Regular Panda Cam viewers likely did a double take this morning when they checked in and found their favorite animals in different surroundings. Xiao Liwu and Bai Yun have moved (but are still on Panda Cam)!
The ‘change of address’ is due to construction of a bridge that will eventually connect the two mesas on either side of Panda Trek. Visitors on grounds are invited to see them in their new habitat at the bottom of Center Street near Sun Bear Trail.
The habitats have been made over for the bears’ ‘stay-cation’ with the addition of sod and plenty of climbing and snoozing spots.
Due to age-related health concerns, giant panda Gao Gao will remain behind the scenes in the current panda habitat. Panda Trek’s takins and red pandas will also be moved to off-exhibit areas for the duration of the construction.
Be sure to watch Bai and Mr. Wu explore and enjoy their new spaces via Panda Cam!
how long is this construction going to be?
I need anwers and i need them now!
Blog Monitor’s note: The bridge will open near the end of July. The plan is to move the pandas back into Panda Trek sometime in August. Africa Rocks habitats will continue to open this summer and into the fall.
this is the besty web sit ever
Wu in on camera right now and I love seeing him.So a sweet panda.Thank you for taking good care of him with love and kindness.Also Bai and Gao Gao,hope he is doing fine just resting and enjoying his life love them all
Rosemarie, The moderator may be able to connect you with Doxie.
If not, please ask her to give you my email address and perhaps I can
help you see footage.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE INCREDIBLE MR. WU!!!!
You bring so much joy to the world and we hope you celebrate every single birthday of your life
right here in San Diego! I am happy to learn that all of your siblings share my birthday month and
Lindsay, you are too cute to be a Leo with The Prince of Pandas! Greetings to Julie P. in Australia!
WE ALL LOVE THE BEAUTIFUL PANDAS AND ARE GRATEFUL TO CELEBRATE THIS FUN DAY!
Thank you to all at the zoo who make this possible.
Spent the morning with appointments –unable to watch the panda.
I do not do Facebook or twitter or any social media. How can I watch any of the videos made by Doxie Mom of Wu’s birthday cake??
Monitor’s note: You can view all of Doxie Mom’s panda videos at https://www.youtube.com/user/DoxieMom19
Happy and lovely Birthday, my dear Liwu! Have a great year !
Happy Birthday, Little Liwu! Been loving you for 4 years now! 🙂
At firts, I thought Mr. Wu’s cake seemed a little simple/small, but obviously his keepers know what the boy LOVES! Who needs all the faldiral when what he really wants is the apples! Breakfast of champions! Great job keepers, and happy birthday to wonderful Wu
Happy Birthday, Mr. Wu!!! Love you!!!
Happy Birthday Mr. Wu. Sending you love, and hope you enjoy your birthday treats.
Happy Birthday Mr. Wu! I have been watching you since the day you were born. You have grown and learned so much in 4 years.
What a handsome boy you are. Love you.
Enjoy your cake and treats.
Happy Birthday Sweet Wu,have watched you grow from a adorable cubbie to a adorable 4 year old.Love you along with all your siblings and parents Bai Yun and Daddy Gao Gao .Thank you to the keepers for showing love and devotion,good care and all the wonderful things that give pandas .You are the best of the best.
Proud to share my birthday horoscope sign with the panda family, all Leo’s! Happy birthday Pandas! Xx cant wait for Wu’s 4th birthday, he is such a beautiful boy, hopefully we will all celebrate his 5th birthday at SDZ as well!
Upcoming birthdays for Xiao Liwu’s siblings:
Su Lin (b.2005): August 2nd.
Zhen Zhen (b. 2007): August 3rd.
Yun Zi (b. 2009): August 5th.
Mei Sheng (b. 2003): August 19th.
Hua Mei (b. 1999): August 21st.
Wu’s elder brother, MEI SHENG (b. 8/19/2003, at SDZ), received early birthday treat in China.
In early July, an U.S. organization went to CCRCGP, presenting cakes to pandas there. Each ice cake was studded with, bamboo shoots/leaves, carrots, apple plus pear slices.
At Pandas International/Facebook Page, posted 7/26/2016, second photo row, first left: Mei Sheng (studbook # 563) enjoyed his enrichment treat.
His cousin, another U.S. returnee, also received same.
Thanks for notice of Xiao Liwu’s Birthday celebration. In Australia it’s 2am when SDZ opens so I will need to set an Alarm. Haven’t missed being on PandaCam for any of his birthdays & don’t want to miss his 4th birthday. He has grown into a fine, handsome panda and has won the hearts of us all. HAPPY BIRTHDAY? MR WU.?
