Food: The Great Motivator
Posted at 1:26 pm February 8, 2010 by Karen Barnes
Yun Zi rolls in sawdust
Our little guy has shown no special affinity for any one keeper at this time. Frankly, we have little to offer a panda cub, other than as an occasional object of their play behavior. Mom provides food and care. Right now we just want the cub to be familiar with us and let us touch him when needed. Once a panda cub starts to wean, keepers can build a better rapport, as the animal looks to us for food. As food is provided, so are opportunities for training. Trained behaviors for management or research purposes build trust and relationships between animals and keepers. Because the training process generally starts with one person working each new behavior, this is a time when rapport may be strengthened. Time and progress create positive and stimulating interactions for keeper and panda alike.
We often mention the need to move a panda from one room/exhibit to another. The San Diego Zoo’s Giant Panda Research Station has grown over time. Bedroom areas vary in size and configuration. A connecting tunnel also helps to provide numerous options in managing this species. This tunnel has thick wire mesh that extends along all of the bedroom areas. There are solid barriers that can be slid into the tunnel and secured, if needed. This can be helpful for allowing a panda partial tunnel access for variety or to be weighed on a scale within the tunnel or to move an animal from one part of the Research Station to another.
Two of the bedrooms have an attached den. Bedrooms are fully enclosed, with solid walls and glassed windows, behind a thick wire mesh. They offer a raised platform, which may include a built-in scale. Other areas, called sunrooms, have a solid floor but partially opened sides and tops consisting of thick wire mesh. Other areas, called garden rooms, are also partially-open on the sides and above, have a natural substrate, which may include grass, a sleeping platform, and perhaps a climbing structure. Shade options are present for open-topped areas.
I hope this information helps our Panda Cam viewers!
Karen Barnes is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
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February 8th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
What an adorably, cute picture of Yun Zi. He was obviously enjoying the saw dust; you can almost see a smile.
February 8th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Thanks again for the updates. It is always interesting to hear from the keepers.
February 8th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Thanks for all the info. It sounds like all they’re missing is a flat-screen TV!!!
February 8th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
Thanks Karen, its great to get a bit of “insight” into the living accomodations of our Pandas… really appreciate it…
Isn’t this pic of Yun Zi the cutest picture yet?? OMG it is adorable… He looks like he is having such a good time rollin in the sawdust!!! I have to say that I think I’d rather be coaxed by an apple over a carrot or yam.. too cute…. I just bet all he has to do is look at all you keepers and your heart melts. But yes I know its work for you.. “sigh”…
February 8th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Hi,
Im curious to know at what age the panda cub will start to wean.
Thank you for keeping all of us in the loop of whats going on. I sure do appreciate it.
Thank You
Tina
Moderator’s note: For information on the weaning process, as experienced at our facility, you can read about Zhen Zhen’s weaning in our blog archives, starting with a post on January 9, 2009, titled Bai Yun Gets Ready.
February 8th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
Thanks, Karen, for very helpful information. It helps us visualize the indoor areas for the pandas, and relate what we see of indoor rooms on the camera to what we are looking at. The variety of housing sounds like it can be enrichment on its own. Add to that toys, food, back scratches, etc. and one has a very stimulating environment for pandas. Kind of like captive Panda heaven it sounds like to me.
Glad to hear that Mei Lan and Tai Shan are now responding to food stimulation from their keepers. Hopefully Mei Lan will adjust in the next couple of days and go on to learn Chinese commands she has been taught in English and with whistles. It was smart for the National Zoo keepers to teach Tai hand signals so he will know what the keeper wants from him even though his keeper speaks English. It will be interesting to hear how long it takes for them to learn Chinese. They are both bright and enjoy training so I imagine it will only be a couple of weeks before they are bi-lingual.
February 8th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
Is there discussion going on about when Bai Yun and Yun Zi might make the big move to the front exhibit?
Moderator’s note: The Panda Team will be discussing this.
February 8th, 2010 at 2:17 pm
Thank you Karen for the article. Very interesting to read on how the exhibits are set up for the panda family. Please tell all the pandas that Deana says hi and that I hope to come see them in March. And also please give Yun Zi a kiss on the head for me.
February 8th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
Does little cloud ever get objects, like leaves or sawdust, stuck in his throat? How would you know? Isn’t that a little tricky since he doesn’t eat other than momma’s milk, yet, nor drink until then, either.
This is such an adorable pic of little cloud! Cutie!
Auntie Kat
February 8th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
Yes…you describe this perfectly. I can visualize it.
Can’t say I blame the little guy. I wouldn’t do much for carrots either. LOVE LOVE LOVE the rolling in sawdust pic. Too cute!
February 8th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
Thanks for sharing info!
What is the height of sleeping platforms in the garden rooms? Are they safe for pandas in a case of fall-down? Thanks!
Moderator’s note: The sleeping platform is just a few feet off of the ground–no problem for a panda cub should he take a tumble.
February 8th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
Is the birthing den still open to Bai and Yun Zi?
February 8th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
I too like the photo of Yun Zi rolling in sawdust. He obviously enjoyed the enrichment, and the fun it brought him! Like Jane in #1 said, you could almost see him smile!
February 8th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
Thank you Karen for your information. Most informative. After watching Tai Shan from birth on, (and I miss seeing him) I have become most attached to Yun Zi , and Bai Yun. I have noticed that Yun Zi seems to be alot more independent than Tai Shan was at that age. And so inquisitive. He is such a joy to watch. I look forward to watching him every day. I’m sure you people who work with him become attached quickly. Thanks again for any info you share with us.
February 8th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Thank you, Karen, for the interesting information. The picture of little Yun is so cute rolling in the sawdust and it does look like he’s smiling. Karen, just a question for you or maybe the moderator, how much does Yun Zi weigh now. He is such a cute little bundle–just love watching him and mom. Thank you SDZ for all you do to keep all of us informed and as always, hugs and kisses to mom and baby.
February 8th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
The other day, I noticed Bai Yun on her platform stretching, trying to look into the window. I thought that was so cute. Bai Yun looking for someone to give her treats.
February 8th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
Thanks as usual for all the info. It is always a treat to see a picture of roly poly yunior..especially playing in the sawdust. What a little charmer. What does he weigh now?
February 8th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
Fantastic details!! SUCH A CUTE PIC!!
Also, i think someday you should make a map of the whole panda area and show us!!
I made a haiku (japenese poem) of yunior and momma:
Bai yun and Yun zi
Bai raises her panda cutie
Mommy and baby
February 8th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
They play with sawdust?? how sweet!
Yun zi is adorable, i can see he’s always happy and smiling.
