Questions and Answers
Posted at 8:11 am February 6, 2006 by Suzanne Hall
Once again I thought I could take some time to answer some of the many questions I have seen posted under the comments section of the blogs. I appreciate your curiosity about these animals, especially since curiosity plays a big part in the work that researchers do. " Why does an animal"¦ ? How can we predict"¦ ? What will make this"¦ ?" This is how our work begins!
Some of you have asked about our handling of Su Lin and other bears relative to any plans to reintroduce animals into wild habitat. I recall many discussions back when Hua Mei was a baby. We had to ask ourselves, " Is Hua Mei a candidate for reintroduction?" If so, we would have to manage her in a very hands-off style. Very little contact with the keepers would have been made. Veterinary exams would have been kept to a minimum. Hua Mei's contact with the human world would be as limited as possible in order to facilitate her eventual transition to a wild life.
When it was determined that Hua Mei was not a candidate for reintroduction, we felt it necessary to take a different course with her. If she was to live in managed care all her life, we wanted to ensure that she would be comfortable with all of the facets of her environment. Examinations and management schedules did not aim to be hands off. Keepers made sure to spend time interacting with her purely for the sake of the interaction. Such encounters would prepare her to have a good relationship with her handlers.
In Wolong, China, only one or two animals to date have been targeted for reintroduction. The chosen bear is moved to a special pen in which interaction with humans is dramatically reduced so that the animal can learn to live a solitary life, as wild pandas do. As the reintroduction phase of research in Wolong is in its infancy, I can't tell you what the results are yet, but keep your fingers crossed for success! The future of pandas in the wild would benefit from a successful reintroduction program.
A reader also asked why pandas are endangered. Unequivocally, the greatest threat to pandas is the human population. As the numbers of people grow by leaps and bounds, panda habitat is reduced and fragmented to make room for homes and farms and roads. These intrusions, coupled with the panda's biological requirements for vast amounts of bamboo, secure nesting sites, and large territories, have resulted in the decline of the panda population over the years.
Another set of questions I read in the comments asked how panda lovers anywhere can contribute to panda conservation, hopefully to lift pandas out of their endangered status. One easy way is to support the research of scientists working to protect the species. The work that such scientists do helps maintain the health of the captive population until such time as members are identified for reintroduction, and ensures that there are many captive animals to choose from for future reintroductions. Research helps to better understand the wild populations so that reintroductions can be carefully managed for maximum success. Although our work may begin with a simple " why?," our goal is that our answer will benefit the panda species for years to come.
Suzanne Hall is the panda research technician for the San Diego Zoo's Office of Giant Panda Conservation.
View giant pandas on Panda Cam.
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February 6th, 2006 at 10:39 am
i think that if the habitat of the pandas is decreasing so rapidly, reintroduction seems wasteful. isn't it time the U.S. gets to keep a panda cub or 2? china has alot of them. love to watch the pandas. thanks for the opportunity and information!
February 6th, 2006 at 12:12 pm
Thanks for answering our questions, Suzanne. Love the new picture, but I can't quite tell what Little Miss is playing with!
Editor's note: It's a fruitsicle made of pureed apple. Su Lin loves them!
February 6th, 2006 at 12:37 pm
you know the vision you held with working with black and white? (I think it was you watching the ocean and dreaming of working with the whales?)??? well i now have a new vision that i have created in my heart and mind… it has to do with animals and not hands on…i am staying focused to bring this forward… i am very passionate about this vision…when it came to me it was like a ringing of a bell..it feels so right…so right now all i can do besides my donations, loving all of the staff at the zoo and, of course, the animals, especially my pandas..is hold this vision until it manifests into reality…thank you for all that you share…especially giving of yourself…
Editor's note: Here's the blog Tami is referring to, " http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/index.php?p=179" >How Did I Get Here?"
February 6th, 2006 at 1:06 pm
What a darling picture…little Su's found a treat!
Do you see how focused she is on that bit of yummy goodness?? Looks like she wants to inhale the whole thing!
February 6th, 2006 at 2:53 pm
Su Lin sure has an advantage over Tai when it comes to tree climbing. Tai is having a hard time hoisting his 33 pounds up a tree. Today he climbed a tiny tree with one branch, where he curled up and stayed for a long time. A keeper came to coax him down with what appeared to be a fruitsicle. He finally came down and went inside. His mother had just been given a fruitsicle, and he wanted hers, too. They're battling over it now, but so far Mei Xiang is winning.
