Comments on: Life with the Kids http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/life-with-the-kids/ Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:17:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Margaret http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/life-with-the-kids/#comment-155477 Margaret Wed, 16 Jan 2008 16:26:28 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/life-with-the-kids/#comment-155477 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. 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.

]]> By: Rhoda in IN http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/life-with-the-kids/#comment-155466 Rhoda in IN Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:59:59 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/life-with-the-kids/#comment-155466 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!! 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!!

]]> By: Sammi in UK http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/life-with-the-kids/#comment-154922 Sammi in UK Tue, 15 Jan 2008 22:23:58 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/life-with-the-kids/#comment-154922 #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. #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.

]]> By: Frances in NYC http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/life-with-the-kids/#comment-154894 Frances in NYC Tue, 15 Jan 2008 21:12:14 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/life-with-the-kids/#comment-154894 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. 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.

]]> By: Ellie http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/life-with-the-kids/#comment-154881 Ellie Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:37:23 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/life-with-the-kids/#comment-154881 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! 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!

]]> By: Diana http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/life-with-the-kids/#comment-154857 Diana Tue, 15 Jan 2008 19:26:18 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/life-with-the-kids/#comment-154857 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 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

]]> By: Ellie http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/life-with-the-kids/#comment-154808 Ellie Tue, 15 Jan 2008 17:39:49 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/life-with-the-kids/#comment-154808 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. 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.

]]> By: Maureen in Michigan http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/life-with-the-kids/#comment-154418 Maureen in Michigan Tue, 15 Jan 2008 02:53:36 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/life-with-the-kids/#comment-154418 #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 - #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 -

]]> By: Frances in NYC http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/life-with-the-kids/#comment-154413 Frances in NYC Tue, 15 Jan 2008 02:50:13 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/life-with-the-kids/#comment-154413 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. 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.

]]> By: Sammi in UK http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/life-with-the-kids/#comment-154371 Sammi in UK Tue, 15 Jan 2008 01:09:04 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/life-with-the-kids/#comment-154371 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. 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.

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