Panda Cam Update
Posted at 5:53 pm January 28, 2010 by admin
It’s amazing and wonderful how immensely popular our pandas have become around the world! We’re glad to able to share their activities and the development of our cubs through our Panda Cam. We have discovered, though, that the amount of bandwidth needed to keep up with the demand, especially with the addition of mobile devices and social networking, has been growing exponentially, and our costs are growing along with it. In order to keep our costs under control, we have implemented a 20-minute timeout on the Panda Cam. That simply means that after 20 minutes, the Panda Cam will stop streaming and freeze, but you can go back to it immediately by refreshing the page. It’s become quite costly for us to keep the Panda Cam streaming continuously for everyone who’s watching, so we hope that this 20-minute timeout will help keep our bills under control. Thank you to everyone who loves watching our pandas!
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January 28th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
Fully understand.
January 28th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
That’s a good thing for panda fans!
January 28th, 2010 at 6:08 pm
I’ve noticed that. And I’m Ok with it.
January 28th, 2010 at 6:15 pm
So, it sounds like those who have the cam on continuosly should reconsider and only go to the cam page when they are actually watching. This will help the SDZ save money and maybe they will not have to dispense with or otherwise limit the cams. Let’s all help out so that we can keep watching (for a few minutes at a time)!
January 28th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
Well that is a bit sad, but thats okay… cute picture- thats yunior right??
Moderator’s note: That’s Yunior!
January 28th, 2010 at 6:29 pm
How about starting donations to keep the cam going?
January 28th, 2010 at 6:31 pm
gulp!! is there a 12 step program for us? i might need an intervention. ( ;
January 28th, 2010 at 6:38 pm
Thank you for allowing us to view this wonderous site; I have spent so many hours on cub watch and watching our precious little ones grow. It is an experience I could never have without you.
January 28th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Makes sense to me. How many people watching the cam leave to do something else and forget about it, to come back in an hour or so. I would rather the cost to you be kept down.
January 28th, 2010 at 7:02 pm
i am so amazed of how much Yun Zi has grown up… i cannot wait to see him turn into a little boy and be the star of the show for a little while, while his cutness thrives everybody
January 28th, 2010 at 7:09 pm
Thank you for posting. I thought it was just my computer, and I’d just reload the panda cam, and everything was fine. I love seeing them all especially Yun Zi’s growth and his playing. What an adorable babe he is. Again, thank you to all the staff and handlers at the SDZ. My congratulations on an exceptional job in keeping us all up to date from his birth until now.
January 28th, 2010 at 7:15 pm
Thank you for letting us know about the 20 minute timeout–the National Zoo panda cam has similar timeouts. And thanks very much to the folks in San Diego, DC, Atlanta and Memphis who make it possible for us to enjoy all of the pandas–they make the dreariest of days bright!
January 28th, 2010 at 7:46 pm
Ahhhh, that explains a great deal — totally understandable. My freezes after 8 or 10 minutes or so. Curious. Maybe it’s my computer?
Thank you (from the previous update) for the videos! I was able to actually watch the water encounter. Funny, I don’t get to watch much anymore but I was lucky enough to see the whole thing!
I’m afraid Yun Zi will be too cute for me to handle in March. What will I do?????
January 28th, 2010 at 7:59 pm
Not a problem, SDZ!! I’m so glad you guys decided to do this – I figured it was costing you guys a lot, the way things were.
January 28th, 2010 at 8:05 pm
Thanks I can understand why you doing this The AZ and NZ already do this.
If anyone wants to see the plane that will be taking our beautiful pandas to China go to the FedEx’s website and there is a picture of the 777 jet liner with a huge picture of a panda on the front side of it. The time is getting closer everyday.
January 28th, 2010 at 8:07 pm
That’s okay! I am obsessed, but not that obsessed. (I can watch panda cam for about 10 minutes!)
January 28th, 2010 at 8:12 pm
SDZ:
Thank you for the explanation. It is a privilege to have free access to the panda cams for our own enrichment, entertainment, and education. Even though I do not live close, I purchased a membership when I visited this month and was thrilled to receive my membership card with the picture of a panda!
I’m sure those of us who are able will continue to contribute during the year. In addition to the pleasure we receive, we are supporting your conservation efforts.
I had hoped to attend Tai’s farewell this weekend, but a 4 hour drive each way with impending snow forced me to cancel. NZ noted on its website that if the zoo must close due to inclement weather, the activities will be held Sunday. If anyone attends, please provide us with details.
January 28th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
ANYTHING to keep from losing them!
January 28th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
wow it came to this : ( …I guess the positive side is that pandas has alot of fan base and donations and awareness..
January 28th, 2010 at 8:49 pm
Quick question-if somebody like me, who takes lots of photos, would that proccess reset for 20 minutes every time I take one? I never got an accurrate time-I thought it was around 15 minutes-but 20 is okay too….we owe our Yunior to the whole world….Love Grammmie
January 28th, 2010 at 8:53 pm
Is there a way that Panda fans can donate specifically to fund the upkeep of Panda Cam? I don’t mind the 20 minute time out at all, but I didn’t realize how expensive this is. Thank you for providing such a wonderful service. It brings such joy to my life.
Moderator’s note: You are very welcome! Be sure to read Suzanne’s post, Helping Pandas and Other Animals.
January 28th, 2010 at 9:26 pm
Sorry about the FedEx web page if you want to see the plane it best to search FedEx panda express and it will bring up and story and the picture.
January 28th, 2010 at 9:39 pm
No problem…At least the cams are available 24 hours and not shut down before 10:00AM and after 5:00PM and on weekends.
” Panda Peace on Earth , Goodwill to All Living Things….”
January 28th, 2010 at 10:12 pm
Well, now you are with National Zoo pandacams (5 mins.) and Atlanta Zoo pandacam (10 mins.) on time limits for watching pandacams! You just have the longist viewing time than the other 2 zoos. I think the Memphis Zoo pandacam is the only one without time limits as of right now. That’s ok, tho. I was used to that with the NZ and AZ pandacams anyway. I love watching the pandas on the cams when I do get a chance to get on them.
On the last update and on this one, the pics of Yuni are soooooo cute! The one pic on the last update was Yuni giving out a big yawn or a loud yelp! He just looked so adorable with his mouth wide open! The pic of Yuni hugging the tree trunk was also cute. Looked like he was getting ready to start climbing that tree!
Dennis Carney, NJ; read your comment yesterday about your wife, Lynn, having another setback again. That has got to be very rough on you and her. I am still praying for you and Lynn, and I’m hoping that she can be moved to a hospital close to you real soon. Also, good luck looking for that 2nd job! Please keep us updated about Lynn and your job hunting! Keep watching the pandas! They will calm you down, relieve stress, and lower your blood pressure!
Well, gonna go and get to bed. Will catch up with you all later on!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
January 28th, 2010 at 10:51 pm
Well, I thot I was going to bed until I got on the Atlanta Zoo website. Just read their announcement about the Give So They Stay campaign and Mei Lan. Give So they Stay campaign that ended on Dec. 31, 2009 raised a total of close to $403,000! That was very close to their goal of $500,000 but it was enough for the pandas to stay in Atlanta! That’s the good news!
MY BAD!!! Mei Lan’s farewell party IS on Sat., Jan. 30 from 10am-3pm EST. Got the dates confused with the 1/28 date! AZ panda keepers have alot planned for that day for everyone that comes to the zoo to see Mei Lan and wish her a good trip to China. Mei will definitely have a travelling companion, Tai Shan, on Feb. 4th! He will be leaving NZ on the same day, and both of them will be on the same plane going to China. If my info is correct on both zoos’ China connections, Mei Lan will probably be going to Chengdu (AZ’s connection), and Tai Shan will be going to Wolong/Bifengxia (NZ’s connection). Tai Shan’s farewell party at NZ will also be on Jan. 30th. We will be missing both of these pandas a whole bunch, but they will both be an important part in the conservation efforts to keep pandas around for years to come.
Now, I am definitely going to bed! Will check back in later!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
January 28th, 2010 at 11:31 pm
#15 PAM T. I did a search for FedEx in several wordings, opened dozens of pages, but never saw a Panda painted on a Jet. I finally tried a search mentioning the Jet that will fly the two Pandas-I must be just plain unlucky-do you have a link you can post here if it is allowable? I thought it would be easier to find even for a computer illiterate like me. Thank You…..Love Grammmie
January 28th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
Totally understandable. Just very thankful for the Panda cam. Thank you for keeping us posted.
January 29th, 2010 at 12:01 am
I understand your decision with the cams. It’s OK.
The truth is I could watch both Bai Yun and Yunior around o’clock, but it’s impossible . My “pandas time” is after 6 pm ( Central Europe Time). Its time I come home from office , during on the other side of the world ( SDZ) the little boy begins his new day. I and my family enjoy and comment everything we can see via cams.
Today I noticed the new photos of Yun Zi. Thank you ! The photos are wonderfully!
Dear moderator , can I ask you to extend warm greetings to Kathy Hawk and to thank her from the bottom of my heart?
Your fan
Aleksandra
Moderator’s note: Will do!
January 29th, 2010 at 12:53 am
A lot of cams I watch do this. I think it’s a great idea. I’m also very happy to contribute towards the cost, after all, we are the one’s getting all the pleasure and I don’t mind paying for a bit of panda pleasure.
January 29th, 2010 at 1:44 am
I completely agree with. Thank you for the explanation.
January 29th, 2010 at 2:28 am
Thanks for the update! That’s a small price to pay in lieu of the great education we’re all getting, the “free” postcards we’re able to share & save, and the hours of love and content we all feel while we watch Bai Yun raise her baby boy. This love affair she has w/him is just so precious to watch! My heart runneth over w/love for them, and such jealousy & envy for all the handlers/keepers! It has literally gotten me through this extended period of unemployment w/out falling into a deep depression. Thank you all so very much! Keep up the good work.
January 29th, 2010 at 2:52 am
I’ve noticed it, too. I thought it was my computer…again….
: )
January 29th, 2010 at 3:15 am
Thank you for letting us know, I was wondering why the cam kept freezing up! Like everyone else, I’m totally on-board with your decision. I know how much it costs me to have internet access every month so I can’t even imagine what your monthly costs must be like!
January 29th, 2010 at 3:53 am
I watched Bai Yun and Yun Zi playing yesterday while they were on exhibit. Mom really rough-houses him and he loves it! They both play hard. When Bai walked thru the water, she turned around like she was trying to get Yun Zi to get in the water too but he would not do that… so she walked off, came right back and knocked him in… he rolled right across the water. I think he pouted a little about that. But that was funny.
