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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: mamselle on November 05, 2020, 09:58:02 AM

Title: The Panda Thread!
Post by: mamselle on November 05, 2020, 09:58:02 AM
A few places either have young pandas, panda-cam's, or newborns at the moment.

Share away!

1) The Korean baby panda (3 1/2 months old on Nov. 4) is featured here:

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ah8ByQ2aUFc&feature=emb_err_woyt


2) The Washington DC/Smithsonian National Zoo has updates and a panda-cam here:

   

3) Recent clips from their cameras include:

  a) A general update: the baby (never named, according to Chinese custom, for 100 days, so referred to until then as "cubbie") is working on leg strength, needed to get traction for walking on all fours:

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBv0FlE9c14

At 2:41, his mother, Mei-mei picks him up like a cat and takes him to their stone-walled enclosure to nurse, lick, and cuddle him.

At 7:12 she climbs out of the smaller area, called the "play pen" and leaves him there to rest while she gets bamboo shoots to eat.

At 14:14, Mei-mei eats a pressed carrot-apple-etc. fruit-like treat (orange from the carrots, to resemble a Hallowe'en pumpkin)

At 17"43. the camera in Tien-Tien (the father)'s pen shows him climbing a tree and "anointing" it (marking it) as his own.

A shorter clip, here:

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBv0FlE9c14

shows Mei-mei leaving her own food to attend to her vocalizing cub.

The way she handles him and is so attuned to him is healing, somehow, if one projects oneself into the cub's place.

4) Chinese National Zoo clips are here, on their raising and natural accomodation program:

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_cpPMjE0vU

and here, when the first baby panda triplets were born:

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvxwfTRrvjI
   
   (NB: to interested forumites, there's a Capybara sighting at .07!)

Others?

M.
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: mamselle on November 05, 2020, 10:23:26 AM
Missed the edit window: the National Zoo panda-cam page site is here:

   https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/news/top-10-giant-panda-cub-cam-moments

There's also the Zoo Atlanta blog on their five pandas, the newest born in 2017, here:

   https://zooatlanta.org/11558-2/

And the San Diego Zoo:

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp9RTY1H7xs

(a few years ago)

M.
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: mamselle on November 10, 2020, 08:27:49 AM
Atlanta update:

Pandas playing with squeegees on the other side of a window...

   https://zooatlanta.org/panda-updates-monday-november-9/

M.
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: namazu on November 10, 2020, 02:10:50 PM
May red pandas play in this thread, in addition to the giant pandas?
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: mamselle on November 10, 2020, 02:22:43 PM
Absolutely!

Brimg 'em on!


ETA: I went back to see if they've posted the "squeegee dance" yet, but they're just sleeping right now.

   https://zooatlanta.org/panda-cam/

They sleep in the weirdest positions...I'd fall out of the tree like that!

M.
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: nebo113 on November 11, 2020, 03:51:21 AM
Love it!!!!
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: apl68 on November 12, 2020, 07:26:45 AM
Quote from: namazu on November 10, 2020, 02:10:50 PM
May red pandas play in this thread, in addition to the giant pandas?

Red pandas have long lived in the shadow of giant pandas.
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: mamselle on November 12, 2020, 07:48:04 AM
Who currently has red pandas?

Has anyone visited/seen them?

Open to comments!

M.
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: namazu on November 12, 2020, 01:14:22 PM
Quote from: mamselle on November 12, 2020, 07:48:04 AM
Who currently has red pandas?
There have been red panda cubs born at the Toronto Zoo, the Erie Zoo (https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/16/us/red-panda-cubs-erie-zoo-trnd/index.html), the Oregon Zoo (https://www.oregonzoo.org/news/2020/10/meet-pabu-oregon-zoo-panda-cub-has-name), and the Cincinnati Zoo in the past year.

Here's one named Pabu in Oregon practicing his pounce. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DA0xBTxqxdM)

Here's one in Toronto having some trouble getting out of bed. (https://www.680news.com/2020/08/27/watch-this-baby-red-panda-wake-up-at-the-toronto-zoo-she-struggles-like-the-rest-of-us/)
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: mamselle on November 12, 2020, 02:26:00 PM
Ewoks!

