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RussianFarewell, Our Silly, Sweet Boy
Posted at 9:41 am October 26, 2007 by Angie Fiore
It is with a heavy heart that I write this. For four years we have had the pleasure of caring for Mei Sheng, watching him grow from a tiny cub to the beautiful bear he is today. For me, Mei Sheng was the first bear to throw his back against the mesh for a much-anticipated back scratch, and from that moment on I was hooked. He continued to win my heart through his silly and sweet forays at the Giant Panda Research Station: wrestling with his favorite enrichment items, welcoming me each morning with bleats, anointing himself with the scents we spread around his exhibit. And then there was the particular scent that was not supposed to be enrichment: the alcohol used for his blood draw training. On his first session of cleaning his arm with the alcohol, Mei Sheng took one whiff, removed his arm from the sleeve, and proceeded to have a great roll around the crate while rubbing the scent all over his body, paying particular attention to his head! Of course, he was supposed to be in a “serious” training session, but we all had a great laugh and gladly waited for him to finish.
Speaking of training, he is a superstar in this regard, and his trust in his trainers is amazing. From his blood draws to the hand injection with anesthesia for his recent pre-shipment exam, he was perfect; he willingly participated in all without so much as a flinch. This training has also paid off toward getting him comfortable in his travel crate for his upcoming departure. He spends up to an hour a day in his crate calmly eating bamboo while all sorts of noises, movements, and staff are all around him. He readily goes into this crate on a daily basis and hopefully it’s a happy place for him where he gets treats and lots of keeper attention.
The keepers have also made other preparations for his departure. We offer him bamboo bread daily, which is what he’ll eat in Wolong, and which he greatly enjoys. We have made a short video for his new keepers in Wolong; we’ve shown them a typical day in the life of Mei Sheng, from the daily weights we get in the mornings to the foods he eats to all of the behaviors that make up his training program. We are even sending a few of his favorite enrichment items with him. We hope all of these preparations will help Mei Sheng adjust easily to his trip and to his new home in China.
With only a few days left with our bear, this is a bittersweet time for us all at the Panda Station. We will miss Mei Sheng dearly but know he has a significant role to play in the survival of his species.
Farewell Mei Sheng, you are off to bigger adventures!
Angie Fiore is a keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
Note: Mei Sheng will be on exhibit through Saturday, October 27.
Watch a compilation video of Mei Sheng’s first four years…
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October 26th, 2007 at 9:48 am
I am sad that he has to leave the zoo.
October 26th, 2007 at 10:00 am
Farewell, wonderful Mei Sheng! We have been blessed to see you grow and thrive and reach the day when you can return to Panda Home. Have a safe journey–our love goes with you on the trip and wherever you roam at Wolong.
October 26th, 2007 at 10:14 am
As I opened the SD Zoo panda cam and proceeded to the daily blog as I do each day, I did not expect to be hit with such a poignant read. Teary-eyed as I read on, memories of Mei Sheng, my very first view into the world of a baby panda, came to mind. Yes, he was my first and so he has a very, very special place in my heart. Such a sweet and gentle panda. Thank you, Angie, for speaking for all of us.
Mei Sheng may China love you as we have the past four years.
October 26th, 2007 at 10:24 am
Again, Farewell Sweet Mei Sheng. Go to your homeland and make us all proud. It has truly been a pleasure to be able to watch you grow up and to become the bear that you have. I will miss you dearly, but know that it is a far,far better place that you now go………
October 26th, 2007 at 10:43 am
Thank you, Angie. I know everyone will miss Mei Sheng very much. He has been a joy to observe. Thank you to the zoo and especially the staff for raising and caring for such a wonderful bear. I know we all hope that Wolong will provide us with periodic updates on Mei Sheng’s life but even if they don’t he will always be in our hearts. We all wish Mei the best and hope that his life will continue to be happy and healthy.
October 26th, 2007 at 10:57 am
Oh, I can’t imagine how heartbreaking it must be for all of you to see one of your beloved animals leaving. I know you have raised them often with this intention and hope for the best of outcomes and that he loves his new home and friends. This just chokes me up. I am a polar bear fan and found this website after Shakira passed on, but cannot imagine the PlungeCam without those three beloved bears. But it is just like with pets….to be a responsible owner, sometimes we have to make the hardest of choices. Be well, Mei Sheng, and happy life and prosperity and love to you!! May the new cub bring joy to those who cared for you. Such is the circle of life!
October 26th, 2007 at 11:13 am
Oh I will miss you, Mei Sheng. I remember the days of the long-awaited anticipation of your birth and I collected every photo, news-clipping, webpage I could find. Farewell sweet boy…
October 26th, 2007 at 11:20 am
yes it break my heart to see mei sheng leaving i have watch him from day one i will miss him very much i thought one day i would visit him and be able to see him but it never happen and now i know i never will get too for sure thanks for all your help of taken so good care of him i know he had to be so much enjoyment he was a little star please let us know from time to time how he doing i hope he will enjoy all those pandas
October 26th, 2007 at 11:44 am
Farewell, sweet Mei Sheng. Thanks for all the wonderful memories. Go back to the land of your ancestors, the land where your mother and father grew up, and father lots of wonderful baby pandas with your genes to carry on after you have left.
Hopefully, at some time in the future, we here in the US will be blessed to provide a home to one of your progeny, preferably a boy who will be as strong, entertaining and charming as you have been. You will be a favorite for all the lady pandas at Wolong.
SDZ, is there any possibility that you could provide a link where we pandaholics could view the video you have made for Mei Sheng’s new caregivers? I’m sure all of us would LOVE to see this. I hope this is arequet that you are able to consider and comply with.
Farewell, Sweet Mei Sheng — Live Long and Prosper!
October 26th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
Mei Sheng I will miss you a lot ,. Have a safe travel and hope that we will have soon a lot of news about you. You will be always in our hearts.
October 26th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
Yes, please keep us posted on Mei Shang’s travels to China. He is a gorgeous bear and I’m sure he will help bring many more wonderful Panda’s into this world. I saw him a couple weeks ago, and am happy to have pictures of his little face on my office wall. Will any of his keepers make the journey with him to China???
October 26th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
Well, I thought I was doing just fine with Mei Sheng’s leaving–until I read this. My heart breaks with all of you keepers/researchers/pandaholics, and the tears are flowing. Our minds tell us he will love Wolong and its weather, its trees, and its lovely panda girls, but still the heartstrings take over. I am so glad you have made the video of his typical day to send with him. Perhaps that will help them treat him the way he is used to being loved.
Godspeed, beautiful smiling boy! Be happy!
October 26th, 2007 at 12:25 pm
Here come the tears again. I’ll have to finish reading this at home tonite. I love this bear, he’s such a special, funny, personality filled fellow and just SO much fun to watch. I’ve had the honor of visiting him 3 times now and I can’t imagine life at the zoo without him. I know the staff is going to miss him terribly…
Farewell my big fella—I hope life in Wolong is everything a panda wants in life and I know they will love you as much as we do here. I’m going to miss you so much…Thank you for giving me 4 years of smiles, laughter and warmth..I love you, Mei Sheng…
October 26th, 2007 at 12:26 pm
Adieu sweet and beautiful Mei Sheng. I will miss you so very much. My thoughts and prayers are with you on your journey back to China. Godspeed on your trip. Lots of happy days await you in Wolong.
Bon Voyage!
October 26th, 2007 at 12:26 pm
As any of us who have had to say goodbye to our children when they go off, whether to family, university or travel…we all KNOW the ache that arises in our hearts. My heart goes out to ALL those involved with Mei Sheng these past 4 years. I cannot imagine how hard this is for you. I pray that this change in his life is not the magnitude it is for you (us) left behind.
October 26th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
Mei Sheng always struck me as a practical joker. It’s in the expression on his face in the picture the zoo uses on his profile… it seems to be in just about everything he does. I’m going to miss that. I’m going to miss him a lot, despite that i’m just getting to know these wonderful bears through your webcams. I wish him luck and health in this new adventure. I will always think of the Zoo as his home, though, regardless of where pandas are actually from, because he was born and raised there in SD. I hope you will occasionally let us know how he’s doing.
Also, in the wake of the fires, I would also like to thank all of you there at the zoo for watching out for all the animals in your care, and my thoughts are with all of you.
