Welcome Back, Bai Yun!
Posted at 6:44 am December 6, 2005 by Suzanne HallSome of you astute Panda Cam watchers may have noticed something unusual yesterday morning. Mei Sheng suddenly appeared to have morphed into a larger bear, with slightly different features. No, we aren't feeding our bears a special formula to make them bulk up for the winter… that was Bai Yun, enjoying a few hours out in Mei Sheng's old exhibit!
We are currently making an effort to see if Bai Yun is ready to return to the spotlight, where she would be on exhibit to greet her admiring fans daily. She's had quite a long hiatus, and is still nurturing a cub in her birthing den, so we are moving slowly so as to ensure her comfort. For the first few days, she has access from the birthing den down to that exhibit, and she can move freely back and forth at her whim. This allows her to reacquaint herself with the flashbulbs and noises from the crowd of guests at the panda facility, while offering her the chance to take breaks behind the scenes. She also needs to check out her new exhibit in a relaxed setting: it's been a long time since she was there, and Mei Sheng's scent and the recent renovations could be stressful for her. However, given the chance to acclimate on her terms, Bai Yun will likely adjust to the changes with ease.
After staff confirms that she seems sufficiently relaxed, the next step we are likely to take is to put the cub in a den found in the bedroom adjacent to that lower exhibit. This area is still not visible to the public. If you have been watching recently, you know that the cub still spends most of her time in the birthing den- by her and Bai Yun's choice- and we therefore do not want to remove the cub from a den at this time. Instead, we will relocate her to the new den, where she can remain tucked away until such time that Bai Yun or Su Lin make the determination that a den is no longer needed. At that point, the cub will move freely on her own out into the exhibit space, and may use the lair we built for shelter during the day.
This means that the timing for Su Lin making her public debut is placed into the capable paws of Bai Yun and her offspring. When that cub will tumble out of the bedroom onto exhibit should be a surprise to us as well as to you!
Gao Gao currently remains on exhibit next door to Bai Yun (though the howdy door is closed), and Mei Sheng has been moved to the off exhibit classroom area. We may rotate the boys from time to time so that they all have a chance to greet their admirers. It's also possible that, in order to keep Bai Yun comfortable, we will pull both boys to the back and allow Bai Yun and Su Lin to have both of the public exhibits. You'll have to be on your toes to keep up with the changes at the panda facility over the next few weeks!
Suzanne Hall is the panda research technician for the San Diego Zoo's Office of Giant Panda Conservation.
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December 6th, 2005 at 7:23 am
You mentioned Bai Yun needs to get used to the camera flashes….I was wondering about that. Poor Tai has flashes going off all day at him. He seems to sit facing away from the viewing glass in his exhibit. Do you think it is to avoid the constant flashes? Why don't you and NZ ask people not to use them?
December 6th, 2005 at 7:42 am
Thanks for your recent updates.
Do you happen to have a visual map of the panda research station to show us? I have never been to San Diego, and I'd be interested in seeing how all the off-exhibit areas and exhibit areas are physically interconnected.
December 6th, 2005 at 7:54 am
Thanks for the update Suzanne. With all this moving around, I'm sure to be confused as I can be. There seems to be an enormous amount of planning that goes on behind the scenes to make sure that all bears are unstressed and happy! I need an " overhead map view" of the whole panda exhibit in order to understand where all these areas are and how they " interlink" with one another! Is there such a map available? Keep up the good work, and we'll all just try to figure out who is who and where!
December 6th, 2005 at 8:19 am
Thank you so much Suzanne for all your wonderful updates! You answer our questions even before they are asked. Your love and pride in these wonderful-magical creatures comes through in all that you say. We are proud of all of you who work so hard to ensure that the stress of change is minimized for Bai Yun and Su Lin and the fact that you leave the important decisions up to Mom. I know that all of us out here cherish and hold dear each moment we peek into the den and see precious Su Lin and Bai Yun playing or cuddling in sleep. I think it is therapy for us all to start the day or go to sleep with those visions that just seem to wash away our worries and stress. It would be wonderful to be there on the day that Su Lin makes her " debut" ! Thank you again for all that you do. Luv to All, Judy J
December 6th, 2005 at 8:49 am
Things sure do move fast at the Panda House! I just had to comment that I got a hand-over-my-mouth laugh a few minutes ago looking at Tai Shan at the NZ Panda Cam. He was climbing all over the rockwork in the indoor exhibit and he looked like an unruly black and white shag carpet…..too funny! I apologize that I am posting about that " other bear" in what may be the first response to today's new SDZ panda blog, but it could not be ignored.
