Rainwater, the Miracle Liquid
Posted at 9:33 am September 30, 2008 by Ellie Rosenbaum
The title may be dramatic but it only takes a little rain to affect behavior here at the Giant Panda Research Station. San Diego enjoyed some sporadic and unexpected rain showers Monday morning, some accompanied by thunder and lightening, a rare thing for this part of the country. The rains usually come in the fall and winter months, and we never know what to expect from the pandas in residence, especially for the young ones. Not having seen rain for at least 6 months makes it a most wondrous thing indeed!
It was a wondrous morning for all of us, as Gao Gao looked up from his meal at the first drops of each shower – and then went right back to his eating. (As many of you have noticed, he's back in the viewing area for a two week rotation.) Bai Yun was undeterred from her meal, but that second shower roused Zhen Zhen from her usual morning nap in the trees. For the first time in many months we had three pandas awake and eating at the same time in the morning! Quite the viewing – I'd not seen ZZ out of her tree awake for nearly 6 weeks, and of course the visitors were delighted.
ZZ's become a pro at bamboo-eating throughout this time, and does quite well as long as Mom doesn't rip the culm right out of her paws. As we all know, as far as Bai is concerned, all food is Bai's food. Smart as she is though, ZZ simply reaches out and selects another. It is still amazing to me how quickly cubs grow and develop, even after watching three older sibs. ZZ is too smart for her own good some times.
I was surprised to see how much the clown ZZ has become. It does appear that she's playing to the crowd as she loops herself around a branch and swings, sloth-like, to hang beneath it, peering at the visitors to be certain that they're paying proper attention to this display of cub wonderfulness. I can hardly wait until she separates from her mother. Will she look to us to provide her with reinforcement for these behaviors as her older siblings have done (and Su Lin still does)? This time can hold many surprises for all of us, though, so we'll just have to wait and see.
Ellie Rosenbaum is a panda narrator at the San Diego Zoo.
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September 30th, 2008 at 10:01 am
I love the posting, Ellie. Thank you.
So the pandas really do play to the crowd?
September 30th, 2008 at 10:31 am
I've been standing on my head trying to figure out how on earth Zhen Zhen got in that position in your gorgeous picture above. I've had to give up, I'm afraid!
It's a good thing pandas don't live in the UK - they would be permanently soggy and waterlogged! It's been lovely to watch Bai and ZZ lately, sharing some 'us' time with their bamboo.
What do they think of thunder and lightning? Does it frighten them at all?
September 30th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Ack! Thanks for the update, Ellie but I for one can definitely wait for the separation. I know that it must happen and there will be many new adventures for ZZ ahead but still, I feel a certain sadness knowing that we will no longer witness the tender nursing sessions, the frisky bouts of play or even the side-by-side boo munching of mom and daughter. Maybe just a tad more melancholy as my own daughter is moving out on her own. On the bright side, the separation will allow for Bai and Gao to be become re-aquainted and perhaps grace us with another adorable cub! That would definitely be the icing on the cake or the silver lining, as it were.
September 30th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
As I was saying at the end of the last blog, I've noticed Zhen Zhen dangling more and kind of oozing down the branch from her black and white hammock onto her mother. Who knows what kinds of acrobatics she'll get up to as she continues to grow up?
September 30th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
I love the picture of ZZ! How adorrrrrrrrrable!
We had lots of rain here in NJ this week-end, and my TV and internet were down. So, I entertained myself by thinking about and imagining how the pandas would react to our kind of hurricane rain. Then I painted a pictures of " Pandas in Rain-Gear" which I have near my computer. I didn't plan on making it the SDZ crew, but it happens to be 4 pandas: Mom, Dad, teen and toddler. So, I guess I was thinking of the Gao family.
Thanks again, Ellie, for keeping us updated on the antics there.
So, how much bamboo is ZZ able to eat? Is it going down and coming out? That's her next milestone and it makes me kinda sad because it means having to watch the weaning process again. (I think it is MUCH harder on us pandaFANatics than the pandas.)
Joy
October 1st, 2008 at 5:33 am
I just love the picture included with this blog entry. It is just too cute. The new cub at ZA is doing so well now and he's just a cuddly little love bug. It's hard to believe it's already been a year since little Miss Fuzzy Butt made her debut into the world. There is something that is just so enchanting about these beautiful black and white bears — whether they're awake or asleep that is so appealing.
