Pandas Live on

San Diego describes the work day of a panda keeper, UPDATED

The San Diego Zoo panda staff has put together a couple of wonderful blog post that gives us a behind-scenes-sneak peak at what a keepers day is like.

Thanks so much to the zoo for getting this information out there, especially seeing that it is National Keepers Week.

Be sure to go to their panda blog site to read the article, check them out with these links:

Panda Keepers Day

Panda Keepers Day, Part Two

Panda Keepers Day, Part Three

Don't forget to check out their video collection. This one is narrated by Senior Keeper, Karen Barnes. Playtime for pandas

Be sure to THANK THE KEEPERS!

 
 

The AAZK American Association of Zoo Keepers, has designated the week of July 18 - 24th of July as 'National Zoo Keeper Week'.

"As the need to protect and preserve our wildlife and vanishing habitats has increased, our role as educators and wildlife ambassadors has become essential. During the third week of July each year, celebrate National Zoo Keeper Week; both you and your animals deserve the recognition."  AAZK

The zoo keepers are the 'unsung heroes' of zoo life.  So often, their hard work and dedication goes on unnoticed by the public as they quietly go about their business, cleaning out the enclosures, hauling in huge amounts of bamboo, preparing fresh fruit, taking weights and measurements of what the pandas eat and excrete and coming up with new ways to keep them enriched as well as keeping records of this.  They must be totally exhausted by the end of the day.  Keep in mind also that most keepers are assigned other animals in the zoo as well that they take care of in a day. 

I think keepers are the best way to bridge the important information about zoo animals to the public and I wish more zoos would allow their keepers more freedom to interact with the public through articles, meet-ups, updates, and video blogs etc., on a regular basis.

THANK YOU! so much, to all of the keepers around the world, even though this is a national holiday, I would like to extend it to all keepers also.  Maybe we can get a International Keepers Day or Week going. 

Be sure to give a big shout out to any of the keepers you see this week while at the zoo and you can even email or call the zoo to show your appreciation for their efforts.  

If you are interested in a career as a keeper here is the link for you to get more info.  Zoo Keeping as a Career

 

 

Would you like to be a giant panda keeper?

Oh, wouldn't this be a dream job!   Alot of work is involved but the rewards would be priceless and they mention you may get a chance to work with Mei Lan (photo to the left) who arrived at Chengdu from Zoo Atlanta.

You have a chance to participate in this for one month.  There are no details as to how to apply yet but as soon as they are released I will post them here.  Great article and it continues after the break.

Thank you Xi Shan of flickr for sending this our way!

China launches global search for panda keepers
By Marianne Barriaux (AFP)

CHENGDU, China — Yang Gangkun calls out to two pandas lying on their backs chewing bamboo. They push themselves up and slowly amble over for their morning workout in a breeding centre in southwest China.

The 24-year-old is a panda keeper at the Chengdu Panda Base in Sichuan province -- which will soon offer contestants from around the world a chance to help look after the endangered animals for a month.

As Yang dangles an apple fixed to a rod over the wall of their enclosure, Jing Jing and Xiao Yatou stand up on their hind legs and reach awkwardly for the treat with their big paws -- an exercise aimed at bulking them up.

"The best is when you're on duty and you walk on the partition between enclosures," says Yang, after the eight pandas he cares for with 14 other keepers have retired to their indoor air-conditioned pens.

"When it sees you, the panda runs over. When you run, it follows and runs too. It's like it's studying the way you are, it's great."

Officials at the base are planning to give animal lovers from around the world the opportunity to sample Yang's job by launching a global search for six panda keepers as part of an awareness campaign on the plight of the animals.

Organisers say that from August, they will be looking for "bright, articulate and engaging individuals from China and around the world, who care deeply about conservation issues" to spend one month in Chengdu.

The winners will "learn how unique these animals truly are, assist researchers and scientists there, and help raise awareness by blogging to millions of people around the world about their experience," organisers note.

Tai's China cam receives funding to move ahead

We have heard the news from Pandas International that the live web cam for Tai Shan was in progress and now we know one of the big reasons why. 

Thanks Mara, you helped us to get the Zoo Atlanta cams up and running again and now you are helping once again with Tai.  A big panda hug goes out to you and the many others who will be working to see this becomes a reality. 

