A Panda “Reintroduction”
Posted at 8:18 am November 18, 2005 by Suzanne HallIf you are tuning in to the Panda Cam this morning, you may be watching the return of Mei Sheng to his exhibit space. He’s been gone a while as we renovated the area, adding a new lair and a few redwood berms to help keep the soil in place.
What a wild time he had this morning! He was so excited by the new structures and scents in his enclosure. His exuberance was palpable. He seemed thrilled to be back home. I had trouble keeping up with him with our cameras!
If you missed it, check with the timelapse feature of the Panda Cam. There is nothing like watching a young panda run, roll, and climb all over the place, just for the heck of it!
Suzanne Hall is the panda research technician for the San Diego Zoo’s Office of Giant Panda Conservation.
View pandas on Panda Cam.
Get the latest panda cub news, photos, and videos.
Check out blogs from other areas of the Zoo and Wild Animal Park!
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Scroll to the end to leave a comment. Pinging is not allowed.
November 18th, 2005 at 8:29 am
“Unbridled joy” is the way I would describe Mei Sheng’s behavior. What a pleasure it is to see him so very happy. Such a beautiful boy! He will always be my favorite. Thanks, Suzanne, for your superb camera work.
November 18th, 2005 at 8:31 am
What a delight watching Mei Sheng this morning. He was really ripping around. Up a tree, balancing on a branch, all four feet together balancing on a rock. He is so fast Suzanne had trouble tracking his galloping, jumping and playing.
November 18th, 2005 at 8:47 am
Now it all makes sense. I saw Mei Sheng and thought wow he is so active this morning. He is always sleeping when I see him. Did anyone else see him take a tumble off the branch? I saw his head on the ground and his feet in the air and then all of a sudden a big white belly. It was cute but I hope he was ok. And Gao Gao - always eating his bamboo. Thanks Suzanne - I always make it a point to watch Friday mornings because I know you will give us a good view of all the pandas.
November 18th, 2005 at 8:49 am
I just love that not-so-little guy! Can’t wait to see him this weekend. Many of us pandamaniacs will be visiting the zoo once Su Lin is ready to meet her adoring public under mom Bai Yun’s watchful eye. Mei Sheng & his dad Gao Gao are also well worth the trip!
November 18th, 2005 at 8:51 am
I was fortunate to see a lot of Mei Sheng’s shenanigans this morning. I bet he did keep you busy! He was all over the place. He was sure fun to watch. I guess he gave his seal of approvel to his new digs. Love “Fridays with Suzanne.” Please keep up the good work…even if you have to give up your day job…just kidding. Already looking forward to next Fri. & all the days in-between. Connie from Michigan
November 18th, 2005 at 9:11 am
What a riot! I never saw a panda jump before - is that what he did, or was it just the way the web cam stopped and restarted? A real joy to watch, I’m glad the youngster is happy.
November 18th, 2005 at 9:16 am
I am so sorry I missed the fun!! I watched the time lapse but it goes by so fast! I’ve noticed that pandas will sleep with their head hanging down, which would give a human a headache real quick but they seem to like that position.
November 18th, 2005 at 9:34 am
Wow, Mei Sheng sure is loving it out there today - the refresh rate of the camera could hardly keep up with him, he was going so fast, climbing, tumbling, everything! He’s so cute! I was also wondering if there will be an update to the slideshow with pictures from Su Lin’s most recent exam, I saw the new video, but there hasn’t been any new photos yet.
November 18th, 2005 at 9:37 am
Thank you Suzanne, for showing how much Mei Sheng was happy returning, exploring the new environment. He is my favorite… and Suzanne, you have a lot of fans around the world. You are so famous, as Mei Sheng and Su Lin, now.
In my next trip to visit Su Lin and Mei Sheng, I want to meet you too.
November 18th, 2005 at 11:39 am
I love the updated pic of Su Lin! She looks like she’s reaching out her paw to shake your hand.
November 18th, 2005 at 12:08 pm
Hi!
Is there any possibility to run the “Daily Panda Time-Lapse Video” slowly? There are so many scenes I would like to watch but it runs so fast.
Thank you!
November 18th, 2005 at 12:23 pm
If it is possible, I would also like to vote for slowing down the Time-Lapse video a bit. I work during the day and miss so many things. But I’ve given up on the Time-Lapse, it’s just too fast. My thanks, too!
