Mei Sheng’s Welcome at Wolong
Posted at 2:18 pm December 3, 2007 by Lisa BryantGiant panda Mei Sheng moved to Wolong, China on November 5, 2007. Lisa Bryant of the San Diego Zoo accompanied him on his journey and is sharing the trip with us through blog installments. See Lisa’s previous blog, Mei Sheng: A Smaller Crate.
I did not see Mei Sheng at the airport. By the time we boarded the plane he was already in the hold. The flight to Chengdu was a little over three hours. I was not on the tarmac, but from the airport we could see him unloaded from the plane. Lots of people were trying to get a glimpse at the American-born panda coming to China to participate in giant panda conservation in China. He made it to his travel truck, ready for the three- to four-hour drive to the Wolong Giant Panda Research Facility. We got to see him at that point; he was resting in the crate. All of his luggage was still with him. The media were still with him as well. Lots more media. Reporters were calling me by name. Our boy Sheng’s arrival was quite a big deal. The media, still anxious to tell his story, wanted to see him and know how he was holding up. Thank goodness for Dr. Desheng. He appeared to be very familiar with the media and able to give them just what they needed to satisfy their curiosity without compromising Mei Sheng’s comfort.
We also met up with the Animal Planet videographer at the airport. It was their vehicle we rode in to Wolong. There was plenty of time to conduct interviews. We stopped a few times to check on our precious cargo. If he wasn’t sleeping he’d take a drink of water and eat some apples or biscuits. He was drinking water right out of the spigot like it was a straw: very cute! With a police escort the entire way and a 16-car caravan, we all drove up the windy, bumpy road that ran parallel to the river. The road, in various states of construction, was quite an experience. It was a two-way road, or at least was supposed to be. The construction in parts made it quite a challenge for two cars to be on the road at the same time. If it weren’t for the police escort, I’m sure that our three-hour drive would have been more like four and a half. We drove past some very rural places and some places that were obviously more recently developed. How Mei Sheng was able to sleep I don’t know.
We finally arrived at the panda facility. We had to wait just a little while for the big news station to arrive, CCTV I think it was. They were going to do a live broadcast of Mei Sheng’s welcome home ceremony. What a ceremony it was! Mei Sheng was welcomed by the local citizens and the children of the area. The children were dressed in bright colors, waving shiny wreathes while chanting a welcome home phrase as he rolled by them. There were cardboard panda cut outs on handles waving everywhere. I took part in a presentation as part of his welcome where the director of the facility, as well as government officials, received Mei Sheng as an important participant in the breeding program. I was not able to understand much of what was said but I had a translator for my contribution to the evening. I’m glad I did! What a waste it would have been for them not to understand how much a part of San Diego Mei Sheng had become. I told them how proud we are to be able to work cooperatively for giant panda conservation and how much I, my staff, and San Diego’s community understood the contribution pandas like Hua Mei and Mei Sheng are making to the effort. I tried to impart how they will be missed but we know what capable and caring hands they are in now.
While the speeches were flowing, Mei Sheng sat at the front of the stage with guards keeping the crowds at a respectable distance. He ate bamboo shoots being fed to him by some familiar faces. I had met two of the keepers at Wolong in prior years when they had come to visit the San Diego Zoo. We gave each other familiar waves and smiles. Off to the side, an exhibit of panda youngsters were watching the event from their climbing structure. Wow. We were really here, I thought to myself.
Lisa Bryant is a team area lead at the San Diego Zoo.
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December 3rd, 2007 at 2:59 pm
Wow, Lisa! I love your enthralling blogs! I hope this isn’t the last installment as I find myself eagerly looking forward to the next. I have to agree with the other pandaholics on the site - you could really write a book. You are a natural! Thank you so much!!
December 3rd, 2007 at 3:31 pm
Thanks Lisa! anxious to know the rest!
December 3rd, 2007 at 3:31 pm
Thank you so very much Lisa for your firsthand report on the trip. What a pleasure to read about the day to day trip for you and Mei.
December 3rd, 2007 at 4:01 pm
Thanks Lisa, just love your updates!!! Such detail that we all want and you do provide it for us Pandaholics….. Mei’s demenour during his trip (well other than one little bit of grouchiness), just goes to show how incredible all of you at the SDZ are at training these beautiful bears. The animals obviously trust you all and you all should be so proud of yourselves, as that was a long trip that he took, and seems to me he did quite well…..
