The Panda Thread!

[nebo113]

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!

[mamselle]

You can now vote to name him, too!

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

M.

[mamselle]

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.

[mamselle]

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. 

[mamselle]

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.

   

[mamselle]

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. 

[mamselle]

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.

[mamselle]

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.

[nebo113]

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!!!

[mamselle]

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. 

[apl68]

Fun fact:  In Japanese pan da means "it's bread."  Their word for bread is a loan word from Spanish/Portuguese.

[mamselle]

Cool!

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

M.

[apl68]

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.

[mamselle]

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.

[mamselle]

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.