot of DoxieMom videos to catch up on, I’ve not been keeping up with the forum the last few days and now I’m behind – not a good thing!
Hope everyone had a great Christmas.
December 28th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Redecorating trend. After Su Lin redecorating her exhibit and new grass put down in both front exhibits at the SDZ, it seems that the redecorating bug has reached Thailand as well. The side wall of Lin Ping and Lin Hui common enclosure is covered by a painting of a bamboo (?) forest. The small climbing structure that seems to have been designed for Lin Ping and did not seem to be strong and big enough for Lin Hui has been replaced by a bigger elevated platform. Often you can see Lin Ping and Lin Hui sleeping together on that new platform. Lin Hui was always pulling Lin Ping down from the previous climbing structure; she doesn’t seem to do that with the new platform. I also noticed that now nearly all the metallic bars have been wrapped with bamboo held with strings. It looks much better. I also saw a keeper working with Lin Ping with a tripod climbing structure made on bamboo that was used in at least three different positions. Lin Ping seems to be following her trainer and doing what seems to be the commands. I still find that Lin Ping is spending too much time indoor in that enclosure and wish she would be outside more.
December 28th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
The ‘panda hammock’ located on the climbing structure (C28) has been given a good work out today – Bai was on view while Yun Zi joined in with his performance, they both had a great time.
Long term PandaCam viewers will recall that to the right of the climbing structure you can see a small ’shelter’ that later Bai Yun and Yun Zi will share for short periods – as he develops our ‘Man on a Mission’ will then start to venture further afield.
I am certain Kathy will recall the ’shelter’ area where on occasions when Bai went inside for her meal Mei Sheng refused to go follow when asked (the boys are like that!) he frequently had to be physically carried back by his keeper!
The large ‘water butt’ (or fountain, cask) nearby remains empty and is usually filled with boo for Bai and her cub, it was from this area that Mei Sheng frequently made his precarious, heart stopping ventures on to very thin branches!
Endearing Yun Zi seems to be bypassing several of the usual cub developement stages, I feel certain that it will not be too long before he will also have us requiring extra strong cups of coffee or other to settle our nerves.
He is such a wonderful asset to Bai, Gao Gao, his keepers and staff, I decided to adopt him as a Christmas present for myself – I love the ‘plush’ Yun Zi, his photograph etc. – thank you SDZ.
Best Wishes to all SDZ staff and everyone who blogs on this site for a Happy and Peaceful New Year, of course this includes all GPF’s – I think we should all have a New Year ‘Worldwide Panda Hug’ to boast our morale.
Of course we include Dennis and Lynn and other friends in hoping that 2010 brings Good Luck and Good Health to all.
Wishing a HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone all – including our wonderful Panda’s who will be wearing Black and White
December 28th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Moderator! You at the zoo are so much smarter than I am!
Here I was thinking that it was just a matter of how little Yun Zi was getting around that would determine when he went on exhibit. I was getting a bit impatient, seeing how well he’s moving and climbing–why the delay?
But now I understand (I think) that it is a matter of when Bai Yun is ready to let other people be around her cub–because, of course, she is fiercely protective of her baby.
Fascinating.
December 28th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
Haven’t cubs in the past given up sleeping in the den at night when they went on exhibit? Yun Zi still seems to like the security of the den, even if he gets carried out by his mom at times.
December 28th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Oh,DoxieMom Thanks so much. I had missed it all.
December 28th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Hello pandaholics! I’m a relatively new panda fan. I started watching the pandacam regularly after seeing a photo of Bai Yun’s brand new baby boy in Yahoo’s most emailed photos. My husband and I have thoroughly enjoyed watching little Yun Zi growing up and also watching Doxiemom’s wonderful videos. Thank you so much for those!
I’ve finally come out of lurking in the blog’s shadows because I have a question for the moderator. I’ve seen it mentioned several times that Bai Yun might be getting too old to have another baby. I was wondering what that means for SDZ’s panda population. Will they be getting another female from China?
