Zoo

Bei Bei in a Box “first steps by the end of November”? and Bao Bao is “extremely messy”

By Prince Of Petworth

bei bei
via Smithsonian’s National Zoo

From the National Zoo:

“This panda update was written by keeper Nicole MacCorkle.

When last weighed on Friday October 30, Bei Bei was 9.5 pounds! Since he is growing so rapidly, we know for certain that he is getting enough to eat. However, Bei Bei still occasionally fusses after he nurses. It is possible that Mei Xiang, like many mammal mothers, occasionally ends the nursing session before Bei Bei is ready. That causes him to vocalize, to voice his displeasure.

We’ve also seen Bei Bei get hiccups more than previous cubs, though it isn’t a cause for concern. It is possible that he is suckling with such enthusiasm that he is taking in a lot more air than his older siblings, causing the hiccups. Unlike our moms probably did when we were young, Mei Xiang does not burp Bei Bei. The hiccups usually subside naturally after a short time.

Bei Bei continues to make attempts at crawling and walking. He spends a lot of time scooting around in circles, resting briefly, then resuming his efforts. It sort of looks like he’s swimming in the den. Judging by milestones hit by past cubs, we hope to see Bei Bei taking his first steps by the end of November.

Bao Bao Update

Like brother, like sister… Bao Bao, as her older brother Tai Shan before her, has a bit of a reputation in the panda house for consistently being extremely messy. (Giant pandas can be quite messy eaters.) So it seems like most days when the keepers arrive, Bao Bao has trashed her room. (more…)

Heads Up, New Hours at the Zoo starting Jan. 1st

By Prince Of Petworth

zoo
Photo by PoPville flickr user Ian Livingston

Thanks to a reader for sharing a letter from the Director of the Smithsonian National Zoological Park:

“Beginning January 1, 2016, the Zoo’s hours of operation will be modified so that our gates will open later and close a little earlier.

You’ve heard me state that the safety of the National Zoo’s guests, staff, and animals is my number one priority. We constantly think about safety as well as improvements that will allow our team and vendors to move freely around the park during early morning hours. From animal food deliveries and vet appointments to supply drops and grounds maintenance, this critical early morning work ensures that your Zoo runs smoothly and is prepared for visitors. The new closing hours enable us to protect and safeguard our visitors and animals, especially when it gets dark earlier in fall and winter.

We’ve evaluated the impact of these changes on our neighbors and community. We’re aware that joggers and walkers use the park for recreation, and that commuters use the North Road as a shortcut— although it is not a public road. Knowing that we will frustrate some of our neighbors, changing the Zoo’s open hours was a very difficult decision.I hope that you will appreciate and support my decision knowing that I cannot, and will not, compromise on safety issues. Moreover, this adjustment will enable the Zoo to use our time and resources in the most efficient manner possible.

The change will allow us to open our animal houses one hour earlier, giving our visitors more access to see animals, which is the primary reason people come to your great National Zoo.”

zoo hours

“At Bei Bei’s weigh-in yesterday he was 8.79 pounds!”

By Prince Of Petworth

12039468_10153658575117902_2371317280746441502_n
via Smithsonian’s National Zoo

From the National Zoo:

“Experienced Mom Mei Xiang Nurtures Bei Bei

This panda update was written by keeper Nicole MacCorkle.

Many people have been asking if Mei Xiang is being gentle enough when she moves Bei Bei in and out of the den. Don’t worry, she is!

It is difficult to comprehend how a mother panda’s jaws, which are able to crush a piece of bamboo with ease, can also be extremely gentle when picking up a cub, but they really are. Mei Xiang is a skilled panda mother, and like other panda mothers, she picks up Bei Bei in her mouth, but doesn’t use her teeth. (more…)

Legit or Not?

By Prince Of Petworth

no parking

“Dear PoPville,

These handwritten signs popped up on Cathedral the other day, giving residents approx 48 hrs notice that there would be work done on the street 10/20-10/21 and there was a no parking rule in effect (I don’t think the work was done B/C the signs are back with new dates). Is this allowed? It’s not the official DC no parking sign, and it was less than the typical 72 hrs notice.

Wondering if these signs are actually enforceable? Does the zoo get special treatment for this?”

Ed. Note: I know the zoo has it’s own police force and the property is part of the Smithsonian so I’m guessing legit. Anyone know for sure?

“Bei Bei is Getting Feisty” and Don’t Forget Bao Bao

By Prince Of Petworth

bei bei
via Smithsonian’s National Zoo

From the National Zoo:

“On October 8, vets performed an exam on Bei Bei. He weighed in at 5.9 pounds. His eyes are now fully open and he is getting more active and rambunctious. He also received his first vaccination. Before the full veterinary exam, our chief veterinarian Don Neiffer settled the panda cub by massaging two pressure points at the base of his skull.

