Panda Cub Updates (March - January 2010)
Wednesday, March 31
As spring slowly arrives in Atlanta this year, I am eagerly anticipating it, for the pandas. Spring not only means breeding season for our adults, which brings all sorts of excitement for us keepers, it also means bamboo shoots! Bamboo shoots! The pandas’ favorite food! I’m sure many of you who have kept up with our updates over the years know how crazy the pandas are about shoots. Some days during shoot season they will not eat their bamboo because all they want to eat is shoots. That can be frustrating, but overall, I love shoot season because shoots make the pandas so happy. Unfortunately, here in Georgia, we only have a limited supply of bamboo shoots per year. However, at the Chengdu Research Base where Mei Lan is now living, the pandas get pounds and pounds of shoots every day during shoot season. I am delighted for Mei Lan this year to be able to eat so many bamboo shoots. So, for several reasons, I am excitedly awaiting the new growth of bamboo this year.
Heather Baker Roberts
Carnivore Keeper II
Monday, March 29
We have often characterized Lun Lun’s eating habits as being like a slot machine. This is especially true when she is eating her leafeater biscuits, because she will take up to three at a time, chew them slightly, and then is willing to take more. This makes her eating a very quick process, unlike Yang Yang. He is very methodical about how he eats, taking one piece at a time, chewing it completely, and then taking another. Mei Lan was pretty much the same as Yang with this. But, guess who Xi Lan takes after? Well, I would have to say his mother! He is very quick in his consumption of biscuits and fruit. In the morning, when we are trying to weigh him, we have to run to the computer room to get his weight off the display before he gets off the scale. This is also becoming apparent when training him as well. Much like Lun, you can ask him for a behavior while he is still chewing and he will respond to it, unlike Yang and Mei, where we’d have to wait until they finished chewing. I guess this is just one of the ways that Xi Lan takes after his mother.
Joseph T. Svoke
Carnivore Keeper III
Friday, March 26
The wait staff of Chateau le Panda arrived early this morning at 7 a.m. sharp. With fresh clothes, special panda shoes and a crisp radio, it was time to see if there were any clients waiting to be fed. As usual at this hopping spot, the clientele were already up and waiting for their morning breakfasts – time to get started in the kitchen! Luckily last night’s closing chefs had prepared the breakfast bamboo and had it crisping in the cooler ready to be served as soon as each panda’s dining room was set up and ready to go. First on the order: sweetly apologize to the waiting clients and assure them that the chef will prepare breakfast as quickly as possible, then rush into the kitchen and mix up a delicious breakfast of banana, sweet potato, apple and leafeater biscuits. Luckily our “regulars” order the same thing every morning so there’s not much prep work to be done. Although they are up and ready to be served first thing, they are very accommodating with not changing their preferences for fruit very much so the menu is pretty easy to remember. Unlike most guests, ours stay for breakfast, lunch, dinner and on. We enjoy and appreciate them very much, and find it very flattering when they crash out after eating a delicious meal (as they’ve done today), but at some point we need to clean the dining rooms to prepare for the next meal. Today they decided that they were extra hungry, so breakfast quickly turned into lunch, keeping the chefs very busy before Noon. There was a slight respite, however, as there were full bellies after lunch, which provided the chefs and wait staff just enough time to prepare for dinner and our guests’ midnight snacks (as they do spend the night). The mother and father slept most of the afternoon, but like little boys tend to do, their little one, Xi Lan, just couldn’t seem to stay still for very long. Although we do not consider ourselves to be babysitters, the wait staff here do not mind spoiling the little guy and keeping him comfortable. Boys will be boys after all. Well, time to set up for this evening's dinner party and then prepare for tomorrow’s breakfast. It just never ends! Ciao.