December 6th, 2005 at 8:59 am
It looks like Bai Yun is blocking Su Lin from going into the den!
December 6th, 2005 at 9:27 am
Re #1–I'm so glad you mentioned the flashes at the NZ–I thought it was my imagination. It seems like it would be so annoying and stressful for the pandas to have to face that all day.
Thank you for the information on Bai Yun. Su Lin is so adorable, but Bai Yun is so endearing to watch–with her patient mothering skills, playfulness, and just all-around big beauty. I just love seeing her handsome head and back in the den.
December 6th, 2005 at 10:21 am
As usual Suzanne, thanks so much for the great update. I finally caught little Su Lin playing with mom just a little while ago. Every time I check in she seems to be sleeping. It was soooo cute. I do have a question though, is it normal that Su is so much less active than Tai in Washington. They're only 3 1/2 weeks apart but our little one seems so much less active than her cousin. Is this a concern? Well, give both our ladies a big kiss for me, and thanks for everything!!!!!!
Jeannie
December 6th, 2005 at 10:45 am
The more I adore Tai and Su, the more I madly love Mei and Bai. I'm beyond words to describe the love and care of these 2 mamas towards their rapidly growing cubs. Their patience is unphathomable…Now I wish they'd stop growing so we could enjoy their cuteness forever.
December 6th, 2005 at 11:37 am
This morning Bai Yun was in the den holding Su Lin in the most tenderest of ways! Bai Yun is an incredible Mommy! She was as loving and caring with Hua Mei then Mei Sheng as she is now with the precious Su Lin!
Mei Xiang over at the National Zoo is also a great Mommy to rambunctious Tai Shan:) It's her first cub and she's absolutely wonderful with him!
I'm so glad we get to watch these two babies growing though I wish they'd stay just the way they are forever because they are sooooooooooo cute!!!!!
Can't say thank you enough to the staff at both zoos for doing such a fantastic job in caring for these bears and for sharing them with the world!
December 6th, 2005 at 12:38 pm
Hi, Comment on the flashes, they don't seem to notice/or don't care. I got to see Tai Shan the day before Thanksgiving (I was very thankful). He was asleep and didn't seem to notice. I took pictures with and without the flash and the ones with the flash are by far much better. I don't think they turn their backs to avoid the flashes though. I think that ALL pandas do that to annoy the people who are trying to take their picture. They must teach the young this at an early age. " Turn your back on the humans and you'll get the greatest laugh. They get so annoyed. Try not to roll over laughing though or they might figure out our joke!"
December 6th, 2005 at 12:56 pm
Suzanne, I agree with everyone's kudos for your excellent plan. BUT does that lower exhibit den have a panda cam? If not, can you ensure one is installed? (As well as one with a view of the lair.) You don't want to cause pandamaniac withdrawal symptoms!
December 6th, 2005 at 1:07 pm
What a pleasure it was this morning to see Bai Yun out in her old enclosure. She seemed totally at ease and was munching on her bamboo breakfast oblivious to us all. I can't wait until Su Lin will be joining her there!
December 6th, 2005 at 2:31 pm
I sure hope that Su Lin will be out on public display soon, I arrive in CA for 3 weeks holiday next week and I am praying she will be out before I return to the U.K., it would be such a shame to miss her. Great updates as always Suzanne, keep up the great work!
December 6th, 2005 at 2:36 pm
Thank you very much for explaining all the changes in the exhibit. I thought I was losing my mind there for a minute! I've also lost most of my memory….so it would be helpful if there was a way that you could change the list of cameras on the Cam Page. Thanks again for all you do for those wonderful Pandas & all of us Pandamaniacs.
Connie from Michigan
December 6th, 2005 at 3:53 pm
Nice stick-handling by Su Lin a short while ago!