Great photo of Tai above in the graphic I put together isn't it?  It belongs to panda pal daniel.techie of flickr.  Be sure to check out more of his photos at the link.

Here is the latest email from PI that explains what has been going on with Tai's cam:

Understanding how important Tai Shan is to so many people, getting a Tai Cam at the Bifengxia Panda Base has been a high priority. I am happy to announce that thanks to a very generous donation from Ms. Mara Strock, of Virginia, the Tai Cam is coming! There had been some delay in the plans for the Tai Cam, as the Bifengxia Panda Base's internet service was not powerful enough to host a web cam. Thanks to Ms. Strock's donation, the equipment has already been ordered and a new cable will be laid through the Bifeng Gorge from Ya'an City. The staff at the Center is preparing the enclosure for the installation. Because of Tai Shan's popularity he has become a great ambassador for the species. With this Tai Cam he will continue to inspire millions to join the effort to preserve the magnificent panda. Schools, daycares and community centers will be able to enjoy Tai Shan's antics and use them as a fun way to educate the next generation about the conservation efforts of Pandas International, the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, and the dedicated staff at Bifengxia Panda Base. Tai Shan will act as an educational doorway where knowledge of the panda, its habitat and China can be explored. Great enthusiasm for the pandas is often contagious and sharing a passion for saving the species generally leads to shared interests with peers. As many of you already know Tai Shan has brought people together through blogging, photo sharing, and social gatherings; with his presence through the Tai Cam, he will only continue to highlight the qualities that make the giant panda one of the planet's most adored inhabitants.

Please join me in thanking Ms. Strock for her generous donation, Sherry Lummis and her staff for doing all the ground work in China , and the staff at Bifengxia for working together to make the Tai Cam a reality.

Now comes the hard part...finding the patience to wait for the go live day!

Sincerely,

Suzanne

Panda handlers play an important role in understanding the gentle giants

This is a great article that gives us an idea how much dedication the panda handlers in China have for their pandas.  This interview involves a handler who caring for the 10 younger pandas that are in Shanghai at the Shanghai Zoo, as part of the 2010 World EXPO there. 

(Yang Jie, a panda handler from the China Giant Panda Protection Research Center, feeds cubs at a zoo in Shanghai on Wednesday.) [China Daily]

Panda-ring to their every whim

China Daily, May 21, 2010

Many people will think that Yang Jie has the dream job.

"Isn't handling giant pandas one of the best jobs in the world?" asked Xu Yang, an 8-year-old primary school student, when he watched 10 panda cubs at the Shanghai Zoo on a Saturday morning in May.

But for 28-year-old Yang, a panda handler, the job is not all about cuddling and playing with what is perhaps the most adored animal in the country.

"Food, moods, pee and poo of the pandas - all these trivial things in visitors' eyes are actually important matters I need to consider," Yang said.

Yang has been taking care of pandas of all ages for nine years. Since he graduated from college with a degree in animal science, he joined the China Giant Panda Protection Research Center in Wolong, Sichuan province.

"In Wolong, many volunteers from all over the world call me 'master'," Yang said.

Zoo director Pan Xiuyun said Yang and his colleagues are also tutors to some researchers with doctorates.

"Panda handlers offer much experience outside of textbooks," Pan said.

Yang works in different cities whenever pandas need him on their tours outside the center. But the latest trip to Shanghai, as part of Expo 2010 Shanghai, is a little bit different for Yang and his three colleagues.
"The panda cubs are young and sensitive to changes. Also, 10 pandas make a large group. It requires more effort and patience to make sure they are safe and sound," Yang said.

On the night when the pandas arrived at the Shanghai Zoo, everyone expecting the little black-and-white bears was ecstatic. Cameras focused on the largest panda delegate ever in the city.

But Yang was not that happy."Two of the panda cubs were agitated when the plane landed," he said."I was worried they would not handle the sudden change of environment."Now four months have passed and the "Expo pandas" are doing quite well."The top concern now is to make sure they are not growing too fast," Yang said. "That's why we need to modify their meal portions according to their health."

While pandas have their first daily snack of freshly picked bamboo leaves and shoots at 8 am, Yang and his colleagues have their cut out for them - cleaning the 100 square meter panda house.

Yang later prepares breakfast for the pandas. The set menu includes milk of a special formula, carrots, steamed corn cakes and apples. Each panda gets about three carrots, two bamboo shoots, 250 corn cakes and 800 g of milk. The food is weighed carefully and a panda gets two of such meals every day.

