Do You Think Pandas Really Know…
Posted at 5:27 pm February 21, 2008 by Ellie Rosenbaum…what time it is in San Diego? I’ve had a run of days at the Alternate/Classroom viewing area at the Giant Panda Research Station and have to admit that I find it strange. Visitors are coming in from all over the world on winter breaks and, of course, are not only anxious to meet Bai Yun and ZZ, but to see their faces and some movement. But, alas, a pattern is emerging: I’ve begun to time it and, as in the past, morning viewing of Mom and cub is mostly of sleeping pandas. ZZ is up and running before the Zoo opens and climbs up her tree, higher at first and then lower about 90 minutes later, to awaken after our posted close of viewing at 11:30 a.m. Sometimes facing forward, sometimes facing backward, she is most active when she shifts position every so often. True to form, however, Bai Yun has gone up to her perch within five minutes of opening time. What gives?
Is it the chiming of the carillon in Balboa Park? I have seen her “cock an ear and raise an eyebrow” to acknowledge it before climbing up. Is it when we open the area to visitors each morning? She’s often awake for a bit of time long after. Is it the presence of visitors? Given that the pandas have just about finished their first fresh feeding of the day, I’d suspect that it’s being full and contented and ready to rest and digest. As an aside, though, with so many excited visitors in that small space, it has become noisy from time to time. Bai Yun has reacted to this by vocalizing with a honk, one of a panda’s 11 vocalizations, which appears to indicate mild distress. As the old saying goes, “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t NOBODY happy”, and we’ve been quick to quiet the area.
Gao Gao reunites with his bamboo.
The whole crew is doing fine. Gao had his annual physical earlier this week. He was not a happy boy when he had to fast to make his checkup safer for him and compensated the next day with a VERY hearty appetite. We all know how he enjoys his bamboo! Su Lin is following in her half-sister’s footsteps, though, and becoming, uhm - more particular about her bamboo. (Let’s hear it for the browse crew who dedicate their time to keeping the huge crop of bamboo browse growing and thriving and bringing in the pandas’ favorites!)
ZZ keeps testing that one tree guard and still isn’t big enough to cross it. She has found other spots to drape. They probably won’t last too long since these branches aren’t forked and she’s now weighing around 26 pounds (12 kilograms). She and Bai are spending the quality play/teaching time together that is appropriate to this age, although I couldn’t tell you when. With luck, Panda Cam viewers and visitors can watch this as time goes on. I personally can’t wait until dirt-bathing lessons begin!
Ellie Rosenbaum is a panda narrator at the San Diego Zoo.
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February 21st, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Thank you Ellie - quite thought provoking! Hmmm…. It would be somewhat disconcerting to come to the zoo and be there at opening, make a “bee-line” for the panda’s only to arrive and find everyone napping. Especially the newest star Miss Fluffy Butt!! But I have been there when they have been sleeping up in their trees and it is a thrill none the less. The 2 times I have been there I was simply thrilled that I was able to get as close as you let visitors. Such an opportunity!
I was just watching the Panda Cam in Woolong and saw 4 babies playing and one of the keepers swinging on the glider swing in the yard. I assume these are some of the twins? They all look about the same size and I have yet to figure out how to tell who is who..I can’t seem to find any identifiers like SDZ has on their panda cam.
Thank you again for the latest entry. Oh, and not to be a nudge, but is there any word yet on Lungile over at WAP?? I so wish for her to make a full recovery and re-join the rest of the herd. Thank you again.
February 21st, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Thanks for another update about our beloved panda family. Poor Gao - having to go for hours with no bamboo!!!. It seems like Bai may be programed by the bell….think the best thing to do if one wants to see the pandas in action is to “hire” someone to stand in line until they see Miss Z zooming around. The “hiree” can then call on your cell phone…. you jump on a bus & hurry over to the exhibit to find Miss Z is now up in her tree…. Agghhh, the joys of trying to catch a panda on the ground & awake…at least the odds are better with Miss Z than SuLin.
February 21st, 2008 at 9:33 pm
I just found out something great that we can all do to help the pandas and its very easy. I was searching the internet for news and sites about pandas and ran across a non profit organization called pandas international and they had information about stuff we can do to help and one of them was to use a search engine called goodsearch and everytime you make a new search it will donate to a charity of your choice, which can be pandas international.
All the information is in the pandas international home page just click where it says “what you can do to help pandas find out now” and at the bottom of the page you can find the info. I think it donates a penny with each search but if many people knew about this we could earn a lot to help pandas.
I got very excited when I saw this because Im a student and never really have much spare change and have always wanted to help.
I hope this interests all of you and it would be greatly appreciated if we can spread the word =D
February 21st, 2008 at 9:46 pm
In checking the videos of LeLe & Ying Ying at Ocean Park in Hong Kong I found they are not “on loan but an outright gift” to Hong Kong. How did HK get so lucky??? That “gift” means that any cubs born in HK will stay in HK. The SDZ certainly has helped the Chinese in their efforts to help save the pandas…will the the SDZ or the NZ get an “outright gift”??? ( I doubt it - too much money & politcs involved). Then we have China & Taiwan still arguing over the pandas China wants to give Taiwan —–just give those pandas to the US - our zoos have learned how to breed & raise healthy cubs.
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:24 am
I do think that animals do have a sense of time,I know that my dog is restless everday at 2:25pm waiting for my daughter to get in from school just after 3:00pm.It never happens when she is not at school,she sees her get up in the morning and wear her uniform and always settles down at 8:30am when she leaves the house.I don’t know what it is about animals but most do seem to recognise feeding times without you having to tell them,animals are much more intelligent than people think.
February 22nd, 2008 at 6:56 am
So funny to think of Bai and Zhen consciously boycotting visitor time. I remember when I was visiting last summer and Sheng turned his back to the visitors whenever they got too loud for him. I guess you can take the panda out of the peaceful mountains but you can’t take their desire for peace and quiet out of the panda.
I am visiting their relatives in Washington DC these days. I am looking forward to seeing the antics today with the winter weather. The other day I got wonderful sounds from Tian on my camcorder as he bleated for Mei to come and “play” — which she ignored in favor of munching bamboo and licking her honey treat. Meanwhile, Tai had a new “favorite spot” up the hill from his usual rock near the glass.
Thanks Ellie for the update. Now I don’t feel as bad not being able to be there to see Zhen. Evidently, those who ARE there don’t always get to see her either!
Panda HUGS to all the pandaFANatics!
Love, Joy
February 22nd, 2008 at 8:21 am
“I personally can’t wait until dirt-bathing lessons begin!” ROFL, Ellie! I have to agree with you there, what fun those are to witness! Thank you for your ever interesting observaions.
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:32 am
Hi Ellie,
What are “dirt-bathing lessons”? I’ve watched somersaulting but not “dirt-bathing”??? #7, can you advise?
Thanks,
February 22nd, 2008 at 10:02 am
Thank you, Ellie, for this very informative and also funny update on all the pandas at SDZ. I just hope that not all the pandas have got the same sense of time since very soon I will be visiting Yang Yang and baby Fu Long in Schoenbrunn. It has been said that Fu Long got in the habit of taking his daily walk in the outside area for visitors to see him round about lunch time. I do hope so! Please, keep your fingers crossed for me! I shall certainly update you on the “Austrian” panda family once I am back home. I am also looking forward to witnessing Zhen Zhen being taught to take a dirt-bath.