February 6th, 2006 at 3:04 pm
Dorothy #1, The good news is that in recent years the Chinese have set aside more land as reserves for the pandas, and have begun to make changes inside some existing reserves to further reduce human impact (for example, many farms in Wolong are now encouraged to plant bamboo instead of agricultural crops). There are also areas of good panda habitat where census takers have found no evidence of pandas… so those areas are prime targets for reintroduction. Our philosophy is that the pandas' best hope is to return to their native habitat.
February 6th, 2006 at 3:13 pm
Susan, thank you so much for your always intriguing notes. I think the first panda raised in captivity who was introduced into the wild was Xiang Xiang, whose father is Pan Pan. I read that he was introduced in 2003. It was very interesting how he developed different behaviors once he was introduced to the wild. At the beginning, he often looked for people and was excited to see people. Gradually, he stayed away from people and was even angry when he saw people intruding in his territory. Within a month or so, he started to sleep with his paws covered over his ears to prevent insects from getting into his ears (in contrast to how relaxed our pandas sleep in captivity). Unfortunately, the latest news I found about him was at the end of 2004, when he was 3 years old. I am wondering if you have more information about him and how he is doing now. Thank you very much!
February 6th, 2006 at 4:17 pm
After I wrote my comment on this subject on the previous blog, I began to wonder about something else: How well do wild animals adapt to changes of location in captivity? Species Survival Plans ensure genetically-diverse populations, but also entail more relocation amongst zoos and, in the case of the panda, reserves. How do pandas (and other animals) take this? We see that even youngsters like Tai and Su quickly develop routines and habits that feel secure and save energy. Is it difficult for pandas when long-established routines are disrupted by relocation? Do they get stressed enough for medical problems to arise? Does the 30-day quarantine, in addition to ruling out infectious disease transmission, help with acclimation at all?
I've often wondered how Hua Mei dealt with her relocation to China. I've always felt confident that China truly appreciated her and treasured her; when she returned, they assembled a great entourage in a military parade, and when her first twin son was mentioned as the chosen male to go to Taiwan, they described her as the " American-born beauty." I don't doubt their appreciation, but I nevertheless still wonder how hard it is for the animal to make the transition–especially one involving a different language. I realize that this is relatively less important given all the other issues facing panda preservation, but, Suzanne, do you perhaps have any observations on this?
Suzanne, I SO appreciate your understanding that the need of we panda-lovers to inquire comes from a good place. It's truly a great tribute to the panda that it inspires in us such awe and wonder. Your blogs (and the resulting comments) are a great way to spread awareness of endangered animals and the far-ranging issues involved. You're providing a great service to conservation in general, in addition to providing valuable grist for the panda-lover mill.
February 6th, 2006 at 4:56 pm
I must be living right today! I'm being treated to an excellent view of Su Lin. I've read about her activity, but I've been unlucky catching her live in action. What a cutie! She is curious, smart, and wonderful just as you describe. Thank you to all that bring these glimpses into her life to us!
February 6th, 2006 at 8:24 pm
#7 Kay
Check out the office site of Wolong research center; there is a news article on oct 1, 2005 named 'The next time I saw Xiangxiang, He has grown up into a sturdy young man.'
February 6th, 2006 at 9:20 pm
Thank you for the updates and the wonderful site with the cams and information. I just love watching Su Lin and the mother. Watching her over the months has made me realize even more how I want to work with animals. I am doing research now on different career possibilities. Veterinary Tech. is most likely the position I'll work towards. Do you have any suggestions for career possibilities or people I can email or speak to about their experience working at a Vet. Tech or in other animal career fields? Keep up the great work!
Editor's note: Check out the http://www.sandiegozoo.org/kids/job_profiles.html" >Job Profiles section for information on a variety of zoo careers.
February 7th, 2006 at 5:26 am
thank you for your response. i'm glad there will be space for them. but i would still like a couple to stay here in the states on a permanent basis!
February 7th, 2006 at 7:05 am
I think it is great that we get a chance to host the pandas and share in helping them come off the endangered list, but they need to be able to return home. Even though it is sad to see them leave, we know we have a big part in helping them. Look at Hua Mei: she has delivered now and had the San Diego Zoo not have gotten involved, those pandas would not be here. Thanks once again for answering so many questions and thanks again for doing what you all are doing.
