Pandas Live on

Tai Shan expands his fan base across the globe

2010-03-10T21:59:25-05:00

Tai Shan the super panna who was born in the U.S., is welcoming everyone to come by to see him now that he is out of quarantine in China.

Tai took the move from the quarantine area to his new digs, all in stride while throngs of photographers tried to catch a glimpse of him.

He wasted no time in going out into his new yard at Villa 5 once they set him loose.

There is a new Tai Shan Diary that you can keep up with now to see how he is adapting to everything.

As I looked over these newest photos from ChinaPanda.org.cn, this is what I imagined him saying to those of us who miss him so.

Tai says "Hi everybody, it's been really busy here. I'm learning new training commands, eating a new kind of food, called panda bread. It took a little getting used to because it crumbles in my paws if I hold like I used to with my fruitsicles, but I have gotten the hang of it and really like it. It snowed here and you won't believe how tall the trees are! The bamboo is a little on the tough side, I really have to tug on it, but otherwise I'm doing great. I hope you can come to see me, I would like that."

Miss you Tai!

Tai Shan and Mei Lan News

2010-03-10T09:32:53-05:00

It looks like Mei Lan is coming out of her shell now and adapting very well to life after coming out of her quarantine period at the Chengdu Panda Base. Dr. Lan thanked everyone who has been keeping up with Mei since her arrival and wants to assure everyone that they will be taking very good care of her, which we knew they would! Thank You Dr. Lan.

"Earlier this month, returning from the United States Zoo Atlanta panda "Mei Lan" After nearly 20 days of adaptation period, finally accepted the Chengdu climate, food, as well as keeping her breeder, and fell in love with the base for her careful preparation Chengdu dishes. Now she's appetite has been restored to the level in the United States, and her breeder last week, after the departure of the United States, she also, and now the Chinese keeper has established a good relationship. She finally Danding in broad daylight eat bamboo and apples, instead of Xianggang the days to come back only at night to eat very little point. Take a look at her! Here, I also represent "Meilan" to the global concern expressed gratitude to her fans, so that you bother. We will take care of her very good." ... be sure to go to this link to see more photos of Mei Lan, Dr. Lan's blog

Tai Shan has his public debut yesterday. The staff at the Bifengxia Panda Base went all out for him, with a red carpet, special banners and balloons.

Be sure to notice the beautiful floral arrangement that was prepared for this special day that sets on the front of the cart at the beginning of the video.

There are photos of the volunteers that will be taking care of Tai and they had a special bamboo planting ceremony in Tai's honor.

Of course the media was was also there to cover the event and so we have photo's and a video thanks to the AP. I would like to thank poyee_lam321 for posting these photos, there are more so be sure to go to their photostream on flickr or you can click on any of the photos to return to their source.

The National Zoo posted another update about Tai's coming out of quarantine. They have been doing a great job of keeping us informed about Tai and also mentioned a live cam that will be set up at the Bifengxia Base to not only show the kindergarten area with all of the adorable cubs, but a webcam will be set up for Tai Shan also! There are alot of details that still need to be worked out in setting this up physically along with a website to host all of this. So, stay tuned as soon as I get more info on this exciting news I will let you know.

In this video the two pandas that they are showing together playing behind the director are Fu Long who was born at Zoo Vienna and his male buddy Jun Wu. Fu has the white tipped paw and moved to the base just last year. Jun was born at the base.

Coming out party for Tai and Mei

2010-03-08T20:00:39-05:00

Well, Tai is scheduled to come out of quarantine tomorrow, March 9, 2010. The base says they are going to throw a special party for him but I don't have any idea exactly what that will entail.

Can't find anything online right now that is indicating live coverage of it or not. I mean Tai Shan is a super star panda after all!

Nonetheless, I am looking forward to it because now he will be free to roam and explore his temporary digs Villa #5 and best of all, meet people. He loves people. The biggest plus out of all of this for us is there will be photos and videos of Tai taken by those people who go to see him and hopefully we will find them on flickr, YouTube or elsewhere.