October 1st, 2008 at 6:29 am
A quickie report on Hua Mei and Mei Sheng. When we were at the panda base, my partner and I got to take care of Hua Mei and spend quality time with both of them. It rained, starting Tuesday evening, poured on Wednesday (our first day of volunteering) easing just enough for MS to go up his tree for the night, let up a bit on Thursday afternoon (our second and last day) and then poured on Friday and Saturday. I had wet feet for 5 days and now have a humdinger of a cold.
" Our" cubs are fine - they live in adjacent temporary housing, although separated by a cage in MS's house. Permanent housing is being constructed on site. Three of our guys worked with him and his keeper; that keeper and one other both work with Hua Mei. They are healthy and well cared for. Since it rains a lot in that area, Mei Sheng has decided that his dry cage is preferable to his tree in pouring rain (or at least that was true when we were there). He had a touch of something on Thursday morning, but was his happy self by the afternoon. I sent greeting to both of them from their parent(s) and sisters and from all of their keepers, aunties and uncles where ever we are.
We discovered that the pandas loved their biscuits the best of what we fed them, including bamboo shoots, carrots and apples. If we fed them the biscuit first, nothing else would entice them until they finished it, down to the last crumb off of their fur. They took the food from our hands very gently. Our teams were responsible for 5 bears from Wolong plus 2 bears that were in quarantine having come out of the wild. One of the pandas turned its back on us as we fed it and the keeper and I got to nuzzle its back fur and feel the ears. It " purred" — they like their back rubs.
Also got to hold a very wiggly one-year old for a couple of minutes — it wanted to play with my head — fortunately keepers were right there to distract it.
The rain last week in Sichuan was rather devastating to the earthquake recovery area; people died and are missing, many people's houses flooded, roads that were being rebuilt subjected to more landslides. We actually saw a tiny mudslide on Wednesday, just as we were boarding the base bus that transports people to the parking area. The rains also noticeably affected Chengdu and Ya'an. We could literally watch the rivers rise from Tuesday until Friday morning.
While at the base, we lodged in one of the ancient villages the government is trying to promote for tourism. But that's another story for later.
October 1st, 2008 at 6:32 am
One extra comment, if I may. We tasted the biscuits. They are very tasty.
I'll try to post a few pictures on Flickr this week that people can see. Details later.
October 1st, 2008 at 9:45 am
Hi panda fans! this is a first for me. When I visited SDZ on my birthday-Valentines day 2008, it was raining off and on. The miracle liquid had ZZ sitting up in the Y of a tree. What a special picture that turned out to be! She was looking right at my camera. Mom was lying on her back, all stretched out-showing ZZ how to relax in the rain. I have since had my very special picture blown up and framed and it takes pride of place in my living room!!
October 1st, 2008 at 10:06 am
What a wonderful picture of Miss ZZ perfecting her dismount for the next Pandalympics! Cub wonderfulness, indeed.
Thanks for the entertaining post. You're writing is wonderful, Ellie.
October 1st, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Wow….has it really been six months since San Diego has had any rain?? That is a long time!
The picture of ZZ is just TOO CUTE!!!
Mary from Brooklyn - thank you SO MUCH for the wonderful report. I am so jealous of you…getting to experience such a once-in-a-lifetime trip. I am very glad that " our" bears are doing so well. And I think it's funny that you tasted the biscuits!
October 1st, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Wow, Mary!! (#7) Sounds like you had a fantastic trip in spite of the rain. So glad to hear that " our" cubs are doing well and housed close together, even though they may not realize they are " sibs" . Sad to hear about the negative effects of all the rain on the rebuilding efforts. They really don't need anymore trouble over there.
October 1st, 2008 at 12:17 pm
What fun it must be for Zhen Zhen to hang upside down and observe the visitors from that perspective! Thanks for another wonderful update, Ellie!
October 1st, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Hi! Ellie, great article! Rain in Southern California in September—WOW!!! I know you all and the animals really enjoyed that break in the late summer weather routine! Here in Florida, our rainy season runs from around late May thru September (sometimes into early October), which will sometimes cut down on the everyday heat and humidity that we go thru for nearly 5 months down here. The rain does give us that kind of a break when it comes around almost every day. Your rainy season usually kicks in sometime in October. So, enjoy the wet stuff, and I'm sure that the pandas will enjoy it, too! Was on the pandacam a little bit ago to catch ZZ, but it just showed the big tree branch and no panda cub! Oh well, will try again to catch her. Also, looked in on the AZ pandacam to check on Lun and her baby. She was cuddling her cub as she moved around to a new position in the den. This little guy is now a month old, and boy, did he have a month for the keepers and vets to remember him by. Had a rough start, but now he's over 2 pounds and just growing like a week! He's a little butter ball, too! They are doing weight and vet checks on the cub in the afternnoons now, so the weight that you'll read in their updates will be from the nite before when they write up the morning updates.