Something off the subject. May be you heard that at Nurnberg Zoo something dreadful happened to a pair of red pandas? Apparently the 18 months old pair was found dead with their bellies slit open. So far the zoo staff does not know what happened. However, it seems that this terrible deed was carried out by human beings. I fail to imagine what drives people to do such terrible things to helpless animals….!
February 22nd, 2008 at 10:22 am
Thanks for the update on our Panda Family!! When I was at the SDZ last Oct, both Su Lin & Mei Sheng were up trees sleeping, but I agree with Lynda #1, it is still such a joy to see them. Su came down a bit later so have something to eat, and it was indeed a thrill. I didn’t get to see Gao or Bai unfortunatly.
My Son is going to Disneyland for his honeymoon in May. I told him I would pay for him to take a tour to SDZ, to get more pic’s of all the bears for me. Hopefully they will get to see Bai and Zhen up and about… Not sure when I will get back there (live in Wst Canada), so he is thrilled that I’ll “send them to the zoo”… KIDS!!!
Have a great day everyone, and thankyou to all our the Panda Keepers and everyone involved in the care of these beautiful animals, it is obvious of your love for them all….
Moderator’s note: What a neat honeymoon gift!
February 22nd, 2008 at 10:27 am
Melissa #3,
Another way to help the pandas is to make a donation to CRES, earmarked for the Giant Panda Conservation Unit. Money donated will be used to fund a variety of our research projects with the bears, including field projects in Foping China! Here’s more info: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/adopt/project_panda.html
Maureen #4,
Pandas have been “gifted” to Mexico City, London and the National Zoo in years past. Hong Kong received its initial panda gift when it reverted from British to Chinese rule at the turn of the millennium.
Marie #8,
Sometimes the pandas will roll around in a pile of mulch or dirt and coat themselves with the material. This is more commonly seen in males, and our Shi Shi was a real pro at dirt bathing!
February 22nd, 2008 at 10:33 am
Thanks to whomever was manning the cameras at 9:21 this morning! They switched cameras JUST in time to show a hilarious view of Zhen climbing on mama’s head to get further up the tree! It was priceless, and I’m so thankful someone was on the ball enough to let us see it!
Is there any news on how long Bai gets to stay here? I know she was on a 12-year loan, originally, but I don’t know when that began, or if it may have been extended.
We are hoping for a visit to Panda-land in March. Hopefully, Zoom Zoom will be more ready to meet her public by then! I can’t wait to see her in person!
Moderator’s note: Negotiations will begin sometime this year.
February 22nd, 2008 at 10:43 am
#4 I’m sure the reason Hong Kong got an ‘outright gift’ and not a loan is because Hong Kong is in China, and not another country.
February 22nd, 2008 at 10:48 am
Ha Ha–Just to contradict you Ellie, it’s 9:30 (viewing time) and little ZZ is moving around for a change! I’ve been noting how they’re (almost) always snoozing during the morning and she is real lively predictably around 12:30 or 1:30 PM (NOT viewing time). We are excited to be travelling down to the zoo next week and are not planning on any more than seeing their outdoor space and maybe napping mother and cub in trees, and if they’re more active like today we’ll be thrilled. (And we’ll be really quiet, no matter how excited we get!) We saw Bai last year right in front of us the month before she went into estrus and that was cool, but little Su Lin was off-exhibit then, so seeing her where her mother was last year will be really neat. I love that zoo!
February 22nd, 2008 at 10:51 am
I would guess that by now Bai Yun knows when the people are coming in–and since they’re in the classroom, they’ll be moving fast and probably making more noise than pandas normally like. I think I read that pandas’ most acute sense is hearing, so it would make a whole lot of sense that they would be disturbed by noise. In the other zoos, some of the mother and cubs panda displays let visitors get quite close, but there always seems to be glass or bars between the animals and the visitors.
Little Cutie is awake during visiting hours today, showing her mom how much fun it is when she comes up to play next to her while she (Bai Yun) is trying to take a nap. The joys…
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:32 am
What a show Zhen Zhen put on this morning
Did someone read her the latest blog? It’s now 10:30AM and I have spent the last hour and 20 minutes facinated with Miss Constant Motion 
She finally succeeded in waking Bai and nursed. I would bet she will nap for a while!
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:36 pm
As to pandas being awake during visiting hours, good luck! I travelled 3,000 miles to the NZ to see Tai Shan when he was 8 months old. Needless to say, the lil’ pooper stayed high up in the tree all day asleep. I waited 6 hours (never leaving the exhibit area) until he finally climbed down the tree. It was worth the wait to see him interact with his mom, Mei Xiang, and try to grab her fruitsicle.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Oh my goodness! Is it my eyes or is ZZ now Little Miss Grubby? At least she’s awake and active.
February 22nd, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Marti, #14 - Just goes to show that when we think we have them figured out, they surprise us! This is why we suggest visitors stop by the viewing area several times throughout the day - you never know what you’ll see.
February 22nd, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Thank you for another wonderful update on the Panda family! What fun to be able to read about the day to day adventures of you keepers. Thanks for thinking about us and keeping us informed!!
February 22nd, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Bai Yun definitely knows what time it is. Always. She just does.
I like to watch Su Lin swing her legs to the clock tower bells while everyone else in the viewing line thinks she’s asleep.
February 22nd, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Ellie, another wonderful update. Once again, I couldn’t help but chuckle. I sometimes wonder how you guys get your daily chores done - I’d be watching constantly to see what they’ll do next.
And I think it’s a conspiracy - there is a secret code the animals send … the humans are coming, the humans are coming!
February 22nd, 2008 at 7:09 pm
# 9 Ruth - What terrible & digusting news that someone slaughtered 2 rare red pandas - for what purpose - the thrill of taking the lives of defenseless animals???? I hope those who did it are caught and are prosecuted to the full extent of the law - does Austria have animal cruelty laws like the US does?
I read in our local paper today that a red panda from the Kalamazoo zoo is going to NY hopefully to mate.
Also Ruth it seems I read that the Vienna zoo has panda cams around the zoo so visitors can tell when FuLong is up & about so they can hurry over to the exhibit. So many of us that have been able to see a panda in person are just happy to see a “fluffy butt” or legs dangling over a tree limb. To see a panda actually moving around is icing on the cake.
I told my hubby that when we win the mega lottery I plan on spending at least a month in Wolong & Chengdu playing with the cubs!!! It’s a great day dream.
#17 Dean - Glad you didn’t give up. I’d love to see Tai Shan my favorite cub in person.
ZA reported that the first day of weaning Lani & Lun went well yesterday.
February 22nd, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Thanks for the interesting update, Ellie. Little Miss Zoom Zoom is so much fun to watch when she practices for the Junior Olympics!
Bai Yun is so calm as a mother, her cubs must feel very secure with her style of raising them.
We’re hoping to visit the SDZ in April and by then maybe little ZZ will be outside on exhibit longer. But any amount of time is fine…we’ll just get back in line and see Su Lin and Gao Gao. What a great family of bears!
Thank you again to all the keepers and other staff who make the pandas lives healthful and comfortable. Finding just the right ‘boo and bringing it in; preparing the fruits, vegetables and other nourishing treats; arranging for enrichment; training them for and giving them medical tests; charting the data; cleaning the enclosures and rooms…there’s so much to do and it’s all done with love and caring.
February 22nd, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Ruth in #9 is sadly right. Red pandas, of course, are not the same as giant pandas.
February 22nd, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Ruth, all the best of luck to you in seeing adorable Fu Long! I have daydreams of him and Zhen meeting and making a love connection……what a couple they would be! How about his little white toe on his rear foot? Can you say CUTE?!! On your news of the red pandas, I am heartsick. What kind of monster would do such a thing? I hope that they find the guilty party/parties, and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law, and then some.
