Giant Pandas at San Diego Zoo~Gao-Bai Yun-Wu Family

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Giant Pandas at San Diego Zoo~Gao-Bai Yun-Wu Family

Post by queenie » Sun Feb 25, 2018 1:29 pm

http://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/cams/panda-cam
San Diego Zoo Live Panda cam ~ Gao-Bai Yun-Wu Family

Meet the Pandas

Bai Yun "White Cloud" (pronounced “by YOON”) Date of birth: Born: September 7, 1991, Wolong China
Sex: Female Weight: approx. 233.5 pounds
Gao Gao "High High" or "Tall Tall" "Big" (pronounced "Gow Gow") Date of birth: Estimated 1990-91 in the wild~
Gao Gao is our adult male panda. In the winter of 1992, Gao Gao was rescued from the wild with bite wounds on his left ear, and he was having trouble walking. He was brought to China’s Fengtongzhai Nature Reserve Rescue Center in Sichuan Province. It was estimated that he was less than a year old. Since a panda cub typically stays with its mother for up to 18 months, Gao Gao needed some help.
In 1996, he was returned to the wild. But within a few months, he began wandering into local villages and raiding their crops. It became apparent that Gao Gao was not a good candidate for release, so he was relocated to China’s Wolong Panda Conservation Center, an organization that the San Diego Zoo has worked with for more than 15 years.
In January 2003, Gao Gao arrived in San Diego and spent 30 days in quarantine at the Zoo’s hospital, where veterinarians determined he was in good health. Today his weight is around 180 pounds (about 82 kilograms), which is a bit small for an adult male panda. He is missing a part of one ear, due to his earlier circumstance. ~~ Gao Gao is known for his energy and high level of interest in the world around him, in other pandas, and in his keepers. He seems to enjoy the presence of his keepers and is cooperative and willing to work on his training, even if he does get easily distracted. ~~ Just as pandas in the wild do, Gao Gao scent marks his enclosure and his off-exhibit bedroom areas. Scent marking is important for male pandas, as they define their territory by marking trees and rocks, and Gao Gao doesn’t hesitate to claim any place as his own. ~~ Gao Gao has proven to be a successful mate for Bai Yun, our adult female. He fathered five of her cubs: Mei Sheng, Su Lin, Zhen Zhen, Yun Zi, and Xiao Liwu. But like all male pandas, Gao Gao is an uninvolved father. After mating, the pandas return to their solitary lifestyles, and panda females raise their cubs alone.
(Due to his current health, a few posts down he'll be in the background so thought a good place to give his early history ~ I believe he found his place @ SDZ)
Hua Mei "China USA" Date of birth: August 21, 1999, San Diego Zoo~ She was born to Bai Yun (mother) and Shi Shi (father)
Sex: Female ~ Moved to China February 2002~(joined breeding population 2004~gave birth to 3 sets of twins + 4 cubs =10!)
Mei Sheng "Born in the USA or Beautiful Life" (pronounced may-shun) Date of birth: August 19, 2003, San Diego Zoo
Sex: Male ~ Moved to China: November 2007
Su Lin "A Little Bit of Something Very Cute" Date of birth: Born: August 2, 2005, San Diego Zoo
Sex: Female ~ Moved to China: September 2010 ~ On July 7, 2011, Su Lin gave birth to her first cub!
Zhen Zhen "Precious" Date of birth: Born: August 3, 2007, San Diego Zoo
Sex: Female ~ Moved to China: September 24, 2010
Yun Zi "Son of Cloud" Date of birth: August 5, 2009, San Diego Zoo
Sex: Male ~ Yun Zi is the fifth cub born to mother Bai Yun and the fourth offspring of his father, Gao Gao ~ Moved to China: January 9, 2014
Xiao Liwu "Little Gift" (pronounced “sshyaoww lee woo”) Date of birth: Born: July 29, 2012, San Diego Zoo ~ Sex: Male Weight: on Sept. 17, 2013: 53 pounds ~ Our sixth cub is currently the smallest Bai Yun and Gao Gao have had, but he has a big hold on the hearts of panda fans worldwide!
