Pandas Live on

Rare brown and white giant panda cub found

Dee — 2009-11-10T08:28:43-05:00

Am back home now, from seeing the wonderful pandas in Memphis, Tennessee and Atlanta, Georgia. I have plenty of photos and videos to share of my trip. Will just need some time to sort through it all.

Lots to catch up on and thanks to Lee of Facebook, for these two articles that came through this week. Looks like the pair in Taiwan is being prepared so that they may mate naturally and a rare find in the wild with a brown and white panda cub. You can read them in their entirety after the break. Here is the photo of the cub. Awesome.

Rare brown panda cub discovered

by Wang Xiang, 9/11/2009

A RARE brown baby giant panda has been discoverd by researchers in northwest China, according to China Business View today.

The two month old baby has brown fur where normal pandas sport black. The cub still hasn't opened its eyes nor walked, said experts with Foping Giant Panda Reserve in Shaanxi Province.

The baby's mother is a normal color, said Liang Qihui. The brown pandas is the fifth to be recorded in China, he said.

Scientists are still not sure why some rare pandas have brown fur, the report said. The first brown giant pandas was also found in foping in 1985.

Dan Dan was sick when discovered and was taken back to the Panda Study Center. She later gave birth to three normal giant pandas, yet all died young.

The giant panda is one of the world's most endangered species and is found only in China.

Source: Shanghai Daily

Pandas separated to encourage procreation

By Peter Foster in Beijing
Published: 12:24PM GMT 09 Nov 2009

Chinese panda experts charged with encouraging a pair of Taiwanese pandas to procreate are hoping that the adage that absence makes the heart grow fonder will ring as true for bears as it does for humans.

The two pandas, 'Tuan Tuan' and 'Yuan Yuan', were given to Taiwan late last year as a sign of warming ties between the Chinese mainland and Taipei. Somewhat embarrassingly, however, the two bears do not appear to have warmed to each other.

In an attempt to thaw relations, Taipei called in Zhang Hemin, the head of the Wolong Giant Panda Protection Research Centre in southwest China from where the bears originated, to provide expert advice.

His prescription was to lock the two bears in separate cages for several months to see if enforced abstinence could trigger the instinct to procreate, according to an official with the zoo.

"Separation is likely to make Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan more sexually attracted to each other," said the official.

The two bears are under mounting pressure to perform since they have proved popular with the Taiwanese public who are keen to see them produce a baby in their new home.

Pandas are notoriously fussy when it comes to finding mates. Females in the wild normally have a cub once every two to three years, and the fertility of captive giant pandas is even lower.

To increase the chances of success, Mr Zhang also suggested that zookeepers set up wooden racks to encourage Tuan Tuan, the male, to climb and strengthen his leg muscles so that he is in peak condition come the short February mating season.

Only about 1,600 pandas live in the wild, mostly in China's Sichuan province. An additional 120 are in Chinese breeding facilities and zoos, and about 20 live in zoos outside China.

China initially offered the pandas to Taiwan in 2005, but the then pro-independence government of Chen Shui-bian rejected the gift. Only after Ma Ying-jeou of the rival Nationalist Party was inaugurated in May last year was the offer accepted.

China and Taiwan are expected to discuss a trade agreement at the forthcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit in Singapore next week, as a prelude to a partial Free Trade Agreement.

Source: Telegraph.co.UK

Lin Bing and Fu Long videos

Dee — 2009-11-01T20:11:38-05:00

I have been a little busy with family matters the last few weeks so I am sorry the posts have been few and far between. But I did keep up with the pandas through the live webcams when I could and I was able to put together a little video showing the super new video angle that the Chiang Mai Zoo is now using. Hooray, we don't have to peek between the bars to see Lin Bing now.

Thank You, also to lupoforme of YouTube who went by to see Fu Long once again and brought back these two wonderful videos. He is just adorable the way he sits so close to be next to his mom.