November 18th, 2005 at 1:12 pm
Totally agree with comments 11 & 12. I would be willing to watch a “slower” version of the time-lapse footage (even if it means just watching Su Lin sleeping) if I could still see the “important, not-to-be missed” moments of her day or of the other pandas’ daily life at the SDZ. I watch the pan-cam ALOT but still missed Mei Sheng’s exciting outing today in his new area. Sure, I watched the time-lapse version but it is so fast that I could only imagine what the “real time” version looked like. But I don’t mean to complain or whine…. in this tech age, we are all just grateful to be eye-witnesses to something so very special. Just stuff this into your Suggestion Box and keep on doing what you do best… taking care of these awesome creatures….and sharing them with us. Thank you.
November 18th, 2005 at 1:26 pm
Such a sweetie he is. I’ve loved him since the first day I saw him, helpless and tiny in the birthing den. He looked so happy today.
November 18th, 2005 at 1:44 pm
I was thrilled to see my little boy again.
Mei Sheng is my first and favourite baby…he’s just the sweetest, most playful thing! I was fortunate to catch the last bit of his play bout today and he just looked so happy. He was just overjoyed to be home - and home to so many new ‘toys’! 
Love the little guy; what a darling.
November 18th, 2005 at 1:53 pm
Oh, my - has anyone else ever done this? . . while watching Mei Xaing in NZ just now quietly sitting back eating her supper, she seemed to stare off and look right into the camera. Fool that I am I actually smiled at her and waved, as if she could see me!!! oh, man, pandamonium has really taken hold of me. . . what a day it’s been, Su Lin sleeping, Tai rolling off the rock onto his bum, and it all began with Mei Sheng’s wonderful romp in his great outdoors. I’m almost pooped, and I didn’t even leave my chair!
November 18th, 2005 at 2:40 pm
Thank you for letting us see Mei Sheng’s morning delight. I looked at the time-lapse video since your time at the camera had passed, Suzanne. Thank you for sharing so much with us. We are Pandaholics and can’t get enough! (;-) I echo the requests for slower taping/showing of the time-lapse version, if it is technically possible. Just seeing any of this, however, is wonderful.
November 18th, 2005 at 3:41 pm
Gee, I wish I hadn’t missed Mei Sheng this morning, but it sounds like he had the time of his life. The stimulation must have been incredible. He is such a sweetie. If panda siblings could only socialize…what fun it would be to eventually see him and Su Lin play together. Oh well, I am adding human traits to our basically solitary friends.
November 18th, 2005 at 4:39 pm
to #18, Diana: Your comment about panda siblings playing together got me thinking about the 16 cubs in the photo of the Wolong “panda day care center”. I wonder if any of those babies play together. I would also like to know if the “wilder” exhibits at the SDZ are a major contribution to the breeding success. If not, what is?
November 18th, 2005 at 5:38 pm
I’d like to add my 2 cents to all the comments asking for a slower version of the time lapse clips if it’s possible. Like others who have asked about this, I work all day and I miss most of the extra-good stuff like Mei Sheng’s excitement this morning and Su Lin’s first wobbly steps a few days ago. Even if it can’t be slowed down I’m still a huge Panda Cam fan who remains enchanted with everything I do get to see, and extremely appreciative of everything the Panda Team does for the pandas and for the rest of us; Suzanne’s camera work and the interesting blogs by Suzanne and Don and others on the team. Thank you so very much.
November 18th, 2005 at 6:07 pm
to Comment 19 : you asked “if any of those babies (of Wolong) play together ? You may go to the bottom of this blog where you can find an article written by Ron Swaisgood about Hua Mei and the cubs in Wolong. Yes , the cubs played together in the open playground .
November 18th, 2005 at 6:49 pm
What a wonderful treat to be able to see Mei Sheng’s joyful morning. He is the Panda I have loved since his birth. Not that I don’t love Su Lin — I do, but Mei Sheng is the one I will always remember as he is the first I was able to watch from his birth on. He has grown into a beautiful big and happy boy and is still so much fun to watch.
Thanks, Suzanne…it was a pleasure to see him enjoying his new space.
November 18th, 2005 at 6:55 pm
Linda (#19),
In Wolong, once panda cubs are weaned (at about 5-6 months of age) they are housed in a large nursery pen with other cubs the same age. They most certainly enjoy rough-and-tumble play bouts with one another. If the cubs are not weaned until 18 months (as in San Diego) they are guilty of instigating rough play with their mothers. Once cubs are out of Wolong’s nursery pen, they will usually be housed three or four to a pen in large, outdoor yards. In those quarters, two-year-old cubs will spend some time playing together but will also seek bouts of solitude by finding a tall tree and climbing it to rest. Those of you who have come to SD to see Hua Mei or Mei Sheng as a youngster may recall seeing something similar with them, as they often spent exhibit hours hidden in the high branches of one of the exhibit trees.