January 29th, 2010 at 4:53 am
I didn’t realize there was a cost to running the panda cam. Thanks for letting us know about this.
January 29th, 2010 at 5:15 am
Just right now at 8 A.M. local time, I’ve watched a tender scene that made me cry.
Tai shan was at howdy gate with Mei or Tian and both seemed happy and kissing each other and ” saying” their farewell words? Sad!
January 29th, 2010 at 5:22 am
I guess so much interest in Pandas is a good thing for their conservation.
I need help from my fellow bloggers who watch the other Panda Cams. SDZ is kind enough to let us know which camera we’re watching and who it’s assigned to. How do you know who you are watching at the NZ and the ZA? I’ve only been out to their cams a few times..
A good thing.. I was able to get onto the Thailand Zoo Panda cam this morning to check on Ping Lin.
January 29th, 2010 at 5:23 am
we understand, we love watching them
January 29th, 2010 at 5:53 am
Twenty minutes is generous. I’m one of the people that accidentally leave the panda cam going sometimes.
Caught some awfully cute video of Yunior and mom yesterday. Thanks to all who make this possible!
January 29th, 2010 at 6:24 am
Fully understand, and applaud you for doing what is necessary to provide high quality viewing for everyone who wants to follow your pandas. We thank you for making this price-less opportunity available worldwide, especially for those around the globe who will not have the opportunity to visit the zoo in person.
January 29th, 2010 at 6:39 am
Detailed information on Tai Shan and Mei Lan’s travel plans has been posted on the National Zoo’s site:
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Publications/PressMaterials/PressReleases/NZP/2010/TaiShanflight.cfm
I hope to go to Tai’s party tomorrow.
[Moderator, no need to post this if someone beat me to it.]
January 29th, 2010 at 6:41 am
I had wondered about the bandwidth situation myself. This is a great solution, as if someone goes afk, there is no need for the stream to continue. A page refresh is no big deal.
Thanks again to the zoo and staff for this website, it’s been wonderful watching the cub grow day by day.
January 29th, 2010 at 6:49 am
Totally understand. Like others have said, anything to help us keep seeing those wonderful balls of black and white fur. I stumbled upon your panda cam last July. I was going through a bad time and watching Yunior come into the world and every day since has been a blessing and helped me through those bad times. Also, discovering all the other panda cams around the world and talking with other panda lovers has been wonderful, as well. Thank you!
That’s a very cute looking jetliner. LOL. I wonder which panda’s face they used.
January 29th, 2010 at 6:51 am
From the FedEx More News website, it appears that Tai Shan may be one of the first new residents at Wolong. If that is the case, there will likely be big fanfare when he arrives in Wolong.
Within this announcement are details that should alay everyone’s concerns about the safety and well being of both pandas and the humans who travel with them to China.
As I recall very similar steps were taken with Mei Sheng when he went to China, and probably similar to what Su Lin will have when she goes in 2010. It is a relief to know that they can now make this journey non-stop, unlike Mei Sheng who had to travel on two planes to get to Chengdu. Modern technology has developed more efficient planes that can travel fast enough and carry enough fuel so they can make the transcontinental flight very quickly. It appears that the pandas and staff can travel safely by truck at both ends which will go a long way to making the journey much less stressful for everyone.
With tears streaming down my face, I wish Bon Voyage to “my” beloved East Coast USA pandas. May you be blessed with a long productive life in your parents native land. I have seen you both in person and will miss seeing you on the camera every day.
January 29th, 2010 at 6:54 am
Whatever is best for The San Digo Zoo works for me.
Thank You, for sharing all of those hours with your spectacular Panda Family!
Your beautiful animals have given my life such unbelievable pleasure.
It has been a great learning experience…
January 29th, 2010 at 7:08 am
Thank you for the panda-cam update. I think we all will find that the minutes we spend watching will now become even more delightful. And…I suspect we all will discover that we just may accomplish tasks that in the past, have been very easy to postpone.
January 29th, 2010 at 7:08 am
Totally understand! I want to thank you for your service to all of us, and I want you to know that the Panda Cam has inspired our family to purchase a Zoo Membership when we visit in March, even though we live out-of-state. The Panda Cam has increased awareness and support for your wonderful efforts at the Zoo – you can be very proud of your accomplishments!
January 29th, 2010 at 7:10 am
In these tough economic times we are all still grateful that you are able to provide this great service for us.
Thankyou SDZ!!!
January 29th, 2010 at 7:19 am
In the animal wish list, you could have donations come in for the panda cam. It might help!
Moderator’s note: Be sure to read Suzanne’s post, Helping Pandas and Other Animals.
January 29th, 2010 at 7:27 am
I am very thankful that we have access to this camera with a very young cub (Yun Zi) and a sub-adult female (Zhen Zhen), and ZA camera to see a cub about to be weaned (Xi Lan), and the blogs about the great strides in their development that help keep our minds positive and cheerful. I try to keep my mind away from the bittersweetness of the departure of the two females, and one male that have already gone through these stages and are on their way to their adult life to fulfill their destiny.
Mating season has already come for NZP’s Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, and MZ’s Ya Ya and Le Le, and will come in a couple of months for Lun Lun and Yang Yang. There is much excitement in the USA pandas’ world to look forward to in the coming months.
January 29th, 2010 at 7:38 am
I can’t tell you how much I enjoy the pandas! If I could start over, I would educate and train so that I could work with pandas. Its such a joy to watch their growth.
January 29th, 2010 at 7:44 am
Like all posts so far, I agree. To me it is a privilege to be able to view at all, thank you for the explanation, and best wishes to all the animals and personnel at San Diego!!
January 29th, 2010 at 7:46 am
Okay then that explains it!! LOL I thought there was something wrong on my end. I can completely understand. And I’d much prefer watching for 20 minute increments than to not be able to watch at all! Thanks for the explanation.
January 29th, 2010 at 7:51 am
I’ll be going to Zoo Atlanta Saturday morning … weather is forecast to be COLD and sloppy and windy … hopefully, Mei Lan will go the outside enclosures … she hates rain! But the dayroom windows get fogged up by the crush of visitors … and not everyone understands about using the squeegie to clear their immediate area.
January 29th, 2010 at 7:55 am
Hello? Did you think it was free. When you you are done watching your favorites be sure to turn it off.
January 29th, 2010 at 8:11 am
Just in case any of you have missed the photos… There are new ones posted of our baby! Kathy… The one of you with Yunior… OMG that is so cute!!! And then the one where he looks like he is playing peek a boo behind the tree! You all are wonderful!!! Thank you for the smile I have on my face right now. I just heard my 1 month old grand baby has a fever of 101 and just got admitted into the hospital… this is helping me to calm down! Thank you all my wonderful panda family!
Moderator’s note: Good thoughts are being sent your way for your new grandbaby’s recovery!
January 29th, 2010 at 8:11 am
Now those of you who “watch and work” will now be forced to put more emphasis on the “work!”
I know, you can get right back on the PandaCam when it freezes. And twenty minutes is very generous. Almost fits in with coffee break time. Do they still have coffee breaks in American businesses? It has been thirteen years since I have been gainfully employed!
I am hoping there will be some new cubs in our American zoos this year!
January 29th, 2010 at 8:19 am
Hey, if you have to limit the sessions to allow the panda cam to continue, that’s OK by me. This is so much better than not being able to watch the panda’s at all. Keep up the fantastic work SDZ. You ROCK!!
January 29th, 2010 at 8:19 am
Thanks for the heads-up- I wish we had known earlier. Maybe you could post some sort of reminder on the webcam page, so we won’t forget.
January 29th, 2010 at 8:24 am
Fully understandable! I am just thankful for the times I and my grandkids can watch! Thank You!
January 29th, 2010 at 8:26 am
The SDZ staff has provided us pandaholics worldwide a forum for viewing and discussing our beloved pandas. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to see them and to learn so much about them from the blogs. Please keep up the good work and do whatever you need to do to allow us to enjoy our furry friends.
January 29th, 2010 at 8:31 am
Re: # 41… Thanks for that link, Kathy in DC! Panda Express by Federal Express.
January 29th, 2010 at 8:34 am
#37 Diana asked about panda cams and who you’re looking at at National and Atlanta zoos. I do think it is really cool to be able to tell who I’m looking at at the San Diego cams. Obviously San Diego is set up differently than DC. DC has 3 panda yards, and the pandas are rotated between them. The (many, many) cameras are fixed, so they’re looking at whoever is in whichever yard. So they can’t assign camera numbers to specific panda. I never know who I’m looking at at their cams. I don’t always even know who is who in person, though Mei is usually a delicate eater, and Tian usually makes a mess all over himself. And Tai was noticeably smaller, for a while.
I never saw Mei Lan in person, but I followed her via webcam, and was even lucky enough to see her birth live! I also followed Su Lin, and am told that the San Diego Zoo is truly fabulous. I will miss all 3.
I’m glad to still be able to enjoy watching Zhen Zhen, Xi Lan, and Yun Zi, and I REALLY appreciate this blog.
January 29th, 2010 at 8:44 am
2 more very short Yun Zi videos from Thursday!
The first is 1 minute of Yun Zi on the Garden Room platform. The camera work was excellent, bravo to the keeper/volunteer that followed him so closely!! Extremely clear PandaCam closeup shots!!
“Cuteness Overload”
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pandalover19/4311915227/
The 2nd shows Yun Zi enjoying one of his favorite enrichments, the landscaping! I’m sure those that chose new landscaping off the “Wish List” didn’t realize what joy it would bring him!
“Flower Cubbie”
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pandalover19/4313938388/
Totally understandable about the camera! 20 minutes is extremely generous and refresh is just one click away! Thank you so much for the explanation, and for providing us with the opportunity to watch the San Diego Zoo panda family!!
January 29th, 2010 at 9:05 am
Is there anything we panda fans can do to prevent this? Please let us know. I’m hoping that there is a way out of this situation. Will this change affect all the other San Diego Zoo cams?
I can’t face the day without my morning Panda Cam.
Thank you
Moderator’s note: All you have to do is refresh the page after 20 minutes–you won’t have to give up any viewing!
January 29th, 2010 at 9:06 am
Thank you for the privelege of being able to watch the pandas. You and the animals give us so much. I hope that we all can find ways to support the zoo as all of this does cost money so I know that I will make a donation. I do hope that the wonderful videos that Doxie Mom has been able to make, will be able to continue. (Give her a little of my bandwidth) I don’t exactly understand how this will effect her. Thanks.
