Life with the Kids
Posted at 10:01 am January 8, 2008 by Ellie Rosenbaum
It’s been two weeks since Zhen Zhen (pictured) made her public debut, and in the best family tradition, she’s won over every visitor to see her, it seems. Her climbing skills are awesome, she’s just passed the five-month mark, and her weight increases weekly. All in all she’s just doing fine and handling the attention in the same manner as her siblings before her: going to sleep earlier and earlier each day, sleeping through visiting hours, and waking to romp when the exhibit doors have closed. Is this a family tradition, spread from mother to cubs? I recall Bai Yun doing the same thing in that same viewing area early on after her arrival in late 1996. The clock would strike nine, she’d cock her head in the direction of the carillon, drop her bamboo, climb into the pine tree, turn around, and go to sleep for the remainder of the morning.
All the attention has been directed toward Zhen: visitors come racing down the San Diego Zoo’s Bear Canyon and, with two viewing areas open in the morning, often bypass Gao Gao and Su Lin, or do a U-turn and race back up Panda Canyon to see the baby before her area closes, these days at 11:30 a.m. It’s almost shocking how quickly Su Lin’s status has dropped from being the bear everyone wanted to see to second-best. And, as if she senses this, within days of Zhen going on exhibit, Su Lin delighted those guests wise enough to still appreciate her with a classic cub romp throughout her enclosure! Up and down the climbing structures, bouncing on the elm branches, tearing branches off the bushes, and rolling and trotting across her space, is she reminding us that she’s still a growing panda kid, and as such retains a serious cute factor? Through these last rainy weeks, we’ve not seen the rain dancing that we’d seen before; perhaps the novelty has worn off since it’s rained so often.
Zhen Zhen, too, has been out and about in the rain, although not within our view until recently. The tree limbs were so slick this Saturday that she couldn’t reach her favorite napping spot, in spite of repeated attempts. The end result was a small, wet bear with a crusting of mud (bedraggled but bewitching) who finally toddled into the shelter box, curled up in the fresh, sweet hay, and went to sleep for the rest of the morning. Babies of all species sleep a lot, it’s true, but as she grows we hope that we’ll soon be seeing more of Zhen Zhen in action before that long summer stretch when, in the best cub fashion, she’ll climb up to the top of a leafy tree and go to sleep!
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January 8th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Well I must say…. Su Lin is the first Panda I saw for real… I was at the SDZ last October, when I walked into the exhibit she was “there”…. Honestly my hands were shaking I was so excited…. I have her pic’s all over my walls, she is my screen saver and will always be my “first” Panda… She walked right over to the walkway plunked her butt down and munched on bamboo… We could have leaned over and touched her (of course never would). I will never ever forget her, and I’ll be back to see her again. I live in Western Canada and it’s a bit of a trip, but one well worth it..
Yes, we do get taken away with the cuteness of our new little darlin, but yes we must also give tons and tons of attention to her Sister and Mom and Dad too….. It is so much fun watching the Panda Cam and reading the blogs and Panda Lover comments, I just couldn’t imagine my day without checking up on all the Panda’s in the USA. Sure wish we’d get some pic’s of Mei out and about in Wolong…. “hint hint” if anyone has any or knows where to find any????
January 8th, 2008 at 10:58 am
She is just a doll, that Zhen! I am coming next week and am hoping to get to see her. It would be nice if she was awake and playful but if not, oh well. When I was there last May, it was Su Lin who was in the classroom with limited viewing time so I felt very lucky to get to see her along with Bai and our boy, Mei Sheng. This time I am also hoping to see Gao Gao, the famous studmuffin responsible for bringing us (along with the magnificent Bai) these wonderful cubs that we have all come to know and love. The panda cam is part of my every day. Sometimes even my husband will say to me “don’t you need to check on your bears?” Thank you for the opportunity!
January 8th, 2008 at 11:52 am
I know I’m showing my ignorance here, but how DO pandas manage to sleep in the trees and not fall out? I’m looking at Su Lin now (British Time 6.45pm) on the cam (Sandiego Time 10.45am) hanging out of a tree and am really quite terrified for her. Silly me. I must have missed Little Miss ZZ all muddy on Saturday, so I shall go and look on the time-lapse video. Unfortunately because of the time difference, unless I want to get up at 2am in the morning, I miss such a lot and I’m finding time-lapse a real boon.
I do enjoy watching mum and daughter around midnight-1am (your time) - the other morning she was copying mum with the bamboo again - the first time I’d seen it ‘live’. She was just so sweet and cute. Love her to bits!
January 8th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Su Lin’s status has NOT dropped! But I often wonder how the red panda across the road feels…
January 8th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Poor Su Lin and people say animals don’t understand. She can comprehend that people are passing by and not stopping to see her. On the other hand I don’t think big daddy really cares, as long as he has his bamboo he is very content. Su is still a beauty even though she still likes to be up in the trees. SO PLEASE STOP BY AND SAY HELLO TO HER.
January 8th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
It would sure be nice to see an update on Su Lin’s weight. The weight that is now shown is from August 31, 2007.
January 8th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
I believe there are some pics of Mei Sheng on Flickr if you do a “recent” search with his name.
January 8th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Lovely to hear some recent news on miss precious.
Isn’t it just typical that when it’s time to greet her public, she decides it’s time to get to sleep!. I was watching panda cam earlier today it was San Diego time 4.10am. I could see something was happening in the den and then i could see Bai Yun and Precious playing together. They were cuddling and rolling around for ages. Suddenly Precious got up and walked outside into dark. Bai Yun came out and looked for her then went outside aswell. A few minutes later in comes Precious followed by Bai Yun a few minutes later. Out again she goes so off Mum goes aswell. Think she had Bai on the run! It’s no wonder she spends visiting time asleep when she’s up in the night playing and getting Bai to chase her when she goes outside into the dark. She certainly seems to be getting some courage now. Maybe she has inherited some of her brother Mei Shengs mischevious ways.
January 8th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
When I was at the zoo over the holidays, there was a HUGE line to see her, BTW.
January 8th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Su Lin has always been #1! She will always be my queen panda.
