As those of you who watch Panda Cam have seen, Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu are settling in to their temporary home along Center Street, finding their preferred ways of using the new spaces. Since Gao Gao is not seen on camera these days, I thought you’d all appreciate an update on the grand fellow.
Gao Gao is doing well and seems to be enjoying his ‘staycation’ in the Giant Panda Research Building. During the day, he is out in his large yard and enjoys his breakfast under the sun. He also has access to his bedrooms and can choose to stay in his yard or go inside the air-conditioned rooms.
When he is not dozing under the shady (and sweet-scented!) honeysuckle plant, he sleeps snuggled in his favorite tub filled with pine shavings. Gao gets to make his own schedule during the day. On some mornings, he likes to sleep in (in his comfy tub), while on other mornings he is up earlier and ready for some exercise in his yard.
Of course, Gao is very good at keeping us busy—calling for extra treats or even back scratches. He continues to do well with his training with his weekly blood pressure readings and occasional blood draws. He is an amazing bear and seems to enjoy all his training sessions where he gets his favorite treat of honey water. His keepers always make sure he is comfortable and very spoiled (and we treasure every moment of it!).
Jennifer Becerra is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo. Read her previous blog, Springtime in Panda Canyon.
I love panda because they are so cute.
How about we think of the glass half full instead of half empty? I am sure we’ are all aware that there is a long long way to go in the conservation of the panda population, environment being the one massive issue especially in the sustainability of bamboo, but this news is good positive news and maybe we can all be happy and look to a bright future for the beloved panda.
Giant panda is no longer endangered. However, it is still considered “vulnerable”, within threatened category of IUCN Red List, at high risk of extinction in the wild.
In recent decades, China together with international community, have made significant strides in species conservation. Albeit, the upswing could be short-lived. Climate change might affect, availability of viable bamboo habitat, thereby impacting very survival of panda species.
Some findings from 4th census: Six hundred pandas live outside protection of nature reserves. 33 sub-populations reside in isolated settings, at great danger of inbreeding / extinction. Infrastructure developments, e.g. hydroelectric power stations, access roads, high-voltage lines, and yes, tourism; all can interfere with panda movement, in seeking bamboos plus mates.
MUCH REMAINS TO BE DONE!
News Alert…………PANDAS NOW OFF ENDANGERED LIST,!!!.,., due to increased numbers! Wonderful news!
To Gao Gao: Indeed, on 9/7 next Wednesday; Bai Yun will turn age 25, thus becoming newest member of Geriatric Panda Club.
Her own father (See 2/22/2016 SDZ blog/Keeper Notes, ‘Update on Our Panda Family’), just received commemoration as, oldest living Male panda under managed care (See 9/1/2016 YouTube video, posted by Jedapar). Alas, per one Chinese source, he has been diagnosed of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the anus. Because of his advanced age, plus other existing medical problems, surgery would not be offered. Instead, conservative measures (hospice care?) are being implemented, for his comfort.
For San Diego-born pandas, female offspring of Gao Gao & Bai Yun; have successes in delivering live cubs, majority of whom survive past one year and beyond.
Mei Sheng, their eldest son, so far has no luck in mating, or siring any cub.
As for Yun Zi, per SDZ, he might be recalled to Bifengxia, to participate in 2017 breeding. He will be age 7 & 1/2, presumably attaining sexual maturity, by next spring.
Hi, Panda Nation: Thanks for information, on Zhen Zhen and her twins.
Zhen Zhen does possess excellent maternal instincts. Wonder how much is nature, versus nurture.
San Diego Zoo and CCRCGP, are jointly conducting, ‘Panda Maternal Care Studies’ project. Tracking data will be collected longitudinally, across multi-generations. This includes cubs, rejected by their birth mothers, and raised by ‘foster panda moms’ (assisted by human intervention, via cub swapping). It would be of interest, when researchers publish their findings, in late 2018.
Thanks for the update on much-loved Gao Gao! We love him here in Atlanta GA. Your dedication and hard work are appreciated!
More on Zhen Zhen (b. 2007 at SDZ, Gao Gao’s 3rd offspring, and Xiao Liwu’s sister), and her 2015 twins.