Panda dirt baths, now there is a phrase to bring a smile to any & all pandaholics! Or perhaps even an infamous mud bath, ala Miss Su Lin in Feb. 2006…….awwwww, sweet memories!
February 23rd, 2008 at 4:55 am
I check out the Panda Webcam ‘every afternoon at my house’ and I am sure I have the best show in town. I am 8 hours ahead of SDZ in England so my ‘Tea’ is Bai and ZZ’s ‘breakfast’. Keep up the good work. Love the variety of blogs and Webcam images, not just ZZ but the others as well.
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:41 am
Isn’t it just typial that ZZ decides to sleep during ‘visiting’ hours?. Just like babies and young children, they stay awake , but as soon as family or friends visit, they decide it’s time to sleep.
We once had a cat that used to sit by the door waiting for my daughter to come in from school during term time. We used to say, it’s as if they have an alarm clock inside of them telling them that she would be in from school very soon. Once my daughter was in, our cat (tilly) would then go and settle down and sleep.
Wow so ZZ is now 26lbs, she really is gaining weight. Is she just on Bai Yuns milk, or has she actually started eating bamboo or other things yet?. Bai certainly is the most exellent mother and can certainly raise her cubs perfectly. She is a star mum and a credit to all the keepers at SDZ.
I dread to think what the outcome of the ‘negotiations’ will be as to when or if Bai will have to be returned to China. If they want her returned this year what will happen to ZZ, would they want her to go with Bai as well if she hasn’t been weaned from Bai yet?. Really it doesn’t bear (sorry about the ‘bear’ pun!!) thinking about does it?. She would be so very sadly missed.
Has there been any recent news on Mei Sheng? They have had quite a bit of snow in Wolong, i wonder what he thought of it.
February 23rd, 2008 at 11:07 am
Just catching up on the comments and, in case anyone missed it, Sammi in the UK posted a tip that made my morning! Go on youtube and search “panda take a shower.” The video of the panda playing in the pool is priceless!
To Frances in NYC, I loved your rainy day post!
And, Ellie, thanks for another great informative and entertaining post!!
February 23rd, 2008 at 1:16 pm
I guess Ellie’s is a good explanation of WHY I haven’t been able to locate Fluffy Butt when I check in. I was enthralled to see her “testing Momma’s faucets” for different flavors yesterday…Very cute and funny. But today she is flopping around in what appears to be underbrush, while Mom circles around her. Still haven’t figured out what she is doing. Cutest little thing on the internet!!
I just LOVE all these gentle “smiling” beauties and am grateful for each moment we have them in our zoos. Surely hope Chinese-Amer relations don’t put our “arrangement” in jeopardy. That would be a true tragedy.
I also worry about Mei. Haven’t heard or read about him, but then I have an awful time negotiating the websites that could help. I was pretty upset at his fighting with another panda. He would have been the LAST one to do this and it surprised me. I hope it isn’t an indication of his unhappiness. (fret fret fret)
Can anyone update me on a recent reading or sighting of him?
February 23rd, 2008 at 3:42 pm
The Panda Cam looks extra crispy clear today - have there been improvements? Lookin’ good!
Maureen #4…oh, don’t get me started. The pact we made with China is difficult to comprehend, and it’s ALL about the politics. It’s just so sad when these creatures lives are in the balance…well, hey, we can VOTE for change this year, right? I think we should all take a good look at how the current Presidential candidates have voted for animal rights. (I did!) Thanks, Suzanne #11 - huh, guess the U.S. is not on the short list for a gifted panda.
Animals totally know time…better than we do! My dog wakes me up at precisely 7am each morning. In fact, he is my alarm clock. Little Zhen is so precious as always, but she’s getting BIG!
Paula in Texas
February 23rd, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Just been witnessing a really lovely cuddle/roll around play session between Zhen Zhen and Bai Yun. Awwwww it was so lovely to watch.
ZZ really is growing now, she doesn’t look so small next to Bai anymore. It was so nice to see them together inside the den area where there are no trees for her to hide in and nothing to obstruct the cameras view. Perfect special moments of mother and daughter.
February 24th, 2008 at 7:12 am
Bai Yun is such a great mom! We forget that the pandas arent here for our entertainment. BUT ENTERTAINING THEY ARE! I don’t worry about any of them while they are at the SDZ. Poor Mei , I heard he got into a fight and is now is isolated from the females at Wolong. WIsh he was being mated here in the states. Thanks again for all of the hard work and worry at the SDZ.
February 24th, 2008 at 7:54 am
Slightly off topic, but does the zoo have any more information on Mei Sheng. I heard that he tried to escape from Wolong, got into a bit of a fight with some other pandas (but seemed to be unharmed) and has now been moved to Bifengxia.
Do you know the latest on how he is doing?
February 24th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
MeiSheng is doing well at Bi Feng Xia Base, the vet said he is in excellent health.
They recognize that mei sheng is the best climber at Wolong, the ESCAPE thing proving he’s smart, strong and healthy.
Wolong will be busy with “wedding season” next month, they have achieved the first case of artificial insemination of this year.
I think Bi Feng Xia is better for MeiSheng. He could get the best care there, he has his own new keeper. And a big garden, with trees, slope, moat…close to nature.
February 24th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
#29 Carol–Glad you enjoyed the show and thanks for the tip about the panda in the pool. I think Miss Fluffy Butt will enjoy playing in a pool someday–she sure likes to stand on her head in the fountains. Of course, she’s probably just trying to get a drink, but, as always, she’s adorable.
Please let us know when those negotiations are to begin so we can all pray, send good vibes, and fret together.
#34 Carrie–are you referring to another incident with Mei Sheng, or the one we heard about before when he got into a neighboring area and fought with another panda?
February 24th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
I guess it will be polictically incorrect to ask how Mei Sheng escaped from Wolong - he can’t be the only first rate tree climber there. We all thought we were sending Mei Sheng “home” where he’d be safe.
February 24th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
I just googled Bifengxia and found a post from Flickr with pictures of Mei Sheng. He looks muddy and happy!
February 24th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Also in those photos I found by googling Bifengxia are collections showing Hua Mei and her twins as well as lots of other pandas, red pandas, and other assorted animals, including some of Heng Yi’s photos people may have seen in his blog. The photographer/assembler here is “anitalee” and best of all, her captions are in English, so you know which photos are of Mei Sheng and Hua Mei. Thanks to her.
February 24th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Well
I thought I had active hours figured out on Thursday. All the Pandas need is clouds, occasional drippy stuff from clouds and they will be awake and playing 
WRONG! Nope, today Bai and Zhen slept the entire day in the rain and grey stuff. My thought was that Pandas become lethargic, as do humans, when the temps are warm and we are fed 
I may try this on pacific t-time….It will be lotsafun
Carrie # 34…whare did you hear that Mei Shen had been moved? My Goodness! That is not a good news!
Mom in England # 27; I can’t imagine a better tea time
and a nice afternoon break
carol # 29: Thanks for the Panda Takes a Shower hint!
February 24th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
After reading about Bi Feng Xia & the comments on Flickr many seemed to think that Bi Feng Xia Panda Base is a better place for Mei Sheng. Wolong is primarily a breeding center while Bi is much larger - also Mei’s grandfather Pan Pan is there. Several said that Mei fighting with his panda neighbor in Wolong shows that he is after all a wild animal & does have papa Gao’s genes. Mei may return to the Wolong breeding center next year.
