iZoofari Chat: Giant Panda Update
Posted at 2:59 pm September 21, 2007 by Dennis Corbran
Visit with panda keeper Kathy Hawk in giant panda Gao Gao’s garden room. Hear her impressions and stories about caring for pandas at the San Diego Zoo since 1996, including her impression of Bai Yun’s newest cub. Hosted by Debbie Andreen. (11:57)
NEW! iZoofari Chats are an occasional series of interviews that put you in touch with the people who work for the Zoo and Wild Animal Park. Current subscribers to either the Zoo or Wild Animal Park podcast feeds will also get the iZoofari Chats.
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September 21st, 2007 at 7:19 pm
Thank-you, Kathy. I always look forward to these podcast updates. Gives the feeling of being closer to the ‘action’ and a little insight of what your time with these creatures must be like. I want you to know how much you, and others like you are appreciated as you go thru your daily chores. Take good care of our newest widdle one in the months to come and hang in there when Mei Sheng leaves, we will be crying right along with you. I only wish I could have ‘met’ him during his days in the US.
Note from Debbie Andreen: Thank you for the nice feedback, Holly. These podcast chats are something new for us and it’s nice to hear that listeners enjoy them.
September 21st, 2007 at 8:10 pm
I absolutely adore pandase and I would love to research them or become a keeper one day. Ever since I visited the zoo last summer I knew thats what I want to do with the rest of my life :]
Moderator’s note: One of our panda researchers, Suzanne Hall, wrote a blog about how she got to work with pandas: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/how-did-i-get-here/
And to read about different careers at a zoo and what it takes to prepare for them, visit our Job Profiles section: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/kids/job_profiles.html
September 22nd, 2007 at 3:20 pm
Wow, this is great - what a treat to hear about the personalities of the pandas & to find out how the keepers start working with a cub when they’re young. Fascinating. Know it’s hard work while to us it sounds like fun. Thanks again.
Maureen
September 23rd, 2007 at 5:28 am
This has got to be the most photogenic panda ever born! If only the photographer could get a photo of her without those rubber gloves in the shot.
September 27th, 2007 at 11:10 am
This is such a pleasure for me. I look forward to seeing the baby panda and her mom every day. I do have a question though. I usually look at the panda cam before going to bed, about 11 PM. I see the panda cub is missing from view in the den. Where does it go at night?
September 30th, 2007 at 6:00 pm
I have totally fallen for Bai Yun and the cub–just can’t stop watching. My question is–are all mother pandas so attentive and so affectionate towards their cubs or is Bai Yun especially affectionate? I can’t wait to watch the little one growing up. I also wonder if Bai Yun will notice when Mei Sheng leaves, or if, once the cubs are weaned, they no longer have a close relationship with their mothers?
October 1st, 2007 at 9:53 am
It has been so much fun watching the growth of our little sweet girl! I have a widget on my mac so I can see the newest addition throughout the day. I didn’t even know she was being born and I told my daughter that the mother might be sick because she was in the den for a few days. Next thing I know there is a button of a panda. She is the best mother ever! I notice little pumpkin is on solids. I can’t wait to go to the zoo to see her up close. Any plans for a celebration??? I want to see that little sweetie soon
October 2nd, 2007 at 7:03 pm
i love pandas bears and i am dying to see the baby panda… i was curious how old the panda had to be until he was able to be viewed by the public. Thank you
Moderator’s note: Typically, the panda cub is old enough to go out on exhibit at four months.
October 3rd, 2007 at 8:50 pm
I’ve been watching the Pandas for about a year or so. Everytime I sit down at the computer I have to check on them, at several zoos. I’m amazed at the number of new Pandas born this year. Will any of those born in captivity ever be turned out into the wild or will we just keep adding to those in our zoos? I had tears reading today about Mei Sheng’s upcoming trip to China. I know it will be hard on you all who have been hands on with him! Good luck!
October 4th, 2007 at 11:44 am
I have been trying to view your panda cam and I can’t seem to get it. A couple of times it has worked but that is all. What could I be doing wrong? I watch the panda cam in Atlanta all the time. Thanks Martha Jones
Moderator’s note: We have been having some problems with our cams and are working to resolve them.
October 6th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
I learn about “podcast” a couple of days ago and it is very good. It gives me a sense of being able to interact with the little princesses (I have calling this baby bear princesses because she is so cute and precious).
October 8th, 2007 at 2:05 pm
I have really enjoyed seeing the little girl get bigger. I keep “podcast” on all day and when I get bored, glance over to see her. I think she is the sweetest little girl. I can’t wait to see her personality come out as she gets bigger and gets to go out of the den. Thank you for setting this up. Wish I was San Diego so that I could see her one day.
October 11th, 2007 at 5:09 pm
very interesting chats. I am new to the cam. and sit for some time , checking the all out. the Panda cam is a great thing for people to see. I check every day to see how the cub & “mom” are doing.
October 30th, 2007 at 9:59 am
I enjoy the panda cam but find that the picture is too dark, especially watching the cub. However, the picture is dark even when watching the other pandas outdoors.
Can’t something be done. It is an eye strain to try to watch the cam which I watch all the time.
Thank you for your consideration.
November 7th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
I like seeing panda bears becouse I like studi9ng in pandas I berly started yesterday and I like it when they cry becouse they sound like new born babys and you
December 27th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
i love panda they are very cute with thier faces . i really like to see them on panda cam. every day i watch what thier do but i wish i liived and sandiago so i could see them for life right know i live in nebraska so i dont think i can really see hehe.