Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family
Moderator: Panda TA's
- Karen Saunders
- Posts: 310
- Joined: Mar 06, 2018
Re: Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family
Hi Queenie
Bei got a huge treat and his birthday is not until this time next month
14:39 EDT to 14:48 EDT
Bei got a huge treat and his birthday is not until this time next month
14:39 EDT to 14:48 EDT
HWF member since April 2009 - Esquimalt BC
Re: Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family
Karen, Macdoum, JudyB & IrishEyes & all PALS
^ click 2X biggest ~ Tian on his low hammock
The exhibits team built the hammocks from sturdy firehose and installed them. There has been a hammock in Bei Bei’s enclosure for several years, but it was starting to show some wear-and-tear as it’s been a favorite resting spot for him and Bao Bao when she lived there. Bei Bei is 215 pounds now and still growing, so our exhibits team made the hammock large enough for an adult male. That also means that if Mei Xiang or Tian Tian spend time in that enclosure, the hammock will be big enough to accommodate them.
The hammock was installed in Bei Bei’s enclosure in the morning while he was eating his bamboo breakfast in his yard. It only took about an hour, so by the time Bei Bei was ready to venture back inside the new hammock was mounted on the wall in the same place his old one had been. He was a little nervous about the new furniture at first, but within a few hours he was sleeping and eating in it. Now, he uses it every day.
Tian Tian got his own hammock several weeks ago. He has some arthritis and the panda team wanted him to have the option of resting on a soft spot. He has been less enthusiastic about the new addition than Bei Bei was about his hammock, but this is the first hammock Tian Tian has ever had, so it may just take him some time to get used to it. He only chooses to sleep and eat in it occasionally. The hammock is the same height as the platform he likes to sleep on in his den. The lower height will make it easier for Tian Tian to get in and out of it as he ages. The older he gets the less likely he is to spend time climbing. Young pandas love to climb and they often sleep in trees, which is why Bei Bei’s hammock is higher.
Mei Xiang may get her own hammock in the future, but until we know for sure if she is pregnant or experiencing a pseudopregnancy we are not going to make any changes to her enclosure. She is very sensitive to noise and change right now, and we do not want to disturb her. Luckily, she has many different high and low resting spots to choose from in her enclosures.
We’ll likely know sometime in July if Mei Xiang will have a cub or not. The only definitive way to tell if a giant panda is pregnant before she gives birth is to detect a developing fetus on an ultrasound. Her behavior and hormone levels will mimic a pregnancy even if she is not pregnant. Veterinarians are conducting ultrasounds on Mei Xiang twice a week, as long as she chooses to participate, but they have not seen anything. {we have since learned Mama Mei won't have a cubby this time}
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ^ click 2X biggest ~ 44 seconds video link below
Making Bei Bei's New Hammock
~44 seconds < Video link
Published on Jun 29, 2018
The exhibits team built the hammocks from sturdy fire hose and installed them. There has been a hammock in Bei Bei’s enclosure for several years, but it was starting to show some wear-and-tear as it’s been a favorite resting spot for him and Bao Bao when she lived there. Bei Bei is 215 pounds now and still growing, so our exhibits team made the hammock large enough for an adult male. That also means that if Mei Xiang or Tian Tian spend time in that enclosure, the hammock will be big enough to accommodate them.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Bei was getting too big for his hammock, so glad he got a new bigger one, as is he also > ^ click 2X biggest ~ Bei on his old & new bigger high hammock
The exhibits team built the hammocks from sturdy firehose and installed them. There has been a hammock in Bei Bei’s enclosure for several years, but it was starting to show some wear-and-tear as it’s been a favorite resting spot for him and Bao Bao when she lived there. Bei Bei is 215 pounds now and still growing, so our exhibits team made the hammock large enough for an adult male. That also means that if Mei Xiang or Tian Tian spend time in that enclosure, the hammock will be big enough to accommodate them.
The hammock was installed in Bei Bei’s enclosure in the morning while he was eating his bamboo breakfast in his yard. It only took about an hour, so by the time Bei Bei was ready to venture back inside the new hammock was mounted on the wall in the same place his old one had been. He was a little nervous about the new furniture at first, but within a few hours he was sleeping and eating in it. Now, he uses it every day.
Tian Tian got his own hammock several weeks ago. He has some arthritis and the panda team wanted him to have the option of resting on a soft spot. He has been less enthusiastic about the new addition than Bei Bei was about his hammock, but this is the first hammock Tian Tian has ever had, so it may just take him some time to get used to it. He only chooses to sleep and eat in it occasionally. The hammock is the same height as the platform he likes to sleep on in his den. The lower height will make it easier for Tian Tian to get in and out of it as he ages. The older he gets the less likely he is to spend time climbing. Young pandas love to climb and they often sleep in trees, which is why Bei Bei’s hammock is higher.