Yang opens one of the 10 logbooks on the table and notes down the breakfast portion briefly."We have a logbook for each panda and take notes on their physical and mental condition every 30 minutes," he said. Details recorded include when the bears relieve themselves. "We are not supposed to miss any possible indicator of disease or any delicate change of mood," Yang said.

Devra G. Kleiman, was a hero for conservation biology

It takes special people to step up and take on the difficult questions that come up in the world and then find solutions for them.  One woman in particular certainly did her share in blazing a trail for the future of conservation biology.  She had the vision of understanding the important role of conservation and its place with science before anyone even recognized the term. 

Please be sure to read this article by the Washington Post about Devra Kleiman.  She worked with many of the animals at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., but Ling Ling and Hsing Hsing captured her heart and through them she developed key research and documentation that is used today in the care of giant pandas. 

I am very sorry to hear the news of her death and I only wish we could have gotten to know more about her before her death. Thank You, Devra G. Klieman.  Our condolences go out to her family. 

Devra G. Kleiman dies at 67; helped create field of conservation biology

By Emma Brown Washington Post Staff Writer Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Devra G. Kleiman, 67, a biologist whose groundbreaking research on giant pandas and South American monkeys showed how zoos can play a critical role in preserving endangered species, died April 29 at George Washington University Hospital. She had cancer.

In a career spanning more than 40 years, much of it at the National Zoo, Dr. Kleiman helped create and define the new field of conservation biology.

She was perhaps best known for spearheading an unprecedented international effort to save golden lion tamarins -- small, reddish-orange monkeys that live in Brazil's Atlantic coastal forests -- from extinction.

In the early 1970s, Dr. Kleiman responded to an alarm sounded by Brazilian biologist Adelmar Coimbra Filho. Golden lion tamarins were in trouble; research showed there were only several hundred of the animals remaining in the wild and fewer than 75 in captivity. Dr. Kleiman and Coimbra helped persuade officials at more than a dozen zoos not to sell their golden lion tamarins for profit. Instead, the zoos would lend the animals to one another for breeding. Eventually they gave up title altogether, ceding ownership to the Brazilian government. Dr. Kleiman played monkey matchmaker, using genetic data to determine which animals should mate to create strong offspring.

Those offspring were reintroduced to Brazil, where Dr. Kleiman and Coimbra helped preserve and restore wide swaths of the animals' habitat. Today, about 1,600 golden lion tamarins live in the wild. Another 500 live in 145 zoos around the world. The species' status has been changed from critically endangered to endangered, and a Brazilian organization that Dr. Kleiman helped found is coordinating efforts to ensure the species' long-term survival.

Dr. Kleiman's effort was "one of the greatest success stories in the history of modern zoos," said Steven Monfort, director of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute. "It was the beginning of this revolution of the role of zoos as conservation organizations, instead of just having a place for exhibiting specimens for people to come look at and enjoy."

he cooperative model Dr. Kleiman pioneered with the golden lion tamarin project has since been widely adopted as the most effective way to manage the genetics of rare species. It has been crucial to the successful reintroduction to the wild of species including the black-footed ferret and the California condor.

At the same time that she was working with golden lion tamarins, Dr. Kleiman was making headlines for her efforts to breed the National Zoo's first pair of giant pandas.

People and Pandas a great combination

SAN DIEGO ZOO

Well, I got up early to see 7 month old, sweetheart Yun Zi of the San Diego Zoo live on NBC Today.  Wouldn't you know it, he decided to sleep in during the whole interview but the zoo had some great video that they showed while senior mammal keeper, Kathy Hawk continued the interview.  Good going Kathy!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

STEVE IRWINS LEGACY LIVES ON

Bindi Irwin along with her mom, Terri and brother, Robert toured the Fuiji Giant Panda Habitat at the Smithsonian Zoo this last week.

They got a up close and personal visit with daddy Tian Tian. Bindi is on a nationwide tour to promote the release of her movie Willy 4, Escape from Pirates Cove to DVD this month.

Best of luck to you Bindi, your wonderful dad, Steve, would be so proud!

Thanks to JustJared for posting these photos.

