Wolong: Will Fei Fei Find a Mate?
Posted at 12:53 pm April 1, 2008 by Jennifer Keating
It is 7:30 pm and all the keepers have returned to the Breeding Center here in Wolong, China, in hopes of finding a mate for Fei Fei, a female giant panda (pictured). Fei Fei has spent the last week being introduced to Lu Lu and Wu Gang (males). An introduction involves a male being kept in his indoor enclosure while the female is let into the male’s outdoor exhibit. The female will now have the opportunity to walk about the exhibit and investigate the male’s scent. Once the female has checked out every inch of the exhibit, she will start to bleat or chirp if she finds the scent to her liking. If the female is not interested, she will happily sit down and begin eating the male’s bamboo.
We begin the evening by doing an introduction between Fei Fei and Wu Gang. There is very little bleating and chirping, but it is early in the evening and not everyone is warmed up. The keepers decide to have a short introduction between Fei Fei and Ling Ling. Ling Ling (male) arrived the day before from Wolong’s other facility. He takes one look at Fei Fei and climbs to the highest point in his indoor enclosure. This happens to be a metal basket that we call the “panda hammock.” Ling Ling sits there hoping Fei Fei will go away if he is perfectly quiet and still. Because there is no chance that Ling Ling will come down from his panda hammock, Fei Fei is taken back to Wu Gang’s exhibit.
Things have progressed in the evening, and Fei Fei and Wu Gang are bleating and chirping constantly. The keepers are now put on standby. Several of them are up on the roof with extremely long bamboo poles. Next to each of these keepers are piles of apples to be put on the end of the poles just in case the pandas decide to fight instead of breed. The head keeper gives the “go” signal and Wu Gang is literally let out of the gate. Unfortunately, to Wu Gang’s surprise, Fei Fei doesn’t really like him. She turns very aggressive and barks at him to the point that he is running to the other end of the exhibit. A keeper opens a side gate and he runs out as fast as possible.
Now, Lu Lu has been pacing inside his den hoping that he will have his chance with Fei Fei. She is moved into his outdoor exhibit and signs are looking good for breeding. The keepers on the roof relocate, taking their bamboo and apples with them. Once in position, Lu Lu is let out of the gate. There is no question that he is ready to breed and the two of them get straight to business. Immediately after breeding, Fei Fei tries to go after Lu Lu with her right paw and barks very loudly. Before Lu Lu has a chance to fight back, there is a floating apple right between his eyes, and he is completely distracted. As Lu Lu eats the floating apples, Fei Fei is moved back into her exhibit and everyone begins to celebrate!
Response from Comments:
Many of you have asked about Mei Sheng and if I have seen him. Before I arrived in Wolong, Mei Sheng had already been moved to another facility belonging to the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda. He is too young for breeding and they needed every inch of space for breeding season. Hua Mei (pictured) is here and doing great. Her cubs are playing in the kindergarten area with all the other cubs from last year.
Jennifer Keating is working in Wolong, China as a research scientist for the San Diego Zoo. Read her previous blog, Early Mornings in Wolong.
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April 1st, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Thanks Jennifer for the interesting blog. It seems like Fei Fei is a fickled female. I would have loved to see the excitement as she chased him out of the yard. Why is it that apples always seem to do the trick. I read you blog to my friends and they found it quite amusing. I know that all this is serious business and thank you for taking the time to inform us as to what is going on. I also am glad to hear that Hua Mei is doing fine as are her babies. I saw pictures of the kindergarten ceremony as the babies went in, also they showed pics of the 8 pandas that are going to Beijing, Again thanks for the information
April 1st, 2008 at 2:44 pm
The waiting game begins now as to if the mating was successful or not. I hope that it was and look forward to hearing about her pregnancy and then a safe birth of a healthy cub (or two).
It amazes me how female pandas show if they are interested in the male that they are introduced to. Love the fact that if she isn’t how she will go eat his bamboo (lol).
Thank you for letting us know about Mei Sheng. Do they hope that he will be old enough to breed next year?. What a shame that he couldn’t have stayed at SDZ for another year.
Enjoy your stay in Wolong Jennifer.
April 1st, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Guess Fei Fei liked Batchelor #3 the best!
Hope it is a successful breeding resulting in an adorable panda cub or two..
April 1st, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Wow. Must have been so interesting and fun. Thanks for the informative write-up. However, you did not say whether you successfully captured or recorded the vocalizations (LOL). Thanks for news on Mei Sheng and Hua Mei. Looking forward to “hearing” more from you.
April 1st, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Thank you for the article, Jennifer. The process of attempting to get pandas to pro-create is amazing.
I was absolutely tickled with the ‘apple’ treat for Lu Lu. Seemed like a consumate Adam/Eve moment panda style.
Thanks for writing.
April 1st, 2008 at 4:19 pm
I am a little confused. He was sent to breed so apparently he was ready to breed. Do we know because of his fight with the others that he wasn’t ready? I have been reading on flicker that he will be with the older pandas for a year and one is his grandfather! Wish he could have stayed in the states until he was 5. Hate to see Tia Shan go through this in a few years.
April 1st, 2008 at 4:25 pm
What a great article for us, Jennifer! Thanks for taking the time to write to us. It was very interesting how fickle she could be.
The picture of Hua Mei is gorgeous, of course! She was my first panda cub to watch and I’ll never forget having to ship her off! She has been a wonderful addition to their mating success there!
We look forward to hearing from you again. I’m SO envious!!!!
April 1st, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Jennifer -It’s too bad such a serious business sounds so funny - it’s hard to imagine a large male running away from a female. Fei Fei knew who she liked - & thank heaveb for apples - let’s hope this produces a cubbie or 2.
#6 Mary Sue - agree with you about Mei Sheng - why was he sent to Wolong in the first place??? And I also don’t want my beloved Tai Shan having to go the same things.
April 1st, 2008 at 5:23 pm
well that answers my question, no snuggle or a smoke after eh…and it seems to be a girl think too. i like it that the boys are so easily distracted. thank you for the info
April 1st, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Fascinating. As with most species, the female eventually makes her choice.
April 1st, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Thank you for the info on Mei Sheng and the photo of the beautiful Hua Mei. Please try to get more info on Mei Sheng — he was the panda who created this obsession with pandas for me. And I agree, too bad he could not have stayed at SDZ until he was old enough to breed.
