Ambassadors
Posted at 6:54 am January 10, 2006 by Suzanne HallMany of you have been excited to note that a pair of pandas has been selected for a gift from Beijing to the government of Taiwan. I, too have seen these numerous news reports. Although I have no more information than you do on the move, I can offer you some background information to enrich your understanding of the two animals.
One of the bears selected is reported to be a male cub of our very own Hua Mei. I can not confirm this except to say that I have seen this mentioned repeatedly in the Chinese press. This would be one of her 2004 cubs. Some of you have commented on his " numerical name," wondering what happened to his given name. I can tell you that several bears in Wolong are given numerical names (i.e., Number 20, 21, or 28). Some of these bears also have secondary names too, like nicknames.
The female going to Taiwan is reported to be the daughter of a wild-caught female who lost an arm. This would have to be the female Lei Lei, who has been at Wolong for several years and first gave birth in 2000. She was amazing to watch with her first cub, since she was missing a forepaw and was unable to hold her cub in all the same positions as other females do. To compensate, Lei Lei developed a type of " hip hold" posture in which she learned to tuck her youngster into her hip socket and curled her body around it for warmth and comfort. Despite her handicap, she managed just fine. She has since raised many cubs! Lei Lei was also a very sweet female, shy and quiet, with a pretty face and wide eyes.
The staff in Taiwan is serious about taking good care of these bears. Members of their animal care staff traveled to the U.S. last year, visiting both the San Diego Zoo and National Zoological Park to learn about panda management and husbandry. They have also visited Wolong. I am sure the bears will be in good hands.
Don't expect these bears to breed any time soon. Females aren't thought to be sexually mature until they are five years of age and males take a bit longer. For the next few years they will make great playmates and keep each other entertained. Down the road, however, perhaps Bai Yun and Shi Shi will have a great grandbaby living in Taiwan!
Suzanne Hall is the panda research technician for the San Diego Zoo's Office of Giant Panda Conservation.
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January 10th, 2006 at 7:33 am
How did Lei Lei lose her arm? I would think that when all these bears and cubs we love are sent to the Wolong reserve, they will not be cared for as you do here. Things like this could happen to Su Lin as well. It sounds awful.
January 10th, 2006 at 7:40 am
Thanks for Suzanne's supplementary information of the panda couple.
The Chinese news mentioned that Hua Mei's cub was given a nickname " handsome guy" by the Wolong staff. Whenever the Chinese media mention Hua Mei , they always say " the famous female panda born in the US." You have good reasons to be proud of her.
January 10th, 2006 at 8:28 am
Lei Lei is very well adjusted psychologically!!!! Animals teach us so much about how to live.
January 10th, 2006 at 8:49 am
Thank you, Suzanne, for sharing with us more about the Pandas selected for Taiwan. It's good to know that the staff in Taiwan will take good care of these bears. I've also read that they've traveled to both the SDZ and the National Zoo to learn about how to care for these cuties.
January 10th, 2006 at 8:49 am
Thank you, Suzanne, for your knowledge of Lei Lei; it warmed my heart.
I sure hope that Taiwan accepts these two beautiful babies. Take care, all, and have a Pandarific day!
January 10th, 2006 at 9:33 am
Thanks, Suzanne, for the information. You are always so interesting.
January 10th, 2006 at 9:36 am
Dear Suzanne, this might be a stupid question, but could you please explain to me why Bai Yun is pacing back and forth so often?? and then walks towards Su Lin and sometimes bumps into her.. Don't you think she would harm her because of this repeated bumping? Also, is this a common behavior she's had with previous cubs? Thanks so much for your answer!
January 10th, 2006 at 10:05 am
To #1: If Wolong reserve could not take good care of pandas, I'm sure we wouldn't have this luck to watch these lovely creatures every day. Awful things won't happen to Su Lin, Tai Shai, or any pandas who will be sent back to Wolong in future!