January 29th, 2010 at 9:17 am
Hmm. Is there any way you can exempt DoxieMom’s IP address from the time limit, since she does such wonderful videos for the rest of us?? (If you haven’t seen the latest ones, do so immediately.You will not be sorry. Trust me.)
January 29th, 2010 at 9:35 am
Thank you for letting us know. I am one of the bad ones who open it when I get to work and close it when it’s time to go home. I never realized what it does at your end.
Thanks DoxiMom for the ‘flower cubbie’ video. I imagine that is what a young cub would do in the wild with the bamboo groves. He is just practicing how to collect the bamboos he needs to eat. Since he can’t eat it yet he will just play with it. It also explains why you have to replace the plantings. Glad we got all the stuff at his shower. Now we also know that the plants are toys and well as the toys being toys.
January 29th, 2010 at 9:40 am
Why don’t we all use Daniel’s multi cam page since he has set his site up to refresh when needed and just go to the SDZ site when we want to read or post on the blogs. That should save quite a bit. Don’t know what it will do to Daniel’s site though. Just a thought.
January 29th, 2010 at 9:51 am
Dear DoxieMom: As usual adorable!! And thank you again SO much. I second your comment on the excellent upclose camera work.
The new photos are also just SO cute. Is there a way we could order any of those pix? Might be a good fund raising opportunity? That one of him playing in the sawdust just cracked me. If that isnt the height of the word “play” I dont know what is.
Good work to photographer and of course, as always, ALL staff.
Moderator’s note: Yes, you can purchase most of the images you see on our Web site. Please contact our Licensing Division at Licensing@sandiegozoo.org
January 29th, 2010 at 9:51 am
#64 DoxieMom I would love to go to my flower garden and find a beautiful baby panda in it. I pretty sure Yunior is going to grow up to be flower gardener.
January 29th, 2010 at 9:53 am
Completely understood — not a problem — anything to keep us connected to our amazing furry friends — even if it’s 20-minutes at a time!
January 29th, 2010 at 10:17 am
Thanks for making me search for “Fedex panda express”. Adorable, but sad, too. Oh well, we just have to look forward to possibly 3 new cubbies this year in Memphis, Atlanta & DC.
January 29th, 2010 at 10:19 am
Ms. Moderator–The postcard function doesn’t seem to be working now–can it be fixed? Thanks!
Moderator’s note: I’ll alert our Web Team.
January 29th, 2010 at 10:25 am
Both of DoxieMom’s videos show that Yun Zi is truly ready for his close up! So. Cute.
January 29th, 2010 at 10:33 am
Sounds like we all need to think about donating some money to support “our panda cam habit.” I thoroughly enjoy watching:)
January 29th, 2010 at 10:34 am
I’m now feeling bad for all the time I had PandaCam up and wasn’t watching it. I will now go and take a peek and close the window when I’m finished.
Thank you for all you do!
January 29th, 2010 at 10:43 am
#73 Sharon…Or even 6! Twins all around!
January 29th, 2010 at 10:45 am
This makes sense. NZ was 15 minutes until this week when they changed it to 5 minutes with Tai getting ready for his big adventure, after next Thursday (boo hoo and sob sob) they will most likely go back to 15 minutes. Since they have sound it is likely more costly for them. At orginally had 5 minutes then extended to 10 minutes.
January 29th, 2010 at 10:53 am
I am afraid I am a guilty one. I do hog the watching time. It is the first thing I turn on in the morning and I watch while I am waiting for my thyroid 1-hour, no food time, then take another pill that has a 30-minute wait time, then I eat a long, leisurely breakfast while I am trying to wake up and get my engines running (I have fibromyalgia and beaucoup fatigue). I will try to be less selfish about my watch time. I appreciate the joy that the cams bring. I will also go to the link on helping the pandas and see if I can donate strictly to band width extension. Thanks to everyone that is committed to the zoo.
January 29th, 2010 at 10:57 am
While most of the panda fans are focusing on the return of Mei Lan and Tai Shan to the country of their ancestors as well as on the every moves of Yun Zi, Xi Lan is doing his part in the growing up process. This morning the vets observed that he is loosing his baby teeth and he is also packing on the pounds, his weight is now 34.6 kg, which is slightly over 76 lbs… But he seems to believe that he needs or deserves more fuel as he was just at the door trying to attract the keeper’s attention in order to receive treats!!!
January 29th, 2010 at 11:06 am
I guess now it is only the pandacam in Thailand that is streaming continuously. I had problems watching it in the last few days, but it is working well today. The pandacam at the National Zoo is limited to 5 minutes for Camera I; Camera II has been kept on a limit of 15 minutes.
January 29th, 2010 at 11:09 am
DoxiMom #64: Perfect Moments captured!!! Thank You so much!
January 29th, 2010 at 11:33 am
The new photos are just TOO cute.
January 29th, 2010 at 11:35 am
They deleted my link to the news I found about the Fedex panda express. If you google that, try the seattle aerospace archives link. It has a 7 minute video of Tai Shan & Mei Lan. My previous post (#73) make no sense with what was cut out.
Moderator, I see no reason why my panda related link was deleted when you allow so many others. Your policy appears rather arbitrary.
Moderator’s note: We do not allow links to news sites.
January 29th, 2010 at 11:37 am
I found pictures of the FedEx Panda Express and the complete story about their trip with Tal & Mei on February 4th. Sure will miss them both and hopefully we hear the birthing den cries soon in Memphis and National Zoos this year….I also have been infatuated with Lily the Black Bear and see that many of the Pandaholics have joined her Facebook Page and watch for sightings of the Cubbie that is beary vocal but at -15 degrees F.,with no fur yet I would be too…..LOL Bear DOT Org ….
I guess I started as a Pandaholic,became a Lilyholic/Cubbieholic and can now state ” My name is Dennis and I’m a Bearyholic” LOL
“Panda Peace on Earth , Goodwill to All Living Things…”
January 29th, 2010 at 11:37 am
I’ve always wondered who is the cubbie sitting beside of Bai on the Panda Cam page? I know it’s not Yunior…
Moderator’s note: That is Zhen Zhen, taken in December 2007.
January 29th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
The time limit on the cam is fine with me. Most of the other cams have time limits. Thanks for having them.
#37 Dianna and #63 Kathy: Mei Xiang (adult female at NZ) has circular eye patches; she is quite beautiful. Tian Tian (adult male at NZ) has kidney-shaped eye patches. They are easily differentiated when they are together. Lun Lun (adult female at AZ) has mostly had a cub with her since I’ve been watching. I haven’t seen Yang Yang (adult male at AZ) enough to be able to describe him; I don’t think he is on cam that much. I’ve pretty much given up looking at the MZ cams since the pandas are rarely on them. However, I have seen pictures of Ya Ya (adult female at MZ) and she has distinctive eye patches–they are not entirely black but seem to have some gray in them.
January 29th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
Thank you for the info regarding the Panda Cam. Will try to be more careful in my watching and not just leave the cam “open” when I have to leave to do some work.
Thanks #73 Pam T. for the FedEx pics of the Panda Express. It brought tears just seeing it and knowing its purpose. But thankfully, the article also mentioned a nonstop flight. That has to make the trip easier.
#77 Fonsia from the previous post: Thank you for your video of Bai and Yunior. I’ll have to listen when the office is quiet to catch the vocalizations, but loved it.
January 29th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
#85 Sharon and others looking for the Fedex article—
If you google FedEx News and click on the very first search result entitled FedEx News, it takes you directly to a picture of the Panda Express plane and the article.
January 29th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Oh, dear I’ve also been guilty of having the panda cam on for for hours at a time. Now do wonder about DoxieMom as she has spoiled us with her videos
January 29th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
Thank you for the update on the cam. When not watching, I will close and come back later. Keep up the good work that all of you do with the Panda’s and other animals.
January 29th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
Hooray! I am 13 today!!!!! I have gotten my first haircut,as well as my ears pierced! My hair is now shorter, so hooray! I’m not sitting on it! I just saw Yun Zi climb his way up one of the play structures.He’s getting good! Is he a tree climber like his older sister, or not so much? Are you going to celebrate all 3 birthdays together, or is Yun Zi’s going to be separate?
Moderator’s note: Happy 13th birthday to you, Pandafan #2!! All of our cubs have been great climbers. Check back this summer for panda birthday celebration info.
January 29th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
No problem as long as we don’t lose the Panda Cam altogether.
January 29th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
the web cam thing is totally understandable.
I was just wondering something. Did the panda exhibit or any of the rest of the park sustain any damage from those rain/wind storms we had recently? In addition to the beautiful animals I love the trees, flowers and other plants the park has to offer. After seeing some of the damage in balboa park I was concerned about the zoo and wild animal park too. I couldn’t help but think of all that bamboo thats grown on site for our beloved bears
Moderator’s note: I think the only damage we had was a drop in attendance on the super rainy days
January 29th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Hi if you’re between 18 and 45 years of age and have a college degree there’s a great volunteer job for panda fans. Chengdu Panda Base is looking for volunteer to help out during the Chinese New Year. I’ve be there in a heart beat but I’m to old and don’t have a college degree. Someone will have a great time taking care of those black and white treasures. If you want to read all about it go to (pandasliveon) website. And you may get to see Mei Lan because I think what’s where she’s going.
January 29th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
The FedEx Panda Express news letter out of Seattle is located at : seattlepi DOT com as mentioned earlier it departs on Feb.4th.
This also contains an almost 7 minute retrospective of both Tai and Mei from cubbies to grown Pandas and it along with the picture of the Panda Airplane are well worth the tme to see….
“Panda Peace on Earth , Goodwill to All Living Things…”
January 29th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
If donations for the Panda Cam were added to next month’s wishlist, I’d be more than happy to donate!
January 29th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
I too will curtail my viewing time. Thanks for putting us all on alert so we can change our habits. We will free up time so DoxieMom can do her thing, as she does so well. Happy Birthday Pandafan 2. Hope you love your new haircut. I bet you look beautiful.
January 29th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
#64 DoxieMom – thank you for more cuteness!! Re “Flower Cubbie” – I saw part of this yesterday when I signed on. My first thought was that Su Lin has been secretly teaching him all about re-decorating. After all, when she is gone, who but the new kid on the block should inherit the decorator gene??
January 29th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
NO-I just read on the comments page that the Pandas are being taken to China? When and why? You just
can’t let them go! How will we be able to keep track of them! I am so upset!