Moderator’s note: There are no plans to receive another female at this time, and we don’t even know for sure if Bai Yun is too old for a future pregnancy.
December 28th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Just watched Yun Zi (Yunior/YunYun) look like the Panda Police had him against the wall with his Paws in the air…..LOL……Maybe for Assault and Bearery against Bai Yun…LOL…… I predict an even more Rambunctious Squirm at his next exam……LOL……
I might not be posting to the blogs as much as I have been because I am finally starting a new Job tom’w., after searching for 2 years and I will rely on DoxieMom for videos of what I will now miss as well as the GPF’s Comments…At least I will be able to WiFi on my laptop during lunch breaks……But I still will keep everybody informed on Lynn’s Condition and hopefull New Years Reunion if it does come about as my new Job is very understanding about her condition and that I might have to leave without that much notice…..Again I will check the blogs Daily to keep Lynn notified about all of your Get Well Wishes and Prayers from all involved at the SDZ and my GPF Family and Friends as we head into the New year….. “Panda Peace on Earth,Goodwill to All Living Things…..”
December 28th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
6:30 pm EST and Yun Zi is sleeping with his nose in the corner. Was he a bad boy today? I didn’t have much time to watch him.
December 28th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Hi Dennis and Lynn…good luck…I think of you and Lynn often.
December 28th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
WELL I MADE IT TO THE ZOO ON SATURDAY DEC 26TH AND I CHECKED IN WITH THE KEEPERS AND STAFF THAT I WAS THERE AND IF THEY WANTED ME TO PANDA SIT JUST CALL MY CELL PHONE.
A FEW
HOURS LATTER I GOT A CALL….”WE WANT TO GO PLAY CAN YOU COME WATCH THE PANDAS” “‘SURE”!!!!!
NOW REMEMBER WE ARE STILL IN THE HOLIDAY SEASON WHERE MAGICAL THINGS HAPPEN.
SINCE YUN ZI HADN’T WALKED THE TUNNELS ETC…. I GOT WORD OUT TO ALL THE PANDAS TO COME TO THE CLASS ROOM AREA.
GAO GAO AND BAI YUN SAW EACH OTHER AND THEY EMBRACED IN A BIG BEAR HUG.
GAO GAO: OH BAI YOU LOOK SO BEAUTIFUL AND YOU SMELL SO NICE. PERFUME FROM SANTA PAWS? YOU STILL MAKE MY HEART GO PITTER PATTER….
BAI: YES SANTA PAWS BROUGHT ME PERFUME…LETS GO OVER TO TO THAT TREE AND SIT DOWN AND TALK.
GAO YOU KNOW I WOULD LIKE ANOTHER CUP OR 2,3,4 MORE!!!
GAO: FINE WITH ME HONEY. WHEN DO YOU WANT TO START? YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE TWINS WE CAN GET TO 4
MORE MUCH QUICKER.
(HE TOOK HER FACE IN HIS PAWS AND PLANTED A BIG KISS ON HER)
HERE IS THE TREE.
HE LIGHTS A BOO CIGAR FROM CHINA THAT SANTA PAWS LEFT HIM)
OH THIS IS HEAVENLY….BAI PUTS HER HEAD IN HIS LAP AND IS EATING SOME DELICIOUS LEAVES FROM HER
BOO.
THE KIDS WERE PLAYING WITH THE SNOW MAN THAT SANTA PAWS HAD BROUGHT. SU LIN AND ZHEN WERE ALL DECKED OUT WITH DRESS UP CLOTHES…DRESS, BIG RIMMED HATS, JEWELRY…AND ZOOMING BY WAS YUN ZI WEARING SOME CHAPS, BOOTS, SPURS. A BLACK AND WHITE FLANNEL SHIRT A HOLSTER AND GUNS AND A HAT RIDING A STICK HORSE. “NEIGH, NEIGH RIDE EM COW BOY…YIPPIE”………HE FELL OFF(AW)
YUN ZI IT’S O TAY I GO GET SOMETHING…..