Well, gonna go and get this in. Have to go do some things right now. Will check back in later.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
October 1st, 2008 at 2:01 pm
It really is so very cute — seeing Bai and " mini me" Zhen sitting side by side eating their boo. Sometimes they are sitting face to face — but just now they are side by side — facing their adoring fans — eating away. It's just amazing to see what a big girl miss smarty pants is — but not too big to act like the adorable cub she still is. Yes, the weaning is going to be painful for us — but I'm used to it by now (this is my 4th time!) — so I'm prepared — and I'm sure Bai is almost ready to have her " space" . Zhen will be just fine!
Thanks Mary for the update on my first 2 pandas — Hua Mei and Mei Sheng. Glad they are doing well — and I'm so jealous of your adventure. I really need to get there one of these days — sooner than later! I will be in Beijing in a few weeks — and I'm hoping the pandas that were relocated there after the quakes — prior to the Olympics are still there. I would love to visit them and send greetings from the US!
October 1st, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Mary thanks for the updates on your trip so glad to hear our pandas are doing fine but hated to hear you had so much rain. I'm looking forward to the pictures from over there.
It's so cute to see ZZ enjoying her boo now but like everyone else this mean it's getting close to the time mom and baby have to go their own way. But hopefully this won't happen for about 5 months for now.
I hope everyone got to see the youtube video about MeiXiang and her laundry day it is so funny.
October 1st, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Mary, like everyone else, I am so jealous of your fantastic panda adventure–do let us know how to see the pictures.
This has been a great day for panda watching–Bai and Miss ZZ were up early today (around 5:30-6:00 am SDT) playing and roaming, and here they are now dining under the trees, with the occasional acrobatic break. Gotta soak it all in now–it will be my first weaning–and I agree with Kris #3, I will miss all of those amazing mother-cub moments.
October 1st, 2008 at 8:20 pm
#16 Pam T. - I saw that " Laundry Day at the National Zoo" video the day it was posted and alerted the panda lovers in the last blog. I so enjoyed it, too, especially the dialogue that the poster included. And doesn't Mei Xiang look just like anyone trying to fold those darn sheets? Too funny!!
Ellie, thanks for another wonderful look into the daily goings-on in the SDZ panda village. It is so much fun to see them enjoying both rain and snow. I remember watching a video of Tai Shan at NZ hanging on to this tree where he had to wait out a rainstorm complete with winds strong enough to make the trees sway in large arcs across the black sky. That must have had the keepers holding their breath. I'm sure Tai Shan just thought it was like a ride on the midway!
The panda prince of Atlanta is just doing great! and doing great! I'm so glad to see him passing his one month milestone in much better circumstances than when we first met him. Certainly something to be thankful for.
October 1st, 2008 at 11:43 pm
Mary, thank you for telling us about your panda trip. What a shame about the rain, both for the people and yourself. Glad to hear Hua Mei and Mei Sheng are doing well. I'm not sure if I would have had the courage to taste the biscuits (big coward that I am!).
I was watching Bai and ZZ for the second day running, side by side munching away until ZZ started rolling all over the bamboo. Bai just gave her a 'look', but it was ignored.
Frances #17, this will be my first weaning too.
I've been watching Lun Lun and managed to see the little one quite a bit. He wriggles around quite nicely for one so young. He gets cuter by the day.
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:41 am
What a cute photo. And what a long time without rain. In the UK our rainy season starts January 1st and December 31st! We're lucky to get 6 days without the wet stuff.
For all the UK panda fans Aminal Planet is showing Pandamonium on Tuesday evenings and repeats on Sunday Mornings. Last week it was Mei Sheng's Story. I cried when Lisa said goodbye with tears running down her face. They show Hua Mei on it too, got to see her with one of 2007 cubs.
October 2nd, 2008 at 6:43 am
For those of you who want to see my pictures, please create yourselves Flickr accounts and bookmark them in you browser. You can access Flickr from Yahoo dot com. Once I get some pix up there in the next day or two, I'll provide more details. Right now I have to go get a replacement driver's license. Had my fanny pack go missing in Hong Kong at the beginning of the trip and thanks to some of my fellow travelers' generosity, was able to do almost everything I wanted and could honestly use the excuse with sales people and others that I had no money! Thanks be for husbands at home to deal with the bank!
