Rain Dancin'
Posted at 10:03 am September 24, 2007 by Ellie Rosenbaum
An unseasonably early and rare rainstorm had been predicted for San Diego last week, and we waited anxiously for it to arrive at the Giant Panda Research Station. Pandas, especially youngsters, seem to come alive in the rain, romping and climbing with what appears to be great glee as if the rain was a special treat provided just for them. Throughout Friday morning, I encouraged guests to return to the area should the showers begin and the bears begin to play in it.
Alas, the rains did not begin until long after the Zoo had closed. But as predicted, Mei Sheng and Su Lin apparently had a wild time! I arrived Saturday morning to find Su Lin sleeping very soundly in the elm tree, and workers from our Construction and Maintenance Department fastening yet another tree guard over the one on the poplar tree in Sheng's enclosure. Tree guards, you'll recall, are smooth wrappings placed on tree trunks or branches to keep the bears from climbing too high or too close to the enclosure's edge. Mei Sheng managed to figure out how to get over and around the ones in his first outdoor area, but so far hadn't circumvented the large one on that poplar… until the rains came and generated that spunky energy! Looking up the tree, you can see the trail of broken and bent branches going up nearly 40 feet!
The early morning keeper, in fact, could not visually locate him that morning until she stood on the roof of the bedroom building and saw him peering down at her. What a guy! We're going to miss his antics when he leaves us next month.
Don't think for a moment that Su Lin missed out on all the fun. Her exhibit, too, was littered with bent and broken branches from several trees, and the evidence points to her and her brother hanging in the poplar trees across the dividing wall from one another in their respective enclosures. What a time they apparently had through the night, these gregarious, rain-inspired, subadults. Sad that no one was there to witness the fun. But there's no reason for them to give up all their secrets.
Hmmm - it reminds me a bit of The Cat In The Hat. The grownups are away, sooooo……
Ellie Rosenbaum is a panda narrator at the San Diego Zoo.
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September 24th, 2007 at 10:28 am
I bet the early morning keeper had a few anxious moments trying to locate Mei Sheng! Too bad all of us missed seeing the fun. Yes, we will surely miss the boy.
September 24th, 2007 at 11:39 am
Hello Ellie,
What a nice, refreshing update you have written for us pandaholics. Thank you very much.
Indeed, it seems like the youngsters had a lot of fun during the rain!!! Thank god the keepers don't have to go up the trees to get the pandas to come down, 'cause 40 feet is a very high way off the ground, LOL! I'm glad they enjoyed themselves while the " grownups" were away, as you said.
Well, I will be sad to see Mei Sheng leave, but I feel it is for the best, because that way he will greatly contribute to the captive breeding program with his important genes coming from Gao Gao and also, hopefully, the same mating instincts as his father.
As for the newest addition to the family, I too had noticed she didn't seem to be in the den very early this morning. Maybe she was out, but I couldn't tell… Hopefully she'll get out of the den on her own power very soon
Thank you all the staff at SDZ again and have a very nice day.
Clara
September 24th, 2007 at 11:40 am
Oh how fun! It brings back the memories of Su Lin's FIRST rainstorm tho - when she scampered into the shelter because she didn't like that wet stuff falling from the sky. She encountered a large pile of fresh dirt and became the small black bear! And, yes, even if we didn't see it firsthand, we panda fans will tuck this memory of Sheng and his tree-escapades along with our other memories of him and cherish them long after he has gone to China to do us all proud there. Sniff, sniff!
September 24th, 2007 at 11:40 am
Thanks, Ellie, reminds me of the Christmas Paws account last year. Glad to know the bears are free to behave in a way that comes naturally to them and to take full advantage of their habitat. I wonder if the climb high to get to the source of the rain and expose themselves more, or if they want a better view. Whatever the motivation, it sounds like they had a great time doing it. P Wong can't you just imagine the " conversation" between these two giddy bears with no one around, not even Bai Yun, to keep them in " check." They must have had a " blast."
It was a tree-totaling event that is for sure!!!