SHANGHAI WILD ANIMAL PARK

I am amazed at the state of the art facilities for giant pandas that are now being built around the world.  We have had a chance to see the new facility at the Adelaide Zoo, where Wang Wang and FuNi hang out, another was recently added to Ocean Parks' Amazing Asian Animals where they moved Ying Ying and Le Le and now  The Shanghai Daily reports that 13 pandas will be moved into a new panda home at the Shanghai Wild Animal Park. 

"Among them are 10 pandas sent to Shanghai from Sichuan Province to meet the public during the city's World Expo from May through October, today's Oriental Morning Post reported. Their new home has 500-square-meter "bedrooms" as well as a 1,000-square meter playground surrounded by bamboo covering 10,000 square meters, park officials said. Air-conditioning has been installed in the new quarters, built of environmentally friendly materials. Some "bedrooms" have been fitted with hammocks and others with trees to suit the pandas' individual sleeping preferences. Construction of the panda's new home is expected to finish around the end of March. Currently the 10 pandas from Sichuan are at Shanghai Zoo." Thanks to Xi Shanof flickr for sending this story our way.

ZOO ATLANTA

Congratulations to Zoo Atlanta on receiving 2 Atlanta Marketer of the Year Awards for their 'Give So They Stay Campaign'. 

"Zoo Atlanta was a finalist in two categories, General Advertising and Integrated PR Campaign, and won both honors during an awards gala hosted on Thursday, March 11, at the Fox Theatre. Entries were judged on program strategy; tactical execution; creative artwork and video; audience impact and achievement of quantifiable results.

“Zoo Atlanta is delighted to have been recognized by the AMY Awards,” said Marcus E. Margerum, Vice President of Marketing and Sales. “Give So They Stay was a great example of a team effort between Zoo Atlanta’s Marketing and Public Relations and Communications divisions, and these awards exemplify the hard work and commitment that made the campaign so successful.”

Kudos to Marcus and his team who worked so very hard in making this program a success so that the zoo was able to keep the pandas we so dearly love.  You can read the complete article at: Zoo and Aquarium Visitor .

CHENGDU PANDA BASE

Finally, I wanted to leave you with this cute video that I came across.  It was taken by a tour group called Overland China that hosts tours in China, now I am not promoting them because I know nothing about them, but because it was taken at the Chengdu Panda Base where our sweet Mei Lan just recently moved to, and it gives us a little peak at what the inside of what the base looks like.  What made the one video so special though is the expressions of the young children that are visiting the pandas.  Have a great weekend. 

Giant Pandas from Overland China on Vimeo.

Giant Pandas from Overland China on Vimeo.

Tai Shan and Mei Lan News

It looks like Mei Lan is coming out of her shell now and adapting very well to life after coming out of her quarantine period at the Chengdu Panda Base.  Dr. Lan thanked everyone who has been keeping up with Mei since her arrival and wants to assure everyone that they will be taking very good care of her, which we knew they would!  Thank You Dr. Lan.

"Earlier this month, returning from the United States Zoo Atlanta panda "Mei Lan" After nearly 20 days of adaptation period, finally accepted the Chengdu climate, food, as well as keeping her breeder, and fell in love with the base for her careful preparation Chengdu dishes. Now she's appetite has been restored to the level in the United States, and her breeder last week, after the departure of the United States, she also, and now the Chinese keeper has established a good relationship.  She finally Danding in broad daylight eat bamboo and apples, instead of Xianggang the days to come back only at night to eat very little point. Take a look at her! Here, I also represent "Meilan" to the global concern expressed gratitude to her fans, so that you bother.  We will take care of her very good." ... be sure to go to this link to see more photos of Mei Lan, Dr. Lan's blog

Tai Shan has his public debut yesterday.  The staff at the Bifengxia Panda Base went all out for him, with a red carpet, special banners and balloons. 

Be sure to notice the beautiful floral arrangement that was prepared for this special day that sets on the front of the cart at the beginning of the video. 

There are photos of the volunteers that will be taking care of Tai and they had a special bamboo planting ceremony in Tai's honor. 

Of course the media was was also there to cover the event and so we have photo's and a video thanks to the AP.  I would like to thank poyee_lam321 for posting these photos, there are more so be sure to go to their photostream on flickr or you can click on any of the photos to return to their source. 