February 8th, 2010 at 4:27 pm
Thank you Karen for all this great information. I loved Yun Zi in the saw dust. He is so cuddly and cute. Give him a kiss for me. Can’t forget Bai Yun either. She is a great mother. I prefer apples over carrots anyday.
February 8th, 2010 at 4:45 pm
Question for Karen: It was stated that “the training process generally starts with one person working each new behavior”… I don’t know how many keepers there are in the Panda exhibit so what is the deciding factor on who will be the “one person” working with the Panda cubs? Is food always the motivator? Has toys ever been found to reinforce a learned behavior? Thank you for taking the time to share this information with the Pandaholics..
February 8th, 2010 at 4:45 pm
Yun zi and momma are so adorable together!! I have some panda stuffed animals and one is named ‘Gao Gao’ and the other is ‘Yun Zi’! I love pandas! I have 7 stuffed animal pandas, a panda shirt, TONS of panda drawings, a panda
glass box, a panda figure and i look at the panda cam atleast 3 times a day.
I got interested in pandas last year in fourth grade. I did a study on them and learned they are soo interesting. I donated $25 to a panda foundation and decided they were my favorite animal. I soon found out about the panda cam at the san diego zoo, a couple days after yun zi was born. I have been watching him grow, and have read every single blog since the summer.
I think pandas are a truly amazing animal i love them so much. When i see yun zi and bai together on the panda cam i always smile, i know that yun zi will be a strong, positive panda when he is an adult. I wonder if he will be more like his mother or father… i guess mother. I think the panda cam is such a great thing, i know everyone on this website loves it. My locker at school is covered in panda photos and i always talk about yun zi and the others. When the SDZ pandas are on the news i watch the whole thing and skip around and grin!
I think panda fans, like me, should all watch this panda cam. Pandas are the best they make my heart lift!!
One day, i plan to go visit you pandas at the San Diego Zoo, and when i do i wanna stay there all day to admire each panda. I wish i could have a pet panda sooo badly, but i know that might be a bit dangerous. But what if it was tame and didn’t want to hurt anything? I would cuddle with her/him and name it “Ming Yang” which means shining sun. I would sleep with them and love them and always care for them and not one time i would be annoyed with it.
Sometimes i wonder what would i be like without my panda obsession?? Pandas are part of my life, and everyone i know, knows that! Pandas are so awesome, what if there were never pandas?? What would be my favorite animal?? If someone asked me what i loved, what would i say?? I think i would be a different person without them.
PANDAS-BEST
February 8th, 2010 at 5:00 pm
Yunior is such a cutie. Yunior was climbing on his mom to get off the scale
. Here is a story.
One day the keepers turn off the lights and go home. Bai Yun peeks out the window and checks to see if they are gone. Bai Yun jumps off the table and opens the door. She gets on the computer and looks at pictures of her and her cubbies. The next day, when the keepers and Panda staff go to their office, they notice their password has been changed to “Bai Yun”. The screen saver is Yunior.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:03 pm
Thank you for the food as a motivator article, Karen
It fits so very well with the afternoon Yun Zi was given the apple slice 
A sleeping toddler panda isn’t going to wake up excitedly for a treat, but his Momma Bai knew exactly what to do with it when given the chance 
February 8th, 2010 at 5:24 pm
Hi! Was just on the SDZ pandacam for the first time tonite, and there was a great scene starring Bai Yun and Yun Zi. They were both on the platform napping. Bai was laying down flat on her stomach by the wall with her face and head facing the wall; Yuni was laying down by the other wall with his fluffy butt tush right up against Bai’s head! Now, that was cute and funny! Then, Bai and Yuni changed positions, still napping. Bai wound up on her back against the wall, and Yuni was by the wall that Bai was at with his face and head buried in his mom’s big hind leg! They are just too funny to watch! Luv them both!!
Well, Washington, DC is about to go thru another round of snowmageddon again! I just checked the NOAA weather website, and DC is going to get another 2 days worth of snowfall with up to another 20 inches coming and under another severe weather snow warning again starting tomorrow afternoon, Tuesday, and on thru Wednesday nite. The chances of National Zoo reopening again this week—don’t think that will happen! I don’t think NZ has been closed for this long in YEARS! 5 DAYS!! There is still about 20-25 inches of snow on the ground, and if they do get another 10-20 inches of snow, that will push the snow level to over 35 inches from 2 massive snowstorms. I do hope that NZ will be ready for this second round, and have the keepers and vets there for more overnites so that all of the animals will be taken care of. I know that they will do that. Whether the panda keepers let Tian and Mei outside in the next couple of days will depend on whether the doors to the yards are snowed in or not.
Read the latest about Mei Lan from the AZ panda page. Looks like she’s starting to settle down, eating her boo and drinking water, and thank goodness her keeper and the AZ vet are still there to watch over her and guide her thru this new phase of Mei’s life. She will get used to everything in a few more days. I am very surprised that Tai Shan got used to everything as quickly as he did at Bifengxia! We all knew that he was a very easy going bear and takes to new situations without any problems. It’s just like “water going off a duck’s back” to him! As long as he has his boo, snacks, toys, he’s happy!
Well, gonna go! Will check back later on!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
February 8th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
If you haven’t been on (pandasliveon website ) you need to go there is a story and some pictures of Mei Lan and how she’s starting to adjust to her new home. But at the bottom of the story there is a video of Xi Lan relaxing and eating boo and then mommy monster walks up to him and scares the crap out of him it’s so darn cute you got to see it.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:35 pm
More great info – thanks
While the panda cam coverage has gotten better with each cub I don’t recall other cubs loving the sawdust the way Bai & Yun Zi do 
You have your ZA keeper and your new one to help you adjust 
And to poor Mei Lan – hope you’ve managed to calm down some – you had a long, hard journey & your momma Lun was very protective of you as a cub so your trip was really hard for you
And which is worse – Tai’s trainer being told she’s not not needed any more – what a sad day for her
February 8th, 2010 at 5:45 pm
If a panda could giggle (do they?) — then Yun Zi would definitely be giggling in that photo. What a silly little bear. Pure joy!
P.Wong — Where are you? I’m sure Yun Zi has lots of stuff to tell Mr. Tourist –we’re dying to know.
February 8th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
How much does our lil guy weigh now??
February 8th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
another wonderful and fulfilling update! you spoil us panda lovers rotten!! thanks ever so much!!
February 8th, 2010 at 7:11 pm
OMG that is the cutest picture of Yuz Zi rolling in sawdust AWWWWWW how cute =)
February 8th, 2010 at 8:15 pm
#6 Margaret from VA -
Make that TRIlingual. Panda is their brth language.
As I mentioned in another post the keepers in China surely understand Panda at least as well as the keepers understand it.