April 1st, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Has Hua Mei been bred? And to whom?
April 2nd, 2008 at 12:51 am
Thanks for this great article Jennifer. My favourite bit has to be where Ling Ling couldn’t get into the panda hammock fast enough, poor thing!! And the vision of all those keepers with apples on poles makes me smile. Mind you, just as well they were there - they were needed. I can imagine I’m there while reading this.
Great to hear about Mei Sheng and Hue Mei looks so lovely.
April 2nd, 2008 at 9:36 am
To my fellow pandaholics who seemed so concerned over why Mei Sheng had to go back to China - don’t you think it’s better he go back a season or two before breeding so he gets a chance to acclimate himself to his new home and keepers? Or would you rather plunk him down in strange surroundings and expect him to perform on command? SDZ has plenty of other pandas, and keeping Mei Sheng any longer would have made things a bit crowded. I know my heart will break when Tai Shan goes back, but I hope by then there will be a new cub at NZ to take his place. I feel we are very lucky in the US to have so many pandas at the various zoos and I think China is doing a great job protecting their national treasure. Please remember the goal is to save an endangered species, not provide amusement for zoogoers & camwatchers.
Speaking of Tai Shan, I am watching him frolic outdoors today, running about, doing acrobatics in the tree - just having a grand old time. He really seems to love being outdoors, as do the SDZ juvenile pandas. Like many of you, I am saddened by the limited habitat that Mei Lan has to enjoy at ZA.
April 2nd, 2008 at 11:40 am
Carole #12, Hua Mei has had three sets of twins, the latest were born last year. If you click on Hua Mei picture next to the panda cam it will tell you on there. I have seen photos of her cubs i think it was on flickr.
April 2nd, 2008 at 11:44 am
Moderator do you know what has happened to the photos of the Pandas past and present next to the panda cam?. The cam seems to have spread over them and some of the photos i.e. Hua Mei have gone.
Moderator’s note: We noticed that, too, and will get to work fixing it.
April 2nd, 2008 at 11:59 am
I enjoyed reading your informative and very entertaining report on the mating interactions between Fei Fei and her three suitors. I am thrilled she took a fancy to one of them and hope to hear reports of a cub in the future. Please continue updating us with your vivid descriptions of the goings on at the Wolong facility.
April 2nd, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Jennifer, thanks especially for the “official” news on Mei Sheng, and about Hua Mei. We really enjoyed your vivid account of the introductions and breeding attempts with Fei Fei. Interesting that it is done at night. With such a short time for estrus, time is obviously of the essence (pun intended).
We look forward to hearing more. Is Hua Mei going to be bred again this year? If so, it will be interesting to see if her body allows her to get pregnant again with twins in two successive years as in 2004 & 2005, or if her body will take a year off as it did in 2006.
Either way, she is still beautiful, and as Angie described, she is much beloved in Wolong by her keepers as she was as a cub in SD.
April 2nd, 2008 at 2:31 pm
As I recall, Hua Mei delivered twins in 2004, 2005 and 2007 and took 2006 off. I was fortunate enough to “meet” the first set during a 2004 visit to Wolong. Has she been bred this year? And to whom? I know it is early in the breeding season.
April 2nd, 2008 at 2:32 pm
i wouldn’t worry about mei lan…she is such a pistol and the zoo atlanta staff takes wonderful care of yang lun and mei…the weather isn’t as pandariffic in atlanta as it is in other locations but one acclimates
April 2nd, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Just returned from the zoo and turned on the panda cam — Su Lin is sleeping at the top of her hollow tree. She looks so peaceful and beautiful. This morning she put on quite a performance. It lasted about 20 minutes during which she performed aerial acrobatics hang from two legs, then one leg while trying to tear branches from the tree. She also did several spectacular dismounts and then came directly to the glass of enclosure pressing her nose against the glass to look directly into the eyes of the spectators as if to say, “What did you think of that? How about a round of applause?”
April 2nd, 2008 at 5:20 pm
How about some info on Mei Sheng? Is he okay? Was he injured at all???
Thanks!
April 2nd, 2008 at 6:03 pm
#14 Sharon - it’s not that Mei Sheng had to return to China - our question is after arriving back at Wolong among a hero’s welcome & being told he was doing well only to hear through the panda grape vine he escaped from his enclosure & got into a fight with another panda and now supposedly there is no room for him at Wolong. If there was no room, why was he sent there in the first place & why can’t we get an official statement from China about the whole episode. Look how long it took for them to announce the panda released into wild was killed in a fight.
Regarding Lani in Atlanta - The staff there does a great job of moving the pandas from one area to another. I think their outdoor exhibit is bigger than it looks - it’s just we don’t get to see Lani exploring the area. When I saw her today she was laying FLAT on her back happily munching bamboo.
More strange info about Taiwan & the pandas - I read yesterday that a court says Taiwan WILL NOT ACCEPT THE PANDAS FROM CHINA because of political differences—the battle goes on.
April 2nd, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Several of you have asked about Mei Sheng and his breeding status. While female pandas mature and can give birth at about age 5, males usually take a little longer. This is likely due to the complex behavioral requirements of the mating process. As such, Mei Sheng may be ready to breed next year, but may also need a few more years to fully mature… we’ll have to wait and see.
He returned to China after age 3 as per the terms of our loan agreement with China, worked out many years before his birth.
April 2nd, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Well, it looks like Fei Fei is a very picky girl when it comes to boyfriends! Apparently, Lu Lu was the one she liked the best, and like the rest of us, I’m hoping that she will have a baby panda soon. I also read on Atlanta zoo’s website on their panda updates that there have been several AI’s done on some female pandas in the last week or so at Wolong where one of AZ’s communication researchers is at right now. He’s studying communication behavior of pandas there. So, it looks like the breeding season at Wolong is in full swing! Thanks Jennifer for letting us know about Mei Sheng and Hua Mei. Sounds like they are doing pretty well there. If you can do it, try to get some pics of Hua Mei’s kids and send them up to SDZ for them to get on the website! We would love to see those pics! You didn’t say anything about how Wolong and Chengdu panda centers have been doing with all the unrest about Tibet in Sichuan Province, and about how you have been doing with all of that going on. Looks like everything is ok so far, but we would all like to know how things really are over there. When you get a chance to write your blog, please give us an idea of how things are going with you in China. Haven’t heard too much more about the Tibet issue in the last few days, but I know that it’s still a simmering issue with the Chinese and Tibetan people right now. The main thing is that the pandas at both facilities are safe and far enough away from all of the turmoil.