I know we all will be very sad on the day Su or Tai leave us. But we know that they'll be well taken care of and have a good life at their real home; we'll be happy for them. That's what Love is all about, isn't it!
January 10th, 2006 at 10:27 am
Thanks, Suzanne, for the touching story of Lei Lei. She is known as the " Heroic Mother" in Wolong!
January 10th, 2006 at 10:34 am
Amanda (#1),
It's my impression that Lei Lei's injury was sustained in the wild.
January 10th, 2006 at 10:46 am
I agree with the comment about how the animals teach us so much about how to live. My question is if it is right that humans decide to send healthy pandas to places where their lives are not guaranteed. I feel that some people are trying to safeguard the lives of these beautiful and lovely animals while others, just for one agreement, put these animals in danger. I am very concerned about that. I do not like the decision to send Hua Mei's baby to another place… I am not happy either with the change of their names.
January 10th, 2006 at 11:05 am
I always look forward to your comments, Suzanne. Thanks for taking the time to tell us about the bears when you are able to do it. Lei Lei is amazing. Animals have such wonderful ways of adapting and her maternal instincts must be very strong to overcome her loss of such an important part of her body. The Chinese have a gift for description — " Heroic Mother" fits her and really honors her efforts.
I also enjoy our panda lovers' comments and descriptions, especially " chubby cubby in a tubby" about Tai. (;-) It's such a pleasure to be able to " talk" with such super people.
Su Lin sure is exploring with a lot of energy. No wonder Bai Yun usually just sits and eats. Running after Su Lin would use up all of her bamboo calories!!!
January 10th, 2006 at 11:07 am
In China, I believe Pandas are considered a national treasure - and I think anywhere Pandas are sent, they are treated as priceless. I don't think we have to worry about Su Lin, Mei Sheng or Tai Shan's safety after being sent back to China - Hua Mei is considered a star Panda when reading about her in online Chinese news, and they were so excited to have her back. Also the rising number of captive Panda births show that the Pandas are thriving over there. No place is perfect, but I think they'll be just as safe there as they are here.
January 10th, 2006 at 11:23 am
This is great news… would love to be able to keep track of these 'babys' wherever they go & get pictures to keep us informed! This is a wonderful way to get the Panda population back up & at the same time give so much enjoyment to people… God bless you all…
January 10th, 2006 at 11:39 am
#11 Maria; I understand your concern for the pandas going to Taiwan but I do not think that they would be in danger there. You have to remember the U.S. was also in the same situation at one time and look at the sucess and all the little cuties that are being born here and surviving now! Taiwan will not have to worry about any babies for a few years down the road and I think Wolong will be keeping a good watch on the safety and upbringing of these two and making sure they are a good foster zoo for their charges. Look how fantastic SDZ turned out!!
January 10th, 2006 at 11:41 am
#11, can you imagine what a state we'd all be in if China felt that way about us? The National Zoo pandas of the past were never able to keep their babies alive. What if China decided we in the US weren't fit to raise pandas? Then we would never had gotten Bai Yun or Mei Xiang and there would be no Tai Shan or Su Lin. Obviously National Zoo and San Diego have proven that the Chinese aren't the only ones who can take good care of pandas… and I am sure many others can too, with the right information and resources.
January 10th, 2006 at 11:55 am
Has anyone noticed that when Su Lin or Tai Shan crawl or walk by the panda cams, they look like they are wearing a white diaper? Aren't they just the cutest little cubs?
January 10th, 2006 at 12:08 pm
Thank you, Suzanne, for this wonderful update. I remember several years ago, seeing a documentary about Wolong pandas on PBS. At that time they had a female with a missing forepaw that had never given birth. They thought that she felt unfit psychologically to care for a cub, and that was keeping her from conceiving. This must have been Lei Lei!! Apparently they did some educating (such as the videos they show). I am just thrilled to learn that she has now had several cubs and that she has mastered the art of maternal care despite her handicap. And to think her beautiful cub has now been paired with Hua Mei's beautiful cub! Priceless! …I taped that documentary–must get it out and watch it again!
