News from Panda Canyon
Posted at 10:03 am April 23, 2008 by Ellie RosenbaumThe Spring Break crowds are pretty much behind us, and we’re settling into “field trip season” here at the San Diego Zoo. Everyone’s anxious to visit the pandas and see The Baby, but Zhen Zhen’s not always cooperating. Curling up in the gray-green hammock, even at 31 pounds (14 kilograms) she’s not yet large enough to be seen well over the hammock’s edge. That makes the hammock one of my least favorite of ZZ’s favorite napping spots.
Morning guests have been treated to seeing her up and about at various times throughout the last few mornings, and as she solicits interaction with Bai Yun while Bai is eating her bamboo, we’re seeing the diverting behavior in Bai that we affectionately call “Talk to the Hand” (or “Paw” in this case!). Front or hind paw, it’s all the same: anything that Bai can do to deflect her obstreperous youngster while she continues to munch. It’s kind of neat to see the familiar cub-rearing behaviors again and again. Bai was such a young sprout, it seemed, when she first arrived. It’s been a joy watching her mature and mellow into maturity and experienced mothering.
It’s been a while since Gao Gao was out front, and many of you are anxious to know how the “Big Guy” is faring. I had the privilege of observing a training session behind the station last week and was reminded what a special, personable, unique panda he is. Eager to please, sociable, and enthusiastic, he quickly responded to the keeper’s commands—sometimes even before they were given! Remember that here at the Zoo, training is done to facilitate the care and husbandry of the animals, making check-ups and routine procedures stress-free and easy for the animals and the keepers. The behaviors require a deep level of respect and trust between staff and animals, and regular practice insures that this goes smoothly, whether opening a mouth for a tooth check, standing up on hind legs to facilitate a physical inspection, or reclining for an ultrasound. Even in our Wegeforth Bowl and Hunte Amphitheater show areas, training highlights natural behaviors that would help an animal survive in its native habitat; they are not doing “tricks.”
And what of Su Lin? She is still her sweet, charming self, continuing to charm guests as they first enter the viewing area. Not quite her full adult size, she retains some of that cub-like quality that the younger bears have; she may weigh about 140 pounds (64 kilograms), but retains that playful nature. Not at all sure of what was going on as an acacia tree was being transported through Panda Canyon yesterday, she dropped her bamboo and raced to the rear corner of her exhibit near the base of the tall poplar tree, ears alert and posture ready to take to the high ground if she felt threatened. But, hey—it was only a tree moving by, and once it was gone, she settled back into the breakfast routine and then to nap. Not as feisty as her younger sister, she nonetheless has her whimsical moments and is not above hanging upside down in a funny but highly undignified fashion, the kind of behavior that keeps panda fans in stitches!
It can be hard to see the gang from the various camera angles as the trees in the exhibits leaf out, and ZZ can get up to the top of what’s been left of the pine tree (another of her favorite spots to sleep), out of Panda Cam range, but rest assured that the crew is doing fine and enjoying these beautiful days of spring.
Ellie Rosenbaum is a panda narrator at the San Diego Zoo.
Listen to an iZoofari Chat with panda keeper Kathy Hawk…
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April 23rd, 2008 at 10:50 am
Thank you Ellie, for a very informative and interesting article. Now I know why I keep missing ZZ. I know she’s there, but where? The trouble is that being in the UK, when I am having my morning coffee sometime between 8-9am it is 8 hours earlier in San Diego and most of the animals are in bed. I have, on occasion, seen Su Lin out at around 12-1am SDZ time (eating, of course); I can just make her out as there is enough light from her little door to see her moving around. The next time I usually have a look is around 10-11am SDZ time.
Is it me, or has anyone noticed that Su Lin seems to have become quite a cheeky little character since being moved to her new enclosure? I feel that she is more playful - she really does play to the crowds too - and doesn’t seem to be at the top of a tree all the time.
Gao Gao sounds like a delightful bear, in the way you describe him when he has to have examinations. I expect that all the pandas are good. I just love them all. I think the relationship you have with your pandas, and other animals, is just wonderful and I wish I was there with you all. I’d work for nothing!!
April 23rd, 2008 at 1:08 pm
I love watching and reading about all of the pandas. I am curious as to how Mei Sheng is doing.
Thank you.
April 23rd, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Thank you Ellie for a very humorous lighthearted view of life of our favorite SDZ panda family. Glad to hear all is well with all of them. You are all blessed to be able to interact with them every day and see the changes that occur as they each mature, Bai and Gao included.
Have you noticed any activity in rainy weather from Su Lin? I don’t know what San Diego weather has been like lately, but in Virginia and most of the East Coast it has been raining a lot in the past two weeks. I am excited about getting up to NZP this weekend to see Mei, Tian, and Tai again. I am sure Tai has grown since I last saw him in November. It is supposed to rain while we are there, so I will check out their rainy day behavior. From what I have observed before, the NZP pandas don’t get as excited about rain as the SDZ ones do. In DC they have real snow, and that seems to get the pandas really excited. I guess it depends on their reactions to the elements in each of their “native” environments.
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:16 pm
This may be a stupid question, but why are the panda blogs in the “more blogs” section? I don’t recall them being there in the past. I thought that was reserved for the other animals. It’s not important, I was just wondering why they were in both places.
Moderator’s note: We place panda blogs in several categories: “home”, “default”, “giant pandas”, and “general”. In addition, if they are written by one of our researchers, they are also placed in the “conservation” and “cres” categories. If they are from researchers in the field, the blogs might also be place in the “field studies” category. Panda blogs make the rounds!
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Off topic again… but I just checked out my other favorite inhabitants at the SDZ on the Polar Cam (4:15ish) — and boy is there a pool party going on at Polar Bear Plunge. Gosh, if the water wasn’t so chilly — I’d be tempted to join in the fun. Lots of chasing, play wrestling and splashing — who knows, maybe even a little flirting. Regardless — they are having a great time — and providing a lot of amusement.
