A Panda Is Born!
Posted at 8:19 am August 3, 2005 by Suzanne Hall
Bai Yun’s new cub can be seen inside the yellow square.
Conditions seemed favorable for a birth today. Unlike the previous day, Bai Yun was denned up on Tuesday, unresponsive to the voices of her keepers and activity in the research station. I told panda keepers Kathy and JoAnn that I thought today would be the day Bai Yun went into labor. I was lucky enough to be right.
Labor began in the early evening, and the calls went out to all staff involved in monitoring the birth. I arrived about 9:15 p.m. to find several coworkers already watching our CCTV monitors closely. Bai Yun had been having contractions and other signs of labor intermittently for a few hours. Things were rapidly escalating by that point, and we were sure a new panda would be joining us soon.
Having observed the births of Bai Yun’s other cubs in 1999 and 2003, I was surprised to witness Bai Yun’s water breaking. I had never observed this before. About half an hour later, at 9:57 p.m., the cub was born.
We were not surprised to see Bai Yun immediately tend to her squawking infant, as she had proven herself to be an attentive mother with her previous infants. Although we could not see the tiny cub, we could tell it was being soothed by the vocalizations it was emitting. Within a matter of minutes, the cub was croaking regularly, a vocalization generally signaling contentment.
Although the next few hours would have its share of fussy infant behavior, Bai Yun persisted in being an attentive mother. She even managed to get a bit of rest, as the cub was quiet for periods of up to 20 minutes at a time. Early ultrasound images informed us that Bai Yun was gestating twins. However, we became suspicious that one fetus was no longer viable after veterinarians failed to detect a heartbeat in one cub last week. Not surprisingly, Bai Yun failed to give birth to a second cub this evening. It is likely that the second fetus died in utero and was reabsorbed by her body, so only the viable cub was left to be expelled in the birthing process.
Now that the cub has been born, panda behavioral researchers will be watching her 24 hours a day for three weeks, to record and assess the mother-infant relationship. It can be a grueling experience: focussing intently for several hours at a time to ensure good data collection, scribbling down the various behaviors we observe in a rapid-fire fashion. However, the next few weeks will be rewarding on both a personal and professional level. We will help add to the body of knowledge about pandas, and will observe a tiny infant grow into a charming panda cub.
Suzanne Hall is a panda research technician at the San Diego Zoo.
View Bai Yun and her cub on Panda Cam.
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August 3rd, 2005 at 9:18 am
I think this is soooo wonderful! I have been logging onto this site for months now and am so very very happy about this new addition!
August 3rd, 2005 at 9:38 am
Wow, this is great! I’m glad that the panda population is being helped one little baby panda at a time! And they’re so cute, too! Let’s hear it for the pandas!
Gotta love ‘em!
August 3rd, 2005 at 9:39 am
I too am a regular viewer of the Panda Cam and was so excited to find out about the new baby. Thank you so much for providing us with this close up and all the wonderful information you educate us with.
Keep up the great work.
August 3rd, 2005 at 9:49 am
This is Amazing. It is soooo great. I love pandas soo much and I have been going to this site all my life. I have watched Hua Mei and Mei Sheng Grow up. And I have visited them. You guys are doing an awsome job. I hope some day I will be able to help bring the pandas back as well:) Keep up the great work. God Bless. Amanda
August 3rd, 2005 at 9:52 am
I am thrilled at the new addition. I’m a regular on PandaCam, as well, so this is REALLY exciting for Mom, technicians, AND adoring fans.
Thank you so much for the ability to be a part of the process with this blog and the cam.
August 3rd, 2005 at 9:53 am
I am excited to hear the news about Bai Yun giving birth. Wow, three cubs in six years and they just keep getting cuter. How special for Hua Mei and Mei Sheng to have a sibling. Hopefully Hua Mei will be giving birth to her own cub soon. Congratulations to the entire panda team. A job well done to help increase the panda population.
August 3rd, 2005 at 9:56 am
Congrats! To the new mom and the zoo!
August 3rd, 2005 at 10:07 am
I have been fascinated with the new baby at the National Zoo and watching every minute I can–truly exciting and beautiful to see Mei Shiang in DC as such a dedicated mother!! And NOW, we have your San Diego baby too. Beautiful reflections of mother care and baby dependence. I’ll be watching!