By the way, Hua Mei and Mei Sheng also sent messages back to us via telepathy. Hua Mei and I made a very special moment of eye contact that I shall never forget. When I finally said goodbye to them both, I was in tears.
October 2nd, 2008 at 7:24 am
Hi Ellie – Once again thanks for another delightful blog. Zhen Zhen is most definitely a candidate for the Cirque du Soleil
As Susan mentioned, " how on earth did she get in that position� What an actress!
Mary #7 – Welcome home! I'm so happy to hear that your dream came true and that you were able to spend time and care for Hua Mei and Mei Sheng and other pandas. I was so impressed with your account of the panda, who came out of the wild and in a short time learned that he could enjoy a nice back rub. It shows that these creatures are really docile, trusting and ready to learn. I too am looking forward to the photos that you will be posting on Flickr.
Cheri #14 - The NZ's black-footed ferrets were separated yesterday as predicted by their keepers. I have been checking on them regularly and yesterday I found their empty nest with a note (inside) detailing the ferret's travels. The male kit Peanut and his mom Georgia left yesterday morning (10/1) for their new home. Peanut, who is genetically valuable, will be living at a breeding facility in Colorado. His mom, Georgia, will also be there for a short time while she is preparing to go into the wild. The NZ will be getting a new ferret for the web cam. It will arrive this evening (10/2), and I believe her name is Tiny. I know Peanut will be very happy in his new environment. I wish Georgia good luck in the wild. It will be a whole new world for her with lots of new adventures. Cheri, do you know if Georgia was originally found in the wild?
Just received the October Wishlist. It features the Children's Zoo area, the nurseries, bug house, etc. I ordered some baby wipes for the newborn male gorilla and leashes for the prairie dogs!- I'd love to see the prairie dogs going for a walk
too cute.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:38 am
Mary #7. Please keep the reports coming. We all miss HM and MS. One of these days/years I hope to go there also.
Does anyone have a current figure on how many babies have been born this year? I lost count at 23, what with holidays and a root canal being done. Hopefully it was a banner year even with the massive earthquake and having to move the pandas all around. Since it will probably be years until the wild population is correctly counted that every birth now is more critical than ever.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:44 am
What a great morning of Panda watching. Finally got to see little our new little mr. butterball alone, what a healthy looking little boy he is… Also, for the first time saw Mei and Tian wrestling around, got quite a kick out of that… Then a beautiful site of Bai fast asleep, not a care in the world… her little one must be high up a tree snoozing somewhere….
Look forward to reading more about your trip Mary, and hope you'll direct us to the pictures of our two US Born bears!!!!
The picture of Zhen with this post is absolutly adorable (maybe it will be for sale at the zoo store as a print???).. hint hint….
Have a great day fellow Panda Fans!!!!
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:38 am
Thank you Ellie for all that you you do for the pandas at SD Zoo. It is finally starting to rain here in Seattle also
I know its soon but when will Bai Yun be separting with her cub Zhen Zhen 
I know that it will be a emotional day for all. Very cute picture of Zhen Zhen 
October 2nd, 2008 at 4:52 pm
New Photo Gallery is very nice. However…. Page 13 of Su Lin gallery is Bai Yun.
October 2nd, 2008 at 6:11 pm
I'm telling you — that is one crazy cub! I decided to check on the family before I left work — and there she was — little miss fancy pants in one of her now infamous positions in the tree. Oh, and not exactly the tree — but one of the spindly branches closest to the viewing area. She was literally hanging from her back legs. At one point, when she finally wiggled herself out from the branches she was wedged into, all I could see was her big, fluffy butt and 2 legs dangling. Then the real gymnastics started. Swinging, more dangling, bouncing — you name it — she did it. I was certain she would tumble out any minute. And I swear, at one point she looked directly at the camera like " are you watching this?" The little drama queen. She's hysterical. I just hope she doesn't hurt herself one day — although she's looking especially " fluffy" lately — so I'm guessing she's got enough padding to protect her from some real harm. I'm telling you, she's crazy!
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:25 pm
This evening as Bai Yun was munching away, Miss ZZ was doing some kind of acrobatic walking on teensy branches and leaves–I couldn't tell what was actually holding her up. Don't know if there were people there to see her, but it was more cub wonderfulness for sure.
