Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family

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Re: Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family

Post by queenie » Wed Sep 04, 2019 11:02 pm

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^ click 2X biggest ~ after clicking to view, go to return arrow on top left screen, back to post ~ Bei Bei may be going to China this Fall :( :bye 1: {but he will probably Father gorgeous & spunky & much-needed cubbies to add to the panda population} :D :hooray:
Jayne Hutcheson, a veterinary technician, left, works on an IV line as Elyshia Hankin, a veterinary radiologist from Friendship Hospital for Animals, performs an ultrasound on the National Zoo’s giant panda Bei Bei on Wednesday. (Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post)
By Michael E. Ruane September 4 at 6:30 PM

A blood-oxygen monitor is clipped to the animal’s large pink tongue. An endoscope has been fed down his throat to examine his small intestine. And technician Jayne Hutcheson is swabbing his paws with blue paint for keepsake paw prints.
Beneath the surgical lights, the National Zoo’s giant panda Bei Bei is on his back on the operating table. He has a catheter in his jugular vein held in place with staples, and a blood pressure cuff on one leg.
His tiny black eyes are open, and bits of dust rise from his thick fur. But he has been anesthetized and does not react to the experts preparing him for his new adventure and, perhaps, the end of an era at the zoo.
Bei Bei, the youngest of the zoo’s three giant pandas, is headed to China, probably this fall. And before he goes, veterinarians and technicians Wednesday gave him a thorough checkup at the zoo’s hospital.
Over several hours, as the monitors beeped and technicians took notes, he was X-rayed and scoped. His abdomen was examined with ultrasound and his muscles were prodded by a nutritionist.
Blood, photos and at least one selfie were taken.
Near the end, visiting veterinarian J.D. Foster, from Washington’s Friendship Hospital for Animals, said: “This looks pretty darn good.”
National Zoo veterinarian James Steeil replied: “I’ll take pretty darn good.”
The zoo is entering a time of transition in its almost 50-year experience with giant pandas.
After Bei Bei, 4, goes, the zoo will be down to its two adult pandas: Mei Xiang, 21, a female, and Tian Tian, 22, a male.
By prior agreement with the Chinese, all giant panda cubs born in U.S. zoos must be sent to a breeding program in China once they turn 4. Bei Bei, a subadult, turned 4 in August.
But Brandie Smith, the deputy director, said Wednesday that the zoo has to decide where it wants to take its giant panda program next.
“We’re talking about where we want our research to go in the future,” she said at the zoo. “A big part of our research was on giant panda reproduction.”
With the birth of three cubs, “we cracked the code,” she said. “So it’s almost like it’s the end of that era. So what fills in that space?”
“Also, we were big on giant panda population management,” she said. “The National Zoo, we really kind of helped create the breeding plan for the entire global panda population. Again, box checked. . . . So what comes in to fill that space?”
Meanwhile, the zoo has been waiting to find out whether Mei Xiang might be pregnant or is experiencing a false pregnancy. In the latter case, the panda exhibits all the signs of pregnancy, but no cub is delivered.
Mei Xiang, who has had numerous false pregnancies in past years, was artificially inseminated in March and is near the end of her 90- to 185-day gestation period.
As observers kept a close eye on her in the panda house, Bei Bei was on the table under a red heating blanket to keep him warm during the examinations.
He’d had some gastrointestinal problems in recent weeks. And he underwent successful surgery in 2016 to remove a clump of food stuck in his bowel.
So, in addition to his checkup, veterinarians wanted to examine his digestive tract.
“Pandas, not just in captive situations but even in the wild, as a species they seem to have a propensity for gastrointestinal disease,” said the zoo’s chief veterinarian, Don Neiffer.
“With him in particular, actually with all animals, when they go to another institution . . . or another country, there’s usually a pre-shipment examination that occurs,” he said.
“But because he has this history of a gastrointestinal obstruction, and he more recently was a little off because of [a] mucus stool, we really wanted to take the opportunity to just work him up,” Neiffer said.
“We’re not expecting to find anything,” he said. “We want to make sure that there’s nothing that we’re missing.”
(The zoo said after the procedures that everything seemed fine.)
As the veterinarians worked, Hutcheson, the technician, and panda keeper Marty Dearie worked on getting the inked paw prints on pieces of white paper.
“This is for those of our team who’ve been with him since he was a cub,” said zoo spokeswoman Annalisa Meyer. “This is like the most perfect memory . . . that you can have.”
It’s a panda signature, she said.
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Giant panda Bei Bei undergoes a general physical and wellness exam at the National Zoo. (Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post)
National Zoo chief veterinarian Don Neiffer listens to Bei Bei’s heartbeat during the exam. (Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post)
Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value then they? ~ ASV Matt. 6:26
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Re: Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family

