2005 Panda News Archives
Return to 2007/2008 Panda News updates...
View 2007 Panda News Archives...
View 2006 Panda News Archives...
Panda update (July 25, 2005)
We are all delighted to hear about the successful birth of a baby panda at the National Zoo. Is Bai Yun, our adult female giant panda, pregnant? Weekly ultrasounds have not yielded any clues yet, but keepers report that Bai Yun is showing some behavioral and physical changes that may indicate a possible pregnancy. She now has access to the birthing den (you may see this in Panda Cam), and has been going through the motions of making a nest inside the den. We'll keep you posted!
Bai Yun is pregnant! (July 28, 2005)
Ultrasound images confirm the San Diego Zoo’s female giant panda, Bai Yun, is pregnant. On July 18, two heartbeats were detected; however, the Giant Panda Team wanted to see the two fetuses before announcing a pregnancy. During an ultrasound on July 26, veterinary staff observed both fetuses. However, the viability of the second fetus is in question because its development is not equal to the first fetus. During Bai Yun’s pregnancy in 2003 two fetuses were detected but only one cub, Mei Sheng, was born. It is believed the second fetus was resorbed in the womb, a process that might be very common in giant pandas. Almost half of panda births are twins while the other half is a single cub. Stay tuned for future updates.
One fetus continues to grow (August 1, 2005)
The San Diego Zoo’s giant panda team has continued to monitor the female giant panda, Bai Yun, through ultrasound technology over the weekend. The fetus in the right uterine horn continues to grow. Animal care staff continues to see a heartbeat in this fetus through ultrasound. Unfortunately, the ultrasound imaging was unable to visualize a discrete fetal image in the left uterine horn. The material in the left uterine horn lacks detail and is now believed to be a resorbing fetus. Panda staff is continuing a 24-hour watch in preparation for a birth.
Bai Yun gives birth (August 2, 2005)
After several months of waiting to see if the San Diego Zoo’s female giant panda was pregnant, 13-year-old Bai Yun gave birth to a single cub Tuesday evening following a 3-hour labor.
The Zoo’s animal care staff observed Bai Yun give birth August 2 at 9:57 p.m. (Pacific Time) via a closed circuit camera installed in the Giant Panda Research Station birthing den. The gender of the newborn will not be known for a while.
Cub gets first veterinary exam (August 17, 2005)
Shortly after 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 17, Bai Yun, the San Diego Zoo’s adult giant panda female, left the den giving veterinarians the long sought after opportunity to exam her 2-week-old cub.
While veterinarians are not certain if the cub is male or female just yet, they did note that this cub appears to be a few centimeters longer and a few grams lighter than the previous panda cub, Mei Sheng, at this age. The unnamed cub weighed in at 13 ounces (368 grams) and is 9.4 inches (24 centimeters) from the tip of its nose to the end of its tail.
The exam lasted approximately three minutes; making this the longest first exam on a giant panda cub San Diego Zoo veterinarians have been able to perform. Karen Kearns, DVM, associate veterinarian, attributes this to the cub’s relaxed attitude during the exam. Since the cub did not squawk or cry much Bai Yun remained calm during the separation, but when allowed back into the den Bai Yun quickly tended to the cub.
It's a girl! (August 24, 2005)
Three weeks after the birth of a giant panda cub, San Diego Zoo veterinarians have determined it’s a girl! The veterinary staff had its suspicions during the cub’s first exam last week, but chose to wait one more week to get a second look as the cub continues to develop.
Geoff Pye, DVM, San Diego Zoo senior veterinarian, said the cub continues to appear healthy, gaining 9 ounces (255 grams) in one week. The female cub now weighs 22 ounces (618 grams) and is 11.6 inches (29.5 centimeters) from the tip of her nose to tail.
As Chinese tradition dictates, naming the cub will not occur until she is 100 days old. San Diego Zoo Giant Panda Team members will collaborate with their Chinese counterparts to determine her name.
Cub continues to grow (August 31, 2005)
The 4-week-old female giant panda cub at the San Diego Zoo had her weekly exam August 31. Her physical reveals she is getting stronger, longer and heavier. Geoff Pye, DVM, San Diego Zoo senior veterinarian, said that as the cub gains weight she is also producing muscle, adding that he could feel her pushing against his hand with her front paws during the exam.