Jennifer Brink
Carnivore Keeper II
Wednesday, March 24
We continue to monitor Lun Lun’s behavior and hormones for the start of her estrous cycle. Based on when her cycle occurred after Mei Lan was weaned and when other females have cycled after weaning, we expect Lun Lun to cycle in April. But we have been monitoring Lun Lun closely since Xi Lan was weaned, so that we are sure to detect the beginning of her cycle. At this point, her hormones are still at baseline and there are no behavioral signs of estrus either. Some of the behavioral changes we watch for include, increased walking, decreased feeding, scent marking, increased bleating and chirping, and interest in Yang Yang. Currently, Lun Lun is eating and resting normally. It appears that we will need to wait a little longer before all the excitement begins.
Rebecca Snyder, PhD
Curator of Mammals
Monday, March 22
As many of you may know, or remember reading in the past, our adult pandas don’t care for the rain. This makes life a little challenging for us when we have three separate individuals to take care of. We have to plan how we are going to move everyone around before we start doing anything, and hope that everything goes smoothly. Luckily for us Mei Lan did not mind the rain as long as it was not a heavy downpour, and so we tried to get her outside much as possible. This was important because typically the staff at Chengdu Research Base, where Mei Lan is now, let their pandas go out in the rain. From my experience most of the pandas did not seem to be bothered by this. We are trying to accustom Xi Lan to staying outside in the rain as well. With all the rain that we have been having, we’ve had a lot of opportunities to put him outside to experience it as much as possible. There was a slight drizzle Sunday morning when I first put the pandas outside and, typical to form, Yang was not happy at all. I was surprised that he did not do his normal, get half-way through the shift door, stop, and then back up to come back inside. He went out far enough that I was able to shut the door behind him, and so out he stayed. On the other hand Xi Lan, just went out like there was nothing different going on and ate his bamboo. Hopefully this will continue as he gets older!
Heather and I laughed at him last week on a day that we had some heavy rains. We had noticed that the rain was picking up and even saw some hail. So, Heather went to try to get him inside. Well, he refused! When things started to get worse he just climbed down the structure and hid under some pinetrees in the back of the exhibit. I guess that he felt comfortable out there and just needed some branches to protect him. So, we left him outside. Not too long after, the rain slowed and he came back out and started to eat again. Now only if his parents would do this!
Joseph T. Svoke
Carnivore Keeper III
 |
|
| Xi Lan and his many toys |
Friday, March 19
During the initial stages in the weaning process, we housed Lun Lun and Xi Lan in habitats that weren’t adjacent to each other. This meant that Xi Lan and Lun Lun were unable to see, smell and hear each other during the separations. We believe this made the weaning process much smoother for the pandas, and allowed them to adjust more quickly to the new housing arrangement. Xi Lan has done so well with the whole process, however, that we will soon start placing Xi Lan and Lun Lun in adjacent habitats. As a result, they will be able to see each other through one of the large windows that separate the dayroom and the habitat. This is just the next step in the process and Xi Lan should do just fine with this part, as he has with the previous steps. Look for updates to follow.
Kenn Harwood
Lead Keeper of Carnivores
Wednesday, March 17- Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Yesterday I heard from two of our colleagues at the Chengdu Research Base. They both tell me that Mei Lan is doing beautifully! She is eating bamboo as heartily as she did here and she is bonding with her keepers. While I was in Chengdu with Mei Lan, I had a chance to see the building where she is currently housed. As you can see from the photo posted last week, she has a large, beautiful and enriching outdoor enclosure. There are four other yards for neighboring pandas at this building as well. When I was there, four adult pandas and a group of five sub-adult pandas were living in this building. I do not know who her neighbors are now, but she seems to be doing just fine with them in the adjacent yards. Additionally, Mei Lan had her debut to the public this week and took it all in stride. Just like here in Atlanta, Mei Lan is a celebrity in Chengdu and people there have been waiting weeks to see her. While Mei Lan was adjusting to her new life in Chengdu in quarantine, the Research Base staff did not allow the media access to her because unfamiliar people upset her. Now that she is settled into her new home, Mei Lan has resumed her place in the spotlight. We all miss Mei Lan, but it is exciting to hear news from Chengdu that she is enjoying her new home!