January 8th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Su Lin was my first webcam panda. Since then, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed watching all of this lovely Panda family interact with each other and play by themselves. I could NEVER bypass any of them- even to see a new cub! They all have their distinct personalities and I’ll look forward to seeing whomever is available on exhibit this Sunday while I’m in town. I like the Red Panda too! (Karen #4)
January 8th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
While all the Pandas are beautiful….we just cant help ourselves. We do love those babies! They are so cute and look so cuddly at this age.
January 8th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
…if I had the fortune to go to San Diego Zoo, Gao Gao would be the first one I would visit… then the rest, on down to zhen zhen. This panda family has taught me so much about this wonderful species - they seem so ‘human’ in a sense, I’ve developed a great compassion for them, because of them…
Thank you!
January 8th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
SuLin is amazing! I saw her on Panda Cam today. It just looked like a huge storm had come up and took SuLin with it, and plunked her in a tree!! All the way up, in the limbs of the tree with her arms and legs straight out! So funny and wonderful.
January 8th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Su Lin will always be # 1 panda for me. She will always on a pedestal as high as the trees she climbs.
Whenever I watch the flicker photos of her and her brother Me Sheng at the howdy gate it gives me that
ambivalent feeling of being happy and sad at the same time. Meeting each other and quickly saying goodbye was shown on the face of Su Lin in one of the photos where she looks like she’s asking him
not to leave her. One day Su Lin will go but until then she is the super panda.
January 8th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Poor Su Lin–as an older sister I know how she feels. Perhaps a light pink rinse and a little butt fluffing would help restore that innocent cub feeling?
Zhen Zhen is my first cub, so I’m sure I’ll want to follow her progress closely no matter how many others there may be. I’m sorry I missed her fetching muddiness–I think she’s adorable all the time, especially with Bai Yun.
Darlene #1–you can also search for Mei Sheng on youtube.
January 8th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
I am extremely jealous of those that get to see Zhen Zhen in person! She’s a beauty. As it appears there is only ONE panda bear joke in the entire world (and you’ve all heard it), I give you this one
One day a baby polar bear approaches his mother with a confused expression on his face and says, “Mom? Am I a polar bear?”
“Well of course son!”
The cub replied, “You’re sure I’m not a panda bear or a black bear?”
“No, of course not. Now run outside and play.”
But the baby polar bear is still confused so he approaches his father.
The cub asks, “Dad, am I a polar bear?”
“Why of course son!” the papa polar bear gruffly replies.
The cub continues, “I don’t have any grizzly bear or Koala bear in my bloodlines?”
“No son. I’m a polar bear, your mother is a polar bear, and by god you too are one hundred percent purebred polar bear!! Why in the world do you ask?”
“Because I’m freezing my BUTT off!!”
January 8th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
That’s funny that Su Lin sensed she was losing her fan-base to her baby sis. It sounds like Su put on quite a show and was the better one to watch since Zhen was sleeping.
I’m an oldest child and I can understand. But, like we tell our children when “new” ones arrive, they get to do big kid stuff that babies cannot do… Su can romp all over and stay awake from 9-11 am. Zhen may be “precious” but Su Lin is “very cute” as both their names say.
I wish I saw Zhen covered in mud. I remember pictures of other panda toddlers after they played in the mud, and they look as cute as baby pictures with their first bowl of spaghetti. It’s such a classic!
Thanks Ellie, for keeping us updated on what the younguns are doing in SDZ. Keep up the good work.
Love, Joy
January 9th, 2008 at 8:06 am
Poor Su Lin! It’s such a special treat to be able to see any panda, I hope people will appreciate our grown kids as well! Zhen Zhen is absolutely adorable, but Su and Gao need some lovin’ too…
January 9th, 2008 at 11:39 am
I find that the girls are both equal in my book, but Su Lin was the first one I came to watch every day via panda cam, and watched her grow daily, and I still have her as the screen saver on my home computer. Even tho’ little Zhen Zhen is in the lime light right now, and deserves every minute, I love the days SDZ focus pands cam on
Su, as I do enjoy seeing her still and taking a trip down memory lane when she was a wee one just like her sister.
January 9th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
I’ve just looked at the photo that is with “Life With The Kids”.
Who wouldn’t fall in love with that gorgeous photo? It melts my heart just to look at it. All babies if they are human or cuddly animals make us fall in love with them. Zhen Zhen looks so fluffy and clumbersome that we can’t help but go all soppy over her. Thing is they grow up all too soon and loose some of the look that makes us so soppy. Yes we still love them but i think it’s because as they get bigger they loose the sweet and innocent look. They then become handsome for males and pretty for girls.
Zhen Zhen is my first panda cub, but i also lost my heart to her handsome big brother Mei Sheng. I have him as my screen saver and i love looking at his photo taken the day before he went to Wolong. I have gone mushy over watching a baby panda as it’s something i have never seen before. Yes i have seen pictures in newspapers of baby pandas, but i have never before had the opportunity to be able to sit in the comfort of my home click a few buttons and watch a panda cub grow. Watching her interacting with her mum Bai Yun, being able to see mum picking her up and cuddling her. Feeding times i think it’s amazing to watch. Now Zhen Zhen going up to mum when she’s hungry, stretching up and feeding herself. How lucky are we all to be able to have this amazing opportunity to watch it all live? I feel very priveledged to watch all this happening and eternally grateful to SDZ to allow us to be able to do so.
I will always have a place in my heart that is reserved for Mei Sheng. I cried buckets when he left for Wolong. There was just something about him. He had the most beautiful look in his eyes. I nicknamed him “The gentle giant” after what i read about him. He was very graceful and charming to watch. He was the first panda i fell in love with. I just wish i had got to know about him sooner and had longer to enjoy watching him. As the saying goes “Better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all” and i agree with that. I do manage to find information on him and up to date photos and i thoroughly enjoy looking at them.
Thank you SDZ for letting me share the wonderful world of Pandas.
January 9th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
I started watching this PandaCam (having previously watched NZ and ZA) when Bai was pregnant, and of course Zhen Zhen is adorable. But I have to say that I’ve become quite captivated with Gao Gao and his singular intense focus on eating. It’s really fun to watch. I’m quite attached to him.