Compared to last week, the cub weighed 12 ounces (340 grams) more. The female cub now weighs 34 ounces (964 grams) and is 12.5 inches (32 centimeters) long from the tip of her nose to the end of her tail. Dr. Pye also said the cub is a bit more feisty than in her first two exams. She squawked louder and moved around a bit more.
Panda cub is rounding up (September 7, 2005)
The 5-week-old female giant panda cub at the San Diego Zoo is quickly gaining the round belly of a giant panda. Geoff Pye, DVM, San Diego Zoo senior veterinarian, was amazed at how quickly she is gaining curvature and that the cub increased her weight by more than one pound in one week.
The female cub weighed 3.29 pounds (1.49 kilograms) and measured 15 inches (38 centimeters) from the tip of her nose to the end of her tail.
Hearing improves (September 14, 2005)
Our 6-week-old giant panda cub is able to hear more and may soon be seeing as well. Beth Bicknese, DVM, San Diego Zoo associate veterinarian, noted that the cub’s ear holes have opened more, allowing the little female to listen to what is happening around her with greater detail. Although the cub still cannot see, her eye slits are enlarging as well, Dr. Bicknese said. The panda cub weighed 4.4 pounds (1.99 kilograms) and measured 16 inches (41 centimeters) from the tip of her nose to the end of her tail.
Panda cub's eyes are opening (September 21, 2005)
Shapes are becoming apparent to the 7-week-old female panda cub. Her left eye seems to be almost completely open, while her right eye slit is just beginning to enlarge. The cub’s eyesight is not acute yet but every day she will be distinguishing more shapes, including those of her mom and her keepers.
Today the cub weighs 5.4 pounds (2.45 kilograms), a gain of one pound since last week’s exam, and measured 17 inches (43 centimeters) from the tip of her nose to the end of her tail.
1st vaccination (September 28, 2005)
Veterinarians gave the Zoo’s 8-week-old giant panda cub her first vaccination on September 28. Karen Kearns, DVM, San Diego Zoo associate veterinarian, said the cub barely noticed the shot, turning only slightly towards the vet and then lowering her head to return to her slumber. The cub weighed 6.4 pounds (2.9 kilograms), a gain of one pound since last week’s exam, and measured 17 inches (43 centimeters) from the tip of her nose to the end of her tail.
Teeth are ready to erupt (October 5, 2005)
Our 9-week-old giant panda cub’s teeth are ready to erupt any day. According to Karen Kearns, DVM, San Diego Zoo associate veterinarian, the cub is most likely in the teething stage as four teeth on the lower jaw feel ready to emerge. She is also increasing strength in her front limbs as she begins to lift her upper body more. Dr. Kearns expects the cub will be using her rear legs to begin lifting her lower body in just a few weeks, though she has been seen rolling around the den via Panda Cam. The cub weighed 7.2 pounds (3.26 kilograms), a gain of nearly one pound since last week’s exam. She measured almost 20 inches (50.5 centimeters) from the tip of her nose to the end of her tail.
Cub gets 9th exam; public can help name her (October 12, 2005)
As our giant panda cub continues to develop, it is time to start the naming process. This year the public will be able to help us choose a Chinese name for the female cub.
Five names selected by San Diego Zoo panda staff and approved by the People’s Republic of China are available through October 31. The cub will receive the most popular name chosen by panda fans visiting the Zoo’s Web site and will be announced when the panda reaches 100 days old.
During today's weekly veterinary exam, the 10-week-old cub appears to be more aware of the activities around her. Tracy Clippinger, DVM, San Diego Zoo associate veterinarian, said the cub was vocalizing more, making chuffle sounds as the health exam advanced. The cub also was gripping with her paws and pushing back in response to touch from veterinary staff and stayed awake during the entire examination. The cub weighed 7.6 pounds (3.4 kilograms) and measured 22 inches (57 centimeters) from the tip of her nose to the end of her tail.
First tooth appears (October 19, 2005)
Our panda cub has her first tooth! For a couple of weeks veterinarians could feel teeth below the gums, but today’s exam confirmed that an upper left tooth has emerged. Tracy Clippinger, DVM, San Diego Zoo associate veterinarian, said the panda cub is developing normally and is showing signs of mobility. The cub was able to raise her head up for a longer period of time than in weeks past and was pushing off with her back legs. She now weighs 7.78 pounds (3.5 kilograms).
