I can't tell you how many times we've been ready to pack it in after we've watched them have their goodnight meal and then just when you think you can go home..one decides to channel a bat and takes off!    

DotCa and his brother Blackberry both fledged on Day 42 and most of our kids seem to go around that time now.  I'm not sure what it is but the past few years Day 42 to 43 seems to be more the norm - for Etobicoke site anyway.  

I did think Orion would go earlier because he's on his own but glad he's taking his time so he'll be stronger when he finally takes that leap.

Bai Yun Gives Birth

BySuzanne Hall
– July 29, 2012Posted in: Animal Stories, Animals and Plants, Bears, Conservation, Conservation at the Zoo, Pandas, Uncategorized

It’s been a long, crazy, rewarding day at the San Diego Zoo’s Panda Trek. I checked in at 6 this morning, there to relieve the early morning watch. The keeper on duty reported that Bai Yun had had a fairly quiet night resting in her den. However, since about 5 a.m. she had had a few bouts of nest building and genital licking. We’ve been seeing both behaviors from her for the last few days, so initially I thought we were status quo.

As the hour wore on, I noticed that she was not taking long rest periods as in days past. Instead, she would only rest for about 10 minutes before getting up to nest build or lick some more. I wondered if this would be a temporary restlessness or if this would build as the day progressed. At 8 a.m., keepers tried to get Bai Yun to cooperate with an ultrasound procedure. She walked voluntarily into the tunnel where we conduct the exams. However, it became quickly apparent that she was too restless to settle down and lay still, so the ultrasound was scrapped. Shortly after returning to her bedroom and sunroom area, I observed Bai Yun straining to defecate in the sun room. This occurred several times over the next hour. When she moved this straining to the den at about 9 a.m., I began alerting staff on site that Bai Yun may be in the early stages of labor.

As everyone gathered, Bai Yun continued to progress. She intermittently engaged in nest building, licking, and straining. The straining very clearly moved to obvious contractions, and after a few hours she began to grunt along with her contractions. We watched with baited breath, aware that this labor appeared to be taking longer than some of her previous ones. Bai Yun seemed to be lagging with fatigue.

At 2:40 p.m., with a loud squawk, a baby panda made its way into the world! Bai Yun was in a seated position when the cub emerged, and it never even touched the ground before she had it in her embrace. Bai Yun immediately comforted and consoled the cub, and it settled down quickly. Over the next hour, staff watched with relief as Bai Yun seemed to relax and enjoy a few short catnaps with the cub vocalizing intermittently to remind us all that it was still there.

We are so very pleased to have witnessed another wonderful birth. Despite the lengthy labor and the concerns we all had about the impact her age might have on her ability to sustain a pregnancy, Bai Yun has once again shown us that she is, indeed, a hero mother.

Live stream news conference right now Kitty!!

http://www.ustream.tv/sandiegozoo

I hope she had already moved on from here - it would break my heart to know she was evicted from yet another home.  Hopefully she's out there flying free and enjoying a peregrine life!

Morning Kitty!  Here is the link to the new Tai Cam..it's explore.org that's running it.  If you click the 'like' or 'share' link, money will be donated to BFX to buy 'boo' for the pandas!

They also run the previous day's tape on this cam due to the time difference so it's all 'Tai' all the time even when he's sleeping!

http://explore.org/#!/live-cams/player/china-panda-cam-4

Oh how wonderful Kitty!  I've been watching the new Tai cam when I have a chance.  So many cams, not enough time    I need to win the lottery..

I'd be over the moon if Mei had another cubbie.  They're going to send her home if she doesn't give birth, that new zoo boss seems adamant on that point.  Will be a sad day for everyone when that happens.    but I'm being selfish, for her she might be happy to be back in the land of her birth surrounded by the misty mountains.

Just posted on San Diego Zoo's FB page!

We're on panda cub watch! A spine, leg and heartbeat have been detected. This is considered a high-risk pregnancy due to Bai Yun’s age. If a cub is born, Bai Yun will be one of the oldest giant pandas known to give birth. Keep your fingers crossed!



http://www.sandiegozoo.org/pandacam/

OMG..I've been waiting for news, thank you!!!

 

Just got to work and where is Orion?  I don't see him on cam??

Edit to add:  Thank you Shaky for zooming in the cam!  Whew almost choked on my coffee when I brought up the cam and didn't see him 

"Where's my mommy?
LOVE THAT FACE!!

That has got to be one of the best EVER!  

I agree!  

Me too    Mama's boy 

Close-up of Orion

 

If you didn't know Kinney; here is an excerpt from a Father's Day post to him from their blog site: 

Happy Father’s Day to all but particularly to one special falcon-dad, Kinney! You have sired 61 chicks over a remarkable lifetime of 19 falcon years and I think that deserves special recognition in any world. I hope you have successful hunts today with lots of peaceful, rest time while watching your young ‘uns play and grow before your eyes with your faithful mate, KathyQ by your side.

Tragic news just posted by Alison over on BCAW, Kinney has been found dead.  One of my favorite nests and pairs.  I can't imagine how KathyQ will do without her longtime mate 

This is from his Facebook page as posted by Alison.  RIP Kinney, you WILL be missed.

It's with the saddest of hearts, a huge lump in my throat and copious amount of tears that I tell you all that Kinney has died. His body has been recovered from the 29th floor of Market Tower. Details aren't known of the how but it looks like a collision. I will post more later.