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Who can resist the endearing face and lumbering ways of giant pandas? The San Diego Zoo has had a love affair with giant pandas ever since two of them came to visit for 100 days in 1987. In 1996, we worked out an agreement with China to house two adult pandas and their young offspring. We have three giant pandas: Bai Yun and Gao Gao; and Xiao Liwu, born at the Zoo in 2012. Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu can be seen in their habitat at Panda Trek, near the Giant Panda Research Station. Due to age-related health concerns, Gao Gao will remain behind the scenes in the panda habitat. Our Giant Panda Team of keepers and researchers observe and study giant panda biology and behavior, in an effort to learn all we can about these endangered bears. You can watch our pandas daily on Panda Cam, too!
SDZ
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 San Diego Zoo~Gao-Bai Yun-Wu Family

Post by queenie » Sun Feb 25, 2018 1:29 pm

1st Cub ~ Hua Mei Her history here explains a lot about Giant Panda Births
~~SDZ~~In the summer of 1999, the giant panda team thought female Bai Yun might be pregnant—but because at that time it was difficult to definitively pinpoint pregnancy in pandas, they weren’t sure. They had been on birth watch 24/7 for a couple of weeks when observers noted that it looked like Bai Yun might be in labor. The word spread, and keepers and scientists on the giant panda team hurried to the Giant Panda Research Station to watch Bai Yun via remote camera.
It was standing room only, and so quiet you could hear a pin drop as everyone seemed to be holding their breath. Then Bai Yun moved, seeming to scoop something up, and sat back. There was a murmur of confusion and speculation—was this it? Had the birth happened? Then they heard the squawk, remarkably loud for such a tiny thing. The room erupted in applause and gasps of joy. The San Diego Zoo had its very first panda cub!
Hua Mei grew quickly from that little white baby into a robust, healthy, and rambunctious cub. Each week the staff recorded her vitals, measurements, condition of eyes and ears, motor skills, and tooth development. Most of the time she was quiet and cooperative during these early exams, but occasionally she would make her opinion known with a squawk.
Following Chinese tradition, she was named at 100 days old with a joyful celebration at the Zoo that included the Chinese Consulate. Our Chinese colleagues chose her name, which means “China USA” to honor the important collaboration between the two countries to help save pandas.
In 2002, it was time for the now full-grown panda to return to China. The keepers prepared her well for the trip, which was uneventful—other than her fans missing her! In her new home, Hua Mei was paired with a male, Ling Ling, for breeding and she gave birth to twins in 2004. Both cubs were males, and were hand raised in the nursery, and both grew up healthy. In September 2005, Hua Mei gave birth again—and had another set of twins, this time a male and a female. Over the years, Hua Mei has given birth to ten cubs, including three sets of twins—once again proving her superstar status!
From the excitement of her birth, to all the things she taught us, to her contribution to increasing the giant panda population—Hua Mei is one sensational panda.
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Hua Mei was nominated for the 2014 Awards
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 San Diego Zoo~Gao-Bai Yun-Wu Family

Post by queenie » Sun Feb 25, 2018 1:30 pm

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~~~~~~~~~~~Mei Sheng 2nd Cub click bigger >
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An Update from ZOONOOZ on Mei Sheng
Mei Sheng’s New Exhibit
By Jennifer Keating
– March 20, 2009
Jennifer Keating, a research scientist for San Diego Zoo Conservation Research, is in China conducting research on giant pandas.
Ya’an has a reputation for being the rainiest city in China. Even though I have only been here a short time, I am willing to say that this reputation is very true! The Bifengxia panda base is just up the mountainside from Ya’an and tends to get more rain than Ya’an. To everyone’s surprise, the sun came out a few days ago, and it happened to coincide with Mei Sheng getting moved to his new exhibit.
There have been massive amounts of construction all over the panda base, and for those of you that have visited Bifengxia, they have built six beautiful, large enclosures up on Leopard Mountain. Mei Sheng was extremely happy to explore his new exhibit. There are tons of tall trees for him to climb and sleep in. On the mornings I have visited Mei Sheng, I have found his keeper outside the exhibit trying to call him down from the tree he has spent the night in.