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:04 pm
Wonderful picture of a wonderful ZZ. I was watching her late this afternoon on the end of a limb, doing acrobatic moves, hanging by her heels, as close to the people as she could get on this limb. It was very close to where the people stand to observe. Well, every minute or so, she then looked into the crowd, upside down, sideways and all kinds of ways making sure everyone saw her. Bai just continued to eat her dinner on the ground, very unconcerned about her daughter out on a limb! I have written to my PBS station asking if they are going to show Panda Tales in the near future. Ther person who answered me said she didn't think so, but it would be brought up for discussion at a producer's meeting. I would like to be a fly on the wall for that conversation! " A year in the life of who? Zsa Zsa? Who? In San Diego? Who cares if Zsa Zsa's in San Diego a month, let alone a year! Oh..Zhen Zhen, the precious Panda! Oh now I get it!!" . All I can do is keep writing emails to PBS I guess. Wish us luck here in Pa.!
October 3rd, 2008 at 7:57 am
Mary from Brooklyn, Thank you - thank you - thank you. I will look forward to the pictures. Blessings to you and all who take care of these special Pandas! Claudia
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:17 am
I love the way ZZ just climbed on Bai so that she could get up into the tree!
On a slightly different note, is the cute baby gorilla on the wishlist page the newest arrival? If so, isn't he just so gorgeous and cuddly.
October 3rd, 2008 at 12:23 pm
I was finally able to see Bai and ZZ eating side-by-side today. So very cute.
Little Boy Butterball at ZA seems to grow with every hiccup — and he constantly has them. Just imagine if they were to do a time-lapse video on him like they do to show how flowers grown and bloom. I would really like to see one based on just a couple days — it would be so amazing. Has any zoo ever done one? Hint - Hint….
October 3rd, 2008 at 2:28 pm
I haven't been able to get on the website much today but everytime little Miss Snoozer seems to be asleep in the trees. Would it be wonderful to be able to go to sleep anywhere.
I also notice Lun Lun is now leaving the cub for longer periods of time now. But he's still growing into a huge butterball.
October 3rd, 2008 at 3:29 pm
It is the cutest thing when Bai and ZZ eat side by side. I agree with Jane #32. I also agree with her that Cubby has the hiccups ALOT. Or maybe what we're seeing are involuntary muscle movements? He's so cute.
October 3rd, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Widget #29–I'm trying to get the stations in NY to show it too. So far, no luck.
October 3rd, 2008 at 5:34 pm
And thanks to the Meerkats for the great views of Bai Yun and Miss ZZ's extended play session with the ball this morning. I think I took a record amount of screenshots.
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Rose N., I was also on the ferret cam this week and saw the note in the den box about Georgia and Peanut, and the update from NZ. Sad to see them leave because I have watched Peanut grow from a very tiny kit the size of a newborn panda cub on June 20 to a full grown, 3 1/2 month old ferret.
The pic of ZZ with the article hanging upside down on a tree branch is a classic, you all! That's the best pic of ZZ yet!!
Any more of these cute pics for us to see? Hope so!
AZ update for today has the cub's weight at 1202 grams; that's a little over 2.5 pounds and getting close to that 3 pound mark! I was on the cam tonite and saw the little fuzzy guy lying on the hay nice and still. Lun would pop into the den to check him out and then check the small window as if she's looking for a treat or something. The cub just layed right there in that spot, and Lun did not disturb him at all. His tail is still a little long, but once he starts that growth spurt, that tail will get shorter as he grows into it!
Well, that's all my news for now. Gonna go and get some rest. Had a busy day today and I'm a little bit tired. Have a busy day tomorrow so I probably won't check the pandacams until the afternoon. Will check in later!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
PS: If you all want to convert grams to pounds, there are 2 sources that you can check on. One is the AZ panda page update for 10/3 (I think). They have written up some weights and measurements with their equivalents. The other source is the one I've been using off and on when I want to convert something. A website call Online Conversion is THE best website to get into to check out what they have on their list of conversions. They have everything on there that you can think of and not think of, and it is very easy to use. Just google Online Conversion, and you should find the website on the list of searches that come up. Have fun, you all!
October 4th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
How does ZZ manage to sleep as she does without falling? It always amazes me to see her on what looks like a flimsy twig.
Been watching the little guy in Atlanta having more hiccups and put the word into a translater. It comes out as e or Ge and stong/vigorous (to relate to his early trials) is Min so he could be Min Ge
or stong hiccup!