The Sichuan Auto Industry Group Co.,Ltd. has arranged with the panda base a lifetime adoption of Tai. The cost is $50,000 and it covers any cost to take care of Tai by the Bifengxia Base for the rest of his life. If you want to know about how to adopt a panda maybe for just one year, since a lifetime adoption is pretty expensive. You can find out more at Pandas International adoption page.

Mei Lan is already out of quarantine but they wanted to wait a couple of days before they let the public in close to see her. They want to make sure Mei is very comfortable in her new area. So we can look forward to her photos and videos too! It got me thinking about the video I recorded when I went up to see her in November. So I pulled them out and put together my visit with her. I can only post the small size video screen on this page to really see her in HD to here Mei Lan in HD to see Mei up close and personal. Enjoy.

Panda life at Zoo Atlanta begins another chapter

2010-03-04T12:07:05-05:00

Heather Roberts, Mei Lan's former keeper at Zoo Atlanta is now back in Atlanta after escorting Mei Lan to the panda base in Chengdu, China for her new life there. Here's what she told Howard Pousner of the Atlanta Journal Constitution:

"Zoo Atlanta keeper Heather Roberts, who accompanied Mei Lan on the long journey and helped in her transition for two weeks, says it was rocky at first because they were both jet-lagged. Mei Lan was initially off her feed and not wanting to participate in training. "Of course, we didn't expect her to get there and go ‘Woo-hoo!'" Roberts said.

But Mei Lan started adjusting within a week, and is now getting outdoors, where she sunbathes, snoozes and, of course, feasts on bamboo.

Now back in Atlanta, Roberts is still adjusting herself. Every now and then, she'll start to think that it's time to freshen up Mei Lan's space or will look for her on the habitat's camera.

Said the keeper: "I still haven't gotten into the groove of, ‘Oh, we only have three pandas now.'"

That excerpt was at the end of the article, you can read the complete article below. Thanks also to bob2cleo for the wonderful photos of Xi Lan, Yang Yang and Lun Lun.

The sign on the Panda Veranda, outside Zoo Atlanta’s giant panda habitat, proclaims, “We have a new baby!” Note to zoo: Call the sign painter. That “baby” -- Xi Lan, born Aug. 30, 2008 -- is a cub happily on his way to becoming a chub. The less famous little brother of the much-beloved and recently exported-to-China Mei Lan just finished being weaned, after 15 days of gradually increased time apart from momma Lun Lun, on Monday. Now that she’s free of milk-producing duties, Lun Lun's body can prepare for possible mating with two-time dad Yang Yang. Meanwhile, at 18 months old, now-independent big boy Xi Lan tips the scales at 80 pounds and is growing, and growing more destructive, by the day. On Zoo Atlanta’s ever-popular panda blog, one of Xi Lan’s keepers recently dubbed him “The Tree Slayer” because he’s separately broken a bush and a tree in half by climbing atop them with his incredible bulk. “Hope he does not decide to take on each and every tree out there and leaves some for shade and habitat appeal,” keeper Kate Roca blogged.

But seriously, for all this talk about what a bruiser Xi Lan’s becoming, one panda visitor earlier this week did seem onto something when she eyed the cub in the largest of the three glass-enclosed “day rooms” and proclaimed, “Aww, she looks lonely!” Though Xi Lan was going from door to latched door in the habitat, appearing to the unknowing eye to be a bit anxious and unsure what to do with his lonesome self, he wasn’t missing Mom, a zoo volunteer was quick to reassure. Nope, he was probably looking for his keeper, hoping the missing human would replace his blah bamboo with something more flavorful. Indeed, almost on cue, a keeper opened the adjoining day room and tossed in slices of sweet potato and apple and a few nutritional biscuits, and heaved in some new bamboo. When the door between the two rooms was opened so that Xi Lan could go graze, the cub was on it like white (not to mention black) on rice. Cute as Xi Lan is, the real focus now shifts to Lun Lun, who Zoo Atlanta hopes will grow a big belly of another sort -- one with another baby giant panda inside it.

