Pandas Live on

Holiday Season brings a gracious gift to the National Zoo panda program

Mei Xiang and Tian Tian of the national zoo may not be aware of the wonderful news that was posted in the Washington Post this morning, but you can be sure all of their panda fans are extremely grateful. 

A big Thank You goes out to David M.Rubenstein who has reportedly donated 4.5 million dollars toward the zoo's panda reproduction program.  As a regent with the Smithsonian, he heard of the zoo's difficulty in acquiring the much needed funds to keep the reproduction program going.  

“When I heard about it,” Rubenstein said, “I thought . . . ‘We have been residents of Washington for a long time. We took our children to the zoo when they were younger. I’m a Smithsonian regent.’ And I thought it would be a nice holiday gift for the zoo and people in Washington.”

You are certainly right about the donation being a nice holiday gift, Mr. Rubenstein.  For those of us who keep up with the National Zoo Pandas, maybe your donation will turn the tide for a new cub or two in the coming years.  May you and your family have a wonderful holiday season!

$4.5 million gift to support National Zoo panda efforts  
By Michael E. Ruane, Monday, December 19, 3:02 AM, Washington Post

The National Zoo plans to announce Monday that philanthropist David M. Rubenstein is donating $4.5 million to its giant panda reproduction program, bolstering the zoo’s ability to maintain one of Washington’s most popular attractions at a time of economic strain.

The donation, which Rubenstein described as a holiday gift to the zoo and the city, will cover the tab for five years of giant panda reproduction efforts and for other panda research here and in China. The pandas, on loan from China, previously had their stay extended through 2015, but the zoo had been having trouble securing corporate sponsorship for a program that has delighted and captivated zoogoers for more than a decade.

Now, zoo officials can stop worrying about fundraising for the pandas and turn to what they consider a far more important task: The often frustrating effort to produce panda cubs. The zoo has said that 2012 is probably the last year it will try to achieve a pregnancy with its current pair of giant pandas.

Officials plan to announce the donation during a news conference at the zoo to be attended by Rubenstein; the Chinese ambassador to the United States, Zhang Yesui; the secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, Wayne Clough; and National Zoo Director Dennis W. Kelly.

Zoo officials, privately, expressed excitement about the development, but they declined to comment officially before the formal announcement.

Rubenstein is a co-founder and managing director of the Carlyle Group, a global asset-management firm. He is also a member of the board of regents at the Smithsonian, which operates the zoo, and chairman of Washington’s John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Mei will be out and about soon

The National Zoo posted a wonderful update about how Mei was doing and their interaction with her while she begins to make the transition from her pregnancy/pseudopregnancy period to her normal routine. 

The information that the zoo shares through their updates is truly appreciated.  I know my non-panda friends who get pulled into my discussions about GP's appreciate it for sure.  lol

The current update is below.

Thanks to, Dan Dan the Binary Man  stopped by the zoo this last Sunday and photographed Mei outside of her den area as you can see to the right. 

It is so good to see her up close after only having shots of her through the cam from a distance for so long. 

Tian was also in a social mood as he walked right down to the walkway above yard 1 where all of us stand to catch a glimpse when visiting.  Daniel was able to catch some great shots of him during his stroll. 

 

 

National Zoo panda update, July 25

We are all truly disappointed to not have a new panda cub this year. We were sure that all of our hard work and the help from our Chinese colleagues, as well as all the positive energy from panda fans everywhere somehow would have all come together for a positive outcome after many years of disappointment. Even in our disappointment, we have to step back and realize how much we learn each year, whether or not we have a giant panda cub. This knowledge helps us better care for these magnificent animals.

We are again starting to see glimpses of the Mei Xiang that we typically see during non-breeding seasons. Although the extreme heat is slowing down her return to “normal,” she is beginning to engage in her usual routine again. For example, Saturday morning, she ventured into the scale area to be weighed and to participate in a brief training session. She weighed 236 pounds, which is 19 pounds lighter than her last weight which was taken at the end of May, but this is a normal weight loss considering the amount of time she’s been denned up and eating less. She is regaining her interest in food, and is consuming all of her produce and leaf eater biscuits daily, along with increasing amounts of bamboo.

Mei Xiang is the one who will determine when she returns to her outdoor yards. We expect that some morning in the very near future, she will be awake and waiting for us by the door when we arrive in the morning, just like before the pseudopregnancy. At that time, we will let her set the pace for her return to her normal daily routine.; Once she begins sleeping outside of her den on a regular basis, we will begin deconstructing the enormous nest in her den, so that we can again thoroughly clean her enclosure. Then life will go back to normal at the Panda House, and we will eagerly await the next breeding season.

 

No cubby for Mei Xiang : - (

The National Zoo has posted an update that brings happy news about the birth of four Red Pandas but sad news that Mei Xiang has experienced a pseudopregnancy. 

Congratulations to the zoo about the four red panda cubs, this is wonderful news for dear momma Shama who lives at the zoo and who's photo we have here thanks to Unka Bobby of flickr.