Moderator’s note: A panda from the National Zoo and a panda from Zoo Atlanta are moving to China. The San Diego Zoo’s pandas have no moving plans at the present.
January 29th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
#64 DoxieMom – Once again, thank you for your videos. While watching, I was thinking…could Yun Zi be more adorable? What a sweetie pie. From what I could see in the second video, I believe he is going to follow in Su Lin’s footsteps. He is slowly redecorating his exhibit.
Moderator: You can count on me. I would be very happy to donate to help keep the panda cam going at its current bandwidth.
Moderator’s note: No donation required to keep our Panda Cam running. But there are lots of other ways donations can help our animals and fund our many worthy conservation projects. If you are interested, please read the post Helping Pandas and Other Animals.
January 29th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
Sure do understand…Still am glad for whatever time we get with these remarkable animals.
January 29th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
That makes complete sense. I’m sure there are times when many of us leave the Cam on and multi-task. If setting a limit can save bandwidth/cost and keep the Panda Cam for us fans…then I’m all for it. 20 minutes is already the longest out of the cams at other zoos (that also have set time limits).
January 29th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
Why is DoxieMom using Flickr now instead of YouTube? Is there a limit on using YouTube?
Love the latest videos……especially the close up one where he is trying to bite his nails.
Is he still teething at this point?
January 29th, 2010 at 4:55 pm
Hi! Just checked the NOAA weather website to check on the weather forecasts for Washington, DC and Atlanta, Georgia. There’s a massive snow and ice storm that’s been tracking thru the US mid section, and guess what?? DC has a 90% chance of snow and Atlanta has a 60% chance of snow/sleet for Sat., Jan. 30 which is the date of both Tai Shan’s and Mei Lan’s farewell parties! YUK!!! I was really hoping that both cities will have lovely cool weather for both events, but it isn’t going to look good by tomorrow AM! So, to those of you who are planning to go to either National Zoo or Atlanta Zoo to see Tai and Mei, dress warm and try to keep dry! Keep checking their websites for any date changes on their events in case the weather does get too nasty. At least Tai and Mei will be seeing some more snow before they leave the US on Feb. 4th!
I also got on google to get on the Fedex News website, and I did see the plane that the pandas will be travelling in to China. I also read NZ’s statement about Tai and Mei’s trip to China, and I was right about where they will be going to once they get there. Tai will be going to Wolong/Bifengxia, and Mei will be going to Chengdu Panda Center. Mei Lan will be leaving Atlanta very early in the AM on Feb. 4th to fly to Dules Airport in DC to meet up with Tai, both will get boarded onto that huge 777F, then they will leave DC late in the morning of 2/4 and be in China on 2/5, a 14 1/2 flight. AZ and NZ panda keepers and vets will be going with them to keep them comfy, fed, watered, and monitor their health & behavior.I know that Mei and Tai will do great on this trip. Fedex said that the trip will take less time to get to China because of the fuel efficiency of the plane. That said, 14 1/2 hours is a long time to fly in a plane! Plus, they will be travelling thru I think about 10 or 12 time zones and the International Date Line flying over the Atlantic Ocean. That’ll be fun! Anyway, I will praying for travelling mercies for all of the people and the pandas going to China!
Well, gonna go and check some pandacams that are still active. AZ’s pandacam is shut down for the weekend. I do hope that the AZ panda keepers will have videos of Mei Lan’s farewell party up on their website in a couple of days. Will try to watch NZ pandacams to catch Tai’s farewell party.
Bye,
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
January 29th, 2010 at 5:09 pm
How many people watch the Panda Cam on any given day? It must be a huge number. Thank you for just letting us be there with the cam!!!
January 29th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
#97 Dennis: Hi.. I went to that website but couldn’t find the video you mentioned nor the article. I tried to search by FEDEX Express and also by Pandas, but still didn’t get the info you mentioned. I’d love to see that video. Once you get to that website, where/how do you go from there? Thanks so much.. Hope Lynn had a good day.
January 29th, 2010 at 6:31 pm
I must admit that I was one of those who turned on the panda cam as soon as I got home from work and kept it on, sometimes all night, without realizing what it was costing the zoo on your end. Thanks for letting us know! I promise to be more wise with my viewing and click it off when I’m not in front of the computer.
I think you can see from the comments how much you are appreciated and I think I can speak for all us panda fans that we would never want to do anything that would jeopardize our privilege of watching our beloved animals!
January 29th, 2010 at 6:43 pm
I watched the cute videos that DoxieMom posted. The “flower power cubbie” is a good one. You wonder if the Zoo Landscapers are cringing as they watch it and mutter to themselves ” Well, there goes that honeysuckle.. .need to put in another order”…
January 29th, 2010 at 7:15 pm
“Flower Cubbie” ……………..our very own California Flower Child. (Ooooppss – showing my age!) Flower Power! Thanks, DoxieMom. You ROCK!
January 29th, 2010 at 8:08 pm
I sneaked a peek at Lin Ping today, and appears they have keepers right there through the night. It was 3:30 their time, and the cam was in the den. Both mom and daughter were sound asleep, then Lin Ping woke up, and tried her best to wake up mom. Then a keeper came into the den, and gave her toys (they must have taken Lin Hui out of the den). It was so cute. They are so attentive toward her. And they obviously adore her. Very different method used in Thailand, but very loving.
January 29th, 2010 at 10:52 pm
# 41 Kathy in D. C.—-thank you for the link-it leads to more exciting things too, and I am saving it for easy access to the National Zoo Site.
#43 Marie—–I bet they used features from several Pandas (they all looked alike to me until I started watching the cam when Yun Zi was born)…then I started seeing little diffrences from Panda to Panda of the ones I get to see the most….and the blogs often point out small features I would miss on my own I’m sure. I wonder who we would vote for is we were asked which Panda should grace the Jet? That would be a tough decision.
#44 Margaret—–I used your words for the “FedEx More News” in a “Dogpile” search and had a choice of many places to look, I chose #2 and right off the bat got to the Panda Jet. Clicking on the photo got me a great page with photos and story…..Thank You so much–and to anybody below who gave me directions—Thank You to you too.
#55 Dave—-until it came up I actually had no idea that it cost (besides for the camera and electricity) to send out things online. I pay my fee for my Network every month, and I am not a computer sophisticate, so it never occurred to me. That is one of the reasons this blog site is so important to us, it and the comments both educate us…Thank You.
#56 Tina—–Thank You for the reminder that we need to check the Photo Gallery often to catch up. Your comment stimulated me to explore more….the lower right “open gallery” lead me to the other ones—I had no idea how to access them….I stay so glued to the web cam that I often forget to nose around to find other treasures-so Thank You very much.
And a great big Thank You to whomever takes the photos we see there. I am so happy you have the one with Kathy. In the photos with Yunior on his own or with Bai Yun he looks very small, but the one with Kathy makes him look like a giant.
#64 DoxieMom—–Oh WOW! Fooling around with your flickr page up got me to your photo pages—Prince Fluffy-Butt loves his flower power doesn’t he? I did check your pages and found that 228 and 222 do not have panda photos, so I felt like I will not be there for the rest of my life, but I plan to spend quality time there enjoying the lovely photos you have taken….Thank You
#71 Pam T.—-I am sorry but you guessed wrong about his future endeavers. Way back in September I found out his ambition is to join the Navy and be a Charger Fan—and I have the Photos to prove it. I will post the links if requestedThey only total 6 to 10….Love Grammmie
#80 Barbara—-I do understand…me too both Fibro and CFS….along with other inconvenient things. Pandas are the first for me in the morning and last at night I used to say Goodnight to both Yunior and Bai. I slept most of Yesterday so I did not know when to go to bed, and fell asleep sitting up with the Panda “Channel” on for 3 hours, so another guilty one here. Actually since discovering the Panda Cam on Yun’s day of birth I only missed a few days, and I list it in Favorites under Health since it makes me feel better. Would the world be a fun place if our Doctors and all Health Workers were Pandas. Can somebody who knows what to do with Photoshop make us a picture with a couple of Pandas in Medical Garb??????
#85 Sharon in Ft Worth–if you check out 86 Dennis and Lynn it might be of some help to you.
#93 Pandafan #2—Happy Birthday—-I hope the whole weekend is a wonderful time for you.
Dear Moderator it sounds to me like we have all learned a valuable lesson from this Blog and Comments today. I know every time I speak to-or otherwise communicate with friends and family I try to recruit them to the cams for a dose of love—and I am afraid I am good at it. I even text “Panda Alerts” by cell phone when I stumble upon some cuteness….Long Live Panda Love…Love Grammmie
January 30th, 2010 at 8:26 am
It’s snowing at the NZ… the farewell celebration for Tai Shan must be tomorrow??? But the panda is just laying there getting snowed on and getting the boo like it’s a party.
Do pandas normally like snow?
January 30th, 2010 at 8:52 am
Hi Moderator – That is a great idea, thank you. Last night I clicked on the Animal Wish List page and selected a heating pad for a Wallaby. I’m sure he/she will enjoy it during the chilly evenings in the Outback area of the Zoo.
Moderator’s note: That’s wonderful, Rose–thank you!
January 30th, 2010 at 8:57 am
Dianna #108, If the moderator can’t post the link, go to seattlepi dot com, click on blogs, then click on aerospace, and search the archives for Fedex Panda Express and you should find it. Good luck! Looks like lots of snow in DC for Tai’s party, no doubt fun for the Pandas but probably not for the people trying to get there to say good bye.
January 30th, 2010 at 9:31 am
2 more very short Yun Zi videos from Friday!
“Yun Zi Falls Off the Structure”
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pandalover19/4315452143/
“Yun Zi and his Friend”
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pandalover19/4316316930/
Jeslyn #105 I’m doing Flickr videos when there are precious moments that can be condensed into 90 seconds or less!! I’ll still do YouTube videos for events that require up to 10 minutes!! Hope that helps!
Grammmie Norma #113 thanks for visiting my Flickr pages. I have completed the task of uploading all my Yun Zi screen captures from the day he was born. Probably the easiest way to navigate is to go to Sets as I’ve arranged all the captures by day, and continuously adding to it!! Here’s the link for anyone interested: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pandalover19/sets/
January 30th, 2010 at 9:56 am
Hey Panda Fans! I haven’t had my Panda fix in a week. But i am here! I love seeing my Yun Zi and Ling Ping.
Did Yun Zi really fall down the moat again? 