Post by queenie » Fri Sep 20, 2019 3:11 pm

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^ click 2X biggest :grhug: after clicking to view, go to return arrow on top left screen, back to post
Reproductive scientists, veterinarians and animal keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute have determined that giant panda Mei Xiang (may-SHONG) will not give birth this year. She has been experiencing a pseudopregnancy over the past several months.
Giant pandas’ behavior and hormones mimic a pregnancy even if they are experiencing a pseudopregnancy. Reproductive scientists had been tracking Mei Xiang’s hormones since she was artificially inseminated March 28. Her levels of urinary progesterone began to rise in July indicating that she would give birth to a cub or experience the final stages of a pregnancy within 6 to 8 weeks. Her hormone levels are at baseline levels and her behavior is slowly returning to normal. Veterinarians have also not detected a developing fetus on any ultrasounds.
The panda team has tracked Mei Xiang’s behavior closely during the past several weeks. Specially-trained volunteers with Friends of the National Zoo started monitoring her from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. via the panda cams in late August, watching for specific behaviors associated with pregnancy and pseudopregnancy. She started showing behavioral changes Aug. 7, including sensitivity to noise, which prompted the panda team to close the panda house. Veterinarians conducted ultrasounds twice each week to track changes in Mei Xiang’s uterus and to try to detect a developing fetus.
Giant panda pregnancies and pseudopregnancies can last between three and six months. Mei Xiang’s denning behaviors will decrease, and keepers expect her to return to her normal routine within a few weeks.
The panda house will return to normal operating hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today, Sept. 11. Visitors are also able to see the pandas on the panda cams, which are live on the Zoo’s website 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week.
Mei Xiang has given birth to three surviving panda cubs with Tian Tian, all of which were born at the National Zoo. Her first cub, Tai Shan (tie-SHON), was born July 9, 2005 and now lives in China. Her second cub, Bao Bao (BOW-BOW), was born Aug. 23, 2013. Bao Bao moved to China in February 2017. On Aug. 22, 2015, Mei Xiang gave birth to her third cub, Bei Bei (BAY-BAY), who will move to China sometime in the coming months. The Zoo’s Giant Panda Cooperative Research and Breeding Agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association stipulates that all panda cubs born at the Zoo move to China when they are 4 years old and the agreement for giant pandas Mei Xiang and Tian Tian is in effect until Dec. 7, 2020.
The Zoo received approval for its breeding plans from the China Wildlife and Conservation Association and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which monitors giant panda research programs in the United States.
Giant pandas are listed as “vulnerable” in the wild by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. There are an estimated 1,800 in the wild. Scientists and animal care specialists at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute work with scientists in China studying giant panda reproduction and cub health, habitat and disease.
The Zoo will continue to provide updates on the pandas on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using #PandaStory, and the Giant Panda e-newsletter.
https://nationalzoo.si.edu/sites/defaul ... k=rTYbpETc
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mei Xiang B-Roll
Smithsonian's National Zoo

:vid: 36 seconds > https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_cont ... sx4iWY 36S :rh:
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^ click 2X biggest ~ from video above ^ after clicking to view, go to return arrow on top left screen, back to post
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^ click 2X biggest ~ from video above ^ after clicking to view, go to return arrow on top left screen, back to post
Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value then they? ~ ASV Matt. 6:26
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Re: Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family

