giant panda

Another Photo of Bei Bei in a Box because It’s Bei Bei in a Box

By Prince Of Petworth

Bei Bei
Via Smithsonian’s National Zoo

From the National Zoo:

“When he is being held, Bei Bei also makes a happy grunting sound that indicates he feels secure (although you can’t quite hear it on the cam). Fun fact: panda cubs may look like giant fluffballs, but panda fur is actually very coarse and dense like wool (especially on their backs and rear ends). Cub fur is much softer but Bei Bei is already getting the coarse fur!

ICYMI: Bei Bei will make his public debut on January 16. Mark your calendars! “

Mark It!! “Bei Bei will make his public debut Jan. 16!”

By Prince Of Petworth

bei bei
Photo via Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Big news from the National Zoo:

“Bei Bei will make his public debut Jan. 16! @FONZNationalZoo member previews will be Jan. 8-15”

From their newsletter:

“Giant panda cub Bei Bei will go on public exhibit for the first time Jan. 16, 2016. In the past three months, he has transformed from a pink hairless cub weighing about 5 ounces to a robust 12.5-pound black-and-white cub capable of crawling and sometimes walking on his own.

The panda team has been monitoring him carefully since his birth Aug. 22. He is larger than both his older siblings Bao Bao and Tai Shan were at the same age. The panda house has been closed since August to give the mother and cub quiet and time to bond. When it reopens, the panda house will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.”

Ed. Note: Damn it, why did I let my Fonz membership lapse?!?!?

“One small step for panda…one adorably wobbly moment for all of us—‪ ‎Bei Bei‬’s first steps!”

By Prince Of Petworth

bei bei
Photo via Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Update: “This morning, Bei Bei weighed 5.35 kilograms, or 11.79 pounds.”

From the National Zoo:

“One small step for panda…one adorably wobbly moment for all of us—‪#‎BeiBei‬’s first steps! Under the watchful eye of mom Mei Xiang, #BeiBei took his first steps on Monday, Nov. 9 around 4:50pm. ‪#‎PandaStory‬ ‪#‎WeSaveSpecies‬

Now that he’s got all four paws under him, Bei Bei will begin to wander around and leave the den on his own to explore the indoor enclosure.”

Bei Bei's First Steps

One small step for panda…one adorably wobbly moment for all of us—#BeiBei’s first steps! Under the watchful eye of mom Mei Xiang, #BeiBei took his first steps on Monday, Nov. 9 around 4:50pm. #PandaStory #WeSaveSpecies Now that he’s got all four paws under him, Bei Bei will begin to wander around and leave the den on his own to explore the indoor enclosure.

Posted by Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute on Tuesday, November 10, 2015

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…)

“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…)

Remember DC’s first panda cub Tai Shan? Check Him Out Now

By Prince Of Petworth

unnamed
Photo of Tai Shan via Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Remember DC’s first panda cub Tai Shan? From the National Zoo:

“This giant panda update was written by biologist Laurie Thompson.

As part of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s ongoing collaboration with our Chinese panda colleagues, panda keeper Becky Malinsky and I were able to spend 10 days visiting three giant panda bases earlier this spring…

Dujiangyan is a research facility closed to the public, and it is quiet and very beautiful. Our first panda cub Tai Shan lives there. (Though, he’s not a cub anymore.) We were able to visit with both Tai and his keeper Lui Yi. Tai Shan did not recognize our voices, but that was not unexpected. It has been 5 years since he moved. We were thrilled to see, that he seems to adore his keeper. And Pan Pan (who is Tai’s 30 year-old grandfather) lives right next door to Tai!”

Weekend Pick – Say Farewell to Tai Shan

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Jessie Cohen, NZP photographer

But remember we’ll still have the Red Panda. From the National Zoo Web site:

“January 30 (If the Zoo is closed due to inclement weather, the event will be held January 31)
11 a.m-3 p.m.

Come wish Tai Shan a fond farewell!

Tai Shan, the Zoo’s four-and-a-half-year-old giant panda, leaves for China on February 4 to be part of the breeding program that will help sustain giant panda populations in the wild. Giant pandas are endangered—only about 1,600 are left in the wild. Since his birth on July 9, 2005, Tai Shan has delighted millions of people from around the world.

Join us at the Fujifilm Giant Panda Habitat to celebrate Tai Shan and the Zoo’s ongoing commitment to giant panda conservation. It’s your chance to come say goodbye to Tai Shan and learn about how the Zoo worked to conceive, raise, and care for Tai Shan, as well as its other pandas, Mei Xiang, and Tian Tian.

The day will feature a variety of wonderful panda activities and giveaways:

* Panda keepers will be available to answer questions and talk about the Zoo’s giant pandas at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. At 1:30 p.m., keepers will present Tai Shan with a special celebratory cake prepared by the Zoo’s Commissary.
* Panda interpreters will answer your questions about giant pandas, conservation, and the Zoo’s role in conserving endangered species.
* Zoo reproductive scientists will talk about panda reproduction, and all the work that went into Tai Shan’s conception and birth.
* Zoo veterinarians will talk about how they care for these rare bears every day.
* Zoo nutritionists will talk about what it takes to feed a bear that eats primarily a few very specific species of bamboo.
* Kids will have an opportunity to make a card for Tai Shan or to celebrate their favorite Tai Shan memory at the FedEx Card Delivery Station. Your card will travel with Tai Shan to China via FedEx.
* The Tai Shan Travel Timeline, sponsored by AAA Mid-Atlantic, will feature a travel TripTik, so you can see what route Tai Shan will take when he travels to China. Zoo conservation biologists will talk about conservation efforts taking place both here and in China. The first 500 people to visit this area will receive a commemorative Tai Shan photo postcard.
* The LAND O LAKES® Butterstick Tribute will showcase photos of Tai Shan since his birth. (When Tai Shan was born, like all giant panda cubs, he was about the size of a stick of butter. This earned him the affectionate nickname “Butterstick.”)”