Pappa, Yang Yang

Giant pandas breed only once a year, usually in spring. Lun Lun’s hormones are already being monitored on a weekly basis. They are baseline at the moment, which is expected for a giant panda mom who’s been caring for a little one for 18 months. They usually take 40 to 50 days to have an estrous cycle after a cub is weaned, so mammals curator Rebecca Snyder expects Lun Lun’s fertile period to fall sometime in April. As Lun Lun, 12, gets closer to ovulation, hormonal tests will be done more frequently -- twice weekly and then daily. A reproductive physiologist either from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Mei Lan’s new home, or Washington’s National Zoo will assist if natural breeding isn’t successful and artificial insemination is required. A female giant panda’s “fertile window” is believed to be between 24 and 48 hours.

Both Mei Lan and Xi Lan are products of the artificial process, when Lun Lun rejected Yang Yang each time. “I’m not as hopeful as I used to be,” Snyder admitted. “We’ll certainly give them a chance, and I’d be ecstatic if they mate on their own. But in the last two cycles, Lun Lun, for whatever reason, is not even letting him get close. ... In previous years, she was more interested, and why that has changed, I don’t know.” The last couple of years, Lun Lun barked and moaned at Yang Yang and, if he still got near, swiped at him with her claws. But Snyder also said Yang Yang could help matters if he were more, um, motivated. “He gives up more quickly than maybe other males would,” the curator said. “I’ve seen other males that are far more aggressive, that wouldn’t back off when she’s like that.” Undaunted, Yang Yang is already showing behaviors associated with an upcoming breeding season, being more physically active, leaving more scents and vocalizing more. Though Zoo Atlanta has had two breeding successes, Snyder says there’s “no guarantees” even with artificial insemination. “There’s a lot that could go wrong that we don’t have any control over,” she said. “I mean, she just might not conceive.” If not this year, there’s always next spring.

Beautiful Lun Lun

Typically giant panda females can reproduce until they’re 20. Both parents are products of excellent gene pools, which is why Mei Lan, 3, finds herself a new resident of the Chengdu giant panda base. Chinese officials hope that next year, after she's acclimated and matured more, she will help propagate one of the world's most imperiled species. Zoo Atlanta keeper Heather Roberts, who accompanied Mei Lan on the long journey and helped in her transition for two weeks, says it was rocky at first because they were both jet-lagged. Mei Lan was initially off her feed and not wanting to participate in training. "Of course, we didn't expect her to get there and go ‘Woo-hoo!'" Roberts said. But Mei Lan started adjusting within a week, and is now getting outdoors, where she sunbathes, snoozes and, of course, feasts on bamboo. Now back in Atlanta, Roberts is still adjusting herself. Every now and then, she'll start to think that it's time to freshen up Mei Lan's space or will look for her on the habitat's camera. Said the keeper: "I still haven't gotten into the groove of, ‘Oh, we only have three pandas now.'" Zoo Atlanta 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily. Admission: $19.99; $14.99 ages 3-11. 800 Cherokee Ave. S.E., Atlanta. 404-624-9453, zooatlanta.org.

Keeping up with Pandas

2010-03-04T09:33:35-05:00

I work during the day as a landscaper and so I get a little behind on all of the updates that come out with the pandas.

Even though we have had an unusually cold winter here in Florida, our plants are still going into spring mode. So, that means less time with the pandas but thanks to all of you who also keep up with pandas through google alerts and other means, you have been a big help in channeling the info this way so I can post it as soon as I am back on the computer. Thanks to each and every one of you!

For example in putting this post together today I had the help of these fellow panda pals. poyee_lam0321, Unka Bobby, dan.techie, Lee and Jennifer .

On to the Panda News!

First off, we are sorry to hear that Ya Ya of the Memphis Zoo will not be having a cub this term. The zoo released a statement through their local media outlet, The Commercial Appeal. Here are a few excerpts you can read the complete article through the link.

"Although an ultrasound last week showed a fetal sack and a flicker of a heartbeat, the test on Tuesday found the sack empty and the heartbeat gone, said obstetrician Dr. Joseph C. DeWane. "Just like humans miscarry at least 20 percent of the time, animals in the wild do the same thing," DeWane said.

It's only because of the advanced technology used by the specialist that they even knew of the early pregnancy, said Matt Thompson, curator of mammals. "Normally we wouldn't know that she was even pregnant because we're talking something the size of a grain of rice," Thompson said.