January 30th, 2010 at 10:07 am
To #113 Grammie Norma – I went to ‘dogpile’ and searched FedEx and came up with the article that showed the Panda FedEx Express in color! It is gorgeous!! Was even able to print it off in color and at the bottom of the article was a link to a video about Tai Shan (Peaceful Mountain) and Mei Lan (Atlanta Beauty). What a wonderful keepsake! As I watch all of the happenings I have tears of sadness because Tai Shan was my first baby panda as a Pandaholic and then shortly thereafter came Su Lin and Mei Lan. These past 4 years have been sooooo exciting for me. With all the sadness I feel I can un-do some sadness by watching the movies and pictures that we took just 2 weeks ago of Yun Zi. That was also a tremendous feeling of happiness. We visited the pandas for 3 days! Could not get enough of them. I am so impressed with the care given to the pandas and know that they will be well taken care of in China. Hope we will be able to get pictures of them. Thank you to all of the Zoos for their fantastic knowledge of raising these pandas so that they can further the studies and have lots more pandas in the world.
January 30th, 2010 at 10:23 am
#112, thanks for sharing the info about Lin Hui. It makes me wonder how she will react when she goes to China. With the extraordinary amount of human contact and interaction, she is being raised very differently from the other pandas who eventually end up in China when they reach their travel age.
Although Chinese keepers have more physical contact with cubs, largely due to the fact that they are weaned from their mothers at about 6 months of age, they don’t pamper them with cribs, etc. like they are doing in Thailand. I know they are fond of their pandas too, but I hope that they don’t have a sudden weaning like happened to Fu Long. Has anyone heard how he is doing since he arrived in China?
January 30th, 2010 at 10:32 am
Apparently they had Tai’s farewell ceremony this morning in spite of the weather. The NZP website says that the zoo is now closed for the day, and the Panda Farewell ceremony is finished. Since the zoo can be reached by underground Metro trains, I imagine that they had a fairly good turnout inspite of the heavy snow. It was not supposed to snow as hard up in Northern VA. Since the cams are both on indoor spaces, at 1:30 PM, I can’t tell how much snow they got in panda yards. But from looking at the Sloth Bear yard just above the pandas, it looks like about 3-4 inches of snow max, and it is not snowing very hard. Just enough on the ground for everyone to enjoy, but also enough to make bring walkways potentially slippery and dangerous. I can see why they closed the zoo early since the main attraction would be off limits in the heavier snowfall this afternoon.
January 30th, 2010 at 10:42 am
They did hold Tai Shan’s Farewell Party but cut it short due to the snow.
The Zoo made a special treat for him and it was announced on the radio that Tai WOULD receive that treat just before the event was over. I’m betting it was a fruitscicle as Tai LOVES them! 
Hopefully, they will post pictures and/or a video. At least Tai got one last special treat from Mother Nature with the snow! 
Farewell and Godspeed Tai–my special boy!!!!
January 30th, 2010 at 10:58 am
Dear Chari # 106… Could you please give me instructions on getting a view of the Panda/Fed-Ex Jet ?
At least the Pandas don’t have to take a Slow Boat to China! (I am dating myself !) Thank You!
DoxieMom, hope you were not affected by the fierce snow/ice storms that hit your State?
I have selfish reasons for not wanting you to lose your electicity. Pray all is well!
We are just very cold in Chester, Co; PA…..not like D.C. with many inches of snow.
Oh, to be in San Diego…I see your beautiful weather on the Golf Channel !
January 30th, 2010 at 11:07 am
You could save a ton of money by turning off the cams at night. Nobody is watching a darkened room or dark outside venue.
January 30th, 2010 at 11:25 am
Its probably a good thing it stops streaming after a while. I can’t get any work done when there are Panda’s to watch!
January 30th, 2010 at 11:28 am
No problem for me ! I am blessed to be able to view such a beautiful thing of nature at any level. You go to other web cams and wait for HOURS for something to come to a water hole, and you REALLY appreciate this !
January 30th, 2010 at 11:35 am
I have never seen GAO GAO in person. Can you put him out in front sometime during the day of February 14? If you know and can do it, that would really make me decide to come down there and visit that day.
January 30th, 2010 at 11:44 am
Hi, you all! Was on the SDZ pandacam twice today. Got on the cam earlier today and saw Yuni in the tree taking a nap, then got on the cam again just now, and Yuni is down from the tree doing his exploring thing while Bai walks around.
— Sad to see Tai Shan and Mei Lan leave the USA!!
Got on the NZ pandacams today, too. Cam 1 was on Mei Xiang, and she was inside all curled up taking a nap on the rocks earlier. Cam 2 had it on Big Tai Shan walking around outside in the snow doing his wall bumps and sniffing around. He was also doing something else all over the yard! Tai was scratching his rear end on the trees, rocks, and walls apparently leaving his marks as a farewell gift to everybody along with a pee and a poop. He was enjoying his third round of snow in DC today! Yep, DC is getting their third snowfall of the winter season, and it looks like they will be getting anywhere from 4-6 inches this time; it’s still snowing there as I write this. At least Tai got his wish for his farewell present! Didn’t see much on his farewell party on the cam. I guess they have it inside the panda house because of the weather, or they decided to postpone this until tomorrow, Sun., January 31. No mention about that on the front page of the NZ website, tho. Looked at both cams, and all of the pandas are back inside now. Oh yeah, I thought the NZ cams were on a 5 minute limit; my bad! Their cams are on a 15 minute limit.
Checked the AZ website’s panda page, and according to their article about Mei Lan’s farewell party, they are still having it even tho it’s raining in Atlanta. They are probably having the party inside the panda facility. Good thing they are getting rain! Apparently, the snow/sleet line just slid just north of the Atlanta area, so they dodged a bullet there! I’m hoping that the AZ panda keepers will have vids and pics of their farewell party since the pandacam is down for the weekend. No doubt that Pandas Live On website will have pics and vids of both Tai and Mei’s farewell parties and their departures on Feb 4th.
Well, we’re getting rain here in Pinellas County, Florida, too! Nice day to stay inside and check the pandacams off and on. Oh yeah, Memphis Zoo also had some snow yesterday, a good 8-10 inches worth! I wonder how Ya Ya and Le Le took to that white stuff?? I think that’s the second snowfall that Memphis has had this winter. The only zoo with pandas that has had great, marvelous, fairly cool, nice weather in the last few days is SDZ, and the pandas are enjoying it alot!
See you all later on!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
January 30th, 2010 at 11:49 am
11:10 am SDZ time. My time 2:10 pm. I tuned in after a few days of laying off the cam and both Bai and Yunior were very active. Looked like a beautiful sunny day in SD. Herewe have 10 degree tempts. Pretty much everthing is frozen. But when I watched Yun ZI playing with his flowers in the sun , I warmed all over. Please help. I forgot the name of the orange flower bush/ tree? I know most animals donot see in color. Has any study been done to know if Pandas see in color. I quess not since their natural enviorment really doesn’t have much color. But I am curious.
January 30th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Hi again! Just got on Memphis Zoo website to get on their pandacam to check out Le Le and Ya Ya. Unfortunately, the pandacam is not coming up when I hit the pandacam link. So, I got on their twitter page and wrote to them to ask what is up with their pandacam. Hope I get an answer real quick. Memphis did get some snow, but it was a lot less than I thought. I figured that Memphis would get slammed with this massive snowstorm, but they wound up with only about 2 inches along with freezing rain and sleet. Memphis Zoo was closed yesterday due to the weather, and they are closed again today because of ice problems on the paths and walkways. All of the keepers are there taking care of all of the animals, including the pandas. MZ posted a very nice big pic on twitter of Le Le sitting in the snow eating his boo! Hope they will get their pandacam back up online! Their polar bear cam is working, there was snow in their exhibit, but didn’t see the polar bears on the cam.
Well, that’s the latest update about MZ, their pandas, and the pandacam!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
January 30th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Hi! Just saw ZZ on the cam up a tree all curled up taking a nap!
National Zoo update: they did have their farewell party for Tai Shan as scheduled at the zoo, probably inside their panda house facility due to the weather. That just ended, and they have closed the whole zoo early due to the snowfall and bad weather. They expect to reopen the zoo tomorrow, Sun., Jan.31 for regular zoo hours. Also, Tai Shan will be on exhibit during open zoo hours thru February 3rd, and the zoo will be opening up late on Feb. 4 after Tai Shan has left the zoo. That’s the latest info from NZ as of right now. It is still snowing there!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
PS: I’m full of news today, am I? Love writing to you all and love the pandas!
January 30th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
There is a beautiful picture of Su Lin on the Pandas Live website. The best I have seen yet, actually. It’s about halfway down the page, on the left side. She definitely looks just like Momma Bai Yun with that sweet, fluffy, smiling face
January 30th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
I have had to deal with a computer issue, so I have not gotten the money for the Giraffes in the mail yet, but by the Grace of God I will. I asked the Lord to get SDZ all the items on the January wish list. SDZ is a blessing to my family, so I want you to be blessed. Perhaps, maybe you could put help with the panda cam expenses on your next wish list. By the Grace of God, I would like to get SDZ some money for that also. I appreciate that SDZ provides a safe website for families to spend time watching the panda cam, videos of all the different animals, and blogs where we can learn about various wild animals. I also enjoy reading the funny comments kind panda fans come up with. It is fun to be a part of a panda fan community. Especially, a Yun Zi love community.
January 30th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Is it possible we can see Gao Gao on the Panda Cam too? I noticed that he hasn’t been on the cam at all.
Moderator’s note: The Cam does show Gao Gao from time to time.
January 30th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
I just saw that some are having a problem finding the story about the FedEx Panda Express flight. Here is the address for the FedEx site itself. It makes me all leaky to read how much they are doing for our precious panda babies, Mei Lan and Tai Shan, and they are doing it all at their own expense. There will be a parade of vehicles from both zoos to the airports ( I’m thinking like a Mardi Gras parade! ) and FedEx even made special transportation cages for them. The airplane itself is one of the newest and fastest and has a huge graphic of a panda on it as well, I’m just not sure which one
Their CEO made a very eloquent statement about how it is a privilege to be trusted with transporting our precious pandas. Gosh, where is that new box of tissues…
Ok here is the official FedEx site page where u can read it all for yourselves :
news . van . fedex . com / pandas
or news DOT van DOT fedex DOT com SLASH (forward) pandas
January 30th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
Boy I wonder if the NZ was able to have their farewell party for Tai Shan today it looked like the weather was not good and there was lots of snow. I did read somewhere if they had bad weather they would hold the party Sunday.