The National Zoo posted another update about Tai's coming out of quarantine.  They have been doing a great job of keeping us informed about Tai and also mentioned a live cam that will be set up at the Bifengxia Base to not only show the kindergarten area with all of the adorable cubs, but a webcam will be set up for Tai Shan also!  There are alot of details that still need to be worked out in setting this up physically along with a website to host all of this.  So, stay tuned as soon as I get more info on this exciting news I will let you know. 

In this video the two pandas that they are showing together playing behind the director are Fu Long who was born at Zoo Vienna and his male buddy Jun Wu. Fu has the white tipped paw and moved to the base just last year. Jun was born at the base.

Coming out party for Tai and Mei

Well, Tai is scheduled to come out of quarantine tomorrow, March 9, 2010.  The base says they are going to throw a special party for him but I don't have any idea exactly what that will entail. 

Can't find anything online right now that is indicating live coverage of it or not. I mean Tai Shan is a super star panda after all! 

Nonetheless, I am looking forward to it because now he will be free to roam and explore his temporary digs Villa #5 and best of all, meet people.  He loves people. The biggest plus out of all of this for us is there will be photos and videos of Tai taken by those people who go to see him and hopefully we will find them on flickr, YouTube or elsewhere.   

The Sichuan Auto Industry Group Co.,Ltd. has arranged with the panda base a lifetime adoption of Tai.  The cost is $50,000 and it covers any cost to take care of Tai by the Bifengxia Base for the rest of his life. If you want to know about how to adopt a panda maybe for just one year, since a lifetime adoption is pretty expensive.  You can find out more at Pandas International adoption page. 

Mei Lan is already out of quarantine but they wanted to wait a couple of days before they let the public in close to see her.  They want to make sure Mei is very comfortable in her new area. So we can look forward to her photos and videos too!  It got me thinking about the video I recorded when I went up to see her in November.  So I pulled them out and put together my visit with her. I can only post the small size video screen on this page to really see her in HD to here Mei Lan in HD to see Mei up close and personal.  Enjoy.  

Keeping up with Pandas

I work during the day as a landscaper and so I get a little behind on all of the updates that come out with the pandas.  

Even though we have had an unusually cold winter here in Florida, our plants are still going into spring mode.  So, that means less time with the pandas but thanks to all of you who also keep up with pandas through google alerts and other means, you have been a big help in channeling the info this way so I can post it as soon as I am back on the computer.  Thanks to each and every one of you!

For example in putting this post together today I had the help of these fellow panda pals. poyee_lam0321, Unka Bobby, dan.techie, Lee and Jennifer .

On to the Panda News!

First off, we are sorry to hear that Ya Ya of the Memphis Zoo will not be having a cub this term.  The zoo released a statement through their local media outlet, The Commercial Appeal. Here are a few excerpts you can read the complete article through the link.

"Although an ultrasound last week showed a fetal sack and a flicker of a heartbeat, the test on Tuesday found the sack empty and the heartbeat gone, said obstetrician Dr. Joseph C. DeWane.  "Just like humans miscarry at least 20 percent of the time, animals in the wild do the same thing," DeWane said. 

It's only because of the advanced technology used by the specialist that they even knew of the early pregnancy, said Matt Thompson, curator of mammals. "Normally we wouldn't know that she was even pregnant because we're talking something the size of a grain of rice," Thompson said. 

Ya Ya was inseminated on Thanksgiving in a third attempt to impregnate her."

You will let us know when the time is right for you to have a cub, Ya Ya, won't you?  I really enjoyed my visit with you last November and everyone wishes you and your partner Le Le a grand year ahead.  Don't forget you can keep up with Ya and Le on their live pandacam!

The panda base at Bifengxia has provided a couple of updates through their ChinaPanda.org.cn website on Tai Shan.  They are actively making preparations for his March 9, 2010 public debut!  I will let your read the updates they published for all of the great news on Tai.   We should be seeing something new about Mei Lan this week so stayed tuned!

"March 9, China's Protection of Research Center returnees "Tarzan" will be the end of a one-month quarantine of life and move into new home - Leopard Hill 5, villas, and formally meet with the public"

Leopard Mountain Villa #5

The structures in the yard are for climbing in and around on, the indoor area is not viewable from this photo but they can go in and out of the building any time they want.