Ya Ya was inseminated on Thanksgiving in a third attempt to impregnate her."

You will let us know when the time is right for you to have a cub, Ya Ya, won't you? I really enjoyed my visit with you last November and everyone wishes you and your partner Le Le a grand year ahead. Don't forget you can keep up with Ya and Le on their live pandacam!

The panda base at Bifengxia has provided a couple of updates through their ChinaPanda.org.cn website on Tai Shan. They are actively making preparations for his March 9, 2010 public debut! I will let your read the updates they published for all of the great news on Tai. We should be seeing something new about Mei Lan this week so stayed tuned!

"March 9, China's Protection of Research Center returnees "Tarzan" will be the end of a one-month quarantine of life and move into new home - Leopard Hill 5, villas, and formally meet with the public"

Leopard Mountain Villa #5

The structures in the yard are for climbing in and around on, the indoor area is not viewable from this photo but they can go in and out of the building any time they want.

"Leopard Hills area is sub-adult giant panda's gathering, the current live 10 2 to 4-year-old giant panda, the environment comfortable, lively atmosphere, is a sub-adult giant panda's paradise. "Tarzan" will stay at Leopard Mountain Villa No. 5 the most comfortable villas, discounted area of about 30 square meters, larger homes outside the exercise yard, about 1000 square meters for play, leisure, and allowed to climb the Kibusa trees, there is a dense grove, you can let the "Tarzan" enjoy unfettered comfortable life.

The research center is being spent on the polar bear on the 1st floor completely renovated villas, as "Tarzan" adult independent villas. In the research center staff, attentive care, the "Tarzan" home quarantine during the very good physical and mental condition, body weight increased, "Tarzan" to return since the research center staff has not only been meticulous care, but also received numerous home the people's concern and prayers.

Many friends in the country and around the world are striving to apply, "Tarzan" moved house volunteers, want to help groups breeder care "Tarzan" and the "Tarzan" clean, furnished new home. As the "Tarzan" and adopt corporate, Sichuan Automobile Industry Group is very concerned about the "Tarzan" to return during the life, always concerned about "Tarzan," the specific situation of quarantine period, and in the "Tarzan" will soon come before the end of the isolation of living research center study " Taishan, "new home, research centers and Sichuan Automobile Group is to" Tarzan "making active preparations moved house, when for the" Tarzan "to move at a lively ceremony."

This is an interview with Tai's trainer, Wu Dai Fu.

"Tarzan" is about to end month-long quarantine of life, the majority of "Tarzan" fans have long lost its mind by the excitement, are encouraged to register to apply for "Tarzan" volunteers, waiting on the 9th to see the "Tarzan" style, is a constant stream of domestic and foreign media rushed to the Bifengxia Panda Base, rushing to report on "Tarzan" will soon be cleared.

Recently, the China News Weekly, the central seven sets, Sichuan Daily, Tianjin TV and so many media have rushed to the Bifengxia visit again, "Tarzan," understanding "Tarzan" quarantine period of appetite, spirit, activities, etc. to adapt to circumstances, as well as three 9 months to meet with the public celebration of readiness. "Tarzan" professional breeder to the media: "Tarzan,"

After returning home, through the quarantine period of observation, physical and mental good condition, basically adapted to the home diet and the environment, but also learned to Sichuan dialect, and cultivating a deep full-time breeder feelings, can be induced in the Breeders love to complete the basic training programs. Media for "Tarzan" is pleased at the same time was also very honored to be able to pre-empt the "Tarzan" to spread the good news.

Tarzan" to return since the research center staff has not only been meticulous care, but also the hearts of countless people, concerned about his hometown, in order to express the people's love of his hometown, March 9, 2010, the center will join the Global Call to "Taishan "volunteers and" Tarzan "adopt artificial" Tarzan "Check new home celebrations. By then, the volunteers, adoption of people, the media, people will have the honor to witness his hometown, "Tarzan" out off this happy moment, to usher in "Tarzan," Check new home."

Mei Lan makes a big splash after her bath!