Additional pictures, posted at ‘pdxwildlife’ site: 8/31/16 blog, ‘One big happy family, Zhennie & her Zwinkies’. This second installment contains, multiple close-up photos of the trio, interacting intimately with one another. More to follow.
Her twins are now enrolled in panda kindergarten.
Bai Yun’s grandson in action
8/24/16 YouTube video, ‘Rolling Panda’, posted by Explore Bears.
It featured Hua Rong (b. 7/18/13, Hua Mei’s 10th offspring). He was seen, somersaulting down slope inside outdoor enclosure, and having a jolly good time.
He was born, in semi-wild setting, under Hua Mei’s sole tutelage; as a potential candidate, for China’s ‘Reintroduction into the Wild’ pilot project. Above recent video was filmed, at Gengda Base (new Wolong Grove). It appears that he has returned to managed care, thus no longer slanted for release.
Folks, thanks for your compliments about me, plus nice comments on my family here, as well as extended clan in China.
Just a helpful reminder, my mate Bai Yun’s birthday, is on September 7th (two days after Labor Day weekend). She will join me, in the exclusive geriatric category, ‘International Association of Retired Pandas’.
During remaining days of summer, and before school starts; gather all your family members, to visit us and friends, at San Diego Zoo. Be ready to serenade her, in bleating or chirping “Happy Birthday”.
To get you in the mood, down memory lane: Please peruse 9/7/2010 article, ‘Bai Yun Through The Years’. Though somewhat dated, nonetheless, it was a well-written piece, by her long-time keeper [Access through SDZ panda blog tag archives].
To Kathi: More on Gao Gao’s granddaughters, and daughter Zhen Zhen.
Additional current photos plus commentaries, regarding the trio, are posted at ‘www(dot)pdxwildlife(dot)com/research-blog’. [ 8/28/2016, titled ‘Zhen Zhen and her Zwinkies, fall, 2016’]
A scientist, from SDZ Global Institute For Conservation Research, is conducting collaborative studies at CCRCGP, on ongoing basis.
Further, American university students, are now undertaking panda internships there, as well.
Hi, Kathi, Re: Gao Gao’s granddaughters.
8/27/2016 YouTube video: ‘Zwinkies Playing Inside’, posted by PDXWildlife. It was just filmed recently.
It showcased female twins (born to Zhen Zhen, on 8/8/15); engaging in wrestling match, at CCRCGP’s Gengda campus (new Wolong Center).
As you may recall, Zhen Zhen herself was born at San Diego Zoo, on 8/3/2007. At age 3, she departed for China, together with sister Su Lin, in 9/2010.
Obstetrical History of Zhen Zhen:
2013: stillborn.
2014: singleton, expired several months post birth (? necropsy findings).
2015: female twins (? names), now robustious one-year olds, as demonstrated on that YouTube video.
To-date, Gao Gao has 4 living grandchildren (2 granddaughters through Zhen Zhen, plus 2 grandsons via Su Lin).
Gao Gao, you are a sweetheart who has fathered so many wonderful cubs. Love you.
Mr Wu seems to be really enjoying the sun bear exhibit, especially the hammock. Will he get to stay here for a fairly long time?
For past (prior to 12/2015), selective blogs, on Gao Gao; simply click on green ‘here’ icon, embedded in 8/24/16 Monitor’s Note. When new window opens, then scroll down for a review:
‘Happy Anniversary, Gao Gao’, 1/13/2015.
‘Pathologist’s Report on Gao Gao’s tumor (Seminoma)’, 5/13/2014.
‘Still Ga Ga for Gao Gao’ (How to take panda’s blood pressure), 4/28/14.
‘Panda Bakery (Gao Gao Bread)’, 2/3/14.
Multiple videos, plus a television documentary, featuring him, can be viewed at YouTube site [Search: “Giant panda Gao Gao”].
Thank you so much!!! We love Gao Gao so much!!! Thank you for taking such good care of him. IF eh gets bored he can always come and stay at my house!!! 🙂
Thank you monitor!
Where have all the blogs gone?