A FEW MINUTES LATTER HE CAME BACK WITH HIS DUMP TRUCK FULL OF PEPPERMINT EATER BISCUITS…..
YUN ZI: HERE EVERYONE I SHARE. HERE DADDY…
GAO TOOK THE BISCUIT AND THEN PULLED YUN TOWARDS HIM, PICKED HIM UP SO THEY WERE EYE TO EYE.
YOU ARE A FINE YOUNG MAN…HE HUGGED HIM “I LOVE YOU YUN ZI….
YUN ZI: OH DADDY I LUB YOU MUCHES AND MUCHES.(A KISS) AND OFF HE WENT.
SU LIN WAS SCOPING THE YARD OUT TO SEE WHERE SHE CAN REDECORATE….
ZHEN WAS TEACHING YUN ZI THE BEST TREE TO CLIMB
BAI AND GAO WERE BY THE TREE…ROMANCING EACH OTHER…
OH MY GOSH IT’S ALMOST TIME FOR THE KEEPER TO COME BACK. O.K. EVERYONE IT’S TIME TO GO BACK TO YOUR YARDS..EVERY ONE KISSED AND HUGGED EACH OTHER…BYE BYE MOMMIE AND DADY….THE KIDS HUGGED EACH OTHER. SEE YOU REAL SOON…..LOVE YOU…….
THGE KEEPERS
December 28th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Yun Zi sure likes his little platform and I am amazed that Momma thinks that is too high for him at times!
Thank you DoxieMom for the videos again……just love them all.
Still have to check on the ones Dennis posted of past cubs…..
December 28th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Just watched the cub play with bamboo and then starts to bobble around, tilt and finally nod off…..just like a human child who can’t stay awake! He is adorable……
December 28th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
#109 – Dianna – releasing pandas into the wild is something China is really trying to figure out – they had a major disappointment when they released a male panda 2-3 years ago that was killed in a fight with a wild panda. That was a media disaster as they covered his death up for months. From what I’ve read they are working on a whole different stratergy – evaluating which cubs may be aggressive enough to be survive , less human keeper contact & also the thought is possibly a female should be the candidate as she will not pose any threat to the males
China assures us that none of any zoo born cubs would be released but the goal is to have their offspring considered. A scary thought but needs to be done if the giant panda is to be saved 
December 28th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
DoxieMom — What a joy your videos are to watch! He is so adorable as he learns to navigate all the climbing structures in the exhibit — endless exploring and investigating. The only thing better would be to observe his development firsthand at the zoo. Hope this happens before he is a subadult.
December 28th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
#139 – Hazel – enjoyed reading your “memories” of our wonderful, heart stopping, world charming ambassadors of “panda peace” Thanks
December 28th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Lisa #145, I was wondering the same thing! Looked like he was in time out!
Who said in a previous blog about what Yun Zi is saying “I bite you, I eat you, etc?” I think of that every time I watch him climb, chew, and maul Bai. It makes me giggle.
Lin Ping did climb yesterday to the highest platform, Danielle #138. No problems for her! Lin Hui knew she would be fine up there. But I missed Lin Ping playing dead. I love it when Lin Hui grabs her and drags her to where she thinks she needs to be at that moment. She is a silly girl. I know she spends lots of time in the “den” but then I don’t know what their concerns are for their pandas. NZ brings in all pandas at night. Maybe it has something to do with keeping them safe? Sometimes I feel like the keepers must be overwhelming for a baby panda. Always bringing her toys, dressing her up, cleaning her (which is weird), but it’s obvious they adore her and momma.
December 28th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Dennis Carney, NJ; Congrats on your new job!! That’s an accomplishment for you because of this crazy economy that we have been going thru over the past year and a half! Hope your new job goes well, and I am very glad that your manager has a very good understanding of your wife’s condition in the hospital. Very few managers will have that kind of understanding about these things.
Just got on pandacam, and Yuni is sound asleep in the den. I haven’t had much time on the cam myself with all of the crazyness of the holiday season. But I do try to peek in when I can.