#22 Panda Annie -
You might want to rethink your dream a little bit. Cute as they are pandas, even babies, have very sharp claws that they can’t retract. Besides that pandas poop many, many times a day even right where they sleep. Trust me you are much better off sleeping with a plush panda. But you aren’t too young to start working on becoming a panda keeper. You need to study hard so that you can get into college. You’ll need a degree in Zoology or Animal Behaviour. So don’t let dreaming of pandas keep you from making your panda dream come true. I fell in love with “my first” pandas, Pan Dah and Pandora, at the Bronx Zoo in New York almost sixty years ago. I remember wanting to be a keeper, but back then all the keepers were men. Happily girls can now grow up to be keepers as long as they get the education. So you go girl!
#23 Britney -
A really cute story. I can see it in my mind.
#25 Chari Mercier -
The problem with the snow is that the DC area is not well prepared for it. We lived there many years ago. Here in WI we had over 6′ of snow fall before Christmas – and it just keeps coming. We’re supposed to get 10″ tomorrow. Luckily we’ve had some melt off. A good deal of it just evaporates over time due to the bone chilling cold. My husband and I were in DC last year when the big ice storm hit. It was great we went out and about without having to deal with any crowds. It was pretty cold for DC a couple of days before when we went to the zoo. But we had the clothes for it and we had the pandas pretty much to ourselves.
February 8th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Food as a motivator is not restricted to pandas….
Some years back, in a college anthropology course, we learned a lot about primates, including the various species that had been taught sign language. Trainers were astonished to discover, as they watched on a hidden camera, that a group of chimpanzees actually conversed among themselves with sign language.
Naturally, we students wanted to know what they talked about, and the professor told us they mostly talked about — you guessed it, food, and which of the keepers/trainers were the softer touches for begging!
Fascinating stuff.
February 8th, 2010 at 9:50 pm
Love your article, Karen Barnes! All animals do love their food, especially their snacks! Yuni is just getting his nose going on food smells, and before long he’ll be eating the food as well as smelling them! He’s just beginning to figure out what food smell he likes the best, and it looks like apples have won him over! I think it’s the sweet tart smell from the apple that has gotten him interested in apples. They do smell better than carrots, that’s for sure! I alsolove that pic of Yuni rolling in the sawdust! He looks like he’s having a marvelous time in that stuff! He’ll roll in that sawdust all day if you let him!
I’m with a couple of you about P Wong! Where has he been lately? Been missing his conversations! Come on back, P Wong! We all miss you!!
Well, gonna go for now. Will be back later on!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
February 8th, 2010 at 9:56 pm
And another huge thank you to the moderators and the rest of the staff who monitor these comments and answer so many of our questions!
Soooo looking forward to meeting fellow panda fans, as well as meeting some of the wonderful staff, at the upcoming “Black And White Obsession” panda fan convention in March! (Oh, and we get to see the bears too…….
)
(And for those who haven’t heard about it yet… you can e-mail for information to Pandafan320@gmail.com, or search “Panda-fandom worldwide” on Facebook.)
February 8th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
Happy Monday Panda Lovers, Keepers, Staff, Moderators, Vets…(the last 4 get a lot closer to Pandas than we do).
#1 JANE Prince Fluffy-Butt is definitely smiling.
#3 JILL They do not need a flat screen tv-they have Yun Zi to entertain them round the clock. He is even funny when he sleeps. But remember there is ZZ and Su Lin to entertain-and Bai can be a stitch too.
#23 BRITNEY Good story-and now I know why Bai answered the phone when I called that night. As it turns out I put the daddy bear as a wallpaper on my computer just today. Great minds think alike.
#25 CHARI Those Fluffy-Butts seem to run in the family–not sure about daddy’s yet since the only time I see him he is on his eating boo. They call him a “boo eating machine”. We expect partially decent weather this week so feel free to watch on the zoo cams and envy us, or pretend you live here too. It was cold last night-I had to have a sheet over me to sleep. Can’t wait to hear that both of the east coast bears have settled into their new adventures.
# 26 PAM Had a good laugh the several times I watched the “scared video”, but want you to know I am just as rotten as you are.
##28 CHERYL When you find out what P. Wong has to say to Yunior you get to share with all of us….okay????
Here is hoping we all have a good week. Since I now understand about the cost to make our pandacams available to us I do not put it on and then cover it with another layer of windows-etc. and it times itself out once I am on this page. I turn it on when I can sit and enjoy it……Love Grammmie
February 8th, 2010 at 10:18 pm
Well, I thought I was not going to write anything else tonite, but I just got on the National Zoo website at around 1am (Tues., Feb. 9), and there was another notice on the front page of the NZ website. As I figured, the National Zoo will NOT be open today due to the conditions and the new snowstorm that will be in the DC area.
That will make 5 days in a row that NZ will not be open. I don’t even remember if NZ has had a long shutdown like this at anytime in their history. And, if this snowstorm does dump up to 20+ inches of snow, NZ will not be open at all the rest of the week! I do feel very comfortable in knowing that the staff, vets, and keepers will do everything they can to keep their animals fed, watered, and occupied while they stay indoors for the next couple of days or so. I know that’s got to be hard on the animals being cooped up indoors for this long, but the keepers will do their best to keep them happy. I’ll check the NZ pandacam to see if Tian Tian and Mei Xiang will be let outside. They love snow anyway!
Gonna go!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
February 8th, 2010 at 10:47 pm
I enjoy the blogs on all information on the panda’s. I have really learned alot. Thank you Karen on the
latest. My neighbor thinks I’m alittle overboard on my fixation on Yun Zi. Can’t help it, it’s fun watching
him grow and how gentle mama has been with him. Again thanks for all the interesting blogs on what
goes on in panda land.
February 8th, 2010 at 11:10 pm
I wonder if Butter aka Yunzer has any idea how lucky he is to be a panda at the San Diego Zoo. We have the best staff anywhere. Thanks for the info. I love hearing all about their days, interests and habits. Love that sawdust picture. I have to add it to my desktop Yunzer slideshow.
February 8th, 2010 at 11:42 pm
With all this interest….you guys must get to the Panda Convention in San Diego!! Please come join us. Check the site out on Facebook or write here if you are interested. Dates… March 20-21.
February 9th, 2010 at 1:02 am
KDF in DC area from previous blog – welcome to the panda madhouse!
Karen, thanks for describing the panda area some more for us – every little bit helps. I have to agree with everyone else, the photo of Yun Zi is gorgeous.
Panda Annie, so cute.
Pam T #26 – I watched the Xi Lan and Mommie Monster video on Pandas Live On – hilarious, poor ‘not so little’ Xi Lan was scared to within an inch of his life! Perhaps Lun Lun thought she’d get him back for all the times he’s been terrorising her lately.