February 25th, 2008 at 9:45 am
#34 Carrie. I googled Bifengxia in China and found that it is a site being developed to send pandas into the wild to fend for themselves. Won’t be ready for a while. My heart just SINKS when I think of Mei Sheng being a) sent there and b) released to fend for himself. If he is too much panda for their criteria (I think he is just one homesick, miserable panda), why don’t they just release him back to the SDZ, where he can be happy? This makes me SOOOO sad. Tears here.
February 25th, 2008 at 11:11 am
What did I see Gao Gao rolling in yesterday (24th)? It looked as if snow had been blown in his enclosure. The webcam wasn’t zoomed in, so I couldn’t tell. I do hope Mei Sheng is fine. Poor guy, he’s been traumatized. Maybe P. Wong can communicate with him through his family here!
February 25th, 2008 at 11:18 am
I’ve just found out that he has been moved to Bi feng xia. Apparently he has proved that he is the strongest climber at Wolong. Where he is now he has his own keeper, a much bigger area that is much more like back to nature. It has trees, hill and a moat. The photo i have seen he looks so much happier now. All the photos i saw of him at Wolong he never looked the happy boy we all loved.
I think that really he was trying to get back to SDZ, he was missing the cameras!! lol, He loved us all looking at him, he knew he had a fan club that could watch him, well if you’ve got it flaunt it!!! lol
I wonder if now Wolong just might look carefully at what they thought were safe panda areas. Mind you if anyone can Mei Sheng can!!
The vet at his new home has said he’s ok, he’s perfectly fit and healthy. So now i don’t feel worried about him. I hope other pandas at Wolong don’t try to copy his escape.
February 25th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Great news that Lungile, the mother elephant whose calf died early this month, is showing some improvement and is gaining weight. Glad to hear she is eating more, and that she is spending time with other members of the herd. Hopefully they will support her, even though she is the smallest and lowest ranking adult in the herd. I have read that elephants mourn the loss of a member of the herd, so hopefully they all feel the loss of her baby and will help her get over it emotionally and physically.
February 25th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
I hope that Lisa is able to share an “official” update on Mei Sheng soon. From what I’ve read about Bifengxia, it is an even more beautiful place, if that is possible, newer and nine times larger, for pandas. Pan Pan is retired there, so maybe he will encounter Bai Yun’s and Tian Tian’s father there at some point.
Apparently Wolong recognizes that Mei Sheng is the best climber there, and with breeding season coming on fast they were concerned that he might escape into the wild. By moving him to Bifengxia he has access to a garden environment, with lots of bamboo and tall trees to climb. Sounds like he was looking for some companionship, or for his more tropical climate he had in San Diego. The conditions at Bifengxia sound like they will be ideal for his next year’s adaption to his new life in China. If he has to be completely solitary, and close to the wild (like his papa Gao) then he is now there. The photos shown supposedly from Bifengxia show him to be healthy and happy, and one person said that theVets at Bifengxia said he is healthy, and strong.
February 25th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Margaret #35 that IS great and hopefully she will continue to flourish under the care of the wonderful and dedicated keepers that have been with her through this difficult time. I saw a special that showed how a herd comes together and mourns when they lose a member and it is amazing
February 25th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Conversation with Mei Sheng #21
Tourist: Hello, Mei Sheng.
Mei Sheng: Hello, Mr. Tourist.
T: So how do you like Wolong?
M: Oh, it’s great here.
T: Wow! Look at your stance! Nice form!
M: Yeah, I get to learn all manner of martial arts here.
T: Hey! Great!
M: This stance is called, “On top of Old Smoky.”
T: And the next one’s “All covered with snow”?
M: No, it’s called, “There’s a hole in my bucket.”
T: Is there a stance for “I lost my true lover”?
M: Don’t know yet.
T: How about “For courtin’ too slow”?
M: Now the Master did mention something like that…
T: So will he teach you that one next?
M: Maybe after “I’ve been working on the railroad.”
(Meanwhile, USA pandas rehearse Chicken Dance for gala)
Tai Shan: (beak, beak…)
Su Lin: (flapping wings…)
Mei Lan: Haha! I shake tail feathers.
Zhen Zhen: (clap, clap, clap, clap)
February 25th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Thanks, Carol #29. I went to YouTube and saw Tai taking a shower…it was hilarious. There was also a good one of him and his handler. He soooo loved the back scratching. Just watched ZZ and mom in a little wrestling match. Don’t get a chance to catch them together like that. It was fun! I am curious, like everyone else, about Mei in Wolong. I wonder what would make him fight another panda as he never seemed aggressive like that. Hope he is OK. Can our moderator enlighten us on her where-a-abouts?
Moderator’s note: We will try to get some information for our panda fans.
February 25th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
While looking for more news about Mei Sheng, I came across the most wonderful photo tribute to “Baby” Lungile’s baby elephant that died two weeks ago. Search on Flickr for “In memory of baby” by KJDrill. It is a fabulous series of shots of Kamile, Baby, Lungile, Mabu, and the other baby elephants. I did not realize that Kamile followed Baby everywhere when she was with the herd. I wonder now how she has done since she lost her “Baby” sister? She obviously had a special bond with her since she was the next arrival. Elephant keepers, any updates on how Kamile is doing without her little friend?
February 25th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Carrie #34 ..the following is what is stated about our little escape artist Mei Sheng….
MeiSheng is doing well at Bi Feng Xia Base, the vet said he is in excellent health.
They recognize that mei sheng is the best climber at Wolong, the ESCAPE thing proving he’s smart, strong and healthy.
Wolong will be busy with “wedding season” next month, they have achieved the first case of artificial insemination of this year.
I think Bi Feng Xia is better for MeiSheng. He could get the best care there, he has his own new keeper. And a big garden, with trees, slope, moat…close to nature.
February 25th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Thanks Ellie for your updates. The thought that princess butterball and Bai may go to sleep deliberately during visiting hours is so funny, like”it’s time, let’s sleep”.
I need to thank few people here who told me about HK panda cam, Vanessa’s Journal from MSU, and “panda take a shower.”. They all provide me something good about the pandas. Love these precious animals, very adorable.
February 25th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Margaret - thanks for the good news about Lungile - was sure the dedicated staff at the WAP would nurse her back to health.
ZA reports that Lani’s weaning is going as expected. Today I saw Lun & Lani both on the climbing structure. All of a sudden Lun gave Lani one her usual “get off here shoves” Poor Lani fell to the ground as Lun then swung off head first. Lun seems to getting a bit rougher with Lani which is expected.
February 25th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Wonderful news at the Elephant Overlook!
Click on the Elephant Cam for some uplifting information on Lungile.
We have all been praying for her recovery and thankfully she is steadily improving and spending time with other members of the herd.
A huge thank you to everyone involved in Lungile’s recovery and all the continuous care by all her devoted care staff.
February 26th, 2008 at 2:10 am
Off topic but: all my love to Lungile and her keepers who have helped her through this tough time.
February 26th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
#48 P. Wong - another winner!!! Keep it coming!!
I’ve been trying to catch as much of Lun Lun and Mei Lan as I can, given that these are their last few days together. It seems each of them has a real inkling of this and the last couple of times that I’ve been able to watch the cam, Mei Lan is nursing or they are both sitting side by side eating their ‘boo.’ This weaning phase is a good news/bad news thing for me. I remember when Su Lin was being weaned and I was reading one of the keeper’s postings outlining what was going to happen over the weaning period and the last phrase was, “the door between them will close forever.” Oh! that really got me. It still does.