Post by queenie » Tue Oct 29, 2019 9:24 pm

:rh: :grhug:
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Bei Bei is heading to China in November! Follow along on social media, the Panda Cam and take part in the week-long Bye Bye, Bei Bei events.
Farewell Celebration at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo From Nov. 11 to Nov. 18
Oct. 18, 2019
Giant panda Bei Bei will depart the Smithsonian’s National Zoo for China Tuesday, Nov. 19. As part of the Zoo’s cooperative breeding agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association, all cubs born at the Zoo move to China when they are 4 years old. Bei Bei turned 4 Aug. 22.
“Our giant pandas represent much of what the Smithsonian does best, from conservation to education,” said Lonnie Bunch, Secretary of the Smithsonian. “As we say goodbye to our beloved Bei Bei, our conservation scientists will continue to work in collaboration to prevent these animals from disappearing, giving them the opportunity to thrive in the wild, inspiring and teaching generations to come.”
“Bei Bei is part of our family,” said Steve Monfort, John and Adrienne Mars director of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. “Our team has cared for him, learned from him and, along with millions, loved watching him grow. We’re sad he’s leaving, but excited for the contributions he will make to the global giant panda population. Bei Bei is an ambassador for conservation and part of a 47-year program that proves bringing species and habitats back from the brink is possible through global cooperation.”
Panda keepers are already preparing Bei Bei for the move to make sure he is comfortable and safe during his journey. Part of the preparations will include acclimating Bei Bei to a travel crate. The crate will be placed in the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat. At first, keepers will ask Bei Bei to walk through it every day. After he has adjusted to walking through the crate, they will acclimate him to spending short periods of time in it with the door closed. Keepers will offer him treats while he is in the crate.
When Bei Bei departs for China, he will be accompanied by one panda keeper and one veterinarian. FedEx will fly Bei Bei and the panda team non-stop from Washington, D.C., to Chengdu, China, in a dedicated B777 aircraft as part of the company’s FedEx Cares “Delivering for Good” initiative. FedEx uses its global network and logistics expertise to help organizations with mission-critical needs in times of disaster and for special shipments. FedEx also donated dedicated aircrafts to bring Bei Bei’s older brother Tai Shan to China in 2010, older sister Bao Bao to China in 2017 and their parents, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, to the United States in 2000. It is better for pandas to travel in the fall and winter months when it is cool, instead of in the heat of summer. The panda team will continuously monitor Bei Bei during the trip and will travel with a supply of his favorite treats, including bamboo, apples, pears, carrots, cooked sweet potatoes, biscuits and water.
Upon arrival in Chengdu, Bei Bei’s new keepers will accompany him to one of the bases run by the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda. The American team will follow, and a panda keeper will remain with Bei Bei for a short time while he acclimates to his new home. Bei Bei will enter the giant panda breeding program when he reaches sexual maturity between 5 and 7 years old.
From Nov.11 to Nov. 18, the Zoo will hold an online and on-site series of “Bye Bye, Bei Bei” celebratory events to bid a fond farewell to Bei Bei before he begins the next chapter of his life in China. Details on the celebration will be shared and posted to the Zoo’s website soon. The Zoo will be using #ByeByeBeiBei on all updates posted on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Bei Bei was born Aug. 22, 2015, at the Zoo’s David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat. He has been living separately from his mother Mei Xiang since March 2017. Giant pandas are solitary in the wild, and cubs separate from their mothers to establish their own territories between 18 months and 2 years old.
Giant pandas are listed as “vulnerable” in the wild by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. There are an estimated 1,800 in the wild. Scientists at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute work with scientists in China studying giant panda reproduction and cub health, habitat and disease. Chinese scientists are working to reintroduce giant pandas to the wild.
Always free of charge and open 364 days a year (closed Dec. 25), the Smithsonian’s National Zoo is one of Washington, D.C.’s most popular tourist destinations, with approximately 2 million visitors from all over the world each year. The Zoo instills a lifelong commitment to conservation through engaging experiences with animals and the people working to save them. Today, the Zoo sits on 163 acres in the heart of Washington’s Rock Creek Park and is home to 2,700 animals representing more than 390 species. The Zoo’s commitment to conservation, research and education extends to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI), located in nearby Front Royal, Virginia. SCBI scientists and animal care experts conduct veterinary and reproductive research to save wildlife and habitats for some of the world’s most endangered animals on the sprawling 3,200-acre campus and in more than 30 countries across the globe.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bye Bye, Bei Bei
Join the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute for a series of online and on-site celebratory events to bid a fond farewell to giant panda Bei Bei before he begins the next chapter of his life in China.
As part of the Zoo's cooperative breeding program with the China Wildlife Conservation Association, all cubs born at the Zoo move to China when 4 years old to breed with other pandas, helping to keep the population genetically diverse. Learn more about Bei Bei's trip to China in this FAQ.
Bei Bei will be sent off with a series of celebratory public events from Monday, Nov. 11, through Monday, Nov. 18, including 24/7 Bei Bei on Panda Cam 1. FONZ's members-only event is on Saturday, Nov. 9. Check out the full schedule below for more details.
----100% Bei Bei on Panda Cam 1
Paw-five! Panda Cam 1 will focus exclusively on Bei Bei from Nov. 11-18.