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Thanks Ellie - I love these updates about our beloved pandas - explains why I rarely to get to Miss Z - every now & then I THINK I can see her hgh up in her tree. There hase been some great cam work showing beautuful SuLin.
Now I have a question - after listening to the fascinating izoofari chat with Kathy Hawk I wonder if Bai can have another cub. I know some females older than Bai have had cubs. According to Kathy, Bai is “coping” with Miss Z who has become a terror. Great mother that she has been, can she handle another busy, active cub when she’s 20 or so. And what if China wants Bai & Gao back when the 10 year loan agreement expires (obviously Bai’s time was up but as a new mother will be here until Miss Z is weaned.) Let’s hope China realizes what the success the SDZ has had with their cub births & let Bai & Gao stay longer.
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Hi Ellie - Thanks for the heart-warming update on all our delightful pandas. They are all so lovable and unique.
Last week we witnessed Bai Yun’s “Talk to the Hand” routine. Sweet Zhen Zhen would approach Bai from her right side, then from the left side to try and grasp a bamboo branch. Bai would lift her rear paw and gently push Zhen away. This course of action continued for quite a while. Finally, Zhen decided she wanted mom to play with her. Zhen would attack Bai by grasping a mouth full of Bai’s fur from the back of her head. Zhen would let go, and then grab Bai’s ear. Each time she shook her little head from side to side as if she was playing with a ragdoll. It was the cutest interaction to watch between mom and her little baby girl. Bai never seemed perturbed. It was very obvious to see that Bai just went along with Zhen’s fun and never stopped eating, not for one second. Finally, Zhen decided to sit behind Bai and enjoy nibbling on the bamboo leaves from the same branch that Bai was consuming
Susan #1 – I agree with you, we noticed Su Lin is much more into the visitors than in the past. She often looks towards the people entering the exhibit and stays on the ground a lot more. Last week (we went back twice on the same day to visit Bai, Zhen and Su Lin), we noticed Su Lin sitting on top of the hollowed out tree, facing the visitors, with a smile on her face!
P.S. Love Gao Gao’s photo with his nonchalant gaze.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:09 pm
The original Giant Panda Research loan agreement between SDZ and China is 12 years, due to expire after September 2008. This will be the first panda research loan to expire, so no one knows what will happen. It is my understanding that the Chinese and San Diego Zoo have been in touch and will be speaking later in the year regarding the situation.
Information will, of course, be posted on the Zoo’s Web site as it is available.
April 24th, 2008 at 4:14 am
Maureen #6, i so agree with you about Bai and Gao. I also think that China should allow SDZ to keep them longer, or even better for the rest of their lives. Then visitors either in person or via the web cams would be able to see a perfect couple who went onto produce such fantastic pandas.
WOW, i can’t believe how heavy Zhen Zhen is now. You can actually see how much she has grown, she blossoming into a beautiful panda. I had a feeling from when i first watched Zhen moving about and trying to slip past Bai and get up those trees, that she really was a cub who was going to do what she wanted and had a cheeky personality. At certain times you can see her looking at things and deciding ‘Yes i’m going to do that. Mum will try to stop me, but i will do it’. She is so full of fun, and i am so looking forward to seeing how she will react with her first ‘SNOW day’. I will be glued to the PC watching her for as long as i can stay awake (UK we are about 8 hours ahead of you). Will she tread carefully?, will she stand and watch Bai until she realises it is good fun? or will she just head straight out into it, which is what i think she will do, we don’t have much longer to wait now to watch Zhens first snow day.
Is there any more news on Mei Sheng?. It all seems to have gone very quiet on information on him. I know that panda international released information on him, but it would be so good to hear that they had contacted SDZ with more up-to-date news. I wish that we could contact Wolong (i know he is at Bifengxia, but it is part of Wolong) and tell them that Mei Sheng does have a fan following not only in the USA but UK, and other parts of the world, and how we would love them to give SDZ regular up-dates on him, as then SDZ would relay information via this panda blog to Mei Shengs fans. Photos would be an added bonus. I’m sure i’m not the only person who posts on here that feels as i do. Is there any way that we could do this?
I wish that here in the UK the weather would properly improve. It has been so cold here, then we get a couple of nice days temperatures rise and we think ‘yes at long last, spring is finally on it’s way, only to have the weather forecasters tell us that more rain (what a suprise, yet MORE rain) and blustery winds are forecast for the next couple of days, and then next week it is going to get colder yet again, with more ground frosts. I think the SDZ polar bears would find it perfect. Do you fancy swapping weather with us????
April 24th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Check out the iZoofari Chats with Kathy Hawk and Suzanne Hall.
April 24th, 2008 at 11:36 am
Thanks Ellie for the update and especially for including info about all the SDZ pandas. When I turned on the pandaCAM today, I got to see Gao Gao enjoying his tree and bamboo. What a treat! (for both of us)
I love the “talk to the paw” that panda moms do with their youngsters. It’s so funny, and it’s a time I can attribute human characteristics to the animals. I always feel like I know exactly what Bai Yun means.
I know other zoos have done research (some of it is non-scientific) about their animals enjoying people watching and how the animals can become depressed when there’s no visitors. I think Su Lin is great, playing to the crowds… she knows what compels people to take better care of the planet: a personal connection.
MY SOAP-BOX: Once you care about endangered animals, you begin to want to make changes to ensure their survival. I know I can’t just throw away a soda can without feeling like I’m destroying habitat for wildlife. I just have to recycle! And, when I do, I feel like I’m helping the animals on the planet have a brighter future.