Heather Baker Roberts
Carnivore Keeper II
Monday, March 15
It has taken a little while, but I think that Xi Lan has gotten used to life on his own. He seems much more relaxed this past week, than he was the week before. He is also eating his bamboo better. This should only get better as time goes by. In addition to that, he has reached another milestone. He has passed the 40 kg mark, weighing in at 40.7 kg for his afternoon weight. It seems like it was only last week that I was writing about him surpassing the 30 kg mark.
Kenn Harwood
Lead Keeper of Carnivores
Friday, March 12
As J.T. mentioned a few days ago, Lun Lun has been spending some time in the off-exhibit yard, Habitat 3. She is certainly enjoying it; she has single-handedly almost decimated the bamboo that is growing in that yard! When I was preparing Habitat 3 for her on Tuesday, I noticed there was significantly less bamboo in there than when I had set her up in there on Saturday. Then she plowed through even more of the bamboo yesterday. I love that she is able to spend so much time foraging for bamboo, but if she doesn’t slow down there won’t be any left!
Heather Baker Roberts
Carnivore Keeper II
 |
 |
| Mei Lan's new habitat |
Wednesday, March 10
Mei Lan continues to do well at the Chengdu Research Base. She is eating a normal amount of bamboo and has been spending a lot of time outside. She was moved out of quarantine a few days ago and seems to be adjusting well to her new enclosure. Bonnie is leaving Chengdu this week, but we will continue to receive regular updates on Mei Lan, which we will share with you.
Rebecca Snyder, PhD
Curator of Mammals
Monday, March 8
Lun Lun has had a few fun and exciting days. Saturday and Sunday she was able to spend some time in an off exhibit yard, which we call Habitat 3. Probably the best thing about this habitat for the pandas is that it has a bunch of live growing bamboo in it, some of which are their favorite species. It gave her the opportunity to eat bamboo growing out of the ground, like a giant panda in the wild would, which it seems that she has no problem doing. She actually ate the bamboo in the yard better than the cut bamboo we offered her. Though it may have been great for Lun Lun, it was not as great for the keepers. It took us about double the normal amount of time to clean up the mess that she created. That habitat also has some thorny vines that are no problem for the pandas with their thick coats and hairy feet. But the thorns are tough on those of us that don’t have that kind of protection. Luckily, I had some gloves to save my hands.
On Sunday, Lun also had some fun playing in the pool in Habitat 3. It was a little unusual to see her in the pool, because she normally doesn’t use the pools unless the temperatures are high or it is closer to estrus. We’re not sure what peaked her interest in the pool, but maybe it is because the Habitat 3 pool is easier for her to access. It’s broader and shallower than the pools in the other habitats. So, she doesn’t have to climb up or down to get into it. Now that we have three separate pandas, it’s nice to use the third habitat so that it allows all get some fresh air.
Joseph T. Svoke
Carnivore Keeper III
Friday, March 5
Breeding season has officially begun for the giant pandas here at Zoo Atlanta. Yang Yang has been displaying breeding season behaviors for the past few weeks, such as increased time spent walking around his exhibit and scent marking. Today our veterinary staff collected semen from Yang Yang to be frozen and, if necessary, used for artificial insemination later this year. Whenever the pandas are anesthetized we like to take the opportunity to collect body measurements to compare to previous years. Here are Yang Yang’s current measurements:
Tip of nose to tail base: 174.5 cm
Tail length: 15.5 cm
Chest girth: 114.0 cm
Abdominal girth: 116.5 cm
Neck girth: 80 cm
Weight: 131.1 kg
Heather Baker Roberts
Carnivore Keeper II
Monday, March 1
Xi Lan has completed the weaning process and is officially his own man. The fifteen day process gradually extended the amount of time that Xi Lan and Lun Lun were separated from each other. Today, his 18 month birthday, is the first day that Xi Lan will not be given access to Lun Lun. Xi Lan is being, and has been, monitored throughout every step of the way by the panda/carnivore keepers and curatorial staff to make sure everything is going well. So far, he is just fine with it.