Paula, I’m with you about Mei Lan. She’s doing just fine. I’ve seen her on Atlanta Zoo’s website a few times, and she’s either walking around, sleeping, or eating her bamboo. The weather in Atlanta has not been the best lately, but all 3 pandas there are pretty good at adjusting to temperature changes in April.
Nothing yet about Atlanta’s Lun Lun as to her estrus levels yet, and no new updates about Ya Ya in Memphis either. Still waiting on those two lady pandas to give the panda keepers and vets at both zoos some signs on their estrogin and progestin levels, and when they will be showing signs of estrus. Mei Xiang at National has finally settled back into her regular routine after her AI procedure. Her estrogin level is going down and her progestine level is slowly going up. (There’s a chart on National Zoo website on the panda page.) The vets at National have determined that Mei Xiang definitely ovulated on March 19, and that’s when they did the 2 AI procedures on Mei Xiang. It’s always a waiting game with female pandas during breeding season, isn’t it?
Well, gonna go and check panda cam, then go to bed for the nite. It’s 1:30am EDT here in Florida!
Give my love to Bai and ZZ!!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
April 2nd, 2008 at 10:45 pm
More about our zoos - The Smithsonian NZ is tax funded, plus they had MAMMOTH DONATION ($15-17 million) BY FUGI to build their new new Fugi exhibit which includes the new panda area but other areas for other animals. ZA & Memphis are dependent on their visitors, I also think that while SDz can house up to 6 pandas & is the the preimer breeding zoo, they are also depend on their sponsors & visitors. This is one of the reasons why several zoos are questioing the high cost of “renting a panda”
April 3rd, 2008 at 10:22 am
Chari #25 if you look on the Wolong panda club web site they have pics of all the babies born in 2007. Two of them are Hua Mei ’s but I don’t know which ones they are. They had their annual transfer from the nursery to the panda kindergarten ceremony. also they have pics of the 8 pandas that are going to Beijing. The pics all are great to look at and the cubbies are just to cute
April 3rd, 2008 at 10:25 am
Thank you Jennifer for your interesting blog. I can just picture the action! Enjoy your stay in Wolong and treasure your days with the pandas. Thank you also, Suzanne, for your comments on Mei Sheng.
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Thanks Suzanne for the panda up date on Mei Sheng and the breeding. I’m so glad you explained about the sexual maturity age, as i was under the impression from what i’ve read from different sources that Mei Sheng was actually of breeding age. I didn’t know that the females are ready to breed at five years of age and the males can take longer, just shows how like us they are doesn’t it?
I hope that we can get to see Mei Shengs cubs. One thing we all know is that they will be fantastic cubs. Mei Sheng has amazing parents, Bai Yun is a fantastic mother who knows how to raise her babies. Gao Gao is one very handsome panda. Their cubs have had a good start in life and that includes all the care given by the staff at SDZ, they are a credit to both panda parents and SDZ.
April 3rd, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Zhen Zhen is enjoying a feeding session with Bai Yun at the moment. Long time since i witnessed those special moments. Still makes me go awwwwwwwwwwww
April 3rd, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Carol #21
What time were you watching Su Lin on the 2nd? We were at the Zoo and MISSED the show!!!
Timing is everything!
April 3rd, 2008 at 5:04 pm
I read today that 8 pandas from Wolong are being readied to go to Beijing for the Olympics. Described by staff as “well-mannered, lively, mentally healthy and easy going”, the lucky winners were four females - Cuicui, Duoduo, Meixin and Fengyi - and four males - Taotao, Langlang, Huanhuan and Fuwa. Is one of these one of Hua Mei ’s? Seems that someone mentioned that one her cubs would be one of those chosen.
April 3rd, 2008 at 5:13 pm
# 31 Bobbie - it’s too bad the SZD doesn’t have pandas cams throughout the zoo - that way if you saw something going on you could hurry back to the exhibit - I think I read that the Vienna Zoo has that available-so frustrating to stand in line & then miss the fun by a few minutes.
April 3rd, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Bobbie #31
It was between 9:15 and 10 am.
April 3rd, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Hey, Barbara (#27)! Thanks for the info! I do try to get on the Wolong panda club every once in awhile. I’ll get on it later on tonite and check those pics out. I also get on the panda cams on that website. I usually like to get on the Wolong cams at nite here in the states when it is daytime in China. Then, I can see some of those cute pandas eating, sleeping, or playing.
Gonna go and check out SDZ’s panda cam to see who’s in the spotlite tonite! BYE!!!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
April 3rd, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Thanks Jennifer for the vivid description, hope to read your next story very soon.
When I read that Ling Ling is such a picky male, I am very proud of Hua Mei, she made him fall in love with her and fathered her very first set of twins, the 2 boys are named after their parents: Hua Ling and Mei Ling. About 2-3 years ago the first boy Hua Ling beat down others and was chosen to go (oh well, pending) to Taiwan with his girl friend, at that time this young couple was renamed as Tuan Tuan (Hua Ling) and Yuan Yuan by online voting from the event.
Those who would like to take a look at Hua Mei’s third set of twins (2 boys: Hua Long, Hua Ao. Long means dragon, Ao means Olympics) can check anitalee’s photos on Flickr. There you can also find Dadi who is Bai Yun’s younger brother, see if they look alike.
By the way, i totally agree with Sharon #14 on the views of Mei Sheng. Some of you asked why Mei Sheng was sent to Wolong where there was no room for him in the breeding season, well, all the top crew of vets are in Wolong breeding center so Mei can be very well cared for if any slightest thing goes wrong in his first months of adaption to chinese climate and food. And we know that he didn’t get hurt and he’s now living in Bifengxia where is also a part of bigger Wolong.
I understand we love Mei so much that it’s hard to let him go, but… think of a beautiful picture — Mei is a proud dad with all his children big and small wrestling around, while Mei is following his dad’s footsteps, bamboo-shredder the junior.