;--}

And the little button eyes on the one in Toronto...awwww...

If Baby Yoda is going to go to the bad side, I might have to take pandas of all colors more seriously...

M.
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: nebo113 on November 13, 2020, 04:42:07 AM
Saw that a K Pop group cuddled/fondled/manhandled a baby panda, and is getting grief for doing so....which they should.
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: mamselle on November 13, 2020, 05:05:42 AM
Yes, I wondered if that was a serious issue, or if in fact it was politicized by the Chinese-S. Korean edginess that continues in all sorts of things.

There have occasionally been China-based campaigns to "shame" U.S. and other zoos for what are really acceptable, innocent practices (a feeding non-issue arose, recently, I believe, and there were others) on the grounds that all giant pandas are considered to be, finally, Chinese "property," on loan to the zoos in other places.

I definitely agree with the practice of returning grown cubs of--i think it's 4 or 5 years of age--to China to be repatriated in their natural habitats as good conservation practice, and I've read a couple of articles/seen videos on that in the Chinese National Zoo.

But sometimes it seems as if some Twitter users are too ready to call "foul" unnecessarily, just to stir things up, and I'm not sure that serves any good purpose, either.

In any case, the new National Zoo/US cub comes up it to its100-day mark Nov.21, which means they're probably preparing to name it soon (a Chinese custom adopted by zoos globally).

I'm curious what they'll name it.

M.
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: no1capybara on November 13, 2020, 09:37:38 AM
Quote from: mamselle on November 05, 2020, 09:58:02 AM
and here, when the first baby panda triplets were born:

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvxwfTRrvjI
   
   (NB: to interested forumites, there's a Capybara sighting at .07!)

Others?

M.

Hooray for capybaras!!!  It took me a while to remember why I changed my forum name to this - I had my zip code at the time and someone called me out that it would be too easy to figure out where I work (not that it really mattered).  So I was on a google doc at the time and my icon was a capybara and voila!
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: mamselle on November 13, 2020, 02:27:35 PM
Yes, he's a cute little critter, isn't he?

M.
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: mamselle on November 15, 2020, 04:54:48 PM
Double post, sorry...a few days later...

The most recent update is that the National Zoo cub is teething and still gaining weight.

   https://wjla.com/news/local/panda-alert-national-zoos-giant-panda-cub-is-teething-and-exploring-more-on-his-own

Apparently he can get three legs under him but hasn't yet gotten up on all fours...

M.
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: nebo113 on November 16, 2020, 03:41:08 AM
Quote from: mamselle on November 15, 2020, 04:54:48 PM
Double post, sorry...a few days later...

The most recent update is that the National Zoo cub is teething and still gaining weight.

   https://wjla.com/news/local/panda-alert-national-zoos-giant-panda-cub-is-teething-and-exploring-more-on-his-own

Apparently he can get three legs under him but hasn't yet gotten up on all fours...

M.

I am envisioning his attempts and chuckling.  A grand way to begin my day.  Thank you!
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: mamselle on November 16, 2020, 07:18:20 AM
You can now vote to name him, too!

   https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/vote-name-giant-panda-cub

M.

Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: mamselle on November 23, 2020, 07:40:14 AM
Quote from: mamselle on November 16, 2020, 07:18:20 AM
You can now vote to name him, too!

   https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/vote-name-giant-panda-cub

M.

The votes are in, counted, and recorded (whew, that was easier than the last round!)

   https://wtop.com/dc/2020/11/meet-xiao-qi-ji-national-zoo-names-3-month-old-panda-cub/amp/

Meet baby Xiao Qi Ji, (for "little miracle" in Chinese)!

Given all the givens, he is, indeed.

M.
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: mamselle on November 23, 2020, 09:48:04 AM
This "Welcome Video" also has some great clips from the Chinese ambassador and Chinese schoolchildren as well as the Zoo's officials, the WDC Mayor, and several zoo denizens (on their own terms).