February 26th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Wow! I just saw the first glimpse of US panda family (dad, mom, and cub) in one viewing window, separated only by glass. Yang Yang is pacing outside, and you can see him through the glass window while viewing Mei Lan and Lun Lun inside together in a day room. This a very rare, and special sight! Especially since, in a little over a week, all three bears will be living independently in three separate spaces. What a thrill!
February 26th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
After googling Bi Feng Xia Base, I’m even more worried about our Mei Sheng. The center plans to train pandas to be released into the wild. Since the Chinese haven’t exactly had such a great track record with that in the past, I just hope they abandon those plans. Since the panda’s habitat is quickly disappearing, it doesn’t seem to be in their best interests to be released.
February 26th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
I’m not surprised at Mei Sheng- you can’t keep a good (young) man down! He’s a free spirit and will explore on his own terms. I’m happy to read that he has communicated with P. Wong, his trusted friend.
The current photos of our Mei Sheng certainly do look encouraging. Perhaps the transition could have gone on for several weeks after the initial move? He’s clearly a feeling young man and misses us as much as we miss him. Have been able to see ZZ and mom playing a bit- a very nice treat since ZZ is so independent! If anyone has info on what Gao was rolling around in- sawdust, snow, I’d love to know what it was. It was quite a show.
February 26th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
As a panda fan I was familiar with Wolong & Chengdu research centers but had not heard of Bi Feng Xai until I read that Mei Sheng had been moved there after his “escape”at Wolong. Let’s hope that Mei is happy & safe there as he wasn’t at Wolong.
$42 Barb - The plans to release pandas into the wild will not include “zoo raised” pandas (I hope). They are to be specially picked & raised differently so the odds of survival are better. China could not handle the political back lash if a zoo raised panda was released into the wild & was unable to survive.
#56 Pandafan - I’ve also been watching Lani & Lun when they’re back together in the afternoon- Lani knows something is going on.
February 26th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
So happy to read about Lungile’s improving health on the elephant cam page and that she is with the herd. Interesting news about Mei Sheng moving to BiFengZia. Will have to do some googling to learn about yet another area in China now! Tho’ they said that it wasn’t far from Chengdu. Hoping too that we will have some news soon to fill in the blanks about his move. Thanks to all for keeping us updated.
February 26th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Pandafan # 56 — Yes, I remember that phrase vividly - and how the tears flowed when I read it too. But look at what a beautiful bear Su Lin has turned out to be - and how happy she seems - in her own place, all the bamboo she could possibly want. And most importantly, if she didn’t move out on her own when she did - we would have little miss fancy pants Zhen Zhen - so everything worked out exactly like it was supposed to - and Mei Lan will be just fine on her own too. Maybe she will have a little brother or sister soon - who knows.
Also, so happy to hear about Lungile. Many hugs and kisses to the staff who worked so hard in helping her recover - you’re the best. I’m sure her elephant family will be a great comfort to her and help her feel much better soon.
February 26th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
I think one person said of Mei Sheng’s move to Bi Feng Xia that it’s as if he’d been sent to summer camp, where he can climb and play, and then probably be sent back to Wolong for breeding when he’s ready.
All that rehearsing the chicken dance has really worn ZZ out–I’m watching one tuckered out little panda cub, sleeping away on Bai’s platform. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
February 26th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
I was wondering what kind of progress our little princess is making physically and maybe her learning. What does she weigh now? does she have all or most her baby teeth? What talents does she have now? We know she can climb… over her mommy’s head. It was nice having reports like that on Mei Lan from AZ. Helps us to know her a little more.
February 26th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
I can see the headlines now..” Panda MeiSheng found at SDZ entrance. Suitcase, raft, and admission ticket in hand”. I think he misses his home.
February 26th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Oh, I am SO glad to hear Lungile is doing so much better. Kudos to all who are taking such wonderful care of her!
February 27th, 2008 at 3:54 am
I think we must remember, when getting teary-eyed at the panda babies having to be totally separated from their Mums (and I’m one of the biggest softies you’ll ever find) that this is what happens in the wild. Most wild animals go their separate ways and start their own families and groups and really, we shouldn’t interfere with this process. Oh dear, I hope that doesn’t sound too pompous!
I get upset (and angry) when I hear of animal cruelty and sad things; like Baby dying and Mei Sheng having to leave. I also don’t want Bai Yun to ever leave, or Su Lin or any of them. I suppose I feel closer to animals than I do to humans.
OK, enough of the ranting - I’m off to find Bifengxia. I’ve got the Hong Kong pandas (they’re fun) and I’ve seen Panda - take a shower. Has anyone seen the Sneezing Panda on You Tube? I just couldn’t stop laughing and kept playing it again and again. The Mum was really concerned until she saw her little one was OK.
Best wishes everyone.
February 27th, 2008 at 7:30 am
I agree with #60 Maureen. Although they say Bi Feng Xai is the place where they train pandas to be introduced back into the wild, I don’t think Mei Sheng is a candidate. Pandas have to be picked especially for that according to their personality, and then isolated for training. Mei Sheng’s genes are too valuable; they need him for breeding. And didn’t it say his grandfather Pan Pan was there? So certainly not all pandas there are candidates for the wild. Thank goodness!!!!
February 27th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Widget #65 Oh what a sight it would be. I agree I think he’s ready for the big escape. I think the Chinese finally figured out what we already knew, that Mei IS one smart, strong bear oh yeah and cute too. It didn’t take him long to figure out the escape route.
February 27th, 2008 at 11:45 am
#65 Widget… he does sound like he’s not such a happy bear. Maybe he’s like some of us that change doesn’t come very easily to. He’ll probably find a good wife though, and have a beautiful family!
February 27th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Zhen Zhen was just sitting and pretending to eat bamboo and Bai was taking her daily walk-about but she purposely walked OVER Zhen which caused her to roll and roll. Is there a purpose to this? Is she just letting Zhen know who is bigger? It was funny to watch but I still wonder why?
February 27th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Mei Sheng “escaping” doesn’t necessarily mean he was unhappy. He always did like to explore. Who knows maybe there was a rain storm and he got “carried away” in his exploration exhuberance. Previous news accounts about 6 months ago indicated that the Chinese were selecting 16 candidates for releasing into the wild and were in the process of selecitin 4-6 one year olds to start the training process. If you look back in the blogs months ago, you will find some discussions on this topic. And, you will read the moderators reminder that Hua Mei, Mei Sheng, and Su Lin are not candidates for release into the wild. They are genetically special and very valuable for the breeding pool. Future progeny might be candidates, but all three of them are too old for training for that purpose anyway. The candidates are chosen as very young cubs, and probably will have to be trained from weaning so that they don’t have as much human contact as they normally do at Wolong.
February 27th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
#65 Widget - love it - Mei returns!!
It’s too bad that Wolong had to get this publicity of a valuable panda “escape” I hope poor Scott, Mei’s Wolong keeper, has not “lost face” because of this.
February 27th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Thanks Margaret! Its SO easy to think of the animals having human feelings. You gave us a lot of insight in to what Mr. Mei Sheng might be thinking and feeling.
February 27th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
I just bet that was a heart pounding half hour or whatever, when they couldn’t find Sheng in his enclosure! All kinds of thoughts running through their heads. He loves attention, people, etc. and I think he misses his keepers and just the atmosphere of SDZ. To put Sheng all alone is not what he is used to. I wish someone from the SDZ could go visit him again, just so he could see a known face for a little while, to make him feel better and know how much he is loved.
February 27th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
#39 Frances, thanks for letting us know about google Bifengxia, beautiful pictures of Sheng. The message from Sheng made my cry. I couldn’t wait till Lisa gives us updates.