Thanks again, Ellie! I can rest assured knowing that you do such a terrific job keeping the pandas in SDZ stress-free. And, you keep us panda-holics updated on their antics so we are not stressed wondering what’s happening there. Looking forward to SNOW DAY!!!
Love, Joy
April 24th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Hi! I read this newest blog about ZZ yesterday! ZZ at 31 pounds already?? WOW!!! This little girl is growing like crazy! It seems like it’s been only “yesterday” that she was a tiny cub just getting her feet under her! Now look at this little fuzzy butt! She’s growing up, playing with mom and keepers, climbing trees and napping in them, all sorts of cute stuff! I saw the pic of Gao with this blog, and I noticed one thing about Gao that he does when he lies down–he looks like that he “flattens” himself where ever he lies down at, like in this pic. He looks so comfy that way! Gao is comfy anywhere he’s at anyway, looks content, and just enjoys it alot. Looks like Su Lin has gained some weight also, hitting 140 pounds. She’s still a growing girl herself. Haven’t had a chance to listen to the chats yet. Will try to get to them later.
Well, gonna go and see the pandacam. Hopefully, I will be able to see ZZ on the cam! I may have to take some of you all’s advice and try to catch her in the early morning hours if I don’t see her in the afternoons.
Bye,
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
April 24th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
It’s about 1:00 pm — and it looks like Bai Yun is wearing a “panda hat”. Oh — oops — that little Miss Fancy Pants dangling from a branch just above where Bai Yun is sitting. Little ZZ is so cute — playing with Bai’s ears — then oopsy — she drops to the ground right in front of Bai. What was Bai doing the entire time her little pest was doing acrobatics above her head — nothing — just kept munching away on her bamboo. I’m telling you, Bai has got this mama bear thing down to a science. They are so cute together — ZZ is just sitting in front of Bai nibbling on bamboo leaves. I just laughed out loud when ZZ was dangling from the branch — trying to get Bai’s attention — then plopped to the ground. They are so adorable.
April 24th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Just grabbed some great webcam shots for my Pandas folder. ZZ was using mom’s head as a ladder to a branch. Once she positioned herself on the branch, she’d twirl- much like little kids do on the twirling bars (if they’re still on schools’ playgrounds) Bai’s just munching away and enjoying her lunch while Miss Z has a grand time! I haven’t been able to see them on the webcam much due to work hours, but today was a treat! Can’t get back to my former hometown until October and I’m sure by that time ZZ will maybe spend more time on the ground?! Thanks to the meerkats today for the great closeups!
April 24th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
OMG — What did Su Lin eat for lunch today!? She is bouncing around in a tree, doing acrobatic moves on one of the branches (and it’s a pretty small branch) — she looks like she is having a lot of fun — but boy, of boy, it looks like that branch could snap at any moment. Makes me so nervous — I can’t decide if I want to watch. She’s a pretty big bear to be bouncing around in a tree! I think she’s been watch ZZ too much…
April 24th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Su is just going crazy in her exhibit. Up and down the trees, chewing this and that, bounding over to the viewing area to the delight of the visitors. Rolling summersaults, round and round and up the trees again! If I didn’t know better, I would think I was watching Tai! So glad to see this spunky side of Su. She is SUCH a doll! Maybe she is feeling a bit put out with all the attention directed at Miss Z and is showing off her own talents and personality! It is a joy to watch! Great viewing of Miss Z today also. Little Miss Spitfire and her picture of divine patience mother!
April 24th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
it is 6:13 E.S.T. and the great and handsome gao gao is sitting in the corner of his bedroom munching away on his boo, with a substantial pile awaiting his highness.
the picture of contentment.
joan
painted post, n.y.
April 24th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
# 8 Ellie - thanks for the update on the Panda loan agreement. We all hope that China realizes what the SDZ has done & will extend the stay of Bai & Gao.
April 24th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Thank You Ellie, for this posting and also for the information regarding the ‘loan’ of Bai and Gao.
I hope you saw the ‘before the fall’ as well!
Yesterday I saw Zhen Zhen hanging out on lower branches of ‘her tree’ and thought perhaps some trimming had been done
Cheryl #13: At around 12:45 Miss you know who was resting her head on a branch right next to Bai as Bai ate lunch. Zhen moved closer to her mom. Bai got down and went to the location you saw her at 1:00. Zhen rolled around in the leftovers on the hut and then walked the tree limb to ‘visit’ Bai. Priceless
Cheryl #15 (Same as 13?) and Kris #16: I MISSED Su Lin! Thanks for sharing! I’m off to see if the wild show is on the time lapse
April 24th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
I have to agree with Maureen & Sammi - Bai Yun & Gao Gao have been such a successful breeding pair that they should stay at SDZ & have one more chance after Zhen Zhen is weaned. Let’s remember that their cubs are the result of NATURAL MATING, not AI. These 2 are the role models, the reigning king & queen of Giant Panda Breeding, in my opinion. Even if Bai would not conceive, stud-muffin extraordinaire Gao Gao should continue with a new mate.
The goal is preservation of an endangered species and China should recognize the contribution of SDZ in giant panda research & breeding. They should also recognize the importance of Bai Yun & Gao Gao as panda ambassadors. As long as SDZ is willing to foot the bill, there should always be a pair of breeding pandas at SDZ.
April 24th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Hi. I was wondering when GaoGao will be back in exhibit. He is such a sweet and awesome and smart bear and I am hoping to see him in exhibit when I go to SDZ in August. And thanks for the update about the pandas.
April 24th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
I wonder if SuLin & Miss Z can see each other when they’re both in their trees or is that something saved for later.
April 24th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
The Pandas’ Song of the Wind
The Song of the Wind, cub, is one you must heed;
For She brings you news of the world that you need.
She carries the smells and the sounds to you here.
Swing your nose to the wind. Listen hard with your ears.