January 10th, 2006 at 12:45 pm
#1 (Amanda), The Chinese consider giant pandas as their national treasure. All the Chinese love pandas. Wolong and other reserves take very good care of the pandas. The staff loves the pandas. I'm sure Suzanne can confirm this. Suzanne has been to China a couple of times.
January 10th, 2006 at 12:56 pm
Suzanne, thank you for explaining how Lei Lei holds her cubs. After seeing her picture I wondered how she was able to cope. Without seeing her picture I had imagined that she was missing most of her arm, but she lost her paw at about the wrist. (Is it called a wrist in pandas?) Wonderful Gao Gao was also injured in the wild and rescued. China's generosity and trust in sending him to SD has allowed America to be part of the hopeful recovery of these wonderful creatures. The more countries involved, the greater the likelihood that we will see these beautiful Oreo babies for many generations to come.
January 10th, 2006 at 1:04 pm
Like many of you, I've read much about #16 and #19, and I think Hua Mei's son is absolutely beautiful! I've seen some conflicting information as to his name. Some sources say that he and his brother were named " Mei Ling" and " Hua Ling" as a combination of both parents' names. But some other sources have said that his original name was Zhaoguaiguai, which is reported to mean " Little Darling." Also, since some of these names seem to be so very aptly chosen, I was curious if anyone out there knows what " Lei Lei" means? Her story is so touching that I was just wondering if it might be reflected in her lovely name?
To #16, Cathy G.: LOL My 8-year-old and I came up with " Chubby Cubby in Tubby" probably on the very first day Tai appeared in the tub, but as Tai's fluffy, round rear end got bigger and bigger, my husband started to call him, " Chubba Bubba Cubba," which Tai actually seems to be growing into!!
January 10th, 2006 at 1:22 pm
Maria, no matter how much the Taiwan government officials dislike the " gift," I don't think anyone working at the zoo in Taiwan would not take good care of these lovely babies. Besides, I actually do want as many people in the world to be able to see pandas. Only after more and more people get to know them will they be so attracted to them, as we are here. Only then will the world be able to help save this very endangered species. I know the wild world is not perfect now for the pandas. I hope as more and more people learn to love these animals, they will eventually be saved.
January 10th, 2006 at 1:52 pm
With the strained relations between China and Taiwan, I think this is a wonderful gesture on behalf of the Chinese government, that despite overt political differences, countries can work together to save our precious natural resources and endangered species. Pandas once again serve as Ambassadors of Peace, much as Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing did in the 1970s!
January 10th, 2006 at 2:30 pm
My understanding is that the U.S. zoos pay China for the privilege of having pandas. I would hope that the money paid to China would in return be spent on panda conservation. For example, many of the panda habitats are small " islands" which result in inbreeding. There is the hope that more land can be set aside to provide corridors between these islands which would encourage panda migration and expand the pandas' range. China realizes that its pandas are a national treasure loved the world over. They are not about to treat such a resource carelessly. I see the loan of pandas as a win-win situation for all involved.
January 10th, 2006 at 2:35 pm
It is obvious that the pandas at Wolong are very loved and cared for. As one who has visited both possible sites for the pandas if they do move to Taiwan, there is no need to worry that they will be well cared for. The quality of both locations were equal to or above the quality of U.S. zoos.
January 10th, 2006 at 3:16 pm
#17 (Kari) Yes! they do look like they're wearing diapers! Or those baby outfits that has the shirt connected to the legless pants:) They are beyond cute! I call them popcorn butts!
January 10th, 2006 at 4:32 pm
I'm Chinese from Taiwan and currently working in the US. I am also an absolute panda lover. Chinese people and China do value pandas very highly, and pandas are very much beloved and held as national treasures; people in Taiwan feel the same. Most of the people do want to have the chance to have pandas in our zoo and help panda research.