October 26th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
Bye bye Mei Sheng. I saw your sister Hua Mei during my first and only trip so far to San Diego zoo in March 2003. Bai Yun and Gao Gao were off exhibit as the zoo hoped they’d produce a sibling and sure enough as I watched Panda Cam, you came along. I had hoped that China might let you stay longer with boys taking longer to mature as I am returning to San Diego on holiday in 2009 but instead I will have to make do with meeting your little sisters. It is a long way from Scotland to San Diego and even further to Wolong but the internet makes the world a smaller place.
October 26th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
Good Bye Mei Shing. You were the first cub I watched on Panda Cam. You are leaving me with a very heavy heart. I pray you are well cared for and have lots of room to move around in. Also, lots of trees!
October 26th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
I’m so very torn about this. On the one hand, he’s such a delightful member of the Panda House family, how could anyone NOT miss him and be sad to see him go?
On the other hand, he’s going to such a wonderful place!!! If his Daddy’s talents are any indication, Mei Sheng is going to be a marvelous addition to the Wolong breeding program.
The SD Panda Staff has MUCH to be congratulated for; you’ve all done an incredible job with this sweet little bear.
October 26th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
Best wishes to you, Mei Sheng, for your travel and your future life in Wolong. I hope that you have learned a thing or two from your daddy Gao Gao and go on to make many baby pandas. You have been a joy to watch on pandacam. I have been fortunate enough to “meet” you in person. You are a very handsome bear and sure to be a hit with the lady pandas. May you meet many new friends and have a long, happy, healthy life. I sincerely hope that we get updates on you so that we know what you are up to. I feel for the keepers and other zoo staff, as well as all your fans. It is difficult to say good-bye. =[
October 26th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Oh, I had tears in my eyes as soon as I saw the headline. The cutest thing I I think about is that in his picture he actually has a smile on his face! Regardless of the Giant Pandas we are fortunate to have and watch in the United States you never want to let one go. My thoughts are with all of you.
October 26th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
Some how we thought you’d fall through the cracks and no one would notice that you needed to go back to China. You’re much to big to hide…We knew this day was coming..They extended your stay untill you were 4yrs old. Here we are…whew…
How can we help not to cry and feel a little empty spot growing….Yor breed is so precious to us…but your home is in china…we will read about you and as I’m holding you in my heart I’m whispering…”I will visit you in China…you and all the others in the not to far furture…I promise. I love you my special teddy bear. Hugs, kisses and lots of light and prayers for your journey home.”Goodbue for now my sweet prince…I love you…………….
October 26th, 2007 at 2:05 pm
Thank you Angie for this article. My tears were unable to stop as I read through this article.
Farewell, my sweet Mei Sheng Boy. You’re the 1st panda cub grew up in front my eyes through SD Zoo Panada Cam. I still have a picture of you next to my monitor @ work when I visited you @ the SD Zoo on June 2004.
Have a great trip and enjoy every moment in China. You are always in my mind.
October 26th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
Thank you so much panda-keepers, with your tender loving care, Mei Shang grew up to be a sweet delightful handsome bear.
I believe his behavior should be observe in Wolong, very unlikely based on what I have heard so far, but just in case if our dear SD boy is not happy, he should come home.
I can’t control my tears throughout.
Love and kisses to all pandas and their vets and keepers.
October 26th, 2007 at 3:25 pm
Well, the day has come - or nearly so.
It’s time for our beloved Mei Sheng to go.
It’s like a child off to college - or marriage - or work.
The empty nest syndrome takes over.
A mother’s love is always with you.
Be well and know you will not be forgotten.
Godspeed little bear - meet your destiny - your time is here.
October 26th, 2007 at 3:27 pm
Bye-bye Mei Sheng. Here’s hoping you meet lots of young panda ladies in China! Say hello to your big sister for all of us!
October 26th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
It is with a heavy heart that I wish Mei Sheng au revoir. I only had the opportunity to meet him once, but have watched him for a long time on panda cam. I hate to see him go, but I know that is part of the agreement. I wish him the very best over in China. Thank you to the San Diego staff for putting together a video of him. I hope they will take very good care of our boy.
October 26th, 2007 at 3:56 pm
Goodbye Mei Sheng! I was teary-eyed too…as I read this bittersweet poignant article. You were my first baby panda and you have a very, very special place in my heart. All the very best to you in China, dear sweet boy…I know you will be well loved there. Those lucky panda girls!
October 26th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
to our great smiling bear mei sheng, i wish you good health, many cubbies and much love from your new keepers. what an ambassador you will be.
farewell and godspeed sweet prince,
joan
painted post, n.y.
October 26th, 2007 at 4:15 pm
Farewell Mei Sheng we will all miss you~~
I have watched you via PandaCam from the time you were born and all your exciting escapades since that date.
I recall when you were a young panda cub and your keeper always had to collect and carry you from a small enclosure you shared with Bai Yun on C29.
This was later followed by precarious walks on branches which was the commencement of your climbing prowess.
Now you are a large handsome and loving boy destined for your homeland.
Have a safe journey with lots of ‘goodies’ enroute - say hi to Hua Mei because we all still miss her greatly.
Wolong will shortly be priviledged to see the most handsome panda in town ~
October 26th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
Although I live on the other side of the county and have never had the chance to see you in person, the SDZ staff and Panda Cam have enabled me and thousands of others to feel that we know you well and to know you is to love you and that love goes with you to China. Your smile and antics and charming silliness will be missed but will remain sweet memories for all that love you. Have a safe and comfy trip and a wonderful healthy life enjoying all that China offers. We all hope to hear news of you from time to time. Thank you to the SDZ staff for your wonderful care of the pandas and for the careful preparation for Mei Sheng’s trip.
October 26th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
Farewell Mei Sheng. You were my first panda baby, too…and I will miss you terribly. I find it so hard to say goodbye to you…you have brought so much joy to me and to so many others. Even though we have known this day would come, it is difficult. Godspeed to you Mei Sheng, and many happy days ahead. You are much loved, big fellow.
October 26th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
My hats off to the SDZ for the lifelong education they have presented to everyone while helping save the beautiful pandas. With all the care and passion from Shi Shi to cubbie #4- Wow! And the excitement and enthusiasm of each cub being born and grew before our eyes on Panda Cam. It’s heart wrenching to see Mei Sheng leave - as when Shi Shi and Hua Mei left to their motherland. Mei Sheng became a family member — seeing him being nursed to having a great time playing in those trees. He made me nervous from time to time climbing those trees. He is a character. His antics and ways made me happy. And oh, the celebrations of his birthdays! How I will miss this guy. I could just imagine how the Panda Staff are feeling, too. Hopefully, I’ll get to see Mei Sheng, Hua Mei and Shi Shi on my next visit to China - Wolong. Thank you Mei Sheng, have a safe journey.
October 26th, 2007 at 5:15 pm
Saying “goodbye” is so hard, even though we knew that it would happen. Wolong is a lovely place for pandas and I hope you’ll enjoy living there in Pandaland, with all its trees, long grasses and cool, misty air. When it snows, you’ll be able to have fun rolling in it, the way you did on a “snow day” at the zoo.
The keepers love the pandas in Wolong, as they do in San Diego, so I’m sure you’ll receive very good care as you continue to grow and become an adult. We all will look forward to when we find out that you have sired a cub, and many more after that. You are a delightful panda boy, soon to begin your part in creating panda history and extending the years we’ll have many pandas on Earth. Some of our friends will visit you and let us know how you are. Have a beary, beary good life!
October 26th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
Farewell My Sweet Mei Sheng,
Thank you Angie for this beautiful story of our Special Boy. He too was my first Panda and he will be in my Heart Always! There was always something Special about him. I think that would be neet if we could buy a copy of Mei Sheng’s video or some other special video of him if we couldn’t have that one. Profits could go to Panda conservation. Mei Sheng gave me beautiful memories that I will never forget and a video would be so great to add to my pictures of him. Mei Sheng’s Fans, who never had a chance to see him would probably love to have a video of him just as everyone else would. The tears are falling, and my heart goes out to all of you who have to stand so brave the day he leaves. I sure hope we can get updates of Mei Sheng and someone let us know when he arrives safely. Special Thanks to all who took care of this wonderful Sweet Panda Boy. Mei Sheng, have a great trip, enjoy you new home and I send you hugs and kisses all the time.