August 3rd, 2005 at 10:19 am
This is wonderful news!! Congratulations to the new mom and all the zoo personnel who take such wonderful care of these beautiful animals. I’ll be spending too much time on here now like I did when Mei Sheng was born but it’s sooooooo worth it to see how these tiny babies progress
August 3rd, 2005 at 10:29 am
I am sad and happy at the same time. Sad because we lost one but happy to have a new baby to visit. Congratulations! I will be watching Mom and Baby and waiting for the day we get to see them out and about. I love the fact that our Zoo is able to help these wonderful animals survive. God bless all of you at the Panda Research Center and keep up the great work you are doing.
August 3rd, 2005 at 10:42 am
Congratulations to the pandas and all the researchers involved!
What exciting news! Like other commenters, I frequently glue myself to this site and the National Zoo’s pandacam. Thank you for your information and work!
August 3rd, 2005 at 10:52 am
Congragulations to the panda team. Ever since visiting the zoo in 2004, I have been fascinated with the pandas, visiting the Panda Cam daily. I look forward to watching this new arrival progress. Bai Yun is such a wonderful mother.
August 3rd, 2005 at 11:13 am
How Wonderful, I didn’t expect the baby so soon. Now I can get back to watching mother and child interact! Thank You very much for your work with the pandas.
August 3rd, 2005 at 11:30 am
Hurray!! I was lucky enough to find this site the very day Mei Sheng was born - I’ve watched that little sweet pea grow up and now I’m going to watch his little brother or sister do the same. Thank you all at the Zoo for your love, dedication, and huge hearts towards these special, special animals.
August 3rd, 2005 at 11:52 am
I am so excited … I, too, visited the San Diego Zoo for the first time in 2004 and was amazed by all the animals — especially the Pandas and the Flamingos! Kudos to all at the zoo and congrats to Bai Yun. I have been intently watching the panda cam since the arrival of Mei Xiang’s panda baby at the National Zoo, and now we have the pleasure of watching Bai Yun’s new baby. Thanks to all who are teaching us about these beautiful animals.
August 3rd, 2005 at 12:01 pm
What terrific news!!! I’ve been keeping up with Mei at the National Zoo and NOW I’ll have to do the same with Bai Yun. I have no doubt she’s going to be a wonderful Mom again. Thanks for everything you guys are doing to help save these magnificent animals. Can’t wait to see how much this little one grows in 3 weeks time!
August 3rd, 2005 at 12:08 pm
Congratulations to mom & pop, and a great big welcome to their cub.
Also congrats to all who take such good care of them. Your dedication and love for these incredible creatures is admirable. May God bless you in your endeavors.
August 3rd, 2005 at 1:05 pm
Happy Birth Day, little panda baby! My kids and I are enjoying the panda cam, and the three of us have spent the afternoon researching and learning all about pandas. What amazing creatures!
August 3rd, 2005 at 1:31 pm
WOW…didn’t think we would have our new little arrival until after the 15th of the month.
I have followed all our Pandas since the original pair arrived. Love the Panda Cam and the great job our San Diego Zoo is doing with these marvelous animals. Thanks to all of you for bringing so much joy to so many, many people. I have lived in San Diego since 1961 and wouldn’t let a season go by without going to the zoo, it’s the Best in the World.
August 3rd, 2005 at 2:15 pm
Amazing! I will be watching to keep up to date on news!
August 3rd, 2005 at 2:23 pm
My kids called me this morning and said DAD the new panda was born last night while we were a NIGHTTIME ZOO they are so excited….CONGRATULATIONS
August 3rd, 2005 at 2:25 pm
I was thrilled to hear of another new baby panda! I was an avid fan and watcher of the Panda Cam when Mei Sheng was born, and now I am so excited to have a new baby to watch. And this one was born just a few hours before my own birthday!
Thank you to all involved in the pandas’ care and research, and THANK YOU for Panda Cam! I spend countless hours watching these amazing creatures, reading the progress reports, and I love the photos taken at check-ups, etc.
Congratulations to all! I am looking forward to watching this new addition thrive and succeed! We’ve had to relocate to Las Vegas from Vista recently, and this helps me feel a bit closer to “home”
August 3rd, 2005 at 2:53 pm
Brava! to the new mother, and congratulations to the staff of the San Diego Zoo.