Well, gonna go for now. Will check in later on.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
December 28th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
141. Last night (11:30 Calif. time) Bai followed baby out. They had a rough play session for 40 minutes and when Yun got tired out, he tried to escape (Mom dragged him back twice) and then he finally escaped – she followed him out of the den. They weren’t back 2 hours later.
No one (including the moderator) has addressed the issue of Yun following Bai. Doesn’t that need to happen regularly before they can be put on exhibit?
Yun Zi reminds me of Tai when he was learning to climb. Wait til mom is doing something else, sneak around! I think it’s the male thing again, mama pandas seem to knock those boys off more than they do the girls. I tend to think they want to keep them safe in the den longer. (In the wild, mom’s keep the boys longer than the girls before weaning, from all I have read.) On the other hand, their first day outside, Mei did a headstand on a branch to show Tai what could be done. Then she did her best to keep him from climbing.
December 28th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
One more thing, when Yun Zi is active, he is VERY active. Then there are those heavy duty play sessions early in the morning….
December 28th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
I just had the most horrible deja vu……I was watching LinPingTV, and all of a sudden the cam switched to the outside and a keeper carrying Lin Ping in his arms. It reminded me of the earthquake and the Chinese keepers carrying the toddlers to safety. Thankfully, this keeper was simply carrying her to the crib. The earthquake is still all too fresh in my mind.
December 28th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
#117 – Frances in NYC – luv em all
– for some reason momma pandas hate ( is it her cub is growing up) the first few days of cubs climbing – is she teaching her cub “SPLAT” is fun – mom & cub both seem to have fun – cub climbs, mom drags off, Opps splat, cub climbs again – mom ignores for a few minutes, cub climbs higher, oh no, mom drags cub off – another SPLAT & on it goes 
Who has more fun – Yun showing off his climbing skills or momma Bai telling Yun she’s still in charge 
(for how much longer, haha)
December 28th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
I’m sorry to post again, but they are wallpapering the “den” in Thailand. Interesting.
And I forgot …… Dennis, congrats! Sounds like things may be getting better for you and Lynn. Here’s hoping to a better year in 2010.
I have been watching our baby here SLEEP for the last couple of hours. Yun Zi is PERFECT even in sleep. But it’d be great if he could just sit up and wave to me or something.
December 28th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
#144 BEST of luck with your new job, and Blessings and God’s “Keeping” powers toward you and your Lady Lynn. Not many men I can think of, that are Yunior Bloggers, (unless they have a panda nick name) and who are clever and creative as you are with your writings. Keep us up to date on the weekends, and you have to take a weekend someday to come to California, even with the dangerous “air ways” of late. What, 5 hours from New York I think, (New Jersey?) no problem, you will be running up and down the hills of San Diego Zoo, and eating lunch watching Panda Exhibit, and coming back for more. I stayed there a half hour once, and still came back again. I see the people just walking by fast in the camera, not me, I have to watch and make clicking and smootching noises.
December 28th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Re your response to blogger 134, I can only say you must be kidding! Bai Yun first went on public display in 1996, so has at least 13 years of experience with queue lines, and over 7 of those were with an infant in tow. So now she has to be eased into this “novel” experience? You are insulting the intelligence of pandas and of potential viewers by making up all these excuses for keeping Yun Zi away from the public. I was appalled to hear a narrator say Yun Zi is a late bloomer. Again, you must be kidding!!!He is far ahead of his siblings, all of whom were on public display before Christmas. Bloggers are too well informed to go along with the assumption that they are too naive to know any differently. We view the video cam, and see Yun Zi coming out into the Classroom exhibit entirely on his own, and having a great time exploring the outdoors. A panda mother would never allow her precious offspring to venture into a situation that she perceived as dangerous. So, put Yun Zi into the public exhibit and let Bai Yun decide if she wants to keep him in the den, away from the public. Over the years, Bai Yun has proven herself to be a very competent mother! The cub will be relaxed if Mom is relaxed.