October 26th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
Tears are flowing one more time! Mei Sheng is so special and I love him so much. Good luck and a long and happy life to you, dear little bear ! I hope I’ll get to visit you in Wolong one day…
October 26th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
Dear Panda Keepers - Thanks for all the care & love you have given all the pandas-especially Mei Sheng as he heads back to his natural home. Such a sad but exciting time. Was glad to hear that Mei doesn’t seem stressed being in his training cage & know everyone on the long trip will take good care of him. So big fella, may you enjoy meeting new friends, keepers, trees to climb & lovely female pandas. And hope you daddy Gao mating genes.
October 26th, 2007 at 6:10 pm
Good bye my sweet little panda boy, I have watched you grow from the first moment we saw you on video to the first day you went on exhibit and I have been there for all of your birthdays and many times in between. It is with a heavy heart and a sad one that we all have to say good bye to you, you have entertained us all and I will miss you so much. You will now get to meet a new lady panda and have many babies. Bless you and stay safe, be happy and have lots of fun. I will miss you always, say hi to your big sister for me. I love you Mei Sheng have a good trip.
October 26th, 2007 at 6:18 pm
I remember at his first birthday, he was so cute..so playful..since then I started paying attention to pandas
October 26th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
Well done, everyone at the Giant Panda Research Station. It sounds like Mei Sheng is well prepared for his new life in China. It’s sad to see our American-born pandas leave, and I hope Mei Sheng enjoys his new life and makes lots of panda cubs.
October 26th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
We’ll miss u my old friend. I never thought i’d cry over a panda… now i’ve done it twice.. the first time i got to go to SDZ and see you in person, and now that it’s time to say Goodbye.
All i can think of is the song “Goodbye: from Audio Adrenaline. here’s the song on Youtube .. maybe somebody who knows how can make a slide show with Mei and this song..
You’ll be fine tomorrow
The sun will rise again
It’s never easy to say goodbye
You know I’ll always love you
You know I always will
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
My old friend (my old friend)
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
We’ve reached the end (we’ve reached the end)
I don’t cry for sorrow, I cry with joy
The memories we’ve made can’t be destroyed
You know I won’t forget you
You know I never could
And when I say I loved you
You know I meant for good
You know I’ll always love you
Goodbye
October 26th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
My hear goes out for all the staff at SD Zoo. It must be so hard to let such a precious animal go..back to his homeland. Yes, my eyes are also filled w/ tears as I am reading this. Angie..you and your fellow keepers have done an excellent job at the zoo. This is not an easy time but just think of all the happy joyful moments that Mei Sheng gave all of us. We are blessed with the opportunity to get to know and see this wonderful endearing panda. Yes..he is leaving us, but the memories will be here with us forever. For that, I am grateful that he is borned.
October 26th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
Thank you, Angie, for a very special and touching insight into Mei Sheng’s “private” life. As I read your first paragraph earlier today, and lumps came into my throat, I thought of what a stressful and tiring week you have all had, and it will end with the bittersweet goodbyes to your favorite panda boy. He is a very special bear, and all the love and attention he has had have brought out the very best qualities in him. He inherited great genes, and those genes need to be passed on. I keep reminding my self of this as each tear wells up and starts to fall.
He has so much to share with the panda world, his genes, his demeanor, his looks, his silly antics, and his special trusting relationship with his keepers. This is a gift he and, all of you who have cared for him, are giving to his new “family” of husbandry staff and keepers in Wolong. They in turn will reciprocate by continuing to provide him with attention and love and excellent care. He is after all very special and valuable to them too.
I am happy to hear that he likes bamboo bread since that seems to be a part of the staple diet of captive pandas in China. Presumably your counterparts from Wolong who came to accompany him on his journey brought it with them to help him adjust his diet before he goes.
None of us can truely be sad when such a magnificent animal is receiving the best possible care any animal in captivity could dream of having, and he is going to his ‘native home’ where he will have the best opportunity to be with other pandas his age and to be exposed to a bevy of females to breed with. He could not get any of that if he stayed in the US. To deprive him of that might make us happy he was staying, but would deny him a significant part of a natural life of a panda. It would be keeping him in an artificial world where he could not answer his instinctive calls to find a mate and breed with her.
Alas, we must all, with heavy heart, wish him Bon Voyage, and Happy and Prosperous life.
Hopefully each of you who know him best will in time have a chance to write similar fond remembrances, both as therapy for yourselves as you let him go, and to help each of us have a better insight into the lives of these wonderful animals in your care.
I just read an interesting article from Pandas International on various cubs born this year around the world from Wolong and Chengdu owned dams. Hua Mei and Bai Yun are both mentioned. I hope that by seeing how well Hua Mei is doing at Wolong it will help us keep our perspective as Mei Sheng takes flight in a couple of days for his journey to Wolong.
Two things are very striking about Hua Mei’s cub story, this year she tried to cuddle both twins in her arms but it was too much for her, and one of her first sons born in September 2004 is referred to as “famous panda Tuan Tuan.” I think he must be the one who was chosen to go to Taiwan if the Taiwanese government ever allows him to come there.
“On July 16, 2007, the giant panda Hua Mei born in the US at the San Diego zoo gave birth to a pair of twins, which was the second birth of the giant pandas at the Wolong Research Center this year.
At 6:24 am the first cub was born. This experienced mother picked up her baby and hugged it in her arms, and licked it softly. Soon, the baby fell asleep. At 9:18 am Hua Mei gave birth to the second baby. Hua Mei tried to hug them both in her arms, but it was too difficult for her. The worker took her second baby to the nursery. The physical examination showed that the second baby a female is in good health, weighed 161grams.
Hua Mei was the first panda born abroad and then returned to Wolong. She was born in the San Diego Zoo, on August 21, 1999; and returned to the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda on March 13, 2004. She gave birth to a pair of twin in September 1, 2004, one of which is the famous panda Tuan Tuan. On August 29, 2005, she gave birth to a pair of twins again. She did not rut in 2006. At the end of February 2007, she rutted and then mated with the giant panda Lu Lu on March 9 and the giant panda Qing Qing, plus received one artificial insemination. In the beginning of July, she began to decrease food in take and on July 16, gave birth to her third pair of twins.
During the four years in China, Hua Mei has given birth to 3 pairs of twins, and brings us a great surprise, and witness the good cooperation between China and US.”
October 26th, 2007 at 8:52 pm
Aurevoir Mei Sheng!
I hope you will enjoy your new home! I will miss you so much my dear and handsome little bear!! Good luck and I hope to see, maybe one day, your sons or daughters and your lovely “lady”! I hope also that the staff of San Diego Zoo will keep us updated with your new life and adventures in Wolong!!!
I have such a heavy heart too… Thanks to all the people who took so good care of you, I understand so well you sadness even if it’s full of hope at the same time. Have fun Mei!!!
Sophie from Montreal, your frenchie “friend”
Big virtual hugs and kisses
October 26th, 2007 at 8:56 pm
I read on the internet that 4 year old twin panda cubs born in Japan have been recently (or will soon be) sent to China (Chengdu). Knowing how hard it is for us to say goodbye to one panda, can you just imagine 2?
October 26th, 2007 at 9:01 pm
Ditto, #9, request,
“SDZ, is there any possibility that you could provide a link where we pandaholics could view the video you have made for Mei Sheng’s new caregivers? I’m sure all of us would LOVE to see this. I hope this is arequet that you are able to consider and comply with.”
This would be a great educational opportunity, especially for aspiring young keepers to be, and possibly even a fund raiser for the SDZ and WAP. Are there any videos available on the life of Mei Sheng at SDZ? I have seen one on Hua Mei as the first cub born in USA, and there is one available about Tai Shan. But, I would like to get on on Mei Sheng as he was already a sub-adult bear by the time I discovered the Panda Cam.
His smile is contagious and goes along with the antics described about him and his rainy night escapades. I can picture him throwing his back against the fence for a back scratch.
As my tears flow, and I feel the sadness of him going on his journey, I am struck by the response we humans have, and yet his own mother by instinct and dictation of nature is not reacting to his leaving at all. To her, he left two and a half years ago, when he became an independent sub-adult panda. Why is it that we humans mourn animals and children growing into independent adults, while the animals take it in stride as a natural part of life?