February 9th, 2010 at 5:24 am
Thank-You Karen….Just out of curiosity have you tried pear slices as I seem to remember during one of our visits to the SDZ my Disabled Wife Lynn was talking to a keeper that was feeding Gao Gao some pear slices thru the fence as she stated they were one of his favorites…Maybe like Father like Son….LOL…. I also like the picture of the sawdust covered Panda Prince Yunior as I love his play time with Bai Yun in the sawdust……
I was just watching the NZ this morning and see that Mei Xiang was still doing her Panda Dance at the viewing opening in her door as she interacted with a keeper for some treats….She taught Tai Shan this as well and it brought back pleasant memories of watching them dance at the door together as Tai was starting to eat solid foods as well….One only wonders if he will continue his morning dance in his new home in China…
” Panda Peace on Earth , Goodwill to All Living Things…..”
February 9th, 2010 at 5:38 am
Thanks for the wonderful information – and the adorable picture of Yunior! Could he be any cuter??
I had to smile when I saw the title of this latest blog because I had just come from the NZ website, where one of the pandas (I still can’t tell them apart) was sitting calmly eating bamboo. I was struck by how totally unaffected he/she was by all the uproar concerning his/her offspring Tai. It made me feel better somehow…like this panda mommy or daddy knew that it had done its job well and was just moving on to the next step, calmly living its life, enjoying its boo. No wonder we love pandas so much! They put life in perspective!
February 9th, 2010 at 6:10 am
Karen, thanks for the info about panda treats.
Do you give the bears chocolate?? For me, that is always a great motivator!!
What about other food items … San Diego’s finest avacados maybe?? What about berries that their cousins the brown bears love?
February 9th, 2010 at 7:04 am
I just saw squirrels on camera 29 …??? No pandas but at least two squirrels on two different platforms?? New friends for Yun Zi??? New toys??? Where did they come from? Wonder what Yun Zi would think if he actually came face to face with one??? Funny to think about.
Moderator’s note: Read about Shi Shi and the bunnies in Farewelll, Dear Shi Shi.
February 9th, 2010 at 8:44 am
I’ve been reading a few comments from bloggers who’ve mentioned that people think they’re too obsessed or crazy about pandas. There are a lot worse things to obsess about. Pandas represent peace and love. They make us giggle, cheer us up and bring us joy. They are innocence in a world filled with violence, greed and other awful things. If more people were like them, our world would be a better place to live in. I will occasionally scroll through peoples’ comments on Panda YouTube videos and many people leave mean, rude and downright nasty comments. These are crazy people. Not the ones like us who love our pandas and what they represent.
Panda peace to everyone!
February 9th, 2010 at 8:54 am
If anyone is interested in seeing LOTS of pictures of Tai Shan and Mei Lan just before they left for China please check out pandanews.info. The lady who runs this site (she’s in England) was just over in the U.S. and visited all 4 panda cities last month. There are over 2000 pics so enjoy.
February 9th, 2010 at 10:06 am
#46 MARIE FOR RULER OF THE WORLD!!!
What a great post! Everything you said is the truth.
Pandalovers of the world, unite!
February 9th, 2010 at 10:15 am
I’ve never seen a panda in real life. Come heck or high water, I’m going to see Yunior (I love that nickname for him) this year. I have watched him every single day and just love him to pieces. I love the blog and the comments almost just as much.
Boy, he sure is getting quick on his feet! What a great bunch of folks all of you are, bloggers, zoo-keepers, commentors. At least I’m not the only Panda-Crazed-Obsessive-Nutcase out there….
February 9th, 2010 at 10:40 am
Conversation with Gao Gao #70
Tourist: Hello, Gao Gao.
Gao Gao: Hello, Mr. Tourist.
T: So I see you’re checking your catalog again.
G: Yes. There are some new Tai Shan Enterprise products here.
T: Oh, you mean Tai Shan at Bifengxia?
G: Yup.
T: That’s right, he landed a car sponsor contract upon his arrival.
G: Good thing!
T: So the catalog is into cars, too?
G: Uh huh, with some very innovative features.
T: Eco-friendly, too?
G: Yep. Very very green.
T: For example?
G: Here’s one with pressed bamboo culm body.
T: Hmmm… But is the bonding adhesive eco-friendly?
G: Oh, certainly. It’s bonded with sugar cane pulp and honey.
T: Oh, very ingenious.
G: And here’s one ornamented with aromatic rotten pine bark chips.
T: Huh?
G: And this one’s polished with fermented cherry wood pulp.
T: So I see, the smells are a major draw.
G: The test market results were very good.
T: Oh?
G: Madame Bai said it tasted good.
T: She snarfed it up?
G: And Yun Zi is rolling in the sawdust crumbs.
T: Going green all the way, huh?
G: And we’ll ship back the poop for recycle.
February 9th, 2010 at 11:57 am
Moderator or any long term Pandaholics,
I was just watching Yunior play in the foliage again and I was just wondering if any of his sisters or brother were as interested in the fauna as he seems to be? Thanks! Dianna
February 9th, 2010 at 11:58 am
A happy polar bear swimming in the pool, and Yun Zi playing & lounging merrily in the grass under the sunshine… The camera pictures can’t get any better than this!
February 9th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
How does Yun Zi react with carrots and yams? You never really said….
February 9th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
What an adorable boy! When we visited 2 weeks ago the little guy slept mostly. But his mamawoke him, ithink she was bored, and he had a great big yawn! It was really adorable. I do remember seeing on the panda cam a while back, when he was just learning to get around, mama tried to show him how to back off the platform. He wasn’t catching on, so she grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and pulled him off. It was pretty funny and he seemed to be no worse off from the experience.
It was also great to see the girls when we were there. They were pretty active, especially Zhen. Wish we didn’t live so far and could see them more often. Thank goodness for the panda cam and all of your narratives. Thank you so much SDZ!
February 9th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
Just re-read “Farewell, Dear Shi Shi” — still brings tears to my eyes. Glad he had a nice semi-retirement here in SD. Hua Mei has done him proud!
February 9th, 2010 at 1:46 pm
Question?? Is there any way to slow down the time lapse video feed? It goes by so fast you have to be a speed viewer to watch it. Love all the zoo does to make the pandas part of our everyday lives. Thank you
Moderator’s note: We cannot offer a slower time lapse right now.
February 9th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
That picture of Yun Zi is just too precious for words! He looks like a doll…what a darling panda baby! I also reread “Farewell, Dear Shi shi”…what a blessing it was to have him here for a few years. And I was excited to see a new “conversation from P. Wong; I love reading them!