The picture of Bai cuddle baby ZZ, I show it to my friends and family and they all are touched by it. Mommy and baby look so sweet and warm that puts a smile on me every time.
Off subject, it’s very sad about the baby elephant, but I am glad mommy is recovering. About the 2 red pandas that were murdered, how can this happen in a zoo? So sad, somebody has to paid for this.
February 27th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
ZA reports that Lani & Lun spent last night apart for the first time - they videotaped it to make sure all went well - Lani played with her enrichment toys for a couple of hours, fell asleep about 8pm - woke up about 3am to eat some bamboo & then went right back to sleep. In fact, she was still sleeping when the keepers arrived at 7am. When they were reunited neither showed any reaction - though later Lani did nurse for about 10 minutes. Neither Lani or Lun called for each other during the evening so the weaning process seems to moving along smoothly. I wonder if girls are easier to wean than the “momma boys”. I recall reading that Mei Sheng called & called to Bai who ignored him & even Tai (the terror) was unhappy for a day or so. SuLin’s weaning also went smoothly-momma panda knows when it’s time & at least in a zoo setting keepers are there to help the young ones cope. Anyone that has watched Animal Planet knows how harsh & cruel life in the wild is - at least our beloved pandas are not left to fend for themselves -thanks to the wonderful keepers.
February 27th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Daylight Saving Time starts on March 9th. It’ll be interesting to see how pandas will react to the time change. Especially Little Zhen Zhen.
February 28th, 2008 at 2:15 am
#71 Lee - I’ve noticed Bai walk over ZZ several times and also wondered if there is any reason for it. I too would love to know why she does this.
#75 Widget - totally agree with you - I wonder if Mei Sheng would still recognise his friends from SDZ? Any chance, lovely staff of SDZ?
Managed to find the pictures of Mei Sheng in Bifengxia. He does look a lot happier.
Saw ZZ yesterday morning sticking her head down Bai’s fountain. I thought she’d got stuck at one point, as her little legs were waving in the air, but out she came, rather unladylike. Then Bai came by and looked in the fountain, which I think was a little empty by now (!) and I thought ‘oh dear, I wonder if it gets refilled after little one’s emptied it’. A short time later two young ladies were filling it up again.
February 28th, 2008 at 9:16 am
It looks to me like Lani is the most ready for weaning of the 4 US cubs so far. She doesn’t make any sound while separated from Lun. This morning things looked a bit testy when I logged on. Caught the end of an interaction between the two of them, but looked like Lani swatted Lun away which is definitely a first. Most of the time Lani sleeps while Lun eats, or they eat side by side or near each other. It reminds me so much of the last few days of Su Lin and Bai Yun sitting side by side up against the log munching away. I have to confess that I have many less tears this year, surprising since I went twice in August 2007 to see Lani in person and took a ton of photos and videos of the two of them playing. But, watching how smoothly the process went for Su and Tai a year ago has definitely lessened my apprehension, and concern. I know from experience that SDZ has got the process down to a science, and I know that ZA is consulting all along the way to make sure that everything is on track, and that the animals best interests are being taken care of.
Maybe all that fussing Lun gave Lani early on made her more independent, and long for her own “space.” Who knows?
February 28th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Bahhumbug. While writing my previous blog, I missed one of the last nursing sessions, which appear to be down to less than 5 minutes in length. The next week will fly by, as they are separated overnight now, which they were observed doing on their own naturally for the past couple of weeks anyway. Now the process hones in on daytime and nursing sessions.
February 28th, 2008 at 9:43 am
#65 - Widget - that is just too funny! What a cute picture that makes. If only it could be……
#56 - That phrase stayed with me as well, and it still makes me so sad whenever I think of it. I know that it is how nature intended them to be, but still…those few words are so final and so profound.
Hope Mei Sheng is doing better.
February 28th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Conversation with Gao Gao #31
Gao Gao: (sings about galloping horses along mountain passes) Pao ma liuliude shan shang…
Tourist: Hello, Gao Gao.
G: Oh hello, Mr. Tourist.
T: Hey, you’re singing Kangding Town Love Song again.
G: Uh huh. And Mei Sheng is learning it, too.
T: Huh?
G: Yup. Bifengxia is half way between Chengdu and Kangding…
T: Oh, so you expect Mei Sheng may strike up some romances at Bifengxia?
G: Well, kinda…
T: Hah! Thought so.
G: Yeah, he operates a Chinese restaurant business…
T: Huh?
G: And serenades couples with Spanish guitar.
February 28th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
P Wong you sure know how to make us smile and laugh! And, make something silvery shiny out of what other found sad and dull.
I imagine that Mei Sheng’s imagination and natural curiousity will come out once he is aclimated to Bifengxia and he will keep himself very busy climbing trees and checking out the sights and sounds of his new home. At this rate, he might even go for a visit to Chengdu to see which reserve suites him best! Now that is adventure. Can’t you picture that suitcase full of bamboo we read about in yesterday’s blog? I wonder if he still has his favorite enrichment toy from SDZ with him? Maybe the Chinese need to revisit the tapes of his SDZ training sessions to learn better how to communicate with him.
February 28th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
#83 P Wong. Mei Sheng running a Chinese Restaurant. Now this I’ve got to see….! This just creased me up. Thanks for cheering me up - I needed that.
February 28th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Just watch Mei Sheng in his new home. Looks so happy playing in the snow. Maybe he just wasn’t ready to be a lover yet. Still has a few months of little boy in him.
February 28th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
It is interesting to watch the dynamics change between mother and cub during weaning. I recall Su Lin spending more time in Bai Yun’s company, as did Tai Shan. However, Mei Lan seems to be spending more time entertaining herself and eating on her own. She seems to want to get away from Lun Lun, but her mother keeps coming and pestering her. Lun paced for almost an hour this afternoon, going outside then back again. She appeared to be trying to get Lani to follow her outside, but then both would come back inside. Lani wasn’t too happy to be interrupted and did not follow her mother immediately. Lun had to keep coming back and getting Lani’s attention to follow her. I don’t know if Lun was trying to get Lani outside so she (Lun) could have the inside room to herself or what. It has been a long time since she paced non-stop for that long. She expended a lot of energy and still did not stop to eat or drink, meanwhile Lani did both. They are a mystery to me. Hopefully the keepers log tomorrow will shed some light on this behavior. I recall Bai Yun pacing more during weaning as well. I am not sure what it means other than the mother knows that things are changing.
February 28th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Thank you, Ellie, for the story about the pandas telling time. They are so smart, I’d believe them capable of almost anything. I’ve been convinced for some time that they know exactly where to act cute so that the camera can’t catch them at it. But I’m very grateful to the Meerkats for their efforts and the adorable shots they do get.
Hope Mei Sheng is happy in his newer home. It’s a little disturbing to think that he had to be moved so quickly. But maybe that’s just because, as other bloggers have said, he’s just a very smart young bear who needs a lot of stimulation and extra challenges.
February 28th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
For those who are worried about Mei Sheng check photos of him taken 2-24-08 at Bifengxia by Anita on Flickr search for “MeiSheng@his own garden” He looks very healthy, happy, and hard to believe such a handsome bear would have been a fight. He is chowing down on his bamboo just like his mom taught him, and his dad loves to do.
February 28th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Almost forgot, there are two great shots of a mom with her twins, one of which is climbing up the bars on their den. Remind you of anyone at SDZ? They look to be about the same age as Zhen when she first ventured outside. It is a patient mom to be taking care of twins at the same time now that they are older.