Farewell, American Panda Prince, may you have many happy years in the tall trees, cool misty breezes, listening to the raging water in the river nearby. May the Wolong keepers quickly come to love you as your SDZ keeper family do, and may they provide you the support and encouragement your silly antics and wonderful personality have come to enjoy. You have a destiny awaiting you in your parent’s homeland, soon to be yours, and you have been raised and cared for to fulfil it. May your future cubs be blessed with all of your abundant goodness and thrive to help repopulate the native pandas in your new homeland.
October 26th, 2007 at 9:14 pm
Though we’ve enjoyed all our babied at SDZ, I like many of you had a special place in my heart for Mei Sheng. From the beginning he just brought such joy as he grew from that ball of fluff to the big boy he is now. I had many chances to travel down to SDZ to see Mei Sheng and each time it was so enjoyable as he cavorted or was the eating machine of the Panda world. I am grateful that he will become such an important part of the future of the Panda species because of his pedigree. Please keep us posted over the next years on how “our” boy is doing. I now truly plan on volunteering at Wolong during the summer. Anything to see Mei Sheng again. Could you have the Chinese character necklace made again? What a great saying - Born in the USA - and a symbol of our favorite Panda.
October 26th, 2007 at 10:00 pm
I, too, wish this little panda a great life back in China. It is my hope that his new keepers WILL care for him (and be as kind to him) as he has been cared for in San Diego. I hope the day comes when the United States can begin its own breeding program for Pandas and won’t have to return them to China! Surely there are places in the U.S. that mimick the environment in China. I do worry that the cubs are taken from their mothers far too soon in China.
October 26th, 2007 at 10:35 pm
Well, one more day to see Mei Sheng in person, then he leaves for China after that! I live in Florida, but was able to see him on the pandacam off and on when the cam was on him. He’s a great looking bear, and I’m sure that some of those lady pandas in China will really swoon over him! Will be praying for travelling mercies for Mei and the panda keepers that will be going with him for support. I’m glad that you all will be able to send him off now after all of the turmoil dealing with the fire situation. This is a good time of year for Mei to go to China as the weather is pretty favorable in California and China right now. If Mei was leaving later on in the year, the weather would not have been as good in both places. Wolong will be blessed to have Mei Sheng there so that he can be an important part of their panda survival program. He’s a special little guy! Mei Sheng, you be a good boy and behave yourself around those panda girls! Hope to hear that you will be a daddy very soon!
Luv to Mei Sheng,
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
October 26th, 2007 at 11:35 pm
Farewell Mei Sheng. I saw you today, and I hope you take care of yourself in Wolong. They will love you there, just like your trainers and everybody else love you here. Be safe and God speed.
October 26th, 2007 at 11:45 pm
Mei Sheng, I hate to see you go, as you are my favorite boy panda! I love your friendliness and your cuteness. You’ve always been a ham to say the least. It is truly going to be a loss for us here in the U.S., and China will gain a gem.
May the Lord richly bless you with health, happiness, prosperity (lots of great offsprings), and many tall trees to climb.
Farewell for now, sweet boy. I hope and pray that it will not be our last. I hope to see you again as God wills.
Next week will be very hard for all of us, indeed! Have a safe journey, you and all your keepers.
Thanks, Angie for giving us an update on Mei Sheng.
October 26th, 2007 at 11:47 pm
Farewell smiling bear. Started watching pandas to relieve stress. Got hooked!!! Have fun replenishing the panda population.
October 27th, 2007 at 2:06 am
Even though I can’t travel to San Diego, I’ve fallen in love with these bears by watching them on the pandacam. *sniff* I will really miss our baby boy… Goodbye sweetie!
(Btw, Yun Yun at Zoo Atlanta also loves the alcohol “perfume”- she rubs it all over her body too!)
October 27th, 2007 at 2:41 am
Mei Sheng, farewell, and may all your panda dreams come true in Wolong.
Even though I never met you in person, I must say that folks who have so generously shared their photos and experiences with you, well these things tell me you are one very special young man! I have an especially beloved pic of you as a wee little boy….sitting with your mama, mimicking her eating of bamboo, and you just so fuzzy-wuzzy-adorably-cute, watching Madame Bai with a true look of love and admiration for your incredible mama bear. You, dear sweet Sheng, will always be in my heart. I love you, and shall miss seeing you on pandacam. I just hope we can get some sort of updates from Wolong on your life and progress. I know so many young panda ladies will fall head over heels for you! Go forth, young man….multiply, prosper, be happy!
October 27th, 2007 at 3:38 am
good bye Mei Sheng, be safe and be happy, much love
October 27th, 2007 at 3:53 am
According to the news, the 4-year old Japan-born panda twin boys- Ryuhin and Shuhin have arrived Beijing today and will fly to Chengdu tomorrow. It can be eased from the pictures of their temporary home in the Chengdu Panda Breeding Center released that it is quite nice and neat. The Center said they had been ready for their return. Wish the two boys can adjust their new home and environment quickly.
I think we can feel more comfortable with Mei Sheng’s leaving for China if we could get more information about the preparation work from Wolong.
As a pandaholic, I deeply understand your sadden feeling upon Mei Sheng’s leaving though he will be nearer to me when he retruns.
October 27th, 2007 at 5:03 am
Oh Mei Sheng! This is the time we dread but yet hoped you’d grow to see. Even though I’ve never seen you or any of your family, I’ve followed all of your family on the Cam since your big sister Hua Mei’s birth. It was just as difficult to say “Good Bye” to her too but every time I hear of her giving birth, it’s all worth it! You too, will be valueable in saving your kind. From everything that I’ve seen and read you are truly going to a WONDERFUL place and will get very good care.
To the staff - Thanks for all you’ve done for our animals. This has to be so much harder for you. My prayers go out to all of you this past week with all the tragedy going on out there.
Mei, my beloved boy - safe journey to you and your keeper. We will look forward to hearing the fantastic news that you will bring us in the coming years!!
October 27th, 2007 at 6:51 am
Bye Bye, Love…
October 27th, 2007 at 7:14 am
Wow….I didn’t think I would be so overcome with tears reading that Mei Sheng is departing for China soon….knowing that he is leaving to fulfill his destiny helps but it doesn’t stop the since of loss for the SDZ and panda watchers all over the US.
I now know what I’ll be feeling when Tai, Su lin and Mei Lan have to return to their homeland. : _(
Godspeed Mei Sheng…..sire lots of beautiful panda babies!
October 27th, 2007 at 8:24 am
To all the Panda caregivers, It is such an honor to have shared and continue to share part of your world. Times like this are really hard, but it is all part of the journey to help save these magnificant animals.
This site has brought so much joy to people and also an understanding of a part of life few of us get to experience. The Panda Cam has given me an insite into the life of the Panda that I never could have experienced otherwise. Thank you all for the wonderful job you are doing.
October 27th, 2007 at 8:24 am
Thank you for the very emotional but sweet update on Mei Sheng. I know your heart is heavy as is all the other writers regarding him leaving. I am in Atlanta so therefore, Mei Lan is my baby ;o) She is so sweet but now I have become attached to little Bright Star too..she is just precious. Wonderful watching them grow from day one. I know you will miss Mei Sheng but he is going home and has his sister there to watch over him. They both have very good genes so we will hopefully see his offsprings in the future
) Good Luck, Mei Sheng and may God be with you (and your keepers and pandaholics, too) 
))
October 27th, 2007 at 8:28 am
Have to admit, this is really hard to do….we are going to miss this boy and his smile and his happy-go-lucky ways. I have watched him come into this world, and now, sadly, will watch him go to the other side of it. I pray only good things will be in store for him. The Chinese are getting our Rock Star, and I am sure he will turn some ladies’ heads as he grows to maturity.
Stay well and happy, Me Sheng…how we will miss you!
October 27th, 2007 at 8:54 am
I started watching the bears around the time Su Lin was born so I did not see Mei Sheng when he was first born. But I am still so sad that he will no longer be at SDZ. My heart breaks for those who cared for him…it must be like a family member or best friend moving away.
So sorry for this.
Please, please keep us updated with how Mei Sheng is doing. Please let us know when he arrives in Wolong.
A long healthy peaceful prosperous life to you sweet fellow!!!!
October 27th, 2007 at 9:01 am
Bye Mei Sheng, be happy and healthy.
Take care yourself!
You will be forever in my heart and thoughts, Baby Boy!
I’ll see you in Wolong, soon.