This next week I will be in Memphis and Atlanta so get ready to see lots of panda photos and videos from both of those zoos when I get back. Enjoy the videos.

Two videos featuring the pandas from Zoo Vienna, Austria.

Vote for a name for the San Diego 2009 panda cub

Dee — 2009-10-31T07:10:26-04:00

The San Diego Zoo has sorted through the 6, 331 name submissions and narrowed the choices down to five now. So, starting today and going through Tuesday November 3, 2009, go to the zoo's Name the Panda website and choose the name you would like for the cub. Be sure to look over the precious photos of him at the zoo's Panda Photo Gallery.

The five names are:

Fu Sheng (fu sheng) ... blissful San Diego

Xiao Long (siao long) ...little dragon

Xiong Wei (syong wei) ... extraordinary bear

Yong Xiang (yong siang)... eternally blessed

Yun Zi (yun zih) ... son of cloud

Wild Pandas on the Smithsonian Channel online

Dee — 2009-10-22T11:17:03-04:00

I have often thought to myself, Oh, to hike the mountains of China to see a wild panda. But, as I have become more familiar with the wild giant panda habitat, I have come to realize, I don't think its going to happen for me.

Take a look at these videos taken with special permission by the Chinese government for an international team that made the trek and you will see how difficult an endeavor it is. Just getting to the area where wild pandas live is unbelievable. Climbing one steep mountain after another at elevations of 8,000-12,000 ft and working your way through dense bamboo thickets is not for the casual panda observer.

I found these videos after seeing the link on the National Zoo Giant Panda website. Its called the Smithsonian Channel. Of course these three videos are about pandas but they do have other videos featuring different animals, so you can check them out with the link above.

Pandas gathering at the pumpkin patch

Dee — 2009-10-20T12:57:24-04:00

I have been working on a panda graphic for Halloween and as I continued to work on it I decided to make it more about the season with pandas. The reason I changed my mind was that sometime after the first of the year, Su Lin (San Diego Zoo) and Mei Lan (Zoo Atlanta) will be going to China to help with the breeding program there and I thought how nice it would be to show all of the pandas together who are currently living in the U.S.

It's hard not to feel a little sadness knowing that it won't be as easy to visit them (China here I come!) or watch them on the cams and our local photo buddies won't be capturing their pics any longer, but thanks to our friends in China and those who visit the panda bases to volunteer, they have sent back photos of the pandas of those who have have left and are doing so well, like supermom, Hua Mei and Mei Sheng who may be a daddy this year, so we can keep up with them. We really appreciate it.

So, I used pumpkins, which I love, seemed like a good place where they might hang out. A BIG thanks, to all of the photographers for their wonderful photos of the pandas. Enjoy! (click photo to enlarge)

Fu Long in Vienna enjoys time with his mom

Dee — 2009-10-15T08:18:29-04:00

Fu Long is catching up with his ears now. He's quite the big boy. Thank You to lupoforme of YouTube who came back with some great video of the panda family at Zoo Vienna, Austria.

We are really grateful for these videos because Fu will be leaving for China at the end of 2009.

Milk fund needs a boost at Pandas International

Dee — 2009-10-14T09:44:40-04:00

Just got this email from Suzanne Braden at Pandas International. If you can find a way to help out, that would be wonderful! Thanks.

Dear Pandas International Supporters:

I have just returned from the Bifengxia Panda Center of the China Conservation and the Giant Panda in Sichuan, China. During the next few eNewsletters, I’ll share photos and news about the pandas, the Centers, and what they need.

Prior to my departure, I received an email from Dr. Wang listing what they needed right away and asking that I bring those items with me. Thanks to the quick response of our suppliers, we managed to receive everything in time for me to hand carry three oversize suitcases of veterinary supplies to the Center. (detailed list will be in our newsletter)

Dr. Wu had also emailed Pandas International stating that they needed a generator for the hospital because the electricity in the Bifeng Gorge tends to go out frequently. The lack of power causes major problems for the pandas being treated in the hospital and for the cubs in the nurseries. So with the help of our friend Wu Ping (Peter Wood), I was able to purchase and arrange delivery of a large generator while I was still in China. To the staffs’ delight, the generator arrived the day after I left for the United States.