February 7th, 2006 at 10:10 am
To #7 Kay: It's very interesting you mentioned it, because I was just reading about panda reintroduction in China. Xiang Xiang, the first panda in such an experiment, has been in the 'wild' for over two years now. (Not real wild, but a huge 50-acre wilderness enclosure where he has to find his own food.) Apparently he has exceeded people's expectations and adapted very well. He used to be a cute baby who absolutely enjoys playing with the staff (just like our little cute Su Lin), but now he doesn't recognize them at all. During a rare encounter a few months ago, he promptly chased people away, the way it is supposed to happen in the wild. As the Wolong staff in China described, Xiang Xiang is like an independent young adult now. They feel a little sad that he is no longer cute and doesn't need to rely on the 'parents,' but at the same time, they are very proud of the progress he made.
Suzanne and everyone else, thank you so much for the good work! I am sure in another decade, many pandas living in captivity now will go back to where they really belong.
February 7th, 2006 at 10:11 am
#5 Neither cub has an advantage over the other, since it's not a competition. Cousins Su Lin and Tai Shan are both developing wonderfully. And both the SDZ and the NZ are doing an excellent job at taking care of the pandas.
February 7th, 2006 at 10:59 am
To No. 8 - When I was at a SD Zoo lecture, I too was interested in how Hua Mei was making the adjustment to being in China. One of the Zoo people told me that she had learned the Chinese language in about 6 mos. — at least enough of the language to understand commands given to her, etc. Also, she got pregnant soon after arriving in China (I think after a 1-mo. mandatory quarantine), so she must not have been too stressed out. Hua Mei is very smart, and I imagine she made the transition very well.
Editor's note: Dr. Don Lindburg, head of our Office of Giant Panda Research, will be speaking about pandas February 15 here at the Zoo. http://www.sandiegozoo.org/calendar/zoo_speakers.html" >Here's more info…
February 7th, 2006 at 11:09 am
Christine #8
Animal Planet has some very good video footage from when the NZ brought Tian Tian and Mei Xiang over from China. I remember in one of them, filmed on the plane ride over, the keeper said that if they ate too much she would worry that they were stressed and if they ate too little she would worry that they were stressed. When they arrived in D.C. Tian walked out of his traveling cage right away and began exploring the exhibit area. Mei was a little more cautious but she didn't take long to emerge either.
I also read an article about Hua Mei's arrival in China. The keeper was trying to get her out of her traveling cage and she said, " Come Out" in Chinese. Hua Mei did not come out. Someone suggested that she speak to her in English and she did but Hua Mei still would not come out. They all got a big laugh out of that. The article went on to say that the Wolong staff speaks to Hua Mei in both Chinese and English so I guess that in addition to all the other special things about her she is also bilingual!!!
February 7th, 2006 at 11:37 am
Suzanne, you touched on something that made me curious when you mentioned being a " candidate for release." Now how, I wondered, is that determined? If I were going to pick a bear to be released into the wild, what criteria would I use?
Genetically expendable. A bear who shares many genes with others in the captive population is not as valuable in the captive breeding program and may be much more valuable spreading those genes in the wild. And if (I hate this part) that bear dies, the loss is heartbreaking but not genetically significant to the overall population. If you have to identify a potential release candidate early enough to take a " hands-off" attitude while raising them, I would guess that genes are very important.
Healthy, of course, and active. Agressive and able to take, hold, and defend territory.
In possession of skill sets that increase chances of survival: climbing, dexterity, able to locate food and water, able to recognize and eat a variety of browse (bamboo skills), able to recognize and evade or defeat predators.
Young - an older bear who has spent his/her life in captivity would have geat difficulty adapting. Besides, the idea is to increase the wild breeding population, so you don't want a bear out there eating tons of precious bamboo without " paying" for it by having or siring many cubs.
Able to breed. A sterile bear or one that is past breeding age (like Shi Shi) is probably more valuable for a zoo exhibit and ambassador of the species. A male bear that can't seem to figure out the breeding process or has a low libido could be a candidate for artificial insemination if his genes are needed. Or he might be experimentally released into a sparsely populated area and closely monitored to identify potential problems in the release protocol. Sort of a " bellweather bear." And who knows? Maybe a sexy wild girl bear could solve his libido problem!
I'm sure there are a lot of other reasons a bear is picked for the release program. What have I missed?