2010-02-26T07:15:43-05:00

Alot of new photos of Mei Lan. You look great Lani girl with your fluffy cheeks and all! Here is the translation from the blog.sina.com.cn

Giant Panda "Mei Lan" bathing, sun, fell in love with leisure life in Chengdu

Chengdu two days past a row of bright sunny haze swept away. The weather was warm, "Meilan" are no longer tense, so the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base of the nanny riding on this rare good weather for the "Meilan" a shower, wash away the dust of her one from the United States She also has not been washed back to a bath. The original "Meilan" and are not afraid of water, water will still cozy in her body. "Meilan" clearly a lot of white, on entering the stadium, the shaking to the body drops, and she in the yard leisure walking, tired, lying on the grass playing a little look into the children. It seems that just returned soon, "Meilan" also began to like people to enjoy, like Chengdu, Chengdu, casual and comfortable life. (We note that today's picture inside, "Meilan" to eat when the posture changes.

Thanks to the staff at the Chengdu Panda Base for continuing to post new photos of Mei Lan. There are 60+ photos this time, sorry I lost count, so to see the complete set click on this link...blog.sina.com.cn.

More photos of Tai Shan from Bifengxia Panda Base

2010-02-24T12:29:26-05:00

Happy Days, new photos of Tai Shan and he seems to be taking everything in around him and realizing how delicious that wowotau is.

These photos were published on Xinuanet.com and thanks to Xinhua News Agency for sending a team with reporter Chen Xieshe to see Tai and bringing back these great photos.

"Giant panda Tai Shan in Sichuan Wolong China Giant Panda Protection Research Center, Ya Bifengxia Base (February 23 photo). In the United States, Washington National Zoo giant panda Tai Shan was born February 5 to return to China, in Sichuan Wolong China Giant Panda Protection Research Center Ya'an Bifengxia base began a month-long quarantine of life. In the breeder's meticulous care, Taishan on the local environment, climate, food and so well suited to life itself contentedly. Breeders Dong said Taishan eat sleep can be playing, is expected to end around March 5 quarantine life and tourists to meet"

What is wowotau, you ask? Well it is specially prepared cake that is hand made at the base and I suppose its ingredients can vary but this is what I have been told it is comprised of. Soybean, ground bamboo, egg, bread flour, corn, vitamins and minerals can be added. I have seen other photos of giant pandas eating it at Fuzhou Base in Fuzhou, China, but I understand it is used throughout China for the pandas.

Thanks to chet of flickr for the photo of a staff member preparing the cakes to be steamed at the Bifengxia Base. This photo was taken back in 2008 during one of their visits there.

New Photos of Mei Lan in Chengdu and updates on Tai and Mei

2010-02-23T11:19:13-05:00

Thanks to rbm, who commented on Mei Lan's update in the previous post and daniel.techie who also alerted me to these wonderful new photos. They have posted 130 photos of Mei Lan on this website! So, I will post just a number of them here and you will have to go to the website sina.blog.cn to see all 130 of them.

The National Zoo posted an update yesterday on Tai Shan and another today "We just learned from a colleague at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda that Tai Shan is responding to Chinese language commands pretty well. He understands his keeper's requests to stand up and sit down. His appetite is also good."

Thank You to the Chengdu Panda Base of Giant Panda Breeding for posting all of these photos and the update from China Daily on both Tai Shan and Mei Lan follow the photos. It is so good to see the sweet face of Mei Lan enjoying her new home.

US-born pandas doing well in new home in China

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-02-23 17:07

CHENGDU: Two American-born pandas, Tai Shan and Mei Lan, are adapting well to life in their new homes in southwest China's Sichuan Province 18 days after returning to China.

They will begin to receive visitors in about 10 days.

Tang Chunxiang, director of China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Panda in Wolong Nature Reserve, where Tai Shan is kept, said on Tuesday the 4.5-year-old male panda likes the food and environment in his new home.

Tai Shan keeps himself busy climbing trees, running around and eating bamboo. He is very energetic and has put on weight, according to Tang.

Chengdu's sunny weather seems to have calmed Mei Lan down. The 3-year-old female panda was quite upset when she first arrived at her new home at Chengdu Research Base for Giant Panda Breeding. She lost appetite and snarled at people she didn't know.