She swirls in the valleys and dances with trees.
She’ll blow clouds away, and then tickle the bees.
She’ll roar from the north, bringing cold, ice and snow,
Then warmth and soft rain when the southern winds blow.
You will never see her: Her songs aren’t her own
Though she can scream and sigh, and roar and moan.
Her songs are not simple, for the wild wind sings
Of the sounds and the scents of all the world’s things.
The wind sings of water that’s fresh, deep and cold.
She sings of bamboo, or a bear growing old.
A whisper of song might bring flowers or fruit
Or the smell of a leopard in heated pursuit.
The quick sound of danger – a faraway bark,
The musky perfume of a renewed scent mark.
A wisp of a snarl or the smell of raw meat
That tells a smart cub that it’s time to retreat.
Heed the wind always; a wise Panda knows:
Keep the Song of the Wind in your ears and your nose.
April 24th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Hello panda lovers. Just wanted to alert you to two recent clips of Mei Lan on youtube. Search for “Mei Lan Gets Happy.” A total of 15 minutes worth of the Atlanta beauty prancing around, turning somersaults, wrestling with her boo, jumping and bouncing off the hammock! A refreshing sight for those of us who were concerned that she was getting lonesome for her mama Lun. She is so like here daddy Yang on these clips - a joy to watch, indeed!
I’m sorry to have missed the great Su Lin show on the cam. Sounds like she was really giving her admirers a great show. I wish I could just hop on a plane, a train, anything that will take me back there. Sigh!!
April 25th, 2008 at 12:33 am
Bother! Missed all those antics yesterday with Bai and ZZ. So, it’s off to the time-lapse then….
Counting down to Snow Day.
April 25th, 2008 at 5:57 am
Hi Everyone!
I really, really hope you all got to watch panda cam yesterday afternoon. I believe the
cam shots where the best I’ve ever seen of any panda cub! There were close-ups of
little ZZ that were so clear you could have counted her teeth! Part of the time she was
up the white platform inside. She reminded me so much of a little kid on a summer
day just rolling around on the grass, looking around with nothing to do but be a kid!
She was chewing on her paw, hanging her head over the platform ledge just hoping
her Mom would walk by so she could try to get her to play! I was watching about
3:00 to 3:30 or 4:00 Pacific Time. What a joy to watch! When things seem bad in
our life, seeing these wonderful animals makes us see how great the world really is.
Thank You to all at the SDZ.
Linda
April 25th, 2008 at 9:48 am
Dear Pandafan #24
Thank you for the information regarding the new video of Mei Lan! What a total treat to see her ‘in action’
once again
Dear Pamela G #23
Your poetry is simply beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing!
April 25th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Thanks for the info about watching the time lapse from 4/24 3-4 PM PDT. I missed those shots so will check them out tonight.
Thanks Pamela G # 23 for another great Panda “poem/song.”
April 25th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
#24 Pandafan -thanks for the info about Mei Lan Gets Wild - she sure was on a tear that day - she has Lun’s beautiful round face & daddy Yang’s big ears & goofy personality - what fun to watch -life with her mom must be a distant memory now.
April 25th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
I agree with linda #26–not only were the shots great, but watching Miss ZZ climbing all over Bai Yun was the cutest thing I’ve seen in ages. I just got back from Australia, where I saw lots of kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, platypuses and even got to hold a koala–but the SDZ pandas are really something special.
Great poem, Pamela G #23.
April 25th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Wish we could have seen the training session with Gao - have seen several videos of Yang (ZA) on you tube & his previous keeper, Jay, & am amazed at the trust & love these pandas have for their keepers. They will do anything their keeper wants for an apple or other treat. Watching Yang, a huge panda ( @300 lbs) , do as Jay asked with arm commands or a whistle was amazing.
April 25th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Thanks Pamela for another wonderful poem. This one is one of my favorites so far. Thanks for sharing your gift with us.
Love, Joy
April 26th, 2008 at 6:45 am
Okay - I’ve watched this enough times to know it’s not just my eyes playing tricks on me! Check out the time-lapse video of April 24. C29 is showing Gao Gao eating his morning ‘boo. When the cam time says something between 7:00 a.m. and 7:15 a.m., there is a small panda that comes in at the top of the picture and goes “down” toward where Chow Gao is sitting. You have to watch fast to see this, but it so looks like little ZZ is in with her daddy. What on earth??? Moderators??
Moderator’s note: We’ll see if an answer can be provided.
April 26th, 2008 at 9:34 am
Yikes! Did you guys have to pick one of the hottest days in April for Snow Day? However, I bet it will feel good to the bears.
I just hope it lasts a while.
April 26th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
What time is the snow supposed to be there, can’t wait to watch but need to know about when it’s going to happen. Too bad it isn’t next month when I’m there watching ZZ in person. Can’t wait !!!!!!!
Donna
Port Richey, FL
April 27th, 2008 at 12:21 am
Noooooooo…. My Panda cam has been down since late Friday night. I can’t miss Snow Day!!!!
Went to Memphis Pandas the other day and instead of pandas, there were a couple of monkeys (yes monkeys) preening each other. Was this Dressing Up Day??!! Do I need new glasses?
I’m really miserable my panda cam is down, I’ll try my hubby’s computer just in case it’s me but I don’t think so, I’ve got the polar bears. I’ve been looking forward to this for so long…
April 27th, 2008 at 7:53 am
Marlene #33 - there is definitely a little panda cutting through Gao Gao’s breakfast nook on that video! And, of course, Gao Gao never even noticed, he remained fully committed to his ‘boo. Thanks for pointing this out, I can’t wait to read the official explanation!
I’d also like to thank the Meerkats for fixing the problem with the new lion cub video, they are SO adorable!