https://nationalzoo.si.edu/events/bye-b ... ld-title-0
List of Events ^
Oct. 18, 2019
https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/news ... rture-faqs
Bei Bei’s Departure FAQs ^
Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value then they? ~ ASV Matt. 6:26
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Re: Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family

Post by queenie » Tue Oct 29, 2019 10:31 pm

:rh: :pan:
10-3-19 nz bei bei.jpg
^ click 2X biggest ~ Zoo photos ~ after clicking to view, go to return arrow on top left screen, back to post
:vid: Bei Bei https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeJBDsOjoaU 6.56 min.~ after clicking and viewing, go to return arrow on top left screen, back to post
Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value then they? ~ ASV Matt. 6:26
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Re: Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family

Post by queenie » Mon Nov 18, 2019 9:12 pm

Twitter Nat'l Zoo lots of gifs, photos, videos of Bei Bei's going to China, Fed Ex Plane, etc.
:vid:
https://twitter.com/NationalZoo
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ :rh: :pan: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
:vid: 1.41 min https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bei-bei-pa ... 019-11-18/
( ^ darling video of Bei Bei as a tiny cubbie, with sound you get to hear & see him, and up to being trained to enter the cage that will fly him to China)

Bei Bei the giant panda leaving the National Zoo for China By Chip Reid CBS News November 18, 2019, 6:56 PM
Washington — The National Zoo in Washington, D.C., is saying goodbye to Bei Bei. He's the last of its beloved giant panda cubs, and his departure could mean the end of an era.
For the past four years, we've watched as Bei Bei has melted hearts, as he snuggled and played with his mother and somersaulted down snowy hills.
Laurie Thompson at the National Zoo has been watching over Bei Bei since the day he was born. But now, at 4 years old, he's all grown up, and under an agreement with China, he must join their panda breeding program.
Thompson gave CBS News a sneak peek as she acclimated him to a steel crate like the one that will carry him to China Tuesday aboard a FedEx plane with his picture on the side.
"Once I have to say goodbye that's going to be tough," Thompson said.
Bei Bei is the last panda cub at the National Zoo. His older brother and sister are already in China. His parents will remain in D.C., but they are probably past breeding age and it's unclear if China will send another breeding pair.
Zoo Director Steve Monfort believes this is just a temporary pause. :yes:
"We started 47 years ago with giant pandas. Our vision would be continuing working with the Chinese counterparts for another 50 years if we can," he said.