National Zoo’s Panda Count: Red Pandas 4, Giant Panda 0

July 22, 2011

Two red panda cubs were born at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C., and two additional cubs were born at the Zoo’s facility in Front Royal, Va., bringing the total to four in 2011. Unfortunately, female giant panda Mei Xiang (may-SHONG) is not pregnant but was experiencing a pseudo, or false, pregnancy during the past several months.

Shama, the female red panda at the Zoo’s Asia Trail, gave birth to two cubs in her den June 17. Keepers suspected that she was caring for offspring when she did not respond to their call that morning. A slight squeal was the first indication of a cub. Zoo staff left the mother alone to bond with and care for the cubs in their den. On the seventh day keepers conducted a quick cub check and, with a one-minute window of opportunity, were able to confirm two cubs in the nest box. Likewise, red panda Lao Mei at the Zoo’s Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal gave birth to two cubs June 5. Keepers have confirmed both cubs are female and have opened their eyes.

Staff is taking precautions to not interfere with the cubs during this critical time. As the opportunity presents itself, they enter the den areas to weigh the cubs and assess their health. Keepers wear a second set of cloth gloves over their standard rubber gloves, which have been rubbed with nesting material and scented with the mother’s feces to cover human scents. All four newborns are steadily gaining weight and appear healthy.

The red panda exhibit is currently closed to visitors for the safety and well being of the mother and cubs. As the cubs grow stronger, the keepers and Friends of the National Zoo volunteers will watch for Shama to allow her cubs to venture out of the den in early fall. At that point, staff will evaluate when the exhibit can be reopened for public viewing. The red pandas in Front Royal have a brand new facility that includes nine outdoor enclosures equipped with numerous insulated dens. Red pandas are born annually and more than 100 surviving cubs have been born at both the Front Royal and Washington facilities since 1962.

National Zoo scientists, veterinarians, keepers and volunteers from the Friends of the National Zoo were keeping a close eye on giant panda Mei Xiang, monitoring her hormone levels and behavior, as well as conducting daily ultrasound exams in an attempt to determine if she was pregnant. (Note: Mei Xiang stopped participating in the ultrasound exams after July 3 and remained exclusively in her den.) In late June, her level of urinary progesterone (a hormone associated with pregnancy) began to gradually decline. Upon reaching normal baseline levels, this decline would end in either the birth of a cub or the end of a pseudopregnancy. Based on changes in her behavior, hormone levels and a lack of fetus observed during the ultrasound exams, Zoo researchers have determined that Mei Xiang experienced a pseudopregnancy.

Giant pandas ovulate just once a year. Females undergo a pseudopregnancy when they ovulate but fail to conceive. During a pseudopregnancy, hormonal changes and behaviors are identical to those of a true pregnancy, making it very difficult to determine if a giant panda is actually pregnant or not. This is the sixth time Mei Xiang has had a pseudopregnancy. She gave birth once in 2005 to a male cub, Tai Shan.

###

SI-297-2011

Fu Hu of Austria almost a year old

Fu Hu, younger brother of Fu Long who now lives in China, was out with his keepers last week getting weighed, fortunately for us, there were some photographers on hand to record the event.  Fu Hu was born on August 23, 2010 at Zoo Vienna.

Thanks to Jola who posted the photos and keeps up with Fu and his parents through their website zoobesuche.net. You can follow their visits to the zoo on their YouTube site pandanews08.

 Vienna: Weight control in the baby monsters Posted by jola

The little baby monster grows and grows, it may soon his supervisors never easy to tease. Fu Hu already weighs 20.1 kg ( 44.3 lbs)

Last week was yet another TV crew to shoot at the zoo, so you could watch Fu Hus weight control and cuddle sessions with the rascal in the outdoor complex.

Last week was yet another TV crew to shoot at the zoo, so you could watch Fu Hus weight control and cuddle sessions with the rascal in the outdoor complex.

 

Fu Hu in weight control with his supervisors Mark, Renate (she keeps him on the arm) and Eveline, taken on 15 July 2011. In the background you walk Papa Long Hui in the second grounds are:

 

 

Yun Zi of San Diego has a birthday celebration coming up!

How fast they grow!  Our little fella in San Diego will be celebrating his 2nd birthday on August 5, 2011.  The San Diego Zoo has made special plans for him and they invite everyone that can make it to the zoo to please join in.  Please be sure to check out the zoo's Yunzi photo album that shows 85 photos taken from his first exam to current day.

You can keep up with all of the zoo's pandas through their live pandacam that will soon be featured in HD, once their newest addition Panda Trek opens! Can't wait for that.

Panda Party Invitation

By

Jennifer Becerra

– July 13, 2011Posted in: Animal Stories, Animals and Plants, Bears, Pandas, Uncategorized

Yun Zi’s second birthday is on Friday, August 5, 2011. The birthday bear and his keepers would like to share this special day with all of his adoring fans, friends, and family. This not-so-little bear (126 pounds or 57.4 kilograms) is getting excited about his big day. But one day is not enough for our boy, so we are going to be spoiling this panda during an entire week!