February 7th, 2006 at 12:11 pm
I recently became very interested in Tai Shan and Su Lin, and therefore, all other pandas. I am dismayed that there has not been more general publicity and information regarding the logging practices that have destroyed so much of their natural habitat. As you probably know, bamboo floors are all the rage with designers and they are certainly pushing this fad. I was one of those gullible enough to install bamboo floors in my living/dining areas. But now I suspect they are endangering the food supply for our precious bears. Please tell me I'm wrong!
I wish I had known this past summer what I know today. Since they take years to regenerate enough bamboo to feed pandas, are they denuding bamboo forests for floors?
I love pandas so much and would love to see them thrive!
Editor's note: Unfortunately there are no easy answers when it comes to conservation. Although we cannot share specific information about this issue, we can tell you that when people change from one buying practice to another it generally continues to affect something (just sometimes a different thing). It is important to gather information about all such choices you make in order to find those which may be less damaging to the environment.
February 7th, 2006 at 12:17 pm
#7 I read an article on XiangXiang, the first panda to be released into the wild. The article states that when he was first released, he hestitated to go. He grabbed one of the keepers and tried to block their way from leaving him there. I felt quite sad reading it. I wonder if these pandas get lonely and are used to people. Kay (#7) wrote that XiangXiang's behavior changed and he chased a human away from his territory. Do you know if they are resentful of being left alone? Since they are so used to humans feeding them, giving them toys, etc. and then all of it is taken away. How does that affect the panda? Maybe I'm being too worried…
February 7th, 2006 at 2:35 pm
The comments from fellow panda lovers are such an interesting addition to Suzanne's and other staff members' blogs. I feel like I am going to school here, in the best sense of the word. When we saw close-ups of Su Lin sleeping in the tree, it was a real treat! She must have some inborn skills for staying up there as she sleeps, because she appears to be very relaxed. I don't think we could do the same safely.
All the staff, both here and in China, are so concerned for all of the bears well-being. You give it so much thought– no wonder the outcomes have been positive. (;-)
February 7th, 2006 at 3:06 pm
It all comes down to education. Educating the public and educating the native people who share their livelihood with giant pandas and other animals. Ignorance is a big enemy, no matter what you do and where you live.
The more I learn about giant pandas, the more questions I come up with. Curiosity is keeping this cat going! One thing that's not happening to me is Dr. Lindburg's lecture. Can't get that particular afternoon off to drive down to San Diego. It'll be great if a video will be available on DVD for this and other lectures for purchase.
February 7th, 2006 at 4:08 pm
#10 Alas, thank you very much for the hint. I found the article! It's funny that the article describes how strong-minded and fierce Xiang Xiang becomes after living in the wild alone for two years that he gets angry when humans intrude into his territory, but then the pictures still display a very cute and gentle beautiful panda! #14 Jim, I think when they say Xiang Xiang is no longer " cute," they really mean Xiang Xiang is no longer like a domestic cat whom you can pet, but a strong bear who stands firm on his territory (it fits the Chinese name for panda, which literally means Bear-Cat). To me, wild pandas are just as cute as pandas in captivity! Look at Su Lin. She displays all the wild behaviors at the zoo, but no one denies that she is such a cutie!
#20 I don't think Xiang Xiang now chases humans away because he is resentful. I think he is just displaying his wild behaviors. Perhaps he does not want the humans to steal his bamboo.
February 7th, 2006 at 6:16 pm
#17, Angie: Thank you so much! I've been a long-time NZP-goer, and I thought I had gobbled up every single thing available on our beloved Mei and Tian! It's great to hear that they transitioned so quickly; then, too, Tian would probably do just about anything for food!
I'm wondering if the common link to successful re-introductions and zoo-to-zoo transfers described here is age. Mei and Tian–and many of the pandas that China has loaned or given–were 2-3 years old; Hua Mei was 3, and Xiang Xiang was 2 when introduced to the wild from captivity. I remember when Mei and Tian were little, they played together all the time, but soon they had begun to be more solitary, supposedly a standard panda behavior. Mei Sheng was eager to see Gao Gao through the howdy gate at two, but he still seems quite content to be by himself. I wonder if transfer of either variety is more successful if done between the ages of 2-3. That way, the move occurs just as the panda is genetically pre-disposed to draw away from other pandas (and/or people) to become more solitary. At this age, they'd also be old enough to forage for their own bamboo and thereby survive.
Suzanne, how did Shi Shi adapt to his trip here? His return trip? How is he?