October 4th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Hi! Was on the SDZ pandacam and saw Bai eating her dinner boo, and if I'm right, that was ZZ's white back facing the cam on the large tree limb napping. This was around 5:40pm PDT (8:40pm EDT) tonite. Bai was enjoying her food!
Also got on the AZ pandacam and saw the little butterball cub by himself again! Also read AZ's Oct. 4 update for today, and this cub has gained alot of weight! He now weighs in at 1299 grams, and I think that is very close to 3 pounds! Going to that online conversion website to see if I'm right! This little guy has gained 97 grams in 24 hours, you all! He's also trying to move around a little bit. He has accomplished his first physical movement–rolling over (twice)! That reminded me of the first time my son rolled over when he was about 4 months old! The cub is also trying to figure out how all 4 of his little legs work, and there was one nite a couple of nites ago that I noticed something–the cub moved a little bit from one spot to another and was almost out of the cam screen. So, I figured out that he's trying out those legs. Before long, Lun will be working hard to keep up with him once his eyes are opened up and those legs get moving! That will be fun to watch!
This was the first time tonite that I've been able to get on the pandacams.
Well, gonna go and eat some dinner. Will check in later.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
October 4th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Hi, I'm back! Went on the online conversion website to convert grams to pounds on the cub's weight. The cub's weight is 1299 grams=46 ounces=2.8 pounds! That is very close to 3 pounds! By the time the AZ keepers weigh the cub again today or tomorrow, he will be a little over the 3 pound mark! He's growing that fast!
Thought I would get this in for you all in case you were interested in the weight conversions before I forget it.
Later!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
October 5th, 2008 at 8:50 am
I have posted a selection of my China photos at:
www[dot]flickr[dot]com[slash]photoskkshaw43[slash]sets[slash]72157607761557931[slash]
Hope you enjoy them.
October 5th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Hi! Just an update about AZ's little cub. Been on the pandacam a couple of times late today and tonite (Sun., 10/5), and have been watching little butterball laying down on the hay and on the floor being very still and napping while Lun has gone out to eat, drink, go to the " toilet" , and take a short nap away from the cub. They made a correction about yesterday's (Sat., 10/4) weight on the cub. The 1299 grams that they saw was not the right weight because they forgot to subtract the weight of the blanket that the cub was wrapped up in! The actual weight of the cub from yesterday was 1244 grams, and that was about a 50 gram weight increase at that time. Today, the weight of the cub taken from late yesterday is now up to 1298 grams, another 50+ gram weight increase! That weight will make the cub's weight in pounds close to the 3 pound mark. Also, the big milestone is starting to happen! The keepers and vets have noticed that his left eye was starting to open up when they were checking him yesterday. Today, they noticed that his right eye has started to open up, so now both eyes are partially opened. They expect that the cub's both eyes will be fully opened up in another day or two. Lun's little guy is 36 days old, so he's right on target! Look out, Lun! Your baby boy will get a very good chance to see his world and his mom when those eyes are fully opened and focusing good! The next step is when the cub sees where he's at and really starts getting those legs moving because his curiosity will start to kick in! He'll be looking around and thinking," WOW!!! What a big world I'm in! I've got to try and explore this place" ! Now, the real fun starts when we all get on the AZ pandacam to watch this cub start to move on his little legs! The AZ website has also announced that they have raised $12,346.00 so far in their ongoing relief efforts for China after the May earthquake. They have not announced when they will end their fund raising yet, so those of you in the Atlanta area can still make your donations thru them.
Got on the SDZ pandacam tonite, and got a very nice nighttime shot of the enclosure from the C4 cam. Didn't see Bai Yun, but I thought I might have seen little ZZ in the small hammock. It was about 8:25pm PDT your time (11:25 pm EDT) when I got on the cam to see who was on there.
Well, gonna go and get to bed. Have to get up early tomorrow AM!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
October 6th, 2008 at 10:27 am
Well another week is started and the little Chubby cubbie is now 3Pds and 2 oz. in AZ. Bai and ZZ are enjoying their boo together and in the NZ Mei and Tian were having a busy morning rolling around together.