January 9th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
#5 Susan - I also wonder how pandas can sleep on small branches that don’t look strong enough to hold them - though I have seen some fall off - then they act like “l I wanted to do that”
Sounds like Miss Z has being on exhibit down pat - sleep while your adoring public is there waiting for you to play-all cubs seem to do the same thing. When we went to see SuLin she was sound alseep in her tree, Bai was alseep on a rock, papa Gao was eating bamboo with his back to us but the third time through papa Gao decided to get up and amble around - seemed like he was close enough to touch. As this was my first live panda doing something I was thrilled.
If you want to read what’s exciting to the ZA panda keepers, read the Mon. update. Seems like Lani’s “poop” was all bamboo for the first time. As she’s 18 months now am sure they’ll start weaning her soon - in fact LunLun has already shown signs she’s had enough of Lani nursing. It seems like yesterday that she was Zhen’s age.
January 9th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Recently, my family and I visited the zoo especially to see the panda family. It was awesome to see each one “up close and personal” since I only get to see them on Panda cam. I couldn’t believe how big Su Lin was! I think they said she was 125 lbs. and stilll growing!! Su Lin ran around her area when it was snack time. Gao Gao was having his area cleaned and a snack of carrots when, Su Lin started to actually run around her area. She seemed to be saying “Don’t forget about me” .The little “Precious” certainly is just that. She did wake up a raise her head to look around but soon was back to her nap in the tree branch. Su Lin has many fans and I am one of them. I have been watching her on panda cam her whole life and she is such a character. All the zoo staff were terrific: informative, friendly, kind and so hepful. Thanks, gale
January 9th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
I just wanted to mention….. in looking at the most recent pictures of Su Lin in comparison to when she was a little cub, you can see she has her own look. All, or most Panda’s look alike, and it’s hard to tell them apart from one another, but with Su Lin, you can look at her eyes and she has the same look she had as a cub. I was also trying to compare her pictures with Zhen Zhen, and as much as they look a like, they look different ! Hope that makes sense. Has anyone else noticed how different they all look by their eyes ?
Just an observation, or maybe I’m partial to my girl Su Lin !! =) Either way, they are all beautifull in their way.
January 9th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Thanks, Ellie, for the latest information on all the pandas. Zhen Zhen is just adorable, but–as others have said–Su Lin will always be my “baby.” She was the first cub I ever saw on pandacam and I fell in love with her immediately. And I also have her pictures as a screensaver and wallpaper.
Su always had a wise expression on her face and looked like she was taking in everything around her. I used to love to watch her and Bai Yun in the early evening. Bai would sit outside eating bamboo and then always start a gentle but long play session with Su Lin. Bai and Su always seemed liked they really enjoyed these play times. The only time I’ve seen Su in person was right before she officially went on exhibit but came out most mornings. She was a darling fluff ball like ZZ. I remember that Su scampered all around the exhibit area, regularly going back to “check in” with her mother. She was quite active during the many times we went through the line.
January 9th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
#25 Lainie - I understand that pandas can be recognized by their markings - their eyes & their black stripes - cubs seem to inherit some markings from each parent. It’s impossible for me to tell but Tian Tian & Mei Xiang (NZ) have different eyes while Tai has markings similar to both. ZA reported that Lani inherited mommy’s “beautiful” round fluffy face along with papa Yang’s large ears (& from her recent weight is probably going to be a large panda like papa Yang). After watching Animal Planet’s black & white gala program the major execption to inherited markings are zebras - each stripe is like a fingerprint - no two stripes are alike - amazing.
Have been watching Miss Z playing on the platform - no wonder she sleeps while on exhibit - she has her days & nights mixed up - does this have anything to do with Bai taking her out to look at the stars so early in her life??
January 9th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Sammi, #21–I could not agree with you more. I adore all these beautiful black and white bears, but Mei Sheng made his mark in my heart. About 2 years ago, I was photographing him on the side of the enclosure. He was running around furiously, hanging upside down and tumbling like he would do. He ran up to me, raised his arms up, huffed and puffed for a second and then off he went again. For a long time panda fanatic, that was all it took. I was hooked. He gave me a moment I will never forget.Watching him leave for China was very difficult and it was hard to keep things in perspective when he left I still miss him so much..Every one of these pandas are so very special, but Mei Sheng just has an extra “oomph” to him, just oozing with personality and charm. I hope he’s still like that at Wolong and charming everyone there!
We are all so lucky to have the pandacam and several of these magnificent creatures at the various zoos. The more appreciation for these lovely animals, the better!
P.S..Sammi–if you access the flickr website and search for Mei Sheng, there are some fabulous photos of him there!
January 9th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Ok, so i know she’s not pooper, and i know pooper’s not comming back, and i guess i’m finally starting to come to tearms with that, so i guess i got to finally say… ZZ IS ONE ADORABLE BEAR. I mean how could she not be,, she’s bai’s kid and pooper’s lil sister. SO.. i guess you’ve won me back for another 4 years…
TONYMO IS IN THE HAUS!!!!
January 9th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
I like the new picture of Zhen in “Meet the Pandas” area of PandaCam.
When I was at the Zoo this summer, I went and watched the Red Panda for a while walking up and down the branches and eating bamboo and some other treats. It was nice to be able to sit down on the wall to watch, especially after standing for hours watching Su Lin and Sheng. Such a dainty, true beauty. There were a few people around watching when I was there.
Personally, I think whenever there are a few people watching an animal at a zoo, more people come over to see.
So, I figured I was helping to get a very special animal noticed.
But, my true love is the Giant Pandas. My friends think it’s funny, and I don’t know what it is, but I can telll the pandas apart after I have spent some time with them. It’s not just their looks or specific markings, it’s by their “animalities” and their behavior. They are real characters!– each unique in their own way. I think it’s amazing how that happens in nature, not just with people but with animals.
Love reading the comments! GO PANDAS!!! Love, Joy
January 10th, 2008 at 12:02 am
I started reading the panda blog and watched the panda cam of SDZ in October,2007. Three months have passed, I ‘m so impressed that Zhen Zhen grows so rapidly. In the past 3 months, I liked watching Zhen Zhen and Bai Yun playing together in the cub den at midnight(San Diego time), which was very funny. I have seen all the pandas in SDZ through the cam, they are all beautiful bears and I like all of them. However, owing to the time difference, the chance I can ‘visit’ them during daytime(San Diego) is very limited unless I don’t sleep for the whole night in HK. Even though I can see pandas in HK, I still long for a chance to going to SDZ to have a look at Gao Gao’s family.