Mei Lan is now used to her new home and eats at least 30 kilograms of bamboo and 300 grams of fruit every day, according Huang Mingxiang, director of the animal management department at Chengdu Research Base for Giant Panda Breeding.

The two pandas are both in sound physical condition and will receive visitors when the one-month quarantine is over. Many tourists, unaware of the quarantine period, have come to visit them in vain.

Li Maochun, a Henan tourist who wished to see Mei Lan, said it is a pity he couldn't see the panda.

"I will come back with my friends to see her when the quarantine is over," he said.

Mei Lan had lived at Zoo Atlanta since she was born in September 2006. Her parents, Lun Lun and Yang Yang, arrived in Atlanta in November 1999.

Tai Shan was born in July 2005 and was raised at the National Zoo in Washington D.C.

Tai Shan's father Tian Tian, 13, and mother Mei Xiang, 12, are due to return to China in December next year.

According to the agreements reached by Chinese and American authorities, giant pandas are only loaned to the United States for scientific studies. Pandas such as Mei Lan and Tai Shan's parents, and their cubs, must go back to China at sometime.

Giant pandas, known for being sexually inactive, are among the world's most endangered animals.

About 1,600 giant pandas live in China's wild, mostly in Sichuan and the northwestern provinces of Shaanxi and Gansu. Another 290 are in captive-breeding programs, mainly in China.

Wild panda comes to village to feast; Updated

2010-02-22T09:16:13-05:00

Check out this piece that came from a blog site, GoChengdoo who picked it up from the Chengdu Commercial Daily, about a wild panda that comes down out from the mountains on occasion to feed in one of the small villages in Boaxing County. I have inserted a map from Wikipedia and titled it so you can see where in China this is.

Thanks to panda pal, Xi Shan of flickr for sending this our way and thanks also to rbm, who commented about another article about this same story that appeared on ChinaPandaorg.cn. It does go into more detail about the family, so be sure to check it out also.

Wild panda enters villagers' home in Sichuan County

A farming family in western Sichuan's Baoxing county got an early new year's surprise when a wild giant panda entered their house and gobbled up nearly 2 kilograms of pork bones that had been placed near the pigpen. After its feast, the panda gestured to the farmer that it was still hungry, and the happy-to-please host brought out some more fresh pork ribs for his guest. The panda took the bones straight from the hands of the farmer and sat down in the house to continue eating, after which the panda had a brief stroll and then a nap until the next morning. "

It was around 6 p.m., and I had been making dinner. I stepped out of the room and saw a panda just in front of the doorway. I told the whole family, we should walk with it to the forest over there. About a half-hour later, my wife saw the panda sitting next to the pigpen chewing on the bones," explained Tao Defen.

Li Tingzhong said, "These years, pandas frequently come by our house, usually three or four times a year. Every time they eat the bones. They're very gentle and not at all afraid of people, as if they're pets we've raised. After they're done eating they'll sleep next to the pigpen or against the wall and don't wake up again until daylight the next day."

According to a village official, this panda has been spotted many times by the villagers and last year ate the corn of some of the farmers, but this was the first time the animal has entered a home.

The panda is about one meter long, weighs about 200 pounds and is around 8 years old, estimates the forestry administration. Chengdu Commercial Daily.

New photos of Tai Shan at Bifengxia

2010-02-18T09:28:09-05:00

In the four and half years I have followed Tai Shan, it was his sprirt of adventure that always kept me tuned in to see what he would be up to next. Climbing trees, rolling down the hill, enjoying his enrichments, especially those fruities!

Thanks to Tai's keeper at the Bifengxia Panda Base, who took these new photos of Tai so we could visit with him once again. Even though he going through a quarantine period, which is important to protect all of the other pandas at the base, it looks like he has quite a large area for himself.

This quarantine period is good for Tai. It is quiet and peaceful and his keeper is there to help him become familiar with his new surroundings and food. He even got a bit of a snowfall, which we know he absolutely loves.

Enjoy the photos, Tai looks great and from here on we will have a chance to see him grow into a big, handsome male that I am sure will be the eye of quite a few females.