Christine
February 7th, 2006 at 8:01 pm
Comment 20
As far as I know the reintroduction program was started from the panda's infancy. Human ontacts with the baby had been minimized, which was aimed to train the baby to be more independent; there were no toys for him at all. Moreover, pandas are solitary animals; being alone is quite a normality.
February 7th, 2006 at 9:30 pm
Why is there no recent film of her exams and more recent photos also. I can't watch her at work and it's dark when I get home.
Editor's note: As our panda cub continues to grow, she is becoming more independent and the opportunity to schedule weekly health exams has diminished. We will post video and new photos whenever possible. Thank you.
February 8th, 2006 at 5:53 am
#19 Chopstix: A home-improvement show recently showed someone flipping a house who was considering hardwood floors. The salesman told her that bamboo flooring was friendly to the environment because bamboo can be replenished/regrown much more quickly than other hardwoods. I must admit that this sounded really reasonable to me at the time, even though I'm a panda devotee and an intelligent woman. I suppose it never really occurred to me that bamboo for flooring could be coming from the remote mountainous regions of China. Unfortunately, we get lots of conflicting information in today's world, and even when we do get good information, sometimes we don't associate what might be happening in one place with an effect in another. I really appreciate your comment here, for it " connects the dots" and reminds us that the Chinese aren't the only ones contributing to the bamboo die-off in the panda's natural habitat. We can only hope that, like any trend, this one for bamboo flooring will soon fade as something new comes to the fore. Vinyl, anyone?
February 8th, 2006 at 7:51 am
Wow! I turn my back for a few days and things go wild on the panda blog!
What an interesting set of comments I see here!
#7 Kay, and others, Xiang Xiang was indeed released into a special large pen designed to make the transition to the wild a stepwise project. He can still be observed fairly readily from a distance, and staff in Wolong can monitor his food intake and behavior, but he gets much less interaction with people. The hope is that this will teach the bear to be self sustaining so that a wild release is possible.
#8 Christine, the SSP does not govern translocations in the wild, only animals in U.S. zoos. With bears, the ability of an animal to adapt to changes like moves can vary widely by individual, as personality has an impact. Gao Gao seemed to do very well in his move to the U.S., and was a little shy in the first few days but quickly overcame it. Shi Shi did very well in transit to China, as we provided him with lots to eat. A male transferred to Mexco City had a harder time adjusting.
Pamela #18, you hit on many factors which matter to those making these tough decisions. You mentioned health, but a caveat to that includes " mental health" so bears with stereotypic behavior or abnormal relationships with other bears would likely be ruled out. Personally, I agree strongly with your comment about genetic " expendability," but there is a flip side to that… bears that have bred well in captivity have passed on genes for good breeders (or so we hope!) and releasing the offspring of good breeders may contribute to good breeding in the wild, too.
#19 Chopstix, I might add that unlike many other types of natural products, bamboo is an extremely fast growing species and is quite renewable. Most of the large timber bamboos used for flooring and other such things are not currently grown in panda habitat, as current panda habitat tends to contain short stature species that don't have a lot of bulk to the culm or stem compared to the timber species, which can reach 50 feet (15 meters) in height!. And since these commercially harvested bamboo species can grow at a rate of many feet per year, good harvesting practices can ensure the renewability of the resource.
February 8th, 2006 at 8:39 am
Thank you for all the thought-provoking information about reintroduction of pandas into the wild. I was thinking about wild pandas when I read the story about the " Eden" scientists just found in Indonesia–supposedly untouched by humans–with all sorts of new species. I wondered if these animals eventually would be adversely affected, as pandas have been.
Also enjoyed seeing Su Lin this morning doing stretching exercises in the upstairs bedroom, and then peeking over the edge to see what was going on below. It reminded me of those precious days when the baby cub would hover on the edge of the birthing den, deciding whether to go out. And we thought she never would!
February 8th, 2006 at 3:07 pm
Great information about reintroducing pandas into the wild - thank you! I agree with the poster who asked why we can't keep some of our cubs - we'd sure like to keep Tai Shan with us here in the DC area. He is a joy to watch as he discovers new skills and every time we go to see him at the Zoo, it seems he's doubled in size! I try to catch Su Lin on the cam but she's an elusive little girl, it seems. Are there specific times during the day when she's more active outdoors?
Thanks.