There are only about 1,800 pandas left in the wild. The hope is that Bei Bei will soon become a father and play his role in assuring that this vulnerable species never disappears.
© 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value then they? ~ ASV Matt. 6:26
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Re: Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family

Post by queenie » Mon Nov 18, 2019 10:18 pm

The Zoo will open at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19, due to the departure of giant panda Bei Bei.
by National Zoo
Photos from above Bei Bei CBS video post ^ and somersault GIF
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^ click 2X biggest ~ CBS News & Zoo photos ~ after clicking to view, go to return arrow on top left screen, back to post
~~~~~~~~~~~
Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value then they? ~ ASV Matt. 6:26
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Re: Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family

Post by queenie » Mon Nov 18, 2019 10:58 pm

Nov. 08, 2019
https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/news ... esSnapshot: Bei Bei in Pictures
Giant panda Bei Bei knows how to work his angles! Check out some of our favorite snaps of this remarkably photogenic bear from the past four years.
~~~
Nov. 08, 2019
https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/news ... oments-zoo
Bei Bei’s Most Memorable Moments at the Zoo
As we prepare to bid giant panda Bei Bei a fond farewell, we’re taking a look back at some favorite milestones and memorable moments from his time at the Zoo.
~~~
Nov. 08, 2019
https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/news ... nda-keeper
A Day in the Life of a Giant Panda Keeper
Follow a day in the life of the Smithsonian's National Zoo's giant panda keepers as they care for Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and Bei Bei.
------------------
Bei Bei is heading to China on Nov. 19, 2019. You can watch live video of his departure on the Zoo's Facebook page. Tune in around 8:30 a.m. for full coverage!
(8:30 am eastern time) :bye 1: :wub: :cryhanky:

https://www.facebook.com/nationalzoo/
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Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value then they? ~ ASV Matt. 6:26
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Re: Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family

Post by queenie » Tue Nov 19, 2019 7:53 am

Bei Bei left the Zoo after 8:30 am in his crate, it had a window in it, so he could look out, and you could see him moving around in there, lots of photographers there, and Zoo Keepers brought the boo and snacks, etc. out first {maybe some favorite enrichment toys?} The 18 minute video is on National Zoo Facebook. All our best prayers for a safe trip and happy life for you, Bei, in China ~ & appreciation for your precious life with us this far, on cam & Zoo reporting. :rh: :pan:
11-19-19 bei bei bye bye him.jpg
:rh: ^ click 2X biggest ~ after clicking to view, go to return arrow on top left screen, back to post ~ note 15+ hour flight in Zoo-Boo photo ^
11-19-19 bei bei bye crate boo.jpg
^ click 2X biggest ~ after clicking to view, go to return arrow on top left screen, back to post----so glad in photo #2 a man is carrying Bei's favorite round black tub he liked to sit in to eat boo, he also had an oblong one, & a square one
wonder if Daddy Tian Tian is noticing all the commotion this morning.
11-19-19 tian.jpg
^ click 2X biggest ~ after clicking to view, go to return arrow on top left screen, back to post
Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value then they? ~ ASV Matt. 6:26
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Re: Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family

Post by Ferenz » Tue Nov 19, 2019 9:28 am

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Re: Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family

Post by Ferenz » Wed Nov 20, 2019 3:02 am

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Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
55 mins ago ·

🐼 🛬 Bei Bei has arrived safely in China. Our animal care team will go with Bei Bei to his new home and stay with him for a few days at the Bifengxia Panda Base. Thank you to transport provider FedEx and their crew! Thank you to all for supporting our panda team and for the outpouring of well wishes ❤️ for Bei Bei!
https://www.facebook.com/nationalzoo/?_ ... U2P99Jx9Rw

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Re: Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family

Post by queenie » Wed Nov 20, 2019 10:38 pm

Ferenz thank you for the gr8 news report :ty: ~ we will miss the wonderful Bei! :rh: & wish him a blessed life in lucky China!
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute · 6:41 Thank you to all for tuning in and joining us to say farewell! 🐼 Our team is grateful for your support. #ByeByeBeiBei