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9-nERPKv30

M. 
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: mamselle on November 25, 2020, 04:19:23 PM
Aaand...not to be outdone, a new baby panda has just been born in Japan:

   https://soranews24.com/2020/11/26/teeny-tiny-giant-panda-baby-born-in-japan%E3%80%90photos%E3%80%91/amp/

I also just saw this clip about two babies born in Berlin in September:

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VCH55N8ItU

They are both fast-moving and loud! I'm guessing they want to be fed...

M.

   
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: mamselle on November 27, 2020, 02:54:34 PM
Sadly, two pandas in a Canadian zoo must return to China: it is hard to get enough bamboo (nearly the only thing they eat) since there is only one area in British Columbia that can supply them.

   https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/world-us-canada-55109163

They were meant to stay for 10 years but are returning sooner; clearance for their travel has also been difficult.

M. 
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: mamselle on December 07, 2020, 04:36:30 PM
I've been tied up so didn't get to post this when it happened but the National Zoo's panda in WDC is now ambulatory.

   https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/news/pandastory-xiao-qi-ji-takes-his-first-steps

Since then there have been several other instances of him pulling his hind legs up under himself, going a few steps and then tumbling over.

On his December 2 weigh-in, he had to be put in a tub because he wouldn't stay put on the scales (usually, he just falls asleep).

Watch out, mom! He's been feisty from the get-go, no telling what he'll get up to now.

M.
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: mamselle on December 08, 2020, 07:21:48 PM
This shows more of his walking....

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1v8y_tnzAN0&feature=emb_rel_end

...and scoot-walking, and crawling, and rolling over, and barking...

      ...and getting pushed out of the way by a big paw, and walking some more....

M.
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: nebo113 on December 09, 2020, 05:10:20 AM
Quote from: mamselle on December 08, 2020, 07:21:48 PM
This shows more of his walking....

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1v8y_tnzAN0&feature=emb_rel_end

...and scoot-walking, and crawling, and rolling over, and barking...

      ...and getting pushed out of the way by a big paw, and walking some more....

M.

Made my day!!   I'm still smiling!!!
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: mamselle on December 09, 2020, 07:02:15 AM
Good to know you're enjoying "Little Miracle's" antics!

The Japanese twin pandas are also scooching around, and tumbling all over each other:

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmDXGI92fIw

Little floppy teddy bears, they seem to be.

M. 
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: apl68 on December 09, 2020, 10:09:56 AM
Fun fact:  In Japanese pan da means "it's bread."  Their word for bread is a loan word from Spanish/Portuguese.
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: mamselle on December 09, 2020, 10:28:28 AM
Cool!

Do you think there's an etymological connection somehow to what the animals are named, or is it just a coincidence?

M.
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: apl68 on December 09, 2020, 10:40:18 AM
Quote from: mamselle on December 09, 2020, 10:28:28 AM
Cool!

Do you think there's an etymological connection somehow to what the animals are named, or is it just a coincidence?

M.

Coincidence, I'd assume.
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: mamselle on December 13, 2020, 12:50:11 PM
Probably! I wonder what "rascal" is....

Because between 6 minutes and 9 minutes on this film, that's what he is....

     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBtMZobVXeU

He's really moving now...

M.
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: mamselle on December 18, 2020, 06:44:59 PM
More evidence of energy and a willingness to get into things!!

   https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/news/pandastory-feisty-xiao-qi-ji

Meanwhile, in (I think a Berlin zoo): this little fellow is really dancing around:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpXab3NrGgU&feature=emb_rel_end

M.
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: nebo113 on December 20, 2020, 06:55:36 AM
Story in WaPo this morning that little one was startled in his sleep and let Mama know his unhappiness about it!
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: mamselle on December 30, 2020, 11:09:46 AM
Quote from: mamselle on December 18, 2020, 06:44:59 PM
More evidence of energy and a willingness to get into things!!

   https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/news/pandastory-feisty-xiao-qi-ji

Meanwhile, in (I think a Berlin zoo): this little fellow is really dancing around:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpXab3NrGgU&feature=emb_rel_end

M.