Three more teeth! (October 26, 2005)
Our 12-week-old giant panda cub received her second vaccination on October 26 and now has three incisor teeth showing! She also demonstrated an increase in strength as she crawled around on the exam table. The cub weighed 7.98 pounds (3.6 kilograms) and measured 2 feet (60 centimeters) from her nose to the tip of her tail.
Too active for the table! (November 2, 2005)
Now three months old, our giant panda cub is tipping the scales at 8.8 pounds (3.9 kilograms) and growing! [On November 7 the cub weighed 9.3 pounds (4.2 kilograms) and was 26 inches (67 centimeters) long.] Keepers had to move her from the exam table to the floor during her check up because she is now moving around more. Her teeth are growing in nicely, with her canine teeth just under the gum.
Based on a Chinese tradition, the cub will be named Thursday, November 10, when she reaches 100 days old. More than 70,000 electronic votes were submitted through our Web site during a naming poll that closed October 31. The winning name for our little cub will be announced at 11 a.m. at the Zoo’s Giant Panda Research Station.
Growing into a name! (November 9, 2005)
Our little girl is now 9.9 pounds (4.5 kilograms) and one day away from receiving her name! Based on a Chinese tradition, the cub will be named November 10, when she reaches 100 days old.
Julio Mercado, MVZ, MPVM, San Diego Zoo veterinary resident, said the female cub is showing an increase in strength in her back legs. Her keepers have seen the cub standing for a brief second on all four legs. Her vision has vastly improved as well. She was following the veterinarians and keepers in the room with her eyes during the exam, something she had not previously accomplished.
San Diego Zoo giant panda cub bestowed historic name (November 11, 2005)
After tallying more than 70,000 votes, San Diego Zoo officials announced the name chosen by panda devotees: Su Lin (sue-lynn). Su Lin was one of five names presented to the public through an online naming poll that was available only through our Web site, receiving 44 percent of the vote.
More...
Su Lin is walking! (November 16, 2005)
Su Lin, our 15-week-old giant panda cub, took her first steps yesterday and tottered into an off-exhibit panda garden where her mother, Bai Yun, was eating bamboo. The pair spent a couple hours in the garden, but Su Lin slept most of the time. The short, wobbly walk into the garden surprised keepers, who expected to see Su Lin take her first steps in the den. Keepers say Bai Yun had taken Su Lin out of the den into a walkway that leads to the garden, but left the cub a few feet short of the outdoor area. The cub then took her first clumsy steps into the garden in search of her mother.
While Su Lin’s newly found strength is a good sign her mom will soon take her on exhibit, the Giant Panda Team does not yet have a date for her debut. If the cub continues her determination to follow mom outdoors and is able to maneuver around the garden, keepers expect the cub to be on exhibit when she is between four and five months old.
Today Su Lin weighed 10.4 pounds (4.7 kilograms) and measured 2.3 feet (69 centimeters) long.
Su Lin works on walking (November 23, 2005)
Su Lin showed off her new walking skills during her weekly veterinary exam today. Keepers describe the female panda cub’s walk as more of a clumsy wobble. She takes a few steps, pauses, attempts a few more steps, and rests again. Keepers say Su Lin will not be on public view until her mobility improves, most likely when she is between four and five months old.
After vaccinating Su Lin with distemper and rabies shots, San Diego Zoo veterinarians took a look at her teeth and found the cub now has 14 to 16 teeth, including four canines. Su Lin weighed 11.3 pounds (5.1 kilograms) today.
Su Lin becoming a handful (November 30, 2005)
Su Lin, now 17 weeks old, flexed her muscles and was quite a handful during her routine veterinary exam Wednesday. The cub spent more time playing and crawling on all four legs and was very playful with the animal care staff involved in the exam. Su Lin weighed 11.9 pounds (5.4 kilograms) and measured more than 2.3 feet (69 centimeters) Wednesday.
Bai Yun returns to public view (December 5, 2005)
Keepers gave Bai Yun access to the Giant Panda Research Station habitat today as part of a transition phase that moves the panda mother back to public view. Bai Yun remained in the exhibit only long enough to eat her bamboo before voluntarily returning to her off-exhibit bedroom and to the den where her 4-month-old cub, Su Lin, spends 99 percent of her day. Bai Yun ventured back to explore but did not spend any length of time on exhibit today.