  "Leopard Hills area is sub-adult giant panda's gathering, the current live 10 2 to 4-year-old giant panda, the environment comfortable, lively atmosphere, is a sub-adult giant panda's paradise. "Tarzan" will stay at Leopard Mountain Villa No. 5 the most comfortable villas, discounted area of about 30 square meters, larger homes outside the exercise yard, about 1000 square meters for play, leisure, and allowed to climb the Kibusa trees, there is a dense grove, you can let the "Tarzan" enjoy unfettered comfortable life.

The research center is being spent on the polar bear on the 1st floor completely renovated villas, as "Tarzan" adult independent villas. In the research center staff, attentive care, the "Tarzan" home quarantine during the very good physical and mental condition, body weight increased, "Tarzan" to return since the research center staff has not only been meticulous care, but also received numerous home the people's concern and prayers.

 Many friends in the country and around the world are striving to apply, "Tarzan" moved house volunteers, want to help groups breeder care "Tarzan" and the "Tarzan" clean, furnished new home. As the "Tarzan" and adopt corporate, Sichuan Automobile Industry Group is very concerned about the "Tarzan" to return during the life, always concerned about "Tarzan," the specific situation of quarantine period, and in the "Tarzan" will soon come before the end of the isolation of living research center study " Taishan, "new home, research centers and Sichuan Automobile Group is to" Tarzan "making active preparations moved house, when for the" Tarzan "to move at a lively ceremony."

This is an interview with Tai's trainer, Wu Dai Fu.  

"Tarzan" is about to end month-long quarantine of life, the majority of "Tarzan" fans have long lost its mind by the excitement, are encouraged to register to apply for "Tarzan" volunteers, waiting on the 9th to see the "Tarzan" style, is a constant stream of domestic and foreign media rushed to the Bifengxia Panda Base, rushing to report on "Tarzan" will soon be cleared.

Recently, the China News Weekly, the central seven sets, Sichuan Daily, Tianjin TV and so many media have rushed to the Bifengxia visit again, "Tarzan," understanding "Tarzan" quarantine period of appetite, spirit, activities, etc. to adapt to circumstances, as well as three 9 months to meet with the public celebration of readiness. "Tarzan" professional breeder to the media: "Tarzan,"

 After returning home, through the quarantine period of observation, physical and mental good condition, basically adapted to the home diet and the environment, but also learned to Sichuan dialect, and cultivating a deep full-time breeder feelings, can be induced in the Breeders love to complete the basic training programs. Media for "Tarzan" is pleased at the same time was also very honored to be able to pre-empt the "Tarzan" to spread the good news.

Tarzan" to return since the research center staff has not only been meticulous care, but also the hearts of countless people, concerned about his hometown, in order to express the people's love of his hometown, March 9, 2010, the center will join the Global Call to "Taishan "volunteers and" Tarzan "adopt artificial" Tarzan "Check new home celebrations. By then, the volunteers, adoption of people, the media, people will have the honor to witness his hometown, "Tarzan" out off this happy moment, to usher in "Tarzan," Check new home."

Wild panda comes to village to feast; Updated

Check out this piece that came from a blog site, GoChengdoo who picked it up from the Chengdu Commercial Daily,  about a wild panda that comes down out from the mountains on occasion to feed in one of the small villages in Boaxing County. I have inserted a map from Wikipedia and titled it so you can see where in China this is.

Thanks to panda pal, Xi Shan of flickr for sending this our way and thanks also to rbm, who commented about another article about this same story that appeared on ChinaPandaorg.cn. It does go into more detail about the family, so be sure to check it out also.

Wild panda enters villagers' home in Sichuan County

A farming family in western Sichuan's Baoxing county got an early new year's surprise when a wild giant panda entered their house and gobbled up nearly 2 kilograms of pork bones that had been placed near the pigpen. After its feast, the panda gestured to the farmer that it was still hungry, and the happy-to-please host brought out some more fresh pork ribs for his guest. The panda took the bones straight from the hands of the farmer and sat down in the house to continue eating, after which the panda had a brief stroll and then a nap until the next morning. "

It was around 6 p.m., and I had been making dinner. I stepped out of the room and saw a panda just in front of the doorway. I told the whole family, we should walk with it to the forest over there. About a half-hour later, my wife saw the panda sitting next to the pigpen chewing on the bones," explained Tao Defen.

Li Tingzhong said, "These years, pandas frequently come by our house, usually three or four times a year. Every time they eat the bones. They're very gentle and not at all afraid of people, as if they're pets we've raised. After they're done eating they'll sleep next to the pigpen or against the wall and don't wake up again until daylight the next day."