November 18th, 2005 at 8:06 pm
Talk about pandas letting loose! There must have been a bug going around - Tai at the NZ was very feisty today. Several times I saw him rolling around trying to chew on his hind feet - it was the cutest thing!! And trying to stuff his chubby self through the den bars…while knawing on them.
He’s such a little roly-poly…absolutely adorable when he plays, by himself or with mom!
November 18th, 2005 at 8:22 pm
Watching Mei Sheng today brought back a flood of memories from last month. He was running around, in and out of the trees, water and whatever else got in his way. LOL! All of sudden, he came bounding up to the spectator wall, stood up on his back feet and looked right at me! I could even hear him panting from all his running about! Mei Sheng has a special spot in my heart!
November 18th, 2005 at 8:24 pm
To comment #16. That makes two of us who often talk to the PC monitor since the babies were born. What a joy!! It’s nice to know I’m not alone. I tear up every time for the last 4 months when Mei holds her baby in her arms and either nurses him or gives him a good lick. Too bad I never had luck with Su Lin and her mom although I love her just as much….
November 18th, 2005 at 8:37 pm
Thank you so much for showing Mei Sheng this morning, I’m so glad that I turned on the computer when I did. He is so much fun to watch. I would also like to add support for comments 11, 12, and 13. Also, I’m sure this has been brought up before and I’ve missed it, but how long is Mei Sheng going to be in San Diego? I would really love to make it out there sooner than later, but I unfortunately live quite far away. Thank you!
November 18th, 2005 at 8:44 pm
What a present for Mei Sheng - a new playground. Since his birth, this has been a panda with exuberance. He is such a hoot to watch. Then you watch his delicate little sister. She seems so much more hesitant than Mei was. I’m waiting impatiently for her introduction to the public. It will be fun to watch Bai Yun’s third baby presented to the world.
November 18th, 2005 at 8:56 pm
My goodness, Bai Yun really is the most interesting and playful bear. I just saw her do a front flip *inside* the den, and tossing hay all over the place! (All the while Su Lin was wiggling around near the exit, unperturbed.) She then stood up and began checking out the little ‘rim/ledge’ on the den wall. In Mei Sheng’s baby days, one night I actually caught her getting ONTO that small metal rim (unbelievable right???)…she got her front two paws up onto the rim, then shimmied her back paws up the wall until she was totally spread out like a spider web, blocking the camera entirely!! She’s also front-flipped into the den before, both with Mei Sheng and Su Lin. Bai Yun’s one of my favourite pandas - love that girl!!
November 19th, 2005 at 4:37 am
wish I could have seen all that action.. but have to say all you ppl involved with the pandas are outstanding and so considerate of all the panda fans.. I noticed that the pandas love to stand on their heads, even baby su lin is doing it.. is there any reason why they do this other than the fact they like it???
November 19th, 2005 at 6:16 pm
Like others, I love Su Lin, but Mei Sheng was my first baby panda, too, and I’ve really missed him. Even if it was only on time-lapse, I loved seeing him investigate all his new things. He’ll always be my special boy. I hope he doesn’t have to go to China before I get to San Diego. — Kay, Redcliff, Alberta
November 20th, 2005 at 5:07 am
I enjoy reading people’s comments on here almost as much as I love watching the pandas! Great to see Mei Sheng enjoying himself; when they reach a certain size we tend to forget that they are still very young and playful so it was a treat to watch his sheer exuberance!
Hua Mei was my first and, therefore, the cub who introduced me to the wonder of baby pandas, which hasn’t dimmed one jot now I’m watching my third and fourth - just to say that sounds amazing! Well done SDZ and DC - but most of all, good job Bai Yun and Mei Xiang!
November 20th, 2005 at 12:53 pm
After watching Su Lin and her mom in the den until Bai Yun went outside on Sunday morning, I switched over to watch Tai on the NZ cam. He looked outside and eventually walked out the door. Over some rocks and down to a grassy area he walked, finally sitting down and it looked like he was playing in the grass. (My download is chopppy so it’s hard to always know for sure.) He was acting like he’d been doing this regularly. (;-) Did anybody else see that? (Around 12:15-30 PT time.) If it was Tai outside, he is really growing up fast! Soon, Su Lin will be doing the same. She kept looking out the door of the den, but didn’t go out while I was watching. Like all little ones, they change so fast.
November 20th, 2005 at 2:08 pm
What a nice surprise seeing handsome Mei Sheng on this beautiful Sunday afternoon. Thank you to whoever was working the camera.