September 24th, 2007 at 11:48 am
Ellie, to bad visitors didn't get to see them in action, What is about the rain or change of weather that makes them go a little crazy and I for one really get tickled watching them. I watched the D.C. family this morning and it was a little cool on the east coast and let me tell you Mei and Tian were chasing each other and rolling down hills and then all over their enclosure. I'm surprised that they don't sleep all afternoon. I can't imagine SDZ without Mei Sheng That silly smile and you can just see the wheels going in his head
September 24th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
I can't believe that Bai Yun has left the baby alone this long?? Is this normal? Did she do this with Su Lin and Mei Sheng? I know she is a phenomenal mom. This is why I am questioning this.
September 24th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
So a good time was had by all! I would have loved to have been able to see all the antics. Mei Shen is still quite the rascal, isn't he?
September 24th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
Peaceful Princess
Peaceful princess sleep and dream of who you'll become.
You are a special cub brought to us by " ancient Chinese gods" (and mommy and daddy,too)
In just a short time you've shown us a strong, peaceful, determined cub….that will probably conquer her challenges in life without any fear.
You fill our hearts with love and joy……you truely are an ambassador of " peace" ….
Sleep little " peaceful princess" …..sleep.
September 24th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
Thanks, Ellie, for the charming story about Mei Sheng and Su Lin's rainy evening adventure. What fun it would have been to see those cuties cavorting around their enclosures. I vividly remember Su Lin's " Muddy Day" with her mother when she was just a small cub. We so enjoyed watching that. Btw, thanks for including the darling photo of Mei Sheng. Do you have an exact day for his (sniff) departure? I ask because I may be able to be in San Diego early in Oct.
September 24th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
Loved the latest blog. I was at the zoo last September when Mei Sheng was up a very small branch and he was defying anyone that thought he was too big for it. He had such a smug look on his face also.
He still is a teenager, testing everything.
Bai has the right idea today. Since the baby's rear is such a good size, why not use it as a pillow. Sooo soft!
September 24th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
I have noticed that not only does Bai Yun leave the den, but she randomly takes the cub out with her. since the camera never moves i don't really know where she is taking the cub but i assume its not far. Does this have anything to do with the fact that the cub will be opening its eyes soon? or is it just that Bai Yun wants to get out of the den but still have her baby?
September 24th, 2007 at 5:58 pm
#6 Marie - Bai or any other panda mom only leaves her cub alone when she feels comfotable doing so. Rest assured she was probably only a few feet away & would be back immediately if Bright Star needed her. It's mommy's job to know when her cub can be left alone so Mom can take care of her own needs. Now we'll see Bai moving the cub out of the den more often & once our cubette figures out how to get her " fat belly" off the ground & those back legs stronger, she'll be trying to get out of the den on her own
Sure sounds like MeiSheng & SuLin had a ball in the rain - while I missed SuLin in the rain, I did see pictures of one muddy cub. And one winter day at the NZ watched Tai & MeiXiang cavorting all over the place when they had a rare snowfall.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:23 pm
Thank You, Ellie! Like all who reside in Southern California, Su and Mei found lotsafun, huh playing in the rain…when it finally fell:) The Great Adventure reminded me of two things. 1. If you are a panda, you can play outside after dark. 2. The photo of Bai and Su covered in MUD! What Fun!!!
Today, I checked up on Bai and baby several times….how neat it is to know that Bai is so comfortable with the care she is giving little one that she leaves the den for much longer periods of time. And What a total kick it is so see little Miss practicing loops and rolls while Momma is out of the den:) Keep up the grand adventure, Panda Personnel. We pandaholics LOVE the Great Vision you give to all of us!
Sincerely,
Bobbie Wood
September 24th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
I'm glad the kids had fun in the rain and maybe even a chance to communicate from their respective trees. I hope it rains again soon!
September 24th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
I love the mental pictures of pandas' private adventures in the rain! I had no idea they enjoyed the wet stuff so much.
Looking at panda cam around 8:30 p.m.–where is everybody?
September 24th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
The sun did not shine.
It's raining, let's play!
I sat there with Mei Sheng.
We sat there, we two.
And Su Lin said " How I wish
We had something to do!"
Let's climb up the trees
And have a ball!