Moderator’s note: I meant that Bai Yun has to be comfortable with people in the queue when her cub is out. She has been very protective of this cub. Please respect the Panda Team’s decisions in this matter.
December 28th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
No 136 – Danielle – Hi, I noticed that you are in NY and there is a major time difference between you and Thailand. I am in Singapore and there is no time difference and rest assured Lin Ping and Lin Hui get to go out quite a lot. In fact Lin Ping is like ZZ and zooms everywhere. Her keepers have a tough time keeping up with her.
Dear Moderator,
Can a person outside the USA ‘adopt’ Yun Zi? I have been wanting to but was not sure.
No 144 – All the best with the new job and keeping Lynn in my prayers.
Moderator’s note: Anyone may adopt Yun Zi (or our other animals), no matter where they live
December 28th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Question: There is a “laser light” or night light in the den. So the area right outside of the den is dark also? or is there like “lab” lights on, so the night shift can see a little? and so the question is where does Bai and Yunior sleep when they are out of the den at night? I know its really cold here in Fullerton, so it must be cold there, (I KNOW they have fur and chubbieness, but even my cats ears and nose and feet get cold….!!! anyway just wonder where they sleep when they are out of the den at night, and I am trying to watch after work, and there is nothing. Thank goodness for the DoxieMom videos!
Moderator’s note: The light in the den is actually an infrared illuminator that allows the Panda Cam viewers to see in the dark. It’s really black as pitch in that den at night. Mother and cub can sleep in the bedroom, sun room, or garden room areas at night if the den does not appeal to them.
December 28th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
hello all. there is a beautiful space on the photo wall just the right size for a pudgy fur ball. will we see YUN ZI’s smiling face up there anytime soon? thanks.
December 28th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
deep cleansing breath no. 161.
December 28th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Linda A. / NorCal and Lucilla, I could not watch Lin Ping on the zoo’s website so I watched the Lin Ping TV channel tonight. I still haven’t seen Lin Ping outside, but saw Lin Ping with the keeper around the baby bed full of all sorts of toys. At first Lin Ping was fighting, she would not stay in the bed, but she had about 4 or 5 keepers trying to put her back in that bed. Finally she went to sleep in the bed and they were showing people putting the wallpaper with the bamboo (?) forest on the second wall of their enclosure. I also love the way Lin Hui is dragging Lin Ping to which ever spot she wants her at. I like the fact that Lin Hui keeps trying to stay in control. For a first time mom, considering all the human interference/interaction, I think she does a marvelous job.
December 28th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
to All…
Bai Yun and Yun Zi are being prepared to be on exhibit in the classroom area. Both the lower exhibits will also be open, so visitors will be able to see several pandas each morning. As in the past, it is likely that Bai Yun and cub will be on exhibit for a few hours each day, in the morning only, in the first several weeks.
This time around we have five pandas to consider for exhibit and behind-the-scenes space use. It makes it a little tricky to plan for all of our needs, like the hearing study, the public’s desire to see the cub, logistical concerns like not housing Zhen Zhen next door to Yun Zi (for Bai Yun and Zhen Zhen’s sakes), etc.
It is true that, until recently, Yun Zi was less likely to be found outside of the den than Zhen Zhen was at the same age. Nonetheless, he is rapidly making up for lost time and is physically ready for the next step. Keepers are acclimating him to an A.M. schedule so he will follow his mother into the classroom each morning, and, as a result, you can expect him to be on exhibit in approximately two weeks, give or take a few days. Bai Yun is a little less of a concern in that she is likely to be fine with visitors in the queue. Surely she has plenty of experience with that. Of greater concern is actually getting the little panda out on exhibit under his own steam, and that is something the staff is currently making progress on.
Thanks for your patience.
