Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family

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Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family

Post by queenie » Sun Feb 25, 2018 12:52 pm

2016-02-07_141406bc.jpg
Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family
^ click bigger {and return arrow to get back to forum}

Meet the Pandas

Tian Tian (t-YEN t-YEN), the male, was born on August 27, 1997. His name means "more and more." Tian Tian has black "knee socks." 275 lb (125 kg)
Mei Xiang (may-SHONG), the female, was born on July 22, 1998. Her name means "beautiful fragrance." She has black hip-high "stockings" extending up her hind legs, and the black band across her shoulders is wider in the middle than Tian's. Her eye patches are oval, and a pale black band runs across the bridge of her nose. She weighs about 233 pounds.
Tai Shan (tie-SHON) was born early in the morning, 3:41 a.m, on July 9, 2005. He is Mei Xiang and Tian Tian's first offspring and the Zoo's first surviving giant panda cub.
Tai Shan was sent to the People’s Republic of China in early 2010, as stipulated in the agreement between the Zoo and the Chinese government.
Bao Bao (pronounced "bow-BOW" means "treasure" or "precious" in English) was born Aug. 23, 2013, at 5:32 p.m. Mei Xiang gave birth to a second stillborn cub 26 hours later, but the cub was never viable. DNA analysis confirmed that Bao Bao was sired by Tian Tian. Returned to China February 21, 2017.
Bei Bei (pronounced "bay bay" means "precious treasure" ~ basically the same as, and complements his sister's name, Bao Bao, "treasure" or "precious" Mei Xiang gave birth to a male cub on August 22, 2015. DNA results concluded that Tian Tian is the father.~~ (Mei Xiang was artificially inseminated April 26 and 27. Both procedures used frozen semen from Hui Hui (hWEI-hWEI), a 10 year-old panda living in China, and fresh semen collected from Tian Tian. Veterinarians saw a fetus on an ultrasound Aug. 19. Mei Xiang gave birth to two male cubs Aug. 22, at 5:35 p.m. and 10:07 p.m. The smaller of the two cubs died Aug. 26. Zoo pathologists and veterinarians determined that complications associated with aspiration of food material into the cub's respiratory system resulted in the development of pneumonia.)
Bei Bei was named on September 25, 2015, by the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama ~ and the First Lady of the People's Republic of China, Madame Peng Liyuan.
Xiao Qi Ji [ [pronounced SHIAU-chi-ji a Mandarin Chinese name that means "little miracle"] is a male giant panda cub who was born at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. on August 21, 2020, at 6:35 p.m. The fourth surviving cub of Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, Xiao Qi Ji is a result of an artificial insemination of Mei Xiang on March 22, 2020. Xiao Qi Ji is the youngest brother of Tai Shan, Bao Bao and Bei Bei.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Founded in 1889, the Smithsonian's National Zoo sits on 163 acres in the heart of Washington, D.C.’s Rock Creek Park and is home to more than 1,500 animals across 300 different species.
The Zoo’s commitment to conservation, research, and education also extends to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, 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.
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 » Sun Feb 25, 2018 1:00 pm

Mei Xiang and her 1st Cub Tai Shan his 1st time debute & then outside~click 2X biggest >
tai shan 1st public-outside.jpg
1/26/10 Week before Tai Shan left for China ~ Washington Post Video ~ Anna Uhls
1-26-10-wp wk before China Tai.jpg
Tai Shan in China & out of Quarantine
tai shan china out quarantine.jpg
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 » Sun Feb 25, 2018 1:01 pm

2nd Cub Bao Bao 3 weeks old on Panda Cam ~
1/7/14 With Mama Mei & Trainings at the Zoo
~
(trainings necessary for interaction with the zoo for such things as blood tests, ultrasound for pregnancy, and other medical and care for their well-being)
bao bao collage training correctedc.jpg
^click these two 2X biggest v
2-10-18 bao bao ef.jpg
Bao Bao turned 3 this summer.^ The loan arrangement with China call for giant pandas born in the U.S. to be sent to China before their fourth birthday. There are about 1,800 giant pandas in the wild, the National Zoo says, and Chinese scientists are working to breed and reintroduce the species to the wild.

Bao Bao's 4th Birthday in China
beautiful cake and setting ~ flowers and all ~ & Bao Bao looks good
page.jpg
^ click bigger
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 » Sun Feb 25, 2018 1:02 pm

Mama Mei Xiang click 2X biggest
Mei Xiang.jpg
Daddy Tian Tian climbing and getting treat tube on cam 2/11/18
2-11-18 daddy tian climbing and treat tube.jpg
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 » Sun Feb 25, 2018 1:02 pm