October 27th, 2007 at 9:05 am
Angie, thank you to you and all the other panda keepers for giving Mei Sheng such loving care. It’s very hard to say farewell, isn’t it? My heart is broken. I cannot imagine how you must feel.
Have a safe journey and wonderful life, Mei Sheng. You are missed.
October 27th, 2007 at 10:27 am
Wow I can’t beleive it’s the boy’s last day and that he will be off and arriving in China. Is it really 4 years. I’m all teary. I thought that I was ok until I read the post and the replies. I should have known; I was just the same when Shi Shi and Hua Mei left.
October 27th, 2007 at 10:57 am
Welcome home, Mei Sheng!
I was so moved by all of you and I really undersand your sadness!
But don’t be sad. I am sure Mei sheng will be fine in Wolong because we all love him!
Thanks for all your careness
October 27th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
I am so teary eyed right now after reading this. I will miss seeing you on Panda Cam, Mei Sheng, but I look forward to seeing you next October during my trip to China and the Giant Panda Research Center. Have a safe trip and enjoy your new home. I hope you have a wonderful life there. Goodbye, for now, sweet boy.
October 27th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
I was looking at all the articles on the fires and aftermath, and then came upon the ” Farewell” entry. I had to stand up and pretend to get my glasses because my eyes filled with tears. He is such a special bear, and I hope that Wolong will treasure him as much as I and all of us do. Happy travels Sheng, and go out into the world knowing how much you have helped your species, and also how much you have made the human species appreciate how really precious you are. Farewell indeed, Sheng, and God Bless.
October 27th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Good bye sweet Mei Sheng
Live long, work hard, and prosper
:( Tomorrow is your last day at SDZ. Say goodbye to Su and all your keepers too.
Goodbye Mei Sheng
Aideu, aideu, aideu
October 27th, 2007 at 2:04 pm
Sweet Mei Sheng,
I hate goodbyes, so for now I will say … See ya!
I was in Wolong last September and I got to see your big Sis, Hua Mei, and for all I know the cubs that I wrestled/played with and ‘hugged’ (as they tried to ‘eat’ me … in my 42½ years of life I’ve never had SO MUCH fun!!) may have been her babies. Its absolutely beautiful where your new home is, you’re gonna love it! I loved it so much I keep telling people I’m going to run away and live with in the mountains of China with the pandas!!
The people that will take care of you are nice too.
I’m already planning a return to Wolong, either next year or spring of ‘08, so I’ll be able to check up on you guys. In the meantime, have a safe trip precious … You will be missed!!
See ya, Mei Sheng!!
Vanessa
P.S. Oh heavens, the tears won’t stop! I need a ‘Boo Bear Hug now!
October 27th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
I said farewell to you, Mei Sheng, in person a few weeks ago when you were enjoying a nice snooze. Again my friend, I wish you all the best as you head to your new home. What adventures your future holds! I am sad to see you go, but please know that my life has been enriched over and over. May you have lifelong peace and prosperity.
October 27th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
Farewell sweet, lovely young man! We’ve all enjoyed watching you grow to be the handsome sweetheart you are. Although we will all miss you terribly, it is your destiny to go to the home of your ancestors. Perhaps one day, one of your lovely offspring will be able to come to the U.S. Take care, Mei Sheng. We love you.
Thank you to all the staff at SDZ for taking such wonderful care of Mei Sheng, and for all the updates. I can only imagine how you are feeling right now.
October 27th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
Mei Sheng is a delightful panda who will do us all proud as he goes to live in Wolong. I love his sweet, fun disposition, which he has really has shown in his meetings with Su Lin at the gate between their exhibits. I wish him safe travel, a long, healthy, happy life, and many offspring. I can’t believe how attached I have become to all these beautiful pandas!
Thank you, SDZ staff and keepers, you are so very special, truly a class all your own. Anyone with such compassion and caring for animals is a hero. Thank you, too, for having web cams for all of us to see these sweet animals. I feel like I learn so much through this.
To the Wolong staff, thank you for letting us have the privilege of having pandas in our country for a time, to see them and learn from them, and to learn about endangered species. Enjoy “our” Mei Sheng! May he be a blessing to you all as much as he has been to us.
Kisses and hugs to Mei Sheng! Safe travel for you and those who will be traveling with you.
October 27th, 2007 at 4:48 pm
Sweet, Sweet Mei Sheng! Godspeed to you as you journey away from San Diego, your birth home, and away from all of us who love you. I wanted so much to come and see you one last time on 10/27, but was unable to do that, and now the tears won’t stop. It just makes me so sad to think that you are going away and I won’t get to see you ever again. We were so fortunate to have had you here with us for over four years.
You were the size of a stick of butter when you were born, and we all watched as you grew up into a beautiful black and white bear right before our eyes, making us laugh with your cute little facial expressions and all your little bear-antics. What a special, special boy-bear you are! Your caregivers and others at the San Diego Zoo deserve so much credit. They, too, will be unconsolable when they must say a final goodbye to you very soon.
I trust the Chinese will realize just how special you are and will treat you superbly. May you have a safe trip and may God be with you as you go on to your next adventure in China. Many kisses and hugs go with you from all of us. You will be missed, Sweet Boy!
October 27th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
#47 Tony - your song “Good-bye” says it all.
#67 Lee Chris - As our beloved Mei Sheng returns home it helps to know there are people like you to make sure he’s ok.
I just watched a great “play” bout with Bai & Bright Star. It now takes 2 paws for Bai to position her cub where she wants her & if Bright Star is happy she squirms all over.
Know the next couple of days will be sad ones at the panda exhibit - but all have a done wonderful job.
October 27th, 2007 at 7:14 pm
I miss you already Mei Sheng. I hope that we get news about you once a month, and about your sisters Hua Mei.
And lots of pictures too about your love life, new girl friends and sons and daughters.
Please keep us posted.
Love always from your panda fans.
October 27th, 2007 at 7:57 pm
Lee Chris #67, Anne C. #68 & LA’BooBearHugger #71:
Please, kindly don’t forget to up-date us on our dearly loved Mei Sheng, Hua Mei and Shi Shi. It would be so wonderful to get first hand news from China.
Once again, God Bless Mei Sheng. Thank you.
Rose N.
October 27th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
My sweet boy, may your journey to your new home be safe and sound. God bless you always, you and your kin folk! The tears are going to be around for a while…..
It’s just hard to say good-bye, Mei Sheng!!!! I’ve got a plush panda named after you because he looks a lot like you! At least he’ll be by my side!!!!!
October 27th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
Hello,
My eyes teared as I read your post today. I can only say that you are all wonderful people who care for the animals at San Diego Zoo and my heart goes out to your for your sadness.
Sandie
October 27th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
I’ve watched you since you were born, Mei Sheng, and my husband and I got to visit you three times. The first time you stayed up high in the tree for most of the day but you eventually came down. You were so cute! We saw you close up the next two visits, and you had grown into a beautiful panda. I knew this day was coming, but it is still so sad. I hope your trip to China isn’t too scary, and I hope you like it in China.
We will all miss you so much.
October 27th, 2007 at 11:51 pm
Thank you to all the SDZ staff for sharing Mei Sheng with us these last four years. I dd get to see him in person last year and those memories and pictures will always remind me how sweet and beautful he is. I hope you have a safe journey Me Sheng and enjoy your new home.
October 28th, 2007 at 12:27 am
I can only echo everyone’s warm sentiments about the little guy. Mei Sheng was born at the same time my cat, Tammy died and I know he helped me make it through the sad times as I watched him growing up on Panda Cam. When I finally saw him in person, I thought he was a real “pistol” up in those trees. We’ll miss our sweet bear… but I think he’s going to miss us, too. After all, “Happy (pandas) come from California.”
October 28th, 2007 at 2:03 am
So long my sweet baby boy, Mei Sheng. You have brought sunshine to all of our lives! I will miss you with all my heart. This is just the beginning of another incredible journey!
October 28th, 2007 at 2:11 am
just checking… yup.. still here..
gonna miss u old boy…
October 28th, 2007 at 3:16 am
Good luck my sweet boy Mei Sheng.
Yumiko From Japan.
October 28th, 2007 at 8:09 am
Yesterday I saw Mei Sheng and (was it?) Su Lin on opposite sides of a mesh fence opening. They were frolicking and playing …. it was soooooo precious. Only wish that they had had an opportunity to play together before Sheng left. I hope Su Lin gets to play with her baby sister one day!