According to a village official, this panda has been spotted many times by the villagers and last year ate the corn of some of the farmers, but this was the first time the animal has entered a home.

The panda is about one meter long, weighs about 200 pounds and is around 8 years old, estimates the forestry administration. Chengdu Commercial Daily.

Giant pandas and politics

This was posted on China Daily.com under the heading of Web Comments. 

Liberate Panda from Politics

By Yuan Boyang (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-02-10 17:38

Do pandas even have the right to determine their own fate?

Over a hundred kinds of nationally protected animals, including pandas and golden monkeys, must propagate with help from humans to prevent the risk of their extinction. However, as the national treasure of China, pandas have one more burden – they are image ambassadors of China.

In historical records, Panda diplomacy dates back more than a thousand years ago. In AD685, the female emperor Wu Zetian of China’s Tang dynasty sent two pandas to Japan as a gift. This is the origin of Panda diplomacy.

Before 1949, more than 50 pandas had been sent abroad as gifts. When Europeans first saw pandas in 1869, they fell in love with the marvelous creatures. Driven by affection and curiosity, more and more European people came to China to explore the home of pandas.

The apex event of Panda diplomacy happened in 1972 when U.S. President Nixon visited China. Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai gave two pandas to the American people as ‘Red China’s gift to the U.S’. In the following decade, no matter where pandas appeared in the Western world, millions of people would turn out for a glimpse.

But is the panda comfortable with this grand destiny? Is it really so light-hearted an animal like we think, always playing and fooling around? Does it feel homesick when it is thousands of miles away from its native land? Why does a panda have to be involved in human political affairs?

China has an ancient political tradition called Heqin, namely alliance by marriage. From Han’s Wang Zhaojun to Tang’s Princess Wencheng, women were exchanged as tokens for peace when marriages were conducted for political trade. In the Middle Ages of Europe, such events were very common. Now the panda gifts are just like that old policy, which sacrifices the panda’s happiness for political purposes.

Records show that only a few couples of pandas abroad can get along well along with each other, and even fewer can breed. Most pandas sent abroad in early time died from digestive system disease instead of natural causes, according to Wei Longping, the director of Wolong Panda Breeding Institution.

World communities pay more attention to wild animal protection, and people protest against slaughtering and eating wild animals in any form. However, if the protection is beneficial for humans but unfavorable for the animal, is our motive still pure and valid? Before stopping disturbance to other creatures’ lives, human cannot allege equality on earth.

Wild giant panda rescued in China after getting stuck on cliff

Here's a good news story that came across my Google Alert for giant pandas, the video originated on the Chinese Central Television, CCTV.

CBS Newspath Published: February 9, 2010 Updated: February 9, 2010

A hungry, lost wild giant panda prompted a long rescue operation as it trapped itself on a mountain cliff near a village in southwest China, China’s Central Television (CCTV) reported on Tuesday (February 9).

CCTV said local villagers spent hours trying to help the 100-kilogram panda to descend from the 50-meter-high cliff in E’bian County, Sichuan province, after it was spotted in the early morning of Friday (February 5).

Villagers believed the panda had been stuck on the cliff for hours but was scared to get too close to the equally scared animal, they eventually called wildlife experts to the rescue.

“Panda is China’s national treasure. Nobody dared to touch it,“ one worker explained.

After nearly seven hours, the workers and villagers managed to lure the panda off the cliff. According to CCTV, the rescuers’ tempting bait of a banana proved too hard for the panda to resist.

Experts believed the wild panda had descended from the mountains in search of food.

Scientists believe there are around 1,590 giant pandas living in the wild in China, most in the mountains of southwest.

The endangered species are considered a national icon in China and are often used to bolster foreign relations, coining the term ‘panda diplomacy’.

A hungry wild giant panda gets by with a little help from friendly villagers after getting stuck on a mountain cliff.

Updates on how Tai Shan and Mei Lan are doing since arriving in China

Just wanted to provide some news on how Tai Shan and Mei Lan are doing since arriving in China. 

It is true that Mei is a little unsettled and as of yesterday was not eating but she was drinking water.   There is a video of her, Mei's first day, and I have to warn you its hard to watch.  I believe the woman in the video is Mei's new keeper.  Between her and Heather, Lani's keeper from Atlanta, they will do everything they can to help her get settled in.  Lani's vet along with the base director are all involved in helping Mei Lan to move through this transition as smoothly as possible.