#113 Grammie LOL what makes you think Yunior is going to join the navy? I sure hope he stay away from football because when he get a wife she sure not going be a happy camper. lol
January 30th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
Well I answer my own question I guess they did have Tai Shan’s farewell party today. He had a giant fruitie ice cake as tall as him. I went to flickr and one of my contacts had posted pictures of the party looks like they had a good time and they had snow. I’m sure the party was fill with mixed emotions mine is sad.
January 30th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
#116 JC – Thank you so much… Panda Bloggers are the best..
I was able to go straight to the article and video. That was a great video of Tai and Mei. Mei is a very pretty female. Its pretty neat what FedEx is doing.
January 30th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
I’m sure Yun Zi’s keepers, especially the lovely ladies standing on ladders, did not appreciate his interest in staying outdoors this afternoon. He was like a 24# noodle-panda. They petted, lifted, and prodded, but her just flopped over the tree branches! They tempted him with a toy ball, an apple, and probably whispered sweet nothings to him, but he was not to be interested. How fun to be a baby panda and stay outside, never mind it is the end of shift for the keepers. Curious if anyone knows where Bai Yun was during this period?
January 30th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
Oh, never mind the last question. Bai would have already left the yard. At the expense of the keepers I just have to say that this is too cute of a scene. For us cat people, it is like trying to get a cat out from under the bed! They will play with toys and let you pet them, but they won’t come out.
January 30th, 2010 at 4:01 pm
Was I just watching Kindergarten for Yun Zi? The keepers were petting him on his climbing structure and seemingly coaxing him down. I also saw some direct eye contact. Lucky keepers.
January 30th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
Around 3:45 pm it looked like his royal Zi was holding “staff enrichment training” in “the use of ladders against tree to save a very stubborn panda boy.” I couldnt tell who the staff members were, but if one of them could write about this adventure it would be so great. Thanks so much.
January 30th, 2010 at 4:33 pm
Went to the photo gallery and I just love, love, love it all……..
January 30th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
#114 – Cheryll – Pandas absolutely love snow!! Just go on youtube and search for “pandas snow.” There are a lot of clips from NZ – they have the best chances of getting snow on a regular bases. Atlanta gets some snow as well, but I have not seen any videos of the pandas playing in it. SDZ, on the other hand, uses “manufactured” snow and they schedule “snow days” about a couple of times a year. Have fun!!
January 30th, 2010 at 5:37 pm
#111 Linda: We could get him a cool tye died shirt with a peace symbol on it and some beads!! Oh and a headband to fit around his little ears!!
January 30th, 2010 at 6:38 pm
Thanks DoxieMom for answering my question.
I saw that fall that he had today and it was like he was in shock or had the wind knocked out of him.
I haven’t seen him take that long to recover from a fall before.
Yes, our weather is great for the golf today…… good coverage on t-v.
Big storms are due in a week or so here….we need the rains very much.
January 30th, 2010 at 6:43 pm
I just watched today’s time lapse……lucky keepers looked like they were playing with Yun Zi…….wanted to slow it down so I could view it completely. Keepers sure had smiles on their faces while playing with him. Envious…
January 30th, 2010 at 7:26 pm
Tiny #135
I appreciated your computer help, that enabled me to get the article on the Fed-Ex Panda Jet.
The Panda picture was really fantastic!
It was most interesting about Fed-Ex donating the trip to China.
Thank you very much!
January 30th, 2010 at 8:43 pm
#124: GREAT IDEA!!
January 30th, 2010 at 8:44 pm
Appreciate the update. When I first read the title, I was expecting dreadful news. Like no more pandacam afer 5pm and weekends. So glad that is not so. The 20 minute time limit is definitely alright by me. Very grateful that you are providing this wonderful service to the thousands of panda fans worldwide. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart!
January 30th, 2010 at 10:00 pm
I am up to that challenge #136 PAM T……..when my son-in-law became a Chief in the Navy on September 16, 2009—I found Prince Fluffy-Butt practicing salutes for meeting with him about Navy duty starting on September 25. Leroy is officially Chief McLaughlin, but in our family we call him Chief Leroy. Yunior calls him Chief Leroy too. Poor baby has a little trouble with Saluting properly—-he keekps using his left paw. You will see what I mean if you check out these photos——————
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/wildredchild/CAUFAFWN-1.jpg Yes Chief Leroy, working on salutes—oops wrong paw again.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/wildredchild/CAIYSSAW-1.jpg Don’t yell at me, I will wet myself, like any other young recruit.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/wildredchild/Moms%20Stuff/Z3OKAY-SALUTETHEN——1.jpg Mmmooommm!!! I am trying to work here—Paw up by ear—–
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/wildredchild/Moms%20Stuff/Z4—-ARMSTRAIGHTDOWN—ISTHATRI-1.jpg ——then arm staight back down with stupid look on face— got it.
There are more but I think 4 is enough to get you started. Next post covers the charger fandom by Yunior.
January 30th, 2010 at 10:02 pm
CONTINUATION OF POST FROM GRAMMMIE
As for being a CHARGER FAN—-I have 4 photos showing him hailing his friends that were meeting him at the game (their seats were in the Bamboo Section), and his reactions to plays and a touchdown. Once you see these photos there will be no doubt in your mind. Here we go——–
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/wildredchild/Moms%20Stuff/HEYGUYSOURSEATSAREOVERHERE-1.jpg Hey guys–our seats are over here in the Bamboo Section.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/wildredchild/Moms%20Stuff/HOLDONTOTHATBALL-1.jpg Hold on to that ball———–
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/wildredchild/Moms%20Stuff/COMEONCHARGERS-1.jpg
Come on Chargers—Go—Go——-
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/wildredchild/Moms%20Stuff/TOUCHDOWN-1-1.jpg
Touchdown—YYYYEEEEAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love reading not only the blogs but all of the comments, if I can. There is so much old Grammmie has to learn. A big THANK YOU for all of you who answered the questions we have, enjoyed the photos I posted links for, and all of you who share photos, videos and information for all of us to use. I know it looks odd, but there really is supposed to be 3 Ms in my name…Love Grammmie
January 30th, 2010 at 11:17 pm
Greetings fellow Pandaholics Family an Friends…..I too was saddened by the departure of the 2 babies we grew to love but on a positve note hope that their contribution to the Panda genetic pool will mean that we can still build a diversified mix of Pandas as their numbers are still few enough and due to the small genetic mix are always teetering on the edge of survival….We only hope that when Mei Lan and Tai Shan hopefully breed with wild Pandas to diversify and ensure genetic survival…. And we also hope that when Su Lin joins her cousins and Brother that she too will be as good a mom as Bai yun and Hua Mei…..
I’ve been spending time with a lot of my fellow PandaHolics on the bear DOT org sight and the birth of the Black Bear Cub of Lily is a nice diversion as I’ve been fortunate enough to see the Cub a few times as well..
Again it is a Historical event as this is the first time a web-cam has been installed in a Wild Black Bears den.. Dr.Lynn Rogers after 43 years of Bear Research is to ne commended for the trust wild bears put in him to allow this interaction and brought up things to dispell the myth that Bears are vicious and dangerous…Your odds of being killed in a Black Bear encounter are one out of one million…..Your odds of being killed by a Grizzley Bear are one out of fifty thousand……And the most dangerous encounter of all one out eighteen thousand you will be killed by a fellow human being, the most dangerous of all encounters….Me I’ll take Bears any day due to the odds….
” Panda Peace on Earth , Goodwill to All Living Things….”
January 31st, 2010 at 12:08 am
Let’s build a fund to help with the cam costs. No. 6 and 21 above and probably others have suggested this. It is obvious that there are so many of us from around the world treasure the Panda Cam and your great Panda Research Station. I am sure the the zoo itself has many public and private funding sources, but we should start a more specific fund for the Panda Research Station as a great investment and to possibly expand the Panda Cam system, wider band with, more cams, latest technology, etc.
I am a practicing CPA and would be more than happy to donate my time to create and manage a fund for the specific purpose of the SDZ Giant Panda Research Station.
Moderator’s note: I’ll forward your comment to our Development Department. But please read the post Helping Pandas and Other Animals for helping with more pressing needs.
January 31st, 2010 at 1:15 am
It’s around 1.11am in the morning and Su Lin is wandering around her beautifully bright enclosure taking notes on which part needs to be redecorated next. She stopped by the group of trees at the front, giving them a good look over.
January 31st, 2010 at 5:59 am
ALERT — PANDA CONVENTION INFO –
Just a quick update–Liana will be finalizing some information with her contacts in San Diego on Monday. As soon as we have that info, we will be contacting all of you who have emailed pandafan320@gmail.com , posting on the Zoo Blog and on the Facebook page for Panda-fandom Worlwide. Hopefully, no later than Tuesday! It will be a great time for all of us! The special Zoo tour, which I believe is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, 3/21 sounds awesome!
It is not too late to join us and we would love to have you!
The Convention will be March 20-21. Please either email us at pandafan320@gmail.com or post on the Facebook page called Panda-Fandom Worlwide.
Looking forward to meeting all of you in San Diego!
January 31st, 2010 at 6:17 am
Loved watching the keepers yesterday trying in vain to get Yun Zi to come down. It was hilarious! He sure was a sleepy and determined little boy…I”m not going and you can’t make me..lol! I think he was just holding out for more back rubs
I never get tired of watching him!
January 31st, 2010 at 7:33 am
2 Saturday videos, one short, one long!
The first one shows Yun Zi pruning the honeysuckle bush by his hammock!
Yun Zi, Stop Eating the Flowers!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pandalover19/4316471341/
The 2nd is highlights from the nearly 50 minutes that it took the Keepers (I want their job!) to wake up Yun Zi from the top of the Classroom climbing structure. It involves a ladder, an apple, a ball, two Keepers, lots of smiles and laughter, and one very sleepy, stubborn panda cub!! I won’t name names, lol!!
Please Wake Up, Yun Zi!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OI5CstLluI
Georgie #123, yes we had ice/freezing rain/sleet for 18 hours before it finally changed to snow on Friday, but our lights never flickered!! Thank you for your concern!!
January 31st, 2010 at 10:20 am
I can’t imagine how difficult it must be for the keepers of the pandas heading to China. After working with them everyday and getting attached it must be so hard. Any word on when Su Lin will be going?
Moderator’s note: No date has been set.