April 3rd, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Fellow pandaholics, for more gorgeous pictures of Wolong cubs born in 2007, check out ‘news dot sohu dot com slash 2008pandaname’, the first 2 on first row are Hua Mei’s twins, be sure to click on the pictures to get more bigger photos.
The site is in chinese, there’s a brief description of them:
Hua Long: very gentle, playful, friendly and curious.
Hua Ao: very active, lots of antics.
April 4th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Dear Carole #34 and Maureen #33,
It is all about timing
I wrote of our 4/2 adventure at the SDZ…it’s in the prior blog area:) We giot down to the pandas later than on prior trips because we went down thru Fern Canyon and then into the Ituri forest, both of which are fabulous as well 
April 4th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Note the news on the pandacam website — snow days for pandas on Wednesday, April 30. That should be great fun for pandas and spectators.
April 4th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Yahooo a snow day for the bears… It’s on my calendar… ummm, any idea what time? sorry, just don’t want to miss it….. I’ll be at work, but priorities “the bears and snow” don’t ya know….
Moderator’s note: There should be snow by 9 a.m. on Wednesday, April 30.
April 4th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Hey Chari (#35)…How do I get to the Wolong web site to see the pandas there. Every time I try it doesn’t seem to work and I know I am missing so much going on there.
Also, does anybody know why we don’t seem to get any updates from the Memphis Zoo? The last one I found was from February.
Back to watching the pandas…what better way to end a looong week.
Donna in Port Richey, FL
April 4th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Okay - how do you “make” snow in SD in late April - if you’d done it earlier we could have shipped you some here from Michigan - we’ve had enough this year to last 3-4 winters. Will be watching - thanks for that news.
April 4th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Tammy #37 - Many thanks for sharing the site showing the Wolong cubs born in 2007. Hua Mei’s twins are so sweet and adorable.
As you mentioned, clicking on the photo enlarges the picture, and also shows the same cub in a different pose. They are all so precious.
I especially like the photos of the pandas enjoying the snow. Loved the photo of one twin licking the snow from his paw - very cute. Also, thank you for translating the names of Mei’s twins - I’m certain they fit them perfectly.
We’re all looking forward to Snow Day on Wed. April 30th!
April 5th, 2008 at 10:32 am
I’ll bet the bears are gonna LLLLOOOVVVEEE their snow day!! Gotta make sure I’m available to watch then. Is Mei Sheng just by himself in his cage, or does he have play-mates? Its too bad Mei Lan doesn’t have any siblings currently, so she could play in a kindergarten room instead of entertaining herself. What a couple precious babies… Mei and Zhen!!
April 5th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
# 37 Tammy…
thank you for details of the site to see Hau Mei’s babies - she was my first baby panda and I am disappointed to be unable to gain access to the site.
Rose N #43 …
I note you have been successful in accessing the site, I am using Vista and IE - maybe this is not compatible for access.
Anyone who has knowledge on this point I would appreciate your advice.
April 5th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Hello panda lovers,
Wow!! Snow at the end of April in San Diego. We just got a dump of it where I live in Western Canada. If I could easily transport the stuff, I’d do it tomorrow. I remember watching the videos of Mei Sheng playing in the snow - too bad it melted so fast he could only enjoy it for a day.
Did any of you see the latest video of Fu Long being taken down from a tree by one of the keepers? Lucky guy got a kiss from the panda prince. Fu Long gave that keeper a rough time - he was up in an awkward spot on his climbing structure, and each time the keeper had a good hold of him, he would just turn around and climb back up again. Reminded me of the time Tai Shan would not come down and it was 11 p.m. already. The Fu Long video is on youtube. It was posted April 4.
The photos of my SDZ visit in March are now on flickr. Good close-ups of ZZ and some of Su Lin and Bai. After you type in flickr dot com, type slash photos slash pandacrazy. Click on each set to view the photos in order. I hope you enjoy them.
I haven’t been able to see much of the pandas in action lately. Most of the time I’m online, they’re sleeping! What a life!!
April 5th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Just marked the snow day on my calendar! Can’t wait to see Bai and ZZ with the snow, and Su Lin.
Will Gao Gao also get some of his own? And, what about the polar bears? Thanks!
Moderator’s note: For now, the snow will be for pandas only.
April 6th, 2008 at 12:11 am
Midnight at SDZ, 8am in UK: Su Lin is chomping away on some bamboo. She loves eating at night, I’ve caught her a few times now. Send the pandas over - it’s snowing heavily here, 2 inches already although it’s not settling too much on the ground. My garden looks like a fairy grotto. Would look even better full of pandas!
I’ve marked 30 April so I don’t forget. It’ll be 5pm here so I need to remember as I’m usually washing up the dishes then. The dishes can wait!!
#41 Donna - the Wolong cam isn’t operating at the moment due to the problems over there but you can still look at the previous pictures. If you’re having trouble finding it try oiccam dot com or pandaclub dot net.
I wonder what a panda snowman looks like? Have a nice day everyone.
April 6th, 2008 at 7:37 am
Fei’s Fei’s face says it all (I’d rather be eating and sleeping).
By the way, if they can get information out of a cave in Afghanistan, they can certainly get it out of a panda reserve in China. The lack of info on Mei Sheng is unacceptable. Out of sight does not mean out of mind for many of Mei Sheng’s loyal friends. Respect is a two-way street and China needs to realize this.
April 6th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
#49 BB - agree with you completely - there is no excuse for the lack of an official statement about Mei Sheng - all it does it make us wonder what is going on there.
April 6th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Hazel #45 - In the IE address bar just type the following
news dot sohu dot com slash 2008pandaname
Then hit enter.
Hua Mei is also my first baby panda and I was so happy to finally get to see photos of her latest twin boys.
Good Luck! Don’t forget to click on the small photos to pop up the two larger pictures.
April 7th, 2008 at 10:43 am
i think we should cut the chinese some slack..after all, it is breeding season and as we all know, the panda ladies and gents are on their own schedules and seem to be quite selective when it comes to dating. i also view any bit of news of sheng as gravy and am grateful for it. after all we don’t want to be more trouble than we are worth. because of the chinese, tai’s stay was extended and sheng was with us for 4 years, rather than the two. when you think of it, we actually know quite a bit about him. he is not at the breeding center because he is a bit too young. we know he is quite the escape artist and must feel comfortable expanding his explorations and most importantly we know that his new keeper cares deeply about him as he stayed with sheng during his quarantine. we know hua has had several sets of twins. we know the chinese let a san diego zoo keeper spend time with sheng and share in his upkeep and they certainly were not obligated to do so. they also went out of their way to let a san diego keeper know where hua was and point out her new cubs.