Then we'll pretend … that
We did nothing at all.
I hope the pandas have lots of rainy days and rainy nights - great story!! I didn't know pandas loved the rain as much as I do!
Paula in Texas
September 24th, 2007 at 9:31 pm
Bai has had Bright Star out of the den for some time now (actually, in and out, and in and out)…Must be showing her the almost full moon. A gentle moonlit night for our Bright Star! Hmmm…. maybe Bai has been listening to what we've been calling the cub?
September 24th, 2007 at 10:53 pm
Good to see the kids having their bit of fun. All native San Diegans get a little wild when it rains, I think.
I'll echo what Margot above asked - do you know the exact date Mei Sheng will be leaving? Or when he will be on exhibit until that time? As a former VAO, I thought I'd gotten more than my fair share of Mei Sheng viewing, but I'd like a chance to see him again before he goes off on his next big adventure.
September 25th, 2007 at 12:39 am
Hi Ellie
Thank you for your heart warming account of the youngsters evening activities in their very own Water Park, I am certain they both had a great time.
Unfortunately October is approaching fast and it will be time for our boy to leave for his new home in China.
Are there any plans to have a photo of Mei Sheng on the site saying 'Goodbye' or similar, in many languages, as was the case when Hua Mei had to leave?
I think Bai has taken her young lady on evening walkabout, the cub does not appear to be on C14 so she is also having a nighttime adventure with her mom….
September 25th, 2007 at 3:07 am
Rain dancing… how tremendously cute!
September 25th, 2007 at 6:26 am
How fun for Su and Sheng to play in the rain away from the watchful eyes of all of us pandaholics! Have a question for Suzanne, though. Many times over the last several days, the cam has been on the cub den but it appears to be empty. Is Bai taking the cub out? If so, it woud be great to watch our new little one's 1st adventures away from the den.
September 25th, 2007 at 7:09 am
Wow! It is 7 AM PDT, and I think I just saw Bai Yun gently take the cub to the Garden Room. The keepers must have thought so too, since they switched the camera to Bai Yun eating in the Garden Room. It appeared that the cub was by her " feet" tucked under a pile of bamboo. However, we soon discovered the cub in the doorway of the den, so Bai Yun must have gently placed her back in bed.
September 25th, 2007 at 8:38 am
Dear all Panda Fans! Make certain you watch the time lapse video for 9/25!!! Bai brought her baby out of the den this morning!!! How EXCITING!!! Both have been outside for over 1/2 hour
Sincerely,
Bobbie Wood
September 25th, 2007 at 10:45 am
Just saw Bai with the cubbette out of the den. Wait until she can see all this wonderful new world.
September 25th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
Glad to see Bai Yun and the cub are getting some sun.
September 25th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
Looks like Bai is getting a little clostopobic. I've been on and off the cam since getting home 2 hours ago and the whole time she and Bright Star have been on cam 17.
September 25th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
Our little cub is out, taking sun bath, nursing, sleeping today morning.
What great time!
September 25th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
18#
I mentioned that Bai take taken her cub for a midnight 'walkabout' ~
Margaret 21#
I also saw Bai take her cub to her garden room and then on 'familiarisation' to C21, later moving to C17 ~ they are now both back in den C14.
Maybe Bai thought it would be an 'eye opening' event for her little peepers ~
Exciting days ahead for Bai's intrepid young traveller……
September 25th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
Another clever moniker for the cub: A YouTube video of Bai's mom Dong Dong, lists her grandchildren (Bai's offspring) as Hua Mei, Mei Sheng, Su Lin and BaiBee.
September 25th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
Could you please give us the October date when Mei Sheng is suppose to leave. Many of us would like to see him one last time and coordinating a date with a number of people becomes a project.
Editor's Note: We greatly appreciate everyone's support for Mei Sheng and understand your interest in seeing him one last time. We will update the San Diego Zoo Web site with information about his move to China as his departure nears. Until then, please know that he will be leaving us in late October. Stop by in the next couple of weeks to say goodbye.
September 25th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
Mei Sheng is his usual adorable self! He's lying upside down on the enclosure in Bai and Su's old area. He's SO adorable!