links to this facebook video of Bei's Loading & Take-off: :grhug:
https://www.facebook.com/nationalzoo/
https://www.facebook.com/nationalzoo/vi ... 292919669/
Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value then they? ~ ASV Matt. 6:26
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Re: Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family

Post by Ferenz » Fri Nov 22, 2019 12:35 am

A FedEx video of Bei Bei's transport to Chengdu

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Re: Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family

Post by Ferenz » Sat Nov 30, 2019 1:24 am

Nov. 27, 2019

Image
Bei Bei is settling in at his new home in China at the Bifengxia panda base. He did really well on the FedEx Panda Express and mostly ate and slept during the 16-hour trip. Laurie Thompson, assistant curator of giant pandas and Don Neiffer, chief veterinarian provided his in-flight snacks and made sure he had bamboo, water, apples, carrots, pears and sweet potatoes. A few times when they checked on him, he was sound asleep in his crate.

After the long transcontinental flight, the plane landed at the Chengdu airport. A team from the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda met Bei Bei, Laurie and Don at the airport. After unloading Bei Bei from the plane, everyone drove about 90 miles to the Bifengxia base where Bei Bei moved to his quarantine enclosures. All animals undergo a quarantine period after they move to a new home to ensure that they are healthy. Bei Bei has an indoor enclosure with a hammock and a yard that he can use while he is in quarantine. The yard is as large as the yard he had at the Zoo. He was a little overwhelmed by the new people and sounds at first, but he quickly adjusted to his new surroundings.

Last Thursday, the panda base had a welcome party for Bei Bei. After the party, Laurie had time to talk about Bei Bei with his new keeper. She showed her the training behaviors Bei Bei mastered during the past four years, including holding his arm out for a blood draw, lying down, presenting his paws and opening his mouth for a quick dental check. Afterwards, he trained with his new keeper and did all of the behaviors she asked for.

He seemed to really enjoy the many types of bamboo that grow around the base, especially the bamboo shoots. Bamboo shoots are tender parts of the bamboo and filled with water. All of the giant pandas love bamboo shoots, but where the Zoo is located in the United States they only grow in the spring. Now, Bei Bei will be able to eat bamboo shoots all year round. He also tried some new foods. On Friday, Bei Bei ate the panda bread that is made especially for the pandas living at the bases. And, he ate a carrot for his new keeper which was encouraging since he does not particularly like carrots.

He also has a little bit of home with him at Bifengxia. Laurie brought his red ball, which he likes to curl up and sleep with tucked between his arms.

Don also talked with the veterinary staff at the base to give them a medical history of Bei Bei and answered any questions they had about him.

On Friday afternoon, Laurie and Don departed the base and traveled back to Chengdu to prepare for their flight back to the United States. By the time they left the base, Bei Bei was spending time outside and seemed to be adjusting well.

Back at the Zoo, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian have been taking advantage of having access to all of the panda yards again. Mei Xiang went into Bei Bei’s old yard Tuesday morning for a slight change of scenery. Tian Tian had access to Mei Xiang’s yard and his yard, which he really enjoyed. He spent time climbing trees and scent-marking. Hopefully, there will be some snow this winter for them to play in.
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Re: Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family

Post by queenie » Mon Feb 03, 2020 8:58 pm

Pandas Frolicking in Winter
Jan. 14, 2020

The pandas like to romp in the colder weather

Mei Xiang and Tian Tian have been having some adventures around the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat! Keepers have been utilizing the extra space in the giant panda habitats to switch outdoor yards and indoor enclosures on a regular basis. This allows Mei and Tian a change of scenery by spending the day in a different area, but more importantly, it creates an extremely important enrichment opportunity, mirroring what wild giant pandas are doing this time of year.

From November through May, males are in rut and explore every inch of their territories, searching for a fertile female. During rut, males can become quite restless because of their endless searching and surging hormones. Tian Tian is no different and he has days when he can’t seem to settle, despite multiple feedings and enrichment opportunities. Although they are mostly solitary animals, giant pandas do communicate with other pandas through scent. Scent marks convey a lot of valuable information to and from panda neighbors. It communicates the sex, age and reproductive status of the panda who left it.