April 7th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Rose.N # 51
thanks for your advice re access to the site showing Hua Mei’s twins ~ they are very handsome, just like their mom.
I managed to access the site yesterday however it was in Chinese and I was unable to find a Panda link!
Thank you Jennifer for the reassuring news and pic of Hua Mei, she appears fine but I think her ‘eyes’ look sad.
I do not wish to appear negative regarding not receiving news from China about Mei Sheng, I think Rose will agree with me that we have been somewhat short on ‘official news’ or pics of Hua Mei since she departed for her homeland in February 2004.
Owing to the outbreak of SARS, Hua Mei’s departure was delayed, she was born in August 1999 and remained at SDZ until February 2004 meaning she was quite mature by then, and had her first twins a few months after her arrival at Wolong.
Yesterday about 1.00pm (SD) there were some great close ups of Bai eating her bamboo while lying on her back - it reminded me of Hua Mei’s same ‘laid back’ approach to life…
April 7th, 2008 at 11:04 am
According to the Bear Awareness Days page, Polar Bears will get snow on 5/10.
April 7th, 2008 at 11:48 am
For those who want to know more about Hua Mei, and how she is doing - read Angie’s blog when she was privileged to visit with her in December - She also got to see and visit with Mei Sheng.
Moderator, please post the link for those who are new to these blogs and who might want to know more about life at Wolong.
Moderator’s note: Here’s the link to Angie’s blog http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/a-happy-reunion-and-new-friends/
April 7th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
I have been watching video of Fu Long. How unusual is it to have a white foot? Of all the cubbies born in China, did any of them have this unique trademark ?
April 7th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Jennifer, thank you for this interesting post, the updated news on ‘our’ pandas and the picture of lovely Hua Mei! Hope you are doing fine as well.
April 7th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
While I know China would never do anything to endarge their beloved pandas I am somewhat concerned about the cubs they plan on moving from Wolong to the Beijing Zoo during the Olympics. I understand the smog & air quality is so bad in Beijing that several athletes have decided not attend. How will being moved from the air in the mountains of Wolong to Beijing affect the pandas.
#52 Paula - each zoo pays the Chinese millions for the privilege “of renting a panda” & think we deserve an official statement. Each zoo is conducting studies which is also helping the breeding centers. ZA has a researcher at Wolong studying the “panda communication” which is fascinating. Granted the Chinese have allowed these studies but they also want the best info & research they can get.
April 8th, 2008 at 7:02 am
I know that we all hunger for news of our Mei Sheng and Hua Mei, but Paula #52 is right.It is a crazy time when breeding season comes around and we have to be thankful for any info at all. It is a sensitive time in that region of the world with all the troubles about Tibet and I believe we have to take a slow approach as to what is said and what is allowed to be said.We know that Mei is fine and that comes from pandas international who has access to him
April 8th, 2008 at 8:27 am
Did you see the size of the piece of bamboo ZZ took up in the tree with her? It is a slice from a very thick piece, and she is mouthing it a lot. It is amazing how young panda cubs are when they instinctively start “eating” bamboo. She is having a good old time at 8:18 AM PDT. She is very alert and into her peeling and “munching.” I guess the must watch momma pretty closely to know what to do. It always appeared to me that young cubs were just nursing, or playing when around mommas. But, I guess their “schooling” started already. I know watching Bai Yun in the first couple of days of ZZ climbing up the tree in the “new” exhibit, she hung out around the trunk and “caught” her as she climbed down. Then she chased her around the yard, and one day dragged her for almost a half-hour. I wasn’t sure what that was about other than “tag” but there was obviously a lesson being taught. Maybe she was teaching her where she could/should go and where she shouldn’t. With as active and independent a cub as ZZ is, Bai had a time keeping up with her those first few days. Now they seem to have settled into a routine. Sleep eat, play, sleep eat play. It is great to see ZZ interacting more with Bai Yun than I remember Su Lin doing. I didn’t see Mei Sheng until he was grown and on his own, after Su Lin came outdoors, so I don’t know how much he interacted with Bai at this age. Since he has always been an active adult, with great climbing skills, I imagine that he actively played with Bai too. I recall reading that he was always more hesitant in new surroundings and new situations, so he might have been slower to aclimate to the habitat.
April 8th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Hi, you all! Barbara (#27), I got on the Wolong Panda Club website, and they have totally changed everything when it comes to panda cams. Couldn’t get on none of the 3 live cams at all, and they have a site map of where the pandas are located on the China Museum of Science page. You can click on the panda on that site and get a very cute picture and video of that panda, but no live cam. I have Windows XP on my computer, and the site was pretty accessible for live pandacams in the past. Don’t know why they changed it around, tho. They also have some info about being a VIP member to get on the live cams, but I think that may cost some money on that one. So, nothing doing on that end! Sorry to hear that Taiwan has refused to accept the 2 pandas that China was going to loan them. With all of the turmoil and upsets surrounding the human rights issues against China and the Tibet situation, I can understand why. China and Taiwan have been at odds with each other since 1949, and I was hoping that this exchange would help relations some. But, knowing Taiwan and how they feel about China, nothing doing there either!
I did get on the SDZ pandacam here in the last few days, and watched Gao Gao in his bedroom munching on his dinner bamboo, watched Su Lin either eating or sleeping, watched Bai Yun and ZZ doing their usual mother/daughter fun stuff. Can’t wait to see little ZZ in the snow when they bring it in. She will be a sight to see when she gets in that white stuff! Been watching her try to climb a couple of trees in her area, and one of them she did not like at all. She tried to climb up the trunk, got a little ways up there, then decided that this was not the tree for her and she backed down off of it. She’s getting real smart about tree climbing!