January 10th, 2008 at 2:26 am
#21 Sammi - You have put into words exactly what I feel (and everybody else too I expect). Sometimes I just can’t find the right way to put things into words, though I know how I feel. Hope that isn’t too deep!!
Watched Zhen Zhen for about half-an-hour yesterday fiddling around in the tree and caught one glimpse as the camera moved of Mum just above with head hanging down as if she was watching the little one. Bet she was asleep though!
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Su Lin anywhere but up a tree, so I’ve had to make do with her pics. I think Gao Gao is adorable and I wish I could come over and see them all. Thanks so much for the cam SDZ. As mentioned by Sammi, it really is wonderful and a priviledge to be able to see all of this.
Sue
January 10th, 2008 at 6:01 am
#25 Lainie, i noticed that with Mei Sheng, he had the most adoring look in his eyes. Sad looking at times but then again mischevious at others. He melted my heart and i miss him dearly.
As you say they are all beautiful in there own way.
Gao Gao seems to be a bamboo eating machine, he seems to be munching everytime i see him on panda cam he looks so serious when he’s eating.
Saw a funny sight on panda cam yesterday. Zhen Zhen was on camera 15 with Bai Yun having a feed. When she finished she climbed up on to Bai and fell down her back and pushed Bai out the way. You could almost hear Bai thinking “OK i’ll move, i can’t even get a rest without being kicked out of my space!”. Zhen Zhen then curled up and went to sleep.
January 10th, 2008 at 8:31 am
Good Morning!
I watched Zhen Zhen climb up on the climbing structure (c-15) this morning, scoot around, get very comfortable and then! I Saw Bai use a ‘Lun Lun’ trick to awaken Zhen
Bai climbed up and sat on her daughter! Zhen did the ‘Mei Lan’ wiggle out from under Bai who then climbed down and paced for several minutes. Bai then decided that she needed to employ another ‘Lun Lun’ tactic. Bai pulled Zhen down by her feet 
Gosh the Pandas are fun to watch!
January 10th, 2008 at 9:13 am
At the moment ‘mini me’ - Miss Fluffy Butt is curled up napping on C15 just like her mom Bai does - she obviously climbs the access post and gets onboard.
I can imagine Bai is taking a well deserved relaxing nap while her energetic youngster recharges her batteries before yet another hetic day of climbing on C28/29.
Earlier this week -Tuesday? thank you to whoever was manning the cameras, panda cam viewers were treated to excellent close ups of all the pandas, which was most appreciated.
Gao Gao was his usual happy self, munching his beloved bamboo, while the ‘Adventurer’ climbed to dizzy heights under the watchful eyes of Bai, eventually she fell asleep in a tree!
We were treated to super close up’s of Su Lin, she is developing into a beautiful panda. I noted that Su still spends an amount of time gazing upwards or listening for, any ‘relevant’ sounds that she can hear, it made me wonder if she is still thinking that her big brother may still be in a neighbouring tree.
Did anyone else note Su’s ‘enquiring’ gaze?
Back to check on the Adventurer to see if she has re commenced zooming around….
January 10th, 2008 at 9:18 am
#16 Very funny…. I’ll bet “lil” miss Su Lin would love a butt fluff!! If anything, it would make her feel like a little lady! It IS so hard to remember that even though Su Lin looks like a full grown panda compared to “Zoom Zoom”, but she probably does have a tender heart. She probably got used to the attention she got as a baby. Hey everyone who goes to visit them…blow her a kiss for me as well as Bai Yun, Gao Gao and Zhen Zhen as well!!!
January 10th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Perhaps I am a bit odd, but I actually enjoy watching the pandas more when they are older. I thought Su Lin was the most pathetic cub I had ever seen. She went up in that tree and never came down. I thought something was wrong with her. Now, I get such a kick when I see her on the cam. She has come out of her shell (and put her paws on the ground) and is absolutely charming. When they are little they just lie around like a baked potato all day.
January 10th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Hi, you all! Haven’t written to you all in awhile because I’ve been doing busy stuff around here. I have been checking the pandacam almost everyday to see Bai and ZZ, and sometimes will see Gao on there either eating or sleeping, and also Su Lin. At nite, C15 is totally dark and can’t see a thing. Are the lights off in that particular area? We haven’t had any news/updates on ZZ’s vet exams lately. I’m thinking that the vets are still doing weekly exams on her, but we need to know her weights and how long she is for the last 2 or 3 of those exams. I like to know how much she has grown! From watching the pandacam, she looks like she’s done some growing lately. Will you please let us know that info? We need an update on her profile picture, too! I did watch some of the videos of ZZ outside with her mom trying to climb a log, sleeping, and just playing. Watching her with that ball was fun when she tries to climb on it and bite it! She’s a ham all right! Gonna go and get back on pandacam. Was on it a few minutes ago and saw ZZ on her small logs sleeping with her head hanging over the logs. Hope she doesn’t have a neck ache after that nap!
Love to Bai and ZZ,
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Moderator’s note: The vets are no longer doing weekly exams with Zhen Zhen.
January 10th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Tai Shan was the first panda I saw on the cams and ‘in the fur’; Su Lin was the second. So she will always be my #1 Panda Girl! The little bit of something cute is growing up to be quite the beauty!
January 10th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Its so wonderful to be able to keep up to date with all the panda info. Thanks for sharing:-)
January 10th, 2008 at 11:58 am
It seems as if our little Miss has been sleeping more and not climbing so high for the last couple of days? Perhaps a growth spurt is coming up, but I am curious why she isn’t going up to her “hammock” up in the climbing structure near Bai Yun in the classroom.
Those of you who get to see all the pandas in person are sooooo lucky!
Also missing those late night feedings on C11.
January 10th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Oh, no! I always look forward to seeing Su Lin on the Panda Cam. I think she is so beautiful. I feel bad that she doesn’t have her brother to “chat” with anymore.