January 31st, 2010 at 10:56 am
No problem with the camera being off. I tune in several times a day – mostly about 11 a.m. Pacific time and that is when Yunior seems most active. Saw the ‘panda express’ Fed Ex plane with the big panda picture on the side. The panda is also the symbol of the World Wildlife Fund – which I have belonged to for years. There could not be a better symbol to represent just how much we need to preserve these beautiful animals. (And others, too, of course)
January 31st, 2010 at 11:45 am
January 31st, 2010 at 12:09 pm
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thay have a swing now! And a ball!
Thank you very much!!!
Bai is loving it! Roly Poly, not so much!
January 31st, 2010 at 12:17 pm
Thanks for all the info. I can see being a 20 minute limit. There are so much of us Panda-lovers out here and it could crash with all this watching. I thought it fun that our Bai Yun & Yun Zi was an answer on Who Wants to be a MIllionaire. Of course I knew the answer….lol.
Yunior is getting cuter day by day.
Blessings,
Dawn
January 31st, 2010 at 1:26 pm
#154 Steve – I like your idea Steve. I was also thinking about writing Congress to ask them to pass some legislation to give the IP’s (internet provider) for the zoos a tax writeoff for their bandwidth usage. Maybe 100%
And grandfather in last year maybe! Lets do something real with taxpayer money for a change, something that most people would agree with and help support our zoos. I can’t imagine that even the grumpiest legislator doesn’t grin when they see pandas and their precious cubs frolicking about. Anyone else have any thoughts?
January 31st, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Thanks for advising viewing times will be limited to 20 mins, if necessary you can then ‘refresh’.
Over the years since when Hua Mei was born I have spent many hours viewing our beloved pandas and happy with the latest sensible arrangement.
More pandaholics viewing means more funds for the wish list etc. especially when we require something large like the bamboo cooler.
Yun Zi is a class act, loved seeing his determination yesterday when he decided he did not wish to get down from the climbing frame, it was a treat to view Bai’ and Gao Gao’s wilful and determined son…..
January 31st, 2010 at 2:29 pm
I love watching YunZi in the garden room on the platform by himself keeping himself occupied like a baby. I can sit here and watch him do that for hours……..LOL………He is just so adoreable and hope to see him and all the other pandas and animals when we come out to San Diego come spring. Great camera work……TYSVM
January 31st, 2010 at 2:29 pm
Yun Zi has done a really good job so far with the keeper training as evidenced by DoxieMom’s video. Such a clever cub!
January 31st, 2010 at 2:31 pm
Oops–no longer in Minneapolis–happy to be back home, where I can spend more panda time.
January 31st, 2010 at 2:54 pm
Hi, Georgie (#123)! Saw your comment about the Fedex Panda Express plane. Just get on google, type in Fedex News, then click on the Fedex News link about the pandas going to China. That’s the one that has a good pic of the plane that they will be travelling in. Also, Pandas Live on has a couple of good articles about Tai Shan and Mei Lan going to China together.
Snow is still on the ground at NZ in DC. Missed seeing Tai doing his snow thing today, but will try to catch him in the morning being outside in his favorite white stuff! Was on NZ’s 2 pandacams; Mei was laying down on the floor relaxing; Tai was under the platform table snoozing! I guess that’s his new hiding spot for now!
Just got on the SDZ pandacam, and Yuni was on the platform all by himself taking a nap!
Well, not much else right now. Gotta go on twitter to check and see if Memphis Zoo has an answer for me about their pandacam. Will check in later on!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
January 31st, 2010 at 3:09 pm
Me again! I just thought of a conversation between Tai Shan and Mei Lan texting each other! Here goes:
Tai Shan (NZ): Hi, Mei Lan!
Mei Lan (AZ): Hi, Tai Shan!
TS: Are you ready for your trip to China?
ML: Yeah, I guess I am!
TS: You sound a little bit sad.
ML: Yeah, I am a little bit sad! I am going to miss my mom, Lun, my dad, Yang, my little brother Xi Lan, and all of the keepers that have taken care of me here in Atlanta.
TS: Yeah, I think I know what you’re saying. I’ll be missing my mom, Mei Xiang, my dad, Tian, and all of the keepers here in DC that have taken care of me.
ML: Well, I’m going to be positive! I hope to be a new momma to a baby panda cub someday!
TS: I hope to be able to be a daddy myself. I’ll be going to Bifengxia. Where will you be going to?
ML: I will be going to Chengdu. But the neatest thing is that we will be going to China together in a big jet plane!
TS: Oh yeah! That will be fun! And we will have a few of our favorite people friends coming along with us to take care of us and watch over us during the trip.
ML: That’s cool! Well Tai, I have my dinner to eat, so gotta go!
TS: Yeah, I just got up from a nap, so I need to go eat my boo, too! I’ll see you in DC!
ML: Yep, I’ll be there!
TS: Bye!
ML: Bye!
Tai and Mei shut down their texting and go eat their bamboo!
Hope all of you liked that one!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
January 31st, 2010 at 3:33 pm
I’v noticed that and thought that it was my computer. well i o my computer an apology. lol
I have no problem with the time outs. anything to help keep the cams running!
It is the cutest thing to watch Yunior play!!
Give him a big hug for me!
January 31st, 2010 at 3:34 pm
#158 DoxieMom…..I just loved this video. He is now like a teenager that you can’t wake up in the mornings!
I can’t imagine it taking 50 minutes.
January 31st, 2010 at 4:05 pm
I think we tend to forget that all of this does cost money. I do think that donations would help though the costs might be far too much for even that to keep up with it. We are so lucky to have this cam and so lucky that all of you have figured out a way to help cut the cost and keep it going.
Having said that I think we all should take a moment here to say farewell to Washington’s Tai Shan and Atlanta’s Mei Lan. Both leave for China Thursday and of course there’s the reminder that our Su Lin will be going soon as well. We’re all going to be very sad to see our funny girl go but we know she will be loved in China as much as she is here, well maybe not quite as much. We love our pandas very much but I think we also love them in other zoos in the U.S. Washington’s lease is up in December I understand and it sounded like they were concerned that China might take their pair back. Anyone here heard anything like that.
I watched Yunior and Bai play the other day and it is hard to stop once you start. I check in at least once a day myself.
Thank you SDZ for everything you do.
January 31st, 2010 at 4:13 pm
#158 – Doxie MOm – priceless – reminded me of Tai high in his tree as his poor keeper tried to woo him down
January 31st, 2010 at 4:14 pm
thank you for chosing an option that still allows us such easy access to the joys of the San Diego Zoo and baby Yun Zi, mamma Bai Yun, and all their friends and places. I feel so fortunate to have this ability to enjoy SanDiego Zoo on a daily basis.
Most Sincere Thanks always.
Diana From El Mirage, AZ
January 31st, 2010 at 4:25 pm
Yes, the NZ did hold Tai’s Farewell Party Sat. – There was much excitement & sadness in the air as our beloved Tai gets ready to return to China.
The zoo did close early because of the weather – but there were many die hard panda fans there to bid farewell to Tai & see himi get his frozen treat. He romped in the snow & had a gay time 
Check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqwfUZUIwEw
January 31st, 2010 at 4:31 pm
I just watched the two mini movies provided by DoxieMom. Unless there is a mommmy or a keeper to compare with Prince Fluffy-Butt he looks like he is as tiny as his head….but get a keeper near him and he looks like a giant. If he keeps up this reluctance to come in when called they may need to install a small crane to get him down with, or bring their blankets and pillows so they can spend the night with him in the yard.
The mountains with a bit of snow are only an hour away…how about a field trip—we could take all of the Pandas out for a day of play, and any keepers and staff who want to come along to enjoy and help….Love Grammmie
January 31st, 2010 at 4:57 pm
Moderator and Panda Team, perhaps some clarification of the 20-minute pandacam limit would be helpful. It appears to me, from reading several of the posts, that some of us panda lovers have different interpretations of the 20-minute limit on the panda-cams. For example, I think one of the bloggers understood it to mean that once they’ve had their 20 minutes of watching, that’s all they can watch that day.
My understanding is that the SDZ limit works the same way as Atlanta and National Zoos, in that when the camera “freezes” after 20 minutes, we just “refresh” our screens and watch the bears again for another 20 minutes. So, we are not really limited to watching the cams for only 20 minutes.
Some of us like to leave the panda cams active on our PC’s throughout the day; however, for certain periods of time, we are not really “watching” – we’re either working, doing chores, etc. In these cases, the zoos still have to pay for transmitting the cam images to our computers when we’re not really there to watch. This is where the limits allow the zoos to save costs. So, if the 20 minutes is up and you still want to watch the cams, click on your Refresh button. If you happen to be away when the 20 minutes is up, then the zoos save costs by “freezing” the transmission of cam images to your PC until you come back and click on “Refresh.”
January 31st, 2010 at 5:42 pm
It’s great to see Yunior resting on the platform after his exploits of the day as the sawdust wrestling match with Bai Yun had to heve been the best one as yet…. Still have the aprenhensive and happy feelings about Tai & Mei both departing to new lifes in China….Will miss them but know that with their Genes we hopefully will ensure Pandas survive…..Now only hope the NZ & MZ Artificial Inseminations are a success…
I will let you know if I hear anything from Lynn’s Doctors as I should be having a conference call with them mid week…..Again I want to thank all of you for your concern and prayers and wishes for Lynn…
” Panda Peace on Earth , Goodwill to All Living Things……”
January 31st, 2010 at 6:13 pm
DoxieMom – Thank you so much for those two videos (No 158 – Stop Eating the Flowers and Please wake up, YZ!) and all the others. It show such much love for the black and white fluffy chubby bears and a generosity of spirit to the rest of us GPFs. In these 2 videos, we can see that YZ is a flower child who also wants to learn to re-decorate. The 2nd video does show us how difficult and hard keepers have to work!
Looks like the Prince is turning out to be a Sleeping Beauty so that he wont get black rings around his eyes, LOL.
On another note, I live in Singapore, almost half way around the world from USA and guess what Tai Shan’s departure made it to the national news last night. The night before there was a news item on the Shanghai 10. Looks like Panda Love is spreading.
Have a lovely week, to all GPFs out there.
January 31st, 2010 at 7:50 pm
On my b-day I cut off 15 inches of hair, and it’s still in the middle of my back! (Just so you can know how long it was.
) The cam is DARK! Is there any light in the garden room? (I think that’s where it is…) Has Gao Gao been on cam lately? I haven’t gotten a postcard of him since last year! 