One of the projects I have been working on here in China involves Mei Sheng. The goal of the project has been to collect audio recordings of the male giant panda bleat, along with fecal samples from that day. We will then look at the levels of testosterone in the fecal samples and see if there is a correlation with the bleat recorded on that day. Mei Sheng is the youngest male in the study, helping to provide a wide range of ages.
The data collection for this project has been very successful, and as of this morning I have everything I need to bring back to the U.S. for analysis.
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 San Diego Zoo~Gao-Bai Yun-Wu Family

Post by queenie » Sun Feb 25, 2018 1:31 pm

3rd Cub Su Lin
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You continue to make us proud, Su Lin!
Update By Megan Owen
– March 21, 2013
San Diego Zoo Global ~ ZOONOOZ
Photo credit: Meghan Martin
With the arrival of spring comes some exciting news from China: panda Su Lin has bred! Seven-year-old Su Lin, who was born at the San Diego Zoo in August 2005, bred with male Yuan Yuan several times at Bi Feng Xia, and all appeared to go perfectly. We are waiting to hear whether she breeds with any more males over the next few days, and we have high hopes that this will be a successful pregnancy for Su Lin. Her first cub was born in July 2011 (see Su Lin Gives Birth!). We were also happy to receive some recent photos of Su Lin, and she looks happy and healthy and is as beautiful as ever!
Megan Owen is a conservation program specialist at the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research. ~~~~~
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We are filled with pride! Just days ago, in a naturalistic den, high in the mountains of Sichuan Province, surrounded by bamboo and forest ferns, Su Lin gave birth to her first cubs. And from what we’ve seen, her maternal skills kicked right in as she gently picked up the vigorous and squawking cub with her mouth and sheltered it into her great body for warmth soon after the cub was born.
This news from China is fantastic and the culmination of months of waiting since we heard of Su Lin’s successful breeding back in March. Not only has Su Lin given birth in her semi-wild enclosure, but she is also the first new panda mother of the year. We also learned that Su Lin gave birth to a second, stillborn cub. While this is a sad note in this otherwise joyous event, we know that this is not an uncommon occurrence with giant pandas. From what we’ve seen, the veterinary staff has already given the surviving cub its first quick examine and have returned the cub safely to Su Lin.
As we hear more, we’ll share what we’ve learned. So stay tuned! And in the meantime, mark your panda-calendars: July 7, 2011, was an auspicious day!
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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 San Diego Zoo~Gao-Bai Yun-Wu Family

Post by queenie » Sun Feb 25, 2018 1:31 pm

~~~~ San Diego Zoo Global~Panda Family Tree ~~~~
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^ Update:http://www.giantpandaglobal.com/giant-p ... 2015-cubs/ ~~the twins, :huggie: Zhen Zhen birthed when 8 years old, August 8, 2015, were named:
团子 Tuan Zi ~ Meaning=Female Wishing to grow up easily and happily
春俏 Chun Qiao ~ Female Good hope and being more beautiful each day
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Shi Shi ~ "Rock"
Born: Estimated 1970s, in the wild
Resided at San Diego Zoo 1996–2003
Died: July 5, 2008, Guangzhou Zoo
Shi Shi was born in the wild in China's Sichuan Province. In March 1992, he was critically wounded, probably from a fight with another male panda. He was rescued and taken to the Wolong Giant Panda Research Center. Because of his injuries, he was not able to be returned to the wild. Shi Shi came to the San Diego Zoo as part of a research loan in September 1996. He provided us the opportunity to learn about caring for an older panda.
Shi Shi fathered Hua Mei through artificial insemination. He returned to China in 2003, where he lived out his final years at the Guangzhou Zoo, passing away on July 5, 2008. Shi Shi will be remembered fondly by all who knew him.
