PANDAS ~ 2011 & 2013

gigi · **Posted:** Wed Oct 30, 2013 4:37 pm

I meant to put an narrative about Mei Xiang and her little girl cubby. Each time the cam would refresh, the little one was in a different position. At one point Mei pushed the cubby away as she tried to crawl back to her.
I guess Mei Xiang wanted her beauty sleep! :teehee:

gigi · **Posted:** Wed Oct 30, 2013 11:22 pm

From the National Zoo

This week’s giant panda update was written by giant panda keeper Nicole MacCorkle.
Mei Xiang is now venturing outside for breakfast, and is spending up to two hours away from the cub at a time. As the cub matures that time will increase, and eventually mother and cub will be comfortable spending many hours away from each other. That will also give us more time for training sessions with Mei and for checks on the cub, so cam watchers may notice that the cams may be focused on Mei when she’s away from the cub. We are using Mei’s time outside to do regular cub exams and weigh and measure the cub. Last week, we noticed that the cub is even sleeping through the exams! This makes sense given Mei’s attentive maternal care. She nurses the cub before she goes outside for breakfast, allowing the cub to rest back in the den during her departure. Mei Xiang even took that opportunity to take a nap herself Thursday, enjoying the cool fall air on her favorite resting spot on top of the grotto in her yard.
Keepers were able to weigh and measure the cub yesterday. She now weighs 7.7 pounds (3.5 kilos) and she’s 23 inches long (59 centimeters). Her right front paw measured in at 2.4 inches long (6 centimeters) and her hind paws at 3 inches (8 centimeters). Her eyes have opened more and are now almost fully open.
It has come to the keepers’ attention that some panda cam viewers have been concerned that the cub could get stuck between the bars in the den. The bars that are in the den are the same as the ones that were in the den for Mei’s first cub, Tai Shan, they are just positioned differently. To further alleviate any concern, we measured the bars Friday morning—they are raised 6.4 centimeters from the floor, and the space between the bars is 8.3 centimeters. Although the camera angle may be deceiving, the cub’s head is larger than the width of the bars, thus preventing her from getting stuck. Our cub’s health and well-being are our primary concern here, and we are happy that the panda camera viewers share our concern for our little one!

Beth · **Posted:** Thu Oct 31, 2013 8:58 am

Love love the updates and sweet photos-thank you!!

Beth · **Posted:** Thu Oct 31, 2013 6:59 pm

National Zoo... :hall6:

gigi · **Posted:** Thu Oct 31, 2013 7:13 pm

thank you Beth!

gigi · **Posted:** Fri Nov 01, 2013 6:36 pm

Panda Playtime from yesterday! :flirty:

Check out the little tongue sticking out and the binkey in one of the bottom pics.

"As they grow, the panda cubs are becoming more active and are starting to show signs of some rudimentary play. In the past, we’ve only seen one cub scoot around in his playpen, but now we have the pleasure of watching the boys begin to interact with each other. Heather Roberts, Keeper III, has this update for Cub Confidential:

“The cubs are becoming more and more active every day. They still sleep for long periods of time, but they do so less than they used to do. In between nursing and napping, the cubs are scooting around the playpen and practicing getting their legs underneath them. They are also learning how to play. I have seen Lun Lun initiate short play bouts with each cub -- she gently nibbles a cub while he swats at her and thrashes around trying to grab her or bite at her. Also, when the cubs are together in the playpen, they have started to play together. As I said, they are still learning how to coordinate their movements, so everything is in slow motion and clumsy, but they paw swat, bite, and try to grab each other or climb on top of each other. It's very cute!”

The boys have surely taken full advantage of the “play” in the playpen. Luckily, the panda nursery keepers snapped some cute pics of Mei Lun and Mei Huan for Cub Confidential! Jen Webb, Keeper I, has this to share:

“The twins have been pretty playful the past couple of days. I was lucky enough to capture some pictures! They’re still learning how to coordinate all of their limbs, but they’re getting better and better every day! They’re also interacting with the various enrichment items we offer them since they’ve hit the teething phase of their life. Besides being fun to chew on, both cubs also think they’re fun to sleep with! The small purple ‘jolly ball’ seems to be a favorite.”

We can hardly wait until the boys are walking and playing with Lun Lun together! Thanks, Heather and Jen!"

gigi · **Posted:** Fri Nov 01, 2013 7:07 pm

And from the National Zoo
Cubbie was all alone squirming and working her little feets when Mei came in and picked her up and now it appears she is nursing.
I think Mei is practicing her yoga moves in this picture! :teehee:

skygirlblue · **Joined:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 3:18 pm **Posts:** 61956

Atlanta....so cute...

gigi · **Posted:** Tue Nov 12, 2013 8:58 pm

“Now that Mei Huan has discovered that he can climb over the shift doors, there's not really anywhere Lun Lun can go without him trying to follow. He's still a little wobbly on his feet, but his walking skills improve every day! I even watched him pull himself up on the steel mesh of the keeper door the other night while trying to get Lun Lun's attention. He's definitely not shy about letting her know what he wants!

gigi · **Posted:** Tue Nov 12, 2013 9:08 pm

gigi · **Posted:** Wed Nov 13, 2013 9:39 am

skygirlblue · **Joined:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 3:18 pm **Posts:** 61956

Thanks gigi!!

skygirlblue · **Joined:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 3:18 pm **Posts:** 61956

Atlanta...not the best pics, but............