November 20th, 2005 at 3:13 pm
I have been watching pandacam for hours, most of the time the baby has been sleeping.. Just noticed that Bai Yun came in the den..and the door was closed soon after. I am wondering if you are trying to make Bai to feed the baby by keeping her in the den? Oh, just noticed, the door is open again and Bai just left.. the baby is back to sleep..
November 20th, 2005 at 7:21 pm
#33 Cathy, Tai Shan has been outside once so far, but only as far as the concrete outside the door. He hasn’t real grass yet. What you would have seen was straw and bamboo. It seems to be his favorite place to rest when not in the den. They started giving him his own fresh bamboo which he plays with (then Mei come in and eats it). I can’t wait till Su Lin is running around too. It’s just the cutest thing to watch them run to keep up with mom.
November 21st, 2005 at 9:03 am
Although I have tried to thoroughly search the Giant Panda site, I cannot seem to find a “map” that gives an overview of the area(s) outside of the birthing den. It would give me a sense of “time and place” to know where Bai Yun goes when she leaves the den and what the distances are from one area to another. I saw her pacing around a small enclosed area on the time-lapse this morning but have no idea where she was. It would be nice to know where other areas are, in relation to the birthing den. Thank you again for giving me this daily miracle to watch.
November 21st, 2005 at 9:44 am
To #16 and #26. I thought *I* was crazy for “petting” the little ones with the cursor. My friend Fabiola does the same too! I’m glad there are so many panda lovers out there! Thank you Suzanne for “including” all of us in the lives of these precious babies.
November 21st, 2005 at 11:02 am
I saw the time lapse of Mei Sheng and his new play area. I fell in love with him on first sight. I had never seen him before, except for the brief video of his birthday. In one shot, he looked as if he were hugging his tree limb. The look on his sweet face brought tears to my eyes. Is there any way to get a still shot of that? I would love to keep it forever. Tai Shan’s latest antics have me laughing out loud. #33 I think Tai grows bigger every day. What a clown he is! I love these pandas so much. Thank you for that great camera work with Mei Sheng. Now I have another love…well, I love them all.
November 21st, 2005 at 12:26 pm
I have been watching Tai Shan’s (baby panda - National Zoo) progress on panda cam as frequently as I watch Su Lin. I can’t help but notice that Tai Shan’s activity level (walking, climbing stones, playing) is much higher than Su Lin’s even though he is only 3 weeks older. Is there reason to be concerned w/Su Lin’s progress? Will three weeks make all the difference in Su Lin’s activity? Your response is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
November 21st, 2005 at 12:30 pm
Comment#39: Yes you can save these moments! Keep an eye out on the exact time when that frame/shot comes up. Just before it does, right-click on the stream and click ‘Save Image As’. You’ll be able to save that particular frame. It really takes good timing though, because you have to right-click on the frame that comes just BEFORE the frame you want.
Alternatively, here’s a method that doesn’t require perfect clicking: When you see the shot/frame you want to keep, immediately press the “Print Screen” key on your keyboard. Then open the ‘Paint’ software (you can usually find it under ‘Accessories’ on your ‘Programs’ menu), and choose File > Paste. You will see the image pasted on the Paint clipboard. Just crop out the part you want and you’re set!
I have hundreds of pics saved from both the cam and the time lapse…takes a while but it’s so worth it!!
November 21st, 2005 at 12:54 pm
After watching Tai this weekend, I understand why Wolong puts cubs together in small groups. He’s getting quite rough with mom, his big chew toy. It’s lovely to see how playful and patient Mai Xiang is with her little mountain goat. To pad his falls, the NZ keepers put in lots of extra straw all over the rockwork, creating yet another play element.
November 21st, 2005 at 1:21 pm
What a joy to watch these babies. I can’t wait for Su Lin to be as active as Tai. She appears to be in that stage Tai just got out of. Ohhh what are these things on the ends of my legs? Do they taste good? Let me roll around and see the den move. *sigh* I want a baby again.
November 21st, 2005 at 4:03 pm
Comment to #39, et al: If you have a Mac, you can take a screen shot by pressing the keys quickly in sequence as follows:
shift > command > 3
November 21st, 2005 at 5:06 pm
Suzanne, do you know how the keepers in China tell the panda cubs from each other? It seems that they have a kindergarten for the little ones, and the cubs all play together. It is amazing to me that the keepers can tell them apart. Your response will be much appreciated. Happy Holidays!!