October 6th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Hi, all you pandaholics. Seems as though the season change has brought behavior change to all our pandas. Cooler weather means more active jaunts through the various habitats. It's such fun to watch them " feeling their oats" . I have begun watching Memphis Zoo's pandas, Ya Ya and Le Le; however, I haven't learned the difference between them to know who I am watching. Memphis Zoo's curator says they will post a family tree of their bears later on. (Apparently, lots of people have been asking for it.) Then we can have a good idea of how closely all our loves are related. (I know some of you already have done this research, but it will be nice to have it all on the websites.) As for ZA's little Chubby Cubbie, he weighed in last night at just over 3 pounds! Can you believe it? And his eyes are beginning to open. They grow so fast. It was fun watching Miss ZZ with her bamboo today. She will soon be ready to be weined from Mom. Mary from Brooklyn: I will be logging on to see your pics from China. We are all so envious of you seeing and caring for the bears. I cannot even begin to fathom the emotions of being able to touch and care for HM and MS, and then have to leave them. It brought a lump to my throat just reading about it. You are a very lucky lady. Hope you all have a very good week.
October 6th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Mary from Brooklyn: I tried this link, but flickr.com says it's not a good link. Never connected.
www[dot]flickr[dot]com[slash]photoskkshaw43[slash]sets[slash]72157607761557931[slash]
Any thoughts/suggestions?
October 6th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Mary I also tried that link and it said the somethings as Dianne #45 did. We can not open it up. HELP
October 6th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Mary #41 and Dianne #45–i tried the link, too, but no luck. We can't wait to see them!
October 6th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Suggest searching Flickr site with keyword " Bifengxia" and you'll find lots of recent photos of Hua Mei and Mei Sheng.
41 & 45 - Mary from Brooklyn & Dianne in Texas - There is a slash missing. Just insert a slash between " photos" and " kkshaw43" … should get you there. Nice pictures, Mary.
October 6th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Mary# 41 - Many thanks for sharing your wonderful photos from China. I was happy to see that our sweet Hua Mei and our sweet Mei Sheng are doing well.
Your photos show that our pandas are sharing the same temporary house. I'm assuming that each house has two outside enclosures. Since Mei Sheng hasn't lost his enthusiasm for climbing high up in the trees, (as seen in your photos), is it possible for him to get a glimpse of Hua Mei from his vantage point?
The photo of you with the " squirmy†one-year-old panda is priceless. I think it was having as much fun as you were. That is my dream – to hold a young panda some day
I'm so very happy for you.
October 6th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Mary #41 . Nice panda trip!
Thank you for sharing this moments with us.
I really miss Mei Sheng !
Congratulations SDZ, the new panda page is fantastic!
October 6th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Thanks, Mary! It is so great to see Mei Sheng and Hua Mei living their happy panda lives
Mei looks wonderful and, as you said, " blissed out" in his tree!
October 6th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Thanks, P Wong #48 for the helpful hint on how to access Mary's pictures. And Mary #41–thank you for posting. What a fantastic time you must have had, and I agree with Rose #49–I'd love to hold a squirmy panda any time. Gotta start saving my pennies!
October 6th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Hi! Mary, Brooklyn; saw your pics that you took from your trip in China on flickr, and they were real good! The pics of former SDZ residents, Hua Mei and Mei Sheng, were especially adorable! I know that you enjoyed every minute of it, and you looked like you were in panda heaven while you were holding one of the pandas! Thanks for sharing them with all of us!
Got on the AZ panda page, and their cam was out due to technical problems. The IT guys are working on getting it fixed and back online. Apparently, it happened at around 5pm EDT today according to their note about it. The update was a nice read about animal relationships. Then, the keeper mentioned that the cub weighed in at 1368 grams! The cub hit that 3 pound mark, you all! They also included 2 good pics; one of the cub with his eye open, the other of Lun and her cub on her furry chest.
Well, gonna go! Will check in later!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
October 7th, 2008 at 12:38 am
Thank you so much Ellie for giving us update on what's happening. I watch the panda cam a lot but most of time I'm wondering who I'm watching or what is going on?
Does anyone know who's the one on the black and white hammock eating bamboo passed midnight?
I know it's very expensive to house these pandas, so a big thank you to the San Diego Zoo! I'm seriously considering moving down there so I can see them often.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:13 am
#48 P Wong thank you for the help with Mary's flickr site and the information about Bifengxia. All the pictures were great sure wish I could get there one day.
It's very stressfull for all us panda fans with the camera being down at the AZ and not be able to see the chubby cubbie. But I'm sure Lun Lun is doing a good job with him without our help. LOL
October 7th, 2008 at 8:55 am
This may be a silly question…I have not posted here before but I am curious… Will ZZ and Su Lin be placed together when ZZ leaves Bai (since they are both female) ?