Now that Su Lin is becoming more mobile and Bai Yun is spending more time outdoors without the cub, the Giant Panda Team, made up of keepers and researchers, expect Su Lin may be leaving the den for the outdoors soon. Bai Yun does take the cub out of the den for brief excursions in the bedroom and garden areas, but has not yet established a pattern to dictate a date for the cub’s public debut. Keepers will continue to give Bai Yun access to the research station exhibit, but Bai Yun will determine how much time she spends in the exhibit. Once the Giant Panda Team sees that Bai Yun is comfortable spending more time here, the cub will be moved to a new den at the exhibit; however, she will remain visible to the public only through Panda Cam.
The soonest the cub may be moved to the new den is December 7. When the cub is in the new den, Bai Yun will have the ability to carry the cub out of the den and into public view, but the Giant Panda Team does not expect this to occur right away. The next step will be to open the den door that leads directly to the exhibit, but keepers will not do this until both mom and cub have adjusted to their new surroundings. A date has not been set for this event.
Su Lin weighed in at 12.8 pounds (5.8 kilograms) today.
Zoo visitors get a glimpse of Su Lin (December 7, 2005)
Some lucky San Diego Zoo visitors got a glimpse of 18-week-old Su Lin today. At mid-day Bai Yun, the cub’s mother, carried Su Lin in her mouth into the exhibit but only stayed for a few moments before returning with the cub to their new den located at the Giant Panda Research Station exhibit. Bai Yun was given access to the exhibit December 5 without the cub and quickly became comfortable in public view. Keepers moved the cub to the exhibit den today.
Su Lin still spends most of her day in the den. However, she is becoming more mobile while Bai Yun is spending more time outdoors. The Giant Panda Team, made up of keepers and researchers, expect Su Lin may be leaving the den for the outdoors soon. Bai Yun may continue to take the cub out for brief excursions periodically.
Su Lin takes her second excursion (December 8, 2005)
For the second day in a row, a lucky group of San Diego Zoo visitors got a few minutes to see Su Lin today. At approximately 12 p.m., Bai Yun, the cub’s mother, carried Su Lin in her mouth into the Giant Panda Research Station exhibit where a crowd was observing the activities. Bai Yun carried her cub into the exhibit two consecutive times, putting Su Lin down periodically for a chance to explore. Today’s excursion lasted a few minutes and included two trips out of the den.
Su Lin still spends most of her day in the den. However, she is becoming more mobile while Bai Yun is spending more time outdoors. The Giant Panda Team, made up of keepers and researchers, expect Su Lin may be leaving the den for the outdoors soon. Bai Yun may continue to take the cub out for brief excursions periodically.
Su Lin exploring new digs (December 14, 2005)
Su Lin is spending more time on exhibit to the public on a daily basis. Today she was out for a short time in the morning and again in the afternoon. Keepers opened a den door that leads directly into the exhibit yesterday and Su Lin has been observed climbing in and out the door on her own. When not in the exhibit, the cub and her mother, Bai Yun, also lounge on the den door threshold peering out at visitors walking through the Giant Panda Research Station.
Su Lin, now 19 weeks old, weighed 14.2 pounds (6.4 kilograms) and measured 2.4 feet (71.5 centimeters) during her weekly health exam today.
More visitors seeing Su Lin (December 21, 2005)
More visitors to the San Diego Zoo are getting the much sought-after glimpse of Su Lin, the 20-week-old giant panda cub, who is starting to spend several hours a day on exhibit with her mother, Bai Yun.
Although there are no established hours yet that the cub will likely be on exhibit, she does have access to it throughout the day, and has been exploring more often. During her weekly health exam today, veterinarians noticed her activity level is continuing to gradually increase, as is her weight and size. She weighed in at nearly 15 pounds (6.8 kilograms).
Su Lin on exhibit (December 28, 2005)
Panda keepers say 21-week-old Su Lin is climbing and exploring the giant panda habitat with more vigor alongside her mother, Bai Yun. The duo are now on exhibit from 9 a.m. to noon and are given access to the den in the afternoon so the cub may choose to be indoors or remain on exhibit. During her weekly health exam on December 28, Su Lin weighed in at 15.6 pounds (7 kilograms) and measured 2.6 feet (76 centimeters) in length.
Return to 2007/2008 Panda News updates...
View 2007 Panda News Archives...
View 2006 Panda News Archives...