February 9th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
new update on mei lan on a.z. sounds like she is doing much better. a.z. keeper had nice conversation with mei’s new keeper, who asked a lot of questions about mei’s likes and dislikes. az keeper said she thinks mei couldnt be in better hands. loved the new update from karen. i didnt realize shi shi was at the guangzhou zoo. my daughter and family were there in jan 2008 to bring home their adoptive daughter. i will have to ask her
February 9th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
He’s so cute! I saw him rolling in the sawdust on the cam! Absolute adorable!! R.I.P. Shi Shi, I surprisingly didn’t find out until now!
February 9th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
I love watching Bai yun and Baby play together and cuddle. Will this be her last cub? and if so does mother panda’s go into depression? Once the figure out no more babies to play with. It just amazes me to see her human like ways it reminds me so much of me playing with my daughter at the park when she was a little tot.
Moderator’s note: We don’t know if Yun Zi is Bai Yun’s last cub. Time will tell.
February 9th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
What a great photo of Yun Zi. We were there the day he discovered the pond, and I would love to have been there for the sawdust. He thoroughly enjoys all his new adventures. I notice that the den has been empty when the camera was focused there so it appears that the denning phase has ended and the sleeping on the shelf stage is in full swing until Su Lin completes the hearing study and Bai Yun and Yun Zi move to the left. It will be an interesting enrichment time for Zhen Zhen too as she will likely be in the rotation to go to the tree stump exhibit?
P. Wong thanks for another up to date and entertaining interview with Gao Gao. I miss reading stories about Mei Sheng’s virtual visits and conversations with his sisters Su Lin and Zhen Zhen. I look forward to hearing an interview with Madame Bai Yun for Valentine’s Day and one with Yun Zi, or Su Lin and Zhen Zhen about their little brother.
February 9th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
P Wong – you outdid yourself this time – loved the “And we’ll ship back the poop for recycle” Too funny
February 9th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
To All: We were at the SDZ today! I did get video and photos…and a lotsafun, huh time was had
I will make a movie tomorrow and advise when it’s up. 
February 9th, 2010 at 5:44 pm
#56 Sandra – The speed of the time-lapse “video” depends on the speed of your internet connection and your computer. An old computer with a slow connection should enable you to view frame by frame. You may or may not be aware that the time-lapse is not a video feed but a collection of captured images.
February 9th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
That is the cutest picture! I love watching our little guy eat, sleep, play or anything. He sure loves to play with the shrubbery doesn’t he? It is adorable the way he amuses himself until mommy comes and gets him to play. I saw her push him off her water bowl today, she can be a bit rough. Is he drinking the water or just playing? Thanks for all the great information I love learning all about these bears. They are all beautiful. The close ups of Bai lounging over the tree branch today was great, what a pretty girl she is! Thank you to camera operators and moderator for making my day more bearable at work. (No pun intended)
February 9th, 2010 at 6:49 pm
On the local news, they just showed a panda, in China, stuck on a cliff, afraid to come down or go up. They think it was a young panda.
The people gave him treats of banana and he came down and ran off into the countryside!
Bananas? Try bananas with Yun Zi!
Its a steady rain tonite so the panda exhibit will be wet tomorrow. I see no one is sleeping on the camera angle, which is in the outside wet room. We are even getting several inches of snow in our back mountains tonite!
February 9th, 2010 at 6:50 pm
I’ve been a pandaholic since Tai was born. Yun Zi seems to be the most active and happy cub of them all.
When the boy is awake, he is playing with anything in his path. Who knew that feet were so fascinating?
February 9th, 2010 at 7:21 pm
Food always motivates me! My preferrence is cookies.
I have been living under a rock the last few days. I think I’ve seen our kids maybe 4 times in the 5 days. I was trying to get on FB to get the panda convention sight. FB must be down………I’m freaking out because I haven’t been on there since last week. Any help out there?
SDZ pandas and staff, see you in a little over a month! I am so excited.
February 9th, 2010 at 7:26 pm
Welcome back, P Wong! With Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day both coming up on the 14th, surely Mr. Gao Gao and all the offspring must have plans for celebration?
And if any of the pandas have been feeling jealous of their cousins in D.C. who have had all that snow to romp in, please let them know that fresh snow will be falling here in the city until tomorrow night and they are very welcome to come for a visit!
February 9th, 2010 at 9:02 pm
I could not look at the link regarding Shi Shi, even though I am so curious. I don’t like to cry and I know I would. I was crying when I learned someone got to work with Mei Sheng. I don’t know why it made me cry, it just did. It is amazing to me, how attached one can get to animals. I agree with the ladies above, pandas, and animals in general, do represent for us a peaceful side of life. With animals there is no malice, not really, not even with the animals that hunt. I mean yes, I got up close to a tiger, real close, with only a chain length fence separating us. I would not stick my hand in there, but there is something so right about animals. I admire people who choose to focus on the positive side of life. Even though I am young, I found out that I needed to loose about 15-20 pounds to keep my blood pressure at a good level. I did an experiment. I took my blood pressure being upset because I could not work the instrument; while I was trying to relax; and when I was watching Yun Zi. Watching Yun Zi, lowered my blood pressure dramatically. After my experiment, I believe there are health benefits to watching the pandas. That is my hypothesis. I am happy to hear from P. Wong on the blog. I enjoy the stories, they make me laugh. I hope all is well with Dennis and Lynn.
February 9th, 2010 at 9:05 pm
Well said #46 Marie. I couldn’t agree with you more. Pandas do bring peace and joy into our lives.
February 9th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
Well, well!! P Wong has come back with another great conversation! Welcome back, P Wong! What took you so long? Loved it, as usual! Now, please don’t be a stranger, ok?
I also read the latest update that AZ got from their keeper in China about Mei Lan. It does sound like that she is finally starting to settle down some more, getting used to all of those new sounds and smells, and learning to shift from one room to another for room cleaning. I’m also glad that her keeper got a chance to have a long talk with Mei’s new keeper, and they both shared alot of things about Mei Lan. Mei’s new Chinese keeper was really interested about Mei and was very sensitive to her. That’s great!
More snow piling up at NZ–AGAIN!! The weather forecast said that DC will be getting 5-10 inches instead of up to 20 inches, but if that southern low pressure system merges with this current storm, DC will be seeing nearly 20 inches of snow again! Liz S. told me that DC was not totally ready for this much snow, and I agree with her on this one. Also, NZ will be closed again for the 6th day in a row on Wed., Feb. 10! Too much snow and not safe for people to go thru the zoo right now, and the streets and parking lots still have alot of snow on them. Plus, a large majority of the outdoor animals are indoors for the time being. A lot of them don’t really like to be in snow that much, especially when there’s close to TWO FEET on the ground! Tian and Mei Xiang liking snow? Oh yeah! I did see the NZ pandacams earlier today, and Mei was outside for a little while, had a small snow tunnel going in her yard, but decided to go back inside again! Gonna check the NZ pandacams again in the AM to see if the keepers will let Tian and Mei outside. It’s been a wild ride for NZ over the last few days! Got an idea, tho! Let’s send all of that snow from the Mid Atlantic and Northeast states over to Whistler Mountain in British Columbia, Canada! They are CRYING for more snow for their Olympic skiing events!