Well, gonna go and send this in. Gotta go out and get some things at the store in awhile. Will be back on the cam later on. Oh by the way, to all of you that love kiwis, the newest kiwi chick that hatched on March 7 at National Zoo is now a month old, and it is a BOY! He’s doing very well, gaining weight, and they do have a kiwicam up and running now for everyone to take a look at this kiwi chick. He’s a cute little furry bird that loves to run around and poke his beak in the ground a lot in his little indoor enclosure. Best time to watch the kiwi is at nite. Also, NZ wants us to choose a name for this kiwi chick. You can find that list on the NZ site, click on animal cams, click on flamingo cam, then you’ll see at the top of the page about the kiwi. Just click on the info and where to go to, and vote for a name for this little guy. They’ve got 3 Maori names to choose from. Have fun!
Gotta go!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
April 8th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Meerkats–Thank you for the lovely views this afternoon of ZZ using her mother as a climbing apparatus. Zhen crawled all over Bai Yun, pushed against her, and generally made herself comfortable on top of Mom. The scene evoked many memories of desperately trying to catch a brief nap while having persistent toddlers crawling on me. Thanks also for the pictures of Princess Su Lin lounging with abandon in her tree-trunk perch. What a beauty!
April 8th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
#46 Pandafan - loved your pictures on flickr - the ones of Zhen & the rake too funny - you’re lucky to have this precious ball of fur.
I seem to miss all the activity - whenever I check all I see are sleeping pandas or a view of a tree where I assume miss z is hanging out.
April 8th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
I’ve noticed that the latest report on the condition of Mei Xiang in the National Zoo dates from march 25. Does anyone know how long it takes before it shows if she’s pregnant of not. Do they check her hormone levels meanwhile?
April 9th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Conversation with Su Lin #5
Tourist: Hello, Su Lin.
Su Lin: Hello, Mr. Tourist.
T: So how do you like being back in this yard?
S: Nice to be back. Nice chalet and estate.
T: Any redecoration plans?
S: Nope, the property’s fine.
T: Now, what’s this? Classifieds?
S: Oh, I’m looking into some foreclosed properties.
T: You mean the ones stripped of copper piping and appliances?
S: Yup. I want to convert them back into natural settings.
T: Natural settings?
S: Yup. Like bamboo groves, sweet potato patches…
T: Sounds yummy.
S: Streams, caves, forests…
T: Scenic.
S: And throw in a few rake racks for Zhen Zhen.
April 9th, 2008 at 9:15 am
Will Jennifer get to go visit Mei Sheng at Bifengxia? I hope so. Did she know him at SDZ. It will be interesting in light of the research she is doing at Wolong on vocalizations if he recognizes her speaking English in his now totally Chinese language world.
Yestereday afternoon around 2 PM PDT, for over 5 minutes I watched ZZ trying to get Bai Yun to wake up and play with her. It was adorable, and ZZ was very persistent, climbing up and down and all around Bai who was soundly resting on top of the “cave.” I did not see Bai even raise her head or wiggle her ears. She just stayed totally still. ZZ just kept on with her prodding. It must not have been time for nursing on Bai’s biological clock because she kept her chest side pressed against the rock with all her full weight. She looked blissfully happy and content, and just ignored her “begging” cub. Too cute!
April 9th, 2008 at 10:43 am
TO #66 Margaret - How come you are sooo lucky to catch such a neat shot of ZZ and Bai?? I haven’t caught sight of ZZ in weeks. I mostly see Gao Gao and Su Lin. I do long to see her again but I guess I just don’t have enough time lately. My time is partly with the bald eagles and their new ‘little ones’ down off the coast of Southern California. Bobble and Wobble were the 1st two born in the nest and then they raised one chick in the incubator and transferred it to a nest yesterday. Quite exciting!! How fortunate that there are so many wonderful caring people at SDZ and at the agencies that handle the return of the bald eagles to Catalina Islands. We owe them all a great debt of gratitude for improving life for our animal friends.
April 9th, 2008 at 11:29 am
P. Wong I’ve missed your interviews with the pandas. Glad to read your recent one with Su Lin. Seems she has a mind like her brother, but is more content to live with her recently redecorated yard with the new logs and trees she seems to enjoy resting in.
April 9th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Su Lin is so smart - and certainly there are no shortage of foreclosures in SD (sadly). I personally would love to see some of them turned into natural setting with bamboo, streams and sweet potatos. Thanks for the update P.Wong!
April 9th, 2008 at 11:56 am
#64 Rene in the Netherlands - regarding the monitoring of Mei’s hormone levels. If you scroll down past the webcam, you will see the posting from March 20. On it there is a link to the ‘latest hormonal analysis’. This will take you to a posting from March 27 and the graph where they are tracking Mei’s levels. It’s not right up to date but the pattern is obvious.
#63 - Maureen in Michigan - I’m so glad you enjoyed my photos! And thanks to #65 - P. Wong for making sure ZZ can continue to satisfy her fascination with rakes. You know, she’s only had a good look at the handles. I wonder what she would think about the rake part itself? Now that would be a sight to behold!!
April 9th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Update on Mei Sheng from Pandas International newsletter
Mei Sheng has been moved to the reserve at Bifengxia. The Wolong Panda Base is for breeding and the Bifengxia Panda Base is mainly for sub-adult pandas and older pandas. Bifengxia was built in order to separate the panda population.
The Bifengxia center and the staff are all under the Wolong Reserve. The enclosures at Bifengxia are very nice and large. Dr. Tang reports Mei Sheng is very well, healthy and active. He is safe and well cared for, as are all the pandas.
The pandas at the Wolong Base are starting their estrus earlier this year so Mei Sheng, a young boy, was moved to Bifengxia Base on February 19th. He will eventually breed when he is older and he will not be released to the wild.
April 9th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Look at that Zhen! She appears to be eating bamboo with her father’s gusto! It seems to me that she is still too young to really be actually ingesting much of it yet. Or maybe she is just growing up way too fast! Suzanne! Someone! When you have a moment, could we have some new deets on our “little” girl..? Please?
:)
April 9th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Thank you Jennifer and Suzzane for providing valuable information about these beloved precious animals. Like someone else has mentioned it here, pandas are just like us, male pandas takes longer to mature than female.
#46 pandafan, thanks for pictures on flickr, princess ZZ is very cute.
P. Wong, it’s always interesting to read your panda conversation.
April 9th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
#67 Mary Lou - one of my neighbors caught some wonderful pictures of a bald eagle - we are fortunate to have 3-4 sightings year. Last year we had a nest in our lake community with 3 eggs that appeared to hatch & thrive. The eagles seem to like “fishing in our lakes”.