Yesterday, before Bei Bei’s full veterinary exam our chief veterinarian Dr. Don Neiffer settled the little panda cub by massaging two pressure points at the base of his skull. And Bei Bei really seemed to enjoy it. He closed his eyes, rested his chin on Dr. Neiffer’s hand and relaxed. #PandaStory

Posted by Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute on Friday, October 9, 2015

On October 12, keepers obtained an updated weight on Bei Bei. He is now 6.38 pounds!

Mei Xiang has begun spending time outside during the day. She is eager to go out first thing in the morning to eat and usually returns inside after 20-30 minutes. Some days she also goes outside for 20-30 minutes in the afternoon. Mei Xiang will gradually increase the time she spends outside over the next few weeks and months. She has even recently started bringing Bei Bei out of the den and into her larger indoor enclosurefor brief outings. When Mei Xiang brings Bei Bei outside the den, the door to her outdoor exhibit remains closed to prevent her from bringing him outside before he is fully vaccinated.

Bao Bao Update (more…)

Panda Patrol: “Bei Bei will go on exhibit for the first time in early 2016.”

By Prince Of Petworth

bei bei
Photo via Smithsonian’s National Zoo

From the National Zoo:

“Keepers had a chance to weigh Bei Bei on Monday, Sept. 28, when Mei Xiang left her den to eat. He now weighs 1,850 grams, or 4 lbs! Mei Xiang is spending more time out of the den, and has even been sleeping in her enclosure for short periods of time as long as Bei Bei is content. One of their recent snoozing sessions was briefly interrupted by a rather surprising sneeze.

The David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat has been closed to the public since Aug. 20, and will remain closed until further notice to provide quiet. As we mentioned in our last update, Bei Bei will go on exhibit for the first time in early 2016.”

Panda Patrol: And He Shall Be Called Bei Bei!!

By Prince Of Petworth

bei-bei-giant-panda

From the National Zoo:

“This morning, our giant panda cub received his name: Bei Bei or 贝贝 (BAY-BAY)!

Bei Bei means “precious, treasure” in Mandarin Chinese and is complementary to his sister’s name, Bao Bao. In celebration of the state visit and as a special honor for the cub, the name was selected by First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, and First Lady of the People’s Republic of China, Peng Liyuan.

Mrs. Obama hosted Madame Peng at the Zoo to commemorate over four decades of scientific collaboration between the U.S. and China around giant panda conservation. The National Zoo received a state gift of two pandas in 1972 following the seminal state visit of President Richard M. Nixon and Mrs. Patricia Nixon to China. The two bears, Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, lived out their lives at the Zoo. (more…)

“she’s 2.95 pounds of adorable!”

By Prince Of Petworth

baby_panda

“Keepers were able to weigh the panda cub yesterday and she’s 2.95 pounds of adorable! The 4.5 week-old cub is now larger than both his siblings were at the same age. Bao Bao was about 2 pounds and Tai Shan was 2.6 pounds. He had a veterinary exam Sept. 17, and he’s 31 centimeters long from his head to the tip of his tail. He is able to push himself up on his 10 centimeter-long front legs and sometimes scoots around the den. He’s not walking yet, though. But, he can hear now! Keepers noticed that he reacted to the noise of a door opening on Saturday. His eyes won’t open for another few weeks.”

Panda Patrol – An Even Better Panda Cub Photo plus, by the by, Bao Bao is doing well too

By Prince Of Petworth

baby panda
Photo: Mehgan Murphy/Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Earlier this week we learned that the panda cub had grown to a “a whopping 1.9 pounds”. Now the Zoo sends out an even cuter photo and let’s us know that Bao Bao is doing well too:

“Our giant panda cub continues to pack on the grams. As of September 14, 2015, the cub weighs 881.5 grams (1.9 pounds). He has actually grown so much that he is now too big for Mei Xiang to pick up in her mouth! She often shifts his position now using her arms instead.

The bigger the cub gets the more distinct his iconic panda markings get.His back saddle (the black marking on a panda’s back) is becoming more distinct. And it looks like Tian Tian’s!

Panda cam viewers may notice the cub spending much of the day sleeping, which is typical of a giant panda his age. The keepers spotted him sleeping with his hand over his eye. This is a position Tian Tian, and sister, Bao Bao, like to sleep in frequently too.

Bao Bao is doing well and spends most of her days enjoying enrichment items and toys the keepers have set up for her in her yard and in her indoor enclosure. Since Mei Xiang is still choosing not to venture outside, Bao Bao has been able to play in her yard and Mei’s yard. She’s even spent some time up in her old hemlock tree, though it seems like she could be close to outgrowing it at 137 pounds (62.2 kilograms). Although she’s been busy outside, inside she has been very quiet since Mei gave birth. Keepers noticed the same behavior from Tian Tian as well and have seen it from him in years past. Although neither Bao Bao nor Tian Tian have seen the cub, both are aware that there is a female with her cub nearby.”

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