December 6th, 2005 at 4:30 pm
I WENT TO FONZ TO SEE THE LITTLE GUY A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO…HE WAS ASLEEP!!!!! BUT I GOT TO SEE ALL THE AREAS THAT THEY PUT ON THE CAM…SO I CAN NOW IDENTIFY… ALMOST ALL OF IT IS INDOORS… AND THOSE INDIVIDUAL DOORS NEED TO BE OPENED BY THE STAFF FOR MEI TO COME AND GO… I'M SURE OUR LITTLE GIRL PLAYS…WE SEE SO MUCH MORE BECAUSE OF THEIR CAMERAS…I THINK…JUST TO LET YOU KNOW, AND I LIVE IN CALIFORNIA NOT MORE THAN 2 HOURS FROM THE ZOO… I AM GOING BACK TO D.C. FOR THREE DAYS OF WHICH I HAVE TICKETS FOR 2 DIFFERENT TIMES…HOPEFULLY IN THE SHORT 10 MINUTES HE WILL BE ACTIVE AND I CAN SEE HIS FACE…I STILL THINK THESE 2 BABIES SHOULD BE TOGETHER IN THE US AND PRODUCE A BABY OR 2… I'LL LET YOU KNOW HOW THIS TRIP GOES…(AM I CRAZY???) NOPE JUST DETERMINED.. AND YES THEY BOTH HAVE GREAT MOMS…AND YES THEY ARE SO LOVING TO THEIR BABIES..SPECIAL THAT WE CAN SEE THIS…..
December 6th, 2005 at 6:28 pm
Jennifer (#12),
Not to worry, the lower den and surrounding area are equipped with cameras too. We need them to continue to observe the activities for research and management purposes.
December 6th, 2005 at 6:54 pm
Su Lin really enjoyed playing with that bamboo stick! She seems stronger and determined to make it do what she wants. Of course, it wore her out so she had to nap for a short time. She looks like she'll soon be ready to tackle her larger world. (;-)
Hopefully, there will be enough Panda Cams in the new areas so we can continue to enjoy what is happening with our favorite black and white (and pink) friends.
December 6th, 2005 at 8:34 pm
Su Lin seems to be a little homebody; I often see her sitting at the doorway of the den looking into the bedroom where she could easily go, but she seems content to just sit and look out - except when she's squirming and playing and doing her acrobatics, or when she's sleeping. I was watching when she was in the bedroom briefly this afternoon, and she soon walked back into the den; at first I thought it was another tunnel and she was exploring but, no, it turned out she went back to that familiar place, " home."
I've tried to watch Tai at NZ, but the quality of the picture I get is so poor I can hardly figure out what I'm seeing; anyone have any tips about something I might need to do that I'm not doing to get a clear image on their panda cam? I log onto the NZ website, then click on the link to the panda cam, and what I see is like an old black & white TV picture using rabbit-ears - it even has ghosts. I'd love to see the little guy in action, not just his still photos.
Suzanne and all the Panda Team, thanks for all you do for these cuddly critters and for us pandamaniacs!
December 7th, 2005 at 12:30 am
Just wanted to congratulate SDZ on your decision to let Bai Yun choose when Su Lin is ready to meet her public. Thanks, SDZ, for letting Bai Yun take the lead!
December 7th, 2005 at 7:25 am
Oh my gosh! Su Lin is not only adorable, endearing and enchanting but also adventurous! What a thrill it was to see her walking (very well I might add) out of the den and across the floor and back again while Mom was keeping an eye on her and contentedly eating her bamboo breakfast. I hope that this eases the minds of those who were worried about her progress. I plan to enjoy every bit of her Panda babyhood as much as I can for now she is going to grow by leaps and bounds! You know how toddlers are–they have to investigate everything! How will I ever get anything done now? I hope lots of other Panda lovers were able to watch what I saw. With Love to Amazing Bai Yun–Precious Su Lin–and all of you who keep them healthy, happy and secure..Judy J
December 7th, 2005 at 10:16 am
Heather (#20), I wouldn't say that my picture is as bad as you are describing but the lights aren't on in the den so it always looks black & white. When they go out into the enclosures you can see color. But also try clicking above the zoo's cam and go to Animal Planet's cam. They are using the same feed as cam 1 but it is much clearer. Still not perfect but better.
December 13th, 2005 at 10:03 pm
I just have to tell you this panda cam is the most wonderful thing I've ever seen. Tonight I saw Bai Yun playing with her sweet little Su Lin, what truly wonderful, beautiful animals these are. Thank you for making it possible for me to see into their lives, I would never have known how very precious they are to our world without you.
September 26th, 2006 at 9:49 am
But that is all part of life.