Panda Pandemonium August 31, 2012
- © Chris Rubey.
- © Ceraphoz.
- © Chris Rubey.
- Yun Zi at the San Diego Zoo on August 25, 2012. © Rita Petita.
- © ERH3006.
- Xi Lan at Zoo Atlanta, Georgia, US, on August 12, 2012. ©...
San Diego Zoo Panda Cub Receives First Exam - Imperial Valley News
San Diego, California - After days of monitoring a closed-circuit television, animal care staff at the San Diego Zoo conducted a brief hands-on look at the giant panda born on July 29, 2012. The 25-day-old cub was examined by veterinarians while its mother, Bai Yun, stepped out of the den to eat.
The exam lasted just three minutes. Zoo veterinarians were able to assess the overall health of the cub but didn't have time to take measurements other than its weight: 1.5 pounds. The cub was calm, only vocalizing a few times during the exam, demonstrating its strong lungs. The heart also sounded strong and the cub was deemed very healthy and thriving under its mother's care.
Staff not participating in the exam watched the behavior of the Bai Yun. The exams are designed to go quickly so as not to cause any stress to mother or cub. The cub was returned to the den and staff observed that Bai Yun picked up and cradled the cub when she returned to the den.
The pair will remain in the den for several months, where they can be observed by the public on the San Diego Zoo's live Panda Cam at http://www.sandiegozoo.org/pandacam .
Bai Yun has given birth to six cubs at the San Diego Zoo. Four of these have moved to China, where some have contributed to the growth of the world's panda population. The first cub born to Bai Yun, Hua Mei, has given birth to nine: three sets of twins and three single cubs since 2004. Bai Yun's third cub, Su Lin, moved to China in 2008, and has given birth to one cub. Mei Sheng, born to Bai Yun and Gao Gao in 2003, is also part of the breeding pool in Bi Feng Xia, but to date, successful paternity has not been confirmed for him.
Giant pandas are on a research loan to the San Diego Zoo from the People's Republic of China. As part of this long-term program, the San Diego Zoo is also collaborating with the Chinese Academy of Science in studies of behavior, ecology, genetics and conservation of wild pandas living in the Foping Nature Reserve.
Only 1,600 giant pandas are believed to exist in the wild, and the species is primarily threatened by habitat loss. The San Diego Zoo, in conjunction with Chinese panda experts, is working to support science-based conservation of the species.
The San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy is dedicated to bringing endangered species back from the brink of extinction. The work of the Conservancy includes onsite wildlife conservation efforts (representing both plants and animals) at the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, and international field programs in more than 35 countries. In addition, San Diego Zoo Global manages the Anne and Kenneth Griffin Reptile Conservation Center, the Frozen ZooTM, Native Seed Gene Bank, the Keauhou and Maui Hawaii Endangered Bird Conservation Centers, the San Clemente Loggerhead Shrike Breeding Facility, the Cocha Cashu Biological Research Station, the Desert Tortoise Conservation Center, and a 800-acre biodiversity reserve adjacent to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. The important conservation and science work of these entities is supported in part by The Foundation of the Zoological Society of San Diego.
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