February 9th, 2006 at 4:43 am
#28, Suzanne: Thanks for your response to our questions! I didn't mean to imply that SSP's were involved with re-location to the wild, rather that both required a considerable transitioning on the animals' part. I'm so glad to hear about Shi Shi's trip home; I was particularly worried about him, given his age and the demanding flight. My 9-year-old is particularly gifted in seeing what's " inside" an animal, and she's long thought that Shi Shi is the most beautiful of the SD pandas.
Suzanne, you've made me think of something else that involved SDZ. Was the panda en route to Mexico that you mentioned the one who was loaned to NZP temporarily as a potential mate for Ling-Ling, and the one who eventually went to Mexico from London and fathered Chapultepec's Xin-Xin? I was just reading an early-1999 piece in which Don Lindburg discusses sending Shi Shi's frozen semen to Mexico City. I've always wondered why more hasn't been done to breed the 3 female pandas there before their breeding years passed. This doesn't involve actually borrowing a panda, just frozen sperm, so it would seem to be quite do-able in a world where every single panda matters. What's the story with that?
February 9th, 2006 at 10:06 am
thank you, sheryl (#30). i was beginning to think i was all alone! i remember a comment a while ago comparing the camera systems of SDZ and national zoo. i enjoy both sets of cameras, and am grateful for the opportunity to observe these great beasts!
February 9th, 2006 at 4:25 pm
What a dear, dear little face up in the tree! Thanks for the darling shot of Su Lin.
February 9th, 2006 at 4:56 pm
What a treat this evening. Su Lin is asleep in her tree facing the camera. Great camera work, SDZ!
February 9th, 2006 at 5:50 pm
I noticed that Su Lin seems to prefer sleeping in a tree, rather than next to her mom. It's interesting how instinct for safety seems to work in that direction, rather than having her do what she was used to doing ever since she was born. I miss the times we saw them together in the birthing den, but I guess she has to grow up!
February 10th, 2006 at 4:39 am
Anyone seen the most recent posting on Tai Shan's turning 7 months of age, and the assorted nicknames that the keepers have given him? Seems he is one lil fuzzy ball of thunder…I love Tai dearly but am oh so grateful for 2 things: one, that Mei Xiang is raising him, (not I, LOL!), and two: that Su Lin is such a level-headed, smart and sweet lil girl bear. " Girls rule, boys drool" as the old adage goes.
Did I read correctly that Hua Mei was also somewhat of a pawful for Bai Yun? Maybe it is a first-born thang……
February 11th, 2006 at 2:35 pm
According to the New York Times' article " Pandas Eat Up Much of Zoos' Budgets" , these cute, adorable bears are costing us bundles! I knew they are high-maintenance bears, but I didn't know zoos are juggling financially to keep them. I hope that the zoos and China come to a more feasible financial agreement soon!
February 11th, 2006 at 5:26 pm
Love the blog & pictures. On our way tomorrow (out of the snowy Midwest) to see Su Lin and of course Mom & Dad. Can't wait to hear Wed's lecture as we attended an AZAD lecture on pandas in Sept in DC & love keeping up on all the newest in panda research & reproduction here & in China. Thanks for your great care & interest in Pandas
February 12th, 2006 at 5:11 am
The Sunday Feb 12 New York Times has an article about pandas in US zoos. The
article is entitled " Eats Shoots, Leaves, and Much of Zoos' Budgets" by Brenda Goodman. Go to the Times' web site and search on the key word panda.
February 12th, 2006 at 8:42 am
How nice to see Gao Gao chowing down on a Sunday morning.
February 12th, 2006 at 5:13 pm
Oh my goodness what a treat I've had for the past few minutes. Logged on and saw Bai in her usual spot chomping on bamboo. Su was investigating in a nearby tree. Then the camera view readjusted and zoomed in on Su Lin. She was sitting upright, leaned back and next thing, she's on her back kicking up her legs in the air. Too fun! Then she reached up for a branch and pulled herself up and crawled around some. We were face to face at one point as she crawled toward the camera. Fascinating to watch her move. Thanks again, SDZ, for providing interesting information along with the treat of the panda cam. (p.s. this was about 5pm your time)
Aloha!
Noreen
February 15th, 2006 at 6:02 pm
Is that our baby princess? About 6pm San Diego time. Throwing bamboo around.
May 30th, 2006 at 6:40 pm
Is there any famous company or actor trying to save giant pandas today? and if there is, what are they doing?