April 27th, 2008 at 8:56 am
Yes! Got the panda cam back. Watching Su Lin rolling in it. Waiting for ZZ and Bai.
April 27th, 2008 at 11:33 am
#33 Marlene. I looked at the video of Gao Gao and at first I too thought there was another Panda in with him. But, if you watch again and look quickly down where Gao Gao is sitting when you see the Panda at the top you will see that it is actually Gao Gao. He must have got up, gone for a walk round and sat down again. The cam went so fast it does look like another Panda has come in. The videos go so fast you can get quite dizzy!
April 27th, 2008 at 11:37 am
Where are Bai and Zhen? Su Lin has been rolling in the snow this morning, but no sign of mom and baby.
April 27th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
They sure don’t play in the snow like Mei Sheng does. He’s a crazy boy in the snow.
April 27th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Hi All,
You may have posted this before because I have seen it before but I never did it. There is a search engine (called goodsearch.com) that will donate a penny for all searches to a charity of your choice. Most zoos including San Diego/National zoo are listed. The search engine is powered by yahoo so it’s a good search engine.
Happy Searching,
Linda
April 27th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Dear Panda Staff:
Thank You for the Snow Day Fun!!! Su Lin really put on a show this morning
Loved the view of Gao Gao sound asleep near his snow 
Then the Fun with Zhen and Bai for the ‘Second-half’ was grand! For those panda fans who do not live in Southern Calif: The temps today were in the upper 90’s! Therefore, I am wondering How Much Snow was placed for our Stars! Also when? And how a snow machine would not awaken a sleeping Panda! The snow really lasted a long time! Moderator, any answers 
Also, what fun to have the enrichment spools out today! I wasn’t at the SDZ today because of the heat; however, I did have a ball sending myself photos to place into a DVD for my mom 
Next time there is snow at the SDZ, I’ll be there!
Moderator’s note: 15 tons of snow were placed in the exhibits Sunday morning.
April 27th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Marlene,
I think it must be a software glitch, because sometimes I get a panda running through when I’m on another website. It usually happens right after I leave the San Diego Zoo website and go to another. It’s funny to see a panda moving around on the CNN website.
April 27th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Hi #33 Marlene and #37 Carol. When I view time lapse videos from home, my computer slows down the videos. For a split second during that period on the time lapse video, Gao Gao is not actually sitting in that spot eating Boo, but is walking down from the top. I can actually see his smaller left ear. It certainly would have been a neat thing if Little Miss ZZ had wandered in, but I don’t believe the very attentive Panda Keepers would let that happen.
April 27th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Oh no, something came up today & I missed the first hour of snow days (had waited so long for this day) but from I can tell from time lapse the pandas had a ball - will be waiting to read everyone’s descriptions Mon. But when I did manage to get on line about 2pm EDT there was still snow on the ground - how on earth do you keep snow in SD that long?
April 27th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
What a great snow day - thanks so much to the SDZ and the Panda Staff! Su Lin and Bai & ZZ all had a BLAST! I only saw Gao Gao once and he was, as usual, placidly munching his ‘boo, I didn’t see any snow near him, but he seemed like a happy bear. The girls were all so excited, it was a lot of fun to watch. Congratulations on a spectacular event!
April 27th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
I had a rough day and thought I had missed snow day fun…
But I tuned in at 7:30 PM, SDZ time, and got to see Zhen and Bai still playing and lots of snow still on the ground.
Yeah!!! Thanks!
Love, Joy
April 27th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
I just read about the newest wildfires in Sierra Madre and 15 miles North of San Diego. I hope the one outside San Diego is not near the Wild Animal Park. You suffered too much last year already. There is nothing to stop wildfires this year except maybe that the fuel for a fire was already burned out last year.
Hopefully you got enough rain over the winter to make the ground less dry and therefore less susceptible to wildfires. It is a reminder that we are not always in control of natural elements as we might like to be. I also read that it was near 100 degrees in Los Angeles and that the fire was swept up by strong winds. If that same hot weather is in SD, the “snow” won’t stay around long in Panda Canyon. It appears on the web cam shots this evening that it is getting “foggy” which indicates to me that the “snow” is melting already.
Su Lin sure enjoyed rolling around in the “snow.” Bai took it in stride, and it was hard to tell from the speedy time lapse what ZZ’s reaction was. Did GG get some too? It looked like he might have had a slight dusting. If so, it was some heroic feat to get it into all the exhibits in a quantity sizable enough for them to really enjoy. I am looking forward to the Polar bears “snow” day on Friday. Last time they got snow it lasted almost a week. Must have been cooler temps.
Moderator’s note: Thanks for your concern about the fire, Margaret! The Wild Animal Park is not near the current one. And a small correction: polar bears will get snow on Saturday, May 10.
April 28th, 2008 at 9:22 am
It was great to see Miss Z and Bai rolling around in the snow yesterday. Caught a glimpse of Su Lin sort of sitting on the sidelines! Mr. Gao was happily munching away a little bit ago. I adore them all! As always, much appreciation to the Zoo Reseachers, Meerkats and all the wonderful people at the Zoo.
April 28th, 2008 at 9:50 am
I spent 4 hours solid watching Su Lin and Bai and ZZ yesterday. Su Lin certainly had lots of fun and every time she saw people, out she came to put on a show. What a star. Bai and ZZ were just rolling around in the snow having a wonderful time. I watched the rest this morning on time-lapse. Looks like I missed Bai having a relaxing time by herself in the snow, but what I saw was lovely. First time I’ve seen the pandas in snow. Looking forward to the polar bears next.
April 28th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Thank you so much for the snow day! I enjoyed watching so much that I had the computer on all day. Su Lin captured my heart with her playing and rolling. Bai and ZZ were wonderful to watch, too. Somehow even with the warm temperatures, there was snow left today. This morning I watched ZZ pick up a snowball and rub it all over her head and body! Happy pandas!