Unfortunately, getting all these supplies to the Center has depleted our cash on hand just when it is time to order the milk formula. Sixteen cubs have been born this year. Considering this is the first full year following the devastating earthquake of 2008, the birth of this many cubs is great news. Not only do the newborn cubs being raised in the nursery need the milk formula but both the one-year-old cubs in the kindergarten and two-year-old cubs of the Center still depend on the formula to remain healthy, grow, and thrive. Quality formula is also necessary as the winter season begins.

So I am writing to you, Pandas International members, to ask for your help so we can provide this extremely important component in our annual support of the Panda Center.

And as the October leaves fall and the frost is on the pumpkins, I thought now was a perfect time to introduce our new heavyweight hoodie sweatshirt with a beautiful band of pandas across the chest. You can elect to receive this high quality sweatshirt with any donation above $28.

Have a Happy Halloween and show your continuing support for the pandas this fall in your Pandas International sweatshirt stating your desire to "Preserve & Protect." Better yet — get one for yourself and one for a Holiday gift!

Suzanne Braden
Director
Pandas International

WWF's Pandamonium Project - amazing art

Dee — 2009-10-13T23:54:08-04:00

Check out these pieces of art sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund WWF that Xi Shan of flickr found on the internet

"WWF's Pandamonium project, in collaboration with Artwise Curators, invited top British artists and designers to create innovative and memorable artworks out of old panda collection boxes - helping spread WWF's message that the world's rapidly changing climate affects people, wildlife and the natural world.

Artists involved in Pandamonium include Sir Peter Blake, Tracey Emin, Jim Lambie, Rachel Whiteread, Paul Smith, Adam White, Adam King, Laura Ford, Jason Bruges,Tom Dixon, UVA and Troika"

Here is an article about it also from Tree Hugger.com

You can help name the San Diego Panda Cub!

Dee — 2009-10-13T18:26:12-04:00

Besides watching the cub on the live webcam and videos of the vet visits, coming up with a name for the cub is great fun also and that time has come for the cute, adorable cub at the San Diego Zoo!

They have opened the naming so you can do it online if you don't live close enough to drop a name off in person at the zoo. Thanks to the zoo for working this out.

The zoo has a special page (Name the Panda) where you can contribute a name "we’d like to take suggestions from panda fans worldwide! Right now, our little guy is the picture of cuteness, but we’d like his name to be suitable for the strong adult male he’ll become. Name suggestions need to be in Chinese (Pinyin), have an English translation, and be symbolic in meaning."

Voting ends Monday the 19th, so don't waste any time researching a great Chinese name. Here are a couple of sites that can help us find a Chinese name in Pinyin. Chinese Names and San Jose State University Chinese. If you come across any other sites that will help us please send it in.

Updated Giant Panda Family Charts

Dee — 2009-10-12T11:15:34-04:00

I want to thank those who are keeping me on my toes, here at Pandas Live On. My family tree charts for the pandas at the San Diego Zoo and Smithsonian National Zoo needed to be updated along with correcting a couple of errors.

Because Hua Mei who was born at the San Diego Zoo has had so many cubs at the Bifengxia Base in the Wolong Reserve, China. I decided she deserved her own family chart.

Below are the links to the pages on each zoo's panda family. Please take the time to read over all of the information, it is very interesting.

You will find the charts at the end.

National Zoo Panda Family

San Diego Panda Family

Panda trainers have some good info for us

Dee — 2009-10-09T22:00:00-04:00

This is an interesting piece that offers some good information that I am going to try myself. Thanks to Xi Shan of flickr for sending this our way. I'll bet many of us are pet owners, so I have put a poll on the right sidebar. Be sure to check it out we would all like to know!