August 3rd, 2005 at 4:10 pm
Congratulations! We just heard about the new baby panda’s birth! We have followed Bai Yun’s first two pandas ‘ growth via the Pandacam as well as in person. Bai Yun is truly a wonderful mother and of course to the father’s. We are so lucky to have such a wonderful zoo and staff at the San Diego Zoological Society. Thank you for sharing and helping to preserve the Pandas.
August 3rd, 2005 at 4:57 pm
Congratulations to Bai Yun and Gao Gao, to Mei Sheng, to Hua Mei, and to all the Panda caretakers and researchers!
I’ve been addicted to the PandaCam since Mei Sheng’s birth and am so excited about this new cub. I saw Bai Yun fixing up her nest and then rubbing her rear against the wall yesterday midday and wondered if the birth was coming. So glad it went smooth, and I’m not at all surprised that she’s continuing to be such a wonderful mommy!
August 3rd, 2005 at 5:08 pm
I have been watching Panda Cam from Australia and can’t wait till I visit in April 2006 to see the new addition to the community. Well done everyone, especially the new mum.
August 3rd, 2005 at 5:47 pm
OMG!!! IT IS SO WONDERFUL WHEN ANY SPECIES GIVES BIRTH TO A NEW BABY. IT IS ALSO MORE SPECIAL WHEN IT’S A SPECIES THAT IS ALMOST EXTINCT. I LOVE TO WATCH BAI YUN ON CAM SHE IS SO CUTE AND I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE THE NEWEST ADDITION TO THE PANDA FAMILY. WOW!! WHAT A GREAT MONTH AND IT HAS JUST STARTED. FIRST BAI YUN’S DELIVERY AND MEI SHENG’S 2ND BIRTHDAY WHAT MORE CAN HAPPEN TO MAKE THIS MONTH EVEN MORE WONDERFUL THAN IT IS NOW. IT WILL BE EXCITING TO SEE IF MEI SHENG HAS A BABY BROTHER OR SISTER. CONGRATULATIONS AND HUGS AND KISSES BAI YUN ON YOUR NEW BABY. I AM SO GLAD TO SEE THAT THE RESEARCH FACILITY IS SO DEDICATED TO THE WELL BEING OF THE GIANT PANDA. CONGRATS EVERYONE ON A BIRTH WELL DONE.
August 3rd, 2005 at 6:30 pm
i have the panda-cam up on my screen almost all of the time. i have such a warm place in my heart for the panda family. i am intrigued and honored to be a secret part of Bai Yun’s births. She is quite The Ambassador. She has all of my respect.
August 3rd, 2005 at 7:19 pm
Happy, happy, happy! Bai Yun will be a wonderful mother. I mentioned this latest birth on my weblog and have written quite a lot about my favourite animal in the category Stress Busters.
August 3rd, 2005 at 7:22 pm
Congratulations to the San Diego Zoo! Thank you for allowing us to be part of the panda family through the Panda Cam. We look forward to watching the new baby blossom as did Hua Mei and Mei Sheng. We love you Bai Yun! Mahalo nui loa from San Jose.
August 3rd, 2005 at 8:14 pm
Isn’t this wonderful news? The new mom and all the wonderful staff members at the zoo are to be congratulated to bring us yet another baby cub to watch and wonder at while it develops into another one of these absolutely beautiful and personable animals. God bless you one and all.
August 3rd, 2005 at 11:39 pm
Congratulations!! We are from the U.K and every day we watch the antics of the pandas on the web cam and today it was almost as if it was a close relative that had given birth. We are visiting CA in December and will be coming to the zoo to watch the pandas, keep up the great work. To all the panda staff you are doing a fantastic job. Great work Bai Yun!
August 4th, 2005 at 12:08 am
Congrats to the newest member of the zoo, Bai Yun and the wonderful staff at my favourite ZOO.
August 4th, 2005 at 1:38 am
Dear Bai Yun well done! Wishing you and your beutiful cub lots of happiness, health and bamboo, love from England xxx
August 4th, 2005 at 2:41 am
I can’t wait to watch this panda cub grow. We watched Mei Sheng as he grew and it was lots of fun. Hopefully someday I will see them in person.