Thanks to panda pal LCNessie of flickr who was able to meet up with the Zoo Atlanta keepers about Lani and here is what they found out.

"Hi all. Just back from a day at Zoo Atlanta. I just watched the yahoo video of Lani. It's so very hard to see her upset. The keepers told me she is not yet settled but the base is very concerned about helping her settle in soon. Her chinese keeper and Heather are the only ones allowed in her area - they are really working to reduce her stress. She is resting and drinking water. Hopefully she will start to relax soon then eat. Heather is very sensitive to Lani's needs too and really knows her. She is there for another week. From the sounds of the video, Lani's chinese keeper sounds very compassionate so I'm sure they will pull out all the stops to help her settle in quickly. It is such a big change for any of the bears. Lani's reaction also may also be a function of being female - as a potential mother, her instincts to be sensitive to a different environment are necessary to protect her cubs. Hopefully we will hear more positive news as each day goes by. Let's send her positive vibes! She's such a darling!"

Nessie will try to update us later today on Mei Lan's progress.   

Tai Shan looks like he adjusting pretty well.  He is eating like his dad Tian Tian, 'more and more'.  Here are photos of Nicole's last moments with Tai as his keeper.  Here is a video of Tai's first day 

The staff at the Bifengxia Base decided that since Tai seemed to be adjusting pretty well as he was walking around his outdoor area checking things out and has a healthy appetite, that it would be best if Nicole completely handed over Tai's care to his new keeper, Wu Dai Fu. 

Well, as you can see in the photos it was not an easy task to walk away from a darling that you worked with over the last 4 1/2 years. 

Thanks Nicole for everything you have done for Tai over the years, our prayers of support are with you. 

I understand Nicole will remain in China for this week and try to get around to see Hua Mei, Mei Sheng, and other parts of the base. 

Thanks to everyone who is involved with the care of Tai Shan and Mei Lan.

I did want to leave a new link for all of you that comes from China and has videos and photos. Chinapanda.org.cn 

Chengdu Panda Base is looking for volunteers

Wanted: volunteers to get up close and personal with China's pandas

by Jane Macartney in Beijing from the TimesOnline

For anyone who dreams of getting up close and personal with a giant panda, now is your chance.

China’s main breeding station has issued a call for 30 volunteers from around the world to help to care for its pandas during the Chinese new year holidays when a flood of tourists is expected.

The temporary recruits to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, in Sichuan province, will be welcome to work with the pandas between February 14 — the first day of the Year of the Tiger — and February 28, which marks the end of the lunar new year festival.

However, the offer is not open to just anyone. The endangered panda a national treasure in China and must be carefully handled. Only about 1,600 pandas still survive in the wild in China. To be eligible, any would-be volunteer worker must be aged between 18 and 45 and have a college degree, the research base said. Fluent spoken English would also be considered a bonus.

One official at the base said that there were several reasons for the call for recruits. The base was forecasting a deluge of tourists over the new year holiday, he said, and “our own staff will be insufficient and we need more hands on deck. Plus, it’s a good opportunity to popularise knowledge about pandas and to draw more attention to their protection”.

Visitors to the base, home to about 45 giant pandas, usually have little chance to get too close to the cuddly, but sleepy, animals. They are usually to be glimpsed dozing in tree branches or inside their shelters. Even the babies are really only lively at feeding time. After a breakfast of carrots, apples and milk the toddlers roll about and play for a while before drifting off into corners to slumber.

The official said: “For many people, it will be a rare opportunity to be with the pandas and to take care of them. It will be a memorable experience.”

Recruits will have to pay their own way, making it likely that most will be tourists already travelling in China. The base will provide meals during working hours.

The duties will not be arduous. The official said: “The volunteers don’t need to have a huge knowledge of pandas. The most important thing is an animal-loving heart. We will give them basic training.”

However, becoming a volunteer does not guarantee a chance to cuddle a baby panda — a privilege for which visitors pay as much as 1,000 yuan (£90) for just five minutes of playtime.

The official added: “They will be given simple jobs, like distributing gifts to children and cleaning the panda enclosures.” It was not known if any recruit would win the coveted job of working with the cubs.