I see glimpses on time lapse of Miss Z “eating” bamboo - sadly it won’t be too much longer before she is actually ingesting the stalks & not just playing with the leaves.
#72 Kris - agree we all need an update on Miss Z -weight, does she play with the keepers (or just their rakes). She seems to spend more time playing with Bai than Su - are their any comparisions between them - we all want to know - many thanks.
April 9th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
I just saw that the polar bears will be getting their spring snow on May 10! Oh boy, another fun bear cam day!
Thanks SDZ for all the wonderful enrichment activities that you have for us… oops, I meant the bears!
April 9th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Hi, you all! Rene (Netherlands), the vets and staff at National Zoo do a daily check on Mei Xiang’s hormone levels everyday thru urine samples and an occasional blood sample. They check for baseline hormone levels and hormone levels above and below the baseline, progestine levels, and estrogine levels. They should be writing up a new update about Mei Xiang and the pregnancy watch pretty soon. They are also practicing with Mei in doing ultrasounds every few days. Last year, they started doing ultrasounds almost everyday from May thru July when they found out that Mei Xiang was not pregnant and the AI did not work. They are hoping that this AI procedure that they did in Mei Xiang this year will be the one that takes hold, and she will have her second baby panda sometime this summer. They waited about 4 months or so to check her for an actual pregnancy last year. Hopefully by May, June, or July of this year, we should know if and when Mei Xiang is really pregnant or not. Keep checking the NZ website for updates, ok? They are on the pandacam page of the website.
I called the Memphis Zoo today to find out if the panda keepers there will be writing a new update about Ya Ya and Le Le anytime soon. (The last one was in February.) They told me that the panda keepers will be getting a new update written in the next couple of days. The main focus at Memphis Zoo is Ya Ya, the female panda that lost her baby panda last year. They have already doing their urine and blood testing of baseline hormone levels, progestine levels, estrogin levels, and have shaved her stomach for practice ultrasound sessions. They will keep monitoring Ya Ya on a daily basis. Hopefully, their new update will let us know if Ya Ya is close to estrus, and if they plan on putting Ya Ya and Le Le together for breeding or do an AI on Ya Ya. Check the Memphis Zoo website in a couple of days to check that out. I sure will!
In Atlanta, little Mei Lan is not so little anymore. She’s at 103 pounds!!! Her bamboo diet and treats are agreeing with her! Also, the vets and panda keepers at AZ are also monitoring Lun Lun for when she starts coming into estrus now that mom and daughter are totally weaned from each other. The update today said that Lun’s hormone levels are still at baseline, and they think that Lun should come into estrus in about a couple of more weeks. They will keep testing her unrine samples every day and blood work every so often. AZ writes updates every 2 to 3 days a week. Oh yeah, next time you check the AZ pandacam and you see Lun and Mei together, look at their faces. They look almost like twins! Mei’s taken on some of her mom’s features and hair on the cheeks!
What I am hoping and praying for is that all three female pandas at the 3 above mentioned zoos will have successful pregnancies, and that these 3 panda ladies will be mothers to their panda babies by this summer. That will be a huge bonus for all of us panda lovers around this country and the world! Can you all imagine checking out all 3 of those zoo’s pandacams to watch new baby pandas everyday? That’ll be a ton of fun! We will just have to wait and see how all of this will come out in a few months. Keep your fingers crossed, pandaholics!
P Wong, another great panda conversation that you wrote–and funny, too! Keep those up!! We all love to read those when you write them.
Gonna check flickr to see those cute pics of ZZ, pandafan!
Well, gonna go. Will probably check the pandacam again before going to bed.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
April 9th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Thanks Pandafan #46, for your great photos dated April 5. Zhen, Bai, and Su are all beauties and had a wonderful day when you were there to capture it on film.
April 9th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
I’m going to break the “rules” for the good of the panda community and talk about “Other” pandas…
The Memphis Zoo web-site has an update on their 2 pandas, seems they are doing well. Just thought I would share for anyone interested in reading their keeper’s blog.
And, has anyone been able to get the Chengdu web-site? I have not been able to get it to come up for a few weeks now. Just wondering what’s up.
Rene (#64) I’ve been watching panda pregnancies for years. They are extremely unpredictable. Hormonal changes can occur even when there is a pseudo-pregnancy. The mother-to-be may also demonstrate pregnancy-related behavioral changes even if she is not pregnant. Vets will attempt Ultrasounds on the female but it is difficult to see a cub who is so small compared to its mother. Plus, a panda has a bifurcated uterus so it is difficult to know where to place the wand. Many times, bamboo in the digestive tract “hides” the baby from view. On top of that, sometimes the female does not want to cooperate with the ultrasound. And, a hormonal panda female is not easy to convince when she has made up her mind.
All of that adds up to, if a baby pops out, she was pregnant. If not, she wasn’t.
The panda gestation is between 3 and 6 months, because of delayed implantation. And, not that long ago a female mated in April (then was not in proximity to a male) and then she gave birth in Jan. The math shows that we don’t know all there is to know yet about the possible period of panda gestation. I think it’s exciting that we don’t know. We hope and wait and think any moment, then all of a sudden there’s a squealing wiggling pink thing on the ground. What I love is that The mother seems to be as surprised as anyone else. The miracle of a new life, verifying that panda-kind has hope to remain on this planet, and there’s a little less chance of extinction for our awesome bears.
Love, Joy
April 9th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
P Wong, you really made me laugh this morning. I have this vision of a bicycle shed (with open front) with lots and lots of rakes side by side and Zhen Zhen walking up and down thinking, “Hmm, which one today?”
#67 Mary Lou - I’ve only managed to catch Su Lin lately. Saw ZZ following Bai around a few days ago and got a lovely postcard of Su doing what comes naturally in the outdoor bathroom!!! That was a very lucky take.
April 10th, 2008 at 10:45 am
I have seen lots of comments about the cute picture of Zhen with the rake. Can anyone tell me where I can see it? Thanks!
April 10th, 2008 at 11:32 am
#80 Kris - Hello. I’m the one who took the photos of Zhen and the rake; however, you only see the rake handle because Zhen chose to grab it at the end. Type this on your browser:
flickr dot com slash photos slash pandacrazy. I have two sets: Su Lin and Bai & Zhen. Click on the Bai & Zhen link and you’ll be able to see the pics in order. Enjoy!!