For a Well-Behaved Pet, Take Tips from Zoo Trainers

By LINDA LOMBARDI For The Associated Press
Friday, October 2, 2009

You’ll never have to teach a panda to walk on a leash. But if any kind of animal lives in your house, trainers at the zoo have some useful lessons for you.

Modern training methods rely on a simple principle of learning: If an action has a pleasurable consequence, the animal will repeat it. Or as animal behaviorist Emily Weiss puts it, “If it feels good, do it again.”

So it should be easy to mold a pet’s behavior — reward it when it does what we like, and don’t when it doesn’t. But getting the details right can be a challenge, whether with a panda or a pup, and that’s often because we don’t understand what is actually rewarding to the animal.

The simplest type of reward-based training involves food, and it’s incredibly powerful. It works with animals that don’t care about pleasing us, or that we can’t even safely get near. Weiss has trained a Komodo dragon to enter a crate using food.

But it’s critical to realize that food is not all that’s rewarding, and that the alternatives may be unexpected, such as when Weiss found that Aldabra tortoises could be rewarded in training by having their necks stroked.

Being aware of other possible rewards can help if your pet is not particularly food motivated, but it’s far more important than that. If you’re not aware of everything that’s rewarding to an animal, you may be accidentally training it to do exactly what you don’t want.

Weiss tells of a time when she was trying to train a group of chimps using their favorite food reward, Jello jigglers, to hold still for injections. But she couldn’t even get to the first step: getting them to put their hands on the bars. The problem was that they wouldn’t stop using their hands for something else instead: throwing feces at her.

“After a month, it finally dawned on me — what do you do when a chimp throws poop? You jump. You wipe it off,” she said.

Once Weiss realized that watching her reaction was more rewarding to many of the chimps than getting a treat, the solution was simple. When humans stopped responding in an interesting way, the behavior stopped.

Many pet problems arise the same way and the solution may be just as straightforward. If your dog jumps up on you when you come home, it’s because your reaction, like Weiss’s to the chimps, is rewarding. Try turning your back and not making eye contact or speaking until he stops jumping, and the behavior should eventually disappear.

In other cases you may also need to think about how to prevent the behavior before it starts. Consider a dog that barks constantly, or what zookeepers call stereotypical behaviors, such as pacing up and down the same part of an exhibit.

The first step is the same: Be sure that you’re not accidentally rewarding the behavior. But after that, your best bet isn’t trying to train the animal to stop doing something. Rather, says Lisa Stevens, curator of pandas and primates at the National Zoo, “Change the environment that elicits the behavior.”

This requires some observation. For pandas, keepers may notice that pacing starts at a certain time of day, for example, and changing the animal into a different enclosure before that time may be all that’s needed. Likewise, if you figure out that your dog’s barking begins when a person or dog walks by, the best solution may be restricting access to the room that faces the street, or not leaving him in the yard alone — much simpler than the big project of training the dog to stop barking on command.

Finally, like a good animal keeper, make sure that your pet’s lifestyle allows him to exercise his natural abilities. Part of what zoos call “enrichment” is providing a complex environment that allows an animal to perform its natural behaviors. A panda that has opportunities to climb and search for food is less likely to pace.

Likewise a dog needs enough exercise and chances to use his brain. In fact, both pandas and dogs enjoy the many types of puzzle feeders that are now available. Give your dog enough chances to be a dog, and he’ll get into less trouble.

“Often behavior problems in dogs are because they’re not living in an enriched environment,” says Stevens.

Xi Lan sets out for new Horizons

Dee — 2009-10-09T12:21:49-04:00

Thanks to pandajoy7 for the set of wonderful photos they just came back with on their recent trip to Zoo Atlanta. Please be sure to go to their flickr site to see all of them. I just had to do a graphic with one of a set where Xi Lan was exploring a new enrichment item that was placed in his enclosure.