3rd Cub Bei Bei click all 2X biggest

Cuddling Mama Mei giving us a peek of tiny cub Bei Bei, on Panda Cam
2018-02-11_161504.jpg
First steps
2018-02-08_004509b.jpg
Eating treats 2/7/16
2-7-16 bei eating treats.jpg
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 » Sun Feb 25, 2018 1:03 pm

cont..
Bei Bei being trained ~ click all 2X biggest >
bei training.jpg
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bei Bei's naming
Bei Bei was named on September 25, 2015, by the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama ~ and the First Lady of the People's Republic of China, Madame Peng Liyuan.
2018-02-08_011613.jpg
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bei with Mama Mei on 1st Birthday
2018-02-17_185253b.jpg
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 » Sun Feb 25, 2018 1:03 pm

cont...click 2X biggest
Bei had a traditional Chinese 1st Birthday ~ 2016
2018-02-17_185347b.jpg

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2018 >
Photos from NZ New Year-enthusiastic-Bei video ~ cute!
:vid: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/news ... 18-bei-bei 1.05 min.
~~~
2018-02-27_035338.jpg
2018—Year of the Dog
In 2018, Chinese New Year begins on February 16th and ends March 2nd
2018-02-27_035343.jpg
(from Nat'l Zoo Video 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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Re: Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family

Post by queenie » Tue Feb 27, 2018 8:22 am

cont.. click all biggest >
new year enrichment.jpg
2018-02-27_035415.jpg
I think Bei enjoyed his New Year's enrichment

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Breeding Season is in the Air update
Feb. 21, 2018

https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/news ... season-air

Keepers have noticed some dramatic changes in Mei Xiang and Tian Tian's behavior during the past several days. On Saturday, Feb. 17, Mei Xiang started showing behavioral changes that indicate she may be going into estrus within the next few weeks. It is normal for Mei Xiang to exhibit these types of behavioral changes for a short time before she reaches peak estrus, which is the 24 to 72 hours out of the year that she is capable of conceiving a cub. Last Saturday, keepers immediately noticed that her behavior had changed when they arrived at the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat. Mei Xiang chose to sleep in until after 7 a.m., which is unusual for her. She usually greets keepers at her door at 6:30 a.m. sharp, looking for a little morning snack and in eager anticipation of the bamboo breakfast in her yard. After Mei Xiang roused herself, she ignored her bamboo breakfast. Instead, she wandered around her yard scent-marking, which is a behavior that increases pre-estrus. She also vocalized at Tian Tian, but the vocalization was a moan, indicating that Mei Xiang is not interested in spending time in the same space as Tian Tian or breeding quite yet.
Tian Tian is always very perceptive and responsive to even subtle changes in Mei Xiang’s hormones that indicate she may be coming into estrus. Unlike female pandas who are only able to conceive a cub for a day or two out of each year, males can breed for several months. It is not uncommon for Tian Tian to display rut (breeding) behaviors from late fall through spring. However, last Saturday, his restless behavior was focused on Mei Xiang, which is different from the past several months. He spent much of the weekend pacing the fence line between their yards and constantly bleating. A bleat is a vocalization the pandas make to indicate that they are receptive to something or someone. He was very reluctant to move to areas of his enclosure without a direct line of sight to Mei Xiang. He even brought his food and toys over to the howdy mesh window so he could eat while watching her. After seeing the change in behavior from both bears, the panda team, which includes keepers and scientists, began preparing for a possible breeding season. As in years past, they will give Mei Xiang and Tian Tian the opportunity to breed naturally if they show affiliative behaviors towards each other. While keepers closely monitor their behavior, our endocrinologists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute will analyze Mei Xiang’s levels of urinary estrogen. Keepers collect daily urine samples from Mei Xiang’s enclosure for our endocrinologists to analyze. They are looking for a large spike in the levels of urinary estrogen followed by a dramatic fall back to normal or baseline levels. Mei Xiang will ovulate when her estrogen levels begin to fall, and scientists will perform an artificial insemination.
As the breeding season moves closer, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian will be on the panda cams more frequently. Our specially-trained volunteer behavior watchers, who operate the cams, will be collecting behavioral data on them to help the panda team. Viewers may have already noticed that Mei Xiang and Tian Tian have started vocalizing to each other overnight. During the next few weeks, these behaviors will likely increase in frequency and intensity.
Read more about estrus behaviors in our FAQ.
2018-02-27_035157.jpg
^ click bigger
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 Mar 09, 2018 8:52 am

Giant Panda Mei Xiang is Artificially Inseminated at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
Mar. 01, 2018
A team of reproductive scientists, veterinarians and panda keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute performed an artificial insemination on giant panda Mei Xiang (may-SHONG) today, March. 1. The procedure started at 3 p.m. Scientists and keepers had been closely monitoring Mei Xiang’s behavior and hormones since she began displaying behavioral changes Feb. 17, indicating she was almost ready to breed. Daily hormone reports showed Mei Xiang’s estrogen levels peaked Feb. 28, which means she was ovulating and able to become pregnant. Female giant pandas are only in estrus or able to become pregnant, for 24 to 72 hours each year.