Is there an age when they stop climbing trees? I don’t see Bai Yun climb the trees or Gao Gao. I know, from watching programs on brown and black bears, that the cubs are taught to climb trees for safety. Black bears can continue to climb but brown bears get to big. What about Pandas???
January 10th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
#42 Marie - I’ve watched Tian Tian & Mei Xiang both in the same tree recently - so while tree climbing seems to be a “cub thing” adults still do climb.
January 10th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Hi All, I “tuned in” this morning at 5 something CA time and caught ZZ sleeping alone on that platform. Is that outside? Was she outside without mom? She looked so lonely all bundled up in a ball sleeping. Did anyone else see what I’m talking about? Thanks for any replies.
January 10th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Rhoda 44#
I also noted ZZ napping alone on C15 this morning - see my 35# blog.
If ZZ was to decend the platform via the ‘tree’ type post she is into an outdoor area where earlier she had been playing with her mom Bai.
Bai also loves to relax on the platform, as did all her other cubs, including her first daughter Hua Mei who often climbed up to look through the glass in the ‘door’ to see what the keepers were doing!
January 10th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Kathi from Dallas #28, yes Mei Sheng certainly made his mark on us. How lucky were you to get to see him and photgraph him. It was just as if he knew and decided to give you some good photo oportunity.
I have been on flicker and have seen all the wonderful photos of Mei Sheng. There was one of him recently when he was let out of quarantine, he was stretching. I get so excited when i see him it really makes my day. There’s some lovely ones of Zhen Zhen on there aswell taken on her first day viewing to the public.
Susan #32 I don’t know what come over me when i started that blog. I started typing away and all that i was feeling was spilling out. I looked back later and thought “well girl, you certainly had your serious head on then”. I just wanted to let SDZ know that we do appreciate the panda cam and yes it is a priveledge and i for one would miss it dreadfully if it wasn’t there and so would many others.
January 10th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Regarding climbing, although I haven’t seen Bai climb a tree, she does climb up on the limbs and loves to drape herself over them for a nap. However, I remember reading a post that said Gao Gao does not climb. He is a “ground panda”–probably due to some traumatic experience, possibly when he lost most of his left ear.
January 10th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Pat #37, I lol’d at your comment! I enjoy them at all ages. The cute factor is ultra-high for the babies, but I love watching Bai & Gao Gao & Lun Lun & Yang. The grown-ups need their share of the love too
January 10th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Meerkats, what’s up? No more night shift? Has the infrared quit on us? Not complaining (well, maybe a little), but I work all day and come home to a black square where my Precious baibee should be! I live for the moments when I can see our darling Zhen . . . would give so much to see some snuggly night-time Bai & Baibee time. Sniff, sob, snivel . . .
January 11th, 2008 at 7:26 am
Hi Hazel
Thank you for commenting. She just looked so vulnerable all alone! But like you said - Bai wasn’t far away!! I so much enjoy watching this little girl growing up. Have a good one all!!
January 11th, 2008 at 10:46 am
I agree with Carol #49–I miss the overnight interactions between Bai Yun and our Miss ZZ. They seem to move around several times during the night between the outdoor platform and Bai Yun’s bedroom area, and sometimes even the den. If we can’t see them when they’re outside during the night, can the camera be left inside (C11)?
Barbara #47–that’s interesting about Gao Gao. I realize that I’ve never seen him up in a tree, but I didn’t realize there was such a thing as a “ground panda.”
January 11th, 2008 at 11:06 am
Gao may not be a tree climber but I have seen him a number of times up on the top of his “hut”.
January 11th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
It’s nice to see Mei and Tian back together, I watched them this morning and boy did they have a conversation going, the bleats and the barks went on for a while.I could just imagine what they were saying to one another, once the conversation was over it was back to the same routine as if he was never away from Mei. I watched Miss Precious for a while and still every day she amazes me.
January 11th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
I have a question - is ZZ still nursing or is she beginning to eat bamboo? I just sneaked a peak at her and she’s playing with a piece of bamboo. I was just wondering if she’s started to include it in her diet yet.
Thanks to anyone that knows the answer!!
January 11th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
#53 Barbara - agree it’s nice that Mei Xiang & Tian Tian are back together acting like an old married couple- they sure were “talking” about something. This must mean Tian’s eye is better.
As Zhen is no longer getting a weekly exam I wonder if she has been trained to get on the “adult” weighing scale. Both Tai & Lani loved to play on the scale so the keepers could some idea of their weight - we’d love to know how much Miss Z has grown.
January 11th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
This afternoon I watched Bai (I think - it was c28) having a great time romping & rolling around - but from the camera angle couldn’t tell if she was playing with Zhen. Maybe she was just having fun before Miss Z grows more - this is what she has to look forward to -
From ZA
Friday, January 11
Currently, Lun Lun and Mei Lan are sitting side by side eating bamboo leaves together. They are sharing the same piece of bamboo and look very cute. Lun Lun has to share everything with Mei Lan lately — her bamboo, her time, her biscuits. She rarely gets any time to herself. It’s all about Mei Lan. When Lun Lun tries to sleep, Mei Lan decides it’s time to play. When we train Lun Lun, Mei Lan climbs on her, tries to take her rewards and does everything she can to focus attention on herself. When Lun Lun is eating, Mei Lan wants what she is eating or wants to nurse or wants to play. I guess all mothers go through the same thing, but I often feel sorry for Lun Lun. Although, Lun Lun does benefit from having a cub as well. She does seem to enjoy playing with Mei Lan when she is in the mood to play.
Heather Baker Roberts
Carnivore Keeper I
January 11th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Rhoda #54 — I have commented before that I have not seen a panda cub as young as ZZ doing the bamboo thing as assiduously as our darlin’ girl. And she’s been doing it for a while now. But, from watching Su Lin, Tai Shan and Mei Lan as they grew, and reading all the info, I don’t think she is actually ingesting any of it. Just mimicking mommy. She’s such a special girly! From what I’ve read, she won’t really eat bamboo for quite some time and probably will not stop nursing until somewhere around 18 months to 2 years. I think the mom’s are the ones who finally put a stop to it and start pushing the growing cub away. Zoo Atlanta put up a blog post a week or so ago, about the fact that Mei Lan had just recently had her first “all-bamboo” poop! Kinda funny, but interesting. And Mei is, what, about 16 months now? And a very BIG girl! Lun Lun has recently been denying her when she wants to nurse. Check out the posts, they’re very interesting . . . and they also have a video of Lun Lun actually giving birth to Mei Lan. We are living in some amazing times that we all get to share so much of this magic!!