February 28th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Since there is one keeper for every 2-3 pandas at Wolong, I also hope that Scott didn’t “lose face” and get in “hot water” because Mei Sheng chose to climb out of his exhibit and visit his neighbors.
February 28th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
#80 Margaret - think you are right about Lani - she wants to climb a tree & is sick of being hauled off the climbing structure that Lun didn’t think was safe - she’s telling Mommy - I’M A BIG GIRL NOW & AM READY TO BE ON MY OWN. ZA is hoping for the pitter patter of another panda cub even though Yang & Lun haven’t figured out the mating thing yet - ZA has plans for AI again. Let’s hope for another cubbie there along with NZ & Memphis this year.
#81 PWong - so now Mei sheng runs a restaurant -love it - thanks for the info about where Bi Feng is located.
Read that the Beijing Zoo is expanding their panda exhibit during the summer Olympics -they plan on bringing in 10 more pandas from Wolong - guess Mei will not be one of them.
February 29th, 2008 at 10:10 am
Maureen #92, Mei Sheng may not be one of them, but Hua Mei or one of her offspring could. She is a goodwill ambassador for the Chinese to the Western world, so they use her offspring whenever they can. One of her first or second twins is the male slated to go to Taiwan, if they don’t get too “old” to go if the Taiwanese government ever lets them in.
February 29th, 2008 at 10:53 am
I guess someone underestimated how smart Mei Sheng is. No surprises really. The kid is capable of doing anything. If he gets bored, well, if that ever happens, he’d create things to do. Mei Sheng just needs to learn to be a panda. That’s all.
Just got the March/Zhen Zhen issue of ZOONOOZ. Lots of super cute photos.
February 29th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Is it possible Momma Lun Lun will have a cub this year? Seems like her chances are low, since she’s been nursing Mei Lan right up now?? Will Lun Lun act like she forgets Mei Lan if she had another cubbie?
I saw the picture of Mei Lan kissin and cuddling with her mommy on Flickr…. what a precious picture that is!!
February 29th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Here it is Friday 2-29-08 at 11:45 am and Miss ZZ is waking up. My dog can tell time and the days of the week, so I’m sure pandas can too.
February 29th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
I guess we have reached another milestone and Zhen is preparing for her “big move” to the front exhibit area. She will really be hard to find now since she will have access to more climbing areas. If you don’t see her, look up in the air! I remember reading that when Mei Sheng and Su Lin were up in the tree sit was sometimes easier to see them from the Skytram. Since Zhen is still relatively small she might be harder to spot from there, but if she climbs as high as Su Lin did, you might have a better chance of seeing her.
Now Gao can go to the “back” and pace to his heart’s content.
Are there plans to leave viewing open from the classroom so people can see Su Lin or Gao whichever is “off exhibit.”
February 29th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Oh boy! Zhen gets to go to the regular exhibit area! There should be lots of new adventures waiting for her there and if I am not mistaken, longer viewing hours for her adoring public! My, she is growing up SO fast!
February 29th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
#95 Collleen - Once the weaning is complete am not sure if Lun will “forget’ Lani but she will ignore her as they each go about their separate lives. And yes, Lun could have another cub this year - once she stops nursing she’ll be ready when mating season starts. ZA has their fingers crossed. Maybe this year Yang & Lun will figure things out & mate. ZA reports weaning still going well & Lani now weighs a whopping 87 lbs. She’s going to be a big panda like her pappa Yang.
Oh dear - we’ll all have withdrawal next week while Miss Z is off exhibit!!
February 29th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
I mentioned to a friend that Mei had ” escaped” & her comment was that even though he was born in captivity the desire to “be free” was still there.
February 29th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
I have noticed that the last video exam of Zhen Zhen was back in December. Do you stop these exams now that she is no longer an infant.
February 29th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
How quickly time passes - it seems like only yesterday that little Miss Fluffy Butt was practising her climbing skills on C14/28
After she moves with Bai to their new exhibit area, ZZ willl have even more places to display her climbing prowess.
#83 P.Wong - thank you for keeping us entertained with your talent - I think the next one should include an idea of us clubbing together to fund sending a very large ‘food parcel’ to Sheng from his real home.
I am certain he misses the love and creature comforts he had at SDZ - he is like Paddington Bear when he went on his travels.
February 29th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
#101 Lorraine - Sometime ago, someone asked this same question and I remember the moderator responding to her question. They no longer do the exams as frequently as the cub gets older, but also the keepers have a harder time managing them because they are more rambunctious (moderator, I hope I got that right). I believe the cubs are eventually trained to step on the scale for periodic weighings and, as they get older, to insert their arms in a metal sleeve so the vets can do blood draws. Of course, they get the treats when they do things right.
Moderator’s note: You are right, pandafan. However, we are told there will be a panda video of Zhen Zhen next week, most likely showing her out on exhibit.
February 29th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Hello, me again!! I am thrilled! By the time I get to visit SDZ on March 21, Bai and Miss ZZ will be in the regular exhibit area!! Oh joy!! On the other hand, as #97 Margaret says, I may not see any sign of her at all!! Thank goodness there’s still Gao, Bai, and Su to visit - seeing the princess ZZ will be icing on my cake! Can anyone tell me if there’s a time limit for visiting the pandas at SDZ? Or can I stay there all day if I wanted to? I remember when Tai went public, you had to buy tickets and they only gave you ten minutes in front of the exhibit.
Moderator’s note: You’re welcome to go through the exhibit as many times as you like, but we do ask that while you’re there, you don’t stay too long in one spot
February 29th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
Conversation with Gao Gao #32
Tourist: Hello, Gao Gao.
Gao Gao: Hello, Mr. Tourist.
T: Now what’s going on here? So much bamboo.
G: Oh, we’re getting ready to make American style wowotou.
T: Wowotou?
G: Yeah. The bun shaped biscuits made with ground corn, soy and bamboo.
T: Oh, that’s right. The China panda reservations use them for treats.
G: Only these will use American grown bamboo.
T: And what are these paper strips?
G: Oh. They’re strips of faux wisdom.
T: Faux wisdom?
G: Yup. Fortune wowotou biscuits for Mei Sheng’s Bifengxia Chinese restaurant patrons.
February 29th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Margaret - thanks for reminding me Hau Mei was the first US born panda -it will be a coup for the SDZ & the US if one of her twins is on exhibit at the Beijing Zoo
#104 Pandafan - a hint - as you are standing in line for the panda exhibit - LOOK UP - We went through the exhibit 3 times - the staff does encourage visitors to move along but we got a better of SuLin’s fuzzy fanny perched high in her tree as we sat on a bench outside the exhibit & it seems that Miss Z is also a tree climber.
Have fun - hope you Miss Z zooming along.
March 1st, 2008 at 1:25 am
To all the staff who will be involved in transferring Bai and ZZZ next week, hope it all goes smoothly and that you all have fun too. Boy, are we going to miss them for 6 days.
P Wong - Perhaps you could write a play for Gao Gao and Su Lin so that they can perform for us on camera?
Good luck everyone.
March 1st, 2008 at 8:25 am
Thanks for the prompt answer to my question. This is the first time that I have watched a panda since birth and I look in every day. I have noticed that from other messages that you can watch the pandas elsewhere. Can you give me some of the websites to visit. Thanks
March 1st, 2008 at 11:02 am
#104 Pandafan – You mentioned that you will be staying all day visiting the pandas. From my past experience with extended hours , the chances of seeing Bai Yun and Zhen Zhen interacting will hopefully be almost 100%.