Monitor’s note: Last December, our website changed. We imported blogs from 2015 to this site, but all the other past blogs can be read here. However, you cannot comment on the archived blogs. Hope that helps!
so glad to learn that gao gao is doing well, and as usual, is receiving wonderful, loving care.
jennifer, thank you for the update.
Thank you for such a wonderful update. It is beautifully descriptive of the daily life of our treasured panda patriarch. Gao is definitely amazing! I’m so glad he is enjoying life and being pampered by those who love him most. Well deserved! Love & many cyber hugs to the sweet fellow. (And great photo of Papa Gao — it really captures his sweetness.)
Gao Gao, at least through 2012, is one of three adult males outside China, who knows how to mate naturally. Alas, he uncharacteristically failed last year (See 3/10/2015 YouTube video, posted by SDZ).
Bai Yun’s father, is also known as “everybody’s daddy”. One reason for his retirement, is that his genes are now over-represented, in managed care population. Wonder whether his sperm samples have been stored, for future usage, just in case. [In 2015, after Gao Gao’s failed attempt, Shi Shi was “recalled from the dead”. Shi’s thawed sperms from Frozen Zoo, were used in artificial insemination. Though ultimately, Bai Yun did not experience true pregnancy].
Early Chronology of Gao Gao
Winter, 1992: Bloodied & wounded, with left external ear, partially torn or bitten off, after losing a fight in the wild.
1992 – 3/1995: Taken into managed care, for medical treatment plus rehabilitation. His tale was widely reported & followed by Chinese news media. A TV documentary, ‘Giant Panda Gao Gao Returning Home’, is posted on YouTube. It showcased his pampered life, then as a young sub-adult.
4/1995 – late 1996: Briefly released back into the wild. Associating human presence with ready food supply, he started raiding crops, making him most unwelcome to villagers.
1996 – 2002: Recaptured, and eventually sent to old Wolong Center, where in 2002, SDZ matchmakers came calling.
1/15/2003: Arrived in California, in exchange for departing Shi Shi (d. 2008).
Since then, January 15th is the date chosen, to celebrate ‘Reign of Gao Gao the Great’. In recent years, such events have become low-key, behind-the-scene affairs; as aging Gao is exquisitely sensitive to loud noises. Ice is now off the menu, to prevent further wear & tear, on his restored, geriatric dentition.
Wild-born Gao Gao, with estimated birth year of 1990, is about age 26.
Gao Gao, and Bai Yun (soon to be), belong to a select group of geriatric pandas, age 25 and over.
Aww, thank you, just love him
All good wishes to King Panda Gao Gao. What a gentle and beautiful bear. Thank you so much for the update.
The apple (Mr. Wu) sure didn’t fall far from the tree! :-). What a truly amazing family they all are.
Sweet, sweet papa bear. Hope his health is holding steady. Thanks for taking such good care of our daddy.
Thank you so much for the update, Jennifer! I was wondering how Papa Gao was doing. It sounds as though he is doing well and loving all the attention! Since we cannot see him, please keep us posted. 🙂
✨Happy to hear that Gao Gao is comfortable and spoiled! He is an amazing bear! ?✨
SO happy to hear GaoGao is doing well. This is so SWEET! & I love that ya’ll took the time to post this. I have read so many good things about him…I think the most moving is that I think – it is for him that his keepers & many volunteers make the especially mushed-up nutritional biscuits. That is just the best. I SO wish I cud see him on cam. I send much Love to him from the East Coast VA about 2 hrs fr National Zoo. #LOVELOVELOVEUGAO!!!!!
So happy GAO GAO is doing well and enjoying his retirement, so well earned ,miss seeing him. Glad he is keeping his keepers on their toes!! And I am sure they love looking after him!
Love knowing how Papa Gao Gao is doing !!!! Thanks:)
Love you papa Gao 高高 ????.
Thank you so much for the update Jennifer. So glad he is enjoying his retirement. You all do such an amazing job at SDZ xxx
Question for Monitor:
What medications (names) is Gao Gao receiving, for treatment of high blood pressure, and pulmonic valvular stenosis?
To entice him in taking his medicine, are the drugs grounded into powder, and mixed with diluted honey water or apple juice? (One form of medicine delivery, to young human kids).
Thanks for your answers.