His current weight is 37.8 kg
Kenn Harwood
Lead Keeper of Carnivores
Friday, February 26
So, I came in to the panda building this morning, not sure what to expect ... Fortunately, the pandas are still black and white, and cute all over! Lots of eating, sleeping, and playing today, which happens to be the recipe for a happy panda.
Here are the most current weights on all three pandas:
Yang Yang = 129.3kg
Lun Lun = 96.4kg
Xi Lan = 37.8kg
Layla Dampier
Carnivore Keeper II
Wednesday, February 24
Xi Lan’s weaning is progressing well. We are still on track for complete weaning in early March. That means Lun Lun will likely have an estrous cycle later this spring. We have started tracking her hormones using urine samples. Hormone data helps us identify Lun Lun’s fertile period and is useful for timing breeding introductions and artificial insemination. Dr. David Kersey is once again conducting the hormone assays for us. Dr. Kersey was affiliated with Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park while working on his PhD. He is now an Assistant Professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Western University of Health Sciences. He is the leading expert on giant panda endocrinology. So far, Lun Lun’s estrogen concentrations remain at baseline, which is expected given Xi Lan is not, yet, fully weaned.
Rebecca Snyder, PhD
Curator of Mammals
Monday, February 22
Horticulture staff may have to dub Xi Lan with a new name: "The Tree Slayer." Some time ago, while trying to climb the small bush in outdoor habitat 1, Xi Lan broke it in half. Guess he just weighed too much for it's small branches to support. Then, last week, in the other outdoor habitat, Xi Lan took on another tree. It was one of the smaller pines in the back half of the exhibit. We found his path of destruction when we went out to clean the yard. He had managed to break the top half of the small pine off. Don't worry, he still finds the smaller half he has left just a much fun to take on and he was back to playing in it on Sunday. Hope he does not decide to take on each and every tree out there and leaves some for shade and habitat appeal. But I am sure the Horticulture Department will replace items if he takes them all out.
Kate Roca
Carnivore Keeper III
Wednesday, February 17
Xi Lan did incredibly well in today's lesson of "Learning to be Independent,” also known in professional terms as weaning.Although we monitor both his and Lun Lun's behavior closely throughout the day during this process of incrementally seperating them from one another, much to Xi Lan's credit, there was not much to document. His time alone consisted mainly of eating bamboo and sleeping up in the teepee tree.He was excited to reunite with Lun Lun. But we aren’t sure if it’s because he missed her or because she is a milk producing play toy! Although we do enjoy watching the interaction between Xi Lan and Lun Lun, this weaning phase is a very important step in Xi Lan's development and so far he is off to a great start!
Jennifer Brink
Carnivore Keeper II
Monday, February 15
At least someone enjoyed the snow! The storm front that came in Friday afternoon brought lots of snow, at least by Atlanta standards, and Xi Lan got to experience it for the second time this year.He found it very exciting to play in, and knock it off all of the trees and shrubs that he could. According to the keeper that was closing, he did not even want to shift in at night because of all the fun that he was having. I can’t say the same thing for Lun or Yang, though. Typical them, if it isn’t dry and sunny, they’re not happy bears. We still have some snow on the ground, but it’s not as much fun anymore, because it’s melting away.
Joseph T. Svoke
Carnivore Keeper III
Friday, February 12
You may have noticed while watching PandaCam that the mulch in the dayrooms looks a bit different – a little darker, a little hillier, a little thicker. On Tuesday, a complete dayroom mulch change was accomplished. As Kenn mentioned in Monday's update, this can be a time consuming process. Seven people worked for six hours straight to complete the change!