November 21st, 2005 at 6:48 pm
re #39,41,44
Look at the status bar at the bottom of your browser, it’ll look like this:
http://outstream.camzone.com/cgi-bin/tlapse.cgi?zoo/*/seq_***.jpg
The first * represents the day, e.g. 0 = today, 1= yesterday, 2 = day before, and so on. The second three digit *** represents the sequence number. The whole series of numbers after jpg can be ignored. All you have to do is to replace the asterisks with the appropriate numbers and paste the link into the address bar to get the pic you want.
For example this link http://outstream.camzone.com/cgi-bin/tlapse.cgi?zoo/1/seq_231.jpg shows Mei Sheng eating yesterday but only if you try it on Nov. 21. If you want to see the same pic on Nov. 22, replace the 1 with 2. Well you get the idea.
November 21st, 2005 at 8:26 pm
Um, this is a rather indelicate question….but how much longer are Bai and Mei going to have to stimulate the cubs to make them urinate and defecate? They both keep their dens immaculate, but Tai weighs 20 pounds and I’m beginning to feel rather sorry for his mom. I mean, that’s a lot of Bubba feces! Will they have to continue licking the cubs until the babies start eating solid food?
November 22nd, 2005 at 6:23 am
Comment to #40, if you look back at the NZ notes about Tai from three weeks ago, you will see that he almost never left the birth den on his own, and when taken out by the staff, he wobbled unsteadily back to the den as soon as he could. A week later, he could run. Now he is a climbing maniac. The last three weeks have held major developmental milestones. I expect the next three weeks will be the same for Su Lin, and before we know it, we’ll be laughing at her gymnastics with Bai Yun, at her climbing adventures and her attacks on “that sneaky bamboo stuff”. We’ll then be sighing about how quickly she is growing up!
November 22nd, 2005 at 9:01 am
To #40, I agree with you, panda’s activity is not so active. very concerned!!!
November 22nd, 2005 at 9:31 am
I find that there is lots of fun and games in the birthing den with mom and Su Lin in the middle of the night and really early in the morning. She is very active then and loves climbing on mom who is most happy then. I am dreading the time when our babies go to China. I still miss Hua Mei and worry about her and Shi Shi. Still waiting to hear anything about Shi Shi. Thanks to all.
November 22nd, 2005 at 10:46 am
Thanks for all of your help. I got the wonderful still of Mei Sheng “hugging” the tree branch (11/18/05 08:45:57) I plan to frame it and keep it over my computer. While Tai is my first “baby” I love Mei just as much. I make my dogs jealous murmuring sweet nothings to all the pandas on my screen. Watching Tai Shan’s “mountain” climbing will make your heart go faster. Just wait until the dainty Su Lin starts these stunts. I can’t wait to watch her turn into a little hellion like her cousin, Tai.
November 22nd, 2005 at 10:51 am
I’m not concerned about Su Lin. Three weeks is a long time for someone only 16 weeks old. Su Lin is very active in the middle of the night. She lies on her back and wiggles all her limbs having a great time just like Tai did at this age.
November 22nd, 2005 at 10:53 am
I don’t think we should be worried about Su Lin’s development.. I think she is just different from Tai Shan, like all babies… some of them are more precocious than others.. she just needs more time that’s it.. I would love to see her more active but she will do it when she’s ready.
November 22nd, 2005 at 11:28 am
To #40 and 49 - I don’t think we should be overly concerned because 3 weeks ago, Tai was NOT doing all the things he is doing currently either. I’m sure our little Su Lin will progress in the weeks to come in her own way - she’s strong and has a very experienced and smart mommie to help her along at her own pace. These web cams are great!
November 22nd, 2005 at 12:07 pm
I have been watching the PC this afternoon and Bai Yun and Su Lin are just having the best time rolling around and cuddling together. Brings a smile and a joy that is like no other. It’s my birthday Saturday and I think I’ll just watch the PC the whole day!!
November 22nd, 2005 at 12:12 pm
I was wondering if you can provide some data about cub growth rates and development stages. I have been watching both Tai Shan and Su Lin for several weeks now and, like most of my fellow bloggers, have noticed the size difference. Curious, I compared Su Lin’s weight from last week’s exam (106 days old / 10.4 lbs) with Tai Shan’s weight from Oct 21 (104 days old / 14.1 lbs). That is a 35% difference between the two! I’m assuming that Tai Shan is at the high end of the average range, but I was wondering, like others, if Su Lin is progressing at a fast enough rate compared to the other cubs born at SDZ and the cubs at Wolong. I think some additional facts will help ease our worries about little Su Lin!
November 22nd, 2005 at 2:14 pm
To #56, that’s a good idea, it would be good to see the different stages and see what stage Su Lin and Tai fall under. That would be interesting to see and observe… Both pandas are adorable.