Such a fitting welcome for such a special boy… Would love to hear a bit more about his “new” keeper…. I mean, it’s like sending a child off to College we want to know who their teachers are???? Just think it would be nice to know who is caring for our boy at Wolong…
Thankyou again for your wonderful updates…..
December 3rd, 2007 at 4:18 pm
I hope you make a film documentary of Mei Sheng’s departure, transfer, and arrival to China. I would love to see how he does over the future in the breeding program! I hope he likes the bamboo bread at Wolong.
December 3rd, 2007 at 4:49 pm
What a read! Each installment is terrific. It does make me feel alittle better about him going. Not alot, but alittle. I saw where you and Mei Sheng were on the Animal Planet truck. Does that mean that Animal Planet was there to film and maybe we will get to see a documentary about Mei Shengs and your trip? That would be great! Or just there to help get our boy to his new home. Thanks for taking the time and allowing Sheng’s followers to follow him to his new abode.
December 3rd, 2007 at 5:00 pm
Lisa - thank you once again for a very eagerly awaited message about the journey you took with Mei Sheng. It does bring a tear to these eyes to read how dignified Mei Sheng was about it all. It is hard to imagine that the people in Wolong will understand how special this boy is to so many of us, but they will understand once they get to see his charming ways.
December 3rd, 2007 at 5:04 pm
Dear Lisa:
You may be computer shy, but you are a beautiful writer, able to impart vivid images and feelings with ease. I feel like I am with you and Mei Sheng all the way on the trip to Wolong. I have loved Giant Pandas since I got my first stuffed bear at age 3, many, many moons ago. I discovered the San Diego Panda Cam not too long ago…I am hooked, and cannot wait to come visit all the bears after Zhen Zhen goes on exhibit.
Thank you, Lisa, and all the angel panda keepers, trainers, vets, etc.
December 3rd, 2007 at 6:01 pm
Whew. Thanks very much Lisa for keeping up with the Mei Sheng diary. Like what some of us have already said, it’s like reading a Family-Saga novel, where we stop breathing after the cliffhanger.
I do hope that Scott will carry on in posting us with updates. We can’t wait for the next chapter.
December 3rd, 2007 at 6:43 pm
Lisa - thanks for another thrilling episode of Sheng’s return to China. What an exhausting journey for both of you. Am anxiously waiting for the next installment. And yes, you should write a book -
December 3rd, 2007 at 7:37 pm
I trully love to read your account of Mei Sheng’s journey. I feel like I am right there with you. I think your account would be a wonderful book. You are so fortunate to be part of this adventure.
December 3rd, 2007 at 8:49 pm
Thanks, Lisa for another great Mei Sheng update for us!! Is Animal Planet going to have a special on Mei Sheng’s journey? Wow, talk about a DVR event at my house! It’s so endearing to read how excited the Chinese people are about Mei Sheng and the grand celebration that took place! I just watched the CCTV video again with the small interview with you (the only part I could understand-haha!), and the shot of you watching him in the bed of the pickup truck. I don’t know how you did it…There is one scene where it’s obvious he hears your voice and sees you, stops in his tracks for a minute, then continues on with his pacing. It’s obvious how much he loved you and likewise, what a sweet thing to witness..
Thanks again for your great updates!! Please keep them coming!
December 3rd, 2007 at 8:55 pm
Lisa, I think I saw a picture of you looking wistfully and sadly at Mei Sheng as he sat in his crate in the back of the truck. It must have been so hard to leave him. How is Mei Sheng doing now? Is it possible we could see pictures of him? Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us.
December 3rd, 2007 at 9:02 pm
Lisa,
Thanks for the wonderful updates on your journey to China with Mei Sheng. It is so wonderful to hear how he is handling everything. I guess Mei Sheng figures that as long as he gets his apples and biscuits, everything is just fine. I look forward to more updates. Thank you again!
December 3rd, 2007 at 9:12 pm
Lisa, not only are you a wonderful writer with an aptitude for color and warmth in your words, you are also a wonderful diplomat! Your comments to the eager Chinese taking possession of the panda that they undoubtedly felt they “owned” was very politically “correct.” While you explained how important Mei Sheng was to San Diego, you also acknowledged his role in the giant panda conservation. You presented them an obviously well-loved and well-cared-for panda and expressed confidence that he will continue to be well-loved and well-cared for in Wolong. I’m sure the excited crowd that listened to you appreciated your obvious affection for the giant pandas and your pride in participating in this important program.