Although to us it's still just mulch, to the pandas the difference in texture and odor is definitely noticeable! At least for a quick moment or two. When Yang Yang was first shifted into a dayroom after the change, he was somewhat hesitant, sniffing the mulch and walking out slowly. Then once he realized it was just new mulch, which he has of course experienced before, the bamboo eating could commence! Similarly, while Lun Lun sniffed the new mulch and was certainly aware of it, her priority was getting bamboo into her belly! Xi Lan, on the other hand, was a completely different story. This is the first mulch change he has gone through. When he was asked to shift into a dayroom, he was reluctant to go out at all! He cautiously sniffed the air and slowly came out. Then he proceeded to gingerly walk around the entire dayroom to investigate his new surroundings. What is this strange new material? It looks like the floor, but only sort of smells like and feels like the floor! Of course, with a bit of time, snack time and then nap time won out over the need to investigate. His detective work has led him to the discovery that any floor is a good floor when it contains bamboo and biscuits!
Layla Dampier
Carnivore Keeper II
Wednesday, February 10
As Kenn mentioned on Monday, we are planning for Xi Lan’s weaning. Weaning is a natural process for all giant pandas, in captivity and in the wild. We will be using the same plan we used to wean Mei Lan. It’s a stepwise process developed by staff at the Zoological Society of San Diego and used to wean their panda cubs. The plan involves a gradual increase in the amount of time that the mother and cub are separated from each other. Separation will begin next week and gradually increase until Xi Lan is permanently separated from Lun Lun in early March. He will be 18 months old then, which is the normal weaning age for giant panda cubs in the wild. We will be monitoring Lun Lun’s and Xi Lan’s reactions to separation and reunion and will modify the plan if needed based on their behavior. Xi Lan has already shown his fondness for bamboo and leafeater biscuits, so we are sure he will do fine and is ready to become independent from his mother.
Kate Roca
Carnivore Keeper II
Monday, February 8
With Mei Lan being in China, the panda keepers will have an easier routine for the next few weeks. This, however, will not be the case for long. With the dayrooms now vacant, we are planning to do a complete mulch change. This means that all of the much will be removed with shovels, rakes and wheelbarrows from both dayrooms. This is not as easy as it sounds, as the mulch is over 18 inches thick in places. Once all the mulch is removed, the process is reversed and we bring in all new mulch using the same technique. Afterward, it may appear on PandaCam that the mulch is much deeper than it has been, but this is necessary as it will settle over the next couple of months. We need to get this done because we have a couple of big things on the horizon and only a small window to do it. We will soon start weaning Xi Lan from Lun Lun, and soon he will need a dayroom for himself. After Xi Lan is weaned, we have to start preparing for giant panda breeding season. From there, routine will only get more hectic.
Kenn Harwood
Lead Keeper of Carnivores
Friday February 5
We have been very busy preparing for Mei Lan’s departure for the last couple of weeks. Today was a much quieter day in the giant panda building. It was a normal day for Lun Lun, Xi Lan, and Yang Yang. I doubt that they have noticed Mei Lan’s absence, yet, or that they will miss her. That seems sad from a human perspective, but it’s normal from a giant panda perspective. Mei Lan has been living on her own since she was weaned from Lun Lun in early spring of 2008. So, Mei Lan’s departure is not really noticeable to the other pandas. They might notice her scent gradually fading away. In the world of giant pandas, I expect that registers and because of it they will know she’s not in the area anymore.
If she was a wild panda, she would have moved off to establish her own home range and to reproduce. In captivity, the moving away is aided by trucks and airplanes. But the reason for it and the end result are the same. Mei Lan has moved away to establish a new home and to reproduce.
Her human family is keenly aware of her absence and will miss her, but we can also take comfort from the fact that we know where she is and that she is safe and well.
Rebecca Snyder, PhD
Curator of Mammals
Special Mei Lan Update
Friday, February 5
Mei Lan landed safely in Chengdu and is now at her new home at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. I received an email this morning from Heather Roberts, the keeper who accompanied Mei Lan on the trip. Heather reported that Mei Lan was unsettled on and off during the flight, but she did eat and rest during the journey and seemed to be reassured by Heather’s presence. There was a large welcoming ceremony when they arrived at the Chengdu airport where Mei Lan’s arrival was enthusiastically celebrated. Heather said that the Chengdu Research Base staff was very responsive to Mei Lan and did a good job transferring her quickly to the Research Base. Heather went with Mei Lan to the Research Base and was able to coax her out of her transport crate and into her new enclosure. Although it was a long journey for Mei Lan, we are grateful to FedEx Express that the trip went as quickly and smoothly as possible and that she has arrived healthy and safe. We will continue to update you on Mei Lan’s adjustment to her new home.