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 San Diego Zoo~Gao-Bai Yun-Wu Family

Post by queenie » Sun Feb 25, 2018 1:31 pm

Zhen Zhen’s name means “Precious”. She is Bai Yun’s fourth cub, and Gao Gao’s third. Zhen Zhen was conceived via natural mating. Zhen Zhen made her public debut on December 22, 2007, and was weaned in early 2009. Zhen Zhen, along with her sister Su Lin, were returned to Bifengxia Panda Base in China on September 24, 2010.

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Zhen Zhen the panda turns 1, eats cake.
August 4, 2008 | 1:50 pm
Among cities, San Diego may be the most animal-centric. Animals at the zoo and SeaWorld have names, constituencies and birthday parties.
So when Zhen Zhen, a giant panda at the San Diego Zoo, turned 1 year old on Sunday, she celebrated with a jumbo-sized birthday cake: a honey-glazed exterior, stuffed inside with fruit, vegetables and bamboo. Sister Su Lin turned three a few days earlier, with a similar fest.
For pandaphiles, Zhen Zhen is now 45 pounds and is approaching the day of independence from her mother, Bai Yun. Su Lin is about two years away from potential motherhood.
-- Tony Perry, in San Diego/latimes
Photo: San Diego Zoological Society

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Photos credit: Meghan Martin
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Update on Zhen: Zhen's age 5 1/2, when reported >
Zhen Zhen was busy climbing trees just before her estrus period started.
Zhen Zhen is now 5 1/2 years old, and our latest news from China indicates that she is doing very well! The third cub of Bai Yun and Gao, we’ve just learned that she was the first female to come into estrous this year in BiFengXia, and that she bred with two males, Lu Lu and Yuan Yuan. Zhen Zhen and her big sister, Su Lin, moved to China in September 2010 to be a part of the panda breeding program there.
While we can’t tell at this point whether or not these breeding encounters were successful (i.e., will result in a pregnancy), all reports suggest that her behavior was perfect. We are hopeful that she’ll have cubs later this summer, and we’ll keep you posted! Congratulations to Zhen Zhen! ~ Megan Owen is a conservation program manager for San Diego Zoo Global.
Update on Zhen's Twins:http://www.giantpandaglobal.com/giant-p ... 2015-cubs/ ~~the twins, :huggie: Zhen Zhen birthed when 8 years old, August 8, 2015 were named: {names & statis as twins unknown in family tree at time of printing, in an above post}
团子 Tuan Zi ~ Meaning=Female Wishing to grow up easily and happily
春俏 Chun Qiao ~ Female Good hope and being more beautiful each day

gr8 photos of Zhen & cubs at http://www.pdxwildlife.com/panda-portra ... zhen-cubs/ ~adorable as always :grhug: :rh:
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 San Diego Zoo~Gao-Bai Yun-Wu Family

Post by queenie » Sun Feb 25, 2018 1:32 pm

Yun Zi ~ Born: August 5, 2009, San Diego Zoo
"Son of Cloud" Yun Zi is the fifth cub born to mother Bai Yun and the fourth offspring of his father, Gao Gao. He now surpasses his father in weight and may one day be as large as his famous grandpa, Pan Pan. Watch out, world! We predict great things in store for Yun Zi, and he already has a legion of fans from around the world.
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Happy 4th Birthday, Yun Zi at San Diego Zoo Party!
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^ click 2X biggest ~ Yun Zi leaves from Shanghai on the last leg of his journey~January 2014
Yun Zi arrives in the quarantine area
~ Photo Credit Wolong
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 San Diego Zoo~Gao-Bai Yun-Wu Family

Post by queenie » Sun Feb 25, 2018 1:32 pm

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As our guests come to the San Diego Zoo and get a peek at Bai Yun and Mr. Wu, there is always the question about Gao Gao. Rest assured he is well and our keeper staff continue to take excellent care of him. Since there is construction going on around, and over the Panda Station, Gao Gao was moved to another area near our on-grounds hospital. He can see a lot of what is going on around him, and he has been quite interested in the daily coming and going of staff.