January 10th, 2006 at 5:25 pm
It's hard to believe that Su Lin likes to sleep up in the branches - even after it gets dark out - than in one of her cozy bedrooms or snuggled up to mom. She's getting to be such a big, independent little lady! Please post some updated pictures from her next exam - please! I think Bai Yun is just an incredible mom bear - and to think that one of her grandbabies is most likely going to Taiwan is amazing! Somehow I feel very close to her and her babies/grandbabies - and so proud that they got their start at the San Diego Zoo. Congrats to everyone involved - you all must be ecstatic!
January 10th, 2006 at 5:35 pm
Comment#17 & 26: Omigoodness I agree!! Their fluffy round bums look like big puffs of popcorn…or a big fuzzy diaper! They're BEYOND cute…………….!!
I've read lots about #16 and #19 too! There was this photo in a Chinese newspaper showing them gazing at each other (so sweet), rolling around, and eating carrots side by side. They seem to be best buddies, following each other around
Can't wait to get more news of these cuties!!
January 10th, 2006 at 5:43 pm
Thank you for the interesting stories, Suzanne.
Was that on Sunday that Su Lin fell from the tree big time? Bai Yun was worried earlier as Su Lin seemed to be having a hard time getting down on her own. When Su Lin dropped from the tree, Bai Yun rushed to Su Lin, grabbed her, sat down, hugged and licked her all over. Then, about a couple of hours later, maybe because the door to the bedroom didn't open at noon, Bai Yun became very restless. She walked and walked and walked. She didn't want to do it alone and she made Su Lin walk with her. It was good to know Su Lin was OK, but boy, Bai Yun kept on walking until the door opened about an hour later. She was back on exhibit happily eating only a few minutes later. I was impressed to see how quickly the keepers cleaned up and brought fresh food in. It's amazing how accurate Bai Yun's clock is!
January 10th, 2006 at 6:23 pm
I just returned from two weeks in China. The Chinese guides and interpreters I had were amazed at my excitement about pandas. I told them about the love our country has for these animals - their national treasure. They were happy to find out that other people around the world love and enjoy these precious animals. They would never do anything to harm these treasures. Unfortunately, I did not get to see a panda in its homeland, but I plan on returning.
Thank you Suzanne.
January 10th, 2006 at 6:24 pm
I'm thrilled to hear that one of precious Hua Mei's sons has been paired with a young cub to be ambassadors in Taiwan. I have no doubt that they will be excellent caregivers. It's just a shame that politics has to rear its ugly head in something so wonderful. The story about Lei Lei is wonderful and it's heartwarming to know that she has become such a wonderful mother too!
We have to applaud all the wonderful work that has been done to save these animals but we have to remember that until we can start releasing them into the wild and expanding their ranges to live in, the job is not done!!
January 10th, 2006 at 10:38 pm
For comment #1… my understanding is that pandas have been injured by animal traps in the wild. People set these traps when they are looking for other animals to eat, like the Takin. A takin is sort of like an ox.
January 11th, 2006 at 12:15 am
I was watching the CCN channel's news item the other evening and heard that the Taiwanese Government is considering not accepting the gift! Any further news on that?
January 11th, 2006 at 4:54 am
I never tire of watching Bai Yun or Mei Xiang eat their bamboo; it's so impressive to see them maneuver those huge stalks as if they were nothing! It seems that Bai eats the entire stalk, leaves and wood, while Mei only eats leaves. I remember a blog here that explains that bears typically eat different parts of the plant in different seasons. Would anyone know, then, why the two panda moms would be on different schedules? Is it warm enough in SD year-round so that there would seem to be very little differentiation of seasons to Bai? Does she eat the entire plant year-round? Or is it a personal preference of the individual bears?
January 11th, 2006 at 6:46 am
I'm really happy to read that Lei Lei has had cubs. I believe it was her I saw on a documentary. The staff at Wolong thought she wouldn't have cubs due to her missing paw. I see she proved them wrong. Thanks so much for these updates.