November 22nd, 2005 at 2:54 pm
I think Kathy (#48) has it exactly right. Three weeks ago Bubba Tai was playing for 15 minutes then sleeping for 15 hours. I think our sweet, petite Princess Su Lin is now going through that same “sleep ‘n grow” period. As for the size and weight differences, well, Gao Gao is not a big Panda, and his daughter may have inherited his size rather than her mother’s. Tai, on the other hand, is a product of two big Pandas and appears to be at the high end of the size scale. Both babies are healthy and happy…..what more could we want?
November 22nd, 2005 at 4:24 pm
Comments to 56 & 57, if you go to National Zoo’s website where you all have been looking at Tai Shan, there’s a link to panda development. Also Tai Shan is above average compared to cubs at Wolong and San Diego Zoo. What do you expect when your name has the word “mountain” in it and you also happen to be a boy? Boys grow larger. As for Su Lin, she seems fine to me. She looks like a beautiful happy and healthy cub. I agree with # 52, 53, 54 & 55, besides we’re talking about Bai Yun here! She’s been there twice most successfully and with a staff I might add that helped her produce the cubs in the first place. I am amused at all you uneasy and nervous panda loving family members. It is nice to see so many people that care. Happy Thanksgiving! This year there are so many cubs to be extra thankful for.
November 22nd, 2005 at 6:19 pm
I just had to get out my calendar and count off the weeks for the development of Tai Shan and Su Lin. It seems about time to dispense with the confinement of the birthing den. Su Lin is 17 weeks old today (Nov. 22) and needs additional space to roll around, wobble around and to experience those first steps. Tai Shan had fully mastered walking at 17 weeks. Tai Shan had the disadvantage of his rolly polly weight, but the advantage of a larger environment as an incentive to roll around and wobble around in and explore. Perhaps Bai Yun is being overly cautious in not moving Su Lin, but then she does move Su Lin out several times a day so that should be enough of a message that it’s time to close off the birthing den and move on to the next developmental stage.
November 22nd, 2005 at 8:41 pm
I don’t think we need to worry about Su Lin being smaller or slower to develop than Tai. Babies don’t all develop at the same rate. I think our “sweet princess” is just fine.
November 23rd, 2005 at 7:21 am
Wishing you all a Peaceful and Blessed Thanksgiving!! You bring us happiness every day when we get to peek into and share the miracle and preciousness of our Treasured Pandas. We are grateful for your devotion and caring and sharing. And of course we are so grateful for our wonderful Pandas–each and every one!! Happy Day To All!! And that includes all of you passionate Panda lovers out there! Luv to All, Judy J
November 23rd, 2005 at 11:13 am
Happy First Thanksgiving, Su Lin and Tai Shan! I hope your loving mommies make you some special bamboo stuffing! I am so thankful for being able to watch you grow and for the joy you have given me. You two little babies have put so many panda lovers in touch with each other! How wonderful! Thank you Panda Keepers!
November 23rd, 2005 at 11:30 am
aww.. the little cutie is playing with bamboo… thanks for the great shots!
November 23rd, 2005 at 11:30 am
Sorry, Ellen #60 - count again. On Tuesday Su Lin was just 16 weeks old. What a cutie-pie! I’m asking my husband to buy me a toy panda cub for Christmas, but I know it won’t be the same. Wonder what a real panda cub smells like!
November 23rd, 2005 at 12:26 pm
Reading this blog reminds me of the meeting of parents. Baby A starts working first, baby B talking earlier, baby C gets his first tooth one week ahead.. D is heavier, etc.. I bet everyone is just as normal and cute, while each parent has his/her worries/prides/confidence.
We use ’sweet’, ‘lovely’ to decribe all those cubs, and we also need to remember that they are pandas, powerful bears. They have their own way to express themselves. I think Bai Yun and Mei Xiang should be named ‘Mom of the year.’
November 23rd, 2005 at 1:19 pm
Comment#65: I used to imagine that panda cubs, being so snowy and fluffy, must smell as cute as they look.
But I guess I have to remember that they are bears after all. In one of Mei Sheng’s exam videos, I remember a keeper holding the big baby and cooing affectionately, “You’re a stinky little thing!” Stinky or not, if I had the opportunity to sniff one I’m all for it. They’re too cute! 
November 23rd, 2005 at 1:50 pm
After watching assertive Tai today, I REALLY think Mei Xiang gets a gold star! That little one is a bear for sure. I think Mei missed her nap. I’m not a bit concerned with the progress of Su Lin–she has experienced mom Bai Yun to take care of/teach her. She will be making her own waves soon enough.