April 28th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
i missed snow day……please provide a nice narrative about the goings on….oh i can’t believe it…i had a 74th bday party for mum and totally spaced on snow day. paula doing the walk of shame
Moderator’s note: We have video posted of snow day, Windows Media Player version only. Other versions will post tomorrow. http://www.sandiegozoo.org/videos/index.html
April 28th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
The video of little miss ants in her pants and Bai is so cute!! Zhen really looked like she had a good time. I think my favorite part was when she slid down the snow hill, ended up backwards then proceeded into a summersault. It was so hot this weekend — I’m sure the snow was quite a treat — I would have loved to played in it too! It’s funny how Bai just kept eating — while little zoom zoom ran round and round and round the exhibit — up and down the tree — up and down the snowy hill. Very cute - thanks for sharing!!
April 28th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Glad to hear the Polar Bear snow is on Saturday instead of Friday. More people will be visiting the zoo and can enjoy it in person, and I will be home and hopefully have more time to watch it than I would at work. Please capture it on video too for those of us who can’t be there in person. I remember the romping and sliding the polar bears did last time. I hope the temperature drops below 100 by then so it will last longer.
Bai, ZZ, and Su Lin seemed to enjoy the remnants today too. Bai and Su liked to sit in the snow and eat their boo. They were getting their money’s worth, and it helped keep them cool in the very hot temps.
Thanks for the tip about the video of snow day. Hopefully it will be slower than the time-lapse.
April 28th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
For Maureen #45 and Paula #52: The newly posted video is great and shows things I did not see yesterday, despite spending most of my day glued to the Panda Cam and accomplishing VERY little! But what I did see was an entire morning of Su Lin frolicking in her snow, turning somersaults, dashing here and fro, clearly having a BLAST. Then, at long last, the cam switched over to Bai and ZZ having an epic wrestling match! Every time ZZ would wriggle out of Bai’s grasp, Bai would grab a hunk of ZZ’s fur in her teeth and drag her back into the game. I could almost hear Bai saying “The pandaholics have been waiting for weeks to see us on our snow day and we are going to give them a show to remember, young lady!!” It was fun and funny and precious and I’m sure I enjoyed it as every bit as much as the pandas did! Their delight was so apparent and all three of the girls were so energized and goofy and completely engaged in the experience. Gao Gao, well, there was bamboo and he was his usual happy self, just sittin’ and munchin’. Did anyone see him get his frolic on? I didn’t, but I may have just missed it.
I was astonished to see that there are still patches of snow this evening — it was another 90-degree day here in SoCal!
And thanks to the awesome Meerkats for posting that instant video! It looks like there are a few Youtube vids, too. I found 3 by searching “snow pandas” and sorting by date added.
April 28th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
I just saw princess Zhen playing with the snow in her latest video. Priceless to see her rolling, sliding and bouncing around, having fun in the snow. Too cute. Thanks SDZ to make this happen.
April 28th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
What a great couple of days for panda watching–snow yesterday, a nice long play session between Bai Yun and Miss ZZ and a lovely nursing session tonight. Can’t wait to see the snow day video tomorrow. Thanks, SDZ, panda keepers, and meerkats!
April 29th, 2008 at 6:18 am
#44 Jane (as well as the others who have solved the mystery of Gao Gao’s little panda visitor on the time lapse video of the 24th) - I watched again and you are absolutely right - Gao Gao himself!! Now tell me how you slow down the video on your computer!!! That would be just awesome.
April 29th, 2008 at 7:41 am
I noticed that Bai Yun is still sitting on the small bit of snow remaining in the exhibit. She must like the coolness under her, especially if it is still hot in SD. It is an interesting pose, while she is munching away on on her beloved boo.
April 29th, 2008 at 8:25 am
When we arrived at the SDZ, around 9:20 AM, we quickly headed down to the Panda exhibit. When we entered the exhibit we noticed a huge pile of snow and Sun Lin in constant motion. She was having lots of fun entertaining the crowd of visitors. Su Lin was romping, sliding up and down the sloped area. At the bottom of the slope, she came close to the viewing window delighting the visitors. (Whenever the pandas come close to the window, it feels like you could just reach out and touch them.)
The most interesting and amusing part of Su Lin’s shenanigans during this time was a small piece of hard snow (it was a chunk of ice about 3×6 inches). No matter what she was doing, Su never parted with that piece of ice. She played with it constantly; holding it with her front paws, moving it from paw to paw while sliding the ice all over her head and upper and lower body. Su would drop the ice and then run, slipping and sliding on the snow to retrieve it immediately and to keep it with her at all times. This little game of “juggling-the-ice” that she was playing kept her and the visitors entertained for a long time. I especially enjoyed when Su Lin would literally fold herself into a ball then do a somersault while holding onto the ice chunk.
Then we visited with Bai Yun and sweet Zhen Zhen. Bai Yun was happily lying on a pile of snow munching away on her bamboo. Zhen was fast asleep high up on a branch. Zhen was probably tired from her early morning romp in the snow with mom:)
When we returned for our second visit with the pandas, the line was much longer, and the temperature had climbed to 95 degrees. Zhen Zhen was very visible and facing the road outside the exhibit. We decided to take more photos from this vantage point.
The 95 degree temperature did not dampen our day. We had a wonderful time.
Thank you to everyone involved in making Snow Day such a happy and fun time at the Panda Exhibit.
April 29th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
I have made a promise that I intend to keep - and that is never to complain about not seeing Zhen Zhen enough.
Now I will explain. When Su Lin was young she seemed to be up in the trees sleeping all the time and that meant I couldn’t see her as often as I wanted. That was very selfish on my part. Now I see Zhen a lot, but
poor Bai has to put up with all her antics. I am possitive Bai would rather have it the other way around.
