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San Diego's Panda Questions...

Posted by Jeroen Jacobs | Date: 2011 08 02 | In: San Diego Zoo

2011-05-30-San-Diego-Zoo-Bai-Yun-003

Down in Asian Passage at the San Diego Zoo, we seem to have more questions than answers these days, but the anticipation is growing day by day:

“When will our new Panda Trek be opened?”
“When will the new “tenants” be moving in?”
“Is Bai Yun pregnant?”

In short—we don’t know.

Now I know that this is not a very satisfying answer; believe me, we’re as anxious as you for information! But these things appear to be unfolding at their own tantalizing pace.

The number of work crews diminishes almost daily as project after project is completed. Major landscaping, in these last few weeks, has been supplemented with additional plants, and Panda Trek looks not only “finished” but more established each day; kudos to the landscape contractors but especially to our horticulture team. They have this amazing ability to make bare look lush in a matter of days! There appears to be some fine-tuning to the bedroom and kitchen areas (behind closed doors). My favorite sight so far are panels painted on the entry portal gate, so reminiscent of signage in rural Sichuan Provence, to mark Panda Trek’s entrance.

The takin area has been layered with hoofed animal bedding, the viper enclosure is being completed, and things are moving forward. As always, however, it is the well-being of the animals that comes first, and no critter will be moved until everyone from architects to keepers is certain that the enclosures are complete, safe, and totally ready.

The Bai Yun question remains a question; there’s no definitive information one way or the other, so we just keep watching and waiting. While she’s still in the back, it’s fun to have Gao and Yunnie in the main viewing area, enjoying the quiet now that most of the heavy work is done. And can you believe that Yunnie is going to be two? They grow so fast!

And…a happy sixth birthday to Su Lin today and a happy fourth birthday to Zhen Zhen tomorrow. It’s truly a week for celebrations!

Ellie Rosenbaum, panda narrator and educator at the San Diego Zoo

Source: San Diego Zoo

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