Just looked in on the SDZ pandacam, it showed the platform, but no pandas were on there! Bai and Yuni are somewhere else! BTW, has the den been closed down now? I haven’t seen Yuni in there in nearly 2 weeks. His new favorite napping spot has been that platform lately. He’s still the ever loving cutie, tho!
Going to bed!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
February 10th, 2010 at 1:03 am
P Wong, great to see you’re back again with your usual hilarious posts. Not sure about those ‘flavours’ though – but then again I’m not a panda!
We were invited out Tuesday evening to meet the parents of one of our daughter’s friends at college and I wore a top which has a panda designed in sequins on it, plus a panda brooch on my coat. When I took my coat off I suddenly became the centre of attention and ended up surrounded with panda toys all evening!
February 10th, 2010 at 5:37 am
Good morning everybody———-I hope everybody has a Fine Panda Day…………Love Grammmie.
February 10th, 2010 at 7:12 am
Good Morning, you all! Was just on the 2 NZ pandacams; Mei Xiang and Tian Tian are outside right now, but they are sticking close to the building and not even getting into that deep snow. They even ate their boo breakfast right by the sidewalk, so the chances of the 2 of them venturing into the deep white stuff are about zero. They are getting some exercise by walking up and down the sidewalk, tho. It is really snowing in DC with high winds blowing the snow around. Check out the NZ gorilla cam! It is totally obscured by a snow drift to where you can’t see the platform structure! To all of the pandafans in the DC area, HANG IN THERE!! At least you all can watch the pandas and other animals on all of the zoos’ cameras, and still feel like you were there! Memphis Zoo was closed on Monday, Feb. 8 due to heavy snow, but they should be back open by today. Did check their pandacam, and the pandas are doing their thing–eating, sleeping, the usual. Still trying to keep track of Ya Ya, but no new updates from the panda keepers about her lately.
Well, gonna go for now. Have to get ready for a doctor appointment, but will be back later on.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
February 10th, 2010 at 7:17 am
I just looked at the photo gallery. Yun Zi is precious! There are very cute and adorable pictures of him!!
February 10th, 2010 at 8:09 am
WOO HOO I got lucky on Daniels cam page ….I was watching Zhenni, a Panda at both Zoo Atlanta, and the National Zoo all at the same time. As it happened I had them stacked on one side of my screen so I could enjoy the Wallpaper of Gao Gao at the same time. This is only the second time I have tried this way of watching the Pandas (it is not their fault they do not have our Prince Fluffy-Butt) but they have a Panda on each camera and all of them are having their breakfast “boo”. Love Grammmie
February 10th, 2010 at 9:00 am
A beautiful farewell and tribute to Shi Shi. Thank you, Ellie.
February 10th, 2010 at 9:13 am
Linda #68: I’m with you on the cookies!
Facebook was being a little fussy yesterday, but the panda convention site is still up and running, and plans are proceeding apace. You might want to get over there and put in your RSVP, if you are planning to come, because the folks need something resembling a final count ASAP.
That goes for the rest of you, too. C’mon over and join us! Just search for ‘panda-fandom worldwide’ on Facebook, and there we are! If you’re not on Facebook, you can e-mail Pandafan320@gmail.com for information.
February 10th, 2010 at 9:14 am
#66 Jeslyn
It appears that one of Mei Lan’s favorite foods is also bananas. Just read an update on the ZA site about her adjustment and they gave Mei Lan some banana. It seems that her new keeper asked about her favorite foods and her keeper told her bananas and sugarcane, so the Chinese keeper went and got her some bananas to try to help Mei Lan feel more comfortable (Probably no access to sugarcane??). How sweet!!
Here’s the link.
http://www.zooatlanta.org/home/animals/mammals/giant_panda/farewell_mei_lan
February 10th, 2010 at 9:21 am
Local KNSD news had a great picture of Bai Yun and Yun Zi yesterday morning and evening for Yun Zi’s 6 month birthday.
February 10th, 2010 at 9:21 am
Zoo Atlanta has stated that weaning begins next week for Xi Lan, with the total weaning done by early March.
February 10th, 2010 at 10:10 am
Prince Fluffy Butt, His Royal Cuteness, Baby Yun Yun, Mr Sweetie Pie, Yunior, the adorable one, bruiser and cutie patootie, they all fit Yun Zi. Any other nick names out there?
February 10th, 2010 at 10:11 am
Everyone go to Pandas live on and see the latest from China Today and read the comments
February 10th, 2010 at 11:06 am
#82 Jane – I read that too… I’ll miss the Mommie Monster videos and Xi Lan comments….
February 10th, 2010 at 11:34 am
Many thanks for the wonderful information regarding the “daily” life of the pandas.
I wonder if it would be possible for Tai Shan to RETURN to the U.S., along with his lady friend, as part of a breeding program, and we could have more baby Tais. If that were to happen , his homecoming to Washington to be one super event. Hope someone at the National Zoo will think about this.
February 10th, 2010 at 11:38 am
Does anyone ever watch Lin Ping/Ping Lin (which is it?) and her mom? Is her name Lin Hui? How old is Lin Ping? They usually are active around 8:00 am EST. She’s fun to watch. Is she related to Yunior?
February 10th, 2010 at 11:46 am
Dear Monitor:
I have 4 “naive” questions I hope you or the researchers won’t mind answering them:
Can pandas tell different colors apart? Can Yun Zi tell the flowers have a different color from the leaves? do we know if they have a preferred color? e. g. the bamboo green? or Pandas are color-blind?
We often get info about how many pounds of bamboo a panda eats each day, has any researcher converted that into calories? How many calories a full grown panda need a day? How about semi-adult pandas? Do we know about how many calories Yun Zi gets from his Mother’s milk? I think your nutritionist must know, they figured out how to feed the infant by some kind of formula and saved lots of infant pandas’ lives, is that correct?
I know pandas do not eat all spices of bamboo. Some pandas are very picky. And they eat different type of bamboo at different time of a year, do they just have the instinct that he/she won’t like a certain kind of bamboo? How come some panda will eat certain type of bamboo, but other pandas not? I have the impression the adult pandas in Atlanta zoo are very choosy about their bamboos.