Panda Poop propels Japanese University to lg Nobel Prize

Dee — 2009-10-09T01:00:17-04:00

Congratulations to the Researchers who have found another effective use for panda poop. Currently, it is being recycled and turned into paper. See the story about this at MSNBC.com.

Now, researchers have found a way to extract bacteria from the poop and put it to good use. Here is an article from the Tokyo Reporter covering the award they received. Thanks to Lee of Facebook for sending this our way and RoxandaBear for the two photos, one of Tian Tian (L) and Mei Xiang (R) of the National Zoo, munching away on that infamous bamboo and the panda poop that is in the photo below, courtesy of the National Zoo.

Panda poop propels Japanese University to Ig Nobel Prize

CAMBRIDGE, MA – Researchers at Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences in Sagamihara, Kangawa Prefecture were last night awarded an Ig Nobel Prize in biology for displaying that bacterial extracts from panda poop can play a role in composting.

In a series of published papers, the university’s Fumiaki Taguchi, Song Guofu, and Zhang Guanglei demonstrated that kitchen refuse can be reduced by more than 90% in mass if aided by bacteria extracted from the feces of giant pandas. Taguchi was on hand along with 1,200 guests at Harvard University’s Sanders Theatre to receive the prize during a ceremony that organizers described as being “filled with risk, inventive brassieres, sword-swallowing, opera singers and paper airplanes.”

The annual awards, in their nineteenth year, are produced by the science humor magazine Annals of Improbable Research and honor achievements that first make people laugh and then make them think. Ten prizes in all were distributed. A bra that converts into gas masks won in the public health category, and a physics award was given for a study that analyzed why pregnant women don’t tip over. Marc Abrahams, master of ceremonies (and editor of the magazine), closed the evening with words of encouragement for future candidates: “If you didn’t win an Ig Nobel prize tonight — and especially if you did — better luck next year.” (C.J.) Posted By CJ On October 2, 2009 @ 4:25 pm

I'm a giant panda, Help!

Dee — 2009-10-07T18:21:27-04:00

You know, sometimes things get inside your head and you can't do anything about it as hard as you try until you can find a outlet for it. Well, it was that story about the naturalist that was complaining about the money that was being spent on giant pandas. After looking over photos/videos and listening and finding the perfect song, I have put together this video.

I got to thinking, alot of people really aren't aware of how much work it takes by many people around the world to save a species from extinction. I don't know about what is being done to save other species in this fragile world, but I have followed the work that is being done for pandas and I'm sure with this work it will also benefit many other species as a residual affect.

So, with the help of those generous people who let me use their photos and videos to tell a story, here is a video that I hope will inspire all of us to realize it takes alot of resources to save our planet and for me its all about the giant panda. Thanks.

Exciting auction benefits 'Give so they Stay' campaign at Zoo Atlanta!

Dee — 2009-10-05T08:47:04-04:00

Browse an exciting collection of priceless opportunities; once-in-a-lifetime experiences; panda collectibles and memorabilia; art, books and photography; exotic getaways and more. Bidding begins on October 5 on biddingforgood.com and continues until 11:59 p.m. EST on Saturday, October 31. All auction proceeds benefit the Give So They Stay campaign.

We still have a long ways to go to meet the $500,000 goal to keep the giant panda program at Zoo Atlanta. So, check back often to their 'Give So They Stay' campaign site to find out how you can participate in this important program.

To place a bid, all you have to do is register at the Bidding for Good site, then type in 'Give so they Stay' as the cause in the search auctions box. Look over all of the great items to see which one you want to place a bid on, like keeper for a day! They have great video tutorials if you have any questions.

Here are a couple of cute videos featuring Xi Lan their one year old male panda cub and mother, Lun Lun. Thanks to bob2cleo of flickr, who got these while at the 'Pandamonium' event, where they celebrated all of the pandas birthdays on the same day at Zoo Atlanta.