I am eagerly waiting for your next blog! Thank you.
Did you ever see Hua Mei?
December 3rd, 2007 at 9:37 pm
Dear Lisa: What a gift this story has been to me. I love picturing all of these people welcoming Mei Sheng to China. Loving these animals is one bridge between our two very different countries.
December 3rd, 2007 at 10:10 pm
Lisa, you mentioned meeting up with an Animal Planet videographer … is Animal Planet going to make a documentary about Mei Sheng’s trip to China? Wouldn’t that be wonderful!
Thank you again for your wonderful blogs! This really does need to become a
book!
December 3rd, 2007 at 10:36 pm
I’m thrilled to hear that Sheng got the Celebrity Treatment he deserves by the Wolong residents and dignitaries. I really do wonder what was going through his mind during the whole ceremony…
“Where are the girl pandas you keep talking about?”
“These people sure have strange cardboard panda faces.”
“I like the clean fresh air up here.”
“My ears are still popping, and I never got my peanuts from the flight attendants.”
I am glad you were able to tell them how much Sheng means to us and how special he is, not just as a panda with rare genes but also as a gentle loving animal.
Can’t wait to hear more. It’s like a great bedtime story for me, and I’m sharing it with some special youngsters who also love pandas. Thanks for sharing!
Love, Joy
December 4th, 2007 at 5:57 am
Another outstanding chapter. Thanks Lisa and we all look forward to the next one!
Also, thank you to Wowwee for sponsoring the cam AND allowing those of us with dial-up to skip! I was able to watch ZZ again at home. Please know we all appreciate your sponsorship that allows us a window into the life of our newest little one, and continued viewing of all the pandas.
December 4th, 2007 at 9:01 am
Thanks to Webmaster for making a way “around” Wowwee’s Robopanda. Christmas is three weeks from today, and they have to get the word out about Robopanda somehow. This is a good venue to introduce it to panda fans, and to let us know it exists. Thanks for understanding both bloggers and webmaster and making a win-win for everyone, especially the pandas so that we can still watch them and the panda cam is getting an infusion of funds. So, as always, patience folks.
December 4th, 2007 at 9:20 am
Thank you Lisa for a heartfelt, beautifully written, first hand account of your travels with Mei Sheng. I agree with everyone that your writing style makes me feel like I am right there with you the whole way. Maybe the bumps in the road helped to distract you enough not to be constantly counting the miles, and minutes, till you reached your destination and final separation. Perhaps Mei Sheng is not the only one who needed periodic stops along the way. Sheng seems to be perfectly content with all his apples and bamboo shoots. Since shoots are such a delicacy, and they are out of season in US, it is an indication of just how special this arriving panda is to the local Chinese. It appears that they pulled out “all the stops” and made sure that Sheng was familiar with his keepers as quickly as possible. It was an honor and a tribute to the keepers who had met him during their visit to SDZ to be the ones to care for him during his arrival ceremony. I am certain that the more familiar faces he saw the calmer he felt, and the lower his stress level. Dr. Desheng must have been through this many times, and has mastered dealing with the media.
I agree with Darlene, #4, that you have a very special way of writing from your heart, and I would love to see all these accounts compiled into a special place such as a book to raise funds for panda conservation.
Many thanks for sharing your detailed thoughts and memories with us. Hopefully you and Mei Sheng, and your traveling companions, got some well deserved rest after you finally arrived at Wolong.
December 4th, 2007 at 11:05 am
Lisa~ I hope you were able to see Hua Mei. She was my first “baby,” and I would really love to know how she appears to you. I still miss her so much. Thank you.
December 4th, 2007 at 11:11 am
Lisa, your account of your journey with Mei Sheng is truly wonderful. I agree with the others that Mei Sheng’s story would make a great book, especially if it included all the training San Diego Zoo went through to prepare him for his long journey. I appreciate the hard work of you and all the others at the zoo in caring for all the animals and making a life in captivity as special as possible.
One question I have about the pandas is how do they primarily recognize people and other pandas? Is it sight, smell or sound or a combination of these? Do you know if pandas remember people they have known and then see again after many months? Do they react equally to someone they don’t know holding an apple for them and someone they do know holding an apple? It would be interesting to know how Mei Sheng is reacting to other people now that you aren’t there.
Thank you again for the wonderful story. You are indeed a great writer.