January 11th, 2006 at 8:53 am
Aside from the fact that the world loves these beautiful, fascinating bears, we should not forget that each individual Panda is priceless. The male cub offered to Taiwan is one of only five animals (Hua Mei and her cubs) known to carry Shi Shi's genes. If affection is not enough to keep these bears safe, their genetic value should also ensure they are well cared for. Wherever they go, they also generate an awful lot of revenue. Imagine the embarrassment and international outrage (to say nothing of the monetary loss) if a Panda dies in any zoo because of poor care. As some of the other bloggers have pointed out, having a Panda in your zoo is an occasion for great national pride and prestige for the zoo so honored. No zoo would risk all that by treating a Panda carelessly. So, if nothing else, good science, money, and politics should ensure the two bears' safety.
January 11th, 2006 at 9:48 am
Comment#20: I love your term " Oreo babies" …that is such a cute description!
January 11th, 2006 at 10:28 am
Sometimes when Bai Yun sits and eats her bamboo, the way she holds the stalk and puts it in her mouth looks like she's playing the flute! She has the cutest expression: the camera focuses right on her and she looks directly at it! Just as Mei Sheng holds his apple close to him in his profile picture, I love the dexterity of these wonderful bears!
January 11th, 2006 at 11:14 am
Lei Lei is proof that pandas are very intelligent and resourceful (and maybe Wolong's industrious staff helped, too).
January 11th, 2006 at 11:42 am
I only ask that these precious babies are safe, secure and happy. That they are well loved and well cared for, no matter where they go. These precious bears are not pawns to be used, but beautiful creatures that grace this world with their presence. I am so thankful that we can see and enjoy them. Hugs and kisses to all the precious pandas !!
January 11th, 2006 at 5:35 pm
Bai Yun and Hua Mei are international panda stars. Gao Gao was a star in China before he came to the US. Bai Yun's grandson and his " fiancee" are now becoming celebrities too, and so did Shi Shi, Mei Sheng and Su Lin. This is really a panda star family… that's why zoo staffs must take good care of them because the whole world (especially panda lovers and media) will always keep a watch on them. This is another reason why we don't have to worry about Mr. 19's and Miss 16's future. Anyway, I trust in Taiwanese zoo staff for taking good care of pandas like they do with other animals.
January 11th, 2006 at 7:47 pm
Christine,
I think your coining the term " Chubby Cubby in Tubby" is sooo spot on for Tai, & now your hubby has gotten in on the naming game…." Chubba Bubba Cubba" : I can't stop chuckling. Thanks for the laughs
January 11th, 2006 at 10:33 pm
I am very moved by the story of Lei Lei. Thank you, Suzanne. It is true that animals do teach us how to live. They never complain. They recover remarkably. Both Lei Lei and Gao Gao have amazingly recovered. I read that Shi Shi sometimes looked sad. Could it be that he was critically injured and rescued at a pretty good old age not like Gao Gao who was rescued very young? I am very glad that Shi Shi is being very well taken care of now and seems to enjoy life back in China.
One of my cousins and my niece are named Lei. We call them Lei Lei affectionally. So I think Lei Lei is a very fitting name for our heroic mother at Wolong.
January 12th, 2006 at 1:21 pm
Thank you for your updates. Those stories are so touching.
January 14th, 2006 at 3:14 pm
Thank you ever so much for the beautiful account of Lei Lei. My husband and I are trying to adjust to handicaps, and hearing of this wonderful bear provided more inspirations than you could possibly imagine. As always, I sit here reading with a smile on my face and wee tears in my eyes. Pandas rule! What beautiful gifts they are to all of us, no matter where we live. Instead of just ambassadors to countries, I think they are ambassadors of love and peace to all of us. I guess you can tell I love them all.
January 30th, 2006 at 9:52 pm
To comment #21: I really feel proud of Lei Lei too, and she is such a strong and wonderful mother. Hope she will continue to have a happy life in China.
March 11th, 2006 at 7:53 pm
Whatever happened to old Shi Shi anyhow?
Editor's note: He returned to China in January 2003.