October 28th, 2007 at 8:37 am
I am crying as I write this, and will miss Mei so much. On his first birthday, I baked a stand-up panda cake that no one in our office would cut, because they didn’t want to ruin it! I had to cut the first piece. As much as I will miss Mei Sheng, it seems to me that SDZ has become indifferent with Bai’s newest cub, as if a panda cub has become old hat. As of now, there is no video of her latest exam, and only one picture. Updates on panda blogs are few and far between. Atlanta Zoo has many more cub updates and pics on Mei Lan. (:
October 28th, 2007 at 8:43 am
All the heartwarming blogs and your sad up-date, Angie, did it… Right now I am sitting at my PC and cannot help it but shed a few tears. It must be so hard for all the staff and keepers at SDZ letting their big boy go after having cared for him for four years now. Thank you for having taken such good care of Mei Sheng and of course all the other panda bears. I am sure that Mei Sheng will make you proud in his native country. He will also be happy being surrounded by lots of panda ladies, being able to “pick and choose”.
I had just the last glance of Mei Sheng on the web cam and he looks so happy munching his boo. I wish him and all who are going to accompany him to Wolong a pleasant and safe journey. Auf Wiedersehen, Mei Sheng, wherever it may be, most probably only on webcam or via reports, but I shall never forget your “clowny” face!
October 28th, 2007 at 10:08 am
Thank you all for your kind words and for loving me all these years. I will miss you when I get to Wolong. Thank you to everyone who came to say goodbye to me. I will never forget any of you, and I promise to tell all my new panda friends about you. I will miss you but now is not the time for tears to be shed. Please don’t be so sad that I’m moving away. Wolong is a great place with lots of trees to climb and pandas to play with. I said goodbye to Su Lin yesterday. She told me to have a good time and that she’d take care of all the people that were sad.
Whenver you feel sad just watch my sisters or parents, Cousin Tai or Mei Lan and you’ll feel better. So please don’t cry.
Pamela G- Thanks for all the beautiful lullabies and poems you wrote
P Wong- Thanks for telling everyone about all my conversations.
Thank you to everyone else as well. Goodbye.
Love,
Mei Sheng
Ps Here are two sayings that I think are good to know for times such as these
“There are no endings, just the beginnings of something else.” (I’m starting a new life, that calls for joy not sorrow.)
“Often when a door closes, we spend so long looking at the closed door that we fail to notice when another door opens”(I’m not the first panda to leave nor the last don’t miss out on other opportunuties because of me)
October 28th, 2007 at 10:34 am
I went to the zoo yesterday to say goodbye to Sheng. He and Su played at the howdy gate for a long time which made the long trip well worth while. I think she will miss her brother as we all will… Bye Sheng!
October 28th, 2007 at 1:22 pm
Bye, funny bear boy!
You will be missed but you will also remain in our hearts forever.
You are a beautiful animal.
Please Wolong, take as good a care of this one as you possibly can, because in 2 more years, you’ll be getting our Tai Shan.
SDZ, you have done a such wonderful work with these special creatures. I’m watching the new one as often as I can.
I’m so sorry, however, that you’re losing your best boy!
I too, hope for the day that the US can establish a panda reserve and hopefully create another homeland for these wonderful animals (I can dream, can’t I?)
Cyndi\Washington, DC
October 28th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
As I watched the pandacam yesterday Bai Yun and Mei Sheng seemed so sad. Bai knows that one of her children is leaving again and Mei knows that the time has come to say goodbye to his birthplace. I can only wish that he was given the chance to interact with his father once he was weaned from his mother. He and Su need this kind of interaction once they go back to their homeland. An hour a day for each of them and once a week as a family. Being born in captivity probably we can in a way change their solitary way of life little by little, step by step. Sometimes I pity Tai when he’s playing along and hope that Mei and Su where given the chance to know and play with each other. I can still watch Tai with all his devilish adventure and
I’m gonna miss him when the time comes. But I have something to remember him anytime the feeling comes around. I wish you could also provide us with a dvd of our beloved pandas from the time they were born and before their final goodbye.
October 28th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
#88 Ruth
The reason that the latest exam has no video or photos and few blogs at the moment is because all availble people were protecting the animals from the fires. I am sure that the keepers are hard at work looking after “Bright Star”, her parents and her siblings and aren’t in any way complacent.
October 28th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
I will miss your ever presnt smile and personality, Mei Sheng! I have loved seeing you on the webcam or in person when I come to CA twice a year. I hope you enjoy your new home very much- you will definitely enjoy climbing many trees and playing with many pandas. I know your Daddy Gao and Madame Bai are very proud of you and that you will represent your family well! It’s great you and Su Lin have been communicating for sometime we’ve all enjoyed watching you interact at the howdy gate. I love you sweet Mei Sheng. I wish you a safe journey and hope to see you in China one day.
October 28th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
#88 Rosie: the entry on October 25, Cooing Over the Cub, gives a good description of Bright Star’s last exam. On one of the responses to that entry, the Moderator apologetically explained that there is no video available of the last exam because the zoo had no staff available. Please bear in mind that, over the last few weeks, the days at the SD zoo and the Wild Animals Park have been much taken up with more critical priorities like the tragic firestorms that were definitely hard to ignore. On top of that, there are the preparations for and the actual send-off of our beloved panda prince, Mei Sheng. I understand several of the zoo staff were directly affected by the fires, and Mei Sheng’s departure can’t be a ‘picnic’ for the staff. Let’s cut them a little slack; besides, come Wednesday or Thursday, it will be exam time again and we’ll get more news about our precious ’star’. Incidentally, I was just watching her, all be herself in the den. She is getting wider by the day, and getting better at scooting around the den. There are great ‘panda watching days’ ahead for all of us pandaholics!!
October 28th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
Well, I will miss the heck out of the little devil. I think it stinks that he has to leave. Why won’t China allow us to start our own breeding program in the U.S.? Then we won’t have to say goodbye to those we’ve come to adore.
October 28th, 2007 at 6:10 pm
just checking… yup.. still here..
October 28th, 2007 at 6:39 pm
CYNDI #92
I hope that one day your dream will come true. With all your love and dedication of the panda staff plus the availability of a good natural environment, I believe that pandas can also live happily and prosper in your country. I believe that pandas are the national treasure of all mankind.
October 28th, 2007 at 7:01 pm
Mei Sheng, bon vogage. Hope that you will live happily in Wolong as you do in the SDZ.
October 28th, 2007 at 8:09 pm
Bye Mei Sheng. I wish I had a chance to visit you before you leave. Good luck with the panda ladies.
I was just wondering if the keepers could take a nice “family picture” of all the pandas at San Diego before Mei Sheng leaves. It would make a great Christmas present.
Also, it would be great if there was a nature special that follows Mei Sheng back to China and checks up on Hua Mei. I remember there was a special when Hua Mei was born and I think it is time for another one. Of course it should include Bai Yun, Su Lin,
Gao Gao and Bright Star too!
Bon Voyage Mei Sheng!
October 28th, 2007 at 8:46 pm
TonyMo , #41, what a perfect song for this occasion. Maybe they can put the music as background to the video we requested about Mei Sheng.
October 28th, 2007 at 9:02 pm
I could control myself from not crying until I read the post Mei Sheng wrote. Even though I’ve just seen a few pictures of you, I know you are a very sweet bear. You will be missed, sweetie! Take care. Hugs and kisses for you. Have a safe journey.
October 28th, 2007 at 10:12 pm
I’ve enjoyed watching the Mei Sheng videos on You Tube the last few days. There’s one that shows him doing summersaults in his enclosure in response to his trainer. So cute! Somebody in Wolong is going to have one heck of a time with him.
October 28th, 2007 at 11:00 pm
Bye Bye my sweet little bear,you were my first panda to watch so you are very special,I am so glad I had the opportunity to see you,you were always eating when I saw you ,what a noise you could make! lol Have a safe trip and if only you could understand how much you are loved….missing you already,bye cutie,love you lots.
October 28th, 2007 at 11:08 pm
Dear Mei Sheng, I had watched the pandacam on 27 and 28 Oct, the days before you were off exhibit. So glad to see you meeting and playing with Su Lin at the howdy gate. Did you say goodbye to adorable Su Lin?