December 4th, 2007 at 11:23 am
Thank you Lisa. This must have been so difficult for you
You said that you rode in an Animal Planet truck? Does this mean the Animal Planet will be producing a program about Mei Sheng’s travels? Maybe we will actually be able to see him settling into Wolong. We would all like to see a happy Mei Sheng.
Moderator’s note: The Giant Panda Team is working with Animal Planet International on a series about Wolong pandas that will broadcast in 2008 to coincide with the Beijing Olympics. We do not have dates for when Animal Planet will broadcast the program nor do we know when and if Animal Planet will sell the series.
December 4th, 2007 at 11:32 am
I am very dissappointed as of late, when I log on to view our pandas, I’m greeted by an ugly commercial.
I feel like you have sold out.
I have been watching every day since Hua Mei wan born, now I really don’t like to log on.
December 4th, 2007 at 11:40 am
Will we see pictures of Mei Sheng’s journey in China?
December 4th, 2007 at 11:58 am
Thank you, Lisa, for continuing to tell us the charming story of Mei Sheng’s arrival at Wolong. Being slightly claustrophic, I was amazed at how such a big bear would go willingly into a small crate and put up with the flight and bouncy road trip. Again, it is a tribute to the trust he placed in you and the others from SDZ accompanying him. I’m so happy that he had you with him the entire way–it must have made him feel so much more secure and at ease. And that you were able to convey to the Chinese how much Mei Sheng meant to everyone here is very comforting. I hope your story is not over yet.
Also, thanks to the Meerkats for the shots of adorable Su Lin munching on her bamboo the past couple of days–it’s a treat to see that little beauty.
December 4th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
WOW!!! Lisa, you are a very good writer! Like I said before, this should be a book of your trip to China with Mei Sheng! Part 4 of your journal was also very interesting. Sounds like Mei Sheng is finally getting used to the long trip to Wolong doing his usual things—eating, drinking water, and sleeping. He probably figured out that this was a part of life and decided to go with the flow of things from here on out. Good for him! I know from your last blog that he had an angry bout with you all when you got to Shanghai, and I think that we all agreed that this was due to the long 20 hour flight, time changes, and being just plain tired. Looks like Mei Sheng has weathered all of that so far. Now, he’s at Wolong, settling in, and we all are hoping to hear about when he’s out of quarantine and in with the other juvenile pandas getting to know his new friends. Waiting for part 5 of your journal, Lisa, especially when you all are saying goodby to Mei Sheng, coming home on the plane, and crying your eyes out because you all are missing Mei Sheng a whole lot! Don’t blame you for that one bit!! He’s been a special part of SDZ for 4 years, and it’s like letting one of your 18 year old kids leave home, and you feel like it’s too soon to leave. Oh well……
Been on pandacam over the last few days, and have seen Zhen mostly sleeping when I got on there. Hope to catch her walking later on today. Atlanta Zoo panda fans, their pandacam is out again! Wrote an email to them to let them know! Missing Mei Lan’s crazy, fun stuff again!!
Gonna go and get some things done, then get back on the pandacam to check on Bai and Zhen!
Love yas,
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
PS: Congrats to WAP on the birth of their 5th baby Asian elephant on Nov. 28!! Still waiting for more info on this latest arrival. I think we were hoping for a Christmas baby, but Lungile had other ideas and so did her baby! Looking for new pics of the new baby elephant! This is a huge positive, successful step forward for this herd from Africa!
Moderator’s note: Be sure to check out the video of the newest elephant at http://www.sandiegozoo.org/videos/index.html
December 4th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
Hi again! To all of you that agreed with me that Lisa should write a book about her trip to China with Mei Sheng, THANK YOU!!!!!!! I’m glad that there are a lot of you that feel the same way that I do. This is fascinating reading, and this will make an excellent book for kids to read, also. This will also be another way for SDZ to raise the money needed for the conservation and research efforts on the pandas. Hope that Lisa will agree with all of us and do it! The main thing is that this book should stay at the SDZ and WAP bookstores, and on their online store, so that the proceeds from the sale of Lisa’s book will stay at SDZ and WAP.
I think that we are all thinking on the same grapevine here! Now, I wonder if there was a several part blog of when they made the trip to China with Hua Mei. If that’s still available, maybe that could be written into a book, also. Hope that happens!
Well, gotta go and get some things done! Hope to hear that the book will happen! Have fun, Lisa!!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
December 4th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
Lisa, as everyone before me has noted…you are a wonderful writer! Thank you for making us feel like we are right there with you witnessing Mei Sheng’s first days in China. I look forward to reading more! I still miss him very much.