To all the staff at the panda research centre you do a great job!!
August 4th, 2005 at 2:52 am
Happy Birthday little one-I can’t say how thrilled I am to know I will spend the next year and a half watching this little peanut grow up as well. I’m addicted to the panda cam and give my hubby daily updates as well as co-workers. If at work or home I ALWAYS have the panda cam up on the screen. It certainly does take the stress from the day down and puts a big smile on my face.
While I will probably never make it there to see the little ones in person. We are only a few hours from DC and will certainly make it to see that little peanut.
I want to Thank the SD Zoo for all you do. Providing the world with the insight to view these marvelous creatures as well as educate us. May the Gods and Goddesses keep this little one well, happy and content. For that is what they bring to all of us that watch this cam. Hope, Happiness and a warm loving smile
August 4th, 2005 at 3:56 am
Thank you so much for all the terrific work you are doing in San Diego .. our hearts are with you as we watch the wonder unfold … gentle hugs to all.
August 4th, 2005 at 5:44 am
Suzanne, thanks a lot for this blog section.
And this is so great to learn that we have one more panda baby born lately. I’m touched and I’m happy and I wish all the best to little panda baby and panda mother. Have you decided on a newborn’s name?
And you guys on San Diego Zoo Panda Research Station, you are great! Thank you for your work. If I ever go to USA, I’ll include visiting your station.
August 4th, 2005 at 7:04 am
Congratulations to the staff members and mom and new baby. I’m from Brazil and I stayed in April only to meet Mei Sheng, my favorite , and my second time visiting Tian Tian and Mei Xiang in Washington DC. I need to schedule another trip to see the baby and Mei Sheng before he goes to China.
August 4th, 2005 at 9:30 am
Thank you sooo much for all your hard work. I am truly fascinated. Congratulation to you all. Question…I had been watching the panda cam early this morning, but since about 8:00 your time it is not showing Bai Yun and baby. Is there a reason? I just loved seeing her licking and rocking her baby.
August 4th, 2005 at 9:55 am
I have never enjoyed anything more than watching Bai Yun mother the newborn Hua Mei. I watched them constantly. I even made a panda quilt with Hua Mei’s name on it to commemorate the event. Then there was the birth of Mei Sheng - marvelous ! Now there is another cub. THREE CUBS IN 6 YEARS IS A LOT ! I am hoping that Bai Yun will be allowed to rest now & that the San Diego Zoo will not become a PUPPY (PANDA) MILL !
August 4th, 2005 at 9:56 am
IT’s a PANDA CELEBRATION!!!!!! WOOO HOOOO !!!!!!!!! Way to go momma!!! We’re so proud of you. We just know our new baby is going to be so much cuter and smarter than that DC Panda, or even the Maybe baby in Atlanta. Look at your other 2 and know we’re right. We can’t wait to get back down there from Phx and see you again. You did good! That’s 3 adorable babies now. Bamboo and Panda slurps for everyone!!!!!!!!
And early happy birthday to your new baby’s big brother. OMG he’s so grown up now. 2. WOW.
August 4th, 2005 at 10:22 am
CONGRATULATIONS! I am so proud of Bai Yun. I have been watching Mei Sheng and Bai Yun since Mei was born. Little Mei has grown into a big boy! I also watch Tian Tian and Mei Xiang in DC on their cams and am so happy Mei has a new baby too! I hope that if Bai Yun’s newest baby is a girl we can “set her up” with the new little boy in DC. I’m going to plan trips to see all the pandas before Mei Sheng goes to China.
August 4th, 2005 at 11:55 am
What joyous news! I’m so proud of Bai Yun…and the entire panda team. I’ve watched Mei Sheng since he was born, and my husband and I have visited this wonderful family numerous times. We’re praying for this new baby to be strong and healthy and to thrive just like Hua Mei and Mei Sheng. Congratulations to you all!
August 4th, 2005 at 11:55 am
We are so lucky to be able to watch the growing up of this cub too. I think I’m addicted! It is nice that some updates are given . . . maybe because the National Zoo is newer at this, they give updates every day which are exciting to read. Congrats to San Diego’s team. Your birthing den looks so much more comfy than the Nat. Zoo’s. Good luck with this newest cub. Can’t wait to find out what it is! a boy? a girl? but like they say, as long as it’s healthy. Thanks for the cam - I’d never see things like this if it weren’t for the corporations that help. Hugs to all!