Gao Gao has received treatment over the years for a number of things, and through every procedure and new diagnosis our staff is able to gain more information to take better care of animals now and in the future. Gao Gao is receiving treatment for a heart condition (pulmonic stenosis); he receives oral medication and staff can monitor his heart with weekly blood pressure sessions. As someone who has been involved with these blood pressure sessions, it always impresses me how tolerant Gao Gao is with our observations and treatments. You may also remember that Gao Gao underwent an ultrasound on his chest for a cardiologist brought in to work with staff. Keepers spent quite a bit of time working with Gao Gao making sure that he was ready, and I remember that the most tricky part was getting him to stand the entire time the cardiologist needed to look at his heart.
Gao Gao has undergone procedures in the past for testicular cancer, and has had an exploratory procedure for his digestive system. Gao Gao’s dental condition has been monitored, too; his back molars have worn down over the years, so our keeper staff makes a “bread” for him every morning and his bamboo is broken into small sticks to make it easier for him to chew. This altered diet has been working for him, and he is currently weighing in at 172.7 pounds (78.5 kilograms). Since we know that worn down teeth can be a problem for older bears, our nutritionists have advised that we pre-crack the bamboo so we save their teeth the best we can.~Source: Zoonooz
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Pandas: Back “Home” Again
By Kathy Hawk On November 10, 2017 78 Comments
“Home sweet home” is the phrase being used at The Giant Panda Research Station—our pandas Bai Yun, Xiao LiWu, and Gao Gao are back home again! It is so good to have them back in their exhibits, and I know our pandas are happy to be back ,too.
Gao Gao has been fired up since his return, very actively walking, scent marking, and lots of bleat vocals. I think he is very much aware of the other pandas in the immediate area, including his great love, Bai Yun!
Bai Yun has been a mixed bag of behaviors. There were days she would be exploring her newly remodeled exhibit, equipped with new lush plants, grass, new climbing structures, and new misting fans for the summer. On other days, she chose to sleep and relax up in the trees.
Mr. Wu, on the other hand, has been a very active bear: climbing, bleating, and—of course—already tearing up the plants in his exhibit. He is quite the rambunctious boy, but he sure knows how to put on a show with his antics with our visitors!
Be sure to stop by the Giant Panda Research Station and welcome our pandas back home!
Kathy Hawk is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
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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 San Diego Zoo~Gao-Bai Yun-Wu Family

Post by queenie » Sun Feb 25, 2018 1:33 pm

"Little Gift" Xiao Liwu is the sixth cub born to mother Bai Yun and the fifth offspring of his father, Gao Gao. (In the spring of 1999, Bai Yun was artificially inseminated with sperm from Shi Shi, the male panda at the zoo at that time. On August 21, 1999, Bai Yun gave birth to her first cub, Hua Mei, who is also the first giant panda born in the United States to survive to adulthood.~~Bai Yun has since given birth to five other cubs, Mei Sheng (2003), Su Lin (2005), Zhen Zhen (2007), Yun Zi (2009), and Xiao Liwu (2012), all via natural mating. Bai Yun and these cubs' sire, Gao Gao, are considered the most reproductively successful panda parents in captivity. With the birth of Xiao Liwu in 2012, Bai Yun became the second oldest panda on record to give birth. The oldest panda on record to give birth was two days older than Bai Yun at the time of birth of their respective cubs.)
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Flashback to Xiao Liwu’s first photo at about a month old. Oh, that face!
Jennifer Becerra is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
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San Diego Zoo Global
ZOONOOZ
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^ click 2X biggest ~ Bai Yun is so darling in her 1.01 min. :vid:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=772I1nGoRzU ~ it is funny what she does about them putting her age on a banner :grlol;
Xiao Liwu's First Birthday Party ~ 7/29/13
Posted by Jeroen Jacobs | Date: 2013 07 29 | In: San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo celebrated Xiao Liwu’s first birthday, with the help of a delicious 200-pound ice cake, colorful gifts, and adoring panda fans on July 29, 2013. Here is an update by Debbie Andreen is an associate editor for San Diego Zoo Global:
The cake was beautiful to look at as well as tasty for the birthday boy and his mother, Bai Yun. It was tinged orange with a “frosting” of mashed carrots and sweet potatoes and had the words “Mr. Wu” on the base and the large “1” on the top. There were several cardboard boxes on the ground, some painted to look like presents, one in the shape of a gorilla, and one as a giraffe, all filled with hay and biscuits. Several small pink boxes decorated with little pandas were hanging from the tree like piñatas and filled with goodies, too...