April 10th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Pandafan–your pictures are really cute. Also love the pics of SuLin. the directions to the panda/rake episode are in item #46.
April 10th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
If you remember, Bai Yun sang a lullabye and promised to teach Zhen Zhen some of the old Panda Songs:
The Panda Song of the Trees
The song of the trees is old, slow, and long.
Come into the forest, cub, and hear their Song:
The sigh of green leaves when the summer is warm.
Whispers in dens as the new cubs are born.
The mutter of roots as they delve in the deep.
Old sap flows and hums the young Pandas to sleep.
The trees stretch and sing and they grow toward the sun,
The soft songs of summer and cub lives begun.
The crackle of bark as young claws bite and hold
The creak of low branches as young cubs grow bold.
Skitter of dry leaves, a cool autumn day,
Old logs rub and bounce as the young Pandas play.
Scratching and climbing, the snap of a twig.
Sleeping and hiding, young Pandas grow big.
The trees fall asleep when the northern winds blow.
And their branches groan with the weight of the snow.
Trees moan low and deep, quiet memories of dreams,
The slow songs of winter and icy moonbeams.
The Pandas patrol, eat, and play in the snow,
Claw up crackling tree limbs to watch down below.
A small thread of warmth…young sap rises to hiss
Through creaking trunks warming to earth’s suckling kiss.
The trees stretch and yawn, waking up to the world.
Leaflets chuckle and warm as their ends come unfurled.
The Pandas might nibble a sap-swollen bud
And climb ever higher, and roll in Spring mud.
When the trees awake, cub, all scent marks are renewed,
And we welcome the season of young, tender food.
New cubs sleep in branches. Weaned cubs climb up high
And watch as the big daddy Pandas stroll by.
The trees watch and wait for the matings and fights
As they shelter and shield us through cool days and nights.
Whether standing, or fallen, or ground into dust
Whether sapling or sky-kissed, trees sing as they must
Of long years of waiting and growing and sighs,
Of living between the good earth and sweet skies.
Of ages, of Pandas, of future and past.
And of ancient trees shedding their burdens at last.
If you want to know Ageless, or Mighty, or Strong,
Go, cub, to the forest and hear the Trees’ Song.
April 10th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Dear Pandafan #46 and 81,
The Photos you took are absolutely FABULOUS!! Thank you for posting them on flickr.
April 10th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Pandafan, loved the pic’s on flickr…. thanks for sharing with us.. What a thrill it is to walk into the Panda area and see them there in person. It was a thrill of a lifetime for me… Hope to go again..
There is an awesome picture of a “panda pileup” on the animal track slideshow on msnbc dot com It is picture Number 14 of the slide show
Got to see Zhen and mom this morning, first time in a long time I’ve seen them together. Little munchkin is usually high up a tree!!!!
April 10th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
To Pamela G #83,
Your song/poem is simply beautiful! I can ’see’ the beautiful pandas in my mind’s-eye. Thank you so very much!
April 10th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
I read today that Animal Planet International has teamed up with France 5 to produce Pandamonium, a 5×1-hour HD series that provides an exclusive look at a panda breeding, research and conservation facility in Wolong, China.
The series, produced by ITN Factual, will be broadcast on Animal Planet in international markets and on France 5 later in 2008. Pandamonium chronicles the story of how pandas at the Wolong Conservation & Research Centre in the Sichuan province of China are bred, cared for and prepared for release into the wild in order to help protect the species from extinction. The series follows the pandas during each stage of development, from natural mating, IVF insemination and pregnancy through to birth, childhood, maturity and eventually the return to their natural habitat. We’ll have to keep an eye out for what will be a fascinating look at our beloved pandas.
An update from ZA reports that our beloved Lani now weighs 103 pounds (she’s going to be a BIG PANDA like pappa Yang) so she is doing fine after her weaning. Mei Lan is showing some small signs that breeding season is approaching while Yang is in his pacing mode. ZA thinks a couple more weeks & something may happen there.
Finally I got to see our Miss Z playing on the ground today for the first time in days.
#83 Pamela G - what a talent you have - your poem left me in tears.
April 10th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
To #81 - Pandafan - What gorgeous pics!! You did a sensational job. I never get to see ZZ on the cam and when I do the pics are so dark. What a treat to watch your slideshow!
April 10th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
OOPS - I got my pandas mixed up at ZA - it’s Lun Lun that is showing small signs of esterus not Lani as I mentioned in my previous blog.
April 11th, 2008 at 7:47 am
Thank you Pamela G, that poem is beautiful. I have missed your words it’s been to long
April 11th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Wonderful views of Zhen and Bai playing around 8:30 this morning. I probably should say Zhen was climbing and rolling all over Bai who was trying to sleep.
April 11th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Maureen, Margaret, Bobbie, and Mary Lou - Thank you for your kind words on my flickr photos. Seeing these lovely creatures in the flesh was a highlight of my trip and I will not forget it for a long, long time. It was hard to believe that I was really there. And catching the moment when ZZ took to that rake was a real bonus. Now when I see the bears on the pandacam, it brings back memories of that magical time. I don’t know when I will be able to get down to SD again, but if the opportunity ever comes up, I’ll be on the plane!!
Today was a great day for watching the pandas. ZZ is sure beginning to enjoy just rolling around any flat surface that she is on. She looks like a contortionist-in-training. Such a joy to watch!
April 13th, 2008 at 9:06 am
Pandafan #81
thank you for sharing your pics on flickr of Miss Fluffy Butt with the rake, also Bai and Su…..
like everyone else I think they are ~SIMPLY THE BEST~
At 08.15am (SD) this morning ZZ was busy climbing with her bamboo - she even made time to give her fans one of her ‘celebrity waves’
April 14th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
AC in NYC and Darlene - Glad you enjoyed my photos - it was a day I’ll always remember.
I’m excited about snow day - I’m glad it will be on the Sunday now because it means I can watch since I won’t be in the office!!
April 18th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Hi #46 - PandaFan, I enjoyed them very much. I printed out a picture of Su Lin in the pool.She is the most beautiful bear in the world! (next to Mei Sheng.) I miss him.