January 31st, 2010 at 8:04 pm
I just watch Lin Ping sleeping. She appeared to be “nursing” in her sleep. Totally cute.
January 31st, 2010 at 8:22 pm
Dear DoxieMom…First how did I get the idea that you are a Greater San Diego local resident? We sure have not had snow and ice here—-and I live half way between the beaches and the snow in the mountains…I hear about everything. Secondly I just put your link to Flikr in my Favorites-I think I will be there often. Did you make those lovely Christmas “cards” yourself? If so we need a compilation of Goa and Bai with all of their children (Goa will not notice if we have and extra girl bear-And No One Will Tell Him!) on one page for us, and one with a couple of pandas dressed as healthcare workers…..since they are good for our health and we wouldl flock to see panda doctors, nurses, dentists, etc. If you don’t know how to manipulate the pictures with Photoshop or some other program, you must know somebody who is good at it…..I loved the card with Bai and Yunior plus the 3 other kids on it. I think I have many of the same photos—I loved catching Bai in the den staring at-or glaring at the camera. She put on such a glare one night that I was frozen in place and did not get the picture clicked in time…it will be fun to see if you got it….Love Grammmie——————How did we ever get along without Pandas??????
February 1st, 2010 at 2:05 am
I fully understand. We are – in any case – so privileged to watch SDZ’s pandas and of course other animals on the web cam. Thank you for making it possible for everyone in the world.
February 1st, 2010 at 7:37 am
So Mei Lan and Tai Shan will be sharing a flight to China? Three words – Mile High Club!
February 1st, 2010 at 8:27 am
I just scanned through the blog and didn’t see any first-hand accounts of Tai’s farewell party. I did go. As I don’t really live in DC, (I live in Northern VA, a 45-minute drive to the zoo not counting any traffic or weather problems), I paid careful attention to the forecast. We were only supposed to get 2-4 inches, and it was supposed to arrive in the afternoon, so I cheerfully headed out at 7:15 am.
I got there shortly after 8:00 am. A small crowd was there already, and the bears were out. Tai and Mei were eating bamboo, and Tian was pacing, sent-marking, and looking through the howdy gate at Mei. At about 8:30 they called Tai inside, much to the disappointment of the crowd.
The snow started somewhere around 9:00, and Tai finally was let back out at about 10:30. It was snowing pretty heavily by then. I had a spot staked out that was mostly sheltered from the snow, but with a pretty good view of Tai, so I got some pretty good pictures.
For a long time, Tai was behind a boulder, working on a tube, that I assume had biscuits in it. A squirrel came along and jumped over Tai, much to the delight of the crowd. Then the squirrel got too close to Tai’s treats, and he jumped up and chased the squirrel away! That was the most exciting moment of the day. After that he finally came out and sat on the hill, facing the crowd, eating bamboo and letting the snow accumulate on him.
I put some photos on flickr. My favorites are of Tian with bamboo shredded all over his belly, and Mei, with her ears so covered in snow you could barely see they are black.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kloggr
There were lots of tables and tents set up for people to get information, and there was entertainment. I watched some Chinese drumming in the snowstorm, with the drums covered in plastic. Then some little girls did a dance in traditional Chinese costumes and snow boots, while their CD player jumped and skipped due to the moisture.
I left shortly before noon. The roads were pretty bad, and I got to sit on I-66 for an hour, waiting on a tow truck to come clear an accident. Later I read they closed the zoo at 1:00. There was a pretty good-sized crowd of people who showed up, and I’m glad I went, though I wasn’t glad during that trip home!
Oh yes, and we got over 8 inches of snow, not 2! It doesn’t matter how good your snow-driving skills are, you are at the mercy of the traffic around you. And in metropolitan DC, there is always traffic everywhere.
February 1st, 2010 at 8:45 am
I totally understand and agree with the 20 minute cam time…. I am most grateful that we have a window into the wonderful world of Panda’s and will take what ever time I can get….
Had a peek at Fedex’s site and saw the plane with the gorgeous panda pic, love how serious they are taking the “transportation of our kids” to their homeland. I am off to Vegas on Thursday so won’t be able to track Tai and Mei’s journey, although I think that may be a good thing for me as it was so emotional when Mei Sheng went home. Isn’t it amazing how we get so attached to these animals? I mean I will worry sick until I get home and know that they have landed safely… Goodness, its good that we have this blog to post our comments on as we all feel the same way..
I’m trying to put a trip together with some girlfriends to come down to Disneyland in August, so of course will come down to the SDZ, maybe for Yuniors 1st Birthday?? Hmmmm, sounds good to me
February 1st, 2010 at 8:52 am
Here are 4 short videos from yesterday, Sunday!! Hope you enjoy
1-31-2010 Panna Play Part 1
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pandalover19/4320265470/
1-31-2010 Panna Play Part 2
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pandalover19/4320267618/
1-31-2010 One Way to Get Off the Box!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pandalover19/4319975184/
1-31-2010 Yun Zi and the Pool!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pandalover19/4321120678/
February 1st, 2010 at 9:25 am
Thanks for keeping us updated! Also I heard yesterday that China had another earthquake in the same place they had one in 2008. Have you heard anything about the Panda Reserve over there? Thank you!
February 1st, 2010 at 9:43 am
This may be a duplicate post (sorry, I don’t have time to read through all the posts I’ve missed): From watching and listening to a video from a Zoo Atlanta visitor speaking with the Zoo Attendant, it looks like Xi Lan will be weaned by February 26. I’m sure the next 3 days will be for Mei Lan (which is should be) and then they’ll focus on Xi Lan. What a sad beginning (for Pandaholics) to 2010.
February 1st, 2010 at 9:51 am
Just a few comments:
The keepers trying to get YZ out of the tree was quite amusing. He’s a stubborn little boy, isn’t he? But oh-so-cute.
I caught some delightful play between Bai and baby yesterday.
Not sure what panda I’m watching at the DC zoo… I got one all stretched out.. keeps yawning and a back paw up in the air. SO CUTE!
The other one’s asleep in the snow.
February 1st, 2010 at 10:13 am
I’m so sad
I won’t be able to go to the Panda Convention in March but that date doesn’t work for me right now. Hope everyone who can has a good time.
February 1st, 2010 at 11:33 am
Are links to TinyPic not allowed on here? I had one in my #191 post and it’s not there. If they aren’t then I apologize.
Moderator’s note: We generally do not allow links to sites that have advertising.
February 1st, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Ok, I didn’t even think about that. Sorry!
February 1st, 2010 at 1:46 pm
Peggy (#173), you heard it right! Mei Xiang and Tian Tian came to DC on loan from China in 2000. The lease is supposed to expire in December, 2010, but they may have a hitch into that! Mei Xiang had her AI procedure done on Jan. 9 & 10, 2010, which means that if she does become pregnant and have her second baby panda cub, there will be no way for China to move Mei Xiang and her baby to China when the baby is so tiny and vulnerable for the first 6-8 months of the baby panda’s life. Plus, I’m pretty sure that they won’t be moving Mei across the country and the Pacific when she is in her gestation period of up to 120 days. So, if and when Mei Xiang does have a baby panda later this spring or early summer, then I feel that the move to China will have to be put on hold for at least another 2 years. That is something that the Chinese authorities and the National Zoo people will have to discuss should that happen. Peggy, just keep your fingers crossed, do a lot of praying, and be really positive that Mei Xiang does have a baby panda so that she can stay in the USA longer along with Tian Tian! I sure will be doing that!
Just caught ZZ on the SDZ cam in her tree napping on a very nice, sunny day in San Diego! Snow is still on the ground at NZ, but missed out on Tai’s snow fun again! Had to do some money business this morning! Will try to catch Tai tomorrow AM. Right now, all 3 pandas at NZ are inside napping or eating. Hope all of you are having a nice day today!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
February 1st, 2010 at 3:33 pm
#186 KATHY IN DC—–Thanks for the Flickr link to great photos—now if we could find somebody who gave the Pandas a camera and see the “HOOMANS” at the party from the panda point of view—-that would be classic. I will spend more time seeing other photos you have taken….love grammmie
February 1st, 2010 at 4:05 pm
As Always DoxieMom—simply wonderful.
#189 BELLA for any information on earthquakes here or around the world try USGS it is a dot org site. There is information posted as fast as minutes after quakes telling you where, how big, how deep, etc. Just try differnt things to click on until you find the information you want and in the form you like it best-then save the link to favorites for future use. We had one off the coast of Baja California last evening—that had us rocking because it was not very deep….I was able to tell my son within 2 minutes what, where, etc. thanks to United State Geological Society.
If it sounds like I am familiar with lots of you there is a good reason. I find that blog comments can be just as informative as the blog itself so I try to read all of the comments—and how many links to phtos and mini movies would me miss without them…but once I discovered this blog I only read it for months before I had my computer back in condition to be able to post—by then many of you were like old friends. It would be nice if we could have a place near the end of a blog where a dedicated reader could post all of the links allowed for those readers who just do not have time to look at 200 posts….what a service that wouldl be for everybody…Love Grammmie
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:36 am
totally understand and am totally okay with it
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:07 am
Wow 199 responses. That shows this is a very popular site. I often tune in as a little break from internet research at college. I will notice that students to my left and right will stop keyboarding and chatting because they are peeking over at the Pandas. I like to put realism on my social networking and steer away from pointless gossip. Your site reminds people there is still a wonderful world out there if we stop and look.
February 11th, 2010 at 8:53 am
26 Dear Grammie Norma,
To see Fed Ex plane, go to FedEx site; one of two pages will pop up. Either a page will pop up where you have to choose a country and then you choose China. Sometimes it bypasses that page and goes directly to a page where at the very top in little letters it allows you to choose English. Even if you have to enter China on the first page it will bring you to the page where you specify English. After you do that, you will see a list of topics to choose and if you scroll down, at the bottom of the list it says “More News”. Click on that and a picture will pop up with the plane with the panda on it. Hope that helps!
Have a great day and love to you too Grammie!
Phyllis
February 15th, 2010 at 5:14 am
129 Brandy in NY
Hi friend! It seems the Georgia Institute of Technology and Zoo Atlanta did test Yang Yang and Lun Lun back in 2006 and found out that giant pandas can see color. To what extent was not completely clear at the time of that study but the pandas could definitely tell the difference between colors and various shades of gray. I’m sure you can find more info on the subject if you choose. I’m not the most sophisticated when it comes to computers so I just typed “Can giant pandas see color?” in the search bar and it brought me to the page about the study. Have fun in your search. Hope you are well.