October 7th, 2008 at 9:43 am
Good morning, pandafans! Just writing to let you know that the AZ pandacam is still in repair mode. The cam techs there are working very hard to get this pandacam back online as soon as possible. So, be patient, ok? The update today was short but informative about Lun Lun spending more than an hour outside the den having her " me time" away from her cub. The cub has been very good, was quiet, and was napping the whole time Lun was out. The weight on the cub from late yesterday was 1409 grams, an increase of over 40 grams.
Got on the NZ cam earlier this morning, and saw Mei Xiang by the doors sniffing a square silver pan on cam one, and Tai Shan on cam two napping. Tai had his major physical and the vets said that he was a very healthy boy. He did have some inflammation of his esophagous that's similar to acid reflux in people and was given some meds to relieve that problem. He's eating his boo and biscuits with gusto! There is a very nice update from the NZ panda keepers from Oct. 1 for all of us to read.
On the SDZ cam, saw Su Lin eating her breakfast boo. Also noticed a new article for us to read. Will get to that later on.
Not much else for now. Still celebrating my baseball team's success in the playoffs! Will check back later!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
October 7th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
#54, Faye — On the Panda Cam page, there is a section entitled " Which Panda Am I Watching." Under that you can see who is on which cam by corresponding the number with the number on the cam picture. However, they have not updated it recently, and it is now Gao Gao on C 1,2,3 — not Su Lin. Su & Gao are rotated. Chances are, it was ZZ on the black & white hammock. Although Bai Yun does climb, she doesn't get up too far, and I don't think I've ever seen her in the hammock. You must be new to this blog. Welcome and enjoy!
October 7th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Rose N #49
Each temporary panda house in Bifengxia has two indoor enclosures, and each enclosure leads to its own outdoor yard. Hua Mei and Mei Sheng are in separate panda houses located side-by-side. Hua Mei's " housemate" is Hai Zi and Mei Sheng's " housemate" is Le Sheng. When Mei Sheng climbs up his tree, he has a clear view of Hua Mei's outdoor yard.
I volunteered in Bifengxia in August and have an article published in the Pandas International newsletter:
www[dot]pandasinternational[dot]org[slash]newsletter[dot]html
October 7th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
It took this old soul a bit of time, but I finally got to see some of Mary's pictures of " baby boy" . It was thrilling and he really looks good. Will try again when my eyes are not clouded with tears. Thank you Mary from Brooklyn from my heart! Blessings, Claudia
October 8th, 2008 at 1:07 am
Priceless pictures, Mary. You and the 'wriggly one' is marvellous - you're going to treasure that moment forever, I bet. And Mei Sheng - well, being the silly sausage I am it made me cry, but in a good way. Thanks Mary.
October 8th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Hi Chet #59 - Many thanks for answering my question. This makes clear where " our pandas†are located. Now I can visualize their temporary surroundings. It gave me a nice warm feeling knowing that Hua Mei and Mei Sheng are neighbors. Perhaps and/or possibly, on occasion, they will notice and vocalize to one another
Your article in the August "08 Pandas International newsletter is an excellent read. It is very informative. It presents many insights in the care of pandas that I never would have known. I also love the pictures they really help when I try to visualize what's going on in Bifengxia. God Bless you for your dedication and caring and God Bless all the people from Wolong who left their families so that they could care for the pandas whose lives also have been greatly disrupted.
October 8th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
I have been 'under the weather' for a few days with the Texas Crud. (That's allergies from Mountain Cedar, Fall Elm, mold, and ragweed, which all seem to descend on Central Texas in October.) So I haven't been communicating very well lately. Mary from Brooklyn: Your pictures are wonderful…very poignant. Thanks to P Wong for the clue to get to the site. I am afraid I would be emotionally overwhelmed if I were to do what you did. I am very connected to the wonders of the outdoors, particularly beautiful mountains, such as in Bifengxia, Chengdu and Wolong (remembering pictures I have seen). I might not be able to leave such a place so beautiful; and then there are the Giant Pandas to hold me there! I also read the newsletter by Chet from Malaysia. It sounds amazing. You are a wonderful panda-person, for the dedication and love in your heart for these beautiful, noble creatures. God bless you and your family. (I will be making a donation to the memory of Mao Mao. I hope they have found a suitable T-shirt for her memory.)
November 22nd, 2008 at 3:54 pm
that pic is cute but sad in a way!!!!!!!!!