This Little Miss is a little terror (that is said in a good way). She is a riot to watch but if asked, I bet Bai would
say something different. She has so much energy and I wonder if Bai would like to send her to her room for a “time out” sometimes.
April 29th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Hi, you all! Been getting on the pandacam today, and I finally saw little ZZ with her mom! Bai was eating her boo while ZZ was trying to figure out how to climb that big tree that they were sitting under! Didn’t get a chance to watch all of it, but I am sure that ZZ was able to climb that tree or go to another one. I also got on the cam the last few days and saw all of that snow in the panda yards. I was hoping to catch ZZ playing in the snow but missed it. Will get on the time lapse videos to see how she reacted to it. Su Lin was just loving the snow and just stayed on it for a long time. Didn’t see Gao Gao on the snow, but this is probably old hat to him anyway! Can’t wait to see the polar bears on their cam when they get their snow in their habitat in a little over a week (May 10, I think). I did see Gao in his special private room eating his dinner boo tonite, tho.
In case you all are interested in this, the panda keepers at NZ has posted their new pregnancy watch update about Mei Xiang today on their panda pages (April 28). I just read it, and it’s very interesting reading with their explanation of how a female panda’s luteal phase progresses along with charts. It’s great reading, and it gave me an understanding how female pandas go thru their pregnancy phases over the next 2-4 months after natural breeding or AI procedure. Hope you all get a chance to read it.
Well, gonna go and get back on the cam before it gets too dark. Love all of the pandas!!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
April 29th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
There are some really great new pictures of “the girls” under “Panda News / Photos”. It really shows what a big girl Miss Z has become — hard to believe she was ever the little peanut she was. And of course, Bai and Su Lin are as lovely as always. Thanks!
April 29th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
Hope someone can explan how you made 15 TONS OF SNOW!!!! That’s a lot of snow - I’m sure snow making equipment was used - I don’t think the keepers shoveled 15 tons of snow (but in 90 degree weather??? & didn’t the sound bother the pandas?? Whatever it was it sure lasted a long time in that heat.
April 30th, 2008 at 6:16 am
Thanks so much for posting the link to the “Snow Day” video. Just finished watching it and have the biggest smile on my face. Zhen Zhen was obviously enjoying this and it was delightful to watch her exuberant playing in it. Starts out my day with a big bang!
April 30th, 2008 at 11:16 am
Amazing! Even with the very hot temps in SD, there is still a tiny bit of snow next to Bai’s cave home. I am sure she and ZZ found it although at the moment ZZ is high up in a tree, and Bai is chowing down on boo near her favorite log backrest. If she can manage to get her chest and tummy or rear on top of it to cool off today, I am certain she will do her best to do so.
April 30th, 2008 at 11:33 am
Chari, #63, I talked with the Volunteer at the Panda station at NZP on Saturday. She said they are waiting for Mei’s hormones to change and for one of the hormones that appears in urine when embryo has implanted becomes visible. That explains why they updated the website with the latest information. The volunteer said she is the most perennially optomistic, and was holding out for twins last year, and this year. She wondered why SDZ was able to get a cub out of Gao Gao last year but NZP was unsuccessful. Probably has to do with live vs frozen, and natural vs AI.
Mei is spending a lot of time sleeping now, much as she did last year, and as Bai Yun did after Su Lin was weaned. Tian and Tai still are active between “meals.” I noticed that Tai has returned to his favorite outdoor napping spot on top of the vent. Unfortunately he was farther away both times we stopped to see them. He got up in mid-meal outside and walked inside the Panda Pavilion to cool off. We did get to see him closer when we went inside. It was incredibly hot in DC for April 26, and that meant most of the Asia Trail animals (sloth bears, red pandas, and giant pandas) spent much of their afternoon nap time inside. We went back at 4:30 PM, after the sun had retreated behind brewing storm clouds, and the temperature had dropped enough for them all to come out to explore. The only one that remained inside, totally asleep, was Mei Xiang. It almost appeared like she was drugged. She wasn’t, but she sure was sleepy.
Because she was napping, we got to see her up close on the indoor “rocks.” They are magnificent animals and I am awed every time I have the privilege of seeing them in person.
April 30th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Word on the street is Ling, Ling died ? Worlds oldest panda ? Has this been confirmed. The picture they had of him, he did look kinda old…….. =(
April 30th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Ling Ling died today at age 22 of Heart Failure. He was Japan’s oldest panda. Looking at the pic’s on the web, looks like he was so well taken care of and loved all of his life. My thoughts go out to all of his keepers in Japan…
April 30th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
i saw the time-lapse video for snow day and i was wondering- why didn’t gaogao get snow day? he sooo deserve to have snow day just like the other pandas. he was the only one without snow. why? what happened to equality people, what happen? and was super hot on that day too. poor gaogao. it’s ok big guy. even if you didn’t get snow we still love you and we will be angry for you
April 30th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
I just saw a photo of Mei Sheng in Bifengxia from 202402008 on Flickr. He now weighs 89kg (196lbs). Too big for climbing high up in trees now I would think. If he broke branches in rain parties in the fall of 2007 when he weighed much less, imagine what he would do now. He looks very healthy and happy, and has a huge “garden” to roam in all to himself.
April 30th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
#69 lainie - I read in the paper that Ling Ling, TOKYO’S ’s oldest panda died at age 20 years 7 months from heart failure. Always sad to lose a panda & from what I undertand 20 is not that old for a panda in captivity
(about 70 years in human years)
April 30th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
From the videos and photos I have seen of Su Lin playing in the snow on Sunday, April 27, 2008, I must say that she sure looks like she really enjoyed herself. The videos and photos I saw of her in her first snow experience when she was about ZZ’s age, she didn’t enjoy it nearly as much. When she was little she was very timid when she got around the snow. But not this time. She ran, rolled, slide, somersaulted, and cooled her behind off while chowing down. She and Bai took advantage of the coolness it provided for dining and reclining.