OK, when doing dreary, crazy, transcribed minutes of a meeting that truly went off the rails, one needs momentary interruptions of a more pleasant nature. Hence:

More Berlin zoo pandas and other critters (who knew a suspended pine tree could be a very large feather-onna-stick for large cat family cubs?):

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvUwcl7XUj4


Likewise, several playing in the snow (not sure about the hats at the end, but otherwise, they look like they're having fun):

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98wwzc3f2dM

M.
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: mamselle on January 01, 2021, 07:04:10 PM
More on Qi Xi at the National Zoo:

   https://wjla.com/news/local/baby-panda-rock-climbing

It's hard to believe he was so recently that scrawny, bald, noisy little critter barking at everyone...

M.
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: mamselle on January 24, 2021, 12:11:11 PM
His little back legs that were just scrabbling around behind him a few weeks ago, are now strong enough to use for standing up on, climbing into a crate, or pushing it around!

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tW2421M2Gdw

And sweet potato is a new treat...

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaqpeUmvg5M

His eyesight is lateral, so they have to wave the bamboo around for him to see it.

M.
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: mamselle on February 16, 2021, 02:22:37 PM
Tian tian (the father) is rolling down the hill in his outside enclosure at c. 13:15 here

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opqCIGQvbAg

and again starting at about 15:22 here:

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0vGkwykrRw

Other views of XQJi and his mom take up most of the rest of the film in those two clips; the official "He's out on the live cam lam" film is here:

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WF8zgsHiBM

(Narration starts at 1:00)

M,
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: nebo113 on February 17, 2021, 08:30:48 AM
I LOVE THIS THREAD!  THANK YOU, MAMSELLE!
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: mamselle on February 17, 2021, 10:53:09 AM
Most welcome.

They're cute little critters...and amazing big ones.

M.
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: mamselle on February 19, 2021, 02:43:45 PM
Quote from: nebo113 on February 17, 2021, 08:30:48 AM
I LOVE THIS THREAD!  THANK YOU, MAMSELLE!

For your further viewing pleasure...

Pandas apparently love doing somersaults in the snow as well.

Dindin, in Moscow:

   https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=rm&ogbl#inbox/QgrcJHsNpWhCQsBrKnwcMZTTSnBnWBNjqHL?projector=1

and this one in Toronto

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIAO4Htzn8M&feature=emb_rel_end

are clearly on a roll...

And, in WDC, now that XQJi's had all his rabies shots, he can go on his first excursion into the outer garden adjoining the heated enclosure he's been in since birth:

   https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/news/pandastory-venturing-where-sidewalk-ends   

M.
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: mamselle on April 17, 2021, 01:50:13 PM
Sorry, I've been a neglectful panda thread curator...and in the past couple months, Xiao Qi Ji has become a skilled acrobat!

Here's one of a backwards-into-upside-down headstand against the wall of the enclosure:

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrsWcNPaNdY

And there's a quick somersault at 1:15 here:

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz1S8QWv4xI

And of course, there's tree-climbing 101 (or 2, or 3, by now...)

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7syodg5x1Jc

and the inevitable prat falls...

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ujr-RL0PDXU

Enjoy!

M.
Title: Re: The Panda Thread!
Post by: mamselle on May 27, 2021, 03:22:39 PM
The National Zoo has re-opened with restrictions; here are some new panda films:

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkJxCVSpMvs

and

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FyTH-Ua2RE

and here:

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FyTH-Ua2RE

Hard to believe that that little scrawny pink pig-like thing that was born in August has grown to this size (and has further to go!)

Oh, and this is Mei Lan, a panda originally from Atlanta, now in one of the Chinese zoos, enjoying his fountain and friends to the fullest...

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzyDYP7vIqY

This thread was done for him just before he left for China:

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxSDgCQtjbQ

Enjoy!

M.