Suzanne
December 29th, 2009 at 2:45 am
#161 SDG…Something the narrator may have been referring to when the expression “late bloomer” was used may be the fact that Bai and Yun Zi are continuing to inhabit the den long after the den had been vacated with previous cubs. Is it because Yun Zi prefers the den’s cozy confines or because Bai Yun isn’t comfortable? We can’t really fully know but obviously if one and/or the other is still more comfortable in the den at night, then they probably aren’t completely ready to be on exhibit yet. The ultimate well-being of the pandas is vastly more important than an impatient public’s need to see Yun Zi now rather than two or three weeks from now.
December 29th, 2009 at 5:24 am
Thanks DoxieMom for the videos…
Congrats Dennis on your new job… you can do what I do.. I open up the panda cam when I come into work, minimize it and move it into the corner of my monitor so I can grab a peek now and then…
#150-Maureen – Thanks you for your response. That incident you mentioned with the other panda (Xiang Xiang?) was what prompted me to ask about the process. I would just hate to see any of our Pandas suffer the same fate.
Moderator – a question to your response for blog #161. Since Yunior is my first panda to watch from birth, could you explain what protective behaviors Bai exhibits now that maybe she didn’t exhibit with the prior cubs? I have total confidence in the Panda Team to know when “the time is right” for Yunior to be introduced to the public. From my experience in training dogs in obedience/agility, everything needs to be a positive experience. It makes life so much easier!!
December 29th, 2009 at 5:41 am
Dennis, congrats happy to hear you will be back to work.
Snow day Snow day glorious glorious Snow day, It’s too heavy for the trucks and this is in Maine!!! Only about 4-6 inches but wet. Yippeee
Yun Zi and momma in the den this morning. It looked like bath time but Yun Zi did not want to cooperate.
December 29th, 2009 at 6:08 am
#161 San Diego Guy: I’m sure no one is trying to insult our intelligence, please don’t abuse the moderators as they are just doing their jobs and quite well I might add! Bai Yun is very protective of this cub which is evident to everyone who has watched the cams throughout her various cubs. Having him outside with the keepers is one thing but with hundreds of strangers snapping away is a different thing. Who knows how she may react. I trust the zoo to do the right thing and ease them into it. Bai herself may have years of experience but Yun may react differently to the intrusion. If he barks or gets upset then Bai will react to that and try to protect her cub.
It’s easy for us to make assumptions watching them on camera but the keepers see and hear their reactions up close and I’m sure they are doing what is in the best interests of the cub and his mom. No one wants them pushed out onto display – we have 4 years to enjoy this little guy and watch him grow up.
December 29th, 2009 at 7:04 am
Best wishes to all for a Happy and Healthy New Year. There is a cute little video clip of Hua Mei and her newest baby on Pandas Live On. SDZ must be busting at the seams with pride for their first born. Also a very touching ‘Dedication to Tai Shan’ is on You Tube.
Several times the question has come up about Bai being able to have another cub, which I am 98% sure she can as she was born to be a mother and her daughters are and will follow in her pawsteps, Gao is thought to be a year younger as his exact birthdate is not known, is there a age limit as to when males are no longer able to mate? The panda teams at all four US zoos are the best in the world. I don’t recall any of the cubs going on public exhibit until Mom said it was ok, even when it meant a delay in the hoped for time frame. Bai is in charge as it should be.
December 29th, 2009 at 9:31 am
I was just looking at the “Adopt a Panda” section of this website.
When I adopted my two daughters (they are sisters and eleven months apart) as toddlers in 1972, it cost us a bundle for an attorney (private adoption) plus expenses for all the “set up” (clothes, bedroom sets, toys) items we needed and quickly.
We had no adoption tax benefits back then–everything was out of pocket. I was thinking today how nice it would have been to have had an “Adopt a Kid” option! Perhaps our friends and family would have “adopted” our kids (we would provide copies of their new birth certificates with fingerprints, cute photos of the girls–we had been given one picture each of them as babies) to help pay for their adoption and their first year of expenses.
Just kidding, but I think the “Adopt a Panda” is a great idea. Hopefully someone will buy one of the $1,000 options for me so I can finally get to San Diego.