I was close to tears when I left a farewell message to Mei Sheng in the Giant Panda Fans Club blog created by Hong Kong giant panda lovers.
Goodbye, sweet Mei Sheng. I will miss you much. Hope to see you and your sister Hua Mei in Wolong soon.
With lots of love from Hong Kong ~
October 28th, 2007 at 11:49 pm
Mei Sheng,
How can we not cry for you? You were like family to us. What parent would not feel bad when their child leaves home? You will forever be my panda baby boy! Hugs and kisses to you kiddo! Take good care of yourself and say hello to Hua Mei and her kids for us! Really hope to see you again before I get old!
Love you always! It’s just so hard to say good-bye to any panda kid!
Please have your keepers send us updates on your progress, ok? We are waiting to hear from you sweety!
October 29th, 2007 at 6:31 am
Good bye my sweet boy, have a good journey to your new home, I will miss seeing you sweet smile and that silly grin. Show them just how special a bear you are, make us proud and maybe on day we will have one of your babies here. hugs and love.
October 29th, 2007 at 6:40 am
I would like to thank all the Keepers who brought up a sweet, sensitive and well adjusted bear. With all your love and patience look what you have accomplished. Like the song says “simply the best, better than all the rest”and you are the best. You can be proud of what he has become. Thank You
October 29th, 2007 at 6:40 am
There’s an article in the People’s Daily Online about the twin pandas coming from Japan, with a picture of some of the celebrations for them. Also, there’s the following about Mei Sheng:
“A panda is returning from the US, too. A four-year-old male panda Mei Sheng, born in the San Diego Zoo, is returning home to get “married”.
“Mei Sheng (literally meaning “Born in the US”) was born on August 19, 2003, the first to be born in the US without the help of artificial insemination, said Li Desheng, deputy director of China’s Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda Wolong Nature Reserve in Sichuan.
San Diego Zoo veterinarians conducted a thorough medical check-up on Mei Sheng and announced he was ready for his airplane trip, Li said.
Zoo experts said they had collected a lot of information on giant pandas’ growth and mother-cub relations, thanks to Mei Sheng and his mother Bai Yun.
Li said Mei Sheng’s return was part of the cooperation agreement on panda research between China and the US. The US has to return a panda cub born to parents loaned out to it before it becomes sexually mature.”
October 29th, 2007 at 6:50 am
Dear Mei Sheng, I know you’ve asked us not to cry but I am only human. My tear start rolling down again. My dear, just remember I’ll always love you. ..
October 29th, 2007 at 8:18 am
it’s getting hard to log on now. I know any time now they’re going to be putting up the word that he’s off to panda camp and that will be it. maybe if i never log off then in my world he’s still here.
oh hey. there’s a great shot of our boy on yesterday’s time lapse. watch for 8:37 AM and get ready to hit your screen capture button.
October 29th, 2007 at 8:19 am
Ok, I think I am able to DEAL with my profound sadness at Mr. Clown’s upcoming adventure now. I pray for travel mercies for my favorite panda guy. Is anyone old enough to remember that song, “Up he goes, into the wild blue yonder…”? I’ll be thinking of our “Superman” as you load him on the plane.
I do wish Wolong’s camera could be a bit easier for us to access. There are so many pandas there, we probably won’t get too many glimpses of him. Attendants, could you please just paint a red “S” on his bum, so we will know him and be able to watch his antics? Surely they won’t notice, and we would REALLY appreciate it.
We love you, Mei Sheng, and will be looking for your smiling face on the other side of the earth. xxoo Barb
October 29th, 2007 at 8:22 am
This blog is one of the most touching things I have ever read. The first time I read it, I sat at work and cried, and I have cried every time I have read it since then. I am so sad to see Mei Sheng go. Even when I look at his little picture on the “Meet the Pandas” page, I get choked up. I pray he will have a safe and happy life and that his new keepers in China will treasure him as much as we all did here.
Oh my gosh….I just read “Mei Sheng Says” (#90)….I could only read a little at a time because I kept crying. I can only imagine how hard it must be on the workers at the Zoo to let these sweet little things go.
By the way….I agree with some of the other people who posted…..why CAN’T we have our own panda program??
October 29th, 2007 at 8:28 am
Goodbye Mei Sheng, you will be missed! I hope your transition to Wolong will be an easy one. Your an adorable animal!
Will someone from the SD Zoo be accompanying Mei Sheng during his travel? And also staying in Wolong with Mei Sheng during his first few days?
October 29th, 2007 at 8:50 am
I was dreading this blog. I was expecting it but was…, oh no… here comes the tears….
October 29th, 2007 at 9:09 am
My boss has warned everybody to watch what they say around me for the next couple of days and don’t ask why I am crying. They all know but I guess I take it the hardest and believe me all it’s going to take is one wrong word. I agree with everyone, why can’t we have our own breeding facility or at least be able to keep a couple of the offspring. TonyMo I know what you mean, I dread when I log on and find that he’s left
October 29th, 2007 at 9:22 am
Where’s that helicopter i orderd in the other blog? we’re running out of time here.
I am goin nutz here. I been checkin in on him every day since day 1, and made special trips over to see him i dont even know how many times. I wish i could have gotten back over this weekend before he went off exhibit but the last time i was able to go over was last August for his birthday.
My son doesnt understand everything, he just knows that i’m leaving the computer on to watch the panda because he’s going away so he keeps sitting here and saying bye bye lil panda.
I’m one of the lucky ones who’s been able to watch him from the very first day he was born, but i know that the rest of you that have joined us in the last 4 years on this journey are just as much a part of us as anyone whos’ been here since day 1.. or longer..
we’re gonna miss u kiddo. Come back and see us some day.
October 29th, 2007 at 10:02 am
For all Mei Sheng fans, if you go to Shop Zoo (prints) there is a beautiful print of Mei Sheng. I don’t know how old he is in the picture, but it is just the sweetest thing in the world.
Moderator’s note: Thank you, Deb. Here’s the direct link: http://www.shopzoo.com/shopzoo.cgi?cmd=subcategories&query_cat=Panda+Shop&query_subcat=Prints
October 29th, 2007 at 10:02 am
I agree that it has become difficult to log on and read this blog. We all love Mei Sheng sooo much, it makes it difficult to say goodbye. The lump in the throat, the tears in the eyes - it has taken me days to even think about leaving a comment on this blog. We know this is best for Mei Sheng. After watching his interaction at the howdy gate yesterday, he seems like he is more social than solitary and I’m sure he will have more interaction at Wolong - especially with the lady pandas. We know this is best for propagation of the giant panda species. I’m sure Mei Sheng will contribute greatly to the gene pool and diversity of the breeding program at Wolong. We know this is best for Mei Sheng, it’s just so hard on all of us that have fallen in love with the antics of this sweet, silly bear. Godspeed Mei Sheng. May your trip be safe and your future be filled with happiness.
October 29th, 2007 at 10:33 am
I have enjoyed watching you and your antics over these past years, and hope that you have a wonderful new adventure ahead of you. You are a sweet, innocent creature and I wish you well. My tears are falling now, partly because of the loss, and partly because I am unsure what awaits you. I hope you continue to receive the same wonderful care that you received her. A good life to you, Mei Sheng!
October 29th, 2007 at 10:48 am
#90, “Mei Sheng”, how beautiful and touching a message. It helps to comfort us. He will be excited when he gets to Wolong and sees all the openness, and tall trees, and pandas to “play” with. He hasn’t seen that many pandas in his young life. Besides the attention he will be getting from his new keepers and friends will be incredible starting with the big welcoming ceremony.
If he is to arrive in Shanghai tomorrow night (10/30) he will leaving sometime today, although I suspect he has already begun his journey. May his flight be enjoyable and fun, and may his keepers enjoy the close up encounter they will share with him.
GOD bless sweet boy. May your “marriage(s)” be great and your little panda boys and girls be as wonderful as you.
Sorry I missed seeing you live yesterday. I thought you were going to be off the camera too, and I dreaded logging on afraid that I would read that you had already left. I am thrilled that you had a chance to see your precious sister Su Lin before you left, and you had an enjoyable “visit.” She may miss you too as Bright Star is too little for her to talk to or play with. However, hopefully the girls will get to visit in “person” not just through the wire mesh. You and Su Lin proved that it is safe and a great enrichment activity for both bears.