Any chance of getting an updated picture of Gao Gao? He's so handsome!
September 25th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
Why hasn't the Panda profile been updated since September 13, 2007? I had to go digging to find out what Bright Star weighed and measured after her last exam. Thanks for all you do for these national treasures.
Rita
September 25th, 2007 at 6:26 pm
I arrived at the zoo when it opened Saturday morning and Mei Sheng was still in " time out." He came walking out about 10 minutes later, after the folks had put the new tree guard in place. He just plopped himself down to a breakfast of bamboo, probably trying to figure out a few more antics to pull before he leaves. I adore that big boy..It was so hard to walk away from him for the last time..I hope he's happy in China and gets lots of buddies to play with..
September 25th, 2007 at 11:20 pm
# 22 Bobbie
Thanks for the heads up on the 9/25 video. It was a thrill to see Bright Star out of the birthing den.
SDZ Staff
Thanks for the great camera work tonight. I was watching a little before 11:00PM SDZ time and saw Mei Sheng (I think) cavorting all around Bai's usual outdoor den.
September 26th, 2007 at 5:23 am
What a wonderful mental picture of the pandas dancing in the rain! Thank you so much for that image of the pandas playing. Thank you also for the iZoofari chat about how the different babies reacted to the keepers. I really appreciate hearing about what the pandas are doing and how they react to the people and environment where they find themselves. It was nice to see Bai and cub out of the den yesterday. Bai must feel pretty confident about the cub's safety to bring her out.
Thank you all at SDZ for the many ways you allow us to share in the lives of these enchanting animals. I'm always surprised when people complain about your site because you offer us so many opportunities to watch and learn and share our thoughts and feelings. Your insights into the lives of the pandas and the other animals at the zoo are much appreciated.
It is such a wonderful start to my day to peek in on Bai and cub - maybe world leaders should be made to watch a panda for awhile every morning and then get on with the day! Peaceful thoughts might prevail!
September 26th, 2007 at 6:56 am
It was great to see Bai Yun enjoying her Garden Room yesterday. She had lots of room to stretch out for her nap on her favorite shelf. She looked very content and not at all anxious. Cubette must have been sleeping very soundly nearby. It appeared that she had cubette out with her last night for a moonlight excursion.
September 26th, 2007 at 8:59 am
Just tiptoed in to look at little precious, and there she is, on her back, paws in the air and sleeping peacefully at the entrance to the nursery. What an angel. Wonder if her eyes are fully opened now?
September 26th, 2007 at 9:03 am
P.wong, I need to hear a story about the rain dance
September 26th, 2007 at 9:12 am
I think I remember Bai Yun taking Su Lin on some moonlight excursions too, but it seems to me that Su was a bit older than Bright Star at that point. Our Mama bear sure does like to take the kids out after dark, in the safe, quiet moonlight!
September 26th, 2007 at 9:37 am
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival ( also known as Moon Festival) to the Gao's family, SDZ staff and all pandaholics.
It may be a bit belated as it has been a day after the Luner August 15 (25 September). Anyway, in the past (even in today) people still celebrated on a day after August 15 and called it The Chasing Moon Night. Meanwhile, the night before August 15 is called The Welcoming Moon Night.
Besides having a symbolic meaning of family gathering, Moon Festival is also one of the most welcomed traditional Chinese festivals for kids in China because they can eat all sorts of fruits, moon cakes and play lanterns during these days.
September 26th, 2007 at 11:33 am
Y.H.Ng #40, thanks for another wonderful Chinese culture lesson. Maybe Bai Yun is celebrating a belated Moon Festival with " BaiBee." It is a full moon this week after all. It would be interesting to research how the full moon affects births of panda cubs as it does human babies, and also if it affects the timing of the dam taking the cub out in the open air for the first time. After all, the night is illuminated more clearly under the full moon, so they would likely feel it is a safer time to inaugurate the cub to the outside.
September 26th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
Could Bai in part be taking the cub out to show to her keepers? I remember her and Mei Sheng in that room. People would walk by in, what I guess is a hallway behind the screen, and both Bai and Mei Sheng would start jumping up and down.