Lun had already groomed the one you see on the floor...she picked up #2 for a snuggle..

Then laid down

After a few minutes, she got up and left the sleeping babies to themselves...they didn't even stir...

Kris G. · **Posted:** Wed Nov 13, 2013 12:25 pm

I was wondering how Lun Lun would react when she discovered she had 2 cubs!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paNs-kYtXfA&sns=em

I saw yesterday on a news video that arrangements are being made to move Xi Lan and Po to China before the end of this year. I was also told that by a Panda Keeper when we visited Zoo Atlanta in April...the boys were due to go and now they're really tight on space with 6 Pandas!

Kris G. · **Posted:** Wed Nov 13, 2013 12:46 pm

carly wrote:

Giant pandas Xi Lan and Po prepare to depart For China :tissue:

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Giant pandas Xi Lan, age 5, and Po, 3, are on their way to one of the most anticipated milestones in the life of an Atlanta-born panda: a new start in their parents’ homeland. Lun Lun’s and Yang Yang’s second and third sons will depart Atlanta on November 24, 2013, en route to China’s Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

“As stewards of giant pandas here in the U.S., we’re fortunate to be able to observe so many important milestones in the lives of these treasured bears. Bidding them farewell is a bittersweet milestone, but it’s one that’s also very rewarding and exciting,” said Raymond B. King, President and CEO. “We’ve joined friends and fans from around the world in watching Xi Lan and Po grow up at Zoo Atlanta, but they’ll now have an opportunity to make their own individual contributions to the global population of this endangered species.”

Xi Lan and Po aren’t the first Atlanta-born pandas to make this landmark transition. Their older brother, Mei Lan, made the voyage to Chengdu in 2010 at the age of 3. Born August 30, 2008, Xi Lan has lived independently since February 2010, and Po, born November 3, 2010, has been on his own since January 2013. Giant pandas are solitary animals, and cubs are weaned and begin living independently at the age of around 18 months.

The giant pandas will be accompanied by familiar faces on their travels to their parents’ birthplace. Sam Rivera, DVM, Associate Veterinarian, and Kenn Harwood, Lead Keeper of Carnivores, will travel with Xi Lan and Po and will remain in China for one week.

“Xi Lan’s and Po’s welfare is our highest priority, and the Animal Management and Veterinary Teams are committed to ensuring that they have a safe journey and comfortable transition,” said Dwight Lawson, PhD, Deputy Director. “The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is a global center for the care of giant pandas, and our colleagues there are some of the world’s foremost specialists dedicated to the understanding and conservation of this species. We’ll certainly miss Xi Lan and Po, but we know they’ll be in expert hands.”

Giant panda fans are invited to visit Xi Lan and Po this weekend, with special farewell activities planned for Saturday, November 16, at Panda Veranda at Zoo Atlanta. Guests will have an opportunity to craft well-wishes for the departing duo, and the first 200 visitors to arrive at Panda Veranda will receive a surprise treat. Activities will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and are free with general admission.

Meanwhile, the youngest members of Lun Lun’s and Yang Yang’s family are inching closer to their long-awaited public debut on exhibit with their mother. Now almost 4 months old, twin males Mei Lun and Mei Huan have recently begun walking and will soon be capable of following Lun Lun into their habitat in the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Giant Panda Conservation Center

I just saw this post on FB...bittersweet. So glad we got to see them when we did. :tissue:

Beth · **Posted:** Wed Nov 13, 2013 12:56 pm

The little ones (Atlanta) are play fighting-sooooo darn cute!!

Beth · **Posted:** Wed Nov 13, 2013 12:57 pm

Thanks Carly and Kris!

Beth · **Posted:** Wed Nov 13, 2013 12:58 pm

Thanks MA for the cute pics!

gigi · **Posted:** Wed Nov 13, 2013 2:38 pm

Beth wrote:

Thanks MA for the cute pics!

adorable! The last one was just too cute for words.

skygirlblue · **Joined:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 3:18 pm **Posts:** 61956

Thanks so much for posting that vid, Kris..and the info, Carly (its been on our local news)...I'm not sure if you all remember, but it was always thought that Mei Lan was a she...not until "she" returned to China, that it was determined that she was really a he!!! There are several vids on YouTube of him...I'll have to see if I can find one..He really looks like his dad!!! :girlluv:

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PANDAS ~ 2011 & 2013

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