We will give Yun Zi several birthday presents that he can tear open and enjoy, so look for lots of “gift boxes” and special enrichment items Monday through Friday, starting on Monday, August 1. On August 5, around noon, our Forage Department will present Yun Zi with one of their unique and famous ice cakes.

What do you think this bear would wish for on his birthday when he breaks off his Number 2? Yun Zi is hoping you can come and celebrate his second birthday with him! If you cannot be here in person, you can celebrate Yun Zi’s birthday in your own home courtesy of our Panda Cam. So “RSVP” in our comment section. We hope to see you August 1 to 5!

Jennifer Becerra is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo. Read her previous post, Yun Zi’s Spring Break.

Keeping up with Mei Xiang's pregnancy/pseudopregnancy watch

Mei continues to stay in her den area.  The Smithsonian National Zoo issued an update on Wednesday and they have also opened a forum for discussion on Facebook.  Thanks so much, to the zoo for continuing to open up communications publicly so that everyone can express their support to the zoo and their pandas.

You can watch Mei yourself through the zoo's live panda cam which runs 24 hours as well Daniel's multiple panda cam feeds  and you can also go to the Smithsonian National Zoo Facebook page to chat with other panda fans about Mei's pregnancy watch.  Thanks so much to Unka Bobby of flickr for the beautiful photo of Mei Xiang. Below I recorded Mei for a short time from the cams and have included it below.  Good Luck, dear Mei.

National Zoo Update July 13

Mei Xiang continues to throw us curve balls this year. Last week she exhibited behaviors consistent with coming out of a pseudopregnancy, including increased appetite and awareness, and spending time outside of her den. However, last Thursday morning, she “denned up” again, spending almost all of her time in her nest area, eating very little, and sleeping even more than usual. She has also gone back to cradling and grooming both her Kong toy and Boomer ball. Prolonged bouts of body licking have been observed, which is another strong indicator for possible imminent birth. In the midst of all of these encouraging signs, she didn't produce a fresh urine sample until last night. Right now we are all anxiously awaiting the results of that sample, which hopefully will give us a much clearer picture of where things stand.

Due to the extreme heat, Tian Tian is visible outdoors only in the early morning hours. At about 10 a.m. he is given access to his air-conditioned indoor enclosure. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but our priority is to provide the best care possible for Tian Tian during this heat wave.

 

Video of Su Lin's birth from Wolong, China

Thanks to wzb3 of YouTube who captured the video of Su Lin giving birth that is posted on the china.org/blog website and moved it to YouTube. Amazing footage!

 

Here is the account of the birth that was posted on the Wolong website:

2011 returnees world's first captive giant panda Su Lin in the semi-wild environment in the successful birth.
2011.Jul.08 15:03:05 Author: Panda reporters and editors: musa

July 7, 2011, 5:00 off Wolong Giant Panda wild training base

Su Lin's stone nest

Su Lin has shown a significant prenatal behavior Staff 24-hour monitoring of its continuing Here is Su Lin's Lair

Today, 5:00 Su Lin began efforts to select 10:10 breaking the amniotic fluid At 12:36 birth to cub Start, the face of the earth cub Su Lin at a loss After about three minutes To promote a strong maternal instinct or the cub Su Lin Diao up In his arms Cub loud and clear voice, the appearance of visual health

Afternoon, 16:00 Staff will be out of pups After a simple examination Identified as male pups Weight 130 g Normal physical condition

After a brief physical examination Su Lin is currently in stable condition mother Good condition

Adelaide Zoo pandas looking sweet

Panda fan, hugwildlife who lives in Australia, made a trip up to the Adelaide Zoo to see Wang Wang(M) and Funi(F) a couple of weeks ago and she would love to share her visit with you.

Thanks so much, Rita for sharing your videos of Funi and Wang, due to the time change, it is rare for me to catch them on the zoos live pandacams

Here are some of her observations that she saw while visiting Wang and Fu.

"There was one young woman, who tossed some fruit to both Wang and Fu while I was there, pieces of apples, pears and bananas, the fruit was tossed everywhere in their outside areas. The panda-bread is given twice a day. "  If you remember the zoo's keepers make their own panda bread there at the zoo.

"They are moving Funi and Wang Wang to each others outside areas, almost every day, so you never know where they are going to be, from one day to next, that's so they get use to each others smells and that might help, when its time for mating."

"Funi is definitely the most playful one out of the two, she will climb trees or zoom around the yard, doing occasional somersaults.  Wang Wang is more reserved, he quite often turns his back on people and walks away. He does love his pool though!"  Would love to see him in his pool, Rita.  Thanks again.

Simone the head keeper at the Adelaide Zoo keeps up a blog on the zoo's website and recently added information about Funi's and Wang Wang's parents,  Our Pandas Parents. 

Here is Rita's video showing 6 year old Wang Wang ("Net Net")

 

Here is Rita's video of 5 year old Funi ("Lucky Girl")