“Successful conservation requires cooperation and the expertise of our animal keepers, veterinarians and scientists. Our team worked seamlessly to give Mei Xiang and Tian Tian the best chance to contribute to their species’ survival,” said Steve Monfort, Acting Director of Smithsonian's National Zoo and John and Adrienne Mars Director, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute. “Over the next few months, the team will continue to monitor her closely. Hopefully, we will have a healthy cub and celebrate another conservation success for the Zoo and this vulnerable species.
”During the past week, Mei Xiang has become increasingly restless, wandering her yard, scent-marking and vocalizing—all behaviors that increase in intensity before she reaches peak estrus. Tian Tian (tee-YEN tee-YEN) immediately noticed the hormonal changes in Mei Xiang and began displaying behaviors toward her indicating that he was ready to breed as well. Keepers closely monitored Mei Xiang and Tian Tian for any affiliative behaviors that would signal they were both interested in breeding.
Since the window when a giant panda can conceive a cub is so short, the Zoo’s panda team immediately moved to perform an artificial insemination on Mei Xiang. They artificially inseminated her using fresh and frozen semen from Tian Tian for the procedures.
The panda team will not know if the artificial inseminations were successful for several months. Giant panda pregnancies and pseudopregnancies generally last between three and six months. Zoo veterinarians will conduct ultrasounds to track changes in Mei Xiang’s reproductive tract and determine if she is pregnant during the next several months. Scientists will also monitor her hormones to determine when she is near the end of a pseudopregnancy or pregnancy. There is no way to determine if a female is pregnant from hormone analysis and behavior alone. Mei Xiang’s hormones and behavior will mimic a pregnancy even if she is pseudopregnant. The only definitive way to determine if she is pregnant is to see a developing fetus on an ultrasound.
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.
For more information on giant pandas and artificial insemination, please see the Panda Estrus FAQs, Giant Panda FAQs and the Zoo's giant panda page.
###
Caption 1: Giant panda Mei Xiang at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Photo: Skip Brown, Smithsonian’s National Zoo
Caption 2: Veterinarian Dr. Don Neiffer looks at an ultrasound as Research Biologist Dr. Pierre Comizzoli artificially inseminates giant panda Mei Xiang. Photo: Amy Enchelmeyer
Caption 3: Veterinarians Dr. Kendra Bauer and Dr. Jessica Siegal-Willott attend to giant panda Mei Xiang sedated for artificial insemination. Photo: Amy Enchelmeyer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99OSjc6HYqE 1.44 min
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uOihvzUP3k 3.37 min
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLpQasx4iWY 36 sec
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 Mar 09, 2018 9:29 pm

3/9/18 ~ Mama Mei looks good today after earlier insemination (3/1/18) ~eating and climbing down her mt.
3-9-18 mama mei eating and climbing down mt..jpg
^ click 2X biggest
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3/9/18 ~ Bei while eating, holds boo up with his left foot in 1 & 2: and then goes to forage/select more, and right back to the same spot to eat. Some fans in the window with him.
3-9-18-bei holds boo with foot and forages more.jpg
^ click 2X biggest
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3/9/18 Mama Mei Eating a Delicious & Visits Howdy Window ~~ Bei in the Tree & Boo
(Mama Mei was enjoying it so much, she wasn't moving for several minutes eating it)
3-9-18 mama mei eating delicious-window bei in tree-boo.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 the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family

Post by queenie » Tue Mar 13, 2018 11:04 pm

Bei climbing his tree with fans watching ~ 3/13/18 :bravo:
3-13-18 nz tree climbing beib.jpg
^ click 2X biggest
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bei, climbed, rolled down & somersaulted onto his hammock, flipped his tub over ~ 3/13/18 :grlol;
3-13-18 nz bei climbed somersaulted rolled flipped tubc.jpg
^ click 2X biggest ~he may have spring fever
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bei Up Close & Personal With a Fan In The Window ~ 3/13/18 :huggie:
3-13-18 nz bei up close & personal with a fanb.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 the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family

Post by queenie » Thu Mar 15, 2018 10:12 pm

cont..3/13/18
Bei walking right down under fans, :grhug: in the moat, & rock-climbing
3-13-18 nz bei climbing and by fans.jpg
^ click 2X biggest
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3/15/18 ~ Bei eating boo & Mama Mei licking sweet crate :cloud9:
3-15-18 nz bei & Mama Mei with sweet crate.jpg
^ click 2X biggest
:hug:
3-15-18 nz mei enjoying crate.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 the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family

Post by queenie » Sat Mar 17, 2018 10:00 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

pageb.jpg
^ click 2X biggest ~ Cub Bei
2018-03-17_115250.jpg
^ click 2X biggest ~ Daddy Tian
3-17-18-mama mei and fans.jpg
^ click 2X biggest ~ Mama Mei & Fans :grlol;
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 » Sat Mar 24, 2018 1:12 pm

3/23/18 ~ Bei Running Around His Yard
3-23-18--nz bei climbing in his yard.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 the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family

Post by queenie » Wed Mar 28, 2018 10:37 pm

3/28/18 ~ Bei in his yard today :rh:
3-28-18 nz bei climbing around yard.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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