August 4th, 2005 at 3:18 pm
BRAVA BAI YUN! BRAVO GAO GAO! Well done. And congratulations to the pandas’ “connections.”
August 4th, 2005 at 5:41 pm
Congratulations Bai Yun, Gao Gao and baby panda!!! I’m THRILLED, cannot wait to visit next spring
August 4th, 2005 at 10:46 pm
Oh my gosh! What wonderful news!!! I have been so obsessed with Panda Cam, both at FONZ in DC and SD Zoo. I have been watching Mei in DC closely with her new baby and how soothing and wonderful it is to watch them two together. Now I am going to do the same with Bai Yun. Everyday at work, I have two panda cams websites open….so stress relieving.
Good job, all the staff at SD Zoo! I love Pandas…! All my kisses and love to Bai Yun and new baby.
August 5th, 2005 at 4:15 am
I am a regular on this site. I saw both of the other two pandas that were born at the San Diego Zoo. It is so amazing that a panda as big as it is can care for this tiny baby panda. It is so great to watch the panda grow up and watch its antics. It is just adorable. What a wonderful thing to be able to watch this take place. Congratulations to everyone involved, especially to Bai Yun.
August 5th, 2005 at 3:06 pm
Wonderful for you at the zoo and for everyone. Keep us updated. Congratulations All!!!
August 5th, 2005 at 3:54 pm
We are so excited-will be in San Diego in Jan. and our first stop will be the panda exhibit.
August 6th, 2005 at 11:49 am
CONGRATULATIONS to Bai Yun and all the great zoo staff at SDZ - looking forward to future updates. The zoo community and GP groupies are learning lots from your experiences - thanks for sharing your success story!
August 7th, 2005 at 5:58 pm
Congratulations to Bai Yun and Gao Gao on a job well done. It’s very exciting being able to watch the pandas on the panda cam and to see the pandas so close in person at the San Diego Zoo. Over the past two years I have visited all 4 Zoos in the US with Pandas and many zoo keepers say they designed their panda exhibits after seeing the beautiful home you have created for the Pandas in San Diego. Thank you for the wonderful work you are doing increasing the panda population. Panda Bear Hugs to all and especially to SBC (Pacific Bell) and other corporations for the wonderful donations allowing this dream come true.
August 7th, 2005 at 9:56 pm
Thanks to my daughter Mandy, who first directed me to this site, I have come to know and love the Pandas at the San Diego Zoo. This new birth is cause for celebration.
August 9th, 2005 at 12:04 am
Happy New Commer!!! And Congrats Bai Yun!!!
August 16th, 2005 at 11:00 pm
Wow, this was quite interesting. I added your blog to my favorites. (I’m new to this blog thing.) Keep loving animals!!!
August 25th, 2005 at 1:51 pm
What a miracle!
I want to submit my vote in the name-choice contest, but I can’t find it on your website.
September 24th, 2005 at 3:27 pm
this baby panda is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo cute! i am so happy for this mother!
December 12th, 2005 at 5:57 pm
you are very caring people and I just wanted to tell you that you are the best zoo keepers in the world and I love pandas so you are super thoughtful for helping an almost extinct animal
December 17th, 2005 at 8:04 am
I’m such a panda fan that my room is filled with pandas and that panda was born on my grandad’s birthday! It’s a miracle.
March 3rd, 2006 at 11:56 am
THE PANDA IS SO CUTE
May 21st, 2006 at 6:20 pm
Okay, i have a problem. I know tons about pandas. i want to see Su Lin so badly, but I don’t live near San Diego. What can I do to see her? i have been going on the zoo website, checking out the videos of her exams, and the panda cam, but she is just too cute to simply be seen over the internet. what can I do?
September 11th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
lisen to this im such a panda fan . there soooooooooooooooooo cute and adorable !!!!!!!!!! i have 43 stuffed animal pandas on a big shelf and i have a shirt that says i love pandas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! how cue is that. welli love pandas dont i !!!!!! haha . and remember PANDAS ARE CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!