January 12th, 2008 at 12:48 am
#54 Rhoda - from what I have learned through the blogs on Tai and Mei Lan, ZZ will continue to nurse until past her first birthday. I know Mei Lan is still nursing and she is now 16 months old; however, her mom Lun Lun appears to be losing interest in the nursing sessions. I wouldn’t be surprised if AZ will start the weaning phase soon. So, not to worry, ZZ will be nursing for a while yet.
January 12th, 2008 at 6:31 am
#55 Maureen. I also miss the weekly exam updates. I wish we could have some latest news on her weight. We all have enjoyed it so much that now i miss it and obviously i’m not alone as Maureen does aswell. Each time i come on here i always look for the latest news on Zhen Zhen.
Last night (UK time) i was watching her climbing and rolling around in dust. When she got up her back was dirty, but she certainly seemed to enjoy herself. At one point Bai Yun come along and got her out of the trees and put her down on the ground. When Bai Yun walked away, Zhen Zhen got straight back up again. She really is mischevious and has a mind of her own. What a precious darling she is!
January 12th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
I am curious. I have always felt that Tai Shan was on the Panda Cam 2 at the Washington Zoo. Does anyone know if that is true and that Mei and Tian are on Panda Cam 1? I was surprised to see Mei and Tian together again after his eye problem. Sure hope that this brings them closer together for the mating season in the spring. Don’t get to see enough of Zhen Zhen but I guess I just have to be patient.
January 12th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
It appears that Precious may spend the night in the tree. Is this the first time Mom has let her stay so long? Precious sure seems advanced for her age or am I missing too much? I am unable to spend as much time watching this baby. What a loss for me! Blessings to all, Claudia
January 12th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
I miss the weekly videos too..and wonder how the pandas get clean after being in the mud. Is there a secret panda wash machine? The don’t groom themselves like cats do…moderator, please enlighten us!
Paula in TX
January 12th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Conversation with Bai Yun #8
Tourist: Hello, Madame Bai Yun.
Bai Yun: Hello, Mr. Tourist.
T: So how are things going with you nowadays?
B: Oh, not bad.
T: So is Zhen Zhen keeping you busy?
B: Oh, sometimes.
T: Oh?
B: The latest play bout she had…
T: Yes?
B: She wanted to play veterinarian exam.
T: What?
B: Yes, veterinarian exam.
T: You mean…
B: She misses what used to be her weekly visits.
T: Oh.
B: She misses the different scents…
T: Uh huh.
B: The different sounds…
T: Ok-a-ay.
B: The sights…
T: Hmmm.
B: Her personal trainer evaluations.
T: Makes sense.
B: And the karaoke sessions through the stethoscope.
(While dozing and dreaming on top of tree structure)
Zhen Zhen: ZZZZZzzzzz (The hills are alive with the sound of music…)
January 13th, 2008 at 2:09 am
Greetings to all pandaholics out there. I urge you to have a look at this.
Sign on to youtube.com and do a search on “goodbye, twin pandas”. This is the title of the three-part documentary on the return to Chengdu last October of the 4 yr old giant panda twins born in Japan in 2003, same year as Mei Sheng. Of course, watching these just brought back the sadness over Mei Sheng’s departure all over again. But the documentary is well worth the box of tissues that you will definitely need as you are watching the clips. You will see how the Japanese adore their pandas just as we adore ours (but, of course!). And you will feel for the poor keepers and the zoo officials as you watch them say their good-byes to their beloved Liuhim and Shuhim (aka Ryuhin and Shuhin). Enough English translation is provided to help you understand what’s being said; however, there are some parts that are not translated. Enjoy!
January 13th, 2008 at 8:22 am
Oh, this is too funny! The intrepid Zhen Zhen has discovered Bai’s water dish, up on the column in the “breakfast” room! And, boy, is she having fun with it . . . trying every part of her in that smooth round dish. Yes, the head fits nicely! Oh, the fluffy-butt fits nicely, too! Now standing on the back feet, reaching up to see what’s next. Then down on the floor (splat!) and right back up again, over and over and over. And Bai sitting right next to it, munching away on her morning bamboo, completely unconcerned until, perhaps thirsty, she unceremoniously tosses Zhen to the floor (splat!) and tries to have a drink. No water there! It’s probably all been absorbed by Zhen’s fur. So, up on the larger platform she goes, then back to the floor and out the door. Followed by Miss Precious. What a hilarious little scene this was!!
January 13th, 2008 at 10:21 am
What fun to watch Zhen Zhen and Bai Yun! Mom will be eating away and Miss Z is living up to her nickname by zooming around - so cute.
I had a question about Tian’s eye injury - what would happen to a panda in the wild with such an eye injury? If Tian had been in the wild, would he have lost his sight in the eye? His injury made me realize how a wild animal’s life span can be significantly shortened or made more difficult by untreated injuries. Does anyone know what would have happened to him without the surgery and antibiotics? It’s so good to see him back with Mei Xiang. I always enjoy their play bouts.
I love seeing all the pandas as each one has a unique personality. Su Lin was my first baby so she is special that way to me; I love Mei Sheng’s facial expressions; I love watching Gao Gao who eats with such dedication; but Mama Bai truly has my heart. She is so beautiful with her babies. Zhen Zhen is indeed precious and so much fun to watch. They have all stolen their way into a special place in my heart.
January 13th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Zhen Zhen is in all the tabloids! I went out to buy my usual week’s supply of brain candy magazines, and OK magazine and In Touch both have pictures of her public debut. In Touch reports that Precious was born December 3….um, wrong! Very sweet pictures of Bai Yun and Zhen Zhen in both magazines. She’s a rock star!