November 23rd, 2005 at 2:09 pm
Happy Thanksgiving to you all! May your table forever groan under the weight of bamboo stuffing. Thanks for all your good wishes x
November 23rd, 2005 at 4:07 pm
Love the newest picture of the little bear in her most recent exam (pre-thanksgiving checkup)! The camera person did a great job capturing the little one! she has such a cute, naughty smile on! brings a smile to my face too. look how contented she is!
November 23rd, 2005 at 4:22 pm
I am so amused by comment # 69. What a cute blessing from “Bai Yun, Gao Gao, Mei Sheng and Su Lin”! a happy panda family, isn’t it? Aren’t We all panda fans a big family too!
November 23rd, 2005 at 5:23 pm
I agree with comment #70. I also saw the video of Su Lin’s latest exam today. She is so adorable. Just like a cutest teddy bear.
November 23rd, 2005 at 5:26 pm
comment 69 : Thank you, Panda family ! Happy Thanksgiving to you and to all your counterparts ! Happy Thanksgiving to the Panda team in San Diego !
November 23rd, 2005 at 6:30 pm
Just a comment in response to those who have wondered about the smell of a panda cub. While in Chengdu and Wolong one year ago, I made a special effort to find out firsthand how panda cubs smell as my husband insisted that they would have some level of offensive odor. All eight cubs were just over one year old and I buried my nose in the fur of several. A lovely smell similar to that of a baby or young child and certainly not offensive in any way. It was an experience I will never forget — quite magical!
November 23rd, 2005 at 7:15 pm
The panda “experts” are just that, experts. Su Lin is doing what she needs to do at the time she needs to do it. Because the cameras are trained on the birthing den almost all the time, we dont know what she is doing when she isn’t in there. She is doing fine, as did her sister Hua Mei. I think Bai Yun is wonderful because she cuddles Su Lin so much and that den is very intimate. She did the same with Hua Mei. Let Su Lin be a baby as long as possible, she will be a mommy in a few years and where will our baby that can’t walk be then?
November 23rd, 2005 at 10:53 pm
“princess” Su Lin is growing rather nicely and at her own pace. She is sooo adorable, beautiful and fluffy. I was just thinking from earlier comments, will the pandas get a special Thanksgiving dinner/meal tomorrow even though Thanksgiving is not a Chinese holiday?
Thanks for the great work of the entire panda team. I have much to be grateful for. Wishing all of you a great holiday ahead!
November 24th, 2005 at 1:18 am
The new video of Su Lin walking is sooo cute! She is very docile when handled, and I wondered if she could be considered “tame”? Do you ever handle her mother without anesthesia, and if so, does she bite or is she docile, too?
November 24th, 2005 at 5:08 am
I have been telling friends for months to watch the panda babies….”it will make your heart smile!”. This morning my heart skipped a beat while watching Tai scamper up to the highest point on the rocks in his exhibit, and RUN from one side to the other. Mom did not swat him down, but must have said Something, as he got down and followed her inside for the obligatory bath. Su Lin, Tai Shan, and big bears…you all make me smile all over. Thank You.
from Huntsville, AL
November 24th, 2005 at 9:56 am
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you beautiful panda fans and their keepers!!! Tai and Su are my first pandas, needless to say my life has never been the same.. I’m sympathetic with persons who are worried about Su developing slowly. I was worried sick when Mei didn’t go out to eat or drink for 3 weeks after giving birth. I actually yelled at the monitor as if someone would hear me. I was so afraid that she was going to die of starvation and dehydration.. Then I was worried that Tai was deformed since he could not lift his hind legs for a long time.. Now I have to find something else to worry about….
November 24th, 2005 at 12:30 pm
So cute…Bai Yun is just sitting in the den watching Su Lin play in front of her belly. They’re the sweetest things…
November 24th, 2005 at 12:46 pm
I think the world is absolutely in love with our 2 panda cubs. Su Lin and Tai are just treasures. We are so lucky to have them in our neck of the woods.
November 24th, 2005 at 2:01 pm
To comment #74 . Please tell me the difference of Chengdu and Wolong Panda reserve. Is it open for any traveler or only for special group? I’m seiously thinking of visiting them. And another question, they actually let you touch the baby panda, awesome!!!
November 24th, 2005 at 5:53 pm
Comment#74: Oh my goodness!! I’m so envious…
Having the opportunity to play with eight (eight!!) of these adorable miracles…and burying your nose in the cute fuzzies!! That’s really a magical experience…I really hope I’ll have the opportunity to be so near these beautiful animals someday. 