This is not just for pandas, but I always wonder in the wild how animals know not to in-breed when possible? e. g. if a male panda and a female panda are from the same mother, in the wild, will they avoid each other by instinct? by smell? I know in breed does happen, but in a healthy environment, will they try not to breed with their siblings?
Thank you for your time.
February 10th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
I watch Bai Yun pacing, awaiting her food in the morning. And her obvious enjoyment, in her food, (I always laugh when she hits her ball for food, it is so dear,) but it seems to me she has tons of food all over in bundles or areas. Does she really eat all that bamboo every day? With the rain, does it keep the food moist?, why does she need more?
How many times a day do you give her more bamboo? Does she eat oranges, or bananas, or pears, such things as other tree climbers eat! Do you give her cut up food rather than whole food? It is hard to tell what she is eating from the videos. Other than bamboo? Did she get sick from her polluted? pool( it looks so dirty) Will you all Panda people some day give them a reserve, to keep them safe from predators? You all do a magnificent job allowing us to see the progress of cubs, and generally their way in Zoos,but what about the wild, and do they do well if returned? I do worry about them.
Moderator’s note: One bear was released back to the wild, but that reintroduction was not successful and ended badly for the bear in question. Since then, the Chinese have revised their protocol and goals, and have been training up new candidates for release. The San Diego Zoo’s Institute for Conservation Research is very honored to have been asked to consult on the panda reintroduction project in China.
February 10th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
The visit with the Pandas on February 9th was great fun! Zhen Zhen was wandering all over her exhibit because, as the moderator said, she didn’t like the bamboo chosen for her breakfast. In stead of napping, she vented by pacing.
Su Lin is going through hormone changes so she also was very busy wandering and climbing. 
Naturally, Bai and Yun Zi were asleep at 9:30 but by 10:45 Bai was awake and pacing, hungry for lunch. Yun Zi was awake by 11:20; however he chose to play BEHIND his favorite bush! Thus, at one point, the only way we knew where he was required fixing our eyes on the moving blue ball 
I’ve put up a video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdiXI7-7L2Q
February 10th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
#90 Bobbie – thanks for the video!
#85 Dianne – I also will miss the loving interaction between Xi Lan and Mommie Monster! I’ve become quite fond of the little guy.
to think my Panda love started with 1 butterstick on August 5!!
February 10th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Haven’t seen any DoxieMom videos in the last few days. Hope she isn’t snowed in and without power.
February 10th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Thank you P. Wong! I missed you. That was sooo funny. Loved the poop recycle!
Laurie in Baltimore – are you buried in snow?! I think about you whenever they mention Maryland. If you are posting here I guess you at least have utilities
I haven’t seen much of Mama Bai and Yunior today. I did get to see them waking up from the platform and working their way down. Yunior started down head first, then turned around and shinnied down backward. Well, back to work……
February 10th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
Dear # 90 BOBBIE—Not only did you give us great Panda photos and movies–you gave me a personal journey down memory lane. When I was young none of the vehicles my fammily owned (while I still lived in Canada) had radios….so there were always sing-a-longs whenever we made a road trip oof a few hours. Not once did we not sing “She’ll Be Comin’ ‘Round The Mountain When She Comes”. My dad put in a few more versus, but dad was like that. So in addition to wonderful sights-Thanks For The Memory(s)……Love Grammmie
February 10th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
# 87 Dianna – I watch Lin Ping and I’m watching her right now. Her keeper is wiping her down as she tries to escape. I have no idea how old she is. I’m fairly new to her. But I do wonder why she and her mom are always in the same place (looks like a big cage). I never see them near trees or grass. Maybe someone who’s been watching her longer can answer this.
February 10th, 2010 at 5:44 pm
Bobbie……..great video and views of the enclosures. Gives one a sense of how its laid out and in color! Cute music and catchy…..now I can’t stop singing about the hole in the ground!
I am taking some friends from Florida there some time between the 17th and 24th of February.
I figure that if we time it correctly, they might be active between 11AM and 11:45AM
I have been looking at the active times on the clock.
February 10th, 2010 at 8:08 pm
#87 Dianna – I am often watching Lin Ping and her mom Lin Hui. Lin Ping was born on May 27th 2009, so she is about 8 ½ month old. They seem to be very active during the night, when they are mainly together with little human interaction. At 8:00 AM EST it is 8:00 PM in Thailand. And you are right, she is fun to watch, she likes to play with her mother and with her keepers when they come in the enclosure to clean. I still haven’t seen her playing outside; I wish I would know when they let her out. Lin Ping is related to Yun Zi. Her mother’s father is Pan Pan, who is also Bai Yun’s father. Lin Hui and Bai Yun are half sisters as they have different mothers. Pan Pan is also Tian Tian’s father, who is Tai Shan’s father, so Tai Shan is Lin Ping’s cousin. Lin Ping is also related to Fu Long, who was born in Vienna and recently moved to China. Lin Ping paternal grandfather is Xin Xing. Xin Xin is Long Hui’s father; Long Hui is Fu Long’s father. And as I wrote earlier, Fu Long new friend in China, Wu Jun, is also his cousin and they both are Lin Ping’s cousins.
February 10th, 2010 at 9:25 pm
#87 Diana and #95 Marie,
The name of the cub in Thailand is LIN bing (or LIN ping in a differey way of spelling). Her mother’s name is LIN Hui and her dad’s name is Chuang Chuang. She was born in May 2009 so she’s almost ten months old.
She’s a very active little girl. I think she has the most toys as a panda in this world.
February 10th, 2010 at 10:02 pm
#87 Dianna and #95 Marie – I found videos of Lin Ping outside on YouTube. I suspect the pandas are going outside in the late afternoon early evening. It is probably hot outside during the day. See “Daily Hi-Light#1-080210″ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDWi1JiUSTw&feature=related and related videos. Lin Ping is really quick out there…
February 10th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
# 49 PAM NUTCASE??? Who said you were a nutcase? If it was Queen Bai, then you are fine, but from anybody else check to see if they have their hand extended towards your money pocket. A nutcase is somebody who wants to take all of the pandas in SDZ on a feild trip to the snow an hour away from the zoo—-on buses, knowing that the keepers, vets, moderators, staff, interns etc. will all want to go too….Or a lady who buys and names a diamond panda pendant—those would be nutcases….not somebody sane like you who thinks the earth spins and the sun and moon rise on Prince Fluffy-Butt’s butt, our favorite panda.
I DID NOT SEEM TO GET # 50 P WONG earlier….but rereading it now is cracking me up, and I have a very silly sense of humor too. Obviously PW has not heard that the panda research station is the Royal Research Station now, and that Bai doesn’t wear the pants—-she doesn’t let pants be worn in her royal space. She thinks the earth spins, the moon and sun rise on her Royal Offspring—Prince Fuffy-Butt being her favorite. I just hope she doesn’t hear that the English Royal Family get Crowns and such, but since she only allows Gao Gao to be her Prince Consort—You know she got that from England. Those queens were not into sharing power.