Paula in TX
January 13th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
this is regard to the german polar bear cub. this probably is not the right place to post but oh well. it appears that the non polar bear mother ate the cubs..perhaps mom should have been sequestered elsewhere. what would the san diego zoo have done in this case. first of all i am so happy that the german zoo took control of the cub but i have to wonder if the mother would have done better had she been sequestered. you all gave bai the space she needed to give birth to her cub and she has been successful 4 times….i am just mistified…it doesnt seem that polar bear females hang out together and why would that zoo have put a pregnant female with another who was not pregnant. it seen normal to me that the non mother would kill off any potential threats to her cubs…whether she had cubs or not.
January 13th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
The comment about Hua Mei climbing on the platform to look through the glass at the keepers reminded me of Tai’s escapades of climbing through the indoor exhibit windows. There are several videos of him on youtube - one shows him climbing on MeiXiang’s back to get high enough - just search Tai & window. Then if you want to see something hilarious check out “Tai & his hideout” Am still laughing!! If there was something to get into Tai the terror found it. While I’ve seen the other cubs play I haven’t seen any antics like Tai.
Yesterday afternoon watched Miss Z having a great time on the tree limbs - the camera work was great - bright, close up shots & clear as day - thanks.
January 13th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
#65 - Carol. Thanks for a very amusing story. I could just picture the scene as I was reading your post, especially the “splat!” parts. It really is very entertaining when you see the mix of innocence and curiousity playing out in the daily lives of these priceless creatures. I hope someone has captured the scene on video so we can enjoy it online.
#67 - Paula. Yes, I did see ZZ’s picture in this week’s OK! Cuteness unrivalled!!
January 14th, 2008 at 4:56 am
#60 Mary Lou…you are correct that Mei and Tian are on Pandacam1, and Tai is on Pandacam 2. There is very little deviation to this. If you are watching via Animal Planet, they switch between the pandas so it’s a little harder to tell.
It’s good to see another conversation from P Wong. I’ve been wondering what they pandas have been saying lately. Wonder if you have any insight as to what Mei and Tian were talking about the other day. That’ would be an interesting conversation for sure.
Little Fluff Butt has been very active lately and really fun to watch. Can’t wait to see what comes next!
January 14th, 2008 at 5:27 am
#64 pandafan…thank you, thank you, thank you for the tip on the “You Tube” videos. Wow…it made me cry too and remember when Sheng left and know that Su Lin and Tai (I can’t even think of that now) must leave. We must treasure the time we have with these guys all that much more.
January 14th, 2008 at 7:38 am
Morning All! Thank you Carol #57 and Pandafan #58 for the responses about ZZ and the bamboo. Now I know she’s busy playing “big girl” with the bamboo! I’ll have to find Zoo Atlanta and see their pandas. I wasn’t aware they had any! So thanks!
January 14th, 2008 at 7:51 am
#63 P Wong. I did laugh at your post. Well done! Wonder why we are not getting any latest information?. Nobody tells us any more about how Precious is doing.
Please please please will the very nice patient moderator let us know the latest weight etc on our cuddly little friend Zhen Zhen.
Moderator we all love you so very much, but guess what? We all would love you EVEN MORE if you could please tell us the secret of Zhen Zhens latest weight. We promise we wont tell your boss we will keep your secret. I bet there are videos as well and if you share them with us we wont tell your boss that you have shown them to us we promise. Go on you know you want to!!
Moderator’s note: On Jan. 13, Zhen Zhen weighed 19.6 pounds (8.9 kilograms).
January 14th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Sorry this isn’t about the bears but technically since the newest baby elephant is one of “the kids” I want say I am pulling for her and hope she is able to recover and be good as new. Keep growing sweet baby girl!!
January 14th, 2008 at 10:58 am
To #64 Pandafan - Thank you…thank you for the info on the “Goodbye Twin Babies” video. Yes, I had tears also and felt so sorry for their keepers as I did when Mei Sheng left SDZ.
To #65 Carol - You are so fortunate to have caught our ‘Precious’ romping in the water bowl. As yet I have not been able to catch her in any antics at all…I just keep hoping!
Thank you Dawn #71 about Mei and Tian and the Panda Cam 1 and 2. I have wanted to ask to ask DCZ but didn’t know who to contact.
January 14th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Carol #65–yes, I saw Little Miss up in Bai’s water fountain(?)–it was as if she had discovered her own little bathtub. Next I expected to see bubble bath and little rubber duckies!
I also wonder, like Paula #62, how they do get clean? Does their fur repel the dirt so that when it dries it just drops off?
And did anyone else see Bai Yun patiently and gently getting Miss ZZ down from the climbing structure in their outdoor sleeping area (for what was probably not the first time this morning), and then unceremoniously dragging her through the doorway so she wouldn’t climb up again? I’m sure all you moms out there can relate.
January 14th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
To #77, Frances - How do you manage to catch Miss ZZ? Every time I go in to the Panda Cam it is so dark I can hardly see anything. All of the other Panda Cams (DC and Atlanta) come in beautifully so I don’t think it is my computer. Could I be wrong and maybe have the wrong setting? Please, somebody, let me know what I can do to get a clear picture at the SDZ. Thanks.
January 14th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Thank you guys for updated fluffy butt’s weight, she’s almost hitting the 20 lbs!
January 14th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Good to hear from you P Wong - I was wondering where you’ve been - I’ve missed hearing from you and love your interviews. Glad to know that little miss has been practicing her karaoke! She’s a cutie pie!
January 14th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Mary Lou #78–don’t know what time you’re looking in?
SDZ has been letting panda cam fade to black in the evenings and restoring early in the morning whenever the next shift comes in, I guess. During the day it is sometimes dark if the focus is shifted and the resolution not readjusted (or however the brightness/darkness adjustment is made), but most of the time it is beautiful and in color if the pandas are outside. I don’t know what the problem could be. Anybody else?