By the way, if you are visiting with friends, ask everyone to leave their cell phones on. Then schedule each person in your group to visit the panda exhibit at various times during the day. As soon as anyone sees interaction between Bai and Zhen, that visitor should call everyone else and all can RUSH to the panda exhibit - it worked for me. Don’t give up. It’s well worth the wait.
Received the March Wish List today. Items on this month’s list will help the Cheetahs and their friends at the Conservation Compound. Also, there are items that will help give a feeling of home and comfort at the “critters hospitals” while the critters are recuperating. I purchased some goodies for the parrots and lories.
Moderator’s note: Thank you, Rose. For those interested in viewing the Zoo’s March Wish List: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/adopt/adopt_wishlist.html
March 1st, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Wow–you gotta be quick to get to that Wish List!!! It’s still March 1 and it’s already practically “sold out”! That’s a good thing, of course. . . but maybe it oughta be longer
March 1st, 2008 at 11:27 pm
#108 Lorraine - if you just Google “panda cam” you will get the links to all the American zoos that have giant pandas - Washington D.C., Atlanta, and Memphis. I think you will also find the link to Wolong in China. There are also a lot of entertaining videos of giant pandas in the various zoos and the various facilities in China on youtube dot com. Do a search on “giant pandas”. Enjoy!!
March 2nd, 2008 at 1:38 am
#104 Rose - I actually managed to get to the wish list before everything went this month. There’s so many choices, it took me ages to decide and I thought I’d better hurry up before it all went before my eyes! I decided on the Aquatic and Asian Turtles and the Marmosets.
I am really really going to miss Bai and ZZ this coming week. However, I have noticed that the polar bears are playing out a lot more in the water - caught them both zooming in for a ball and having lots of fun for ages.
March 2nd, 2008 at 6:51 am
#108 — Lorraine in Scotland. I love your country, and welcome to the blogs for all of us pandaholics. They don’t allow links to websites here, but if you Google the zoos in the U.S. you can get to their panda cams. They are: National Zoo, Atlanta Zoo, and Memphis Zoo. Also there is Vienna Zoo in Austria. They have a little boy panda that is just 3 weeks younger than our Zhen Zhen. It’s a bit more tricky to get to what they call “panda tv,” but you can try. Enjoy!
March 2nd, 2008 at 4:43 pm
OMG, I just saw the CUTEST video of Fu Long on youtube — sorry if this is old news to everyone, I have not had a chance to catch up on the comments lately. Go to youtube and it’s called Thrilling Pandababy Fu Long in Vienna Zoo. Four minutes of baby Fu Long rolling around and mouthing bamboo, with his little white foot. It’s adorable!!
And Zhen Zhen has been having a close-up this afternoon. Roling around on the platform, having a wonderful time with a small piece of fruit — looks like peach, but is holding up better than peach would. She definitely has her father’s enthusiasm for food, using her left hind leg to help out, but she’s been taking a very long time with it. She seems to be mouthing it, but not actually ingesting it. She is just the cutest thing ever . . .
March 2nd, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Watching Ms. ZZ tonight was wonderful — but a question. She seemed surprisingly muddy/dusty. I know most bears like to be extremely clean — are pandas an exception to this? Or is Ms. ZZ the exception? Or am I wrong and she wasn’t muddy/dusty?
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:20 am
Hi everyone
Regarding Bifengxia, it is a part of the overall Wolong Conservation and Breeding Centre. Wolong is more focused on the breeding aspect, Bifengxia is where the female pandas go when they’re not part of a particular year’s breeding season. It is also where Pan Pan, the resident Wolong stud daddy, has been retired to. He is Mei Sheng’s grandfather, so hopefully, they get to meet one of these days in Bifengxia!
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:42 am
Yo, James (#115) - you ought to tune into the polar cam sometime and try and catch a glimpse of Chinook. Many a time she is so brown (dirty) you would never know she was a polar bear. Looks like a brown bear and a polar bear together. She is a hoot!
I am sure you are right about Miss Z though, she tends to get dirty at times as well. Especially when it has been raining!
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:09 am
Hello Panda Fans and All Keepers at SDZ
On March 2nd, I got to go back down to see ‘The Stars’. We arrived at the Panda exhibit at 9:15AM and there up on her platform in the trees was Zhen. She was sleeping but she did move on occasion. Bai was happily eating her bamboo. I swear she smiles when she eats
Gao and Su were also active; both put on quite a show by munching and walking around! We got to go through the exhibit three times during the morning hours. For those of you who may be going down to SDZ this week, there are some really fun
Also do not miss the gorilla exhibit! We were there at 12:30…lunch time and my goodness, the Gorillas all climbed up onto the hillside and waited for lunch! Lunch came flying through the air in the form of whole heads of cabbage! The Gorillas had a ball getting their lunch! This is a ‘must-see’ 
Also, do not miss the children’s zoo…even if you do not have kids with you! There are Red Pandas there and also a group of baby Meercats among other baby animals. Also! The Koalas were very photogenic yesterday as they slept! Do not miss Cat Canyon either 
The Zoo was gorgeous. One could spend days visiting the exhibits 
What a blast!
places to visit while Bai and Zhen are off camera. First, Do not Miss The Flamingo exhibit!!! It is choose your mate season and the birds are very vocal and very busy walking quickly in a large group back and forth from one end of the exhibit to the other
Moderator’s note: It sounds like you had a great time at the San Diego Zoo, Bobbie. Thanks for sharing!
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Re: #116 “Moderator’s Note” Have you confirmed within the past week that Mei Sheng is still at Wolong and was not moved to the Bifengxia reserve as has been widely reported?
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:32 pm
#118 Bobbie Wood - thank you so much for all your suggestions. You gave so much detail it felt like I was right there with you. I especially liked the description of the cabbage heads flying through the air. I can almost imagine a group of keepers somewhere launching them from cannons!
Your posting is so timely. I am leaving for SD on Thursday and the first thing on my agenda is the pandas. I can hardly wait!!
Moderator’s note: Have a great time, pandafan!
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:43 pm
yeah the wish list is going fast folks, buy even if you can’t give a specific amount I’m sure that Marla would love to accept whatever amount you could give. every little bit helps and all those small donations will add up and go toward something useful.There are so many animals that could use a little cheering up, after all some of us know what it’s like to be in the hospital and feeling sad. So come on let’s get them happy.I’m just getting caught up on everthing and can’t believe how much Zhen has grown.I hope we will get some true info on Mei Sheng. I am still teary eyed about him and not knowing makes it worse.
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Barbara #121–there are pictures of Mei Sheng dated 2/24/08 where I believe he is in Bifengxia. If you google Bifenxia, you will see a listing that says Mei Sheng at Bifengxia–there are pictures of him at Wolong and at Bifengxia, and lots of other panda pictures, including Hua Mei and her twins.
March 4th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Thanks Frances, Eveytime I look at him my heart aches
March 4th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
I watched the D.C. family and I believe it was Mei by the fence were the keeper was and wanted attention. the keeper ask for her to stand up and instead she sat and waited for a back rub which the keeper obliged her. THis also brought back memories Mei Sheng.
March 4th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Please try your best to give all Mei Sheng afionados an update on his whereabouts and how he is doing.
March 5th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Dear PandaFan #120,
You are simply going to have a GRAND time at the SDZ!!! Yes, indeed, the flying Cabbages and the retreival of them was grand fun! I spent 3/1 watching Opening Day Baseball for my Grandchildren…believe me, the Gorillas do a much better job of fielding ‘balls’
Don’t forget the Flamingo Exhibit and the Childrens Zoo!
Have a Wonderful Visit!