Rebecca Snyder, PhD
Curator of Mammals
Wednesday, February 3
Almost 3 1/2 years ago, she came into the world with an ear-piercing squeal. Now, she begins her journey into adulthood. Tomorrow, Mei Lan, Atlanta's Beauty, will board a plane bound for her parents' homeland. I am privileged to join her for a short time in this new phase of her life. Mei Lan's future has always been tied to China. She will be a valuable addition to the captive population of giant pandas at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. However, she will always remain in Atlanta in the hearts and memories of those of us who know and love her. I am the lucky one; I have a few more days to spend with her. Her other keepers, staff and fans must say goodbye today. I will do my best to send updates about Mei Lan and her first couple of weeks in her new home. Be sure to send Mei Lan your best wishes, a safe journey to and healthy life in Chendgu, China.
Heather Baker Roberts
Carnivore Keeper II
Monday, February 1
I just want to thank everyone who came out to wish Mei Lan farewell on Saturday. Even though the weather was not the best, many of you die hard fans came to wish her well. But I’m sure that it was worth seeing her on her last weekend in Atlanta, and also getting to enjoy various other planned activities. The cake that was provided most likely gave all of you the stamina to stand in the cold, or move your hands to write on Mei's farewell poster. I also hope that you all got your limited edition FedEx pin!
If you did not have a chance to see Mei Lan this weekend, make sure stop by and visit her before she heads off on the 4th of February.
Joseph T. Svoke
Carnivore Keeper III
Friday, January 29
It's finally official. Mei Lan, our 3-year-old female panda, will soon be on her way to China. It was announced yesterday that she will be traveling to China compliments of FedEx Express. Her departure date has been set for Thursday, February 4th. She will not, however, be undertaking this journey alone. We have a Zoo Atlanta keeper going with her and she will also be accompanied by Tai Shan, the National Zoo's 4-year-old male. They both get to fly first class on a brand new Boeing 777, which will be decorated with appropriate panda markings. We are all going to miss our Atlanta Beauty, but we are excited that she will be moving on to big things in Chengdu, where she will become part of the giant panda breeding program at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.
In other panda news, the vet staff and I were able to get a good look at Xi Lan's teeth today. It appears that he is on a roll, and has several baby teeth that are about ready to come out. Aside from that, he appears to be in tip top shape. His weight this morning was 34.6 kg. It's hard to believe that he is over 75 lbs, but I guess they can't stay little forever.
Be sure to join us tomorrow, Saturday, January 30, for Mei Lan’s Farewell Celebration!
Kenn Harwood
Lead Keeper of Carnivores
 |
|
| We'll miss our "Atlanta Beauty" |
Wendesday, January 27
Hello all! It’s been a while since I’ve written an update, but I’ve been in pandas about once a week for quite some time now. I had to take a little hiatus from pandas because of some fun things going on in the meat-eating side of carnivores, but I’m back now, and boy is our big guy growing fast (as you all know)! He has really come into his own as a little man. I’m amazed all the time at how independent and sure of himself he has become. I tell him every time I close up for the day how much I appreciate his skill and eagerness to shift in and eat his dinner. Mei Lan, of course, is the sweetheart that continues to brighten up everyone’s day. The last two times that I have worked with her she has been as silly as ever, wanting to play and run back and forth in the tunnel while I squealed and baby talked, like all female keepers secretly (and some not so secretly) do. She actually seems to really enjoy the excited sounds of the keepers, and the more we get excited, the more she jumps up and somersaults and, at one point, tried to do a head stand! She is a completely ridiculous little lady and we will all miss her greatly. I wonder if they talk “panda” talk in China ...