Thank you! The cakes are so wonderful and I know everyone enjoys the…especially Mr. Wu. 🙂
Why is the Wonderful Mr. Wu being given a small cake this year, as opposed to the traditional size?
Monitor’s note: Good question; in all honesty, I haven’t seen the cake so it may indeed be traditional size! Just a figure of speech, which I have edited. 🙂
Hear Ye, Hear Ye!
There are 4 photos of yours truly, relaxing at new residence, posted on SDZ-Facebook page (or alternatively, access through Pandas International/Facebook page, 7/26/2016).
You are all invited, to visit my family plus friends at SDZ, in person, 7/29 – 7/31. Please do come, to see our new surroundings. Ensure your smart phone cameras are functional!
Rose- no , you haven’t missed anything. No one has posted whether they will celebrate on his birthday Friday OR wait until Saturday when more people can come. I’m hoping to be there Friday and hoping he isn’t. hiding inside with the A/C LOL. Hopefully,they’ll bring out an ice cake that will tempt him at 9:15 am.
Monitor’s note: Monitor’s note: Wu will have an ice cake and some enrichment the morning of Friday, July 29th.
Hello Everyone,
Did I miss the announcement about Liwu’s Birthday Celebration? His birthday is July 29th. Only 5 days to go.
Monitor’s note: Wu will have a small ice cake and some enrichment the morning of Friday, July 29th.
Hi, Nelly: Giant panda is an iconic creature. Indeed it is essential, for children, the next generation, to appreciate that; humans ought to share planet earth, with multiple endangered species, pandas included.
“Yun Zi as a teacher”.
Staff at his current abode, are hosting summer camps, for local school children. One segment is devoted to giant panda, during which they learn about its peculiarities, bamboo diet, plus importance of habitat preservation, among others. Last but not least, they get to meet Yun Zi, live; obviously, separated by protective barriers, for safety reasons.
San Diego Zoo and Escondido Safari Park, also have similar programs, for families with children. They are very educational, as well as informative.
For folks who are interested,
1) World Post/Huffington Post, 7/19/2016: ‘Adorable Panda Cub Photos’, accompanied by online article on ‘Panda Conservation’.
2) National Geographic website, 8/2016: ‘Pandas: Get to know their wild side’, with photos plus videos. Print version will appear, in its coming August issue.
3) National Geographic Television Channel, 8/28/2016, 8 p.m. Eastern Time: ‘Pandas Gone Wild’, updated documentary on China’s endeavor, in releasing pandas into the wild.
National Geographic coverage, is on China Conservation & Research Centre for Giant Pandas (CCRCGP), which has ongoing collaborative research projects with San Diego Zoo Global, since 1996. It is also current home for four SDZ-born pandas, Hua Mei, Mei Sheng, Su Lin plus Zhen Zhen (Yun Zi is now at Hebei. Per SDZ, he might be recalled to Bifengxia, for next spring’s breeding program).
Thanks for the update. The new changes look exciting. I’m glad there are lots of shady spots for snoozing, snacking & just generally being cute.
I read a story online (Huffington Post UK?) about how what I would call noise pollution is affecting giant panda mating in their natural habitats in China. The article referenced SDZ research on hearing, noises, etc. I knew your furry research subjects were participating in hearing studies but I didn’t realize the larger scope. Hope I didn’t miss a post about it. If so, I apologize. It’s very interesting. I’m fascinated by all of the research going on. I’m glad the SDZ is at the forefront!
Can’t wait to see the new digs in person in September! What I’ve seen so far looks very nice. I hope the bears are enjoying the new scenery.
What animal used to be where they are now?
Monitor’s note: Turbo, an Andean bear. He has his own new space to explore further up the hill.
It appears so much nicer
Thanks for the explanation! I was just coming to post a question about what we are seeing. What is on the other side of the “cave”?
Such change in locations, also serves as enrichment measure. It allows pandas to explore new surroundings, plus engage in scent marking.
A double take, indeed. I looked up and down my screen to make sure I didn’t click on the National Zoo website 🙂 It’s nice that the new digs have some shady areas for the bears to rest … Thank you.
Nice new digs! I think I’m watching Bai Yun right now. How did you get them to their new (temporary) homes? Put them in cages and drive them, or put them on a leash and walk them? I think I’m kidding with the latter option, but you never know.
Nothing like a change of scenery!! Enjoy your mini break Mr Wu and Bai, hope Gao is doing well.