September 26th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
Well, as I'm in between job hunting (puts a crimp on my writing activities), here's one coming…
Conversation with Mei Sheng #18
Mei Sheng:
(while up in a tree)
HELLO-O-O, SU LIN!
Su Lin:
(up in a tree on the other side of partition)
YE-E-ES, MEI SHENG!
M: CAN YOU HEAR ME OKAY?
S: WHA-A-A-AT?
M: Let's CONFERENCE!!!
S: WHA-A-A-AT?
M: C-C-C-C-O-N-F-E-R-E-N-C-E!
S: Oh. Conference…
(both now teleconferencing via PDA)
M: Nice rainstorm, huh?
S: Yeah. Too bad Cousin Tai isn't here.
M: Yeah. He doesn't get to stay outside in the dark much.
S: Except for that one 11 pm stint " June 28: A Late Night Out" over a year ago.
M: Now that must have been a fun storm to watch. They sure get a lot more storms than we do.
S: Hey! You don't suppose we may invite him for Mid-Autumn Moon Festival celebrations?
M: Well, if the Panda King would permit…
S: So what should we order for the party…
M: I think Tai would like winter melon moon cake.
S: I want mine red bean paste. And maybe another one with lotus seed paste and salty egg yolks.
M: I want the one with mixed nuts and Yunnan ham.
S: Sounds good.
M: Hmmm. Better not forget the red jujubes for the black tea.
S: So did you get everything?
M: Yup. Sent the order via email to Miss Ellie.
September 26th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
And Margaret, it was a beautiful, clear night last night here in San Diego! The moon seemed bigger than usual, as a matter of fact. If Bai's areas allowed for the moon to shine in, then they must have had a most special celebration.
September 26th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
Our little cutie pie made a national website. MSNBC has her photo - the one from her latest exam - standing up with her fuzzy tummy for the workd to see - included in their weekly Animal Tracks. She looks absolutely adorable! Speaking of the full moon - I for one love, love full moons - and feel extra adventurous myself - so maybe animals do to. And the fact that it's been so bright out - makes it extra enticing for Bai to bring baby girl out - since I am sure she can now partially see what's around her. Exciting times - and lots more to come! Moon cakes for everyone!
September 26th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
I am an avid watcher of your webcams. This is just to say 'Thank You' to all concerned for the sheer pleasure given to me and so many others. The time-lapse videos are brilliant, especially as in the UK we are approx 8 hours ahead!! I have many friends here who are also keen pandaholics, as no doubt there are many others worldwide.
Again, a sincere 'Thank You'!!
September 26th, 2007 at 6:22 pm
#41 Margaret - another interesting question about the full moon. We certainly have enough questions for more research don't we. Haveb't caught a glimpse of our cubbette today - wonder if she is outside the den.
September 26th, 2007 at 7:00 pm
What a wonderful picture of Mei Sheng. The zoo photographer really takes some beautiful pictures of the animals. I just can't get enough of them.
September 27th, 2007 at 5:40 am
What a great story about the rain play. It seems as though Bai Yun and Bright Star also got to play in the rain time or at least come out and see the remnants (even though they were inside).
Love, Joy
September 27th, 2007 at 5:42 am
I don't know how to access the time lapse video. Any suggestions?
Here's the link to the time lapse page: http://outstream.camzone.com/panda.php?cmd=timelapse
September 27th, 2007 at 6:02 am
Hello, Little Bright Star, you Super Star,
you're also famous in Austria;
a great shot of you in a magazine
you're already a model, that's what I mean.
Although you're curvaceous and rather quite round
you do beat all " skinnies" by all lengths abound.
I hope that " our " panda in the Vienna Zoo
is going to be as pretty as you.
Mama Yang Yang for sure is as proud as Bai Yun.
She knows, but we hope that we'll know rather soon
if the little one will be like daddy Long Hui
or more like her mummy, we shall wait and see.
I truly enjoyed the " rain story" , thank you very much. I guess all the pandas enjoyed the wet climate so much since - as I watched on TV - the region of Wolong being situated in the mountains can be rather moist.