Jennifer Brink
Carnivore Keeper II
Monday, January 25
Earlier this month Mei Lan received her pre-shipment physical for her trip to China. When animals are sent to other institutions, we give them a good once-over to make sure they are healthy. During Mei Lan’s physical she was checked by one of our veterinarians and had blood collected, an ultrasound preformed, and her teeth checked by a dentist.The keepers were also able to collect her body measurements while she was under anesthesia. The measurements are as follows: tip of nose to end of tail, 178 cm (70 in); chest girth, 105 cm (41 in); neck girth, 71 cm (28 in); belly girth, 110.5 cm (43.5 in). Mei Lan’s most current weight is 92 kg (yep, that’s 202 pounds!).
The vets gave her a clean bill of health and she is cleared to prepare for her journey to China.
Kate Roca
Carnivore Keeper II
Friday, January 22
Mei Lan has discovered the wonders of ultrasound gel! As some of you may know (or have read in previous updates), Lun Lun is an avid fan of it, but Monday was the first time that Mei Lan ever reacted to it. We had used the gel on several different occasions with her when training her for ultrasound behavior, but previously there was no reaction from her. For whatever reason when she smelled it on Monday she decided to rub it all over her body and self-anoint with it. This is what Lun Lun likes to do, and we just have to wait for her to calm down, and then ask her to get into the proper position again. After that initial reaction, she normally will not break from the session again. As we are getting closer to the time that Mei Lan will be heading to her mother-land, we are trying to increase the length of time that she will participate in a session. So far so good, as each session seems to last a little bit longer.
Joseph T. Svoke
Carnivore Keeper III
Wednesday, January 20
If you've been keeping up with this blog for the past few months, you know that our beloved Mei Lan will be leaving Zoo Atlanta soon. Yesterday we received the crate that Mei Lan will be traveling in to China. Now we will start training her to enter the crate and to relax while she is inside it. I doubt this will take long; Mei Lan is tolerant of the squeeze cage where she participates in ultrasound training and the crate is similar. She is very much like her mother when training - as long as she gets rewarded with food, she will pretty much do anything we ask!
Heather Baker Roberts
Carnivore Keeper II
Monday, January 18
One way that pandas in the wild communicate with each other is through scent. Pandas have scent glands underneath their tails. They will rub the glands on hard surfaces like rocks and trees to help mark their territories and to let other pandas know when they are entering peak breeding status. Over the past few weeks we have started to see an increase in Yang Yang, Lun Lun, and Mei Lan scent marking in the different habitats. Though Xi Lan is not yet sexually mature, he has started to learn the scent marking practice. I find it very cute when he follows Lun Lun to the rocks in the far habitat and just like her, he lifts his tail, squats down, and rubs. Keep an eye out for all of the pandas leaving scented messages for each other over the next few months as we start to enter breeding season.
Kate Roca
Carnivore Keeper II
Friday, January 15
Although the Zoo was closed for a few days due to inclement weather, it was business as usual in the giant panda building. Keepers were able to make it to the Zoo and provide the giant pandas with pretty typical days, keeping them fed and happy. The pandas are obviously well-suited for the cold weather and even snow and ice. So even in very cold weather, the giant pandas spend time in their outdoor habitats. Although we keep the building temperature fairly cool, on very cold days, there is a discrepancy between the indoor and outdoor temperatures. Therefore, we give them a period of time to acclimate to the colder weather outside. For example, we will often give the giant pandas access to their off-exhibit outdoor porches for a while before sending them out into their outdoor habitats. We can also give them access to a dayroom and the outdoor habitat while they adjust to the temperature differences. Just like us, we figure that the giant pandas don’t like to leave the warmth of their indoor home and be blasted with frigid air without some preparation!
Megan Wilson, Ph.D.