Thank You, Wu Dai Fu, Tai's keeper, for providing these wonderful photos of Tai and also thanks to maplez's of flickr who posted them on flickr along with a rough translation of the article that accompanied the photos on the Chinese version of the Giant Wolong Panda.org.cn site. Here is the English version of the same website China Wolong Panda.org.cn

"It has been almost two weeks since Tai Shan come home to Bifengxia. Under the tender loving care of his keeper, Tai Shan is getting used to the weather, his food and his surroundings without any problems. He is still under quarantine and is not allowed any visitors. His keeper reports that Tai Shan already has his daily routines. Since he is so smart, he seems to understand the old Chinese sayings "The best time of the day is in the morning". He fills his morning with all his favorite activities. He has his breakfast at 8am, goes for a power walk in his yard then comes in for his boo. Lunch time is at 11am and he enjoys it whole heartily. He also likes to eat wowotou, carrots and apples on his private "porch". "

This next photo is my favorite. Have fun big guy!

Fu Long and panda pal tearing it up in the snow!

2010-02-16T19:09:17-05:00

You gotta check out these great photos from the Bifengxia Panda base that show two and half year old Fu Long who just moved from the Zoo Vienna.

They captured some great photos of him playing with his new partner in crime, Ju Wu. There are too many photos to post and they wrote great commentary with the photos. Click HERE to see the rest, they will make your day!

China, getting to know you

2010-02-16T10:28:47-05:00

As I work to regain my momentum in staying involved with giant pandas after favorites Mei Lan and Tai Shan moved to China, I realize now, my interest has shifted to knowing more about the research and breeding programs in China.

So often the information is hard to come by or the translation that is provided by the 'google translator' makes for a difficult understanding.

When Tai Shan left for China, a part of me went with him. Maybe the same holds true for you whether it be Mei Lan or Tai Shan. Both pandas I know will thrive in China and as they do, I hope to be able to keep up with their progress. But what about the many other giant pandas that live at the research bases? We are all very familiar with the pandas that live in zoos around the world but really what do we know about hundreds that live life at the bases?

A piece of good news comes from Panda International, through their newsletter. A live webcam is going to be sponsored by an anonymous donor for Tai Shan at the Bifengxia Panda base. The details are still being worked out as we speak. I am also anxious to hear more about the progress of the new Wolong Panda Base.

Due to the horrific earthquake that destroyed much of the famed Wolong Base and its being abandoned due to its dangerous location near the fault line, it is currently being rebuilt in a different location but still within the Wolong Reserve. In the meantime, the Wolong research and breeding still continues but has been moved to the Bifengxia Base in Ya'an until the new base is built.

In the meantime, the panda base in Chengdu, China where Mei Lan is, continues their work, they were not impacted as badly by the earthquake. They are communicating through the media the great work they are doing to help giant pandas as you will see with the posted video below.

This video below is special because we hear directly from one of the specialist at the center. Thanks to ABC.com news for going over to cover this story.

I know many are anxously awaiting the day Mei Lan and Tai Shan come out of quarantine to begin their new lives in their homeland. Let's hope there are many avenues for us to be able to keep up with Mei and Tai because afterall, this interest will overflow to the other pandas that live along side them.

Thanks to panda Pal, Xi Shan for sending this video our way. : - )

Happy Chinese New Year!

2010-02-14T10:52:12-05:00

Dee

China to loan two giant pandas to Japan

2010-02-12T12:09:12-05:00

Good news for the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan. This comes after they lost their male panda Ling Ling who died on April 30, 2008. He was 22 years old. He belonged to the nation unlike many others that are loaned out.

He was given to Ueno Zoo in 1992 in exchange for a panda born in Japan to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the normalization of bilateral ties. You can read more about Ling Ling here.

Tokyo to receive 2 pandas from China next year

The Associated Press
Friday, February 12, 2010; 7:57 AM

TOKYO -- Japanese panda fans will be able to see the endangered animals in Tokyo next year for the first time since 2008, after the city reached an agreement to pay nearly $1 million a year to borrow a pair from China, officials said Friday.