Which eye colour do panda babies have, blue as most mammals. And as adults, brown? It is quite difficult to see owing to their beautiful " eye make-up" .
September 27th, 2007 at 7:11 pm
Thanks P Wong for the great conversation betweeen Mei sheng and Su Lin. I've always enjoyed your writings. For those who may not know, the annual Moon Festival which happened 2 days ago (Wednesday) is a huge celebration in China. People take time off and totally get into it. Kind of like our July 4th. I wondered if the Pandas got into the celebration as well with " sudo" mooncakes perhaps.
September 27th, 2007 at 7:43 pm
Haven't been able to see Bright Star on the cam for a couple of days now but from watching the time lapse videos she seems to be squirming & trying to get out of the edge of the den. Hoped for news of her exam today-guess will have wait until tomorrow.
MeiXiang & TianTian are still having fun together-they had another long play session today-makes me think Tai needs a playmate (someone on utube.com posted a video of Tai & his dad, Tian looking at each other through the mesh in their separate pens, Tai seemed so lonesome (human emotion I know) -know in the wild they are solitary but with zoo staff to care for them they don't have to forage for bamboo. But guess he would be too big & rough for MeiLan or SuLin - just a dream. I guess-these doggone animals take on human quality for us.
September 27th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
I finally listened to/watched the latest video of the cub's Sept 20 exam, and am also glad we got to see Suzanne in person. What a fabulous closeup look at the cub, and the exam process. The special treat was to see Mei Sheng napping soundly on his favorite log behind Suzanne. It is great that you took the time and trouble to go outside and show your internet guests their own 'behind the scenes' tour and explained it in great detail. Now we have a better idea of where the cameras are when we are viewing Bai Yun and " BaiBee."
It is 8:55 PM PDT, and the den appears to be empty, so my guess is that Bai Yun and BaiBee are out on another moonlight excursion. It is so great to think of them enjoying the Mid-autumn Moon Festival and absorbing the soft glow of the bright moonlight. It is a great light for BaiBee to open her eyes to see the big world around them. Not as harsh as the full sunlight of daytime.
P. Wong, I can just picture Mei Sheng and Su Lin high up in the trees during their Rainy Night Soiree conversing about their Mid-Autumn Moon Festival celebration. Can't you just picture the antics that would happen if Mei Sheng and Tai Shan got together? Since there is two years difference in their ages, it is probably unlikely that they will ever get the chance to " play" together. Mei Sheng will have reached full adulthood by the time Tai gets to Wolong, and he will be ready to fulfil his destiny as the carrier of GaoGao's genes to the next generation of pandas. That must make the Panda King smile broadly.
Perhaps Mei Sheng this Holiday Season will start having the fulfillment of his dreams and the Panda King's whisper that young lady pandas await him in Wolong. He may not be ready for breeding for a couple of years, but he is sure ready to play, at least from high in the trees and through mesh screens.
September 27th, 2007 at 11:03 pm
Panda came from Sichuan province in China, my hometown. It's raining a lot and very humid there. I guess it's their nature to love raining. Too bad that it doesn't rain so much in San Diego.
I haven't seen Bai Yun and the little baby in the den during the evening for several days. Where have they been? Certainly not in the examination room, right? Did Bai Yun take the baby out?
September 28th, 2007 at 4:43 am
Did our little Bright Star have her exam yesterday? I haven't seen any new news or video posting…
I too loved the rain dance story! How I would love top be able to see a video of this but I am certain that the outer cameras probably didn't catch much - or would be able to see much in the " pitch black dark" !? It is such a JOY to come to SDZ and see these wonderful animals in person…..even if they are just laying around and sleeping, as they have been the 2 times I have been to SDZ.
THANK YOU AGAIN and AGAIN for all you do for us Pandaholics out here…. you guys are the BEST!!
October 1st, 2007 at 8:04 am
Thank you P.Wong what a great conversation We haven't had any storms here in the east. Now that I feel better had to postpone my Sept trip to D.C. I am going this Thursday. I can hardly wait to see how much Tai has changed.I saw the latest exam video and can't believe how much Bright Star has changed, wait to she can really see and she is going to go full speed looking at things. Good Job Hunting.