As promised, Sukari's keepers wanted to let you all know when she'll be venturing into the exhibit for the first time with mom Safarani. First, though, a little update on her first 25 days. You may recall from previous blogs (see Sukari the Okapi at 3 Weeks) that okapis grow remarkably fast, doubling their birth weight in the first 3 to 4 weeks, tripling it in 8 weeks. Sukari's birth weight was 26.2 kilograms (57.64 pounds). At age 21 days, it was 50.55 kilograms (111.21 pounds). On August 4, at age 25 days, it was up to 56.55 kilograms (124.21 pounds). With our biggest female, Kelle, hovering around 330 kilograms (726 pounds), it would appear that little Sukari will rival Kelle's size in a very short while.
|inline

I intended to write this blog and post it the day the birth occurred. However, as Suzanne mentioned in her previous blog (Day 3: Settling In), we are all adjusting to new, long work hours devoted solely to observing and recording the activities going on in the den. My workday starts at about 1 a.m. and lasts until mid-morning. Over the past few evenings I've attempted to write up this account of the birth day events, but have found it quite challenging. It's funny"¦ apparently my brain isn't quite used to functioning during the wee hours of the morning!
|inline

August 5, 9 p.m.
There is a new rhythm at the Giant Panda Research Station. My colleagues and I are adjusting to new work hours to accomodate the overnight watches of Bai Yun. I come in about 5 p.m. each night to watch the den activity for six hours or so. Making a change of this sort makes the first few days tough, until the body adapts to the new regime.
|inline

August 4, 7:45 p.m.
The new panda cub is more than a day old now, and things are still going well inside the birthing den. Bai Yun continues to fast, foregoing food and water in favor of resting quietly in her den with the cub held securely between her forepaws. In 2005, she left the den for her first postpartum drink within 48 hours of the birth, so perhaps she will do the same by the time I update you tomorrow.
|inline

Suzanne submitted this blog at 10 p.m. August 3
Bai Yun and her new cub are doing very well this first evening. I have been impressed tonight with how quiet our new youngster is. The cub is resting quietly for long stretches, some 20 to 30 minutes at a time on occasion. This is great for Bai Yun in that she gets to rest a lot too, recouperating after her very busy day.
|inline

Yesterday was Su Lin's birthday, and many of you might have caught her on the Panda Cam enjoying some ice cake in honor of her special day (watch video here). We are pleased to see how Su Lin has grown into a confident, sweet young bear. She works well with her keepers, enjoys howdy gate sessions with big brother Mei Sheng, and is adored by her public. Mei Sheng has a birthday coming up too, later this month. I hope you are able to observe the festivities surrounding his big day when the time comes.
|inline

On July 17, our fossa pups were six weeks old (see Janet's previous blog, Our First Fossas). Vet techs arrived at the nursery to administer the first vaccinations. These injections were the first in a series of four (given four weeks apart) that protect the neonate against certain infectious diseases. It was decided that we would try training the fossa cubs as animal ambassadors, something that no one has ever attempted to do before.
|inline

Summer has been treating us well here in the Transportation Department at the San Diego Zoo. Our brand-new bus depot is coming along great and is scheduled for completion in the fall. But what is it like for those of us lucky enough to be a tour guide here at the Zoo?
|inline

A milestone of sorts in the growth of our young female okapi: she's topped 100 pounds! Actually, she came in at a very respectable 111.21 pounds (50.55 kilograms). As I mentioned in an earlier blog (Sukari the Okapi at 10 Days), the first weight we took on her at 2 days of age was 57.8 pounds (26.2 kilograms) and we expected her to triple her birth weight in 8 weeks. She is well on her way to reaching that goal.
|inline