Tokyo's Ueno Zoo has been without a giant panda for the first time since 1972, when a pair arrived to mark the signing of a peace treaty between and China. Ling Ling, a panda who came to Tokyo in 1992, died in April 2008 at the age of 22, which in human terms is equivalent to about 70.

Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara told reporters Friday that two pandas are expected to arrive in Tokyo early next year and would cost $950,000 a year.

"It's quite a costly deal," Ishihara said, adding that Tokyo officials bargained to get $50,000 off the original $1 million price tag. The payments will help rebuild a panda sanctuary in China's Sichuan province and fund joint breeding projects between Japan and China, he said.

The sanctuary was nearly destroyed by a devastating earthquake in Sichuan in May 2008. Nearly 70,000 people were killed.

Zoos often pay about $1 million a year to borrow pairs of pandas from China. Any cubs produced by the pandas are the property of China.

"Pandas are endangered and everyone loves them," Ishihara said. "We've received strong requests from people in Tokyo and around Japan who want to see them in Tokyo again."

When Ling Ling died two years ago, people sent condolence messages from around the country and his portrait was displayed inside his cage, along with bouquets and offerings of his favorite bamboo shoots.

Chinese President Hu Jintao offered to loan a pair of pandas to Japan during a visit a month later.

There are about 1,600 pandas in the wild, mostly in Sichuan

Checking in on Tai Shan and Mei Lan

2010-02-11T14:17:05-05:00

We have the latest video of Mei Lan and Tai Shan and they are both doing very well. Thanks to the reporters who go back to video record them and talk to the keepers, so we can keep up with them. Thanks so much to poyee_lam0321 of flickr who uploaded these and also gives us an idea of what is being said. It is in Chinese so they muted the sound. Both were shown on CCTV4

After 7days of adaptation period, Mei lan is getting better and start eat and drink. At the first 3 days, maybe jet lag or other reasons, she climb up and down in the cage and roaring to the people. Reporter visit her again in Chengdu Panda Base and found she is getting stable and start to eat and drink as normal.

Mei Lan's quarantine field is a one eaves building and very quiet. She has two rooms and she can walk outside to her own garden to keep heathly. It is a very good environment for her to settle down.

New keeper Ms Duan has ten years experience for the giant panda keeper. She is now looking after Mei Lan only.

Ms Duan through TV, Nets and many ways to understand Mei Lan favour, living style etc. to help Mei Lan settle down as soon as possible. 'Mei Lan drink and ate banana yesterday, she looks so happy.' Ms Duan said.

Reporter, 'Mei Lan now is hands by a experience keeper, Mei Lan will has a happy life in Chengdu.'

Here is the latest update on Mei Lan that was posted on Zoo Atlanta's website today:

Zoo Atlanta, Mei Lan Update

Thursday, February 11

Mei Lan spent more time resting today. She was asleep when Heather arrived this morning and continued to sleep after Heather’s arrival. Mei Lan is drinking regularly and eating bamboo. She is not, yet, eating as much bamboo as she did at Zoo Atlanta. As we have reported many times about the giant pandas, they can be very selective about their bamboo. The species of bamboo that are plentiful and accessible in the area of the Chengdu Research Base are different from the species plentiful and accessible in Atlanta. It took Yang Yang and Lun Lun about a month to adjust to the bamboo here and start eating bamboo well. So, we expect it’s going to take Mei Lan at least that long too. Most of the bamboo fed to the pandas at the Research Base is brought in on large trucks from the mountains surrounding Chengdu. They have a lot of pandas to feed, and so they truck in large quantities of bamboo. There are also several species of bamboo that grow on the grounds of the Research Base. Ms. Duan has also been cutting these to offer to Mei Lan. So, far Ms. Duan has offered Mei Lan 5-6 different species. Heather said Mei Lan liked one of these better than the others, but so far she doesn’t have a clear favorite.

We have decided to extend Heather’s stay in Chengdu. We hope that some additional days with Heather will help Mei Lan continue to adjust to her new home. Rebecca Snyder, PhD Curator of Mammals

And here is one of Tai Shan a few days ago, checking everything out. This news is about Tai Shan is he is adjusting very well, emotion stable and heathly. Very love home country bamboos and fruits.