Assistant Curator of Mammals
Wednesday, January 13
This week I am attending a Giant Panda Species Survival Plan (SSP) meeting. The main purpose of this annual meeting is to discuss research progress and to discuss future research priorities and collaboration. The meeting participants are staff and affiliated scientists from the US zoos that have giant pandas. Each year I am impressed by the range and amount of work accomplished. I also enjoy catching up with my panda colleagues. Scientists can be competitive, but the scientists studying giant pandas work very well together and are eager to share information. Another fun part of this meeting is to see the other zoo's pandas. Memphis Zoo is hosting this year. So I look forward to seeing Le Le and Ya Ya later today.
Rebecca Snyder, PhD
Curator of Carnivores
Monday, January 11
Xi Lan has continued to eat very well over the last few days. As mentioned earlier in the week, he really enjoys eating the rivercane that we now have. This has affected two things. First, his weight continues to go up (now at 33.2 kg this morning) and second, he is producing more fecal matter. His feces have also changed from looking like what we call “milk poos” to looking like they consist of leaves or culm. That is a good sign as we get closer to weaning. We have also noticed increased weight and more feces for the other three pandas. It is more of a pain to clean in the morning, but that is the price that you pay for giving pandas something that they really enjoy to eat.
Joseph T. Svoke
Carnivore Keeper III
Friday, January 8
It's hard to believe that our little boy is 16 months old already. It seems like only last week that Xi Lan was a pink, wriggling, screaming baby. Now he is a 75-pound fuzzy ball of energy, that just loves to maul his mother, Lun Lun, when she is either trying to eat or sleep much to her chagrin. His other favorite thing is food. He just loves his leafeater biscuits and fruit as well as bamboo. We usually offer him, as well as the other three pandas, his biscuits and fruit six times a day. Yesterday, while we were giving him a biscuit, we got one of those reminders that he is growing up. Kate noticed that he is missing his lower left canine baby tooth. It didn't slow biscuit eating down any though, and he ate them with vigor. This may not be the first baby tooth that he has lost, but it is the first one we have noticed, as he is not trained to open his mouth for examination, yet. That will come with time. For the keepers here in the panda building, we see the pandas every day, and it is not always the easiest thing to notice the little changes he is going through. This, however, is a nice visible reminder for us that Xi Lan is growing up quickly, and he will soon challenge Yang Yang for the biggest bear distinction. He may still be little right now, but he is well on his way.
Kenn Harwood
Lead Keeper of Carnivores
Wednesday, January 6
One perk to the extremely cold weather we are having in Atlanta is the pandas get river cane bamboo (sp. Arundinaria gigantea). River cane is preferred by the pandas in the winter; the pandas ignore the leaves and only eat the culm, or stem, of this species, which is typical for the winter. The pandas will also usually only eat river cane after the temperatures drop below freezing. We have offered it too early in the past, and the pandas refused to eat it. However, our pandas love river cane when it is in prime condition. Our Bamboo Team cut it yesterday for the first time this season. So, yesterday afternoon all of the pandas got some. When I cleaned up afterwards, there was not a whole piece left from any of them; they ate everything but the shards (outer part of the culm which the pandas peel off)! Even Xi Lan munched away on it and loved it. He has never had river cane before. Typically, at this age, cubs stick to eating the softer leaves of the bamboo, but river cane is a mostly culm bamboo. There are very few leaves on the pieces we offer. This did not stop Xi Lan! He spent over an hour eating the river cane right along with Lun Lun without a problem.
Heather Baker Roberts
Carnivore Keeper II
Monday, January 4
The giant pandas recently received Christmas trees for enrichment. Obviously this is special enrichment for them, because we only have access to these trees once a year. The trees can be very interesting for the animals, because they have an unusual texture and smell, and they can be manipulated. Although some animals get really excited about this type of enrichment, Lun Lun and Xi Lan’s reactions were somewhat subdued. Lun Lun sniffed the tree, but didn’t tear it apart, like some of the other carnivores would. Xi Lan seemed to notice the tree, and slept behind it for a while. Then again, the tree was placed right near his favorite sleeping spot!
Megan Wilson, Ph.D.
Assistant Curator of Mammals