As Mei Xiang and Tian Tian explore different yards, they spend much of their time smelling each other’s scent marks and leaving some of their own. Indoors, they have been exploring Bei Bei’s former enclosure, and Tian has even decided to nap in the elevated hammock.

We were looking forward to the first measurable snowfall of the season and it finally arrived Jan. 7! Although Washington, D.C., got just under an inch of snow, it brought out the playful sides of both Mei Xiang and Tian Tian. The morning after the snowfall, they rolled down hills, climbed trees and dangled upside down out of the tree branches — just like they did in their younger years!
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^ click 2X biggest ~ :cold1: after clicking to view, go to return arrow on top left screen, back to post
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^ click 2X biggest ~ :snow: after clicking to view, go to return arrow on top left screen, back to post
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Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value then they? ~ ASV Matt. 6:26
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queenie
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Re: Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family

Post by queenie » Sat Aug 15, 2020 7:39 pm

2020-08-15_213447.jpg
^ click bigger ~ after clicking to view, go to return arrow on top left screen, back to post ~ Mei Xiang resting in her birthing den today ~ 8/15/20 :luck:
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2020-08-15_215012.jpg
^ click bigger ~ :hug: after clicking to view, go to return arrow on top left screen, back to post
2020-08-15_214953.jpg
^ click 2X biggest ~ after clicking to view, go to return arrow on top left screen, back to post
:vid: https://youtu.be/AjNdesWkxAQ?t=14 1.05 minutes Mei Xiang's ultrasound video :grhug:
https://nationalzoo.si.edu/news/veterin ... ultrasound
Veterinarians Find Fetal Tissue on Giant Panda Ultrasound
Aug. 14, 2020 Veterinarians at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo detected tissue consistent with fetal development during giant panda Mei Xiang’s ultrasound this morning, Aug. 14.
Veterinarians at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo detected tissue consistent with fetal development during giant panda Mei Xiang’s (may-SHONG) ultrasound this morning, Aug. 14. It is too early to determine if the tissue is a completely viable developing fetus as there is the potential that the fetus could be resorbed. If the fetal tissue continues to develop, veterinarians estimate that Mei Xiang could give birth within the next few days. Veterinarians first detected fetal tissue last week, and they have since noted developing skeletal structure and strong blood flow within Mei Xiang’s uterus. If the fetal tissue resorbs, her hormones will return to baseline levels and her behavior will return to normal.
There is a substantial possibility that Mei Xiang could resorb or miscarry a fetus. Scientists do not fully understand why some mammals resorb fetuses.
“In the middle of a pandemic, this is a joyful moment we can all get excited about,” said Don Neiffer, chief veterinarian at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo who conducted the ultrasound. “We are optimistic that very shortly she may give birth to a healthy cub or cubs. We’re fortunate that Mei Xiang participated in the ultrasound allowing us to get sharp images and video. We’re watching her closely and welcome everyone to watch with us on the panda cams.”
Unlike humans, giant pandas experience a phenomenon referred to as delayed implantation. After fertilization, an embryo will not attach to the uterine wall until weeks or months later. It is not clear what causes the embryo to implant into the uterine wall. After implantation, the embryo grows exponentially. Veterinarians and the giant panda team have been conducting regular ultrasounds on Mei Xiang since July to track changes in her reproductive tract.
Reproductive scientists from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) and Zoo veterinarians performed an artificial insemination on Mei Xiang March 22 with frozen semen collected from Tian Tian (tee-YEN tee-YEN). Mei Xiang turned 22 years old July 22. Tian Tian will turn 23 Aug. 27.
SCBI scientists confirmed that a secondary rise in Mei Xiang’s urinary progesterone levels began June 10. In late July, Mei Xiang exhibited behaviors consistent with pregnancy or pseudopregnancy. Now, she is sleeping more, eating less, nest-building and has been observed body licking. The panda team will continue to observe her closely.....cont. on link above
Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value then they? ~ ASV Matt. 6:26
Member since: 08/16/06 with Previous Posts: 4386

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