Mei Xiang may get her own hammock in the future, but until we know for sure if she is pregnant or experiencing a pseudopregnancy we are not going to make any changes to her enclosure. She is very sensitive to noise and change right now, and we do not want to disturb her. Luckily, she has many different high and low resting spots to choose from in her enclosures.
We’ll likely know sometime in July if Mei Xiang will have a cub or not. The only definitive way to tell if a giant panda is pregnant before she gives birth is to detect a developing fetus on an ultrasound. Her behavior and hormone levels will mimic a pregnancy even if she is not pregnant. Veterinarians are conducting ultrasounds on Mei Xiang twice a week, as long as she chooses to participate, but they have not seen anything. {we have since learned Mama Mei won't have a cubby this time}
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ^ click 2X biggest ~ 44 seconds video link below
Making Bei Bei's New Hammock
~44 seconds < Video link
Published on Jun 29, 2018
The exhibits team built the hammocks from sturdy fire hose and installed them. There has been a hammock in Bei Bei’s enclosure for several years, but it was starting to show some wear-and-tear as it’s been a favorite resting spot for him and Bao Bao when she lived there. Bei Bei is 215 pounds now and still growing, so our exhibits team made the hammock large enough for an adult male. That also means that if Mei Xiang or Tian Tian spend time in that enclosure, the hammock will be big enough to accommodate them.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Bei was getting too big for his hammock, so glad he got a new bigger one, as is he also > ^ click 2X biggest ~ Bei on his old & new bigger high hammock
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
Member since: 08/16/06 with Previous Posts: 4386
- Karen Saunders
- Posts: 310
- Joined: Mar 06, 2018
Re: Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family
Hi Queenie - Mei & Bei outside yesterday
Mei exploring a box outside
Mei exploring a box outside
HWF member since April 2009 - Esquimalt BC
- Karen Saunders
- Posts: 310
- Joined: Mar 06, 2018
Re: Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family
Bei playing with bag and trying to get staff's attention to go inside
Bored with bag waiting at the door
Bored with bag waiting at the door
HWF member since April 2009 - Esquimalt BC
Re: Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family
Wonderful pictures - and interesting info on the hammock! Thanks so much!
2023 Eaglet Info ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Helpful Hints
- Karen Saunders
- Posts: 310
- Joined: Mar 06, 2018
Re: Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family
Bei and the treat drum
Bored - turns to BOO
Bored - turns to BOO
HWF member since April 2009 - Esquimalt BC
- Karen Saunders
- Posts: 310
- Joined: Mar 06, 2018
Re: Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family
today
Mei and Bei
Mei and Bei
HWF member since April 2009 - Esquimalt BC
- Karen Saunders
- Posts: 310
- Joined: Mar 06, 2018
Re: Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family
Hi Queenie
Mei And Bei today - both got red treat boxes outside
Mei And Bei today - both got red treat boxes outside
HWF member since April 2009 - Esquimalt BC
- Karen Saunders
- Posts: 310
- Joined: Mar 06, 2018
Re: Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family
Trying it on for size
HWF member since April 2009 - Esquimalt BC
- Karen Saunders
- Posts: 310
- Joined: Mar 06, 2018
Re: Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family
Hi Queenie
BOO time
BOO time
HWF member since April 2009 - Esquimalt BC
- Karen Saunders
- Posts: 310
- Joined: Mar 06, 2018
Re: Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family
HWF member since April 2009 - Esquimalt BC
Re: Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family
Karen cute ones ~ Bei can get a lot of stuff on his bigger hammock
Mama Mei Doing Somersaults & dancing around excited about something (scents?) ^ click 2X biggest
Mama Mei Doing Somersaults & dancing around excited about something (scents?) ^ 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
Member since: 08/16/06 with Previous Posts: 4386
Member since: 08/16/06 with Previous Posts: 4386
- Karen Saunders
- Posts: 310
- Joined: Mar 06, 2018
Re: Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family
Hi Queenie - so Mei has learned to dance
Mei & Bei today
All pooped out
Mei & Bei today
All pooped out
HWF member since April 2009 - Esquimalt BC
- Karen Saunders
- Posts: 310
- Joined: Mar 06, 2018
Re: Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family
Hi Queenie and all LOVERS who come here
Outdoor play time
Outdoor play time
HWF member since April 2009 - Esquimalt BC
- Karen Saunders
- Posts: 310
- Joined: Mar 06, 2018
Re: Giant Pandas at the National Zoo ~ Bei Bei and Family
Bei's turn
HWF member since April 2009 - Esquimalt BC