November 24th, 2005 at 7:57 pm
To comment #77-Erica - I’m not a panda keeper (wish I were!) but I remember reading that Bai Yun is very cooperative with her keepers and trusts them. She actually allowed them to artificially inseminate her without anesthesia, back before they had Gao Gao. Of course the behavior training sessions are important to accomplish this. I doubt, though, that they would consider her “tame.”
November 25th, 2005 at 5:41 am
I just love to watch this Bai Yun and Su Lin relationship. And to me, nothing can compare with imagining that the same relationship is going on among pandas in the wild somewhere in China. Though the real wild would be a harsh environment, it’s going on in a den too at this moment. What a wonderful world! Thank you all at SDZ for enabling us to share this amazing experience, and happy holidays.
November 25th, 2005 at 7:25 am
Please don’t anyone worry about Su’s development - only three weeks ago I was worrying about Tai Shan and why he seemed to be scooting round in aimless circles as though he couldn’t see and couldn’t lift his rear end off the floor. Now look at him! In three weeks he has not only got the hang of walking, but he is running, climbing, chasing keepers and manipulating bamboo in a proper, upright seated posture. Enjoy every helpless baby moment while you can, they won’t last long!
November 25th, 2005 at 10:04 am
Erica, #77, if you go to the videos page on this site and select ‘Ultrasound August 6 2003″ from the drop-down menu in the panda section (bottom right of the page, I think), there is some lovely film of Bai Yun allowing a medical exam in exchange for snacks! The staff are so obviously fond of her and she seems perfectly relaxed in their company. Lovely to watch…
November 25th, 2005 at 1:32 pm
You can view old videos of Mei Sheng growing up in the Video Library. At 98 days, which was about 14 weeks Mei Sheng was about 11.4lbs which is about the same as Su Lin’s weight at 16 weeks. Su Lin seems to be closer to her brother’s weight than to tubby Tai’s. Su Lin also seems very lady-like compared to Tai who is now trying to eat everything in sight, including his own mother.
November 25th, 2005 at 2:25 pm
WE ARE NOT ALONE!! Today’s newspaper highlighted the popularity of both Tai Shan and our little lady, Su Lin. I would definitely agree that the wedblogs clarify and unite us in our fascination with these beautiful creatures. San Diego keep up the good work. Those of us who will never have the opportunity to visit are drawn into your world. Thank you.
November 25th, 2005 at 8:53 pm
to #44 if you hit command>shift>4 your cursor will allow you to select a square area to photograph! I love it, I have my own Su Lin Baby book. Carol from Novato California
November 26th, 2005 at 12:37 pm
I love watching the pandacams! I watch both here & NZ daily. Is there any way to pick which panda to watch here? I am enjoying Su Lin but would love to see Gao Gao & Mei Sheng more!
:)
November 26th, 2005 at 5:09 pm
It is so frustrating…Su Lin puts her front paws over the threshold of the doorway from the den into Bai Yun’s room, but can’t seem to walk across the threshold into her mom’s room. Wish I could reach into my monitor and lift the little one over the threshold!
November 27th, 2005 at 10:50 am
I am half a pandamaniac and follow the development of the 2 baby pandas from both zoos! Pandas can bite people when they are shocked though.
November 28th, 2005 at 7:54 am
Am I the only one whose computer shows the last Blog was way back on Nov. 18th? My students and I would sure like an update! We LOVE the Pandas!
November 28th, 2005 at 9:47 pm
to #94- I am a retired teacher and I know how anxious your students must be to see Su Lin and to read about her and to see her grow and change. Walking is a challenging skill for toddlers and cubs! This is an exciting time for all of us, including all of us who are adults and enjoy learning, too.
November 30th, 2005 at 9:50 am
I have a question. I am worried that the panda cub is sick or something, or I am not watching at the right time. I only see her sleep, and not play a lot as I see in Washington. I live in The Netherlands. Maybe that is the problem. But i love the panda bears and hope to see them soon, if i come to San Diego.
Editor’s note: You can read about our cub’s health in the weekly updates from her veterinary exams.
December 1st, 2005 at 6:28 am
Hiya Suzanne,
It is now 6.24 your time and for the last 4 or 5 minutes, I have been watching C17 - outside area ? - and Bai Yun has been circling and circling and every so often going up on her back legs on the perimeter and looking as though she is searching for something outside. This is making me a bit anxious - what am I like? Is this normal behaviour for her? Sorry to be a fusspot.
Thanks, Valerie Warburton - UK.