December 29th, 2009 at 9:47 am
I respect that the Panda Team is looking to see if mom and cub are comfortable with the public. They are concerned with the well-being of the cub. I applaud the Panda Team for putting Yun Zi’s well-being first place. Thank you Panda Team for taking excellent care of Yun Zi. I am patient, because I know you are doing your best by Yun Zi. Thank you.
December 29th, 2009 at 10:09 am
#161 You know, when you love somebody or something, really love them, you put their well-being first before your own wishes. That is love, true love, real love. I can tell that the Panda Team love Yun Zi and are putting his well-being first and doing their best for him.
December 29th, 2009 at 10:20 am
Well finally able to write a short note. I hope everyone had a great holiday and raring to go into 2010.
I just have to tell everyone the great gift I received from my daughter. She gave me a Nintendo DS (at first I didn’t know what the heck it was) and then a National Geographic Pandas Game. It is the cutest thing. The game is for ages 5 and up so I should be able to do it. You start off having a young panda that you have to name, feed, water, play with and bathe (yes bathe ‘cus they don’t have a mom to wash them). Right now I am up to 2 pandas, a girl and a boy and are they demanding. Everytime I turn around they are either thirsty or hungry or want to play. I have got the first one to roll over, do a summersault and climb a tree without falling and am now working on the second one.
She bought me the machine to give me something to do on long plane trips but right now I can’t put it down. It also came with a 1-hour DVD (from Nat’l Geo – 1995) about Dr. Pan and how he started major research in China to save the pandas and convinced villagers to help.
Just thought that some of you may have a child or grandchild with one of these machines and you could get the game and go crazy like I am.
Lee
December 29th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Forgive me if this has been addressed already, but why is Gao Gao not shown on the cam? I love the adorable little guy and miss seeing his cute face! And also, when Yun Zi is older, will he possibly have some contact via howdy gate with his big sister Zhen Zhen like Su and Zhen did?
Moderator’s note: The Panda Cam usually focuses on pandas that are out on exhibit. Gao Gao is currently off exhibit. There is always the possibility of howdy gate interaction when Yun Zi gets older.
December 29th, 2009 at 11:17 am
#161….There seems to be a serious amount of anger over what should be just a beautiful, enjoyable SDZ experience that they are allowing us to share. This is a baby Panda, and why you think this Panda should behave EXACTLY like anyother baby Panda is beyond me. I have been a SDZ member for 25 years and I know that this Zoo is held in high regard for its conservation efforts etc. Panda keepers have been to China and have learned first hand how to do this. NO one is insulting anyones intelligence! You do not have access to all the facts so please reserve your negative comments and just enjoy the experience. What is the hurry?
December 29th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
KJ #177,
When Gao is off exhibit, he spends most of his time in Classroom 1, which has, admittedly, lousy cameras. Viewers often liken the image from those cams as being something out of “Alien.” And there are blind spots those cameras can’t reach. In general, whoever is in Classroom 1 won’t be on the cams much as a result.
December 29th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Talk about loving patient moms. Lun Lun is wonderful this afternoon. Her little (actually he’s gotten pretty big) boy is a total terror. He’s biting her leg, foot , arm, ear, head – anything he can get in his mounth. And she is just laying there letting him do it. Funny – she just go up leaned over him and held him down for a while. I’m sure this is what Bai Yun is about to experience. Such loving boy pandas!!!!
December 31st, 2009 at 7:58 am
Perhaps this is not the correct place to post this question, but I need some help, please.
Cannot access the “Panda Cub Milestones” video. Consistently tells me “This video is not available – please check back later.” I have no difficulty accessing all other videos. Is the problem on my end? Thank you for whatever assistance you can give me.
HAPPY 2010 to ALL!
Moderator’s note: The milestones video has now been added to the regular video page. Please check to see if it plays for you there.
December 31st, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Thank you so much! YES, finally able to view “Panda Cub Milestones” video. Did not encounter any difficulties at all. Love Yun Zi hugging the ball and trying (?) to munch on the carefully prepared apple during his 17th exam. Such a sweetheart!