Too bad it is so expensive to provide the 15 tons of ice/snow needed. It is no small feat to produce this fabulous enrichment for the pandas once a year. Glad that the East Coast pandas and China pandas get to enjoy the real thing. They even had snow in Memphis and Atlanta this year. NZP got a couple of small storms, unlike when Tai Shan was ZZ’s age and he had many natural snow storms that gave him plenty of real snow to play in.
April 30th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Lainie #69: Ling Ling passed away on Wednesday. He had been in declining health since August and died of heart failure. If you do a search on his name, there are many new stories about it.
RIP, Ling Ling, you were well-loved.
April 30th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
#69 Iainie - yes, according to several news sources, Ling Ling was found dead by his keeper on the morning of April 30th. Apparently, he died of heart failure. I guess his decline started back in August when they noticed he had lost both strength and appetite. They had pulled him off exhibit just the day before. If you want to check the news reports, just google “oldest giant panda”.
May 1st, 2008 at 5:57 am
#69 — Lainie — Ling Ling, Japan’s oldest panda, has indeed died. He was thought to have been the fifth oldest panda in the world, according to an article in the Chicago Tribune. The pictures I have seen of him he did, indeed, look like an elderly panda. But other animals also show their age as they get older. Had a black lab once who had developed grey in his fur particularly around his nose and mouth. It’s just a part of the never-ending cycle of life and death.
May Ling Ling rest in peace — he lived a long life.
May 1st, 2008 at 7:51 am
Are my eyes deceiving me or did I see a panda climbing a tree on C28 at 7:45 AM PDT? Did you switch yards for Su Lin and Gao Gao? Gao Gao normally doesn’t climb, and he tends to be a ground hugging bamboo eating machine. So, either Su Lin is exploring the new area, including the trees, or Gao has suddenly decided to start climbing.
If it is Su Lin, we look forward to a note from keepers about the exchange, and her reaction, as well as changing the legend for the locations of the cams. Meerkats are going a fabulous job of zooming in on the active panda, which appears to be very high in a tree. If it is Su Lin, she is getting a very full enrichment week, first the snow, and then changing exhibits.
Thanks.
May 1st, 2008 at 7:53 am
OK–have you switched Su Lin and Gao Gao, or is that Gao Gao climbing everything in sight on C28?
May 1st, 2008 at 7:55 am
P.S. Now I can see two full size ears, so I know it is Su Lin. Must be time to change up the pandas and give Gao Gao a chance to be with his adoring public. Too bad she won’t be able to put on a show for her fans for a week, if you follow previous exchange pattern, but she will have a blast exploring new territory.
May 1st, 2008 at 8:06 am
What was Gao Gao up to this morning? Unusual to see him climbing up the trees.
May 1st, 2008 at 8:11 am
Now we see a bear with a partial left ear in C2. It looks like you have had a lot of rain because the ground is wet, and there are big puddles. I see the yams near the pool that Gao hasn’t quite reached yet. He is busy sniffing and exploring. Too bad the snow was all melted by the time he got there. Who knows he might have surprised all of us and taken a slide or two himself. Mei Sheng got the ham side of him from somewhere, maybe “hurricane Bai Yun?” Maybe Su Lin got her sedate side from her Daddy. Glad to know that in recent weeks she has started to come into her own, and started being more outgoing and interact with her audience. Perhaps she has finally gotten over not having big brother to play with and act up with anymore.
Moderator’s note: You are all keen observers! Yes, the keepers swapped Su Lin and Gao Gao, so Gao will now be on exhibit for a few weeks while Su enjoys some time in the off-exhibit classroom area.
May 1st, 2008 at 10:33 am
I was sad to hear of the passing of Ling Ling which brought back memories of our old friend Shi Shi who is now in his thirties. I goggled his name and found a sight from someone who last saw him in Oct of 2007. His compound has a lot of bamboo trees and a large outdoor area, sadly Shi Shi is totaly blind and is not allowed outdoors, but his inside area is large and he knows his way around with ease. His keeper is able to walk up next to him and place his food and water dishes. The lady who adopted him visits once a year and is able to hold his paw, but the pictures of him shows just how time has taken a toll on him, with is head hung low I felt a sense of sadness for this beautiful animal. He is just a old old man with all the ailments of his age which I figure in human years is about 100, but after all he is still our honorable old gentleman and Hua Mei’s father.
May 1st, 2008 at 11:38 am
Wow an overwhelming response regarding Ling, Ling. =) Thank you everyone for the information.
# 83 Barbara - your description of Shi Shi brough tears to my eyes….=( Your story made me a tiny bit sad.
Giant pandas have qualities that have captured the public heart on several occasions. Each panda is a unique individual and an important representative of the species. Ling Ling, the panda who recently passed away at the Ueno Zoo in Japan, lived there for many years and was a beloved member of that community. We extend our sympathies to the animal care staff in Tokyo. We know they are mourning his loss.
May 1st, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Basi, who visited SDZ in 1987 for 200 days, and was a very talented athelete, is now 26.5 years old. They had a special celebration for her when she turned 25 in 2006. She had catarac surgery just a couple of years ago, and it made her a whole new bear.
With better nutrition and medical care in captivity, pandas can easily live to be 20+ years old. Bai Yun is getting up there too, as are her father and mother in China. Shi Shi is one of the oldest pandas, and his declining senses are a testament to that fact. They bang his dishes on the floor so he knows his food is there. He is greatly beloved by his keepers and his fans, and they take wonderful care of him. One of our Chinese SDZ blogger friends keeps up with him for us. Maybe he can get us an update for all our new panda blog readers.