Bai Yun Turns 26, Celebrating Life as an Ambassador of Hope ~ 9/7/17
Posted by Jeroen Jacobs | Date: 2017 09 07 | In: San Diego Zoo
There was a festive atmosphere at the San Diego Zoo’s Panda Trek this morning (Sept. 7, 2017), as animal care staff and zoo volunteers threw a lavish party for giant panda Bai Yun’s 26th birthday—celebrating the matriarch’s life as an “ambassador of hope” for her species. The panda habitat was decorated with traditional red birthday envelopes stuffed with tasty treats, pillows packed with hay, a simple panda bread cake decorated with apple slices, and little goodie bags topped full of snacks—each with the names of Bai Yun’s cubs written on the front.
Zoo guests watched as Bai Yun enthusiastically opened each of her present boxes and goodie bags, devouring all the treats inside. She also gobbled up every morsel of her panda bread cake, took a long drink of water and, after all that partying, decided to lie down for a well-earned nap. Panda keepers described the birthday bear as an energetic older animal, still curious and playful. They said she brings joy to anyone who visits her habitat and delights the crowds with her good-natured charm and grace...
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Zoo Celebrates Giant Panda Xiao Liwu’s Fourth Birthday ~ 7/29/16
By Public Relations On July 29, 2016
This morning (July 29, 2016), giant panda Xiao Liwu’s exhibit at the San Diego Zoo was filled with decorated gift boxes and treats, in celebration of his fourth birthday. Volunteers painted and embellished the gift boxes, and keepers filled them with various enrichment items—including wood wool, alfalfa and burlap sacks covered in cinnamon—and some boxes were just filled with more boxes. Keepers also created a ice cake, flavored with strawberry-kiwi and fruit punch drink mix, and pureed yams, carrots, apples and honey. His cake was topped with apples and four bamboo sticks that resembled candles... :vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tA8veqsbI8s ~ 51 second ~~ celebrating Mr. Wu's 4th B' Day Party from SDZ ~ 7/29/16
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 San Diego Zoo~Gao-Bai Yun-Wu Family

Post by queenie » Wed Feb 28, 2018 10:34 pm

"Panda Cub Has a Ball" ~ Xiao Liwu's 18th Exam
Published on Dec 18, 2012 ~ he's getting measured, checked all over using a ball, tube, & bamboo to distract him, so they can examine him, but the 1st two he doesn't want her to take his ball. :grlol; no wonder there are almost 2 & 1/2 million views.
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this is the cute 54 second :vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4JUu-kTaIs from the zoo I got these photos from, he is so funny!

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"Baby Panda Eats Treats & Cuddles Mom During Public Debut"
Published on Jan 9, 2013 ~ The San Diego Zoo's sixth panda cub, Xiao Liwu, entertained guests and media during his public debut.
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:vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cwd16f-iAMo ~ 1.19 min Of Wu's Debut

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Speaking of 3rd here is Wu's 3rd Birthday Party Photo
2018-03-02_042929.jpg
^ click bigger (I think the top part of the 3 on his cake is gone~ you can see it on their video & you'll see Wu anoint himself out of gift box with his favorite scent in straw, a fun habit of panda, the zoos find their favorite scents like cinnamon, Polo cologne, mouthwash etc. and use them at special occasions as perks, Yang at ZA likes a tiny bit of Tabasco, & Bai here the Polo) :vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMvIxLKkkqo 1.00 min.