By the way P Wong we are trying to get up a field trip to take the Pandas to the snow. I live a 1/2 hour between the beach and snow…we got a lovely frosting last night, and you guys are welcome to pick me up on the way. We will need a “bus Leader” on each bus so the Keepers, Staff, Moderators, etc. do not get out of hand getting away from work for the day…can we count on you???? If you know any other good local Greater San Diego folks to be bus leaders let us know. If you are an area resident you will want to be in charge of your bus, so get your name in quick before the snow melts.
# 81 NANCY I tried every wording I could think of to catch the photo of Bai and Prince Fluffy-Butt-but to no availe. Perhaps because it was on the TV they did not repeat it in written work. I tried short and long wording, exact date, all kinds of things, but whoever generates it for the tv does not check into requests. I don’t know why I should worry I must have a million pictures already….grammm
# 82 JANE—Did anyone ask the baby if he were ready for the weaning thing???? No doubt by now mama is ready for it…grammm
#83 SUE MARTZ Prince Fluffy-Butt started out as Prince Royal Fluffy-Butt—but at the time it was longer than he was, so Prince Fluffy-Butt just seemed to catch on better. (And he does have a fluffy butt.) “Yuni” is one you missed…but I think if we all were asked to give a name and 100 responded that there would be 100 more names. You know you have arrived when you get a cute nickname—what must Yunior think about himself????? I bet he would need to take a nap just so he can rest up before thinking about it. He probably would not care what you call him as long as it is not late for food, or a “foot party”. He does love to try to get as many feet as he can into his mouth at one time. I saw him one afternoon try to get one of Mommy’s feet in his mouth….grammm
#86 ROSEMARIE Wouldn’t it be nice if others zoos took the time to read our blog? The more we share the more we all get to know and benefit from the things we all get to know after a time.
# 87 DIANE Which zoo is Lin Ping/Ping Lin in? If she is up at 8 a. m. I am sometimes up by then, or still up because I cannot sleep, or even up for a couple of hours between sleeps. Nothing soothes like Pandas. If you have an allowable link you can send my way that would be even nicer. Thank you so much…grammm
To anybody with the information……I saw mention of an article about Bai’s first husband Shi Shi today, but no link or hint of how to find it—could somebody send some information my way?? It would be greatly appreciated.
You will notice that the people who talk to the Pandas via the internet are not said to be Nutcases..perhaps because there are so many of us out here???? Would that make me a double nutcase????
Happy Panda Dreams to everybody…………Love Grammmie
Moderator’s note: For the Shi Shi link, see comment #45.
February 11th, 2010 at 12:16 am
#95 Marie – You will be able to see more action from Lin Ping if you go to youTube and search for Lin Ping Highlight. You’ll see her outside, climbing (and falling) on the outdoor structures. You’ll also see her interacting with her mom Lin Hui, and the ever -present keepers. Lin Ping will be one year old this coming May.
February 11th, 2010 at 7:30 am
#93 Diana S.
Yes, we are buried in snow. There is close to 4 feet on the ground from the 2 storms. Fortunately, I did not lose utilities!! Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, at the NZ, like snow but not this much!! Poor babies!
February 11th, 2010 at 10:43 am
I knew the Pandaholics would answer my questions about Lin Ping! Thank you so much!
#95 Marie: I have seen Lin Ping outdoors but only on a video. She climbed a very tall tree and fell. She got up and shook herself off a bit, then Lin Hui walked over, grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and took her inside where the keepers checked her out. I’m thinking that because they are 12 hours ahead of us, we must be seeing Lin Ping and Lin Hui when they are off exhibit.
#97 Danielle, 98 Ying: Wow… I don’t know how you keep the family tree straight… but Thank You.. I guess there can’t be an “arranged marriage” between Lin Ping and Yunior.
I’m thinking that Thailand must have keepers 24/7? When it would be very late there, you see at least one coming over and checking them out or cleaning panda poop of their enclosure. They also appear to be very fond of Lin Ping.
Grammie Norma: I get to the Thailand website by going first to Pandasliveon.com. There is alot of interesting information about all the pandas on that website.
February 11th, 2010 at 10:58 am
Thanks eevryone for the Lin Ping info. I saw thw video of her falling (YIKES!) and her Xray. I’m glad she is ok. I’m also happy to see her outdoors. She is a joy to watch, like lil YZ. She was playing with her mom last night (around 10pm ET) and it was quite entertaining. I wonder why the keepers wipe her down though. I would’ve assumed that her mom washes her.
February 11th, 2010 at 11:28 am
Bobbie, what a great video. Love it.
February 11th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Hi Bobbie #90 – I enjoyed watching your video very much. What a treat to see all five pandas. (I miss daddy Gao Gao). The close-up of Yun Zi on the plank is precious. He has a cute smiley face and is fast asleep facing the visitors.
Thanks for sharing the video with us.
February 11th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
I got a chance to see Zhen Zhen up close and eating! She looks like Bai Yun. Is she Bai’s baby? She is just as beautiful! Are you later on going to find her a husband? Have babies. They will be gorgeous babies. And they will love to eat!!
Moderator’s note: Zhen Zhen is Bai Yun’s fourth cub. For info on all the Zoo’s pandas, visit our Meet the Pandas page.
February 12th, 2010 at 5:16 am
# 103 DIANNA Thank you for the Tailand Zoo iformation you sent so quickly…..Love Grammmie
February 13th, 2010 at 11:10 am
I so appreciated the full info on the SD Zoo pandas. I did not know how to find it. But now since I read them, I know why Zhen Zhen is an eating machine. Gao Gao is her father! But I still think she looks like Bai Yun. So beautiful!
I can follow all your info now. thanks again. Enraptured daily along with your thousands of fans.
February 15th, 2010 at 5:10 am
I am sorry to report that the weather is going to be very warn again today…84 in my area of the greater San Diego area. Only sorry because we cannot share it with you guys who are frozen. I guess we willl just have play with our lovely Pandas and think good thougths for you. You all should must move out here so we do not feel so gulty.
I also imagine that the Panda Pools not only will be filled, but well used by them. Does anybody volunteer for Panda life guard, in case one of the little ones gets into trouble???? Love Grammie
February 15th, 2010 at 7:57 am
I’m among the thousands enjoying our cub. Question: Are pandas aggressive/dangerous as adults like other bears? We’ve only seen the cute sides, but not much about the adult bear. I’d like to think they are always as cute and cuddly as Yun Zi is now.
Moderator’s note: See post Some Questions Answered regarding the temperament of adult pandas.