October 29th, 2007 at 11:03 am
Wow, Post #90 says it all…. Indeed we are all saddened that this little boy can’t remain with his beloved keepers, but Wolong does seem to have a lot to offer him. Check out the Cam at Wolong, I did this morning and saw Panda’s playing and having a good time together. Indeed Mei will settle into his new home and flourish with the ladies!! I already have told my husband I’m off to China next year!!!
I’ll be checking for new posts hopefully we will know when he has left/arrived in China and can’t wait to hear how good he is doing.
Safe journey to you little bear…..
October 29th, 2007 at 11:10 am
#112, TonyMo, thanks for the tip about screen shots of the time-lapse. I didn’t realize you could do that. I got several great shots, even of Mei and Su at the Howdy Gate. It instantly picked up my spirits knowing I could look back at the photos anytime I want. I have been reviewing the time-lapse from the last two weeks to catch glimpses of them together. I wish I had known that print screen worked so I could have kept the 10/17 visit of the two siblings.
October 29th, 2007 at 11:19 am
Through my sadness at Mei Sheng leaving, I feel a certain pull toward reading that he has started his journey.
The suspense is killing me, since we can no longer see him “live.” I know he has to be leaving within hours from now, if he has not already gone, and my inner desire for peace is tugging at me to know that the “deed is done,” so we can bring some sense of closure to our grief. I will miss him terribly, but know that he is going to a great place.
Doing the print screen thing and having images to look at really does help the pain and sadness.
Now we must focus our attention and eyes on Su Lin, and little miss fluffy ball who is about to get a name in 11 days!!!
October 29th, 2007 at 11:29 am
Suzanne or Ellie, why were Mei Sheng’s front legs and chest shaved in so many places? Are they fresh or left over from his physical? I noticed in several poses on Panda Cam, and also the photos above that there are a lot of shaved places. I didn’t notice the ones on his front legs until this picture. Do you have to do some monitoring of his vital signs during the flights?
October 29th, 2007 at 11:30 am
I will always love you and miss your sweet face. Be happy and safe.
October 29th, 2007 at 11:41 am
When do we vote to officially make “Bright Star” the name??
October 29th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Im glad my tip about the screen shot was able to help. I cant even guess how many shots i have of him from screen shots, post card shots and from being there and getting them live in person.
When i get back in a week maybe we can set up some kind of central sharing spot that we can all post and share our thoughts and pics of our lil guy and we can all remember him together.
I’m sure he’s prolly well on his way by now. .. sadness….
and yet joy for him because we know he’s going to an awesome place. they do NOTHING but care for pandas over there. it’s what they’ve dedicated their lives to. I know he’ll recieve the best care and have all kinds of reasons to make us proud of him in no time. He’ll always be our lil pooper, but lets be honest here.. he’s an anxious teen boy getting ready to be put out to stud.
If he could read our blogs he’d prolly give us one of his looks and say AWW COME ON! You know i’ll be ok,, im just gonna go across the way for a bit and get me a girlfriend or three or four.. and make me some babies. I’ll write and make sure you get pics…
I cant wait till the first pics of his first son come out. THEN we will have a reason to be proud.
October 29th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
TonyMo,
Love your #129 Post… How true, I’m sure his “little ones” will be as gorgeous as he is…. We can’t hold him back now can we?? A place to share our photo’s and stories would be awesome. Mind you when I was in San Diego a couple weeks back, he was sleeping every time I went to the Exhibit. Thank Goodness his little sister was awake and roaming around.
Thanks for your uplifting post!!!
October 29th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
When the sadness gets you down, and your tears start flowing, check out Mei Lan and Lun Lun’s antics at Zoo Atlanta.
It will cheer you up, even have you laughing, and help to remind you of when Mei Sheng and Su Lin were only a year old and playing with Bai Yun. It seems like only yesterday, for Su Lin at least, but it was a 14 months ago already.
October 29th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
One thing I think is so very endearing is that when pandas go back “home” to China, it seems they also refer to in the Chinese marriage as them getting “married.”
Hua Mei was “married” not long after she got there — and look at what a hot little panda babe she has become — three sets of twins and she’s not even ten years old yet!
October 29th, 2007 at 1:36 pm
Like I said before, this totally stinks.
Ok, I gotta go cry some more.
October 29th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
#128, we must be patient, and give the SDZ panda folks a break. After all, they spent most of last week helping their WAP colleagues save the WAP. This week they are going through the sad process of saying Goodbye to Mei Sheng and getting him safely and stress-free on his long journey. When both of those events are behind them, they can concentrate on reviewing and refining the list down to 4 or 5 names for the rest of us to choose from. Until then, sit back, relax, and watch baby girl wiggle herself all over the den, and play with her mom. It is truely a marvelous sight to behold.
October 29th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
Is it true that our Pooper will be on exhibit for another week to allow people who were unable to visit last weekend because of the fires a chance to say goodbye?
October 29th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
On his fourth birthday, during the lunch-time cleaning, his keepers and zoo staff brought the second set of his birthday celebration items including another ice cake and a big box filled with goodies. Now, it was time for Mei Sheng to come back out on exhibit. Angie and his other keepers lined up behind the fence to take photos. Mei Sheng got so excited to see so many faces behind the fence. “Are we training?” He went to see each one, all excited, only to be turned away each time. “Go get the cake!” After realizing it wasn’t working, all the keepers ran out from the back and came to the exhibit area. I hope you got some good pics, Angie. It was a very special and a bitter sweet summer day. He looked so happy licking every drop of honey drizzled on his second cake.
And during those spring months when mom and dad were on exhibit, there were times Mei Sheng gathered more crowd outside of his OFF-exhibit yard than inside the exhibit area. I think Ellie had a write-up about one of those episodes here on the blog. He climbed up high close to the road everyone walking by could see him, and I think he was enjoying his “company.”
There’s something about Mei Sheng that doesn’t quite interpret well over the Panda Cam. When he’s in action, it must be almost impossible to follow him on the cam. He goes left and right, back and forth, up and up and up and down. He likes to hang up side down when he’s all the way up in his favorite poplar tree. Visitors wonder what the strange sounds coming from the panda yard are whenever he climbs past the metal sleeves. His legendary fall from the tree … and being still asleep upon landing. He’d wait for Su Lin at the howdy gate even when she is more interested in eating. And once in awhile, I love watching his exam videos in the discovery center. He was such a cute cubbie.
I wish best of luck to Mei Sheng. So glad to have gotten to know you. You are such a sweet guy. Only regret is that I’m definitely going to miss your first REAL snow day. Now, that’s going to be a hoot. Well, until we meet again…
October 29th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
Went to see our precious boy on Saturday and heard he was going to here out this week, so this morning I went to see him again. I was the only one there for a long time just watching and adoring him. Like always he was being so handsome and cute. He would actually look right at me as if saying I know you and I know why you are here; to say good-bye to me again and know that I love you. I was sad to have to leave knowing it might be the last time I saw him but I know he is going to have so much fun at Wolong and getting to meet a girl panda and have babies. I got some great pictures of him and video that I will cherish always. I am hoping to get there again this week and he will still be out. I never get tired of watching our pandas they are so special and I feel fortunate to live in San Diego and be able to see these amazing animals. I just wish we didn’t have to say good bye to the babies, it is my hope one day China will let us keep a male and female so we will have the pleasure of haivng them in our lives all the time. No matter what animals I go see at the zoo, I always see the Pandas I wouldn’t think of going to the zoo and not go see them. So Mei Sheng have a great trip, have fun and I wish you the best. Please let us know how Mei did on his trip and how he is doing in Wolong.
October 29th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Thank you Sayuri #136 - remembering all the wonderful times after reading how sad everyone is was just what I needed.
I really appreciate the Chinese sharing these wonderful animals with us so we can help in the fight to save the Giant Pandas for the world of the future. As hard as it is to have these beautiful creatures leave to return to China, I know Mei Sheng is going to do his part to help preserve his species.
Best wishes for a wonderful life in the land of your ancestors Mei Sheng!
October 29th, 2007 at 3:27 pm
It may help some to check out the great, funny videos of Mei Sheng on youtube.
October 29th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Finding myself quite distracted today knowing Mei will be in China in the next day. How are you, his companions, handling this departure? It must be so difficult. He has been our wonderful playful bear for four years. Thank you to the SDZ for allowing us to get to know this pre