Giant panda Xiao Liwu (pronounced sshyaoww lee woo)—“Mr. Wu” to his keepers and fans—was all energy as he celebrated his third birthday in spectacular pirate-themed fashion. The birthday bear, whose name means “little gift,” came out of his den to find a festive atmosphere, complete with decorations, a brand-new swing, and a beautiful ice cake proclaiming, “Happy Birthday Mr. Wu.”~~Hundreds of guests watched as the easy-going bear opened gift after gift. The crowd’s excitement grew as he finally made his way over to his cake and began devouring the slices of fruits and vegetables layering the top. The Zoo’s nutritional services team—the imaginative force behind this year’s impressive cake—spent weeks freezing and sculpting the blue and orange icy treat. The two-tiered cake was made of water mixed with food coloring and frozen into layers. Bamboo stalks, a favorite of Mr. Wu’s, were used to support the top tier. The cake was decorated with sliced fruits and vegetables, colored pieces of ice, pureed yam frosting, and a little honey.~~As a special birthday gift, a new swing set was hung inside his exhibit. The swing was built by the Zoo’s exhibit, with all of the parts donated by fans. Mr. Wu’s keepers also hung decorations, and placed tiny gift boxes filled with hay, pine shavings and his daily food items around the exhibit for him to enjoy. The cake, swing, and gifts are a form of enrichment, which is important to the panda. The items keep him stimulated and active, and allow him to show natural behaviors.~~Keepers describe Mr. Wu as a small but mighty bear, who’s extremely smart and adventurous. He enjoys playing with ice cubes and climbing the tallest tree in his exhibit. He also enjoys rolling in different scents, with his favorites being wintergreen and cinnamon. He weighs just over 155 pounds today—but when he is full grown, he could weigh as much as 250 pounds. Visitors can see Mr. Wu at Panda Trek at the San Diego Zoo, or watch him on the Zoo’s Panda Cam, at www.zoo.sandiegozoo.org/cams/panda-cam
SDZ
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2018 >
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 San Diego Zoo~Gao-Bai Yun-Wu Family

Post by queenie » Sat Mar 03, 2018 12:06 pm

Wu eating boo behind his name sign ~ 2/21/18
2018-03-03_135929.jpg
^ click 2X biggest
2018-03-03_135902.jpg
^ click 2X biggest
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 San Diego Zoo~Gao-Bai Yun-Wu Family

Post by queenie » Tue Mar 06, 2018 2:33 pm

3/6/18 ~ 2pm ~ Mama Bai napping to conserve some energy ~ she looks happily dreaming
& a peek at Wu foraging and eating boo
3-6-18 sdz 2pmp-wu, bai.jpg
^ click 2X biggest
And then Wu walked & climbed around his yard
3-6-18 sdz 2pmp-wu, bai 2.jpg
^ click 2X biggest ~ glad to see Wu :hug:
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 San Diego Zoo~Gao-Bai Yun-Wu Family

Post by queenie » Wed Mar 07, 2018 10:03 pm

Mama Bai waking up and going for a walk-about her yard
3-7-18 mama bai.jpg
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ^ click 2X biggest
Wu smelling to check his boo, and eating it
3-7-18-WU eating boo.jpg
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ^ click 2X biggest
Wu trying a different place
3-7-18-WU eating boo another place.jpg
^ click 2X biggest ~ the scar over Wu's left eye in the last s'cap is a good way to identify him, he often looks like Mama Bai or vice versa
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 San Diego Zoo~Gao-Bai Yun-Wu Family

Post by queenie » Thu Mar 15, 2018 9:39 pm

I am so happy to see Daddy Gao on the cam today & Wu comfy with his foot up eating boo & smiley Mama Bai :hug: :rh: :bravo:
3-15-18 sdz wow gaob.jpg
^ click 2X biggest ~ Daddy Gao
2018-03-15_101800.jpg
^ click bigger ~ Wu
2018-03-15_110832.jpg
^ click bigger ~ Mama Bai
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 San Diego Zoo~Gao-Bai Yun-Wu Family

Post by queenie » Sat Mar 17, 2018 10:01 pm

March 16, 2018~~~~ National Panda Day
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ :pan: :rh: :pan:~~~~~~~~~~~~~

& ~ H A P P Y ~ S T. ~ P A T R I C K ' S ~ D A Y !
3/17/18
3-17-18 sdz wu.jpg
^ click 2X biggest ~ Wu Today
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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