December 4th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
Lisa…Awesome…Thank you
so very much. I cried a river
of tear when our boy left and
it is so good to read all your
accounts. Isn’t our little man
due out of quarantine this week?
December 4th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
#29 Chari - I thought I was the first to mention that Lisa should consider writing a book (comment 51 after her second installment “First Night in China”). I just mentioned it in passing, but I was pleasantly surprised that after that, other commenters were agreeing that a book should be in Lisa’s future! I can see it on the bestseller list now - “My Life with Mei Sheng” or maybe “Mei Sheng - a Panda’s Journey”. However the book idea came to be, I think we all agree that Lisa is an excellent writer and a book could raise funds for panda conservation - and make us all very happy!
December 4th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
Your details of the trip to China with this beautiful soul, are putting a lot of worried minds to rest. However; I am curious, did anyone happen to see The Best of Nature, on Sunday night? Although the Chinese people apparently revere “their” panda’s, the everyday atrocites that they inflict on other living beings is very disturbing. Case in point, what I saw them doing to a brown bear was beyond words! We need to take a stand, for all animals, not just the ones we find cute.
December 4th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
Thanks for the compromise with the commercial on the panda cam.
December 4th, 2007 at 7:04 pm
Thank you, Lisa, for the updates. I couldn’t imagine how Mei Sheng did this super long trip in 2 days. I traveled home to Hong Kong for 18 hours, and I was dead tired after the trip! I sure couldn’t travel again after 5 hours of rest. I am so proud of Mei Sheng and you guys!!!
December 4th, 2007 at 7:50 pm
I noticed that you finally kept a negative comment about the commercial (#25). Both of my comments, which were not rude or anything, were not allowed on the blog. Instead they were forwarded to “public relations”. Lost in no man’s land I suppose. By the way, how do we bypass the annoying commercial? I have cable, not dial up. Will this comment actually make it onto the blog, or will it be dismissed like the others? Personally, I have only been able to sit through the commercial once and when I finally got onto the panda cam, the den was empty. Isn’t the commercialization of the panda cam supposed to fund better use of the camera?
Moderator’s note: A “skip” button has been added to the Panda Cam when it starts up, allowing you to skip the commercial.
December 4th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
Oh! Oh! Oh! Chari #28 and Moderator!! I just watched the new baby elephant video….so adorable as to rival Zhen Zhen. So small & perfect, and so protected by mama. I’ve tried to watch “Elephant Cam” occasionally, but because the territory is so much larger (I think) than the panda enclosures, I don’t often see the elephants. This was just wonderful–and the little one certainly doesn’t lack for lung-power! It was amazing to hear those loud noises coming from her delicate little mouth
Thanks for the heads-up.
December 4th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
Lisa, you’ve done it again! I just love your blog posts!! And I’m very happy they had a translator for your portion of the comments at the ceremony, as I’m sure they were as eloquent and touching as what you have shared with all of us. Thank you again and again!
And much love to little Zoom Zoom . . . I’ve been so busy and barely get to see her lately, wish I could watch her all day!
December 4th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
Thank you so much Lisa, the love you have for Sheng that make his trip so much smoother.
People like you keep this black and white magic rolling so that my grand, great … great grand kids can experience.
December 4th, 2007 at 8:51 pm
I, like many of my fellow Panda Cam viewers, was not thrilled at seeing the Robopanda ad all the time, but realize that it helps defray the cost of providing for our panda watching addiction. Alas, tonight I was shopping in the toy department at a discount store, and there on the shelf was a mini-Robopanda. It was not expensive and looked intriguing. So, I took it home and checked it out. It actually crawls in a wobbly way just like our very own Zhen Zhen, and is also a tiny version of the regular one in the Panda Cam ads. So, although we might find the ad somewhat annoying, the product isn’t as ugly and useless as it has been portrayed, and the proceeds from the sale of the robopandas will help them pay for their ad which in turn helps us keep viewing our beloved pandas. After all, 24/7 viewing on the Internet from all over the globe is a priceless privilege, and a very costly service provided to us FREE by SDZ. With the new “skip” feature you have the option to turn off the ad and continue on viewing your favorite black and white bears.