January 14th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Frances # 77 - I went through some past entries (from when Su Lin was roughly Zhen Zhen’s age) and Suzanne wrote a blog called “Coat of Many Colors” that described the panda coat like this:
“Su Lin got pretty dirty in that rain, but it took only a day or so for her to appear mostly black-and-white again. We don’t bathe our pandas, and their coat condition is the product of their own grooming practices (except for Su Lin, who is groomed by her mother). If you dig your fingers into a panda pelt, you’ll notice a bit of an oily feeling, which probably helps the bears to slough off dirt and debris after a time without bathing. Bai Yun (pictured above), our “Teflon bear,” never seems to be too dirty, and her white is always quite bright. ”
Maybe one day Zhen Zhen will get a fresh mound of dirt to role in some rainy day - and come out looking like a little black bear like Su Lin did. It was fun to go back and read the blogs from when Su Lin was a baby - she was also a cutie pie. What a beauty she has grown up to be!
January 14th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Moderator thank you sooo much for the latest weight check on Zhen Zhen. She is certainly filling out nicely. On behalf of everyone i would like to say how much we have appreciated this latest news.
#77 Frances in NYC. I was watching that between Bai Yun and Zhen Zhen earlier today. Did you see when Zhen was at the entrance to inside and she stretched up the doorway, along came Bai and knocked here out the way. Poor little Zhen landed on her back, i just wanted to pick her up and cuddle her. Then just after that Zhen was just about to go in the doorway when along come Bai and pushed Zhen out the way again!. Again she landed on her back. You could almost hear her thinking “what you done that for mummy”. I wonder if Zhen had kept Bai up last night so Bai was in a bad mood. Zhen Zhen did keep out of Bais way after that, don’t blame her i would aswell.
January 14th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Just been on the panda cam at Wolong and it has been snowing there. I wonder what Mei Sheng thought of his first real snow?. I also wonder what he is making of the temperature drop in China compared to what he has been used to in San Diego?
I wish they had a panda cam aimed at Mei Sheng so we could watch him enjoying his first snow.
January 14th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Cheryl #82–thanks for that info from Su Lin’s cubhood–it seemed likely that their coats would be able to shed dirt and snow and such.
Sammi #83–yes, I saw that. I think Bai was ready to move into the classroom–maybe she was a little cranky, though, as I said, she had seemed patient and gentle getting Miss ZZ down from her perch. They are bears, after all, and though pandas seem cuddly and affectionate, Bai Yun frequently seems to swat ZZ out of the way. I’m not sure it was anything more than “no, not yet!” Perhaps one of the staff could enlighten us–we’re just guessing.
And thanks for the update on her weight–it is good for us to have benchmarks, since some of us are so far away.
January 14th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
#64 Pandafan - oh my, the tears flowed watching those videos - it was nice all the panda fans could wish the cubs best wishes on their journey back to their homeland the day they left. Losing Mei Sheng was bad enough - but for Japan to have twins must have been even worse.
#65 Carol - Wish I’d seen that -(will have to check back on time lapse) -is Miss Z going to be another Tai?
#74 - Sammi - Thanks for begging the moderator for Zhen’s weight -
January 15th, 2008 at 10:39 am
To Maureen, #23 - How do they stay on those slender branches? Much like getting to Carnegie Hall, it’s practice, practice, practice; lots of trial and error, or climbing and falling, and developing the ability to flex and feel branches to best distribute their weight. It’s always fun to see growing pandas move into areas where they haven’t been for many months and many pounds: they just don’t fit in the same ol’ favorite places in the same ol’ way, and have to adjust accordingly.
On another note, it is not all that rare for first-time mothers of many bird and mammal species to just not know what to do with new offspring and may neglect or abandon them. This usually changes drastically with subsequent offspring. Even experienced dams may neglect or devour their offspring if they sense a physical problem - why invest all that effort in an unhealthy cub or chick? - or if the dam is under physical or environmental stress. This could be illness, limited food-supply, overcrowding, excess noise, drastic change in habitat due to a move…the possiblities are endless and even in captivity, the wild insticts of these animals prevail. It is not uncommon for abandoned youngsters brought to the nursery for hand-rearing to present undetected or unsuspected illness or probems soon afterward - perhaps Mom knew something we didn’t.
January 15th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
im watching the panda cam right now on c28 (11:23 Cali time) and it seems zhen zhen has reached new heights, or is it just me? she’s not on her usual branch where she takes naps. she’s a very determined little panda climber
January 15th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Diana # 88 - No, it’s not just you - she’s ‘way up there!. And to think, I just submitted a new blog on her (former) “glass ceiling”. Just as I wrote, when she’s ready, she’s ready!
January 15th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
I couldn’t believe it earlier today when she kept going up and up and up. Since she’s not so good at coming down by herself, did someone have to climb up to rescue her? Speaking of standing on those little branches, I think she might be out of Bai Yun’s range.
January 15th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
#86 Maureen in Michigan, my pleasure, we all love the Moderator don’t we? especially when we get a news up date, and we will keep it a secret won’t we as we don’t want to get Moderator in trouble!.
I also saw Zhen Zhen up in the trees earlier i wondered at first if it was Bai Yun, then realised it was actually little miss dare devil. She really is getting her confidence now. She had been keeping out of Bai Yuns way, think she was remembering how Bai was with her yesterday. It’s amazing how much she is developing it really is a pleasure to watch her exploring and finding out how to climb, and as i’ve said before a real priveledge to be able to witness it all on panda cam.
January 16th, 2008 at 8:59 am
Okay everyone - I’m jealous - AGAIN! I used to be jealous when I’d watch the videos of ZZ getting weighed, etc. Then we didn’t have any videos because ZZ was growing so fast! And I was okay with that. BUT - just now, just this instant, I caught a glimpse of the team members petting ZZ as she slept, and then taking her with them (I assume to weigh her, etc.). I knew she was still being weighed but hadn’t SEEN evidence or read anything about her progress. I am SO ENVIOUS of the team members that get to pet her, and hold her, and cuddle her!! She’s just so darned CUTE!!! So do me a favor TEAM MEMBERS - give her an extra hug for those of us that can only DREAM of being that close to ZZ!! Have a good day all!!
January 16th, 2008 at 9:26 am
It just dawned on me that with Zhen Zhen now up the real tree, she and Su Lin may soon be having girl chats in the trees when they can both get high enough to see over the walls between them. Su Lin was in this same yard when her tree top conversations with Mei Sheng were reported to us by keepers.