December 4th, 2007 at 10:19 pm
On the subject of the Animal Planet — #12 & #24– Just read that the Animal Planet will be televising a series entitled “Growing Up Panda”, starting Sunday, Dec. 9th at 10 PM. It will chronicle the first eight months of a female panda named Jing Jing, born at the Chengdu Panda Preserve. Jing Jing is China’s 2008 Olympic Mascot.
It would be so wonderful if the Giant Panda Team & Animal Planet International include our precious Mei Sheng, Hua Mei and Shi Shi in the series, if it indeed comes to fruition.
December 5th, 2007 at 8:01 am
Don’t know if anyone else saw this article — I read it on Yahoo! — about Bai Yun and Gao Gao being a “super couple” in the panda world because they’ve now had 3 children and, if I remember the article correctly, all are the result of natural breeding and not AI. It was a nice article and a wonderful reminder of how fortunate we are to be a part of this whole experience.
December 5th, 2007 at 8:15 am
I just want to Thank the sponsor, Robopanda, for a way around the commercial. They are very kind. It was very annoying that everytime I would go to the blogs or videos and then back to the Pandacam, I had to watch it again. Tell them thank you and we appreciate their actions.
December 5th, 2007 at 10:53 am
Rose-41–Thanks so much for the information about “Growing up Panda” I had the opportunity to visit the
Chengdu facility in June of 2006, and to hold Jing Jing. She was 10 months old and weighed about 45 lbs.
December 5th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
#41 Rose- thanks for the news about Growing Up Panda - have marked my calendar.
December 5th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
Thanks again Lisa!
December 5th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
It’s hard to believe it’s been a month since he left San Diego. I hope he’s getting some good back rubs from his Chinese keepers.
December 5th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
thanks again for the next installment, Lisa. It’s so hard to believe that our baby boy has been gone a month! I’ve got pictures of him on my computer screen saver, so I can see him all the time, at least on my desktop!
Since Animal Planet’s videographers were present, will there be a video made by Animal Planet and be available for the public in the future?
Do you have any updates from Scott? Did you get to see Hua Mei while in Wolong?
Moderator’s note: The Giant Panda Team is working with Animal Planet International on a series about Wolong pandas that will broadcast in 2008 to coincide with the Beijing Olympics. We do not have dates for when Animal Planet will broadcast the program nor do we know when and if Animal Planet will sell the series.
December 5th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
#40 Margaret, Robopanda sounds interesting, I will pick one up next time I visit a toy store, ToysRu probably.
#41 Rose, I have marked my calendar for “Growing Up Panda”, thanks.
December 5th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
Sheri #44 & Maureen #45 — You’re both welcome.
Sheri, what a thrill it must have been to hold a baby panda (Jing Jing)! Also, what a coincidence - the fact that Jing Jing has become world famous makes your panda encounter even more exciting!
Please google “The Official Mascots of Beijing 2008 Olympics”. Here, you will find an article with five charming caricatures representing China’s most popular animals, and one of them is your Jing Jing, very cute.
December 6th, 2007 at 11:08 am
Thank you, Lisa, for continuing your account of Mei Sheng’s arrival. What a ‘trooper’ he was, to calmly eat and sleep through all the commotion, while spending so much time in a little cage. I hope he is acclimating to his new home.
December 6th, 2007 at 11:57 am
Rose #50–It was an incredible experience to hold Jing Jing. For a donation, I was able to hold her and they used
my nephews digital camera and took 11 pictures of me with her. They also told us than that she was the mascot
for the olympic games. The Chengdu facility is only about 1 hour outside of the city. Outside the facility there were several different vendors set up selling everything panda. Our tourguide asked us to please only buy gifts
from the shop inside the facility so that the money went back to help the pandas. I was also able to hold a
Red Panda for a donation.
December 6th, 2007 at 5:59 pm
Thank you moderator for the information on Animal Planet’s upcoming series on the pandas. I truly hope that a good segment of it will cover Mei Sheng. God bless you all.
December 13th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
Occasionally I will watch the pandas on the Wolong Panda cam. I am intrigued that several times I have seen keepers in the wide open spaces along with what appears to be 2 year old pandas. On one occasion there were two keepers out with about 5 pandas. One keeper was a female and she was sitting on a platform with her arm around a panda sitting next to her. The other was a male keeper who was standing when a panda stood up behind him and put his paws on the keeper’s shoulders. Is this common practice to intermingle with the pandas and up to what age? After all they are “Bears with Claws” no matter are “cute” they are!! Just curious because I know here after a certain age there is always a distance between the pandas and their keepers. Thank you for your response.